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The Dirty Truth: Separating Cleaning Facts from Fiction🤯

There are many old wives tales and "hacks" for various cleaning methods that have been going around for decades! I'm sure you've heard a few over the years😆


We don't want you wasting time or money trying different "hacks" that don't even work so today, we will be debunking a bunch of them and letting you know whether they are fact or fiction!! You might be surprised at which ones actually work and which ones are just bogus.😉


 

More Detergent = Cleaner Clothes: FALSE

Excess detergent can actually lead to built up soap residue on your clothes and linens!! This residue can trap dirt and bacteria and make it harder to get items cleans and potentially cause foul odors. It can also just lead to stiff clothes and skin irritations!🥴 Additionally, it can actually reduce machine life span because it causes excess strains on the appliance and the buildup can lead to premature wear and tear!😮


Always follow the recommended amount on each detergent that you get and make sure to read all the instructions to prevent from ruining your clothing!😊

 

Vinegar is a Universal Cleaner: FALSE

Vinegar is an amazing, more natural option for cleaning MANY things!! However, it can actually cause damage if you use too much or use it on the wrong surfaces!😬 Here's some things you should NEVER use undiluted vinegar on:

  • Natural Stone Surfaces: Vinegar can damage natural stone surfaces like marble, granite, limestone, and travertine! The acidity in vinegar can leave dull marks or discoloration!🗿

  • Electronics/Screens: The vinegar will harm the coatings on screens like televisions, computers, and smartphones! Always use a specialized screen cleaner for those expensive devices!📱

  • Wax/Sealed Wood Furniture: Vinegar can strip away the wax seal on your wood furniture! This can allow for the wood to get damaged more easily and take away the aesthetic appeal of polished wood!🪵

  • Brass/Copper: Vinegar can tarnish and corrode brass and copper. 🎺

Whenever using vinegar to clean, always do your research and make sure to test a sample of it on an inconspicuous part of whatever you are cleaning to ensure you don't damage the whole thing if the item doesn't react well to it‼️

 

Clean Drains with Baking Soda and Vinegar: TRUE

Baking soda and vinegar can be a VERY effective, and environmentally friendly method for clearing out minor drain clogs!😍 If your sink seems to have a foul odor and you notice a back up in water, there may be some gunk clogged! Try this easy, two ingredient method before calling up a plumber and spending the big bucks, to see if you can unclog it yourself!

  1. Remove Any Visible Debris: Start by removing anything in the sink or any gunk your drain stopper has caught. Make sure it is visibly cleared of all food before attempting to put anything else down it!😅

  2. Pour Baking Soda: Pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.

  3. Add Vinegar: Pour about 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar over the baking soda. It will start fizzing as it reacts with the baking soda. This fizzing reaction is what helps break down the gunk, soap scum and grease that may be clogging your drain!🥴

  4. Let It Sit: Let everything sit for at least 20 minutes to allow for the baking soda and vinegar to properly dislodge and break everything down.⏲️

  5. Rinse with Hot Water: After this period, pour hot water down the drain slowly. This will help flush away the loosened grime and remove the baking soda and vinegar from your drain!🚰

If you drain is still clogged after this, you can repeat this treatment multiple times to see if it can get all the gunk out. If you have a severely clogged drain, it may not be sufficient by itself and you may have to invest in a snake drain (or a metal hanger unwound works well for me, too!). Or in severe cases, a contact a professional plumber🧑‍🔧 HOWEVER, if you do this frequently, as maintenance, you can help prevent badly clogged drains all together!🥳

 

The "Five Second" Rule: FALSE

I know we've all heard of the "five-second" rule where if you drop food on the ground then you have 5 seconds to pick it up before you "shouldn't" eat it anymore. I've been guilty of applying this rule to my life many a time🙋‍♀️ However, it really has absolutely no scientific evidence to back it up. Once food drops onto any surface, it can immediately pick up bacteria.🦠


To err on the side of caution, it really is best to just toss any food that has made contact with the ground to prevent any food borne illnesses because you really never know just how much bacteria that little grape could have picked up during its 3 seconds on the ground!😂

 

Salt and Ice Cleans Garbage Disposal: TRUE

Ice cubes and salt CAN actually help clean your garbage disposals! It can dislodge stuck debris and actually can sharpen the disposals blade as well!!🤯 However, it is not a foolproof way to dislodge severe clogs and blockages. If you do this method frequently though, it should help with regular maintenance and help PREVENT severe clogs!😉Here's how to do it:

  1. Prepare and Freeze Mixture: Fill an ice cube tray with water and sprinkle rock salt or coarse sea salt over the ice cubes (table salt can work, it just may not be as effective!). Aim to use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt! This salt is key as it will act as an abrasive to scrub all the debris away!🧂 THEN, throw it in the freezer and allow it full freeze!🧊

  2. Run Ice and Salt Mixture: Before you start, ensure the garbage disposal is OFF. Then, run a slow stream of cold water into the sink and turn the garbage disposal ON! Now feed the ice and salt mixture into the disposal!✅

  3. Rinse with Cold Water: After the ice has been ground up, continue running the cold water for at least 30 seconds to flush out any remaining ice, salt, and debris!🚰

  4. Turn Off Disposal: Don't forget to turn off the disposal and the faucet after everything has made it's way through!😉

Pro Tip: You can also run citrus peels (lemon, limes, oranges, etc.) through the disposal to help deodorize and leave a pleasant fragrance after you've cleared everything out!🍋

 

Dryer Sheets are Effective For Dusting: TRUE

Dryer sheets are not only great for laundry, but dusting!!🧺 You use new dryer sheets or you can recycle your used one for a double use! Keep in mind, however, used dryer sheets may be less effective but they can still work for light dusting! ☺️


Additionally, dryer sheets are ESPECIALLY helpful for dusting because they not only pick up dust but they can also prevent dust from resettling as quickly due to their anti-static properties🤯


I typically use dryer sheets to clean baseboards because dust can collect to quickly and easily on them. But dryer sheets are also amazing for blinds, electronics, shelves, etc. 🤩

 

Bleach is a "Cure All" Cleaner: FALSE

Bleach is a very powerful cleaner and is great for MANY things, but there are just as many things that it can damage and is not best for! Here's a small list of what it can and should be used for vs. what it should not!!⬇️

Bleach YES'S:

  • Ceramic and Porcelain: Bleach is great for dishes, tiles, and bathroom fixtures! Especially in the bathroom, it is great for disinfecting the entire area thoroughly!🛁

  • Glass: Bleach is great for glass items like drinking glasses or any other dishware, mirrors and windows, etc.!! Just be sure to rinse thoroughly, especially for any dishware that will have any food or drinking water in it!🥛

  • Plastic: Many plastic surfaces like food storage containers, children's toys, etc. can be disinfected with bleach! But always, remember to rinse thoroughly afterwards!😉

Bleach NO's

  • Fabrics and Clothing: Bleach can weaken and discolor natural fibers like cotton, linen and wool! It can also actually cause white clothing to yellow over time☹️

  • Wood/Wood Finishes: Bleach can damage wood by stripping its natural color and finish! It can also cause wood to become discolored and weakened!🪵

  • Metals: Bleach can corrode and discolor metals like aluminum, brass, and copper.🎺 Bleach can be used on stainless steel as long as it doesn't have prolonged exposure and it rinsed very well afterwards!

Note: Be sure to ALWAYS remember to look at the manufacturers instructions or labels before you use bleach on anything to prevent damage and discoloration!‼️

 

Coffee Grounds Absorb Odors: TRUE

Used coffee grounds can 100% be used to help eliminate odors!!😷 It can be especially useful in confined spaces like the fridge, freezer or other enclosed areas! The coffee grounds will absorb and neutralize any found odors!☕️ Here's how to effectively use this tip to your advantage:

  1. Dry Coffee Grounds: This trick is most effective by when you use USED coffee grounds! However, you want to make sure they are thoroughly dried beforehand! Spread them out on a baking sheet or tray so they get airflow and can dry more quickly💨

  2. Put Them In Container: Once dried, find a small, open container to put them all in. Mesh bags or just regular coffee filters work as well!!🫙

  3. Odor-Prone Areas: You can place this bag/container in the back of your fridge or freezer to absorb food odors. It is especially helpful with strong fish or garlic odors!🐟 OR you can place the mesh bag of coffee grounds in shoes to help eliminate odors and freshen up your closet!👟

  4. Replace As Needed: Coffee grounds in the fridge will only be effective for 1-2 months before you will need to replace them! For shoes, you can just replace them after each wear or whenever you find the odor to have returned🥴

Remember that the coffee grounds need to remain dry to be effective and maintain their odor-absorbing qualities! This is also not a foolproof way to eliminate odors. You may have to resort to other options if odors are severe!😵‍💫

 

Air Fresheners Clean the Air: FALSE

No, unfortunately, air fresheners only mask odors. They do not remove pollutants, allergens, etc.! 🤧 In fact, some air fresheners can actually contain chemicals that contribute to air pollution and cause allergies or other adverse health problems in some people! They're really not a great option if you want to freshen up your home.😥 Instead, try one of these:

  • Houseplants: Plants may be a hassle to maintain and clean, but they some actually can improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutants!!🤯 Bamboo Palm's, Peace Lillies, Boston Ferns, and Aloe Vera are all excellent options to improve the air quality in your home!🪴

  • Air Purifiers: Air purifies with HEPA filters can capture and remove airborne allergens, dust and odors! I use the Homedics 5-in-1 and it works wonders for the air and smell in my living room (even with my Great Dane!!😆).

 

Lemons Can Clean Microwaves: TRUE

Lemon juice works wonders on microwaves! It is a natural degreaser and deodorize so it can soften all the gunk in your microwave and absorb foul odors!🍋 Here's how to use a lemon to clean your microwave😉:

  1. Add Lemon Juice and Water: Squeeze a full lemon's worth of lemon juice into a microwave safe bowl! Then add about a 1/2 to 1 cup of water to the bowl.💧It doesn't matter exactly how much, it just needs to be enough to create steam when heated up!♨️

  2. Microwave: Place your concoction into the microwave and heat it on high for 3-5 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on the power of your microwave, but you just want to ensure you are creating enough steam to loosen the grime and stains!🦠

  3. Let It Sit and Wipe: Once done, let the bowl and microwave sit for a few minutes with the door closed to allow the steam to keep working! Then, carefully remove the hot bowl and wipe everything down with a damp cloth or sponge! It should all come off easily and quickly🥳 For stubborn stains, you can scrub more aggressively!

  4. Rinse and Dry: Ensure you go over the interior again with a rinsed cloth to remove any leftover lemon residue! Let the microwave fully air dry with the door open for a few minutes and you're good to go!!🤩 Your microwave will look and smell beautiful😉

 

Club Soda Removes Stains: TRUE

Plain, unflavored club soda can actually be fairly effective for removing fresh stains like coffee and wine from carpet and upholstery!! The carbonation and mild acidity in club soda helps break down and lift stains from fabric! 🤯 Here's how to do it:

  1. Blot Stain: If the stain is fresh, start by blotting it with a clean colorfast towel or paper towels to absorb any excess liquid. Do not rub or scrub as this can spread whatever was spilled!🫗

  2. Pour Club Soda: Pour club soda directly over the stain saturating it completely. Although, try to avoid oversaturating the entire area. You just want to make sure the stain is fully drenched!🥤

  3. Blot and Rinse: Continue blotting the stain until you see it is being picked up by the towel. This may take some time, so be patient and gentle! When the stain is removed, rinse the area well to ensure all the club soda has been removed!!😁

That's it!!🥳 You may have to repeat this process a few times for tougher stains, but it should get it out, if the stain is fairly fresh!! This isn't a foolproof way to remove all stains, depending on the material type and what was spilled, but it may come in handy in a pinch!😉 Check out our video, here, to see exactly how it is done!!🍷

 

We hope you enjoyed this read and learned something new!🥰 Comment down below what you shocked you most about what was true.... or wasn't true!!🤯


Happy cleaning!✨


See you next week!

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Guest
Oct 27, 2023
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Great information!

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Home Reimagined
Oct 27, 2023
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Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed 🥰

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Guest
Oct 25, 2023
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Wow! So much GREAT info!

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Home Reimagined
Home Reimagined
Oct 27, 2023
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Thank you!!😊

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