On average, we spend between 2.2 to 2.7 hours at once on household activities. If you have a busy schedule, then you’ll know how hard it is to carve out chunks of time for cleaning and chores. Because of this, it’s important to do things right. That way, you’ll save both time and energy! However, there are some house cleaning myths floating out there, which can be detrimental.
It’s very likely that you’re believing some old wives’ tales, which won’t be great for productivity. Below are 7 myths about house cleaning that you probably never knew and shouldn’t listen to.
1. Bleach Is the Best Cleaner
Anyone who’s smelled bleach before knows that this is a powerful chemical. It also whitens things it touches, so it must be the best cleaner for your house.
However, bleach doesn’t really clean things. It’s true that it’s a great disinfectant, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll get dust, dirt, and grime off too.
When you start cleaning, you need to first dust and wipe down surfaces, plus use another household cleaner before you add bleach. And when you do, it needs to stay on the surface for at least 10 minutes to kill bacteria.
2. You Can Ruin Your Carpets by Vacuuming Too Much
This myth seems logical because the more you fuss over something, the more likely it’ll wear down. But ultimately, this is still a myth.
The truth is, all the dust and dirt you leave at the base of your carpets will be more harmful than running a vacuum over them regularly.
Do note that if you’ve got delicate carpets, then you’ll need to take care when vacuuming. Never leave your vacuum in one spot for too long and be gentle while doing this chore.
3. Washing Machines Are Self-Cleaning
You put your dirty clothes in this appliance, and they come out spotless. So surely, washing machines clean themselves in the process?
Unfortunately, this is a common myth!
Typically, you’ll want to put the washer on the cleaning cycle once a month. If you notice your clothes smelling musty, then you’ll need to bump up the frequency to keep your laundry smelling fresh.
If your laundry machine doesn’t have a cleaning cycle, not to worry. You can manually run one by running a small cycle on hot water and putting 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda in the detergent dispenser.
4. Only Hot Water Cleans Your Clothes
Practically everyone thinks that washing clothes with piping hot water is best for cleaning them. But that’s a huge myth!
Water isn’t the biggest factor in cleaning clothes; it’s actually the detergent. And better yet is, cold water can clean better than hot water!
Not only will it preserve your clothes’ fabrics, but it’ll also preserve the colors. Washing clothes with cold water can also cut down your utility bills, so it’s a win-win situation.
5. Handwashing Dishes Is Better
It’s very likely that you’ve run your dishes through the dishwasher, only to find bits of food left on your plates. So you’ve resorted to handwashing your dishes since they seem cleaner.
However, a dishwasher is better for the job. Not only does it run hotter water over your dishes, but it also exposes them to soap for longer. And if there’s a drying cycle, this sanitizes your dishes, which you can’t do by hand.
6. You Should Use Coffee Grounds to Clean Your Garbage Disposal
After you’ve made your morning brew, you throw your coffee grounds into the trash can. Over time, this can seem wasteful, so you’re looking for ways to reuse them.
You might’ve heard that these small particles are an excellent way to deodorize and clean your garbage disposal blades. So you’ve been putting them down the sink.
However, this can actually clog your drains and pipes! A better use for your coffee grounds is to use them as compost in your yard.
To properly clean your garbage disposal, use citrus fruits instead. You’ll make use of your lemons, limes, and grapefruit peels, so you’ll still be reducing your carbon footprint. Just put the peels into the garbage disposal, run it a little bit, then rinse it out with warm water.
If you don’t use citrus fruits, then you can pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm water.
7. You Need Specialized Cleaning Products
Take a walk down a shop’s aisles and you’ll see various cleaning products. There are specialized ones for cleaning windows, sinks, bathtubs, surfaces, etc. But do you really need them all?
It might seem like you need to purchase separate cleaning products for each room or even each type of object. But this is a marketing tactic to get you to buy more things!
The reality is, you can get by with just all-purpose cleaners. If you want to avoid chemicals, then vinegar and baking soda will do the trick. Either way, pair the cleaner with high-quality microfiber cloths and you’re golden!
Bust These House Cleaning Myths
House cleaning is a tough job, so work smarter, not harder. Now that we’ve debunked the most common house cleaning myths, you’re well on your way to an easier time.
Of course, you can always hire house cleaners too. These experts will make your house sparkle from top to bottom, and you won’t have to lift a finger. Your time and energy are better spent elsewhere, after all!
If you’d like professional housekeeping services for your home, then request a free quote from us today. You can also call us for an instant quote!
