There are many cleaning tips mentioned by others to help people clean their homes in a quick and efficient way. Although some of these are great tips to follow, some may not be as effective as we first thing. In fact, some cleaning hacks that we are told can, in fact, cause us more work in the long run or can even cause damage. Here, we discuss some cleaning myths that we are debunking.
Vinegar is a great cleaner for all surfaces
Although vinegar is indeed a great ingredient for many cleaners, it is not a miracle product that can work on everything. Vinegar’s active ingredient is Acetic acid which has a low PH and a high acidity level. This makes vinegar potentially damaging to certain surfaces as it can cause corrosion. Therefore, try avoiding using vinegar on hard surfaces such as metal, grouting and ceramic or stone tiles. Some also believe that vinegar is an effective antibacterial. This is not the case, so you will need to apply a separate antibacterial product on your surfaces to keep germs at bay.
Bicarbonate of soda is the best way to remove odours from carpets
We have previously mentioned that you can use bicarbonate of soda in a variety of ways around the house. Using it to remove odours is one of those uses. However, it is not necessarily the best way to banish smells, especially tough odours. Although bicarbonate of soda can help mask odours for a short period of time by absorbing some of it, it is important to have your carpet cleaned on a regular/annual basis to remove the smells completely.
You don’t need to clean a self-cleaning oven
It’s in its name, so surely it is true? Not necessarily, unfortunately. Even if you have a self-cleaning oven, it is best to clean it yourself from time to time and not rely on the self-cleaning function. Keeping on top of the cleaning yourself in addition to the self-clean can keep your appliance in the best condition for much longer.
Using more laundry detergent in your washing machine will make your clothes cleaner
It is often believed that the more laundry detergent or powder you use in your machine, the cleaner the results will be. However, this is not how it works. Using more than is recommended can, in fact, create excessive suds which can lead to damaging your washing machine’s pump and drain. Over time this build-up can even lead to mould if you do not clean it regularly. Using the recommended dosage is all you need and also means you get more washes out of your product before you need to replace it.
Disinfectant and cleaning sprays work straight away
When you spray counters and surfaces with cleaning solutions, many people wipe them off straight away because they think the results of the cleaner are instant. Unfortunately, they are not. For the best results, spray your surface and leave the solution to settle for a while. This gives it longer to work its magic and leave you with a cleaner surface.
Bleach can clean anything
Bleach is thought to be something that can be used all around your home but you should be careful which surfaces you use it on. Bleach is a great stain remover and disinfectant however it does not cope well with grease. Use bleach on its own to remove bathroom mildew and disinfecting surfaces however it has to be paired with other cleaning ingredients if you want to use it to clean your oven or counters.
Washing machines and dishwashers clean themselves
As they are washing items and keeping them clean, it is a fair assumption to think the washing machine and dishwasher are cleaning themselves at the same time, but this is not completely true. Although this clean the machine slightly, they both need regular cleans to ensure the whole machine is kept clean. If this task is regularly put off and dismissed, it could shorten the life of the machine and make them less efficient at cleaning your clothes or dishes.
You should vacuum first
Many start tackling a room clean by hoovering first and leaving the dusting until last. This should be avoided as although older models of vacuum can cause some dust, newer models are much more efficient. Therefore, by dusting first and hoovering last, you can ensure you are picking up any dust that may have fallen on the floor.
Although some of the cleaning hacks mentioned above can work, they may not be as effective as you think. This can leave your home dirtier and lead you to have to do more cleaning in the long run which is the opposite desired result.
Do you have any cleaning myths of your own and cleaning tips that just don’t work? Please share them with us.
