Top Cleaning Myths Debunked: Here’s What Really Works

We all want an easier way to clean, but some of the myths you might have heard could be doing more harm than good.

How can you tell what really works and what’s just a rumor? Here are some of the most common misconceptions about cleaning and tips on what to do instead.

Vinegar Is an All-Purpose Cleaner

Vinegar is a great natural solution for cleaning, but can it be used for every surface? If you’ve heard that vinegar works as an all-purpose cleaner, you might be surprised to learn that it can actually damage certain spaces in your home.

Many people opt for cleaning with vinegar since it’s a cost-effective, natural choice. Vinegar is amazing for its grease-cutting and limescale-removing abilities, but–due to its acidic nature–it can eat away at some finishes and surfaces, like flooring and countertops. At full strength, this acidity allows it to cut through dirt and kill bacteria, but it’s important to use it with care.

Vinegar is perfect for removing hard water stains. It should be used to clean surfaces that can handle its acidity, like:

• Ceramic and porcelain tile, such as floors, countertops, and backsplashes
• Stainless steel appliances and fixtures
• Glass, including windows, showers, mirrors, and coffee makers
• Linoleum or vinyl flooring and Formica or laminate countertops (when diluted with water)

However, you should avoid using vinegar to clean surfaces that it might damage, such as:

• Marble, granite, and natural stone: Due to their high content of minerals like calcium, vinegar should never be used on these surfaces. It will eat into the stone and erode countertops, causing discoloration and weakening integrity. Instead, use a pH-neutral cleaner designed for stone.
• Waxed floors: Vinegar can strip the wax coating from floors, leaving them dull and susceptible to further damage. Use a pH-neutral cleaner designed for hardwood flooring to avoid deterioration.
• Wood floors: Vinegar eats away at the protective coating and sealant, eroding the finish and leaving the floors vulnerable to damage. Look for a mild cleaner specifically formulated for hardwood floors to ensure proper care.
• Painted surfaces: Vinegar strips the paint, leading to peeling and fading. Try a gentle mixture of dish soap and water for cleaning these surfaces instead.
• Unsealed grout: Like natural stone, vinegar can seep into these porous surfaces and cause damage, leading to cracks, stains, and loosening over time. Opt for gently scrubbing with a mild agent–like baking soda and water–instead.

When in doubt, it’s best to dilute the vinegar with water, test a small area first, or seek an alternative cleaning product instead.

Feather Dusters Work Best

You may think that a feather duster is the best method for removing dirt and allergens from the surfaces of your home. In reality, it’s likely causing more harm than good.

According to cleaning experts, most feather dusters just spread dust around rather than picking it up. Microfiber cloths and lambs wool are better options for collecting dust, and most can be washed and reused, making them a more sustainable choice. Even vacuuming is a suitable option for effective dust removal.

Moreover, while genuine ostrich-feather dusters do attract dust, they’re too expensive for the average consumer. They can leave feathers, creating more work and irritants for those with allergies, and they’re still less effective than alternatives.

Use Newspapers To Clean Glass

You may have heard people say that newspaper should be used to clean glass to give it a “streak-free” shine. However, modern newspapers are too flimsy to be used as an effective cleaning tool.

The paper used nowadays is thinner than it used to be, leading to faster disintegration. More than that, they can tear easily and transfer ink, causing a mess on your hands and windows.

Instead, it’s recommended to use a microfiber cloth to clean glass surfaces for results without streaks.

Your Appliances Clean Themselves

You wash your clothes and dishes in your appliances, so why can’t they clean themselves? While you may think your dishwasher and washing machine are getting clean with each cycle, it’s actually recommended that you run monthly cleaning cycles on your appliances to prevent the buildup of grime and bacteria.

Old bits of food and hard water minerals cling onto dishwashers, causing grease and limescale stains. To eliminate the buildup of dirt and odors, you should run a cycle with a commercial dishwasher cleaner regularly.

Similarly, washing machines are teeming with harmful bacteria. They can be breeding grounds for diseases like Salmonella, E. Coli, rotavirus, and hepatitis. Most washing machines have “clean” cycles built in on their control panels, which experts recommend running each month.

Mixing Cleaning Products Makes Them Stronger

You may be tempted to mix cleaning products for a more effective clean, but combining random chemicals is extremely dangerous and should never be done at home.

Combining certain chemicals, like ammonia and bleach or vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, can lead to toxic results and cause harm. Without knowledge of what you’re mixing, you can also neutralize active ingredients, rendering solutions ineffective.

To avoid dangerous incidents, make sure to never mix any chemicals and always use cleaning products in well-ventilated areas.

Use Laundry Detergent As Floor Cleaner

Thanks to viral TikTok videos, some homeowners may be tempted to use laundry detergent to get sparkling floors. However, cleaning experts strongly advise against following this trend.

Using laundry detergent packs to create a mopping solution is wasteful and unsafe. It can cause irreversible damage to hardwood and laminate floors, costing a fortune in repairs.

Instead, experts recommend using cleaning agents specifically designed for the flooring in your home.

Hire A Housekeeper To Avoid Damage

If you’re worried about causing damage to your home due to improper cleaning techniques, consider hiring a housekeeper.

Housekeepers are professional cleaners with expert insight into cleaning techniques. They know what tools and equipment to use to clean your home properly and safely.

Looking for a housekeeper in the Nassau County area? Get a quote today from Too Clean Homes to see how our cleaning experts can help keep your home at its best.

Our professional cleaners have over 15 years of experience serving Long Island neighborhoods and will create a customized cleaning plan suited to your needs. With eco-friendly, pet-safe products, we’ll help you make your home shine.