Almost everyone has some household cleaning hacks that have been passed down for
several generations. While many swear by these hacks, to what extent are they useful?
Here are five common household cleaning myths debunked!
Myth 1
Using newspapers to wipe windows for a streak-free finish
Many of us are familiar with using newspapers to wipe down our windows. This hack is supposed to leave no streaks on the glass, but sadly, that is no longer achievable with modern-day newspapers. Nowadays, newspapers are printed on thinner paper, which tends to disintegrate easily when it gets wet with glass cleaner. It might not only stain your hands with ink but leaves your windows with nasty paper residue.
Do this instead: Dilute some dishwashing liquid with water, spray it onto your windows and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth! To give it extra shine, you can use a glass cleaner for the second round of cleaning.
Myth 2
Bleach can be used to clean everything
When you’re cleaning your bathroom, you might instinctively reach for the bleach, thinking it is the most powerful, multi-purpose cleaner. However, bleach is not a cleaner, but a disinfectant and stain remover. While it is useful for removing tough stains or whitening your clothes, bleach can make it harder to remove stains from certain surfaces. The chemical is not suitable for degreasing, and you will have better luck sticking with an actual cleaning product, or even baking soda.
Do this instead: For removing tough stains from your bathroom, spray some Natural Plus Bathroom Cleaner and let it set for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing with water. The cleaner can effectively remove even the most stubborn stains and soap scum, leaving you with a sparkling clean bathroom. Made with 100% plant-based active ingredients, it is a lot less harsh than bleach, or any traditional cleaning products!
Myth 3
Using more detergent will result in a better clean
It seems intuitive to think that the more laundry detergent you use, the cleaner your clothes will be. However, more is not always better, and you might be doing the opposite with this ‘hack’. When an excessive amount of detergent is used, soap residue might be left on your clothes and irritate your skin. Over time, excessive soap residue will build up in your washing machine, leading to mould and mildew. Not to mention, you will also need to buy new detergent more frequently,
wasting your hard-earned money!
Do this instead: Never pour liquid laundry detergent into your washing machine without measuring! A general rule of thumb is to use about a tablespoon of detergent per regular load of laundry. However, with a detergent such as Natural Plus Ultra Concentrated Laundry Liquid, its 3X cleaning power and the ultra-concentrated formula means that you only need a small dose to get your clothing clean!
Myth 4
Washing machines clean themselves
It is an old wives’ tale that washing machines do not need to be cleaned because it is constantly used to wash your clothing. The soap residue, dirt, and chemicals left over from your detergent can get trapped in your washing machine over time, and turn your washer into a breeding ground for bacteria. Once in a while, you should clean your washing machine to keep it working at its best and to prevent bacteria buildup.
Do this instead: Mix vinegar and baking soda in a 4:1 ratio and fill it in your detergent dispenser. Then, run an empty load on the hottest water setting. After it’s done, leave your washing machine door open to dry!
Myth 5
Cleaning products work instantly
Advertisements might have given you the wrong idea about how cleaning products work. A common misconception is that cleaning products work instantly – you just spray and wipe! However, if you follow this method of cleaning, you might be disappointed with its ineffectiveness and wonder why your stains are not budging. No matter how strong your product is, germs and grime cannot be broken down so quickly. Wiping off your cleaning products too quickly results in grime remaining on your surfaces, and it is also a massive waste of product.
Do this instead: After spraying your solution on a surface, let it soak for at least 10 minutes (longer if you can) and busy yourself with another chore. You will find that waiting before scrubbing will save you a lot of energy and be a lot more effective. You can also consider using Natural Plus Kitchen Cleaner, which has 3X faster degreasing power thanks to its Advanced Nano Fast Cleaning Technology, that will help you remove grime and grease much faster! In fact you can leave it for just 30 seconds before wiping off, even for the stubborn stains!
While these household cleaning hacks may have been shared over time, they are not the most effective. With your newfound knowledge on cleaning, you are now well-equipped to tackle the toughest of cleaning days! Next time you see someone grabbing a wad of newspaper to wipe the windows, or absentmindedly pouring a copious amount of laundry detergent into their washer, you’ll know what to do!