How to Use Home Cleaning Products Correctly

Whether you’re cleaning your house as part of your regular routine or doing a deep clean before you sell your house, it’s important to do it as efficiently and effectively as possible. With so much information online and so many hundreds of cleaning products in the shops, it’s not surprising that many people aren’t using cleaning products correctly or as effectively as they could be! Here are some tips and insights to make this chore easier and your home cleaner, from our cash for houses Dallas team (remember, we can sell your house for cash!).

Disinfectant Sprays

For a disinfectant spray to kill bacteria and clean properly, you need to saturate the surface or item you want to clean and wait 5-10 minutes for the disinfectant to work. Spraying and wiping down at the same time doesn’t give the cleaner enough time to work, and doesn’t properly sanitize the surface. A good technique is to spray the surface until saturated, and wipe it dry after at least 5 minutes with a clean cloth. You don’t need to rinse or wash off the cleaner unless it is on a food utensil or something similar.

Always use an appropriate disinfectant spray for whatever you are cleaning, and make sure it is safe to use on your surfaces. For example, some disinfectant sprays can discolor or damage more delicate oiled, waxed on unfinished surfaces.

Disinfectant Wipes

Always a popular option, disinfectant wipes have become a go-to cleaning product during the pandemic – but they only work properly if you’re using them right. First, check the label to make sure that they’re actually what you’re looking for, as some products are just scented wipes rather than the germ-killing kind. If you want anti-bacterial wipes, they need to have 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Secondly, you should use them for small, targeted areas. A single wipe can cover about 3 square feet, so using a wipe to clean a bathroom or kitchen isn’t going to work. Rather, use them to clean hands, phones, keyboards, tablets, handbags and other small items that you regularly come into contact with. If you use it on any items that are used for eating or may go into a child’s mouth, wipe the item, let it dry and then rinse it off with water before using.

Bleach Products

Chlorine bleach is a very effective, powerful and useful disinfectant – but it can be harmful if used incorrectly.

Always dilute it as per the manufacturer instructions to get the best results without damaging surfaces and materials. Never mix it with ammonia, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, peroxide or any other cleaning agent or chemical, as this can create a toxic chemical reaction that releases very harmful gasses into the air. Another good tip is to store it somewhere cool and dark, as it degrades in light. It also degrades over time, becoming less potent after 6-12 months.

A good quality bleach product will have 5.25%-6.15% sodium hypochlorite, so check the labels of different products before you buy.

White Vinegar

Many home-made disinfectant cleaning products contain distilled white vinegar. It’s a great cleaning option as it’s non-toxic – however, it is not nearly as effective at killing bacteria, so it’s best to use a stronger disinfectant for very dirty or high-risk surfaces like kitchen countertops, bathrooms and so forth. You should also avoid using it on natural stones or unsealed grout and wax surfaces, as the vinegar can corrode and damage these. One of the best ways to use distilled vinegar is to add it to your laundry, as it’s great for removing odor and stains, softens hard water (helping to preserve your clothes and make them softer), and is environmentally friendly!

General Cleaning Tips

Following these tips makes cleaning your home safer, easier and gets you better results!

• Let the cleaner do the work – With toilets and dirty tubs, apply the cleaner generously then leave for 10-30 minutes. This will let the cleaner break the dirt down properly, so you spend less time scrubbing.

• Open the windows – Strong cleaning products let off fumes that aren’t great for your health. Open the windows, get good ventilation and wear a mask if you have sensitive lungs. The fresh air will also help freshen up your home.

• Don’t mix cleaning products – Cleaning products are chemical formulas and mixing them together can cause a dangerous chemical reaction that produces toxic fumes.

• Disinfect cleaning equipment – Every month or so, run a cleaning cycle on your washing machine and dishwasher to sanitize your machines. You can use a disinfecting cleaning product or chlorine bleach to kill bacteria. Cleaning cloths etc. should be regularly soaked in a chlorine bleach solution. Remember this will affect dye, so rinse thoroughly before letting them come into contact with materials.

• Clean windows – It’s best to clean widows on a cool, overcast day when the windows are not in direct sunlight. Use microfiber cloths or newsprint to get streak-free results.

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