Interesting Tips and Facts on House Cleaning

Most people slowly build up a repertoire of little facts and tidbits of information on house cleaning as they gain experience in this area. However, we can always learn a little more about keeping our homes clean -- there's a plethora of interesting facts on house cleaning out there. So, how much do you think you know? Read on to find out if you already knew all this or if you learn anything new.

Many people use bleach in their laundry as a way to remove stubborn stains and whiten clothes. However, bleach should not be added right along with the laundry detergent. Instead, wait until the last part of the wash cycle to add bleach. Otherwise, the detergent will counteract the bleach and you won't see its full effects.

Most people would probably say that bathrooms are the dirtiest, most germ-ridden area of the home, but they would be wrong. Most kitchen sinks actually have more germs than the toilet. Likewise, the carpet in a home is thousands of times dirtier than the toilet seats in the same home. Now those are good reasons for frequently washing down your kitchen sink and counters and vacuuming those carpets!

I think a lot of people know they should never mix bleach and ammonia together when cleaning -- doing so creates toxic fumes that at the very least will burn your eyes, choke you and possibly make you sick to your stomach. The tricky part comes when you start using multiple commercial cleaners, many of which have bleach or other ingredients added to them. It's easy to get caught up in your cleaning and not realize what you've just mixed together until it's too late. To avoid this situation, simply never use two cleaners together at the same time. If you use one and decide you need a different one to get something thoroughly clean, great. Just be sure to wipe off the first one and rinse the area well before going to work on the same area with your second cleaner.

Do you suffer from rashes and other skin irritation? It could be how you're cleaning your clothes. The laundry detergent itself is most often the culprit, but fabric softener can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Luckily, you don't have to simply go without. A little white vinegar used in place of fabric softener works well to leave clothes fresh and soft without the risk of irritating family members with sensitive skin.

Some people see the word "antibacterial" on a cleaner and assume that it kills those germs which they happen to be going after, but think again. Many antibacterial cleaners do not kill common flu viruses, for example. Moreover, most of these cleaners must be sprayed on a surface and left for at least 30 to 60 seconds before wiping -- this gives them a chance to actually work their magic and kill those germs. Spraying and immediately wiping away will only accomplish half the job, if that. Be sure to read all the small print on your cleaners to ensure you get the maximum benefits.