If you get the feeling that the cleaning products you use aren’t getting the job done, it may be that you aren’t using them the right way. You’re probably not causing any damage to surfaces, you’re just not getting the best results.

No one wants to work harder when it comes to cleaning, so you have to work smarter and use cleaners the right way. Learn 5 ways you’re using your cleaning products wrong.

Not Diluting Concentrated Products

This may come as a surprise, but a lot of cleaning products need to be diluted; there is such thing as too much of a good thing.

“Many products today are concentrated and should be diluted first or used in smaller amounts,” says cleaning expert Kathy Cohoon.

Using too much cleaning solution can leave a residue that becomes a magnet for more dirt. Read the product label directions before you begin cleaning.

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Not Giving Cleaners Time to Work

Most cleaning products don’t work like magic to instantly clean a surface. Every type of cleaner from toilet bowl products to laundry stain removers needs to be given time to work. The ingredients must begin to break down dirt and stain molecules before they can be effectively removed from the surface you’re cleaning.

Read the product label and allow at least five minutes for the product to work before you begin scrubbing or move to the next step.

Adding the Cleaner to Appliances at the Wrong Time

Cleaning products added to appliances are only effective if they are dispensed during the correct cycle. An example is tossing a dishwasher pod in the bottom of the washer instead of placing it in the automatic dispenser.

“If you place your detergent pod in the bottom of the machine, it will dissolve completely in the prewash water and most of it will drain away before the main wash cycle begins,” says cleaning scientist Morgan Eberhard. “Without the proper release timing, the detergent may not be fully utilized, leading to residue, stuck-on food, or streaky dishes.”

Mixing Cleaning Products

It may seem like a good idea to combine two powerful cleaners to get better results, but it is one of the most dangerous cleaning mistakes with potentially fatal results. While safe to use separately, mixing certain cleaners will produce toxic fumes and reactions. Avoid these combinations:

• Vinegar and chlorine bleach: Mixing chlorine bleach with vinegar creates toxic chlorine gas. The reaction is usually silent and invisible until you smell the fumes and begin to have negative effects.
• Chlorine bleach and acid-based cleaners: Combining chlorine bleach with any acid-based cleaner produces toxic gases. Cleaning products containing acids include some brands of glass and window cleaners, automatic dishwasher detergents and rinses, toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, rust removal products, and brick and concrete cleaners.
• Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide: The combination creates peracetic acid, a corrosive and irritating substance.
• Ammonia and chlorine bleach: This combination creates highly toxic chloramine gases. In addition to household cleaning ammonia, ammonia can be found in some glass and window cleaners, interior and exterior paints, and urine. Use caution when using chlorine bleach to clean litter boxes, diaper pails, or toilet bowls.

Using the Wrong Product on Surfaces

You would never use the same product to clean your toilet and wash your hair so why would you use the same cleaning product on every surface in your home?

Using harsh cleaners like ammonia on delicate surfaces such as electronic screens will leave permanent damage. Even hard surfaces like granite and marble countertops cannot withstand cleaning with acid-based cleaners like vinegar.

Always use the right product and tool for each surface and cleaning task in your home.

Moving Germs Around Instead of Removing Them

Disinfecting surfaces is an important way to help keep your family healthy. When you want to disinfect a surface with disinfecting wipes or a disinfecting spray, it is essential to clean the surface first to remove grease and grime. The disinfecting cleaner does not work effectively unless the surface is clean.