If you’re part of the cleaning community you know that everyone has their own tricks and methods on cleaning, but how many are actually true and the rest myths? We all share countless tips and tricks and after all, we tend to trust the people we know… But whether you take advice rom your blog or your mum, information and tips can become outdated or just be incorrect. Here are 10 of the most popular cleaning myths we hear. You might be surprised which myths are based in fact and which are completely false.

Bleach is a universal cleaner: False

Bleach’s overpowering strong chemical scent leads many of us to believe it is the ultimate all round cleaner. However, cleaning isn’t actually one of bleach’s strongest qualities. It releases fumes, and it’s capable of damaging some surface which is why you don’t want to use it as a general cleaner. Bleach works best as a disinfectant, using it to remove heavy stains and blockages, but not to clean debris or dirt off surfaces.

Newspapers clean glass more effectively than towels: False

Newspapers are thin and don’t stand up well in wet conditions. Unless you want newspaper bits and ink stains all over, don’t use newspapers to clean your mirrors or windows. Really nothing can beat cleaning your windows and making them streak free than a microfibre cloth or squeegee.

Lemons lift hard water stains: True

Lemons safely remove water stains from glass and metal. Their acidity acts a natural cleaner and breaks down the stain while also releasing a fresh scent, it’s cost effective and great for the environment!

Citrus peels safely deodorise the bin: False

Citrus peels can eliminate nasty scents from the bin… However, like all waste that goes into the bin, they eventually contribute to the bad smells as they begin to rot amongst the rest of the rubbish.

A better idea is to drop fragrant oil essence onto some cotton buds and throw into the bottom of your bin, this way there will be no rotting and will stay smelling fresh.

Toothpaste removes tarnish from silverware: True

Some silver polishes contain chemicals that can harm your skin and the environment. Toothpaste is a great alternative because it contains gentle, yet effective, abrasives, and is also something that every home will always have! Dab a small amount of toothpaste on your silverware and spread the toothpaste across the surface, massaging as you go. Once done, rinse the toothpaste, and say hello to shiny silverware!

Baking soda unclogs drains: False

Baking soda contains some acid, which leads many of us to believe it can clean toilets and unclog drains. However, baking soda alone won’t unclog your drain. However the other hack where you mix baking soda with vinegar will actually clear a clogged drain.

Baking soda and vinegar combine to produce a chemical reaction that loosens clogs. Unclogging a drain with baking soda and vinegar is simple:

• Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.
• Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain.
• Let the baking soda sit in the drain for up to 5 minutes.
• Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain.
• Rinse the mixture down the drains with a boiling water.

Vinegar is safe to use on hardwood floors: False

Vinegar makes a great rinse agent, managing to help unclog drains and remove limescale from taps, but it is not a universally friendly cleaning tool. It removes hard water stains and soap scum but is not strong enough to disinfect surfaces like cleaning products. Additionally, if applied directly, vinegar can actually dull the finish of hardwood floors.

Frequent vacuuming ruins carpet fibres: False

Unless you vacuum several times a day, your vacuum won’t damage your carpet fibres. Dirt sitting on your carpet does more harm than a vacuum ever will. By letting dirt and dust build up in your carpet, you’ll also increase your chances of catching a cold or developing allergies. Vacuum your carpet once or twice a week to keep your fibres (and your lungs) in tip top condition.