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12 Common Cleaning Hacks That Could Be Ruining Your Home

12 Common Cleaning Hacks That Could Be Ruining Your Home

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The most useful life hacks will get your house nice and clean with little effort or expense. However, the pursuit of a cleaner home has led many to fall victim to popular cleaning hacks that promise quick fixes with items you already have in your pantry. These tips usually do their rounds on social media and are backed by friends and family, but there are a few phonies that may as well be the modern-day snake oil.

While some hacks might offer short-term benefits, they can ultimately lead to long-term damage to your home and health. Cleaning tricks are meant to simplify life, but you don’t have to be an experienced chemist to see right through some of these cleaning myths. Always scan labels for warnings and instructions before trying a new cleaning substance.

Ill-advised cleaning practices can lead to ruined surfaces, ineffective cleaning, and even hazardous living conditions. Here are 12 popular cleaning tips and tricks that are pure scams and you should avoid at all costs.

1. Coca-Cola for Cleaning Toilets

Young woman cleaning toilet bowl in bathroom
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Maybe you have heard about the many uses of Coca-Cola, and cleaning toilets is listed as one of them. Using Coca-Cola to clean toilets is a popular hack thanks to phosphoric acid, which can theoretically break down stains and grime. Even the makers agree that this may be true to some extent, but that’s not the whole story.

While Coca-Cola might remove some surface stains, it doesn’t disinfect, and the sugar content can attract pests. Regular toilet cleaners are far more effective and hygienic options. Also, it should not be used in place of your regular toilet cleaner, as repeated usage can stain surfaces.

2. Coffee Grounds in the Garbage Disposal

Young woman putting trash into garbage bags at home
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Many people believe that coffee grounds can help clean and deodorize garbage disposals. While they might mask odors temporarily, coffee grounds can actually accumulate and cause clogs. This is counterproductive as it can lead to unpleasant odors and a malfunctioning disposal.

Drain the debris and flush the sink with hot water instead. You can also use ice cubs, baking soda, and vinegar to deep clean the garbage disposal. These options are more effective in removing debris and odors without risking damaging your plumbing system.

3. Bleach as a Multipurpose Cleaner

Focused Woman attentively making cleaning
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Bleach is often considered a go-to cleaner for many household tasks, but it’s not suitable for everything. Using bleach on certain surfaces, like wood or fabric, can damage and discolor them.

Additionally, bleach is a strong chemical that should not be mixed with other cleaning agents. It’s best used in well-ventilated areas and specifically for disinfecting purposes, not as a catch-all cleaner. Health experts advise against mixing bleach with other cleaning products, as it can lead to injuries.

4. Vinegar Disinfects Everything

Young woman cleaning tap in kitchen
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Vinegar is the Swiss army knife of the pantry. While vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaner that many people swear by, it’s not a universal disinfectant. It can kill some bacteria but is ineffective against all types, including most viruses.

For surfaces that need disinfection, it’s better to use a product specifically designed for that purpose, like hydrogen peroxide or EPA-approved disinfectants. These will kill all germs, including bacteria, that would cause food poisoning.

5. Steam Clean Pet Urine

Old woman with a dog in her house
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Your dog has marked its territory on your carpet: what do you do? Some people may say to use a steam cleaner, but using steam to clean pet urine stains can actually make the problem worse. Don’t fall for this trick.

The heat from the steam cleaner can bond the protein in the urine to the fabric or carpet fibers, making the stain and odor harder to remove. Instead, use specialized enzymatic cleaners designed to break down the proteins in pet urine.

6. Mouthwash to Clean Washing Machines

A woman staring at the dirty shirt while washing the cloths
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Mouthwash is made to kill oral germs. Its antiseptic properties lead some to believe it can clean washing machines. However, mouthwash is not designed for this purpose and may not be effective against the specific types of buildup and bacteria found in washers. It may even ruin your machine in the process.

Colored mouthwash may stain your clothes, too. Sometimes, you only need to put bleach and run a cycle to get your front or top loader glittering again. Stick to washing machine cleaners for a thorough cleaning.

7. Lemon Wedges for Cleaning the Dishwasher

A girl opening Dishwasher's Door
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

You may have been told to put lemon wedges in your dishwasher to make it smell fresh again. While lemon wedges can help deodorize your dishwasher, they aren’t very effective at cleaning it, and you also run the risk of clogging it and damaging the rubber seals over time.

A better option is to use a dishwasher cleaner or run an empty cycle with vinegar to remove buildup and keep your machine running smoothly.

8. Vinegar and Baking Soda Combo

A Person Putting The Baking Soda With Spoon On Drain In The Washbasin
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Baking soda and vinegar are the celebrity couple of DIY cleaning solutions, but they may not be good for each other. The combination of vinegar and baking soda is often touted as a powerful cleaning solution, but they actually neutralize each other when mixed.

This reaction produces water and sodium acetate, which isn’t particularly effective at cleaning. Use them separately for different tasks—baking soda as an abrasive scrub and vinegar as a mild disinfectant.

9. Newspapers for Windows

Happy woman wipe the glass, cleaning window glass by dirt wiping with cloth and clean solution sterilize
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Cleaning windows with newspapers is one of the old tricks inherited from our grandmothers’ generation. However, it may not be as effective as advertised as it can leave behind ink stains and scratch surfaces.

Modern newspapers also contain fewer fibers, making them less effective at absorbing cleaner. Microfiber cloths are a much better alternative, as they won’t scratch the glass and can be reused multiple times.

10. Dishwasher Pods to Clean Couches

Woman cleaning couch dust with vacuum cleaner at home
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Some people suggest using dishwasher pods to clean upholstery, but the harsh chemicals can damage fabrics and leave residues that are difficult to remove. Stick to upholstery cleaners designed for fabrics, or use a mixture of mild detergent and water for spot cleaning.

Not everything you read online is a good idea to try out in your own living space. To prolong the lifespan of your furniture, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

11. Fresh Tea for Wooden Furniture

Woman cleaning old table surface
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Using fresh tea to clean wooden furniture is an age-old remedy that was thought to be beneficial due to the tannins in tea, which were believed to enhance the wood’s luster. However, while tea can indeed be used to give wood a minor shine, it doesn’t clean or protect the wood effectively.

In fact, the moisture from the tea can be absorbed by the wood, potentially causing damage over time. Instead of relying on tea, it’s better to use wood-specific cleaners and polishes designed to nourish and protect wooden surfaces. These products will help maintain the furniture’s beauty and longevity without posing a risk of moisture-related damage.

12. Shaving Cream for Carpet Stains

a vacuum cleaner clean rugs in the living room
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Some people claim that shaving cream works wonders on carpet stains. However, while shaving cream can act as a temporary stain remover because of its foaming action, it is not formulated to clean carpets. It may leave behind residues that attract dirt over time.

Shaving cream contains various chemicals and fragrances that can potentially damage the carpet fibers or cause discoloration. A better solution is to use carpet-specific stain removers or a mixture of mild detergent and water. Consider renting or purchasing a carpet cleaner for a more thorough and effective cleaning process for tough stains.

15 Smart Spring Cleaning Tips to Feel Better Organized This Warm Season

woman in her garden yard cleaning her windows brick house
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Spring cleaning is the ultimate reboot of your home and is a necessity at least once a year to minimize clutter. It’s like giving your home a fresh start by decluttering, organizing your stuff, and starting the season on your best foot. Cleaning can be therapeutic; each task may give you great satisfaction. If the cleaning doesn’t, the fresh-smelling home will.

15 Smart Spring Cleaning Tips to Feel Better Organized This Warm Season

14 Clever Cleaning Hacks Everyone Should Know

young girl with rubber gloves cleaning bathroom cabinet
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

You can tackle even the toughest messes quickly and effectively with a few clever hacks. Whether you’re dealing with glitter spills, stubborn carpet stains, or dusty corners, these tips will help you keep your home squeaky clean with minimal effort.

How do you make your house shinier with minimal but effective effort? Here are a few hacks to make your wash day easy and fun.

14 Clever Cleaning Hacks Everyone Should Know

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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.

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