Dishcloths are as part of the modern kitchen as indoor plumbing. Easy to buy and cheap, many of us consider them an essential item in our cleaning arsenal.
But where we hang those handy wipes once we finish our tidy-up could be causing more harm than good, according to one cleaning professional who says many of us are damaging our kitchen surfaces.
Charlotte from homecleanswithcharlotte is begging fans not to hang our dishcloths over our tapware, advising it is causing unintentional consequences.
On her TikTok account, she alerted fans and clients that hanging your dishcloths over your taps to dry is damaging your tapware, as leftover cleaning products corrode the metal.
“I have seen many damaged taps from bleachy cloths left hanging on them. I personally never use bleach in my own home or in my clients, as it’s an unnecessary product. However I know so many of you are obsessed with the stuff,” she wrote.
“Bleach is very much corrosive to many surfaces, metals especially! Just because you haven’t seen any damage, it doesn’t mean damage isn’t been caused over time.”
Source: Tik Tok/ homecleanswithcharlotte.
Instead of leaving cloths to potentially damage your tapware, Charlotte recommended washing them right after use and replacing them daily.
If you are still worried about your household surfaces, then items in your kitchen pantry might be the answer for your cleaning needs. Enter, bicarb soda, a humble yet powerful ingredient that can revolutionise your cleaning routine.
Let’s delve into seven ingenious ways you can transform your home using this household staple.
Laundry Revitaliser
Infuse life back into your fabrics and enhance the vibrancy of your laundry by incorporating half a cup of bicarb soda into your washing cycle. Not only will this restore the colours of your clothes, but it will also render them irresistibly soft.
Drain Refresher
Troublesome clogs and unpleasant odours emanating from drains can be effortlessly remedied. Just introduce a cup of bicarb soda into any drain and allow it to sit for an hour. Follow this by boiling two cups of vinegar, and pouring it down the drain. Run hot water, and voila! Your drain will be free from unpleasant odours.
Oven Enchantment
The heart of the kitchen during the festive season is undoubtedly the oven. Ensure that no harmful chemicals find their way into your culinary creations by cleaning your oven with bicarb soda. Sprinkle a light coat inside, then spray vinegar until it fizzes. Leave the solution for at least four hours and wipe with a damp cloth.
Surface Cleaner
Achieving an effective clean for bathroom tubs, tiles, and sinks is as simple as sprinkling bicarb soda lightly on a clean, damp sponge and scrubbing as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. To add a bit more abrasiveness if needed, include coarse salt in the mixture.
Deep-Cleaning Cleanser
This versatile cleanser works wonders on any bathroom surface, cutting through soap scum and mildew at a fraction of the cost of commercial products. Combine 1/5 cups of bicarb soda, 1/2 cup liquid soap, 1/2 cup water, and 2 tbsp white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply to surfaces and witness the magic unfold.
Carpet Rejuvenator
Eliminate carpet stains before the arrival of the family by mixing bicarb soda and liquid soap. Dilute with water and add vinegar. Shake well and apply to the stained area, scrubbing with a nylon-backed sponge. Rinse off with water. For larger or darker stains, add 2 tablespoons of borax to the mixture.
Clothing Stain Elixir
Craft a paste by combining bicarb soda and water, then apply it to clothing stains. Let it soak in for a while before washing as usual. This simple concoction proves to be an effective and economical solution for stubborn stains on your garments.