JUST because a hack goes viral on social media doesn’t mean it’s the most trustworthy advice.
Pro cleaners want you to avoid the popular cleaning tips on TikTok that not only don’t work but can also be dangerous.
To save you both time and money, the experts at Imagine Maids explained the top three cleaning catastrophes they have seen on TikTok.
Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of cleaning surfaces with lemon and bicarbonate of soda.
The maids don’t want you to be fooled by these sustainable and money-saving ingredients.
Many people assume that using them is better than “paying more for cleaning products with harsh chemicals,” but the mistake will cost you more in the long run.
They explained that since bicarbonate of soda is an alkaline substance and lemons contain acid, they will “react and neutralize each other when combined.”
This will result in lots of fizz, but you can forget it being a productive cleaning product.
The “abrasive” properties of bicarbonate of soda and the stickiness of the lemon can wind up leaving your surfaces in “smears.”
“One environmentally friendly alternative you could try instead is using an equal mix of water and vinegar. This can keep your worktops and kitchen shelving looking clean and fresh,” said Imagine Maids.
Another cleaning mistake to stay clear of is mixing products.
While many people believe that combining multiple items will “cut your cleaning time in half” by taking care of everything at once, that is not a case that would hold up in cleaning court.
Leave your mad scientist methods to the professionals.
Instead, they explained that “mixing random products” can leave you with a “highly toxic chemical.”
You might even “release poisonous fumes into your home.”
There is also a chance that you will unknowingly create a corrosive acid that will erode your toilets, surfaces, and sinks.
Don’t trust TikTok when it tells you to clean tufted upholstery with dish soap or put Fabuloso in your toilet tank
Imagine Maids
Your concoction might even wind up exploding.
“Mixing chemical cleaning products is a huge no-no, as you could end up creating some seriously nasty mixtures,” said Imagine Maids.
“Instead, natural cleaning ingredients to consider include white vinegar, thymol, and vegetable glycerin. These natural products will help you clean your home without the risk of poisoning yourself!”
They also don’t want you to wing it when it comes to your walls.
They shared how one popular influencer advised her followers to combine fabric softener with water and then spray their walls with the mixture.
Your walls might “look and smell clean,” but it won’t be worth the leftover residue that dirt and dust love to “stick to.”
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you when you clean your home next:
This will leave your walls looking dirtier than before you started cleaning.
Rather, they suggest using an equal mix of water and vinegar and then adding essential oils for fragrance.
You can then use a spray to clean the walls and a microfiber cloth to dry them.
“Don’t trust TikTok when it tells you to clean tufted upholstery with dish soap or put Fabuloso in your toilet tank,” said Imagine Maids.
“Proper advice from specialist websites will get you better results – protecting your home and household in the process,” they added.