Cleaning Myths Debunked By A Chemist – Must Read!

There are so many cleaning tips out there online now, but many of them are not only wrong, they are dangerous! Today we are sharing cleaning myths debunked by a chemist, this is a must read if you do anything with cleaning, making your own cleaners, or just general housekeeping.

Top Cleaning Myths Debunked By Science

Also, be sure you are following Chemistry Cachet on Instagram. We share fun videos, tips, and stories daily.

1. “Vinegar Cleans Everything!”

Truth: Vinegar is acidic, which works great on some surfaces, but it can damage natural stone, hardwood, and sealants.

The science: Acetic acid, vinegar, has a low pH. The acidity can make it damaging to many types of surfaces including granite, marble, quartz, grout, and other natural stones. It can etch the surfaces and remove seals or finishes. Vinegar has certain cleaning purposes, but it is not an all-purpose ingredient. Read our vinegar cleaning guide here.

2. “Mixing Bleach and Vinegar Makes a Stronger Cleaner”

Truth: It actually creates toxic chlorine gas.

The science: I am shocked how many people actually do this online, but mixing chlorine bleach and vinegar is very toxic. Healthline has some detailed breakdowns of the dangers on mixing these ingredients.

3. “More Soap = Cleaner Surfaces”

Truth: Too much surfactant leaves residue that attracts dirt.

The science: Soap, like dish soap, is a surfactant. When you overuse it, it can leave a residue on surfaces actually attracting more dirt. This is why many of our homemade cleaners usually have less than ¼ cup depending on the water ratio. Our popular all-purpose cleaner, like this one, only uses 1 tbsp which is the perfect amount. 

4. “Disinfecting and Cleaning Are the Same Thing”

Truth: Cleaning removes debris; disinfecting kills microbes—but they work best in the correct order.

The science: Cleaning involves physically removing dirt and debris from a surface. It is always the first step in your cleaning routine. Disinfecting is the second step, it involves killing 99.9% of germs including bacteria or viruses. It also involves a dwell time of 5-10 minutes depending on the substance you are using. Please visit cleaning vs disinfecting for an in-depth review of these steps.

5.  “Natural Means Safer”

Truth: Some natural ingredients (like essential oils, lemon juice, vinegar) can irritate skin or damage surfaces.

Science: Like we mentioned above, things like vinegar or even essential oils, must be used on the proper surface. Even if something is natural does not make it necessarily safe for everything. It is important to follow DIY cleaning advice from an expert (like Chemistry Cachet).

6. “If It Smells Clean, It Is Clean”

Truth: Scent doesn’t necessarily mean clean. This is true with clothes and surfaces!

Science: There’s a lot of science happening behind the scenes when it comes to odors and scents. Many fragrances simply mask bad smells, while those unpleasant odors often come from bacteria molecules. That’s why it’s important to clean properly first—then focus on adding a nice scent afterward. Check out our science behind air fresheners in this post to learn more about scent mechanisms.

7. Baking Soda Removes Odors

Truth: Baking soda NEUTRALIZES some odors.

Science: Similar to the information above, baking soda is a base and can help to neutralize acidic odors from certain molecules. It does not have the ability to remove odors necessarily. This is why baking soda works great for some odors (like in the fridge), but not for all odors since it can’t eliminate all volatile compounds or the underlying sources—like bacteria or residue—that cause the smell.

Final Thoughts:

There are dozens of cleaning myths circulating online right now, but these are the top ones I have wanted to address. Our goal at Chemistry Cachet is to help you clean your home more successfully with scientifically proven methods and products. Stay tuned for another round of cleaning myths debunked!