Homeowners often take pride in maintaining and cleaning their property and will typically share cleaning tips with others. Perhaps your dad had a reputation for always keeping the house spotless, or your grandmother had several tricks and tips to keep things tidy and clean. But while many people will swear by their methods, the question remains: do they actually work?
To help set the record straight, our team of Manassas professional cleaners have examined some of the most common cleaning myths. You might be surprised to hear which are completely false – and which actually work!
- You can clean anything with bleach: This one is definitely false. While bleach can be used as a disinfectant or to remove certain heavy stains, it can actually damage certain surfaces and release harmful fumes which can cause sickness.
- Newspapers are excellent for cleaning glass: Again, this one is false. Unless you want to have ink stains and newspaper bits stuck all over your windows, you should probably just use a rag or paper towel instead. Interestingly, coffee filters can actually be used to achieve streak-free windows and mirrors.
- Toothpaste cleans tarnished silverware: This one is actually true! Many silver cleaners contain abrasive chemicals which can be harmful to your skin and the environment, whereas toothpaste contains just the right level of effective-yet-gentle scrubbing power. Gently rubbing toothpaste with extra tartar control on silverware – or even jewelry and metal appliances – can help to restore their luster with minimal effort.
- Citrus peels eliminate bad odors from the garbage disposal: This one has some merit to it, but is more false than it is true. While orange, lemon, and lime peels can release oils which can neutralize odors from your garbage disposal, if not ground up completely, these peels can actually contribute to the smells coming from your sink and lead to clogs. Pouring a couple teaspoons of white vinegar down your disposal is a safer and more effective method.
- Walnuts remove wood scratches: While it may sound crazy, it is true that you can use walnuts to effectively treat scratched wooden furniture. Remove the walnut from its shell, rub it along the scratch, press your finger against the scratch for about a minute, and then let it sit for about five minutes, and voila! Buff it with a microfiber cloth and you’re good to go.
- Baking soda can unclog your drain: This is false. Baking soda alone will not unclog your drain, but when mixed with vinegar, it can create a powerful chemical reaction which can loosen blockages. First, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Next, pour roughly half a cup of baking soda down the drain and let it sit for about four minutes. Then, pour a mixture of 1 cup hot water and 1 cup vinegar down the drain and quickly plug the drain with a plug. After 10 minutes, pour another pot of boiling water down the drain.
- Lemons remove hard water stains: This is true! The acid of citrus fruits can be excellent at breaking down water stains from glass and metal, with the added benefit of releasing a pleasant scent.
Leave the Cleaning to the Experts – Call (888) 627-1497
At Elite Cleaning Services, LLC, our team of professionals specializes in providing top-notch cleaning services to homes and businesses throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Our honest and professional maid teams can be trusted to complete any job to your satisfaction – no exceptions!
Call (888) 627-1497 today to learn more about our commercial and home cleaning services.