TikTok Cleaning Hacks That Aren't Worth The Hype
Since the app launched in 2016, TikTok has provided users everywhere with hours of entertainment, from cat videos and storytimes to more practical videos, like how to get a refund on your canceled flight. Some of the most helpful videos the app has brought are hacks that make cleaning easier. According to TikTok, videos with "#cleaninghacks" have more than 6 billion views combined. This might seem like an outlandish number, but with millions of cleaning hack videos, it makes a lot of sense.
If you've spent any time on TikTok, you've probably come across at least one or two cleaning hack videos, where users hope to educate viewers on how to make cleaning their home, car, and workspace much easier. Since many TikTok users want to save time and money cleaning their space, they gravitate towards these types of videos; however, some TikTok cleaning hacks just aren't worth the hype.
Cleaning your toaster using a hair dryer
TikTok user, Jessica Haizman, shared this cleaning hack on her TikTok account in 2020 that demonstrates a "quick and easy way" to clear out your toaster's crumb tray. The hack is quite simple: use a microfiber cloth to loosen the crumbs, so they fall into the crumb tray, then remove the tray to clean later. Next, take your hair dryer to blow out the remaining crumbs left inside the toaster. While this seems like a time-efficient cleaning hack, you're actually creating a bigger mess than you started with.
Because you removed the crumb tray, the only place left for the remaining crumbs to go is your countertop, which creates an additional step that this TikTok video did not disclose. Now, you're left with a countertop covered in crumbs (and we all know how difficult crumbs can be to clean up). You have to either break out your vacuum cleaner or collect all the crumbs in a cloth and hope they don't spill all over the floor.
Using baking soda to clean your mattress
When's the last time you took a good look at your mattress (and we mean a really good look)? If you can't remember, it's time you treated your mattress to a good cleaning. Sleep Foundation says you should tend to your mattress a minimum of once every six months. According to a cleaning hack video on Arm & Hammer's TikTok account, the only product you need to clean your mattress is baking soda. We hate to break it to you, but that isn't going to do the trick.
Yes, it's been said that baking soda neutralizes odors, The McGill Office of Science and Society states, but it won't give the deep cleaning your mattress needs. Instead, start by vacuuming the mattress to remove any debris, then put some cleaning solution on a cloth and remove any stains using the blotting technique. Next, you'll want to dampen a separate clean cloth with cold water and blot that same spot to remove the cleaning solution. If you're working with a stubborn stain, repeat the process as often as you need.
Baking soda can't remove stains, but it can neutralize odors lurking in your mattress. That being said, the next step is to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the mattress, then leave it for a few hours. After the allotted time is up, go ahead and vacuum up the baking soda. Be sure to repeat these steps on the other side.
Cleaning your radiator with air fresheners
Earlier this year, the TikTok account @cleanwithfaye posted a cleaning hack video showing how to clean your radiator using a can of Fabulosa Shock. The video demonstrates spraying a can of Fabulosa Shock directly into the radiator. According to @cleanwithfaye, this cleaning hack will make the rest of your home smell good, as the radiator omits the air freshener scent. Unfortunately, this cleaning method is extremely dangerous and should be avoided.
Using air fresheners and other sanitizers causes more harm than good, Which? explains. If you take a look at the safety label on the back of a Fabulosa can, you'll notice the warning against using the air freshener near heat, hot surfaces, and open flames. Fabulosa Shock and other air fresheners contain chemicals that, when used near hot surfaces or open flames, can create a fire or explosion. If you really need to clean your radiator, let it cool, then use a long-handled duster to remove dust and debris.