A number of cleaning hacks have gone viral on social media, but a cleaning expert has shared the ones to avoid as she claims they don’t work or they may cause damage
Cleaning our homes can be a mammoth and time-consuming task, so the last thing you’d want is to find out you’re doing it all wrong.
With social media brimming with hacks from experts and homeowners alike, it’s tricky to discern which tips are actually top-notch. Cleaning enthusiast Brogan warns against certain viral cleaning hacks that she claims either don’t work or could cause damage.
Brogan, who spruces up the homes of hoarders and those who’ve let their household hygiene slide – at no charge – is best known for her TikTok page Not The Worst Cleaner. She’s amassed over 108 million views on her advisory videos.
Recently, she admitted she knows she’s “going to upset a lot of people” but stands firm that there are five viral hacks anyone cleaning their home should steer clear of. Some may not realise one trend could be corrosive, while another might even cause your air fryer to catch fire.
Brogan pointed out the first hack to avoid is using a bottle of multi-purpose cleaner Fabulosa in the back of your toilet. While the product is intended for cleaning dirt off sinks, toilets, baths, showers, and floors, and can also be used on counters, windows, mirrors, and walls as per the company’s website, many have been placing it in their toilet tank to make it smell fresher.
However, Brogan warns this could lead to plumbing woes. She clarified: “This is not recommended by any plumber, not only can it be corrosive but it can actually degrade the rubber and seals.”
The second viral hack that the cleaning expert warns against is applying laundry detergent to a cloth, wrapping it around a pan lid, and using it to clean sofas. “Honestly it’s just spreading dirt around, you can’t scrub, and it’s not lifting any product,” Brogan stated.
“Detergents are highly concentrated so it will leave behind residue and destroy fabric over time,” she added. The next hack involves cleaning your air fryer.
Brogan warns against putting washing up liquid in your air fryer along with hot water and cooking it to clean inside. She explained that the soap solution will go directly into the fan and electrical components – causing overheating and a potential fire hazard.
Brogan continued: “Number four is using fabric softener to repel dust. This will leave behind a waxy film that’s designed to soften your laundry. Most are petroleum-based, meaning that they will not break down and can cause a build-up of residue that will result in mould.”
Lastly, Brogan advises people not to use a dishwasher tablet in water to clean their floors. “I know a lot of people swear by this but it will leave on a film as the dishwasher pods are highly concentrated and a layer of film left behind will build up over time,” she added.
Several people thanked Brogan for her top tips. “Finally someone with some sense,” one commented. Another remarked: “With all the wax left behind maybe we shouldn’t be using these cleaning products on anything thing.” Another suggested: “The pot hack is actually good for refreshing sofa, but you need to clean it with cloth soaked in hot water to get rid of residue.”