Everyone wants a clean to live and work in, but nobody likes to do the cleaning. That’s the reason most of us look for easy cleaning tips and tricks to make the task easier, simple, and more efficient.
Even if you are using Dettol Pro Solutions – a trusted name for cleaning and disinfection, It’s highly likely that you have encountered various cleaning techniques that are more of an urban legend. While they sound good in theory, they are ineffective and may cause you more bad than good.Â
We have gathered some of these so-called cleaning techniques that you must avoid.
- Using too much cleaning products
Many assume that using too much cleaning products, whether it’s soap, detergent, bleach, or disinfectant, will ensure more effective cleaning. However, this logic doesn’t work, and if your trusted commercial cleaners know about this, it will make them cry.
Using too much of a cleaning product makes it more difficult to wash it off. This contributes to not just wasting the product itself but also water and energy in the process.
In addition, when it comes to rinsing, you may need to do a better job as the residue is left on the objects and surfaces and traps dirt over time.
It is recommended to follow the instructions listed on the product regarding the amount used. However, you can usually do it with slightly less.
The only time you need to use more of a cleaning product (especially soap and detergent) is if you live in an area where the water supply is high in mineral content.
- Microwaving your dish sponge
Germs and bacteria prefer damp conditions, so your dish sponge is an ideal breading ground for them. Surely the thought of germs spreading on your eating and cooking utensils is horrifying, which is why most people microwave their dish sponges.
While it is true that microwaves can kill harmful microbes, it doesn’t eliminate bacteria. According to research, there’s still evidence to suggest that some traces of pathogens remain after microwaving that can cause various food-borne diseases.
The best thing to do is simply not use your dish sponge for other purposes. Make sure to disinfect after use and replace it every week or so.
- Rubbing toothpaste on silver
You must have heard about cleaning silverware or silver jewelry using toothpaste to make it gleam like new.
While this method surely works, you may not realize it, but toothpaste is quite abrasive. Sure this quality is ideal for human teeth, for delicate silver? Not so much.
Of course, one or two instances won’t immediately cause irreparable damage, but it is still best to limit the use of toothpaste for cleaning silverware.
- Using vinegar to clean everything
Vinegar’s acidic nature makes it an ideal natural cleaner for many objects and surfaces. However, the same acidity harms surfaces like granite, marble, iron, and wood.
- Using bleach for rust
Like vinegar, bleach is used for various cleaning and disinfecting tasks. However, it shouldn’t be used for rust due to its oxidizing properties.
On the other hand, this is where vinegar’s acidity can come in handy. Simply mix some white vinegar and salt into a paste to lighten the rust stain and make it easier to wash off.
- Pouring soda in the toilet
Soda was believed to be so acidic that people started using it for cleaning toilet bowls. Unfortunately, while it’s true that soda is acidic, its low pH isn’t nearly enough to get rid of grime and stains.
What’s more, dark-colored soda may darken light-colored porcelain over time. Another reason you shouldn’t be pouring soda into your toilet bowl is that it contains lots of sugar. Over time, it can accumulate and attract bacteria.
- Polishing wooden surfaces more often
Last but not least, many people believe that wooden surfaces need to be polished often. While it might seem logical to to protect the surface of the wood and it gleem, frequent polishing can lead to a wax build up. This can make hardwood floors and furniture look dull, which is opposite of your goal.
It is ideal for cleaning wooden surfaces by dusting them using a microfibre cloth. If you want to polish them, do so once every 2 to 4 months and the interval can go even longer depending on certain factors such as traffic and sun exposure.