7 things that cannot be cleaned with dishwashing liquid: the cleaners’ opinion

Cast iron is believed to be one of those items that requires special care when cleaning due to the oil-based non-stick layer: it is supposed to be easy to wash with soap. Let’s start with the main thing: this is a myth, and the coating on the metal is not ordinary oil, but polymerized, and it is not so easy to damage such a protective film – soap does not definitely can’t handle that.

However, as Carlos Garcia, director of a cleaning company, explains, cast iron, after regular use of oil during cooking, acquires a new property: it gives dishes an amazing aftertaste. In order not to deprive the pans of this superpower, Carlos advises washing them in plain hot water.

“One thing you shouldn’t clean with dishwashing liquid is your coffee maker. If you’re tempted to use soap, resist it. The exception is a glass container, which can be rinsed with a stream from the tap. The product is not suitable for ‘guts’ – it will leave a fizzy mess that will spoil the taste of your cappuccino for a long time,” says professional cleaner Jessica Samson.

The restriction on the use of dishwashing liquid in this case can be circumvented by using nine percent white vinegar: add up to four cups to the reservoir, wait half an hour, start the brew cycle, then two or three more with clean water to get rid of the smell.

According to professional cleaners, quartz, granite or marble countertops are surfaces that should not be cleaned with dishwashing liquid. As Home Cleaning Service Manager Prerna Jain explains, the product often contains acids that can damage natural stone.

How do you clean items like these that can’t be washed with dishwashing liquid? Jain believes that in this case it is best to use special commercial pH-neutral products.

We ourselves can’t believe we’re writing this, but we can’t help but include cats, dogs, guinea pigs and other pets in the note. The fact is that there is still a myth spread on the Internet that dishwashing detergent does not harm them – perhaps this is due to the fact that rescuers often use it when they need to remove oil from seal skins or seabird feathers.

Can you guess what an effective remedy in such serious cases will do to an ordinary dirty dog? Of course, this will dry out the skin, and this is very important, so use a special animal shampoo. Use dish soap only as a last resort: as Portuguese water dog breeder Robin Ilchuk explains, you only need a few drops and you should wash them for at least 10 minutes.

Based on the experience of professional cleaners in cleaning with dishwashing liquid, the situation with stainless steel is not entirely clear: soap can be used, but it must first be dilute. Pour water into a bowl, add a few drops of product, then use this solution, and don’t scrub the stainless steel surface with a sponge with a generous dose of Fairy applied to it – otherwise, says the cleaning president. company, Alicia Sokolowski, everything will end up with ugly stains on the surface of the sink or your favorite pans.

Many window cleaners actually prefer dishwashing liquid and include its use in their list of professional tips for cleaning glass items. There is, however, a nuance: the pros only use soap when they can then take a garden hose and spray the glass with water – that is, when they store a panoramic window on the ground floor. ground floor of a house or store. In all other situations, the liquid will leave streaks, making it nearly impossible to completely wash it off with a bucket and rag, says Jessica Eck of the American Cleaning Institute.

How to clean objects that require special care and are made of glass? “Use either a special product for windows and mirrors or an individual solution of vinegar and distilled water. Regular tap water can be very harsh and cause staining,” says Jessica.

Also read: 9 most common mistakes when washing windows: the opinion of professional cleaners

It is not recommended to wash brass and copper items with dishwashing liquid: as the owner of the cleaning company Maffetta Kruger explains, it can contain substances that cause these metals to blacken, discolor or stain. “I recommend cleaning copper with a cloth dampened with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, and you can remove tarnish from brass by wiping it with lemon or using regular toothpaste,” says Kruger.

Car paint can withstand a lot – from spring rains to winter splashes of reagents, but you should not wash your car with dishwashing liquid: the product can spoil the protective layer that the manufacturer applied to the paint. In general, the less amateur activity the better – go to the car wash and let the professionals do the cleaning.

PS A note for the most attentive: there are seven points in the title, because animals are not objects, but members of the family. We’re sure you feel the same way about them!

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