Surprising Household Items You May Be Cleaning Too Much

Most of us know someone who treats tidying, scrubbing, and polishing like an Olympic sport. But did you know it's possible to clean some things too much? The truth is, the fibers and surfaces of some household items can be damaged by too much cleaning.

• Skip rinsing dishes for most dishwashers. Just scrape off food and load.
• Launder sheets weekly. Comforters can go weeks or months between washings.
• Wipe down stovetop and oven spills as needed, but only clean the oven three or four times a year. Scrub the stovetop monthly.
• Dust regularly, but avoid dulling wood surfaces with furniture polish — apply it just two to four times a year.
• Go easy on the glass cleaner when it comes to mirrors. The reflective backing can be damaged by overcleaning.
• If you keep dry foods in sealed containers, you only need to clean the pantry twice a year. Promptly wipe up any sticky spills.
• Bathmats and washable entryway rugs need frequent laundering. Rugs in low-traffic areas should be vacuumed as needed and steam cleaned once a year.