8 common things that are not suitable for home cleaning

Old rags

A once-beloved T-shirt, a hem from a flannel robe, a cotton shirt, from which the beloved child grew up long ago. Well, do not throw away all this stuff! For cleaning, many zealous housewives use clothes that have served their expiration date. And not one at a time, of course. And after cleaning, after rinsing the rags under the tap, they leave it until the next “general” raid on dust and dirt. And they do not even suspect how much dirt and stains of old fat are left on these rags. These often cannot be removed even when washing at high temperatures. And this is very unhygienic, because bacteria have been breeding in them all this time, among which there may be E. coli, and even staphylococcus aureus. Not to mention the fact that some fabrics do not have hygroscopic properties (the ability of a material to absorb and release moisture) and will simply smear dirt with water over the surface.

For cleaning, it is better to purchase disposable or reusable microfiber wipes. By the way, they are produced for any occasion: for floors, tiles, polishing furniture or glass. Well, if it hurts so much to part with a worn-out little thing, let it go to the fabric applique.

Dust brush

“The rich also cry”, “Wild angel”, “My second mother” – thanks to Latin American TV shows from the 90s, she also entered our life – a multi-colored hand-made polyester broom. You walk around the apartment like that, with an elegant movement you brush away dust particles from the polished surfaces and the bust of your favorite poet – the maid Milagros and the mistress of your own hacienda rolled into one. Here are just a pipidaster (sorry, but this is the name of this accessory), it is absolutely useless in the fight against dust. The dust does not disappear without a trace, but settles on other surfaces, as well as on the pile of the panicle itself.

Leave the brush for playing with the cat, and use a damp cloth to deal with dust. And do not forget to wipe the surfaces dry after wet processing so that dust and dirt do not stick again.

Vacuum cleaner with dirty filters

If the filters are not replaced in time, the vacuum cleaner can turn into a time bomb. Dust, dirt, hair, animal hair – but you never know what else, during cleaning, draws a vacuum cleaner into its bowels. The lion’s share of all this is deposited on the filter. As a result, the vacuum cleaner starts to overheat faster, draw in dust worse, and at some point just throw out particles of accumulated dirt into the air. What you breathe.

So the filters need to be changed or cleaned regularly (depending on the design). By the way, in addition to the dust collector or container, there may be other barriers in the unit. For example, to protect the engine compartment or final air purification. They also need to be changed.

Universal potent chemistry

Means that perfectly cope with all types of pollution in the bathroom are definitely not suitable for living rooms and will certainly be detrimental to wooden surfaces. And if you wipe the countertop in the kitchen or the dishes with such, you can be sure that some of it will then get into your body. So, no matter how much you want to save a couple of hundred rubles, it still makes sense to buy your own product for each type of cleaning.

Chlorine products

They were almost the first to be swept off the shelves of hardware stores when the coronavirus pandemic began. After all, this tool is able to kill literally all living things from the treated surfaces. But when working with chlorine-containing agents, you can get a burn of the mucous membrane of the eyes, upper respiratory tract, and even earn bronchial asthma over time.

The chemical industry is not standing still, and today there are safer methods of disinfection. Well, if the use of “Whiteness” is a family tradition, buy a respirator to work with it (not a hygienic mask, but a respirator), safety glasses (sold in hardware stores) and arm yourself with thick rubber gloves.

Dish sponge

Rospotrebnadzor experts have long recognized that a kitchen sponge is a real breeding ground for bacteria. In some especially neglected cases, more germs can live on its surface than on the rim of the toilet! And if you wash everything with one sponge – and dishes, and the oven, and the sink, it is easy to get an upset stomach.

Ideally, you need to have a separate sponge for each type of work: washing dishes, cleaning the stove, bathroom, kitchen table. And change them at least once a week. Everyone! But with the habit of “sterilizing” sponges in the microwave, it is better to part. You will not kill bacteria in them either by washing or by temperature.

Dirty washing machine

It would seem, why wash the washing machine. That’s why she was washing, so that she washed herself. However, very soon, dirt and dust, dead skin and hair particles, and dust mites accumulate in the machine on the drum surfaces, doors, filter, pipes, as well as in the folds of the seal. Once inside with a portion of dirty laundry, they will then settle on the clothes during the next wash, giving the clothes an unpleasant odor and stains.

To clean the washing machine, you can use special products bought at the store, or prepare the mixture yourself. Mix baking soda and water in a 1: 1 ratio, pour the mixture into the liquid detergent compartment, add a little vinegar to the drum, and then start the long wash cycle at the highest possible temperature. When the cycle is complete, wipe all surfaces with a dry cloth.

Newspapers for washing windows

A good old method to achieve crystal-clear windows after washing is a life hack from our grandmothers. Printed products are truly ideal for ridding windows and mirrors of hated stains. But when wet, ink leaves dark marks on surfaces and hands, eats into the skin and dries it out. And it also leads to the appearance of microcracks on the glass.

It is better to use special microfiber napkins for washing, which are denser than usual, or artificial suede napkins.