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The Dirt on Common Cleaning Myths 

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Whether you’re feverishly cleaning to prepare for family and friends this holiday season or giving your home its annual deep clean, it’s time to take a break and separate fact from fiction to age-old cleaning myths. Some of these myths may have been true when cleaning supplies were less advanced than today, but they may be doing more harm than good.  Here’s the dirt on common cleaning myths:

Vinegar Cleans Everything

Vinegar works well on most surfaces but not all. While it’s handy as a multipurpose cleaner to cut through grease, remove limescale, and clean windows and coffeemakers, it’s not meant for every surface in your home. Due to its acidity, vinegar should never be used to clean tech devices or on natural surfaces like wood, granite, or marble. 

Bleach Cleans Everything

Though it’s useful for making whites whiter and sanitizing, bleach shouldn’t be your go-to for all surfaces. While it’s a great disinfectant and instantly combats bathroom mildew, it won’t cut through grease and immediately ruins colored cloth and textiles if spilled. Bleach can become toxic if mixed with other cleaning chemicals and can be extremely harmful to your health. It’s a pretty risky cleaning agent when so many safer all-purpose products are available today.

Hairspray Removes Ink Stains

Though hairspray might have been an effective solution in the past, modern hairsprays don’t contain alcohol, which was the main ingredient that removed the ink. Today’s hairspray can leave residue, stiffen fabrics, or lead to additional stains. Simply use plain rubbing alcohol instead.

Always Wash Clothes on Cold

While hot water can shrink or damage certain pieces of clothing or cause colors to fade, cold water isn’t effective for all dirt. Cold water washing is great for saving energy and preserving colors, but stains like grease need warm or hot water to be removed, and hot water kills more germs. Sheets and towels are always best washed in warm or hot.

Use Newspapers to Clean Windows

Newspaper is another cleaning method that has changed over time. While it used to be true that newspapers could give a streak-free shine, the material they’re made of today is much thinner and not strong enough for complete window cleaning. A good microfiber cloth will do the job just as well, if not better.

Always use Furniture Polish

Polishing will protect a wood finish from sun, heat, and other damage, but there’s no need to overdo it. Most wood furniture just needs to be dusted and kept clean. It doesn’t need to be polished every time you clean. Some polish can do more harm than good by:

  • attracting more dust
  • dulling finishes
  • building up residue over time that results in discoloration 

Disinfectant Sprays Clean the Air

Disinfectant sprays and air fresheners do not clean the air. Though your home may smell clean or fresh after you spray your favorite scent, you’re just mildly masking the odor. And adding more toxins into the air in your home. Here are more natural and healthier methods of cleaning the air in your home:

The world is full of misinformation, so it’s essential to have a trusted resource to answer tricky questions. Contact me at krista@kristabloomrealtytx.com or call me at (830) 305-5248 for any questions you may have about real estate. I will be your trusted guide every step of the way!

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