7 Ways You’re Making Your House a Lot Harder to Clean

Keeping a house clean isn’t always about how often you scrub. Sometimes it’s the decisions you’ve made around the house that are making everything harder. From clutter that traps dust to habits that create more mess than necessary, small changes can save you a ton of time and effort.

If cleaning feels like it’s taking forever, here are a few things that might be working against you—and what to do instead.

Using the Wrong Rugs

Those cute shaggy rugs might look cozy, but they trap everything—dirt, hair, crumbs, and who knows what else. Even a good vacuum can’t pull all that out, especially if the rug has a deep pile.

If you want something easier to maintain, look for low-pile or flatweave rugs. They clean up faster and don’t hold on to odors. And skip rugs with rubber backing in high-traffic areas—those can break down and leave sticky residue that’s tough to remove.

Letting Clutter Pile Up

The more stuff you have on surfaces, the longer it takes to clean. Dusting turns into a whole production, and wiping counters becomes a game of move-this-to-clean-under-that.

Try to keep your flat surfaces mostly clear. It doesn’t have to be empty, but if every table, shelf, and counter is covered in stuff, you’re giving yourself way more work than you need. Less out means faster cleaning and fewer places for grime to hide.

Not Having a Spot for Dirty Shoes

Tracking in dirt from outside is one of the fastest ways to make your floors look gross. And if shoes end up kicked off all over the house, it’s even worse.

Set up a drop zone by the main door, even if it’s just a mat and a basket. Having a designated spot keeps mess contained and makes it easier to stay ahead of the grime. If you can train the whole household to use it, even better.

Skipping the Doormats

Doormats aren’t just for show—they catch a ton of dirt before it makes its way inside. Without one, you’re basically inviting dust, pollen, and mud straight into your home.

Keep one mat outside and one inside at every entry. Shake them out or vacuum them regularly. It’s a low-effort fix that keeps your floors cleaner without you having to sweep every single day.

Using Too Many Products

More cleaner doesn’t mean cleaner surfaces. Layering product after product can actually leave behind a sticky residue that attracts even more dust and dirt.

Stick to one all-purpose cleaner for most surfaces and follow the directions on the label. If it says to rinse, rinse it. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for build-up that makes the next cleaning job even harder.

Ignoring Your Vacuum Filters

If your vacuum smells weird, kicks out dust, or isn’t picking up like it used to, the filter’s probably overdue for a clean or swap. A dirty filter means your vacuum’s working harder and doing less.

Check the manual and clean or replace the filter as often as it recommends. It doesn’t take long, and it’ll make your vacuum way more effective—especially if you’ve got pets or kids.

Keeping Everything Out on the Counters

Appliances, containers, baskets, and knickknacks might be convenient, but if your counters are always covered, you’re giving crumbs and grease more places to collect.

Try keeping only the essentials out and putting the rest in cabinets or drawers. The less you have to work around when wiping down surfaces, the faster you’ll get it done—and the cleaner it’ll actually feel.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.