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6 Cleaning Mistakes That Are Making Your Home Dirtier

May 4, 2023-3 min read

From old wives’ tales to internet hacks and myths to the homemade concoction your aunt swears will banish any stain, there’s plenty to learn (and unlearn) about cleaning. Want to know what really works? We have the low-down on the most common cleaning mistakes, plus trusted house-cleaning hacks and tips to help clean up your act.

Brush up on your knowledge with cleaning tips to keep your vacuum running smoothly. You can bench that bleach too; we’ve got the final word on mould removal. And with every squeaky clean house must come a peachy keen team of cleaning appliances – think carpet cleaners, self-cleaning ovens, next-gen robot vacuums, smart washing machines and more, all designed to lighten your cleaning load.

Ready to revolutionise your home-cleaning routine? It starts now!

Mother vacuums with a stick vac while her kids play on the couch

Get Smart With Your Appliances

Gather the troops – it’s cleaning day! And we don’t mean the kids (although it’s easy to task them too), but the essential cleaning appliances you need to get the job done well.

“With smart sensors, self-cleaning tech and Wi-Fi connectivity, the latest cleaners are all about giving you back precious time in your day. Imagine catching up on your favourite shows as a robot vacuum whizzes around the couch,” says Nick Trajkovski, The Good Guys Buyer – Floorcare.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, a pyrolytic oven takes the elbow grease out of post-roast clean-ups: its self-cleaning program will keep your oven in tip-top condition.

For a laundry that does the heavy lifting for you, choose an auto-sensing, auto-dosing washing machine that knows the perfect cycle type, duration and detergent dose for every load. Now that’s smart!

“With smart sensors, self-cleaning tech and Wi-Fi connectivity, the latest cleaners are all about giving you back time in your day. Imagine catching up on your favourite shows as a robot vacuum whizzes around the couch.”

6 Common Cleaning Mistakes

From mould-busting to washing machine cleaning, how do your habits hold up against these common cleaning fails?

Mistake #1: Pre-Rinsing Dishes

Pre-rinsed dishes can throw off your dishwasher’s sensors, which detect how dirty a dish is based on food residue (yes, the leftover pesto and pasta sauce smears have a purpose). Thus, pre-rinsed dishes might only get a light rinse instead of the jet wash that’s needed to leave them sparkling clean. The solution? Just scrape any solid food into the bin before loading.

Mistake #2: Rubbing Carpet Stains

When the wine spills, the coffee mug tips or the dog treks dirt across the living-room floor, blotting is your best friend. Instead of rubbing, blot stains with a cloth dipped in a cold-water-and-vinegar mix. Or, turn to the stain-busting expertise of a carpet cleaner.

“Effective stain removal is all about acting quickly, so having a household carpet cleaner is super handy,” says Nick Trajkovski.

Shop Carpet Cleaners

Vax Platinum SpotWasher

Shark Steam & Scrub Steam Mop

Bissell SpotClean Carpet Cleaner >

Front on image of a Bissell SpotClean Carpet Cleaner

Mistake #3: Using Bleach To Clean Mould

While bleach can disguise mould, it takes a hit of vinegar to completely remove the moisture-loving fungus. In the laundry, stem the cause of mould by swapping to a heat pump dryer. With no venting required, these energy efficient appliance wizards continuously reheat and recycle air back into the drum, leaving your laundry area fresh, dry and mould free.

Shop Heat Pump Dryers

Solt 10kg Heat Pump Dryer

Haier 8kg Heat Pump Dryer

Hisense 9kg Heat Pump Dryer >

Front on image of a Hisense 9kg Heat Pump Dryer

Mistake #4: Cleaning With A Full Vacuum

Keep your vacuum primed to pick up dirt by regularly emptying dust canisters and filters. Clean once a month, or more if you’ve got a pet around. Upgrade to a self-cleaning stick vacuum if you’re keen on making maintenance easy.

“Some stick vacs reduce your workload by compacting debris storage, so you don’t have to empty the canister as often. Other robot vacuums go one step further, automatically emptying debris into a docking station dustbin,” says Nick Trajkovski.

Man at home working on his laptop while a robot vacuum cleaner cleans the floor

Shop Easy-To-Clean Vacuums

LG A9 Kompressor Auto Handstick Vacuum

Samsung Jet 90 Complete Vacuum

iRobot Roomba J7+ Robot Vacuum >

Side on angle image of an iRobot Roomba J7 Robot Vacuum

Mistake #5: Overdoing The Laundry Detergent

A surplus of suds prevents garments from rubbing together (which is needed to get them clean), so resist the temptation to dump extra detergent on extra-dirty clothes. Or, nail the perfect dose with an auto-dosing machine – its sensors detect a load’s size and contents to precisely dispense detergent for a crisp and clean result.

Shop Auto-Dosing Washing Machines

Solt 8kg Front Load WasherHaier 8kg Front Load Washer

Fisher & Paykel 10kg Front Load Washer >

Front on image of a Fisher  Paykel 10kg Front Load Washer

Mistake #6: Cooking Food In A Dirty Oven

Maintain grease- and odour-free operations by wiping your oven’s interior after every use (once it’s cooled down). Want to clean an oven without scrubbing? Set a pyrolytic oven to self-cleaning mode.

“A pyrolytic oven hits very high temperatures to turn built-up grease and cooking residue into ash you can simply wipe out,” says Tania Grillinzoni, The Good Guys Buyer – Cooking and Dishwashers. 

Shop Pyrolytic Ovens

Westinghouse 60cm Pyrolytic Oven – Dark Stainless

Smeg 60cm Classic Pyrolytic Oven Matt Black

Bosch 60cm Pyrolytic Oven Series 4 >

Front on image of a Bosch 60cm Pyrolytic Oven Series 4

Now that we’ve busted the myths, it’s time to bust out the cleaning kit. Visit The Good Guys in-store and online for the best carpet cleaners, self-cleaning ovens and smart washing machines that’ll have you keen to clean!

Cleaning tips & hacks

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Want stain-free rugs and carpets? A sofa that looks new again? Spotless car interiors? You’ve got them with Hoover’s clever ONEPWR CleanSlate Pet Cordless Spot Cleaner

Designed for expert cleaning and everyday messes, this powerful cleaner makes short work of even the toughest stains. From smelly pet messes to pesky pasta sauce stains – and everything in between – this spot cleaner’s new compact and cordless design is made to remove messes as they happen, and be on-hand to clean up after life’s biggest oops moments. 

Where there’s a stain, there’s a Hoover floorcare solution! Here’s why your hectic household needs the latest Hoover ONEPWR CleanSlate Spot Cleaner.

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One of the best things in the whole world has to be fresh laundry. Clean sheets can make your whole bedroom feel like a fancy hotel, and fresh clothes can give you the confidence to crush that to-do list in style! But if your current washing machine isn’t bringing you joy and you’ve decided it’s time for an upgrade, we’ve got all the info you’ll need to find the best washing machine. From knowing what to look for, to the biggest trends and new technology – including the latest auto dosing washing machines – we’ve got your back!

Need a new dryer to go with your washing machine? Check out our Dryer Buying Guide for all the tips and our best picks

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Are you a large household? Life on the laundry treadmill can feel like Groundhog Day. The sports kits, the school uniforms, the work shirts… don’t even get us started on those endless towels (and the whopping energy bills that come with them!). Step up heat pump dryers, the new whiz kid in the laundry. A boon for bigger broods, these star appliances use super-efficient heat exchanger technology to deliver big savings for the planet, your bank balance, and the lifespan of your clothes. Best of all, with no need for ventilation, heat pump dryers can be installed anywhere (even under the staircase!).

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Choosing the best vacuum for you means thinking about much more than its weight, suction, functionality, and features. What really makes the difference when choosing between the best of the best is considering your environment. Start by thinking about what surfaces you’ll be vacuuming and the layout of your home. You will also need to consider if you’d prefer bagged or bagless, corded or cordless, and so on.

We know, there is a lot to consider, but do not despair – The Good Guys are here to help! Read on to find the best vacuum cleaner for you and your home.

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Getting your clothes spick and span (and crease-free!) has never been easier thanks to the latest wrinkle-busting irons and garment steamers. With their heat-wielding powers, these are the appliances no dedicated fashion follower – or neat and tidy type – can live without. But how do irons and garment steamers differ? And do you need both in your clothing-care regimen? Read on to discover which of these laundry legends is right for your needs.

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