Just organizing your home will not make your home clean. You physically have to clean it often. Here is a guest post from a cleaning professional, Brian Lee.
Some destructive home cleaning myths can do more harm than good to your home. They are common and it is important to identify them. It is a good thing to have a look at these myths so they cannot hurt your efforts to clean your home.
Here are 6 most ridiculous home cleaning myths which keep you from cleaning your home.
1. Bleach is The Ultimate Cleaner
Bleach is considered as the ultimate cleaner which cleans things most of the time. Some people think that the things which just dust out of some surface are the great 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 carpet has shrunk, is a nightmare for many people. Carpet is something which needs extra care. We don’t want it to get dirty. We want it to last. But it gets dirty. There is a misconception about carpet cleaning that carpet shrinks after its professional cleaning. However, Shrinking depends on a carpet’s manufacturing. Consult with your professional cleaner before making a final decision about it.
3. Newspapers Are Good To Clean Glass And Window Doors
Many people think about the newspaper as a shortcut alternative for windows and glass cleaning. Although newspapers are better: but they are not the best option all the time. Remember that newspaper doesn't hold much, when wet. Newspapers can tear easily and ink can transfer to windows 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.
4. Furniture Should Be Polished Every Time We Dust
Furniture (Affiliate Link) polish is considered as one of the best solutions for cleaning furniture (Affiliate Link). It might be a shock for many people to know that furniture (Affiliate Link) polish is not the ultimate solution and not reliable. It is unclear what is inside these polishes. There might be some elements which can attract dust. It is best to use those assigned by manufacturers. Instead using a duster can make it easier and it is also a cheaper way to clean your furniture (Affiliate Link).
5. More Soap Or Detergent Equal More Cleaning Power
Do you believe it? It is a common thought that more dirty anything is, more soap it needs. But it is not true. It is common that people use that thing again and again which is good. Sometimes the overuse of anything can make it less effective. Same goes for soap. It can harm your cleaning efforts.
6. Cleaning Solutions Work Instantly
Many processes take the time to have an effect. It can also be applied to home cleaning. Always follow the guidelines written on the product label (Affiliate Link). Professional cleaners recommend two to three minutes for cleaning to take effect.
Thank you, Brian! He is a professional cleaner at Chicago Cleaning Services for your professional advice.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
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.