1) Myth: “Bleach cleans absolutely everything”

Bleach is great for removing stains, and serves as an excellent disinfectant, but not so great for cutting grease. It is great for laundry stains and bathroom mildew and disinfecting surfaces. When your cleaning greasy stovetops, counters, along with other all-purpose cleaner uses, it needs to be part of a formula with other cleaning products.

If you need to get dirt and grime out, the best thing to reach for is something with a gritty texture, I recommend barkeeper’s friend.

2.) Myth: “Feather Dusters Remove Dust”

Feather dusters are known for spreading dust around, the dust doesn’t cling to the feather duster. Leaving the dust still on surfaces, just in a different location.

Microfibers, and lambswool dusters do pick up and hold onto dust. Most are also washable and reusable, which is an extra bonus.

Another way to remove dust is to use a wet cloth or vacuum.

3.) Myth: “Newspapers give glass a streak-free shine.”

As a matter of fact, this myth has changed over time. The modern paper is much thinner than it used to be, meaning that it disintegrates far quicker.

Wet newsprint makes more of a mess on your hands and the window frames.

Microfiber cloths are a better option.

4.) Myth: “Vinegar is an all-purpose cleaner.”

Like bleach, vinegar shouldn’t be used to clean everything.

Vinegar can be used for cutting grease, and limescale removal. It is also great for removing hard-water stains, cleaning windows, and coffee makers.

It should avoid being used on certain surfaces.

Among some of the surfaces that should be avoided include but are not limited to; granite countertops, wood floors, that can be damaged by acidic vinegar.

5.) Myth: “Hairspray can be used to remove ink stains.”

Hairspray is no longer loaded with alcohol, which cut through ink and helped lift it off clothing.

Hairspray itself can leave residue and stiffen fabrics, so we recommend using plain rubbing alcohol on ballpoint ink stains.

6.) Myth: “You should wash everything on cold.”

Washing clothes in cold water is great for saving energy and preserving colors, and more detergents are formulated to work better in cold water, but some stains (for example, grease) need warm or hot water to be removed and certainly hot water does a better job at killing germs, so it’s best to wash sheets and towels in warm or hot water.

7.) Myth: “Air freshener helps clean the air.”

Though it may smell fresh, you are only perfuming it rather than making it cleaner. Air fresheners just cover up odor with a scent. After the scent fades, the odor can return.

8.) Myth: “String mops are the way to go.”

Old string mops can be messy and dirty to use and not to mention difficult to wring. The newer synthetic string mops retain less water, and the heads can be removed and places in the washing machine.

9.) Myth: “You should polish wood often.”

Cleaning wood to often can cause more harm than good, some polishes can dull the wood finishes and attract dust, while others can build up over time and darken wood.

Make sure to polish wood sparingly and keep your wood generally cleaned with microfiber cloth dusting.

10.) Myth: “Vacuum, then dust.”

Dust the vacuum. This way you pick up any dust that falls on the floor after dusting.

11.) Myth: “You can wash your sheets every two weeks.”

Weekly is the best. Many people sweat while they sleep, contributing to skin and oil on sheets.

12.) Myth: “Your dishwasher cleans itself.”

Dishwashers retain food bits; hard water minerals and the inside can get stained with grease or limescale. They should be cleaned monthly with a commercial dishwasher cleaner, like Cascade.