Many of the cleaning habits we’ve learned over the years or that have been passed down through generations have either become outdated or proven to be ineffective. We’ve put together a list of some of these common cleaning myths to help you avoid wasting time and effort.
Frequent Vacuuming Damages Carpets
Vacuuming your carpet will not wear it out; instead, it will ensure your carpet is always clean. Maid Sailors tells you to regularly vacuum by writing, “The best thing that you can do to keep your carpet clean is to vacuum it frequently. This way, your carpet will remain clean all the time.”
All Green Cleaning Products Are Safe
Green labels don’t automatically mean that a cleaning product is safe, especially around children. Make sure you still read the label to ensure the product’s composition and safety. Not all ingredients will be disclosed on the label; however, they’ll still provide useful information.
A Clean Smell Equals Cleanliness
Paula Cleaning writes, “A clean home should have a fresh and neutral scent, not an overwhelming chemical odor.” A fresh-smelling home doesn’t always mean cleanliness; instead, it could just be masking other smells. The best thing to do is clean with odorless products, as this will ensure there’s no lingering bad smell.
Steam-Cleaning Carpets Causes Mold and Bad Odor
Steam-cleaning carpets will not cause them to smell bad. Sometimes, there’s an initial moldy smell that may come from your carpet, but this will soon disappear. Steam cleaning is used professionally to keep carpets clean and looking new. Only worry about bad smells from your carpet if they linger long after steaming.
Homemade Cleaning Products Are Ineffective
There’s a common myth that homemade cleaning products are not effective. They can actually work well for everyday cleaning, according to Skosh, which writes, “Ingredients such as vinegar, citric acid, and bicarbonate are effective in combination against light grease stains as well as bad smells.”
Hairspray Is Effective for Ink Stain Removal
You would have been told to use hairspray on ink stains because of its high alcohol content; however, a more effective method would be to directly use alcohol. Hairspray isn’t always the best for all fabrics, so instead try sticking to more concentrated alcohols and leave the hairspray for your beauty routine.
Newspaper Is Better Than Paper Towels for Window Cleaning
Newspapers can cause smears on your windows, so try to avoid using them for cleaning. Paper towels are, in fact, better, but only if they have the right cleaning product on them. You can purchase sprays that are specifically designed for glass, and these will avoid any streaks.
Furniture Polish Is Necessary for Cleaning Wood
You don’t need to use furniture polish on wood; just a regular duster will be fine. According to The Kleenerz, regular dusting once a week with a damp cloth will be sufficient for picking up dirt that’s settled. Only use furniture polish occasionally; once every few weeks on wooden furniture would be enough to keep items clean.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Clean Everything
There are surfaces you should never use vinegar on, and these include marble and granite. Even though they’re known for being natural cleaners, you shouldn’t use them for all cleaning tasks. Make sure to do your research about what can and cannot go on the different surfaces in your home.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Are The Same
Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes dirt, while disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria. You need to ensure you have different products and carry out each process correctly, as they won’t be the same. It’s essential to both clean and disinfect for a clean home.
Cleaning Is a One-Time Task
It’s important that cleaning be a regular thing; you can’t just do it once and then never again. How often you clean your home depends on different factors, according to Tech Squad Team, which writes, “The frequency of cleaning depends on various factors, including the size of your home, the number of people living in it, and your lifestyle.”
Disinfecting All Surfaces Is Necessary
High-touch areas such as kitchen countertops, toilets, and sinks need to be regularly disinfected. It doesn’t need to be all surfaces, just the higher ones where there’s likely to be a buildup of germs. Disinfecting too much is unnecessary, so only focus on the areas that need it.
Cleaning Is Solely About Aesthetics
Cleaning impacts your health and well-being; without it, you could become seriously ill, so it isn’t just about making your house look nice. It reduces the risk of allergies, infections, and respiratory issues. Effective cleaning will not only leave your home looking nicer, but it can also prevent serious illnesses.
Bleach Is the Ultimate Disinfectant
There are now safer options to use other than bleach. These options will usually be just as effective, meaning you won’t have to spend any more time cleaning. For example, Complete Care Maintenance writes, “Be cautious when using bleach, as it can release harmful fumes if mixed with other cleaning agents.”
Dusting Exacerbates Allergies
Dusting does not increase the likelihood of allergies; if anything, it’ll help to reduce them. You should use a damp or microfiber cloth, as these will effectively remove dust from any furniture. Always avoid dry cloths or feather dusters, as these don’t remove it and instead just spread it further around your home.
More Cleaning Products Means Better Results
You don’t need to have a cupboard full of cleaning products. Using an excessive amount of cleaning products doesn’t always enhance their effectiveness. Sometimes, it can leave residues on surfaces, which may end up damaging them. Make sure you always follow the product’s instructions for efficiency and safety.
Wearing Shoes Indoors Doesn’t Affect Cleanliness
Taking your shoes off before you enter your home can limit the amount of bacteria and dirt that’s trodden in. It will also help to keep your carpets cleaner, which means less vacuuming. Remembering to remove your shoes each time you enter your home will reduce how often you need to clean your floors.
