26 Things This Professional Cleaner Refuses To Have In Their Home
Interview
Professionals are professionals for a reason. Most things in life are endlessly more complex than they might seem on the surface. If you will forgive the pun, surfaces are a great example, something we hardly even think about until it’s time for some deep cleaning.
The TikTok account of a New Zealand cleaning service went viral when they shared the things they would do and avoid doing based on their professional experience. From the size of drains to the materials used to put together a kitchen, take note for the next time you are designing. So be sure to upvote your favorite tips and comment your thoughts. We got in touch with the company behind the video to learn more.
More info: TikTok
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Would Do - Ceiling High Kitchen Cabinets
This will avoid dust and grease buildup, plus more storage.
Bored Panda got in touch with Leaders Cleaning and they were kind enough to answer some of our questions. We wanted to know why they decided to start a TikTok account in the first place. "First, is to give exposure to our business, as regular TikTok users ourselves, we think the social media presence gives some sort of reassurance to the potential client that they are making the right choice."
"Secondly, is to share our experience. Of course, we are not perfect and always learning, however, we have worked through hundreds if not thousands of properties, so we have an idea of what performs better for the easier life in terms of maintaining a home," they shared with Bored Panda.
Wouldn't Do - Spiral Kitchen Tap
Looks great and professional. However, dust and dirt accumulate a lot in between spirals.
Would Do - Shower Without A Glass And With Larger Tiles For Less Grout
We also wanted to hear if they had any other tips for the folks at home. "The main mistake is using the wrong tools/products and not reading cleaning product labels. Not only can it be a serious health hazard to mix different cleaning products, but it can also damage the materials irretrievably. It can be bad for natural materials like wood and stone. We have seen it all."
"If it looks clean - it is clean. Visual cleanliness can be deceptive and commonly used areas like benchtops, table handles, toilets, and the vanity need a good detergent or disinfectant to sit and work for a few minutes for its actual cleaning properties. Cleaning can be overwhelming, take it one step at a time and clean a little bit every day rather than all at once. If you have the opportunity, reach out to your local cleaning professionals, in our experience it gives so much relief to our busy clients."
Wouldn't Do - Mirror Behind A Tap
Just catches all the splashes.
Wouldn't Do - Black Granite Sink
Hard water stains are real. After it's stained, really hard to clean.
Wouldn't Do - Stainless Steel Bench Top
Requires a lot of polishing for a clean look. Best for commercial kitchens.
The first time you start living by yourself, you become acutely aware of just how hard it can be to clean things. You end up with a never-ending war with dust and humidity, windows that get dirty milliseconds after you clean them, and nooks buried so deep it's easier to “forget” to clean them. And the moment you start to think you might be winning, you learn why vacuuming and a mop are not the same as deep cleaning. This process can be so time-intensive and require so much specialist equipment and chemicals that people can and often do simply hire professionals, like “Leaders Cleaning,” who made the videos featured here.
The most common “evil” one might encounter is black mold, which absolutely loves to show up wherever there is but a little too much moisture. As a child, you may have not even realized that those black areas in a less-than-tidy bathroom were mold. Perhaps it’s dirt, mud, or just general grim, you could have thought to yourself.
Wouldn't Do - Corded Wooden Or Metal Blinds
Corded wooden or metal blinds get tangled, collect dust, dirt and mold. Very, very, very hard to clean.
I 100% hate venetian blinds. Whoever invented them deserves a special place in hell.
Would Do - Bath Attached To The Wall
If not attached, there is water, dust, and mold in this little gap between the wall and bath.
Would Do - Electric Or Induction Cooktop
Needs only a quick wipe after each use. What a dream.
I used to prefer gas to electric range tops. I've had induction in my last two apartments. I'll never go back to gas!
Same! Used gas hob all my life and resisted change, finally gave in and got induction last year…….what was I waiting for?? It’s brilliant in all aspects.
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I absolutely hate my electric cooktop. The heat is harder to regulate, the surface is hard to clean, scorches or boil overs have to be scraped off with a razor blade after the surface finally cools down. Give me a good gas stove.
If you had induction you woudn't have such problems. You can mostly touch the surface right after turning off, and if you are afraid of spills put a dishtowel under the pan, and wash it, if anything gets spilled.
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Not a fan of those at all. They shatter and are sometimes not aligned with the the burner area. I much prefer a gas range.
Never shattered here? If you don't slam anything on them they'll probably hold.
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I loved having gas over traditional electric... and then I got an induction stove-top and my life was changed. I will never go back. Boil water in 90 seconds, seer a steak in a cast iron pan in minutes, incredible control over the temperature of the pan. I am just glad the cost has been dropping, easier to get into more homes. And as an added bonus, the most environmentally friendly of the 3 options (traditional electric, gas, induction).
Yes! Had one for awhile 2004,but now "just" electric "glas top" stove. (Good English tonight from me..)
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I bought Bev an induction cooker when she used one on holiday and said she would have a blast cooking on one. She loves it. It cooks faster and we noticed pots don't seem to boil over
While I do like a gas top, induction is so much easier. Just make sure it has real physical knobs and not touch controls.
I like my touch controls personally, makes it easier to clean. They are lockable in the 'off' position and so small children and pets can't accidentally switch them on. Though that might not be the reason you prefer physical knobs!
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These suck to cook on though 😆 I’ve been in commercial kitchens forever and my partners parents had renovations in the kitchen. The only positive thing I have to say about it, which is irrelevant to me cos I have none: its child friendly for no burns for kids who haven’t grasped the concept of how dangerous a kitchen is
No, they are not easy to keep clean especially after 1-2 years. They scratch, they break, and look awful before long. It’s also hard to gauge your heat and things take way too long to boil (yes, even with the quick boil feature) and burn way too quickly. Unfortunately you don’t always get a choice of this or gas, so you have to make do.
I have had mine for nor almost 5 years and there is no scratch on the surface, but then I don't throw my pans about.
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You have to use non scratching cleaning products on them but definitely worth it.
I have a 'domino' hob: two gas rings alongside two induction plates. Best of both worlds as I can use the gas if we have a power cut but the induction side is my go-to as it's quick to heat and easy to clean.
Nope, always choosing gas forever. Heats faster and more event than flat top electric, and you don't have to use special cleaners to prevent scratches. Flat tops are ok for people who don't cook a lot or who aren't hard on their kitchens, but my sister has one and even when it's cleaned and polished, there's still scuffs where the favorite burner is. My BF is a professional chef, so he uses really heavy, professional tools, and would beat up a flat top! Plus, in areas where it snows or there are storms that can take it the power, you can always cook on gas even if the power is out!
Induction is lovely but gas is way more reliable than electric - especially if you’re likely to get power cuts.
I have one of these and it's awful! It scratches VERY EASILY and it is a pain in the a*s to cook on. Give me gas anyday!
Never had other than induction cooktop (that’s what’s common here) and it takes 2 minutes to clean ❤️
You must be very thorough. I have never used more than 30 seconds, but then I put a dishtowel under the pan, if I fry something like bacon.
Load More Replies... Don't take my gas stove away from me! I don't care if I have to clean it, just cooks better.
I hated my glass top electric stove. It was so difficult to clean spills off. I need to use a scraper every time.
Much prefer a gas cook top. I absolutely hate my electric range and when I buy my first house a gas range is something I will not budge on. Electric will be a deal breaker
I have a gas stove. The burners are electric ignition and the burners are sealed or tight so food can't fall under the burners. Not that hard to clean. Always use a timer when cooking so nothing usually boils over. When making soup I usually stir a little to aggressively and spill a little over. Once it dries. It usually takes two maybe three cleanings to get it clean up without any scrubbing.
We got one of those industrial-size 60” Wolf Dual Fuel ranges and I seriously hate it. For what we make it’s like using a cruise ship as a river ferry. We only ever fully use it for holidays & special occasions (I say “we”; the caterers use it to keep stuff warm or to heat something up. Kidding. Kinda), preferring our Breville “Control Freak” countertop, induction cooker.
I got rid of my induction cooktop and replaced with gas. You would think needs only a quick wipe after each use, but that thing looked dirty all the time.
The only problem with induction cooktops is the full glass surface. They are much easier to clean than gas or ceramic, but anything you move without lifting scratches the surface.
Despite being so ubiquitous, black mold is disproportionately bad for humans. Besides looking gross, there are a number of links between the presence of mold and respiratory issues. While scientists have yet to discover a hard correlation between the two, there does seem to be enough secondary evidence to suggest having random black mold in your corners is bad.
Wouldn't Do - Open Plan Range Hood
Collects grease and dust. At the same time, hard to reach the top.
Wouldn't Do - Black Glass Top Table Or Furniture
Reflects dust so much, even when cleaned frequently.
Would Do - Rimless Toilet
My favorite. So easy to clean and no place for germs to breed.
While you can physically scrub away mold, without chemicals, you are unlikely to fully eradicate it. While this can be done at home, it’s one reason why it can be beneficial to contact professionals. Black mold can regrow in as little time as 24 hours, so imagine working all day only to be defeated by some fungus in roughly a day's time.
Wouldn't Do - Round Shower Cabin
Harder to clean. Squeegee and get into sliding fixtures. Could save space but would keep as a last resort.
Wouldn't Do - Glossy Floor Tiles
Really prone to streaks.
Wouldn't Do - Long Shower Drains Inserts
Looks sleek, however, collects all the hair and dirt really fast. Also gives an odor if not cleaned often.
After a few years of maintaining your own place, it gets easier to spot potential issues. From weird shapes and surfaces to easily stained materials, there are so many pitfalls. For the same reason that we don’t wear white every day, it’s worth thinking about every design choice from the perspective of “How will I clean this?” and “How will this look after a year of use?”
Wouldn't Do - Kitchen Rug
Looks good but gets dirty constantly with all the cooking.
Would Do - Integrated Range Hood
Looks seamless and avoids dirt buildup. Only filters need to be washed manually or in the dishwasher on a low, medium heat short cycle.
But! Do clean the undersides of the cabinets, adjacent to the range hood, from time to time.
Would Do - Kitchen Appliances In The Pantry Cabinet
Appliances all on display require more frequent cleaning.
Easier to place them in the cabinet and do a maintenance clean.
trouble is, the toaster heats the shelf above it and eventually cracks the melamine. The kettle boils water and the steam eventually gets through the tiny cracks in the seams of the melamine and makes the chipboard wood inside swell up from the damp, bursting the shelves. It's a really really stupid idea. Experience has taught me these things.
Would Do - Any Non Reflective Splashback
Non-reflective surface leaves less to no streaks during cleaning.
Wouldn't Do - Matte And Black Matte Kitchen Cabinets Or Anything Matte
The moment you touch it, it leaves marks. Especially hard to clean oily stains. Looks stunning though.
maybe depends on what matte. i have matte and i am so happy, friend has glossy and despairs
Wouldn't Do - Pocket Like Kitchen Handles
Rarely get properly cleaned and disinfected deep inside. It is also a mission to do it.
No matter what type of handle you like, it is worth knowing that brass has natural antibiotic properties.
Wouldn't Do - Velvet Furniture
These are so beautiful, but almost never looks neat unless you don't sit or touch it. Leaves messy marks after every touch.
I have velvet furniture, it's really not an issue at all.
Would Do - Countertop Integrated Vanity
Easy to clean and wipe down right to the sink. Splashes are contained on the surface and don't go all around the walls.
Now it's just missing the integrated sink (which is why stainless is my go to.) Sink corners get absolutely nasty.
Would Do - Shutter Blinds
If you still decide to have blinds, shutters are easier in maintenance.
I'll second that. When you're cleaning, the rigidity of shutters definitely makes things easier.
Would Do - Modern Wooden Kitchen Cabinets Finish
In my opinion, it leaves less streaks and hides fingerprints well.
Nope. They are good while they are new, but most of them age pretty poorly and eventually all those nooks and crannies become too difficult to clean. We bought apartment with "wood finish" kitchen like that. A nightmare.
Wouldn't Do - Ceiling High Wardrobe Mirrors
As it's used often, there are always fingerprints and it's hard to polish at the very top.
Could we PLEASE stop having entire AD articles here? That's the second one!
Some of these are pretty picky, like if they leave streaks. I guess it makes sense if you're designing your house. But if you're renting or have an old house, sometime you just gotta make do with what you've got and try your best.
Or if you are buying a home with someone else's choice of new kitchen and it's not really sensible to rip it all out as it's lovely, just not what you'd pick!
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Wouldn't do: The all white kitchen - unless you really enjoy cleaning all the walls, cabinets, etc daily. Splatter, grease all show all the time.
I kitchen is all white and I hate it. So dirty looking all the time. Been wanting to paint it ever since we moved in
Load More Replies... Wouldn't do: those sink bowls that sit on top of the vanity. Looks like a cleaning nightmare.
I actually kind of like that, but who has a cupboard big enough to easily store and retrieve these appliances?
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As someone who cleaned houses for 22 years, I definitely agree with most of these!
Can accept most of these reasonings. I always think about maintenance since I'm lazy.
Could we PLEASE stop having entire AD articles here? That's the second one!
Some of these are pretty picky, like if they leave streaks. I guess it makes sense if you're designing your house. But if you're renting or have an old house, sometime you just gotta make do with what you've got and try your best.
Or if you are buying a home with someone else's choice of new kitchen and it's not really sensible to rip it all out as it's lovely, just not what you'd pick!
Load More Replies... Wouldn't do: The all white kitchen - unless you really enjoy cleaning all the walls, cabinets, etc daily. Splatter, grease all show all the time.
I kitchen is all white and I hate it. So dirty looking all the time. Been wanting to paint it ever since we moved in
Load More Replies... Wouldn't do: those sink bowls that sit on top of the vanity. Looks like a cleaning nightmare.
I actually kind of like that, but who has a cupboard big enough to easily store and retrieve these appliances?
Load More Replies... As someone who cleaned houses for 22 years, I definitely agree with most of these!
Can accept most of these reasonings. I always think about maintenance since I'm lazy.
