Just organizing your home will not make your house clean. You must physically clean it often. Today, Brian Lee will share six myths about home cleaning that will help you get the job done and get your home ready for entertaining. Some destructive home cleaning myths can do more harm than good to your home. They are common, and it is essential to identify them. It is beneficial to examine these myths so they do not hinder your efforts to clean your home.
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Full disclosure: Brian Lee's link is no longer active, but the valuable information here has been updated.
Here are the six most ridiculous home cleaning myths that keep you from cleaning your home.
1. Bleach is The Ultimate Cleaner
Bleach is considered the ultimate cleaner, which effectively cleans most things. Some people think that the things that just dust off a surface are excellent cleaners. Bleach has some other functions. Its best use is for killing germs. It can also remove dirt from surfaces, but you have to scrub to do that. Moreover, it can also affect color.
2. Professional Carpet Cleaning Shrinks Carpet
Hiring a professional carpet cleaner and then finding that the carpet has shrunk is a nightmare for many people. Carpet is something that needs extra care. We don't want it to get dirty. We want it to last. But it gets dirty. There is a misconception that carpet shrinks after professional cleaning. However, shrinking depends on a carpet's manufacturing. Consult with your professional cleaner before making a final decision.
3. Newspapers Are Good for cleaning glass and window doors
Many people consider the newspaper a convenient alternative to window and glass cleaning. Although newspapers are generally better, they are not always the best option. Remember that a newspaper doesn't hold its shape well when wet. Newspapers can tear easily, and ink can transfer to the window trim. It can also result in more cleaning. It can also leave stains on your windows. Instead, use paper towels, which can do better than newspapers. You can also use microfiber cloths too.
4. Furniture Should Be Polished Every Time We Dust
Furniture (affiliate) polish is often considered one of the most effective solutions for cleaning furniture (affiliate). It may come as a surprise to many people to learn that furniture (affiliate) polish is not the ultimate solution and is not entirely reliable. It is unclear what is inside these polishes. There might be some elements that can attract dust. It is best to use those assigned by manufacturers. Instead of using a duster, it can make cleaning your furniture (affiliate) easier, and it is also a more cost-effective way to do so.
5. More Soap Or Detergent Equal More Cleaning Power
Do you believe it? It is a common thought that the dirtier anything is, the more soap it needs. But it is not true. Commonly, people use that thing repeatedly, which is good. Sometimes the overuse of anything can make it less effective. The same goes for soap. It can harm your cleaning efforts.
6. Cleaning Solutions Work Instantly
Many processes take time to have an effect. It can also be applied to home cleaning. Always follow the guidelines written on the product label (affiliate). Professional cleaners recommend two to three minutes for cleaning to take effect.
Thank you, Brian! He is a professional cleaner at Chicago Cleaning Services, seeking your professional advice.
Please note that these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate). At no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
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Sushmita says
Thank you for sharing the tips, Sabrina. Yes Erica we here in India use newspapers to clean our glass surfaces it's very effective in cleaning.
RoseMary Griffith says
I love what William wrote! HA on getting around to it. Just kidding. I actually like to clean as brain-therapy. So good to hear these tips. For the next time I get around to cleaning the whole house.
William Rusho says
The biggest myth about cleaning the house, is that I am going to get around to it.
The myth about windows is that the old style newspaper had ink. When wipe with a newspaper, you are leaving the ink on the surface of the glass. This means it LOOKS shiny, but it is not clean. In fact, the extra shine keeps you from seeing through the window as good.
Thanks for sharing these with us.
Sabrina says
Thanks your sharing your thoughts, William.
Seana Turner says
This was very interesting! One time I was cleaning with a bleach spray, which I didn't remember had bleach, and I pretty much ruined the sleeve of the sweater I was wearing. I'd like to know what the cleaning expert recommends for getting the odors out of exercise clothes. More detergent definitely does not mean cleaner with that one!
Brian Lee says
For gym clothes I recommend vinegar. However these clothes should be washed every time they get sweaty.
Janet Barclay says
My sister-in-law discovered that an inside-out sweatshirt makes the very best duster. Use one that's headed for laundry anyway, and you're all set!
Sabrina says
Great tip, Janet! Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Catarina says
Having had maids most of my life I learnt a lot from this post. Someone recently told me that newspapers are best for cleaning windows. Now I know that's not correct. Knew already that more detergent does not equal more cleaning power because of caring for the environment.
Erica says
Wow, I've never thought to clean with newspaper. Like you mentioned, I would be nervous about getting ink all over my home. Interesting that people do.
Your tips for carpet cleaning make me so happy I don't have carpet anymore. They put the cheapest carpet into my last apartment which held onto all the dirt and stained from just walking on it. Carpet cleaning really is so important because it really does pick up everything. Thanks for the great tips. Now if you could just send a housekeeper to do it for me!
Phoenicia says
Thank you for these tips. Cleaning is never ending and do not get me started on dusting.
I use bleach for the bathroom and I agree that you still need to scrub. Some leave such a strong smell.
Newspapers are excellent for keeping glass clean. They leave an excellent finish.
Marquita Herald says
Great list, none of which I've ever bought into for some reason. I can remember my mother trying the newspaper thing and complaining about it, so that's probably why I never tried that. Now, when you're ready to talk about dog hair, let me know! 🙂
Ken Dowell says
I have to admit that I buy into the myth about more soap meaning more cleaning power. Maybe more people would keep buying print newspapers if they knew they could use them to clean their windows.
Doreen Pendgracs says
Interesting post. I think that decluttering and organizing is a prelude to cleaning. Once we've organized and thrown out or removed clutter, it's much easier to clean.