Four Essential Home Care Tips for a Cleaner, Safer Living Space

Viral Cleaning Trends That Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good Social media platforms are full of cleaning hacks, trends, and product recommendations. From TikTok to Instagram, influencers regularly post new ways to clean your home faster, more effectively, or more “aesthetically.” But not all viral trends are actually helpful—and some can be dangerous or damaging to your home and health. Here are five popular cleaning trends that professionals warn against—and what you should be doing instead. 1. Faked Cleaning Videos Set Unrealistic Expectations Let’s start with the obvious: not everything you see online is real. Many “before and after” cleaning videos are staged, with grime applied just for the content. Some influencers even speed up footage or edit out crucial steps to make results seem effortless. This can lead viewers to feel frustrated or inadequate when they try the same techniques without success. Instead of chasing viral perfection, focus on achievable, consistent routines that suit your lifestyle and home environment. 2. Mixing Cleaning Products is Risky and Ineffective Mixing chemicals like bleach and ammonia—or even vinegar and bleach—can produce toxic fumes that are dangerous to inhale. TikTok is full of videos showing people combining multiple products for “super cleans,” but professional cleaners strongly advise against this. Always read labels and avoid mixing products unless you’re sure it’s safe. A single well-formulated cleaner is often more effective than a DIY chemical cocktail. 3. Mopping Floors with Ice Water? Don’t Do It One trend recommends using ice-cold water to mop floors, claiming it reduces streaking. But professionals warn that ice water can actually cause problems—especially with hardwood flooring. The cold temperature can make wood contract and, when combined with excess water, lead to warping, cracking, or fading. Use warm—not hot—water and a pH-neutral floor cleaner appropriate for your surface type. Always wring out your mop well to avoid oversaturating the floor. 4. Vinegar and Baking Soda Together—Not a Cleaning Miracle This combo has been around for decades, but while it creates an exciting fizz, it’s not the powerhouse cleaner many believe it to be. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) neutralize each other, creating mostly water and carbon dioxide. This means the individual cleaning power of each ingredient is lost. It’s better to use them separately—vinegar for cutting grease and mineral deposits, baking soda for scrubbing power. 5. Soaking Small Appliances in Water is Dangerous Perhaps the most shocking trend involves people submerging items like toasters or air fryers in water to “deep clean” them. This is extremely dangerous—not only can it ruin the appliance, but it also poses serious electrical and fire hazards. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and never fully immerse any electrical item in water. Instead, wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and use a soft brush or vacuum nozzle to clean crumbs and debris inside. Final Thoughts While cleaning trends can be entertaining and occasionally useful, it’s essential to approach them with caution. What works in a staged video might not work—or be safe—in your real-life home. Stick to tried-and-true methods, and when in doubt, consult a professional cleaner or manufacturer guidelines. Your health and the longevity of your home are worth far more than a viral hack.