A PROFESSIONAL cleaner has revealed the five mistakes that people make in their homes.
So if you often mix boiling water and bleach, or use stainless steel scourers to clean your taps, you’ll need to listen up and take notes.
Libby Denney, owner of cleaning service, The Clean Up Company, took to social media to share the common mistakes many make.
Libby explained that she also learnt the ‘hard way’ with these errors and explained a bleach mistake can be 'disastrous' for a start.
Posting online, the cleaning pro said: “So here's some common mistakes people make when cleaning.
“So I'm gonna cover a couple of things in this video, things that I see on TikTok videos and just stuff that I used to do myself personally, but obviously as I've got more experience and I've got older, I've learnt new things.”
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Bleach this
When it comes to using bleach in your home, there are some rules you should know.
Libby explained: “Do not ever use hot water when it comes to bleach, because it decompresses it.
“It decompresses the active ingredients in bleach, which makes it less effective.
“So if you're using bleach, you always want to be using cold water."
Not only this, but she also added: “Never, ever, ever, and I repeat, ever, mix bleach and Viakal together, because it becomes toxic.
“It can let off something called a green gas. It can be disastrous.
“Also as well, never mix bleach with Harpic toilet cleaner, any sort of toilet cleaner at all - that can also let off a green gas, which is very toxic.
“Best believe I found out this the hard way. I was hanging out my bedroom window and I had to call the ambulance, so, yeah, don't do it.”
When it comes to cleaning your windows, bleach should be a no go, as Libby advised: “Also, never, ever use any bleach in your buckets to clean your windows with, because bleach is renowned for streaking windows and shiny surfaces.
“For shiny surfaces, I use fairy liquid to clean windows with, or window cleaner and a dry cloth.”
Loo knew?!
If your toilet is in need of a good scrub, Libby explained: “So we're gonna talk about toilet bowl cleaner. Like I say, I've learnt all this from experience, I've been cleaning for a very, very long time.
“So toilet bowl cleaner, any sort of toilet cleaner, especially your coloured ones - never, ever, ever get them on your toilet seat, because they stain and it does take a long while to bring it out, especially if you're in rented accommodation.
“It can stain your toilet seats, so, yeah, if you're gonna use it, I would advise to make sure your toilet seat is fully lifted up and then squirt it in and it just prevents any sort of dribble or anything like that.”
Don’t scrub it
Calling all fans of stainless steel scourers - as Libby suggested: “We're gonna talk about these [stainless steel scourers]. I use these on a regular basis, but there's only certain areas that I will use these.
“These are really cheap and they are really, really good to clean with. But please never, ever use them on any stainless steel, taps or showers or anything like that.
“As bad as the limescale is, it's just gonna scratch the surfaces. Don't use these on glass hobs, stainless steel hobs, because again, it will scratch them.
“These are alright on glass, you can use them on glass shower screens, but only very lightly. That's a no brainer really, but I just thought I'd pop that in there.”
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps
Check your clock
If you use limescale remover, you’ll need to make sure to check the time, as the cleaning whizz revealed: “As well - limescale remover. So the limescale remover wants to be left for about five to 10 minutes.
“Do not ever leave a product any longer than that sat on any sort of surface, because it's gonna damage the coating that's on the surface.
“If you have to go in and do a couple of rounds, that's fine. But if you leave a product on there, it's gonna tarnish any stainless steel, it's gonna blister it. You'll get spots in the stainless steel.”
Not vacc-ing it
When it comes to hoovering your carpets, if you’re a fan of shake 'n’ vac, you’ll need to take notes.
According to Libby: “I know a lot of people use these sort of things - shake 'n’ vac - and stuff like that. They are amazing for getting your rooms to smell really nice and just gives it that fresh smell.
“I don't like these personally. But what these tend to do, that I’ve found a lot, is they clog your hoover and they also build up a residue inside and eventually starts to smell.
“I tend to avoid things like this - as long as you know that room's clean, you don't need to mask any sort of smell with products like this.
“Bicarbonate of soda does work a lot better and it's also good for mattresses because it draws out any smells and it's just a powder - there's no oils, there's no scents or anything in it.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @thecleanupcompany, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 47,700 views.
Social media users were incredibly thankful for the tips and many took to the comments to express this.
One person said: “This was good info, my favourite products are fairy liquid and elbow grease!!”
Another added: “Agree with everything you've just said. Fairy has definitely got to be my favourite product and I love a bit of Cif too.”
A third commented: “Great tips.”
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