5 Cleaning Product Swaps You Should Never Make
When you run out of a certain product, there's often another one that can get the job done. For example, you can use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on your laundry as a stain remover, and baking soda works great as a sink and faucet cleanser. But there are several cleaning swaps that you should never, ever make.
Related: You'll Never Believe What Your Dishwasher Can Clean (And No, It's Not Dishes)
1. All-purpose cleaner for glass cleaner
What could be the harm in this swap? Well, using an all-purpose cleaner on windows or mirrors will leave them with soapy streaks. A smart alternative would be to use something that is billed as a multi-surface cleaner.
2. Hand dish soap for automatic dishwasher detergent
We bet you're thinking: Who would be that silly? Well, it's happened. Make this exchange and you'll wind up with mountains of suds all over your kitchen floor that just won't quit. If this happens, here's what to do to break down the foam.
Related: 10 Really Dirty Things You're Forgetting To Clean
3. Stainless steel cleaner for silver polish
Use a tough stainless steel metal cleaner on your fine sterling and you risk leaving it with permanent marks. While it's safe to wash silver in the dishwasher, be sure it doesn't come in direct contact with stainless steel to prevent pitting.
4. Laundry stain remover for carpet or upholstery cleaner
Thinking about reaching for a laundry product to get a stain out of your carpet or sofa? Think again. It'll saturate the material with suds.
Related: Get Your Towels Feeling Super Soft Again
5. Bleach for rust remover
While bleach can remove lots of different types of stains from lots of surfaces, using it on rust spots will only result in permanent stains.
- By Christina Peterson, Good Housekeeping Research Institute
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