Turns out, excessive cleaning can actually lead to costly damage.

Below, she shares six common culprits and simpleregular maintenancetips so you’re not tempted to over-clean these areas.

Given its frequent use, you may be tempted to sanitize it weeklybut Cohoon says that’s not necessary.

person cleaning the kitchen

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“These small steps can help maintain the integrity of your microwave,” Cohoon notes.

Her recommendation is to get carpets professionally cleaned once or twice a year to keep them looking fresh.

Stone Countertops

Sanitizingkitchen countertopsless often might seem counterintuitive, but Cohoon says many people clean them too much.

“The golden rule for wood surfaces is that less is more,” Cohoon says.

While high-traffic areas may require more frequent attention, mopping most hardwood floors once a month is perfectly reasonable.