The hack has been shared by several social media cleaning influencers, but experts are warning people to avoid the advice as it could pose a fire risk to your home
TikTok trends have crept into every aspect of daily life, with home cleaning methods being no exception, as ‘Cleantok’ continues to amass millions of views.
Whether it’s the satisfying before-and-after transformations or the everyday household item swapping tricks, the video-sharing platform can become a bottomless rabbit hole many tumble into.
However, there’s one cleaning craze promising spotless skirting boards that has recently gained traction, encouraging people to do something that could actually leave their homes grubbier than before.
“There’s a popular cleaning hack going around TikTok where individuals use fabric conditioner on their skirting boards and surfaces around the home to clean and prevent dust from accumulating,’ explains cleaning expert, Emily Barron, of Property Rescue.
“But, this method isn’t a foolproof approach. Not only will it fail to remove all dust, but it can also introduce a whole host of other and more serious issues into the home.”, reports the Express.
This supposed trick has been extensively shared and posted by numerous cleaning influencers on the platform, who claim it keeps your house smelling fresh whilst maintaining cleanliness and banishing dust.
Yet, alongside Emily, Lynsey Crombie, the Queen of Clean, boasting more than 380,000 Instagram followers and regularly featuring on This Morning, has also raised red flags about avoiding this guidance. “NOT a wise Cleaning Tip,” Lynsey warns in one of her videos, slamming the trend.
She adds: “Fabric conditioner might seem like a quick fix for dusting, but here’s why it’s not your best bet – fabric conditioner may leave your home smelling amazing, but it can leave behind a thin layer of residue on surfaces, which attracts more dust over time.
“Instead, opt for a damp microfiber cloth for a cleaner, longer-lasting shine!”.
This sentiment is echoed by product development scientist Olivia Young, from Astonish cleaning, who says: “We definitely wouldn’t advise people to use fabric conditioner on their skirting boards as this will leave a thin coating that could cause dust to stick to them more.”
By following this trend, you’re also potentially putting your home at risk of fire, as most fabric conditioners are highly flammable.
Other natural solutions include spraying a mix of water with white vinegar or lemon juice, before wiping with a dry microfiber cloth.
While the idea of a cleaning ‘hack’ or trick can be tempting, it’s often best to follow the instructions on cleaning products as the manufacturer intended to avoid unnecessary risks.
