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We spend a lot of time cleaning our homes. And with all that scrubbing, we hope we’re leaving it all spotless.
However, there are a few common cleaning mistakes that might be causing more harm than you think. In order to get it right the first time, here are a few mistakes to avoid — before you do more damage than good.
Sure, these heavy-duty drain cleaners are powerful enough to clear hair, food, grease, or anything else that might be clogging your drains. But, if it’s powerful enough to dissolve those things, don’t you think it might do the same to your pipes? Over time, the harsh chemicals in these cleaners can eat away at pipes, especially older ones.
And yes, it will eat both metal and plastic pipes!
Trust me on this, because I learned it the hard way — and had to spend a lot more money on having a plumber replace a pipe with a giant hole in it, rather than just having the plumber unclog it.
For a DIY solution, try putting 1/2 cup baking soda in the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover the drain with a wet wash cloth, and let it sit for several minutes or up to one hour. Remove the wash cloth and pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. If this doesn’t fix the problem, it’s probably time to call a professional.
Those beautiful stone countertops don’t come cheap, so let’s not do anything to mess them up.
I know that it’s easy to mix up one multipurpose cleaning spray to use for everything, but the vinegar and lemon juice that is commonly used in DIY cleaning solutions is a big no-no for your countertops.
The acid in vinegar or lemon juice etches and dulls natural stone, like marble, soapstone, and granite. After a while, your countertops will lose their shine. It can also cause pitting or scarring.
Instead, spring for a cleaner made especially for your particular stone countertops. DIY vinegar cleaners might be cheaper, but they’ll cause you a lot more money in the long run.
This is another mistake that I have been personally guilty of, but no more! You know what I mean, here. You’ve got some extra-grimy gym leggings, or maybe a toddler’s super filthy laundry. You throw in some extra detergent in hopes that they’ll get extra clean.
In theory, it sounds like it would work. However, it actually could have the opposite effect. If soapy residue remains on the fabric, it makes dust and dirt cling more easily to the fabric. On top of that, built-up soap will eventually leave your laundry looking dingy.
