Leaving your bed unmade for an hour or two can help to air it out naturally, reducing moisture and bacteria.
Some daily chores are not only unnecessary, but can do more harm than good.
Most of us have a set of unwritten house rules that we cling to. They’re like little rituals that make us feel tidier, cleaner and more put together.
Maybe you’re meticulously scrubbing the kitchen counters after every snack, making the bed as soon as you get up, or drying pots and pans the second they’ve been washed to avoid counter clutter.
While a desire for cleanliness likely plays a part, is there also an element of keeping up appearances? No one wants nosy neighbours, friends and family raising an eyebrow at your less-than-perfect standards.
“There’s often pressure to present a spotless home, but perfection isn’t realistic,” says Lynsey Crombie, a home expert and author of The 15 Minute Clean. “Daily cleaning rituals can bring comfort and control, but if they cause stress, it’s okay to loosen the rules.”
There’s also a dark side to keeping everything spick and span. From irritating your skin to polluting the environment, some chores can actually do more harm than good.
So, which of your daily routines can you safely ditch without guilt? Here are the surprising house rules worth breaking.
Making the bed as soon as we get up is a habit drilled into us from childhood, and according to a survey by Marks & Spencer earlier this year, 60% of Britons do it every day.
In addition, researchers in the US found that 82% of bed-makers believe completing this small task early in the day boosts productivity, while 78% of participants in a study for the National Sleep Foundation said they were more excited to sleep in a bed with clean sheets.
After all: tidy house, tidy mind. Ironically, however, that neat bed of yours could be inviting unwelcome guests.
“When you sleep, you build up moisture and sweat,” says London-based GP Dr Amos Ogunkoya. “This warm, humid environment is the perfect breeding ground for microscopic dust mites.
“Although they don’t bite or sting, they can cause rashes and other allergic symptoms. Reducing humidity in your room stops these mites from accumulating and causes them to dehydrate and die.”
Your best bet? “Leave the bed unmade for an hour or two so it can air out naturally. You can also open the windows, as fresh air reduces moisture and bacteria,” says Crombie.
Unless they are sweaty or stained, washing clothes after every wear isn’t just unnecessary, it can also wear down fabrics, drive energy bills up and harm the planet.
A study published in peer-reviewed journal PLOS One found that up to 35% of global microplastic emissions come from washing synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon. These particles wash into rivers and oceans and, eventually, onto our plates.
“Items such as jeans, jumpers and jackets can easily last two, three or more wears before washing,” says Crombie. “Clothes that sit next to your skin (think underwear, gym gear and socks) should be washed after every wear.”
When you do wash, drop the temperature to save energy and money.
“Don’t overfill the machine. Aim for about three-quarters full so clothes can move freely. If you have a time-of-use plan, washing at off-peak times lowers your bills,” says Crombie.
We’re not suggesting your kitchen worktops should be allowed to turn into a bacteria-ridden science experiment, but scrubbing at your surfaces every five minutes might be doing more harm than good.
A research review in the journal Environment International found that cleaning products can release pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide into the air, which can irritate the airways. They’ve been linked to asthma and other breathing problems in both adults and children.
“Constantly disinfecting surfaces can also encourage microbes to adapt to and become harder to kill,” says Laura Mountford, a cleaning content creator and author of Live, Laugh, Laundry.
Plus, your quick spritz-and-wipe might not be doing much anyway. “For disinfectants to work effectively, many need to be sprayed and left for a few minutes to enable the surfactants to kill bacteria before wiping away,” says Mountford.
“Unless there’s a spill, visible dirt or illness, daily cleaning, rather than consistently throughout the day, is sufficient.”
An effective germ-killer, perhaps, but bleach shouldn’t be your go-to cleaner. Guidance from the UK Government states that sodium hypochlorite, the main component of bleach, may irritate the skin or cause burning pain, inflammation and blisters.
“Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent, but if it’s not used in an aerated space, it can also cause asthma to flare up,” says Amos.
Reserve bleach for tough jobs and select gentler alternatives where possible.
“Hydrogen peroxide is a safer disinfectant in some cases,” explains Crombie. “White vinegar is great for limescale, glass and freshening washing machines, while bicarbonate of soda is brilliant for odours and scrubbing.”
“When you do use bleach, keep windows open to allow air to circulate and keep children and animals away from the affected areas,” Amos advises.
The pile of freshly washed dishes, cups and cutlery piling up around the edge of the sink might set you off into a flap, but it’s best to push the urge aside and let your washing up dry on its own rather than towel drying.
“Tea towels can be breeding grounds for germs, particularly when they are damp or used regularly for drying hands. They should be washed frequently,” says Mountford.
In fact, scientists from the University of Mauritius studied 100 tea towels and found that 49% had bacterial growth, including E coli, which can cause food poisoning.
The research found that E. coli was more likely to be found on damp towels as well as towels used for multiple jobs, such as wiping utensils and cleaning surfaces. “Air drying on a dish rack with good airflow is the best way to dry your washing up,” says Mountford.
“If you must dry your dishes quickly, use a clean, dry towel that’s only used for dishes.”
A regular vacuum removes the buildup of dust, dirt and pet hair that inevitably starts to accumulate on carpets and floors. But going overboard might worsen the air quality in your home – at least in the short term.
According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, vacuuming can cause a temporary resuspension of particulate matter, namely dust and dirt, as well as toxic substances, such as lead and pesticides, which can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory issues. These resuspended particulates might then settle again on furniture, floors and other surfaces.
Over-vacuuming can also wear fibres on delicate rugs or older flooring, warns Crombie.
“A consistent weekly routine is enough for most homes,” she says. “High-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens and living rooms may need more attention, whereas bedrooms and less-used spaces can be done once or twice a week.”
Your obsession with crease-free sheets and tea towels might be costing you more than time. Constant ironing uses a lot of energy and can wear out fabrics faster.
A study in the journal Building and Environment also found that ironing isn’t just a problem for your electricity bill – it can raise levels of indoor air pollution too. Depending on the type of iron you use and how well-ventilated your room is, ironing can release small particles into the air, namely plastic microfibres which, when heated, can give off VOCs. Steam irons may release more particles.
“If you hang items to dry as soon as you remove them from the machine, most creases will fall out,” says Mountford.