We’re excited to share that The Spruce featured insights from our owner, Nicole Kent, in the article “6 Outdated Cleaning Habits That Don’t Work Anymore, According to Cleaning Pros,” written by Sarah Lyon and published on September 29, 2025. The piece gathers expert advice from professional cleaners nationwide—including Hubbard’s Maid Service in Savannah—on which old habits to retire and what to do instead.

Our Expert Contribution: Skip Paper Towels—Choose Microfiber

In the feature, Nicole explains why paper towels aren’t the best choice for everyday cleaning: they can smear soils, leave lint behind, and don’t remove bacteria effectively. Her recommended upgrade? Reusable microfiber cloths, which can remove up to 99.9% of bacteria with proper technique—saving money and reducing waste.

“They tend to smear anything that is not a liquid… and they do not do a very good job at removing bacteria,” notes Nicole—another reason microfiber wins on results and sustainability.

Other Smart Swaps The Spruce Spotlights

The article rounds up several habits modern pros avoid—and the better alternatives you can use right now:

• Let disinfectants sit so they can work; don’t spray and wipe immediately.

• Use less laundry detergent; today’s formulas are concentrated.

• Skip fabric softener on towels; it leaves a waxy film that reduces absorbency—use dryer balls instead.

• Ditch feather dusters in favor of damp microfiber to capture (not recirculate) dust.

• Avoid over-bleaching grout; choose oxygen bleach, baking soda + hydrogen peroxide paste, or steam.

Why This Matters for Your Home

Small changes in tools and technique deliver outsized results—cleaner surfaces, fewer residues, less waste, and better hygiene. Microfiber systems, contact time for disinfectants, and right-dose detergents are simple upgrades that raise the standard throughout your home.

Hubbard’s Maid Service: How We Put This Into Practice

• Microfiber-first system: Fresh, color-coded cloths for kitchens, baths, glass, and general surfaces to prevent cross-contamination.

• Chemistry that’s right for the job: Products matched to the surface and soil—no unnecessary softeners or harsh bleach where they don’t belong.

• Process over guesswork: Proper dwell times for disinfectants, damp-dusting instead of feather dusting, and grout care that preserves finishes.

Quick Tips You Can Start Today

1. Stock 8–12 microfiber cloths and wash after each use (no fabric softener). 2) Read labels and cut detergent amounts—start small and adjust. 3) Time your disinfectant (check the product’s “contact time”). 4) Use dryer balls for fluffier, more absorbent towels. 5) Treat grout gently with oxygen bleach or a baking soda paste; save chlorine bleach for rare, appropriate cases.

Proud to Be Featured by The Spruce

We’re honored that The Spruce showcased our approach alongside other respected professionals. It’s a reflection of our team’s commitment to evidence-based, efficient, and eco-smarter cleaning practices that deliver a safer, fresher home.

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Ready for a Cleaner Routine That Actually Works?

If you’d like us to apply these pro methods in your home—or build a custom plan around your priorities—book a cleaning with Hubbard’s Maid Service. We’ll bring the right tools, the right techniques, and the results you can feel.

Our “Modern Clean” Method in Your Home

1) Microfiber-first toolkit
Color-coded cloths (kitchen, bath, glass, general) prevent cross-contamination and grab more soil with less product.

2) Right product, right surface
We match chemistry to the job—no unnecessary softeners on towels, no harsh bleach on delicate grout, and no all-purpose “one bottle for everything.”

3) Contact time that counts
Disinfectants only work if they sit long enough. We build dwell time into the workflow so sanitizing is effective, not wishful thinking.

4) Dust control that actually traps
Damp microfiber and HEPA vacuuming lift and lock dust instead of sending it airborne.

5) Rinse and residue removal
Streaks and films attract new soil. We finish with proper rinses and dry buffing to leave surfaces truly clean.

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Simple Swaps You’ll Feel Right Away

• Trade paper towels for launderable microfiber in the kitchen and baths.

• Use measured detergent (often less than you think) to avoid dingy laundry residue.

• Replace fabric softener on towels with dryer balls for better absorbency.

• Retire feather dusters; use a damp microfiber or a HEPA vacuum brush.

• Reserve chlorine bleach for specific, appropriate uses; prefer oxygen-based cleaners for routine whitening.

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DIY vs. Pro: When to Call Us

• DIY fits: quick resets, light dust cycles, routine laundry tweaks.

• Pro fits: recurring build-up, persistent streaks/films, allergy concerns, grout that needs careful restoration, or when you want a maintained, residue-free baseline every week or two.

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FAQs

Will microfiber scratch my finishes?
Used correctly (clean cloths, folded to expose fresh panels), microfiber is safe on most sealed surfaces and glass.

Do I need special laundry routines for microfiber?
Yes—no fabric softener, wash warm, low-lint loads, and tumble dry low. Softener coats fibers and reduces performance.

Can you work with my preferred products?
Absolutely. We’ll advise if something could reduce results (e.g., softeners on towels), then follow your preferences.

How soon will I notice a difference?
Usually immediately—glass, chrome, and counters look clearer; towels feel more absorbent; dust reappears more slowly.

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Service Areas & Scheduling

Proudly serving Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Wilmington Island, and nearby communities. Choose recurring maintenance, deep cleaning, or targeted grout/glass refreshes. We’ll tailor a plan that swaps outdated habits for modern, effective results.

• Call us to discuss your goals and any sensitivities or preferences.

• Request an estimate online—share a few details and we’ll recommend the right cadence and checklist.

• Fast, friendly scheduling with predictable arrival windows.