16 Traditional Cleaning Tricks That Don’t Actually Work

Cleaning experts are calling the bluff on these popular cleaning “hacks.”

1. Removing gum with peanut butter

Save the PB for your sandwiches and skip putting it on gum-matted hair or upholstery, says Melissa Maker, a cleaning expert and host of the YouTube channel Clean My Space. Not only does this hack waste food, but it will also create a bigger mess to clean up afterward. Maker recommends applying coconut or olive oil to the sticky area, instead.

2. Mixing baking soda and vinegar makes a super cleaner

Don’t get us wrong—baking soda and vinegar are great cleaning products on their own. But mix them together, and you’re left with nothing but water. What gives? Because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, together they will fizz up and neutralize each other. “People may think that the fizz helps to remove dirt or grime, but all it will do is create a big mess,” Maker says.

3. Soaking clothes in salt prevents fading

Experts at Goodhousekeeping.com tested this trick and found that it’s bogus. Turns out, whether or not the dye bleeds actually depends on how the material was made. “If a fabric runs, it’s just not properly finished,” Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Cleaning Lab, says. So if the colors of your clothes are running in the washer, you should blame your wardrobe—not the water you wash it in.

4. Rubbing wax paper on baseboards prevents dust build-up

Wrong again! Wax paper leaves behind a sticky, chemical-loaded coating on your baseboards that is almost guaranteed to need a second clean. Even worse, it may attract more dust and dirt in the process. Maker suggests wiping your baseboards with a dry microfiber cloth, and you can even attach it to a flat-head mop or long pole for any hard-to-reach spots.

5. Spraying hairspray removes ink and marker stains

This trick worked back in the day when hairspray contained alcohol, the ingredient needed to remove pesky stains. But these days, you are better off applying rubbing alcohol to the offending spot, according to Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of Green Cleaning. Dab the fabric with a stain remover and give it a spin in the washing machine to make sure the stain is gone for good.

6. Placing dryer sheets in the air vent freshens the house

Dryer sheets belong in your laundry, not your air vents. “An HVAC system isn’t one you want to mess around with,” Maker says. Leaving dryer sheets in the vents can block airflow and spread synthetic chemicals throughout your home. Luckily, there are many more effective ways to make your home smell fresh. Maker suggests changing your furnace filter, deodorizing your soft surfaces, or using an essential oils diffuser.

7. Using wood polish spiffs up furniture

Polishing furniture made of raw wood is a no-brainer. But most wood furniture sold today is coated in a finish, so polishing it can actually make your furniture appear duller. Polyurethane, urethane, shellac, or varnish finishes are all made of plastic, which should be cleaned rather than polished, according to Jan M. Dougherty, author of The Lost Art of House Cleaning. She cleans her wood furniture with white vinegar and a microfiber rag.

8. Mixing vinegar and dish soap removes pet stains

Vinegar is a stain remover superhero, but it’s not strong enough to remove odors and discoloration caused by pet urine or vomit. Same goes for dish soap. An enzyme cleaner, on the other hand, is able to break down the proteins in the stain and make your carpet or upholstery look spotless.

9. Dusting shelves with a coffee filter

Using a coffee filter to dust your home seems like a cheap alternative for a store-bought duster. But Reichert, a.k.a. The Cleaning Coach, has one question for this hack: Why? “It doesn’t produce static and doesn’t attract dust,” she says. “It’s made to filter coffee!” Instead, opt for a vacuum with a nozzle attachment or a soft, damp cloth.

10. Washing grime off a car with dishwashing detergent

While it’s true that you should clean your car with soap that fights off grease, dishwashing detergent is not the answer. This cleaning product is made to remove everything—including the polymers in your car’s paint, which speeds up its oxidation process. A proper car-wash cleaner is specifically designed to be used on automotive paint, so it will be much gentler on your vehicle.

11. Cleaning a chalkboard with soda

Conventional wisdom says that soda will make a smudgy chalkboard look like new again. But according to Maker, the sugar in the soda actually clings to the chalkboard surface instead, leaving behind a sticky, nasty mess. To get rid of those pesky smudges, Maker suggests mixing equal parts vinegar and water, then spraying the board and wiping it with a microfiber cloth.

12. Applying white wine removes red wine stains

The next time you spill red wine all over your shirt, don’t pop open a bottle of the white stuff. First of all, why waste a good glass of wine? And truth be told, this hack just doesn’t work. Reichert recommends spraying a bit of hydrogen peroxide on the stain, instead.

13. Wiping windows with newspaper leaves fewer streaks

Odds are, your grandparents still clean their windows with newspapers, claiming it will leave the glass shiny and streak-free. However, “this worked years ago when the ink came off and formed a film on the window,” Reichert says. “[It] doesn’t work any longer.” Newspapers today are made out of materials that make them even less effective than paper towels. Rubbing alcohol or vinegar on a microfiber cloth is a more surefire way to get spotless windows, according to Dougherty.

14. Soaking a dryer sheet in a dirty pan unsticks food scraps

This popular hack is just an old wives’ tale. “Fabric softener is designed to soften synthetic clothing and reduce static, not lift food off a surface,” Maker says. In this case, patience is key; most residue can be removed from a dirty pan when left to soak overnight, according to Maker. Add some baking soda to the soapy water if you need to tackle any particularly stubborn spots.

15. Using toilet bowl cleaner removes shower grime

Running low on shower cleaning product? Don’t count on your toilet bowl cleaner to get the job done. Toilet cleaners contain acids and bleach products that can destroy the finish on your tubs and tiles, Maker says. You will be better off using a dedicated bathroom cleaning product to scrub soap scum off the shower.

16. The more product you use, the better the clean

Most people think that if using a little bit works well, then using more must work better. But that’s not the case with cleaning products. In fact, “when it comes to cleaning, less is often more,” Maker says. Applying too much product can actually backfire, leading to residue build-up and requiring more elbow grease to get it clean again. As a general rule of thumb, using a small amount of product and leaving it for a few minutes before wiping it down will usually do the trick.

How to whiten grout?

We have found an effective cleaning method for those who have already forgotten that the tile grout in their shower stalls used to be white.

What you will need:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda

Add baking soda to vinegar and mix well until it has a thick pasty texture. Apply the paste on the grout and wait for up to 30 minutes. Scrub the grout with an old toothbrush until it is clean. Rinse the surface with water.

How to remove sweat stains from a mattress?

A mattress plays an important role in our lives, keeping us (and our dreams) healthy. But people usually do not know how to clean it properly. If you want to prepare the place you sleep for a pleasant dream time, follow the advice below.

What you will need:

• Powdered detergent
• Warm water

Mix 1/2 tbsp of powdered detergent with 250 ml of warm water. Add the blend into a spray bottle and spray it on the mattress. Scrub for several minutes and prepare to have the best dreams.

How to clean an iron?

This has probably happened to almost all of us. Once, trying to fix this issue with salt, we broke our iron. And now we found a safer solution for you.

What you will need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Warm water

Add baking soda into warm water and mix well until you get a pasty texture. Apply the paste to the iron surface. Wait an hour and wipe it off. At the end apply white vinegar and enjoy the results.

How to get stains and smells out of a cutting board?

A cutting board is often one of the most used items in a kitchen. It’s no wonder that we should pay more attention to its cleaning.

What you will need:

• Lemon
• Salt or baking soda

If you want to remove stains and smells from a cutting board, take a cut side of lemon and apply it over the board. You can also sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first for extra cleaning power.

What should I do if my washing machine smells?

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A smelly washing machine is a pretty common problem. And no, a cat won’t help. You can get rid of unwanted smells in 2 steps.

What you will need:

• Baking soda
• White distilled vinegar

Add one cup of soda to an empty drum and run the longest, hottest wash. Then repeat the first step, but add 0.5 l of white distilled vinegar instead of soda.

Is it possible to clean your microwave oven in under a minute?

The answer is yes! If you do not believe us, try the method below.

What you will need:

• Sponge
• Vinegar
• Cloth

Soak the sponge in vinegar and put it inside the microwave oven. Switch the microwave oven on for 30 seconds. Wipe grease and stains off with a piece of cloth. Do not touch the sponge until it cools, to avoid burns.

Is there any multifunctional cleaning staple?

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With the following product you will be able to clean stainless steel, polish wooden furniture, and remove dust.

What will you need:

• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• White vinegar

Mix the ingredients and use to make your house clean within minutes.

Is there any way to remove grease and dirt from kitchen cabinets?

Cold grease can be a real challenge. But, fortunately, there is a simple solution.

What you will need:

• Kettle

All you need to do is to turn your kettle on and open the lid. Don’t forget to put the kettle under the cabinet in question. The steam will melt the grease so you can wipe it off with a sponge with one swipe. Keep in mind that this method might harm the surface due to extensive moisture, so this method is good only if it is performed rarely (for example, you don’t have much time and are expecting guests).

How to get rid of water stains on wood?

Wood luster can easily be damaged by watermarks. They are often caused by spills, hot dishes, or the wet bottoms of glasses. Luckily, it is possible to remove them.

What you will need:

• Iron with a steam function
• Towel

Place a towel over the watermark. Turn your iron on and set it to hot and high steam. Press the steam button while ironing. Keep ironing until the water stain disappears.

How to save a burnt dish?

Food can make you feel like you’re on top of the world, but the pile of dirty dishes afterward seems to be a punishment (just to keep everything in balance). Here is a small hack on how to deal with burnt dishes.

What you will need:

• Baking soda
• Hot (but not boiling) water

Mix several tablespoons of baking soda with hot (but not boiling) water and fill the burnt dish. Wait for some time so that the grime loosens up. Wash the remains without a headache.

What to do if my white sneakers have become black?

Some people may be uneasy about their wish to buy white footwear since it seems so hard (or even impossible) to clean. But the picture above confirms that nothing is impossible. The process takes some time, but the result is worth it.

What you will need:

• Washing machine
• Pillow case
• Toothbrush
• Any detergent

Clean the bottom of your footwear to get rid of small stones, dirt, and other objects that can destroy your washing machine. Put the footwear into the washing machine inside of a pillow case. Run a wash cycle at around 30—35°C. When it is finished, scrub the remaining dirt off with a soft toothbrush and detergent.

How to clean a microfiber couch?

Microfiber couches look great, but like other furniture items they can become dirty and dusty with daily use. Here is a cheap and simple method that will give your microfiber couch a new life.

What you will need:

• White sponge
• White bristle brush
• Rubbing alcohol
• Spray bottle

Pour the rubbing alcohol in the spray bottle, saturate the stained area, and scrub actively with the sponge. If the sponge gets too dirty, replace it with a new one so you do not rub the old dirt into the clean areas. Wait until the areas you cleaned are completely dry and re-fluff those areas with the bristle brush.