The Big Mistake You May Be Making With Cleaning Sprays

Few things feel as good as a clean, fresh-smelling home, especially after a long day or before guests arrive. There's something oddly satisfying about wiping down a kitchen counter or spritzing the bathroom sink until it sparkles. Naturally, the faster the better, right? So, it might seem totally harmless (even efficient) to grab your favorite cleaning spray and go to town by spraying it onto everything in sight. But here's where you might be getting it wrong: Spraying cleaners directly onto surfaces may be one of the biggest cleaning mistakes you're making.

Some products are specifically formulated to be sprayed directly on surfaces — that includes glass cleaners or disinfectants that need time to sit. However, not all cleaning sprays are meant to be used that way. Some are more concentrated or harsh, which is why you shouldn't apply them straight onto your counters, tables, or appliances. So, while you might've thought that spraying directly onto surfaces is the correct way to clean, this might be a cleaning myth you need to stop falling for unless the product label says otherwise.

Spraying cleaner onto surfaces directly isn't the best idea because it often leads to an overload of fumes, especially in smaller spaces like bathrooms or kitchens with poor ventilation. This isn't just unpleasant — it can irritate your eyes, skin, or lungs. Also, even when you're using this cleaning product with caution, it's hard to gauge the amount of product you spray. More often than not, too much cleaner is applied, leading to product waste and buildup on surfaces over time. Plus, if you accidentally spray the cleaner on nearby surfaces that they're not made for (like natural stone or vintage wood), you might cause damage you didn't see coming.

If you've been using cleaning products the wrong way all along, no worries — the best solution moving forward is an obvious one. When you're cleaning with it, spray the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth first, then use that to wipe the surface. This method gives you better control over where the product goes and helps avoid oversaturating areas that don't need it. Just double-check the label — if it says to spray directly and let sit, follow those instructions. But for most everyday cleaning, spraying the cloth first is likely the way to go.