8 Cleaning Hacks That Really Do Not Work

Want to make cleaning easier and someone dream of the day or something that can fix all of your messy problems? You do of course. To make life simpler, today’s products and cleaning equipment are so much better than they used to be with new technologies that reach the market almost every day.

And the internet is full of shortcuts and suggestions that draw us in with fantasies of cleaning better and easier. Who thinks of these things and why did we not see them sooner? Others are a little science-based, but most are not.

Here are eight hacks for cleaning that don’t work and that will only waste your time and resources. Many also are risky flat out! Skip them, and follow the healthier advice given by Maui Tom’s that will give you a much cleaner and safer result.

Sanitize Microwave Sponges

Like a lot of hacks, this one is a bit science oriented. Yeah, some bacteria can be killed over high heat.

A safer option is to use disposable towels, cotton or microfiber cloths that after every use can be thrown into the washer.

Apply salt to washer to avoid bleeding from Dye

Remove the salt and avoid throwing it in the washer for your fries. By the time you buy clothes in stores, it is too late to stop bleeding from the dye. The phase must be performed during manufacturing of the cloth. Luckily, if all of your clothing is pink now, there are some handy tricks that might just save the day.

Using Hairspray to have Ink flushed

This is an oldie but a goodie hack that used to work when there was almost 100 percent alcohol in hairspray. Yet times have changed. Today’s hairsprays contain less alcohol and more conditioners, oils, and emollients (which is the miracle ink remover). Save your updo hairspray and catch the isopropyl. Alcohol instead.

Place a magic eraser to remove stains in the toilet tank

Yeah, those tiny white erasers are effective in eliminating bathtub soap scum and wall crayon traces. However, they do nothing in your toilet tank to clean your toilet and could even mess up the mechanisms for flushing it. The scrubbers are made of melamine gel, and need to work with your elbow movement. They do not dissolve, and do not contain any components that destroy or raise bacteria.

Cover a cooker for quick cleaning with car wax

It can be hard to remove grease and food spatter from cooktops; particularly if they are crusty from weeks of high heat. Stick with prompt cleaning and a product that cuts through grease if you have a boil-over.

All Germs Kill Hot Water

Many bacteria may be destroyed by hot water but it has to be very hot (212 degrees F) and the infected surface has to be exposed for several minutes. Since most hot water heaters in the home are set at 120 degrees F, you are fooling yourself on expecting hot water to kill germs alone. A disinfectant like chlorine bleach, pine oil, or phenolic solutions (Lysol) is added to your cleaning routine after the flu spreads through your home or you cook raw meats in the kitchen.

Coca coke is the perfect cleaner for toilets

Can you use Coca Cola (or any carbonated soda) to clean a toilet? Sure. You should? No. No. Most carbonated sodas contain minor amounts of citric and phosphoric acids Effective for slow removal of rust and a few stains. A liter of soda, however, can do little to kill bacteria and leaves a sticky residue in the toilet that could only provide fuel for growth of bacteria. Stick to toilet cleaners that disinfect; they’re safer and cheaper.

Extra detergent can make laundry cleaner

More is not always better at cleaning up laundry or dirty floors. The application of additional detergent and cleaners makes it more difficult to scrub off and remove all the sticky residue. Whether the dust is left in fabrics or on your carpet or kitchen floor surface it acts like a dirt magnet. Fabrics are slow, and floors absorb dirt faster. Rather than adding more, pick the Best quality cleaner for the work, read the instructions and take necessary steps. An extra bonus, you’ll be saving money and making fewer trips to the supermarket.

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