We Tested TikTok's Hottest Cleaning Hacks — Here's the Result

Testing the Effectiveness of Unconventional Cleaning Hacks

Cleaning hacks have become a popular trend, especially on platforms like TikTok. While many of these methods seem strange at first glance, some might actually work. To find out which ones are worth trying, several individuals tested various unconventional cleaning techniques and shared their results.

Karen Tried Cleaning a Microwave With Lemon

Karen's microwave was in dire need of a deep clean, but she had never tried the lemon hack before. She sliced a lemon, added it to a glass measuring cup with boiling water, and microwaved it for five minutes. The steam helped loosen the grime, making it easier to wipe away. However, she found that after the initial five minutes, there was still some stubborn residue. She repeated the process and used an abrasive sponge for the hardest spots. Overall, she gave the lemon method a B+ because while it wasn’t as effective as vinegar, it smelled much better.

Carrie Tried Rubber Gloves to Get Rid of Pet Hair on Furniture

Carrie tested the rubber glove method for removing pet hair from her furniture. She found that using a rubber glove alone or with a light mist of water did help lift the hair, but not significantly more than just using her hands. The effectiveness seemed to depend on the fabric type. While the gloves worked, she concluded that a reusable pet hair roller might be a better investment.

Kate Used Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide on Carpet Stains

Kate tested a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide on a stubborn carpet stain. She mixed one part dish soap with two parts hydrogen peroxide and applied it directly to the stain. After wiping it up, she was surprised to see the stain disappear completely without any scrubbing. Although she noted that soap can attract dirt if left on the carpet, she considered this method useful for pre-treating stains before a full cleaning.

Megan Polished Silver With Ketchup

Megan discovered that ketchup could be used to polish silver. She coated the silver with ketchup and let it sit for 30 minutes to a few hours. After scrubbing with a toothbrush, the silver looked significantly cleaner. While the level of tarnish affected the number of rounds needed, she found the method effective for restoring the shine of her silver items.

Carrie Cleaned Baseboards With a Dryer Sheet

Carrie tested the old tip of using a dryer sheet to clean baseboards. She found that the dryer sheet effectively picked up dust and cat hair without spreading it around. However, she noted that it didn't repel future dust buildup. While the method worked well for light cleaning, she found it no better than other cleaning methods.

Karen Used Coffee Filters to Clean Glass

Karen tried using coffee filters to clean glass but found the method lacking. The small surface area of the coffee filters made them inefficient, requiring multiple filters to complete the task. She concluded that a paper towel or microfiber cloth would be a better choice.

Megan Cleaned Her Garbage Disposal With Ice

Megan tested the ice hack for cleaning her garbage disposal. She tossed a few ice cubes into the disposal and ran cold water. While the disposal made loud noises, it didn’t cause any damage. She noticed that the disposal ran faster afterward, though she couldn’t confirm if it was actually cleaner. She considered the method more effective for dislodging food chunks than for overall cleaning.

Kate Tried Cleaning Grout With Toilet Cleaner

Kate tested using toilet cleaner on her grout lines, which had turned yellow due to years of use. She found that the cleaner helped brighten the grout lines, although it was less effective around the toilet. While the results were noticeable, she acknowledged that the method wasn’t perfect.

Carrie Used Flour to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink

Carrie tested the flour method for cleaning her stainless steel sink. She followed instructions to sprinkle flour on a dry sink and buff it with a cloth. Despite her efforts, she saw no visible difference in the sink’s appearance. She concluded that the method wasn’t worth the time and effort, especially since traditional cleaning methods were more effective.

Not All Cleaning Hacks Are Created Equal

After testing a variety of unconventional cleaning hacks, it's clear that not all methods are equally effective. Some hacks, like the lemon and ketchup methods, proved to be surprisingly useful, while others, such as the coffee filter and flour methods, fell short. By experimenting with these techniques, individuals can determine which ones are worth incorporating into their cleaning routines.