With many people in spring cleaning mode, household expert Andy Ellis has urged homeowners to avoid some popular DIY hacks, as they could be costly and harmful to your health
As homeowners stock up on supermarket essentials for the annual spring clean, experts have warned that some trending tricks could cause more harm than good.
A hefty 93 percent of British households participate in the seasonal cleaning activities, with many spending hours organising and purging their homes. However, some people have started turning to quick fix solutions in an attempt to speed up the tedious task and save money.
Cleaning guru Andy Ellis has urged homeowners to be wary of misinformation being promoted on social media, as it could cause damage to your property and lead to health issues. The expert, from Posh.co.uk, said: “Spring is almost here, which means the long-standing spring cleaning tradition will soon be upon us.
“Before starting the annual deep cleaning process, we are warning homeowners to watch out for tips or tricks coming from viral social media trends.” Bicarbonate of soda is often hailed as a cleaning cupboard staple, because its gentle abrasive properties help to eliminate tough stains and grime, without causing damage.
But the expert has claimed that if it’s applied incorrectly to aluminium and wooden surfaces or floors, it can lead to discolouration. He added: “It can also cause scratches on marble surfaces and glass tops.” According to Tom’s Guide the product can be “too harsh” on these areas, so trusty soapy water is recommended instead and will leave you with a spotless shine.
Online creators often boast about vinegar’s cleaning properties, as it is commonly used on hard-to-remove window stains and is said to make glass shiny. However, Andy warned: “Straight vinegar is very acidic, and using it alone to clean windows can damage the outer window frame.
“It will also create a strong pungent smell in the property which is hard to remove.” Cleaning expert Mark Hall backed this up, adding: “Vinegar is fine in moderation, but it’s not the wonder cleaner people make it out to be. Good old soap and water actually does a far better job.”
Many creators on social media can be seen mixing a range of different cleaning solutions in toilets, sinks and bathtubs. Andy has revealed that product overload can be dangerous as it can release poisonous gases that are toxic to breathe, leading to respiratory issues.
“It can also destroy fixtures and pipes, leading to clogging and corroding, leaving homeowners with a hefty plumbing bill,” he said. Another viral hack is believed to banish unsightly dents in carpets swiftly, by placing a damp towel over a carpet dent and steaming with an iron.
However, the expert has urged homeowners to ditch this trick, explaining: “Not only is this a fire hazard but it could also burn the carpet, leaving homeowners having to fork out on a costly replacement.”
Finally, homeowners have been advised to steer clear of the viral wall cleaning hack, where people dip paint rollers in a water and disinfectant solution. He said: “It may seem crafty, but it only rubs chemicals into the walls.
“Not only does it not even clean your walls, but it could even turn into a fire hazard if done repeatedly. Stick to scrubbing walls with a cloth.”
