Cleaning Myths - 15 Popular Cleaning Myths Observed | Bonus Cleaning

There is plenty of information about cleaning that you have to assimilate and sift through, some of that information is not always correct. We will list several popular cleaning myths and explain why they are not always as effective as you may originally presume.

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In your daily and weekly cleaning practices, you will often rely on alternative cleaning solutions. Be that because you are looking for eco-friendly cleaning solutions or because you learned through a friend or reading online that this is the best way to clean given areas of your home. There are plenty of cleaning myths circulating, some of them work and provide excellent cleaning alternatives for conventional cleaning methods, others may not be as effective as we may at first glance presume.

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This is why we will take a closer look at several popular cleaning myths and determine if they are as effective and time-saving as we would originally presume

At one point or another, we have all come across an alternative cleaning suggestion that may sound too good to be true. Can you use vodka to eliminate bad smells, are microfiber cleaning cloths better than regular towels? Is vinegar an all-purpose cleaning solution, can it be used to effectively clean any area of your home? We at Bonus Cleaning have listed some of these suggestions in the past as effective cleaning alternatives, however, now we will take a closer look at some of these cleaning tips and determine how effective they are.

Myth 1 - Every cleaning detergent can eliminate all types of germs and microbes

That is not the case, not all cleaning detergents are created equal. You will not achieve the same results if you use a cleaning solution instead of an antibacterial detergent or a disinfectant. Antibacterial solutions are designed to eliminate 99% of bacteria and disinfectants can deal with a wider range of pathogens and microbes, for example, viruses. Disinfectants are perfect to use in dirtier places. You can use disinfectants to clean and sanitize the kitchen sink, bathtub, the bathroom floor just to name a few.

Myth 2 - It is better to immediately wipe sprays

Cleaning solutions and compounds do need some time to activate. They need to make contact with the dirty surface to be effective. In this way, it is not only easier for you to remove surface dirt from the area you are cleaning but also if you leave the cleaning solution to make contact with the surface it will eliminate microbes and germs as well. To be sure that you are using the cleaning product correctly you should carefully read the instructions printed on the label. Generally speaking, antibacterial cleaning solutions need about 30 seconds to be effective and disinfectants should be left to make contact with the affected surface for about 10 minutes.

Myth 3 - Bleach is a universal cleaning tool that can be used on every surface

Bleach is in truth an effective and inexpensive disinfectant, however, it is not the only cleaning solution that you should be using. Many surfaces in your home do not need to be disinfected. Also, bleach is a strong chemical compound and its chemical formula does not make it applicable to every surface. Bleach can be too aggressive for natural surfaces such as stone or marble. When you are going to be using bleach to disinfect or clean any area of your property make sure you test the surface before proceeding with the cleaning. Test if the bleach you are going to use will cause damage to the area on a small, hidden part of the surface you are going to be cleaning. Make sure the areas are not visible or are concealed by furniture, a light fixture or some other item in your home.

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Myth 4- All-natural cleaning detergents are as effective as chemical compounds

It is nice to use all-natural, homemade cleaning solutions when you can. However, when we are comparing their efficiency with the efficiency of chemical compounds there is no contest. You can use cleaning solutions such as lemon juice or vinegar to clean the tiles in your bathroom or your windows, and they will do a fantastic job, however, eco-friendly cleaning supplies simply cannot eliminate all the microbes in the toilet bowl for example. When used correctly vinegar can eliminate certain bacteria and mould, however, it can never be potent enough to deal with viruses. You can certainly rely on vinegar for cleaning purposes, however, for disinfection or antibacterial cleaning you have to use chemical compounds.

Myth 5- A clean area will smell nice

Cleaning an area and it having a pleasant smell is not the same. A pleasant smell comes from essential oils or chemicals to which perfuming agents have been added. If an area you have cleaned does not automatically have a pleasant smell it does not mean that you have not cleaned it correctly. Whether or not the detergent you are going to be using has perfuming agent makes no difference to the outcome of the cleaning. If you or a member of your family are particularly sensitive to strong smells or perfumes or if they suffer from allergies or asthma it is best to use a cleaning detergent that does not contain perfuming agents. This applies to laundry detergent and fabric softener as well.

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Myth 6- You can and should clean every area of your home with vinegar

We briefly mentioned vinegar, however, cleaning with vinegar is a common cleaning tip, therefore, it deserves to be looked at on its own. Vinegar is maybe the most popular alternative cleaning solution you can use at home and it is presumed that it can clean every single area of your home. However, vinegar is not suitable for specific surfaces.
Vinegar is an excellent cleaning choice for many areas and it can indeed be used almost universally, however, there are exceptions. Vinegar is excellent in removing fat and oil soiling and limescale, this is why you can use vinegar on most surfaces in the kitchen and the bathroom. However, as mentioned, granite, marble and wooden surfaces can be damaged by vinegar. Vinegar can remove some microbes, however, it cannot be relied on to be used as a disinfectant everywhere in your home.

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Myth 7- It is better to do the dishes by hand than in the dishwasher

Are dishes cleaner if you wash them by hand and will you use less water to achieve better results? No, you may presume that you are using less water when you are doing the dishes by hand and conversely this method is better for the environment, however, the opposite is true. It can be theoretically possible for your dishes to be cleaner if you do them by hand, in practice that is rarely the case. Your dishwasher will not only clean the dishes better but will do so using much higher temperatures that will eliminate all microbes.

Myth 8- If you use more laundry detergent your clothes will be cleaner

That seems logical right? It is the laundry detergent that cleans your clothes every time you put them in the washing machine, so if you use more your clothes will be cleaned and the effect of the cleaning will be amplified. Using more laundry detergent does not always produce better results. When you are doing laundry adding a bit more laundry detergent for heavily contaminated clothing can produce better results, however, you can add too much and have a negative outcome. Using too much laundry detergent will create foam, which you cannot wash away. This foam is an ideal environment for bacteria to form. Moreover, your skin can be irritated and any skin conditions amplified if the laundry detergent you are using is particularly concentrated and powerful.

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Myth 9- Vodka removes unpleasant smells from upholstery

It is presumed that vodka is a more effective cleaning solution when you are trying to eliminate smells from upholstery, drapery or other textile surfaces in your home than commonly available detergents you can purchase in the store. Vodka is indeed an appropriate cleaning solution when you are trying to eliminate bad smells. Vodka is indeed an effective cleaning tool, so this myth is true. You do not need to use particularly expensive top-shelf vodka, the cheapest you can find will do.

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Myth 10- Microfiber cleaning cloths are more effective than regular cleaning cloths

Surely microfiber cleaning cloths are more effective because they cost more? And yes, they are. You will achieve better results if you are using microfiber cloths than regular cleaning towels. Their structure can catch a larger amount of germs and microbes. Surfaces will be cleaner and the difference will be noticeable.

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Myth 11- Freezing your clothes kills bacteria

This myth is somewhat unusual, however, there is a group of people that will consider putting their clothes in the freezer to eliminate bacteria and skip the washing and drying process. Freezing your clothes does not kill bacteria, the temperature is not low enough to completely kill all bacteria, viruses and pathogens that are trapped in your clothes.

Myth 12- Dusters effectively remove dust

Is this a myth, are dusters not efficient when it comes to eliminating dust? It is in the name right, dusters are designed to remove dust. Dusters are more effective at spreading dust around than removing it. The feathers or individual strands of the duster cannot collect this, however, microfiber cloths are particularly efficient at eliminating dust.

Myth 13- Air fresheners purify the air

With just a few sprays air fresheners will remove bad smells and make the room in which you are using them much, well, fresher. However, masking bad smells is different from eliminating them. If you want to improve the air quality in the room not only mask unpleasant odours but also open a window and put a few plants there.

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Myth 14- You should firstly, wipe dust and then hoover it

This is a common suggestion when it comes to eliminating dust, wipe it away first and then hoover the floors. There a logic behind this suggestion which is very evident. If you wipe shelves or cupboards any accumulated dust will fall to the floor, later you can just collect that dust with the hoover. This is why you should follow these steps when cleaning you should remember to always work from top to bottom.

Myth 15- Cleaning is easy and everyone knows how to do it

This myth suggests that most of us will be born knowing how to effectively clean our homes. This is not the case. The procedures needed to clean every area of your home and the stages that are necessary make the house cleaning task much more complicated than you will originally presume. This is why a professional cleaning company often offers a hassle-free cleaning alternative. A cleaning company will have effective practical training for their personnel. This practical training along with constant client feedback and positive encouragement means that a professional cleaning service provided by specially trained cleaning technicians is often necessary to eliminate microbes, create a pleasant living environment and make sure your home is as exactly as you have envisioned it, clean and shining.

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