No matter how often you clean, these mistakes could be holding you back.

Or, your cleaning methods may be doing more harm than good.

We consulted experts for five common kitchen cleaning mistakesalong with suggestions on how to fix them.

Kitchen cleaning brushes, liquids, sponges, and rubber gloves in a yellow bucket on the floor

Photo:Oleksandr Sytnyk/Getty Images

Whencleaning countertops, skip the bleach and reach for a natural multi-purpose cleaner, instead.

Be patient and let the cleaner do most of the work for you.

That said, dont wait too long and let it dry!

If youre not sure how long to wait, read the label on the bottle.

This ubiquitous tool can quickly become a hygienic hazard if not properly managed.

To mitigate this, we recommend disinfecting sponges daily and replacing them bi-weekly.

Want to skip the sponge altogether?

Cook recommends using microfiber cloths to clean instead.

When it gets dirty, it can easily be sanitized in the dishwasher.

If youve cleaned everything, its time to give your trashcan a good sniff.

Just be sure the can is dry before replacing the bag.