10 Overrated Cleaning Products You Don’t Need

A sparkling clean home can help create a more productive, hygienic, and healthier living environment, keeping allergens and ailments at bay. However, dislodging gunk, grime, and grease from almost all surfaces requires a lot of patience, elbow grease, and the right cleaning supplies.

Most homeowners in Perth usually search for fancy store bought cleaning products to save time and energy. In fact, marketing gimmicks lure customers to buy different cleaning products for every surface, stain and purpose. But in reality, many of these products are hyped-up, ineffective and completely unnecessary. Buying traditional glass cleaners, floor cleaners, degreasers, etc, only takes a toll on your pocket.

What’s worse? Some of these must have cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach that can do more harm than good. Excessive use can release toxic fumes, polluting indoor air quality, escalate greenhouse gas emissions and triggering allergies and asthma.

So, here is a list of 10 overrated cleaning products you can skip when preparing your cleaning caddy. We have also shared some affordable and greener alternatives to expensive household cleaners and solvents.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Store Bought Glass Cleaners

Did you know that glass cleaners available on the market contain ammonia and other VOCs? These can leave streaks behind or cause permanent damage to the fragile parts of your windows. The worst part is that the overuse of commercial glass cleaners pollutes indoor air quality or may cause skin allergies.

Better Alternative: You can prepare a super-affordable glass cleaner at home. Add equal parts of white vinegar and warm water into a spray bottle. Next, spray to clean your windows, mirrors and sills to achieve streak-free results. Professional vacate cleaning Perth experts recommend using a rubber squeegee to remove excess solvent and water to prevent unpleasant streaks.

2. Foaming Bathroom Cleaners

These products are often heeded as overrated because the form itself won’t remove stubborn stains, grime and gunk from the surface. It won’t break down dirt molecules and grime from the surface.

Here’s a Superb Substitute: Mix one part of vinegar with one part of warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing agent in a spray bottle. Spray it on the showerhead and other bathroom fixtures. Leave it for a few minutes until the acidic properties of vinegar break down soap scum and gunk. Next, gently scrub with a sponge and brush and rinse clean for a gleaming shine. It is affordable, super-effective and eco-friendly.

3. Store Bought Disinfecting Wipes

Disinfecting wipes are one of the most hyped products in the global market. They are marketed as convenient disinfecting wipes for high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, chair handles, etc. Unfortunately, they don’t disinfect or clean. In fact, they spread germs and dirt while contributing to the millions of landfill waste.

They leave behind stickiness, settling more dust and grime. What’s worse? Many disinfecting wipes contain bleach and phthalates, which may trigger your pre-existing allergies and asthma. They may even dull and discolour natural stone surfaces.

What’s the better option?

Use rubbing alcohol spray to disinfect high-tough surfaces around your home. It is safe, effective and affordable.

Many vacate cleaning Perth professionals also use steam cleaners to banish bacteria from carpets, rugs, floors, and other surfaces. This method doesn’t need harsh chemicals. Instead, hot water produces steam to dislodge gunk and kill germs without damaging the surface.

Tip: Leave rubbing alcohol for 30 seconds to a minute before wiping it away for effective results.

4. Chemically Laden Oven Cleaners or Degreasers

Have you ever checked the label before investing in fancy oven cleaners? These products are often laden with ammonia, butane, ethylene glycol, methylene chloride, etc., to lift caked-on gunk and buildup grease from your appliance. However, these toxic ingredients can lead to various health concerns, including  skin burns, eye irritation, and other chronic conditions.

What to use instead? Prepare a DIY paste with baking soda and water. Ensure you spread it inside your oven and let it sit for half an hour. Next, spray the vinegar solution and wipe down the surface. You can also use caustic soda to dislodge grease and gunk from racks. All are eco-friendly and economical options to achieve spotless kitchen appliances before your rental inspection.

5. Overhyped Toilet Bowl Tablets

These might seem convenient to working parents and busy individuals for keeping toilets clean, but they often contain hazardous chemicals, including chlorine. Overusing these tables can damage the plumbing of your toilet, leading to corrosion and clogs in the drains.

The best alternatives are baking soda and white vinegar. For effective results, you can also use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Ensure you clean your toilet regularly to prevent the buildup of brown stains and grime.

6. Stainless Steel Cleaner/Polish

Most store bought stainless steel polishes leave nasty grease marks behind, making your black appliances look dull and dingy. The greasy film can also attract more dust and grime.

What to use instead? Wipe down your stainless steel surfaces using a drop of olive oil. This will leave a natural finish without causing damage. For streaks and smudges, use dishwashing soap or castile soap.

7. Fancy Air Freshener Sprays

These are also overrated products that only mask the bad odours rather than banishing them. Another downside? They contain phthalates and synthetic fragrances that can cause respiratory disorders if used in the long run. You may also witness poor indoor air quality, triggering allergies like coughing and sneezing.

Better Alternative: You can either use baking soda to freshen up your carpets or add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a diffuser. It can do wonders in removing bad odours.

8. Floor Cleaners and Hardwood Wax

Believe it or not! Floor waxes and spray mop solutions only leave waxy residue, attracting more dirt and grime. Many even contain synthetic fragrances and VOCs that can pollute the indoor air or even cause damage to the hardwood and natural stone surfaces.

Best Option: Always use dish soap or pH-neutral floor cleaner. Castile soap is also a great alternative as it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.

9. Traditional Multi Purpose Cleaners

These products contain harsh chemicals and surfactants to remove stubborn stains and grime. Using these solvents on all surfaces, especially delicate ones can cause dullness or permanent damage.

What to Use? Prepare a homemade all purpose cleaner at home with white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, essential oil and warm water. However, do not use it on natural stone surfaces and hardwood. Use baking soda for these surfaces to prevent damage. However, never mix cleaning products, especially chemically laden ones. The duo may produce corrosive fumes, causing serious health issues.

Tip: Hire experts for a budget vacate cleaning Perth to secure hard earned bond money.

10. Fabric Freshener

You no longer need expensive and chemically laden fabric fresheners, which are not as effective as they appear in ads. If you want to freshen up your laundry, use all-natural ingredients available in your kitchen pantry. For example, replace tradtional cleaning products with vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, lemon, etc.

Don’t Buy These Overrated Cleaning Products

Wrapping up

These are the 10 most overrated household cleaning products you don’t need. Instead, opt for safer and more affordable alternatives to dislodge dirt, grime, grease and gunk to save money and the environment. Ensure you regularly clean your home to prevent the spread of germs and allergens, creating a harmonious indoor environment.