JUST because you see a cleaning hack trending online doesn’t mean you need to follow suit.
Experts certainly proved this true after analyzing viral trends and revealing which ones aren’t actually worth the hype.
From cleaning gurus recommending how to keep a household full of kids clean to folks discovering secret compartments in home appliances that need to be cleaned, people have certainly learned a lot of cleaning tips and tricks thanks to the internet.
However, these supposed hacks aren’t a one-size fit all type of deal, which is why it’s always important to do your research before mindlessly trying something you see online.
Luckily, the experts at Beko, Uk-based home appliance brand, and UK-based cleaning expert Heather Barrigan of MyJobQuote and owner of Squeaky Clean Queens, did some research themselves so you don’t have to.
Here are four of the top cleaning trends that didn’t completely impress them.
KEEP YOUR CLEANING LIST SIMPLE
The first viral cleaning hack the experts deemed unnecessary is adding essential oils to your cleaning process, which Mama Mila suggested doing in her trick for deep cleaning the refrigerator.
She instructed people to mix 1.5 cups of lukewarm water with half a cup of white wine vinegar and five drops of essential oil of their choice.
She then removed all the shelving, sprayed on the mixture, and wiped the shelving and interior of the fridge clean.
Lastly, she placed a quarter cup of baking soda in the fridge to keep it smelling fresh.
While the expert’s method certainly works, the folks at Beko and Heather agreed that the process would work just as well without essential oils.
They also suggested switching the warm water for hot water – but not boiling – to “help remove any tougher stains.”
They added: “Although food produces odor, it also absorbs odors too – so use any scented oils sparingly as too much could be bad for your health.”
STAINS ARE MORE STUBBORN THAN THEY APPEAR
Cleaning fanatics were thrilled about the hack that is thought to completely clean plastic food storage containers and rid them of any and all stains.
The process is simple: All people have to do is add dish soap, water, and a paper towel sheet inside the stained container and let it soak.
Once the mixture has sat, people are supposed to be able to simply shake the closed container and watch the stain magically disappear.
According to Beko’s experts and Heather, this trick works on light stains, but you might need a bit more elbow grease on tougher ones.
“As an alternative option, you can cover the bottom of the plastic container with baking soda and add warm water until it makes a thick paste,” they recommended for more stubborn stains.
“Then, use a toothbrush to scrub the baking soda into the stains.
“Allow to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing – voilà!”
NEWSPAPER IS MEANT FOR READING
Cleaning expert @thediymommy previously suggested eradicating unpleasant fridge odors with newspaper.
“This traps and takes in any of the excess odors that are left in the fridge,” she noted.
“We actually left our fridge closed with newspaper inside for well over two weeks to make sure that all of those odors were out of the fridge into that newspaper,” she added.
Of course, this hack was not used in her home’s family fridge, but on a fridge in her rental property.
However, the experts warned that this method could take quite some time.
“If you’re looking for a quick fix, use a natural deodorizer to get rid of lingering odors in your refrigerator.
“Baking soda or white vinegar are both excellent choices,” they said.
COFFEE IS MEANT FOR DRINKING
Lasty, cleaning guru @skylar_toth urged her followers to get rid of smells in their fridges with an open container of coffee grounds.
“Coffee contains nitrogen, which helps neutralize odors quickly and safely in the air,” the Beko experts and Heather explained.
“Coffee grounds are a good, natural substitute for baking soda.”
While they said coffee appears to work, there’s nothing wrong with the old-fashioned baking soda route.
“As another option, place a thin layer of baking soda on a large cooking sheet and refrigerate it overnight.
“If you don’t have baking soda on hand, oats are natural odor absorbers that will work just as well.”
