If you’re anything like most Aussies, cleaning the kitchen bench probably means grabbing your favourite spray—be it Ajax, Dettol, Pine O Cleen, Earth Choice, or a trusty home brand from Coles or Woolworths—giving the surface a quick spritz, and immediately wiping it down. Job done, right? Well, not quite.
It turns out that this common approach might be leaving your kitchen less clean than you think. Cleaning expert Christy, known for her popular CleanTok videos, has revealed a simple but crucial rule that many of us are missing: patience.
According to Christy, the biggest mistake people make is wiping away disinfectant sprays too soon.
‘It is important to let the disinfectant sit for 5-10 minutes for the actual disinfectant to work. It needs the time to kill bacteria,’ she explains. ‘This is definitely one that people overlook.’
Why does this matter? Well, the science is simple. Disinfectants need time to break down and destroy bacteria and viruses. If you wipe them away immediately, you’re just moving germs around, not eliminating them.
In fact, a quick glance at the back of most cleaning products will confirm this. For example, Pine O Cleen’s disinfectant multipurpose cleaner instructs users to spray surfaces ‘until thoroughly wet’ and let them stand for 10 minutes before wiping to properly disinfect and deodorise.
If you’re just after a general clean—removing crumbs, spills, and visible dirt—then a quick spray and wipe is fine. But if you want to actually kill germs, you need to let the product do its job.
Christy also points out another common misconception: not all sprays are created equal. ‘There’s a difference between disinfectant and surface cleaner,’ she says.
‘The disinfectant kills bacteria while surface cleaner cleans away dirt and grime, but it doesn’t kill bacteria.’ So, if you’re using a surface cleaner and expecting it to disinfect, you might be in for a nasty surprise.
But wait, there’s more! Christy has a few more tips to help you clean like a pro:
1. Ditch the circles—go for s or z motions
When wiping down surfaces, most of us instinctively use a circular motion. But Christy recommends wiping in an S or Z pattern instead.
Why? ‘It is recommended to wipe in S or Z motion to collect the dirt and bacteria from the surface.
When wiping in circles, you are just spreading the bacteria around in circles,’ she says. This simple switch can make a big difference in how clean your surfaces actually are.
2. Be careful with electronics
Spraying cleaning products directly onto electronics is a recipe for disaster. Instead, spray the product onto a cloth first, then wipe down your device. This helps prevent moisture from seeping into sensitive components and causing damage.
3. Get organised with cleaning checklists
If you find it hard to keep on top of household chores, you’re not alone. To help, Christy has created two handy cleaning checklists: a Sunday reset checklist and an ultimate cleaning checklist.
These break down tasks into weekly, biweekly, monthly, seasonal, and yearly jobs, making it easier to stay on track. You can print them out or use them digitally—whatever works best for you.
4. Don’t forget the little things
- While we’re on the topic, here are a few more quick tips to keep your home sparkling:
Change your cleaning cloths and sponges regularly—they can harbour bacteria. - Clean high-touch areas like door handles, light switches, and remote controls often.
- Don’t neglect your shoes! A $2.45 product from Bunnings can keep them fresh and odour-free.
- For laundry woes, a $4.30 item could be the solution to stubborn stains.
Why this matters to you
As we get older, our immune systems can become a little less robust, making it even more important to keep our homes genuinely clean, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Following these expert tips can help reduce the risk of illness and keep your living space healthy and welcoming.
Join the conversation
Have you been making this cleaning mistake? Do you have any tried-and-true cleaning hacks of your own? We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Share your experiences in the comments below—let’s help each other keep our homes cleaner and healthier.
And if you want more lifestyle tips, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates. Happy cleaning!
Also read: Expert warns: Stop making this deadly cleaning mistake!
Great idea :-
“Don’t neglect your shoes! A $2.45 product from Bunnings can keep them fresh and odour-free.
For laundry woes, a $4.30 item could be the solution to stubborn stains.”
But what are the names of these products mentioned ??