8 Popular Cleaning Hacks that Don’t Really Work

We all want to make cleaning a little less painful. That’s why we’re always looking for short cuts and simple tips to make the task a little easier. And while there are a variety of amazing cleaning hacks that actually do the job they’re supposed to do, there are also tons of hacks that don’t work at all. That’s why I’m here to help separate the facts from fiction! Here are eight popular cleaning hacks that don’t actually work.

8 Popular Cleaning Hacks that Don’t Really Work

Microwaved Sponges

I’m sure you’ve heard that cleaning a sponge in the microwave is a simple way to sanitize the sponge and remove that nasty mildew smell. While it seems like this hack would work – high heat can kill bacteria, the amount of time you’d need to “cook” your sponge in the microwave to kill all the bacteria living inside your kitchen sponge would likely result in a kitchen fire. Instead of trying to sanitize that sponge, just toss it in the trash and grab a new one the next time you’re ready to do dishes.

These kitchen sponges are less than $1 each. You can have nice things.

Hair Spray Ink Removal

You used to be able to use hair spray to remove ink from fabric. But that was back when hair spray was made almost entirely of alcohol. Now, our hair sprays are composed of other elements, like conditioners and oils, which is great for our hair but not so much for getting out ink stains. Instead, grab a bottle of isopropyl alcohol to remove an ink stain.

Car Wax Cooktop Cleaner

Have you heard about using car wax to keep your cooktop clean? It sounds like a great idea, but don’t do it! While it may make it easier to clean food spatter from the cooktop, car wax is flammable. Instead, simply clean the cooktop immediately after cooking to prevent buildup.

Dryer Sheet Scrubber

Some people say a dryer sheet is a great way to remove stuck-on food from pots and pans. Not only does this method not work, but it could also be dangerous. Dryer sheets are made using chemicals designed for laundry, not items that touch food. Use baking soda or salt to remove stuck-on food instead.

Coca Cola Toilet Cleaner

It’s true that Coco-Cola is great for removing rust and stains from inside your toilet. But that temporary fix can cause bigger problems down the line. The sugar in the soda will cause a sticky residue inside the bowl, which creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

Lemon Dishwasher Cleaner

Lemons are great natural disinfectants! And while some people swear by placing a lemon wedge in the dishwasher to clean it, this hack doesn’t really work. A lemon wedge {or entire lemon for that matter} just doesn’t have enough antibacterial properties to disinfect a dishwasher. Detergent and a rinse aid are really all you need to keep the inside of your dishwasher clean.

Hot Water Kills Germs

Yes, very hot water {higher than 200 degrees} can kill some bacteria after prolonged exposure. But hot water alone will not kill all germs from a contaminated surface. Make sure to use disinfectants along with water when cleaning to completely disinfect your home.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaner

Baking soda and vinegar are both great ingredients for creating your own cleaning solutions. But simply combining baking soda and vinegar won’t produce a magical all-purpose cleaner. In fact, combining the two ingredients actually work to cancel out their cleaning properties since vinegar is acidic and baking soda is basic. If you want to make your own cleaning solutions, make sure you use each of these ingredients individually. 

What other cleaning hacks have you tried that just don't work?

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