Cleaning Techniques to Avoid
Just about everybody needs and wants a space that’s both clean and organized. However, nobody actually wants to do the cleaning. It is precisely due to this reason why so many people try looking for top tricks and tips for making cleaning much easier.
Unfortunately, most of the cleaning tips and tricks out there are neither effective nor practical. While many of them might actually sound good, they are almost always ineffective in most cases. Some may even do more harm than good.
Here are the top 7 cleaning tips and techniques that should be avoided:
Use More Product
Doubling down on the number of cleaning products you use is one of the worst things you can do.
The common thought is that using more cleaning solutions can make things cleaner, but this simply isn’t true. In this instance, less is better. Professionals are fully aware of this fact and would cringe if they saw you using too much cleaning product when cleaning.
The problem with using too much cleaning product is that it makes it quite challenging to rinse it off. This not only results in wastage of the cleaning product but also valuable resources such as water and energy. Besides this, you may find yourself unable to do a truly effective job of rinsing it off.
You will find that the more cleaning product you use, the more residue it leaves on all surfaces. The added residual solution can be a dust, grime, and dirt magnet, which may result in a surface or appearance that looks unclean, which is obviously not something you want.
To achieve the best results, it is important to follow the instructions that the manufacturer provides. You can find such instructions on the back of the label of the cleaning product you use. Typically, you can achieve superior results using less cleaning solution.
One of the only times you should consider using more of a cleaning product of any type is when you live in an area with very hard water. Hard water is water containing lots of minerals. The water’s high mineral content can result in the need to use more cleaning product to achieve the same results.
Microwaving Your Sponges
The sponge that’s used to wash your dishes can end up providing breeding ground for bacteria. After all, it is constantly used for cleaning food off plates, surfaces, etc. Furthermore, it is always left moist. Bacteria thrive in moist and damp environments. So, may you need to look for solutions if you would like to free your sponge of that harmful bacteria. It is the reason why many people prefer microwaving their sponges to kill off the bacteria.
Microwaving can definitely kill off microbes on your sponge, but the available research shows that it actually does little to kill off all the bacteria on it. In the research studies referred to here, bacteria and other pathogens were still found on kitchen sponges that could still cause food-borne illnesses even after microwaving.
A good way to ensure that your kitchen sponge doesn’t get too dirty is to simply avoid using it for anything else besides cleaning your dishes. It can also be a good idea to disinfect it after use and replace it on a weekly basis.
Using Toothpaste on Silverware
If you have anything silver, you have likely come across numerous random ideas on cleaning it. One of the ideas you might have come across is that toothpaste can be highly effective when it comes to cleaning silver.
Using toothpaste on your silver will work, but it is also overly abrasive, and you may therefore scratch the metal. Toothpaste is designed for brushing teeth. Teeth and enamel are both stronger than silver. Silver is far more delicate, and you may end up damaging it irreparably.
Stick to using toothpaste to clean teeth. If you must, try using it to clean silver that isn’t too valuable for you.
Cleaning Everything with Vinegar
Vinegar is slightly acidic, which makes it such an excellent option for cleaning things. However, this acidity can also harm some of the surfaces you may consider using it on. It is generally advisable not to use it on delicate surfaces such as marble, granite, and wood.
Stick to only using vinegar on surfaces capable of withstanding the acidity, which include your stove top, microwave, and more. It is also advisable to keep vinegar away from your cast iron pans and pots.
Getting Rid of Rust Using Bleach
Bleach is another regularly used cleaning solution that can be highly effective. It is actually not only good for cleaning but also disinfecting. However, there’s one thing that it isn’t good for, which is cleaning rust.
Bleach has oxidizing properties and it is due to this reason why it must never be used to clean rust. To clean rust, use something acidic like vinegar. Vinegar has just the right amount of acidity, which can come in handy when cleaning rust. Form a paste by mixing white vinegar with salt and the rust will be much easier to come off.
Pouring Soda in Your Toilets
Many people know about the high acidity levels of soda. It got to the point where people recommended pouring soda down the toilet to clean toilet bowls and get rid of clogs. While there’s some truth to soda’s acidity, the pH is not nearly low enough to eliminate tough stains and other grime. Furthermore, a lot of soda is dark, which may stain your porcelain if used frequently enough.
Polishing Wood Surfaces Too Much
Lots of people assume that wood surfaces need to be polished frequently. While this may seem like the right thing to do to ensure that the wood keeps looking good and keeping it well protected, that isn’t the case. Polishing wood too often can lead to a build-up of wax on the wood, which can make your hardwood look dull, which is obviously not what you want.
To achieve a better effect, it is important to clean wooden surfaces with regular dusting using a gentle cloth. You can then try giving the wood a solid polish every 2 to 4 months. If the wood is not used frequently, you can even go longer.
The cleanliness of your office or home can impact the quality of life of everybody that uses it. Cleaning is a serious task that can dictate the overall health and wellness of all occupants. Avoid going for the first cleaning method you come across online or via word of mouth. Instead, stick to the tried-and-true cleaning methods from professionals. It is always advisable to hand the reins off to professional cleaners that know exactly what they are doing.
Contact us at Green Clean today for all of your commercial cleaning needs.
