12 false cleaning myths that circulate on social networks and you should ignore

1/13 Living room and kitchen with white walls, access to the garden, carpet and ceiling lamp made of vegetable fibers and gray sofa

When it comes to house cleaning, there are things that are taken for granted and never questioned, and yet they don't work, or at least they don't work as they should. For this reason, the bathroom is thought to be the dirtiest and germiest place in the house, although the computer keyboard or the pillow are two sources of dirt; that wearing gloves is more hygienic, when it is just the opposite; that if it smells good it means that it is clean, when many times a good smell only makes up, and that there is nothing like a duster for dust, when what it does is move it from place to place. To shed some light on household chores, we have selected the 12 false myths about cleaning that are repeated the most on social networks, adding the remedy that works.

Related: Discover some of the most frequent lies about housekeeping

2/13Laundry room with metallic washer and dryer, vase with flowers, glass jars and ceramic decorations

1. Fill the washing machine to the top to save money

What works for the dishwasher... Doesn't work for the washing machine! Although your first reaction to the continuous rise in light is to fill the washing machine to the maximum to save water and electricity, the truth is that, in this way, you will only ensure that the clothes do not clean well and that even white stains appear. If the clothes cannot move and the water cannot pass between them, the detergent will not dissolve, the clothes will not wash well and since they cannot be rinsed properly, the soap will leave white marks, especially visible on colored clothes. The ideal way to save without consequences is to leave a free span (about 15 cm) between the top of the drum and the laundry.

Related: How to make laundry easier and get it perfect

3/13Hallway with plant fiber rug and wooden sideboard with mesh table lamp

2. Crystals should be air dried

If you want your crystals to be pristine, forget about this hoax, because you will get just the opposite: a glass full of drops and product remains. Absorbent paper, a cotton or microfiber cloth are three good options. Remember that there are special crystal cloths, which are almost magical, since only with water they will make your windows and mirrors shine.

Related: This is what you have to do to keep your windows in perfect condition

4/13 Kitchen with white cabinets, hardwood floors, black countertops, and shiny subway tile on the windowsill

3. Use the same mop water for the whole house

And transfer the grease from the kitchen to the bathroom and the hair and soap residue from the bathroom to the children's room. If you want to save money and consider it a waste to change the water in the mop after cleaning each room, follow an order that helps you keep it clean from the beginning to the end. You must start with the bedrooms, continue through the living room, corridors, entrance, bathroom and kitchen. In any case, check that the water is not too dirty, since if this happens it will have been a failed cleaning.

Related: The most practical floor cleaning tools

5/13Office area under a window with shelving to one side and potted plants

4. Glass cleaner is best for very dirty windows.

Although we are a fan of glass cleaner, using it if the windows are very dirty is not a good option, since, instead of cleaning them, a kind of mud will be created that will be difficult to remove. To do this, the first thing you have to do is remove that layer with a damp cloth, you may even have to resort to water with a dash of ammonia, and then with a microfiber cloth, finally pass the glass cleaner.

Related: The best tricks to clean the windows of the whole house

6/13Living room with fireplace, ceramic floor with marble effect and rope pouf

5. A splash of ammonia… And sparkling floors!

Although we are dealing with a powerful degreaser, we should not give it extra power. Adding a splash of ammonia to the mop water is a good solution when you are going to clean the kitchen floor exclusively. However, it can be counterproductive in the rest: think of your wonderful wooden, marble floor...

7/13 White kitchen countertop with wooden niche

6. Bleach cleans everything

It is one of the star products for cleaning the house, but, although tremendously powerful, it is not a cleaner. That is, it disinfects, but it does not clean. Therefore, it is not effective for removing stains, for example, and can even damage some surfaces. The key to your success is knowing what to use it for and how much.

Related: Do you know how to use bleach correctly as a cleaning product?

8/13Living room with fireplace, wooden floor, black armchair and floor lamp

7. Vinegar makes parquet shine

This is one of the tricks that arouses the most division of opinions. However, experts in wooden floors agree that, although adding a splash of vinegar to the mop bucket (remember that parquet does not like water) removes adhering dirt and enhances the shine, its continued use can cause it to reduce the protective layer of the pavement, causing black spots and worn and dull areas to appear. The remedy? Sand and varnish or oil.

Related: This is how you should clean your wooden floors so that they are perfect for a long time

9/13Kitchen with black fridge and marble island

8. A touch of dryer to defrost quickly

In spring cleaning it is usual to thoroughly clean the refrigerator and freezer. Although it is recommended to unplug it at night to put it on in the morning, if you have forgotten, there is a belief that you can use the dryer for it. A serious, and even dangerous, mistake, which can damage the walls of the device. A good trick is to introduce a boiling pot, close it and wait for the steam to melt the ice. Much easier and safer.

Related: All the keys to thoroughly clean the fridge

10/13 Bedroom with gray walls, metal nightstand and window with white woodwork

9. Newspaper is almost better than a microfiber cloth.

Although it can be an alternative when you don't have a cloth at hand, the truth is that its reputation for effectiveness is not deserved, since, instead of leaving your windows and mirrors perfect, when it gets wet with the glass cleaner it can stain them with ink and, even , scratch the most delicate. Don't take the risk, unless you have no other choice.

11/13Living room with brown leather sofa

10. Vacuum leather sofas

They are one of those tricks that become fashionable and you don't know where they came from. However, unless you have a special brush, and most of us do not, you should not vacuum your leather sofa if you do not want it to add another scratch. It is also not recommended to clean stains with baby wipes, although they seem 'harmless' and work, they also remove the protective coating and shine. However, the trick of nourishing it with the blue Nivea can is a good home remedy to avoid having to spend on a specific product.

Related: Learn to clean and care for your leather and fur furniture so that they are always perfect

12/13Grey Kitchen Countertop with White Subway Tile Backsplash

11. Washing by hand uses less water

Never! According to a study by Canal de Isabel II, running the dishwasher achieves a saving of 30.6 liters of water, although that is true, as long as you do not do a pre-wash and rinse the dishes before putting them in. The ideal is to remove the remains of food with kitchen paper and the dishwasher at once. In addition, the dishwasher guarantees maximum disinfection.

13/13 Built-in open dishwasher with blue door

12. The washing machine and the dishwasher clean themselves

If only it were that simple... Since you put them on several times a week, you might think that they are cleaned inside that way, but sadly, it doesn't work like that. For the washing machine, it will suffice to add a liter of white vinegar to the detergent compartment and do a long wash at 60ºC or more, while for the dishwasher it will suffice to place a cup with vinegar and wash at high temperature.

Related: Tricks to clean the dishwasher and avoid bad odors in your kitchen

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