ARTICLE
You missed a spot! Common cleaning mistakes to avoid
Published Jul 10, 2025 • Updated Jun 15, 2026 - 4 min read
Common cleaning mistakes can leave dust behind, spread allergens and waste time, but a few smart swaps will help your vacuum, washing machine, oven, fridge and dishwasher do a far better job. This article shows the fixes that make spring cleaning quicker, easier and more effective.
Key takeaways from this article
Keep your vacuum clean so it actually removes dust instead of recirculating it.
Use a large-capacity washer for curtains, slip covers and doonas, not just clothes.
Choose a self-cleaning oven to cut scrubbing time and avoid harsh fumes.
Look for fridge features that make wiping, defrosting and cleaning easier.
Do not overload the dishwasher if you want a proper clean and less filter hassle.
There’s nothing like that clean-home feel – when everything’s in its place, the surfaces are sparkling and the air smells meadow-fresh. But not all cleans are equal, and there are some common cleaning mistakes that might actually be making your home less pristine, while also wasting your precious time and energy. By avoiding them and arming yourself with the latest cleaning appliances for your kitchen, living room, laundry and beyond, you’ll get the house cleaning done right the first time, every time.
Here are the top cleaning mistakes to avoid, and the clean team of appliances to help you ace your spring clean.
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Mistake 1: Not cleaning the Vacuum
It’s not a spring clean without an under-the-couch, behind-bedside-tables, between-crevices, whole-house vacuum. But if you’re using a dirty cleaner with filters dustier than the Sahara you may as well forget it. Clogged filters won’t give a thorough clean, and dust particles and allergens will simply be recirculated in the air to tickle noses and throats and grime your surfaces.
Problem solved with the Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum with Auto Empty System. This next-gen stick vacuum has an integrated Auto Empty System that automatically empties dust and debris into a base station, minimising manual contact and mess.
Shop Self-Cleaning Vacuums
Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Vacuum
Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum
Ecovacs DEEBOT N20 PRO PLUS Robotic Vacuum
Mistake 2: Under-utilising your Washing Machine
If you’re only using your washing machine for basket loads of dirty clothes, you’re missing out on some serious spring-cleaning support. By investing in a large-capacity model you can wash curtains, sofa slip covers and even king-size doonas. Look for a model with a fast wash cycle to save time and money, and with auto-dosing and auto sensors to take the guesswork out of adding detergent and selecting the right load size. The machine does it all for you! Just remember to keep the door open between washes – you want to avoid mould in the seals (and another cleaning-day chore).
Shop mega-load Washing Machines
Fisher & Paykel 11kg Front Load Washer
Mistake 3: Not investing in a Self-Cleaning Oven
Why rub, scrub and be forced to wear a cleaning mask when today's pyrolytic ovens do it for you? They use high temperatures and pressure to turn grease, grime and fat to ash. Talk about an easy clean! There’s a pyrolytic oven to suit any kitchen and budget, from an entry-level, fan-forced oven and grill, to a steam-emitting rotisserie appliance with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Shop Pyrolytic Ovens
Bosch Series 4 60cm Pyrolytic Oven
Electrolux 60cm Pyrolytic Oven with SteamBake, Black - 600 Series
Mistake 4: Forgetting the fridge
What’s hidden behind closed doors can be let out in a stinky blast of cold air at any moment, so don’t neglect your fridge. Better yet, invest in a model with easy-clean features like removable, easy-wipe shelves, frost-free technology and fingerprint-resistant finishes. The matte black LG 642L InstaView French Door Refrigerator ticks all these boxes plus it has a UVnano feature that automatically cleans inside the water-dispensing nozzle every hour. Cheers to that!
Shop easy-clean Fridges
Hisense 483L French Door Refrigerator
Westinghouse 425L Bottom Mount Refrigerator
Samsung 640L Family Hub Refrigerator
Mistake 5: Overstuffing the Dishwasher
Shoving a sinkfull of dishes into one mega dishwasher load is tempting, but overstuffing only leads to a lacklustre clean. Start by taking our crash course in how to correctly stack your dishwasher, then consider an upgrade if your current model isn’t coping with the heavy lifting. Don’t like fishing food scraps out of the dishwasher filter? Look for a model with a self-cleaning filter that grinds away large food particles so they aren’t left in the machine. Flexible, adjustable shelves are a must-have – a model with this handy feature will be up to the job of cleaning regular loads of plates and glasses, and will spring clean loads of showerheads, microwave trays, soap dishes and bath toys, too.
“Don’t like fishing food scraps out of the dishwasher filter? Look for a model with a self-cleaning filter that grinds away large food particles so they aren’t left in the machine.”
Shop do-it-all Dishwashers
Hisense 60cm Freestanding Dishwasher
Bosch Series 4 Built Under Dishwasher Stainless Steel
Miele 60cm Fully Integrated Dishwasher
Now that you know how to keep your home in tip-top shape, visit The Good Guys in-store or online for amazing brands and prices on cleaning appliances for a spotless home.
FAQs
What are the most common house cleaning mistakes?
The most common cleaning mistakes are spreading dirt around instead of removing it, using the wrong product for the surface, and skipping the appliances that do the job properly. Things like cleaning windows in direct sunlight, using a dirty cloth or mop, and forgetting to clean the tools themselves all waste time and leave streaks or grime behind. Working top to bottom and letting the right equipment do the heavy lifting gets better results with less effort.
What's the most overlooked thing people forget to clean?
The most overlooked items are the cleaning tools themselves, including vacuum filters, mop heads, cloths and appliance seals. A vacuum with a clogged filter or full bin loses suction and can blow dust back into the room, while a dirty cloth simply moves bacteria around. Emptying, washing and maintaining your tools regularly keeps the rest of your cleaning effective.
Is a vacuum or a broom better for cleaning floors?
A vacuum is generally more effective than a broom because it captures fine dust and allergens rather than stirring them back into the air. A good vacuum, especially one with strong suction and a quality filter, also reaches into carpet pile and gets along skirting boards and edges. A broom can still be handy for quick jobs, but for a thorough clean a vacuum does more.
How can I make spring cleaning faster and more effective?
The fastest way to spring clean is to work room by room from top to bottom, use the right product for each surface, and let appliances handle the big jobs. A steam mop for floors, a vacuum with good suction for carpets and a cordless stick vac for quick touch-ups all save time and energy. Cleaning your tools first means everything you do afterwards actually works.
