Last updated on April 12th, 2021
Courtesy: tastessence
Let’s face it. Cleaning can be quite a chore, and we are all looking for hacks that make it simpler and easier. And the internet is full of tips and tricks that might appear to be really amazing on the surface but quite worthless when you really get down to trying them for real.
Here are a few that do make tall claims, but fall terribly short in delivering what they promise. See if you’ve fallen for any of them!
1. Using The Microwave To Sanitize Sponges
Courtesy: HGTV
Although this cleaning hack seems to be partly scientific, it doesn’t really work. The premise that this hack is based on, is that the high heat inside the microwave kills all the bacteria in the sponge, disinfecting it. But in reality, microwaving still leaves 40% of the bacteria, some of which can be deadly.
A way better option is to use cotton or microfiber cloths which can be washed in the washer after every use.
2. Removing A Red Wine Stain With White Wine
Courtesy: antoniusbros
This is an age-old one, that does have a fair amount of success owing to the alcohol in the white wine, but what would work way better are other white drinks like vodka which have a way higher alcohol content than white wine!
3. Removing Ink Stains With Hairspray
Courtesy: raincoverbeauty
This is a hack that used to wok back in the day when hairsprays used to contain a lot of alcohol, which happens to be a great ink remover.
But hairsprays today contain conditioners, oils and many other chemicals way more than they contain alcohol and are pretty ineffective on ink.
4. Using Lemon Juice On Container Stains
Courtesy: greekboston
Nope. Lemon juice would make absolutely no difference to your stained plastic containers, even if you left it to sit for 24 hours and cleaned them again. So, if life does hand you a lemon, please don’t waste it on your plastic containers!
5. Coating A Stove With Car Wax
Courtesy: thespruce
Coating your stovetop with car wax may make the greasy food residue slightly easier to remove, but it isn’t worth the risk you would be taking, as car wax is highly flammable and can cause a fire, especially in the kitchen! It’s better to stick to the good old cleaning products meant for the job.
6. Using Banana Skin To Polish Shoes
Courtesy: thrivemarket
Some people think that the potassium in banana skin can help shine shoes. But potassium, a vital nutrient for the human body hardly qualifies as a leather shiner. What’s more, the bits from the stringy banana skin on your shoes would leave them far from shiny.
7. Using Coca Cola To Clean The Toilet
Courtesy: amyscleaningserv
Is it really a good idea to clean your toilet with Coca Cola? Well, no. You clean the toilet for two reasons. To remove stains, yes, but also to kill bacteria. Although Coca Cola does contain citric and phosphoric acids that do remove minor stains, what it also contains is loads of sugar that’ll leave behind a sticky residue that’s great for bacterial growth. Stick to your regular toilet cleaners. They’re way better, any day.
8. Using Vinegar On Water Rings
Courtesy: pinterest
Vinegar is without a doubt a great cleaning agent, but for removing water stains from your coffee table, you’ll be wasting your time trying your luck with vinegar. In fact, because of its acid content, it might actually end up damaging the protective polish on your wooden table. A way better bet would be to use a tray for your glasses!
