The Viral Pine-Sol Hack That Isn't Worth Trying And Why

Have you ever seen a DIY or life hack on the internet and thought that it was too good to be true? Well, some of them are. In fact, some hacks that are shared and end up going viral online can actually be extremely dangerous for your health. One hack that has made the rounds on various social media accounts is the idea of boiling Pine-Sol — or a similar nice-smelling cleaner — on the stove.

The intention behind this idea is that it can give your home that satisfying, "just-cleaned" smell without actually having to do any cleaning. However, the Pine-Sol safety sheet published by the makers of the product, The Clorox Company, clearly explains that breathing in Pine-Sol can cause your respiratory tract to become irritated, and it outlines that any person who accidentally inhales this product should quickly move into fresh air to reduce the potential harm to their bodies. When boiled, the intense chemicals in the cleaning product are vaporized and circulate through the air, making the risk of irritation and other negative reactions even worse. This is particularly concerning for people who have existing respiratory concerns such as asthma. Therefore, if you've been tempted to try this suggested hack after seeing it on social media, the stronger smell of the cleaner really isn't worth the potential harm that you could be exposing you and your family members to. If you are still looking for some tricks for a fresh-smelling home even if you haven't cleaned recently, then there are plenty of other, much safer ways to do that.

The most important step to take to make your home smell nicer is to target and neutralize the bad odors first. Have a sniff around your house to see if you can identify where the worst scents are coming from, whether that is the trash can, a pet's litter tray, or some smelly tennis shoes. Then, regularly clean those areas to prevent the bad smells from collecting. It can also help to regularly open windows to get air circulating and prevent odors from stagnating in your home.

Once you have gotten rid of the particularly bad smells, you can then begin to work on infusing your space with good ones. Rather than using Pine-Sol made with strong chemicals on the stove, try boiling some fruits and aromatic herbs, instead. Fill the rooms with the scent of orange, mint, or lavender. This is a natural way to refresh the air while keeping your family safe from inhaling dangerous substances. Plus, there are several fragrant herbs that will make your home smell incredible. And, remember, another great, natural way to make your home smell nice without adding extra steps to your cleaning routine is by growing aromatic plants in different rooms. Herbs are a good choice, though there are also plenty of houseplants that will make your home smell amazing. If you do want to use cleaning sprays or any artificial air fresheners, make sure to use them for their intended purpose and always read the instructions carefully to ensure that you are using them safely, rather than trusting a viral video on its own.