I love a good DIY cleaning tip as much as anyone, but sometimes advice gets passed down that doesn’t actually work. So for all the hacks like using ketchup to clean rust stains, that really help, there are plenty of others that don’t. According to “Consumer Reports,” these are the DIY cleaning myths we should all stop believing.
Myth: Use coffee grounds to freshen up your garbage disposal.
Truth: Sure, coffee grounds can help remove that grit and gunk from your disposal blades, but if you’re trying to get rid of a funky smell in your garbage disposal, baking soda does a better job.
Myth: A bit of hairspray to get the ballpoint-pen ink out.
Truth: Your grandma may have taught you this trick, and back in her day it probably worked. Hairspray used to have more alcohol in it but today’s hairspray has stiffeners that’ll just make that stain worse. You’re better off using rubbing alcohol on an ink stain instead.
Myth: Better to hand wash.
Truth: Dishwashers beat handwashing because they heat water to 140 degrees and can really sanitize. And according to the EPA’s Energy Star website, using an Energy Star dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes can save 230 hours of your time every year! That’s almost 10 days!
Myth: Bleach is the word.
Truth: It’s great for sanitizing, but it doesn’t clean. Bleach kills bacteria and lightens stains, but soap is better for cleaning.
Myth: Just a spoonful of vinegar cleans everything.
Truth: Vinegar is an acid, so it can cut through dirt and bacteria, but diluting it with water doesn’t help. You have to use it full strength for it to work and it could damage natural stone or wood surfaces.
Source: Hello Giggles