Debunking Popular Cleaning Hacks

While a clean and tidy home feels peaceful once it’s done, getting there can feel like a proper chore. So, it’s no wonder the internet is packed with time saving cleaning hacks. But how can you tell which cleaning hacks are worth your time and which you’re better off ignoring? Well, from using a carpet cleaner on your mattress to cleaning your oven with bleach, we’re here to debunk some popular cleaning hacks so you don’t have to experiment with your to-do list!

Continue reading, below, to find the answers to the biggest mysteries of spring cleaning, all in one convenient place.

Washing up liquid is renowned for removing tough stains from all manner of dishes. So, it only makes sense that you can use it to get rid of all those marks on the car, right? Well, you actually can’t wash your car with washing up liquid, or any type of household soap for that matter. These soaps are too abrasive for the paint and accelerate the oxidation process that makes your car look dull.

Instead of washing your car with washing up liquid, opt for a specially-designed car soap that will leave your motor bright and shiny. You should also consider investing in a handheld vacuum to clean the interior of your car with ease.

From bathtubs to sinks and tiles, the internet is full to the brim of baking soda cleaning hacks. But can you use it to clean your carpet? Yes, you can use baking soda on your carpet to clean it! Baking soda is a great way to tackle tough stains in your carpet or even remove unpleasant odours like pet smells. Just sprinkle the baking soda onto the offending area, leave overnight and then vacuum up.

And if you’re looking for a nifty vacuum to get rid of the leftovers from this baking soda cleaning hack, we recommend our Gtech Pro 2 for the job. This vacuum will make light work of dust, dirt, and, of course, the baking soda.

Many people use soda crystals to help eliminate limescale, and since dishwashers can see limescale build-ups, you might consider using them as dishwasher cleaning hack.  But this is one cleaning hack you can’t follow, as you cannot use soda crystals to clean a dishwasher. While great for washing machines, soda crystals are not suitable for cleaning dishwashers and could lead to long-term problems with your appliance.

Instead, you should use dishwasher salts for your dishwasher cleaning hack. These are your best bet for keeping your dishwasher clean and healthy!

White vinegar is a popular cleaning hack for loads of tough household stains. And one household appliance that often sees spillages is the fridge, so can it be used there? Yes, you can clean a fridge with vinegar! White vinegar is a safe and natural means of cleaning your fridge, breaking down grease and grime with ease. What’s more, you can even deodorize a fridge with vinegar to get rid of lingering smells.

To take full advantage of this cleaning hack, just mix three parts water and one part vinegar to concoct this efficient cleaning solution.

Hand sanitiser is a great solution for on-the-go cleaning, so you might’ve thought to use it to clean your glasses of dust and debris. However, you should not use hand sanitiser to clean your glasses. Many hand sanitisers are alcohol-based and can damage the special coating on your lenses, so it is not suitable for cleaning glasses.

Thankfully, simple soapy water is more than enough to wipe away any accumulated dust and dirt. And if you’re looking for way to clean your glasses while you’re out, just give them a little wipe with a glasses cloth in the meantime.

Another baking soda cleaning hack is called into question, and this time we’re looking at whether you can use it to clean your kettle. Yes, you can clean your kettle with baking soda! Otherwise known as bicarbonate of soda, baking soda is essential to de-limescale kettles, removing the pesky build-up that develops inside the pot every few months.

Simply add a tablespoon of baking soda to a full kettle of water and then bring it to boil. Rinse and repeat once more with fresh water to completely remove any soapy residue – it’s as easy as that!

Carpets and mattresses are both subject to similar bits of dirt, dust, and debris - not forgetting the occasional spillage! So, can a carpet cleaner be used to tackle mattress stains too? Yes, you can clean a mattress with a carpet cleaner! Using the steam cleaning function of a carpet cleaner is a great cleaning hack for your mattress. For instance, a carpet cleaner easily removes mould, dust mites, and dead human skin cells – just ensure you dry the mattress afterwards to limit the regrowth of mould.

Alternatively, if you haven’t the time or money to rent a carpet cleaner, then a good quality vacuum cleaner will also do the trick!

Bleach can sometimes feel like a magical product that can clean all sorts of household surfaces! And while technically you can use it on your oven, is this the best oven cleaning hack? Well, we wouldn’t recommend doing so. Bleach can contaminate food preparation if not wiped away properly, so you are better off opting for baking soda or a specialised oven cleaner.

From one bleach cleaning hack to another, if you’re wondering whether you can use bleach on your quartz countertops, we’ve got the answer. Unfortunately, no, you should not use bleach on quartz worktops. Bleach can cause permanent discolouration to the material. In fact, quartz is a non-porous material, meaning it is naturally resistant to staining – soapy water is all you need to clean up grease and grime!

We spend a lot of time plonked on our sofas and they can get dirty quite quickly, so is it safe to steam clean them to keep them tidy? Yes, you can steam clean most leather and fabric sofas. For sofas with SW labels (Solvent and Water Safe), steam cleaners are a quick and easy way to disinfect your furniture and get rid of any lurking dust mites or bacteria. To take advantage of this cleaning hack, just give your sofa a once over with the steam cleaner and leave it to air dry. One fully dry, vacuum the fabric to clear up any leftover residue and moisture.

Nothing ruins the family movie night faster than fingerprints and specks of dust littering the screen. But surely a spray of glass cleaner and a quick wipe down will fix it? Actually, cleaning flat screen TVs with glass cleaner is a big cleaning no-no! The harsh and abrasive chemicals can damage the screen panels, making the cleaning hack one to dismiss right away.

Instead, use a dry microfibre cloth to clean fingerprints, dust, and grime off the TV – just to be safe.

A stuffed up vacuum cleaner bag or bin can start to impact the performance of the vacuum itself, but is cleaning your vacuum with water the right way to solve the issue? Yes, if your vacuum has a removable washable filter (typically found in bagless vacuums), then you can rinse it under warm water to remove stubborn dust and debris! Just ensure you wring out any moisture from the filter before installing it back in your vacuum – the excess water could damage the motor of your device. Those who use bagged vacuums, however, can simply replace the bag to keep the device in top working order.

While using dishwasher tablets to clean your washing machine is a popular cleaning hack on the internet, is it a good one to use? No, this is one washing machine cleaning hack that should be avoided. Not only do they not clean as effectively as other cleaning agents, but dishwasher tablets can cause excess foam to build up in the drum, which may lead to long term performance issues. Instead, use soda crystals for an easy, hands-off approach for getting your washing machine squeaky clean.

Now you know which cleaning hacks are time-savers and which are timewasters, you might be on the look out for more tips and tricks to keep your home tidy. So, for tips such as removing makeup stains from the carpet or cleaning your blinds, head over to our blog.