Home Cleaning Tips: Love Them or Lose Them?

Home cleaning tips move from questionable opinions to rules more quickly than you can say pumice stone. But here’s the dirt: Not all cleaning hacks are safe, and your floors, appliances, and countertops may be more vulnerable to damage than you think.

Pumice Stones Are Good for Almost Any Deep-Cleaning Job

Love them: For toilets, ovens, and porcelain tubs

Lose them: For stone countertops, glass, fiberglass, and stainless steel

Pumice stones can scratch or dull countertops, acrylic tubs, nonstick cookware, and stainless steel. Even on safe surfaces, be cautious.

Vinegar Is Natural, So It Can Be Safely Used on Any Surface

Love it: On glass and tile, and to deodorize your fridge

Lose it: On stone, grout, and hardwoods

Vinegar’s high acidity makes it risky to use on stone countertops, marble, limestone, grout, and hardwoods. It can also corrode rubber seals or metal parts in appliances, like dishwashers. For most household cleaning, experts recommend mild dish soap or a specialized cleaner.

Steam Cleaning Is Best to Deep Clean Floors Without Chemicals

Love It: On sealed tile (porcelain and ceramic) and linoleum

Lose It: On solid or engineered hardwood, vinyl, or LVPs, or bamboo floors

Steam cleaning is great for certain surfaces and loosening dirt and grime without scrubbing, and the heat can kill some germs. But steam can damage certain floors, and the hot water can loosen grout on some ceramic and porcelain tile. Always follow manufacturer instructions and test in a small area first. For floors at higher risk, use a damp microfiber mop.

Magic Eraser Sponges Safely Remove Tough Stains

Love them: For scuffs, crayon marks, and stubborn grime on tile, bathtubs, and some plastics

Lose them: On glossy paint, wood furniture, nonstick cookware, and electronics

Micro-abrasive foam pads like Magic Erasers are excellent on hard surfaces, but they can damage delicate finishes and electronic screens. In addition, using them dry or with heavy pressure increases the risk of scratches. Always test first, avoid scrubbing too hard, and using them on polished or coated surfaces.

Disinfectants and Sanitizers Can Be Used as Everyday Cleaners

Love them: On high-touch surfaces and for specific circumstances

Lose them: As an everyday cleaner

Research has shown that overusing disinfectants can backfire by dulling or damaging materials, finishes, and coatings; weakening seals and adhesives; and even causing health problems