10 Cleaning Tips From Grandma You Should Stop Doing ASAP, According to an Expert

Grandma isn’t completely wrong here. However, we’d like to offer a modification to the process of cleaning your shower head with vinegar.

“Overnight is a bit long, and I think it may damage some high-end fixture finishes. It’s best to just scrub the head with a brush dipped in vinegar,” says Forté.

Creating a wax paper barrier between linens might sound like a good idea to prevent color from transferring. However, any exposure to high temperatures, and there’s a chance the wax could melt and transfer to your linens. If you’re concerned about color transferring, try acid-free tissue paper instead just to be safe.

The dishwasher can work wonders on a variety of surprising items. However, there are certain things that, although might technically be safe to throw in there, aren’t necessarily recommended. Forté says that as long as the vent covers aren’t uncoated aluminum, there’s no harm. “But it’s a bit gross,” she adds. Plus, the excess dust and debris could clog the dishwasher’s filter. We think it’s worth passing on this one. Sorry, grandma!

The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has tested the theory that soaking clothes in salt water or vinegar can prevent color fading. Unfortunately, the results were not in grandma’s favor. According to Forté, if your fabric color runs, it’s probably because the item was not finished properly.

In Good Housekeeping Lab tests, club soda did not work any better than plain water in removing stains from clothing. If you’re looking for the best products to remove stains, check out our Lab-tested winners.

If grandma has told you too much vacuuming can ruin your carpet, don’t worry. “Regular vacuuming removes the gritty dirt that can abrade carpet fibers and helps fluff the pile and remove dust,” says Forté.

While relying on trusty-old vinegar to unclog holes in your iron may sound like a safe bet, our cleaning experts don’t recommend it. “Putting anything other than water inside an iron or garment steamer can damage the internal parts,” says Forté.

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