The internet has given mankind so many good things, and one of those is the ability to access an incredibly vast amount of information with a few taps on a screen or a keyboard. Information that was once available only at school or in libraries can now be accessed by anyone with a decent connection. You can research almost everything online now, from how to play the guitar to teaching your dog new tricks. But lately, it’s becoming clear that this unprecedented access can be both a blessing and a curse. Cleaning is a case-in-point.
Nowadays, people pull up search engines to find new and more effective ways to clean their homes. The good thing about this is that people are searching beyond conventional methods, creating a demand for safer, eco-friendlier cleaning products. But since everyone is free to share their own ideas, the internet has become saturated with a myriad tips and tricks, and it’s become harder to identify which ones actually work.
WHEN CONVENTIONAL CLEANING IS BETTER THAN DIY
Today we’re going to explain the truth behind 5 popular ‘DIY’ (Do It Yourself) hacks. Hundreds of websites out there have content encouraging people to ditch conventional methods for ones that allegedly save them money and environmental waste. People have since been scouring the internet for the newest DIY cleaning hacks. After all, some people can’t resist blogs like how to remove cat urine smell for good. While some DIY’s are pretty successful, there are a few that prove to be a waste of time and money. Some of the following DIY’s could even make things worse:
DIY 1: MIXING BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE CLEANING SOLUTION.
REALLY: This does NOT create the ultimate cleaning solution.
When it comes to DIY cleaning substances, vinegar and baking soda are amazing by themselves. Vinegar can clean dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, carpet, toilet bowls, clogged drains, and the list goes on. Baking soda, on the other hand, can deodorize your carpets, clean your stuffed toys, clean your stainless steel sink, remove sweat stains, etc. Mixing them together will not create a super DIY carpet cleaning solution as you would think because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base. You’ll need more than just those two products to care for your rug.
DIY 2: COCA-COLA WILL CLEAN YOUR TOILET.
REALLY: This one is 50/50.
This has to be the mother of all DIY cleaning ‘tips’. “Pour a load of Coca-Cola or any other cola in the toilet and flush it down after a couple of hours.” This one is a bit 50-50 because it does work to some extent (its acidic property is what makes this work, but many conventional cleaners also have an acidic base.) But the cola cleaning method also leaves your toilet extra sticky which makes it attractive to bacteria. You’ll be much better off spending soda money on an actual cleaner.
DIY 3: HAIR SPRAY REMOVES INK.
REALLY: Most hair spray WILL NOT remove ink.
There was a time when this cleaning tip actually worked, when hair spray was nearly 100% alcohol. Nowadays the percentage is a lot less, meaning your son’s sharpie artwork might not go away no matter how much hairspray you use.
DIY 4: LEMONS CAN DO IT ALL.
REALLY: Beware of using lemons on two surfaces.
One lemon a day can give you a dose of Vitamin C to shield sickness, and one lemon can also clean one bathroom tub and bathroom counter. High in citric acid, lemon juice is one of the best natural cleaners due to its low pH and antibacterial properties (this method can get expensive though). We want you to know the two things you should never clean with lemons: 1. Brass plated things 2. Natural stone.
DIY 5: WHITE WINE CAN CLEAN RED WINE STAINS.
REALLY: Vodka can do it better.
Spilled red wine can be one of the most stressful things to clean, especially for those who wish to whitewash their interiors. White wine can, in fact, free your carpet from that horrendous red wine stain thanks to the fact that it has a higher percentage of alcohol compared to red wine. If you want a more powerful rug cleaning, however, vodka’s 40 percent alcohol by volume trumps white wine’s 12.5 percent average.
DIY 6: MICROWAVING SPONGES KILLS BACTERIA.
REALLY: Microwaving sponges might cause a fire.
It is true that heat kills bacteria. Sponges are filled with just as much bacteria density that you would find in a human stool sample. And you use them directly on your plates and utensils. Naturally, you’d want a way to clean these sponges instead of frequently replacing them with new ones. But putting them through a microwave will not do the job. Unfortunately, it takes a long time for the microwave to reach the desired level of heat needed to kill off those pesky bacteria, and before it gets close to that temperature, the sponge will burn down or catch on fire.
CLEANING COSTS MONEY NO MATTER WHAT METHOD YOU USE
There is something liberating about knowing what other cleaning methods are out there. Let’s be honest; the thought of saving money by using items that are already in your cupboard can be exciting. However, a lot of conventional cleaning methods are conventional for a reason: they have already been tried and tested for generations. So the next time you need some cleaning done, maybe you should try conventional methods or hiring experts who already have proven solutions to specific tasks at their disposal. Save the lemons and colas for your next meal.
