Introduction
The kitchen is the hardest place in the house to clean with the splashes of sauces to bones, meat, and leftovers. Ask anyone who regularly cleans, and they will tell you that grime, stains, and dirt won’t leave them alone. The kitchen is the heart of the home and needs to be sanitized to maintain safety and the standard of food. Hence, kitchen cleaning services are surging in demand across American households. However, in case you are managing the cleaning yourself, here are some kitchen cleaning myths that need to be dispelled.
Common Kitchen Cleaning Myths
1. Myth: White Vinegar is the Best All-Purpose Cleaner
White vinegar is not the best cleaner for all occasions. No doubt that vinegar is a versatile cleaner that effectively removes stains, splashes, soap scum, mineral deposits and pet stains. They also remove molds from window sills and corners. However, the natural cleaner is not suitable for stone surfaces. It is acidic and damages the stone and erodes it. Vinegar should not be used on pure granite countertops. With repeated use, vinegar can damage and discolour the surface and make it look dull. Baking soda or dishwashing soap can be good for delicate surfaces.
2. Myth: Boiling Water Kills Lurking Germs & Microbes
Boiling water can act as a disinfectant, but it is not particularly effective. For water to effectively disinfect surfaces, it must reach a temperature of 140 degrees Celsius, which is unattainable in typical home ovens. Hot water can harm delicate and expensive surfaces, even if these surfaces reach that temperature. In contrast, boiling water mixed with detergents can effectively unclog drains and remove stains from within pipes. However, hot water can remove dust mites and dislodge buildup dirt to some extent. According to experts, you can use hot water to clean bedsheets or clothes.
3. Myth: Bleach Cleans Everything
Bleach is often referred to as a go-to cleaning material, but in reality, it is a lethal and dangerous chemical that does more harm than it cleans. Firstly, the chemical is corrosive and poisonous. It can damage some surfaces and often reacts with some substances to cause fumes. It should be kept away from children. Secondly, it damages stainless steel surfaces, which means it should not be used on kitchen countertops. Thirdly, it won’t clean grime and stains. Lastly, it is a major allergen and can cause respiratory problems. Therefore, it is not a suitable solution to be used for kitchen cleaning.
4. Myth: A Feather Duster Is an Ideal Dusting Tool
People think a feather duster is an ideal dusting tool. Spoiler alert: it is not. If you are prone to allergies, you should not be using a feather duster as it stirs up the dust back in the air. If you use the feather duster on one surface, it will eventually end up on another. Dust moves up and settles on carpets and couches. It can increase air pollution inside your home. Using wet clothes and wipes can help to solve this problem. A wet cloth catches dust easily without causing or triggering allergic reactions or allowing the dust to settle somewhere else.
5. Myth: Mayonnaise Polishes Wooden Surface
No, mayonnaise won’t make your wooden furniture or stone surfaces appear polished, nor will it clean them. The sauce is excellent for sandwiches and egg preparations. But the fact that it is a good cleaner is based purely on myth and conjecture. It will make a mess if you apply it anywhere other than food. There are different materials to clean wooden surfaces, for which you will need professional kitchen cleaning services. Use olive oil if all other measures are exhausted.
6. Myth: Achieve Streak-Free Windows with Newspaper
The newspaper has been used for cleaning window surfaces traditionally. However, it is not an effective cleaner. If you are using a newspaper, chances are you might end up with smudges of stains, and grime on the glass. If you’re cleaning the kitchen windows, it will make a mess as it is going to leave behind streaks of ink from the paper itself. Therefore, it won’t deliver streak-free kitchen deep cleaning services that you are looking for.
7. Myth: More Cleaners Mean Effective Results
Most cleaning materials are corrosive and toxic. Therefore, using more cleaners during cleaning not only doesn’t clean surfaces, but it also erodes them and makes them dull. That doesn’t mean that cleaning chemicals do not work. However, you should read the labels before using them. The labels on the containers will mention how much material you have to use to have an effective result. Too high cleaning liquid could be lethal to the furniture and floor, but also dangerous for the kids in your house.
8. Myth: Homemade Cleaning Products Are Ineffective
While you will need some industrially manufactured products for cleaning, most homemade cleaning materials are effective and safe. For instance, baking soda is effective on all surfaces for removing tough stains and grime. Lemons can be used as a scrubber and are effective as disinfectants. Vinegar is a versatile material and can be used on a variety of surfaces except for stone surfaces. Moreover, vinegar is most suitable for cleaning the kitchen and cooking utensils.
9. Myth: Vacuuming is Best for Cleaning Delicate Floorings
Vacuum cleaners are powerful machines that should not be used for delicate floorings. Carpets and hard surfaces can withstand the intense suction power of vacuum cleaners. But delicate surfaces would be damaged. For kitchens, steam cleaning is the most appropriate as it is gentle on delicate surfaces and removes harmful microbes. You can also use a vinegar-soaked cloth as a cleanser.
10. Hairspray Eliminates Ink Stains
There is no other viral cleaning hack that is further from reality than this myth. Hairsprays are not meant to clean the stain from kitchen countertops or any upholstery or cloth. Also, they have harmful chemicals that can only be used on hair. Therefore, it can be lethal to use them for kitchen cleaning purposes.
What Works: Pro Tips and Tools
- For greasy surfaces, use degreasing soaps and detergents, and let them sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
- For sanitizing countertops, use hydrogen peroxide in a diluted form. You can also use diluted bleach.
- Clean your kitchen surface with commercial oven cleaner and baking soda. Steam vinegar for sanitizing microwaves from the inside.
- Use baking soda for cleaning the sink.
- Clean the cabinet doors and corners to prevent dirt buildup.
Conclusion
Ditching kitchen cleaning myths is necessary for properly maintaining the kitchen. By dispelling the myth and embracing different strategies, you can keep your kitchen in a top-notch condition. The best method to keep your kitchen clean is to clean as you go, steam regularly, and declutter your kitchen setting to be more organized. If you need expert kitchen cleaning services, you can always avail Maggie’s Solutions Cleaning Service. The company provides proper cleaning materials, seasoned professionals, and modern tools to get the job done.