Cleaning hacks – we’ve all heard of at least a few, and some of them have even secured their position in our cleaning routines. But are they all as good as they claim to be? Today we separate fact from fraud and let you know which of popular cleaning hacks are to be trusted and which are just wishful thinking.
Hack: Why waste money on cleaners? You can clean all the surfaces with vinegar.
Fraud. While vinegar can be used as a cleaner when removing hard water stains or limescale, it’s not ideal for everything. For example, regularly cleaning granite, marble, and wooden surfaces with vinegar can damage them. Phone, computer, and TV screens should also be kept away from vinegar as it can damage the screen’s coating.
Hack: You can clean your silverware with toothpaste.
Fact. It sounds odd, but toothpaste can bring back the shine to your silverware and even jewelry. Silver cleaners are usually quite abrasive, which means they can be damaging to your skin and the environment. Toothpaste is a gentler option that still leaves your silver sparkly.
Hack: When cleaning windows, use newspaper for the best results.
Fraud. Back in the day, when newspapers were thicker, this might not have been a bad idea. However, nowadays newspapers tend to disintegrate quite fast and leave streaky ink stains on glass surfaces. Instead, opt for a microfiber cloth and your favorite window cleaning agent.
Hack: Cola is a great toilet cleaner.
Fraud. While it might seem effective at first, cola shouldn’t be used as a cleaning product. Yes, the acidity in the drink can help to remove hard water stains but, at the same time, the color of the drink can also darken them and make them more visible. The sugar also helps propagate bacteria, which is the opposite of what you’d want from a cleaner.
Hack: Never clean your windows when it’s sunny outside.
Fact. This window cleaning hack is actually a great tip! Direct sunlight can make the cleaning products dry too fast and leave your windows streaky. So, wait for a cloudy day to get better results.
