40 Things People Do That Are Probably Damaging Their Homes

Whether you rent or own, you’re probably damaging your home without even realizing it. But don’t worry, you’re not alone — most of us are making the very same mistakes! How would you know you shouldn’t keep towels in the bathroom, or how some flushable wipes were bad for your toilet? With that in mind, here are the top 40 offenders to be on the lookout for.

1. Filtering fires

Many household appliances have filters you should change regularly to avoid potential disaster. Some of them — such as your dishwater filter or the water and air filters in your refrigerator — will make your life easier. Others can save it. For example, if lint builds up in your dryer, it can cause fires.

2. Unsafe sneakers

It doesn’t matter how clean you think your shoes are, they still collect all kinds of dirt and germs invisible to the human eye. A study from the University of Arizona proved that even new footwear gathered 400,000 different bacteria over a two-week period, and E-Coli was among them. The welcome mat doesn’t apply to diseases, so leave your sneakers at the door.

3. Closing doors

Here’s one for a household with kids or angry teenagers! Slamming doors over and over can knock the jamb out of position and cause gaps in your door. This lets in drafts and causes moisture to build up, not only increasing heating bills, but also — perhaps even worse — causing black mold. Then you’ll be in a jamb.

4. Hardwood humidity

Use as many cleaning solutions as you like, but if there’s one thing that can keep your hardwood floors nice, it’s temperature. Empire Today’s executive vice president and flooring expert Paul Carter told Best Life in 2020, “If humidity hits above 55 percent, you might be opening up a chance for moisture to seep into the wood.” Time to invest in a dehumidifier.

5. Closet catastrophes

If there’s one thing most people lack, it’s closet space. But this could lead to more trouble than you’d think. Overloading the rods can pull the wall brackets right off, which will have a domino effect on your drywall. Do some spring cleaning now and then to avoid a clothing crash.

6. Feeling flushed

Do you know those wet wipes that label themselves as “flushable?” Well, that’s a complicated issue. You see, the fabric they’re made of isn’t woven, and a lot of them still contain micro-plastic which doesn’t dissolve in the toilet. Combine that with any gnarly things they pick up on the way through the lavatory system and you may be faced with problematic plumbing.

7. Porch packing

If you’re lucky enough to have space under your house porch it’s tempting to use it, right? Before you start storing too much under there, though, bear in mind that packing things under there can restrict how air circulates and ultimately warp the deck, destroying it. And no one wants that.

8. A little rusty

If your metal railings are showing their age, you probably want to give them a paint makeover to hide the rust. But make sure you scrape the offending oxidation off beforehand, or you won’t do the railings any favors! The rust causes new paint to flake and simply hiding the issue only causes further damage to the railings over time.

9. Sweeping sucks

According to floor specialist Paul Carter, sweeping can be disastrous for hardwood floors in the long run. “If you’re going to mop or sweep,” he said, “make sure you vacuum first to prevent moving those itty-bitty particles and abrasives — like sand — along the floor’s surface, which can scratch or damage floors.”

10. Over-stuffing the oven

When you’re expecting company it’s easy to consider the oven as an extra storage unit and hide stuff away in there for later. But that’s a really bad idea. On the off chance you turn it on and forget the stack of papers you were keeping inside then you’ll be fighting fires rather than clutter. Stick to roasting potatoes in there instead.

11. Leaving laundry

Anyone who’s got to the laundry too late will tell you it’s not an experience you want to repeat. It’s wet, probably picked up mold, and the musty smell clings to everything. Rather than running several extra washes to salvage your stuff, try to plan laundry when you have the time to dry it after the cycle’s done. You could even set an alarm to avoid a stinky surprise.

12. Toilet tanking

Bleach is great for cleaning everything, right? Actually, not so much — and especially not the inner workings of your toilet. Sure, use it in the bowl by all means. But keep it away from the tank, and that includes any cleaning tablets on the market containing bleach. They don’t play well with the plastic and rubber in your flusher, leading to unwanted — and expensive — repairs.

13. Damaging doorknobs

What’s the point of a door handle if it’s not also a makeshift clothes hanger? Well, you’re probably best sticking to its original purpose, because they’re not designed to take the weight of clothes. As a result, hanging your laundry on them, fresh or otherwise, pulls on both hinge and handle alike. This can throw the door out of alignment and prevent it from opening and closing as intended.

14. Walking around wet

If you’re a busy person, it’s tempting to get right back into the swing of things after a bath or shower. But that’s a mistake. You see, water left unattended seeps into the floor. Enough of it can lead to various problems from staining all the way up to rotting, so dry off before you take off.

15. Towel troubles

If you think about it, it’s logical that towels shouldn’t live in the bathroom. They absorb moisture, not only from your wet self, but also via the steam of your hot bath or shower. So keeping them in the bathroom among all the damp will just make them breeding grounds for nasty bacteria that you don’t want to wipe around your face.

16. Forgetting furniture pads

If you’ve got a hardwood floor, you may have noticed scraping when you move chairs or shift furniture. If you have, invest in some pads immediately. Those little round coverings fit on your furniture legs protect your floor from scratching. Without them, you could face a costly refinishing job. Let’s hope you’re covered for that!

17. Surface spraying

In 2021 cleaning expert Heather Barrington told Ideal Home that even internet-famous Mrs. Hinch is using spray bottles wrong. Spritzing directly onto a surface leaves behind residue, which hangs around even after you wipe a countertop down. To avoid the nasty remnants, use the sprays on a sponge, cloth, or wipe first, and then continue cleaning.

18. Garden grilling

There’s nothing like a barbecue on a hot summer’s day, but consider where you grill before the family arrives. If it’s too close to the house, the smoke can warp the exterior. But more than that, it’s a fire hazard. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association attributes 10,200 house fires a year to incidents caused by grilling.

19. Blind choice

Getting natural light in the house energizes you, so opening the curtains and blinds is a natural conclusion. Paul Carter told BestLife that it’s not great for your home, though. “Harsh UV rays can cause premature fading and discoloration to floors, especially hardwood flooring,” he said. The solution is simply closing the blinds and curtains when you leave the house to reduce sun damage.

20. Flooding floors

Apparently, using too much mop water is a common mistake. General manager at Frisco Maids, Alberto Navarrete told the Best Life website, “If you want to clean your wood floors, use the minimum amount [of water] possible.” That’s because laminate or hardwood surfaces absorb any excess moisture which can eventually warp your floors or leave unwanted staining to the point where you may even have to replace them entirely.

21. Mulch mania

You haven’t been relying on mulch to cover up those house borders have you? It might make your garden look nice, but it isn’t doing the property any favors. Moist, damp mulch can actually cause heavy rotting to your borders. But, perhaps even worse, it’s like a welcome mat to house pests from the garden, and you’re ringing the dinner bell for termites.

22. Vine vanity

There’s no denying that vines create an impressive aesthetic on your walls and roof, but real estate expert Shannon Hall says the price is too high. “These trap water, vermin, insects, [and] are not a friend to your home,” she told Best Life. Ivy also leaves nasty marks on walls when removed that are tough to paint over, so don’t let the climbers take hold.

23. Grease is the word

In 2021 Lauren Leazenby of the Homeserve blog reported, “When you finish cooking bacon, the grease in the pan is a liquid. Let it sit for a few hours at room temperature and it’ll harden.” The same applies to all kinds of fat and grease. She continued, “when it congeals in your pipes, it gums up the works.” Use paper towels or disposable containers instead. You’ll thank us later.

24. Chemical cleaners

If you have decorative surfaces in your home, they need to be treated differently depending on the material they’re made of. For example, acidic cleaners such as vinegar erode granite surfaces, while lemon devastates marble countertops, resulting in costly replacements. Soap and warm water are a better alternative, so lather them up instead.

25. Dirty dishwashers

Be careful how you clean your dishwasher because you may be causing more harm than good. “Vinegar’s acidity can be hard on some rubber parts of your dishwasher,” domestic cleaning expert Lily Cameron informed Best Life. You should also give dishwashers some TLC by doing something many people forget — clean out the soap holder, rubber gasket and trap to extend their lives.

26. Bleaching bungles

Hardwood floor owners need to be especially careful treating what’s under their feet, and using bleach is no exception. Sure, it’s a powerful cleaner, but unfortunately it can prove a bit too much for delicate boards. Instead of removing a stain bleach can actually cause a bigger one, and that’s not to mention the long-term damage it can do.

27. Damp dilemmas

According to Jamie Safier — a real estate agent at Douglas Elliman — one of the worst things you can do is ignore mysterious damp stains. He advised Best Life, “If you see any kind of signs of water in your home that you are unclear of where it came from, investigate, preferably with the help of a professional.”

28. Blinking bulbs

When your light bulbs are literally on the blink, it’s tempting to just ignore them and hope the issue goes away. However, this could be dangerous. Make sure your bulbs aren’t loose and if that still doesn’t solve the blinking, call an electrician. Faulty wiring is a serious concern and might cause electrical fires, and the resulting damage could be significant.

29. Chaotic combination

Two effective cleaners — vinegar and hydrogen peroxide — are fine on their own, but whatever you do, don’t combine them. Together they form toxic peracetic acid that burns surfaces and may also pose a serious health problem. The acid can cause both skin irritation and problems breathing, so avoid mixing them at all costs.

30. Ignoring insulation

If you’re fortunate enough to have an attic, you’ve got a lot of extra storage space. But before you use it, don’t forget to pack in some insulation! It protects your home against weather damage and reduces the risk of water pipes bursting. But it also prevents heat escaping so your home retains warmth for longer — and your electricity bills stay lower.

31. Slow stains

We’ve talked about hardwood floors a lot, but what about carpets? They’re easier to clean for one, but cleaning them is a race against time. The longer you leave spillages, the deeper unwanted gunk seeps into the fibers, and thus the harder they are to remove. Then they’re in danger of staying moist and fostering mold, so nip it in the bud before they stain.

32. Mowing mistakes

If the grass is always greener on the other side, it’s probably because your neighbors aren’t mowing their lawn too short. According to Lawn Doctor, “Cutting grass at its recommended height helps it get the sunlight and vital nutrients needed to be lush and healthy. Mowing too short [scalping] can have some pretty serious repercussions; it can weaken and even kill your lawn.”

33. DIY disasters

When it comes to DIY you have to know your limits. It’s nice to be able to fix things yourself and save a few bucks in the process. But if you take on a job beyond your skill level and cause more damage in the process, you’ll only have to get an expert out to fix it anyway.

34. Grappling with grout

The cement filler between tiles — known as grout — occasionally needs cleaning, but you have to pick the right substance. Some people use toilet bowl cleaner or even vinegar, but both of these are a mistake. Both are too acidic and damage the grout, so stick with the classic soap and water.

35. Cringeful creaks

If your doors are creaking so much they sound like they belong in a ghost house, check for loose hinges and try lubricating them. It could extend their life! If doors go unattended, you might need to replace them, and that can do more damage to your wallet in the long run.

36. Sink scraps

Although it’s tempting to wash food scraps down the sink when you’ve finished a meal, consider scraping them off into the trash or a compost container instead. You see, the scraps don’t always wash down fully and can lodge in the pipes. That can lead to slow water draining and even straight up flooding, so free up your drains and save yourself a visit from a pricey plumber.

37. Seeking studs

Got a picture to hang up? Don’t just jam a nail into the first available wall! Many people skip the stud-finding stage, but you never know what your nail will… well, nail. If there’s not enough support for the picture or shelf you’re hanging, the fixture might first break the plaster and then your decorations. This rule applies for drilling, too.

38. Sponge struggles

Sponges aren’t self-cleaning and if you use them for too long bacteria collects on their surface until you’re cultivating germs! University of Arizona public health researcher Kelly Reynolds warned against leaving sponges in the sink, too. In 2022 she told USA Today, “Sink surfaces, particularly near the drain, tend to be a major collection area for bacteria and biofilm development.”

39. Under pressure

Power washers are fun and they’re great for your garden paths. However, many people use them to clean the roof too, and they just pack too much wallop. Actually, it could damage the roof’s granule which will cause weather damage in the long run, followed by leaks and potential water damage. And you don’t want to get hit by dislodged shingles, either.

40. Forgetting fans

It’s safe to say that the bathroom is probably the dampest room in your house, at least when it’s in full use. To stop mildew and mold collecting on surfaces, either open a window or use your in-built exhaust. This is especially true when you use the shower or bath, so don’t forget to pull the string and start that thing!