There are a number of problems with this trend. It’s incredibly wasteful: viral videos are often created by influencers who know their audience are likely to try out the trend for themselves. Pouring half a bottle of detergent down your toilet unnecessarily means you’ll have to stock up on new products sooner. It’s also harmful for the environment: cleaning products often end up polluting bodies of water once they’ve passed through the sewage system, threatening wildlife and adding to an already overly toxic planet. And finally, mixing together a load of harmful chemicals just isn’t a good idea, especially if young children might be tempted to copy. It’s not worth the risk.

While the internet is full of great advice when it comes to cleaning your home, try to focus on reputable sources to ensure you’re keeping safe. In this article, we take a look at some of the biggest cleaning myths out there.

#1 Natural cleaning products don’t get the job done

It’s easy to see where this one comes from: advertising from detergent companies means we’re so used to the idea that unless your cleaning product is full of harsh chemicals, it just won’t work as well.

Luckily, this is a total myth: natural cleaning products absolutely can be as effective as their man-made counterparts. It all comes down to proper use. You also want to make sure you’re buying products from a company that has done their research into the best natural ingredients for cleaning products. At Colt & Willow, our products incorporate ingredients found in nature, specifically chosen for the cleaning properties — and we’re the very proud recipients of awards recognising our brand. Our all-purpose cleaner makes use of geranium leaf, for example, while our wonder scrub has pink grapefruit to thank. Not convinced of the power of Mother Nature’s ingredients? Take a look at our customers’ reviews by scrolling down on the product page… 

#2 Children shouldn't get involved in cleaning

 Absolutely not! While we definitely don’t want young children doing anything dangerous involving chemicals or sharp objects, they’re never too young to help keep the house clean. It’s a great skill to instil from a young age, and will ensure your home is always neat and tidy (well, most of the time anyway).

Children can start by putting away their toys before bed, dusting low cabinets and tables, and folding their clean clothes once they’re dry. If your little ones need a little encouragement, try turning cleaning into a game. It’s not about slogging through chores — it’s about ensuring your family home is a comfortable space where everyone can feel relaxed and happy, without worrying about stepping on an errant piece of LEGO in the hall.

For more tips about involving children in cleaning, take a look at this article in our Knowledge Base.

#3 Cleaning your home properly takes hours

Cleaning your home can feel overwhelming at times — how often have you tidied from top to bottom, only to find every surface cluttered again in the morning?

The good news is that with a little planning, you can clean your home room by room in as little as 15 minutes a day. Start by listing everything you want to get done, including all the smaller tasks that sometimes get left by the wayside. Don’t forget cleaning the inside of the fridge every once in a while, scrubbing the bathroom grout, and hoovering behind large items of furniture. Now, group tasks by type to make your life a little easier. If you’ve got other members of the household on hand to help, put your list somewhere everyone can see it, like in the kitchen or by the front door. Every time you’ve got 15 minutes to spare, pick one task from the list and get to work. It won’t feel overwhelming, but over the course of a few days, you’ll feel a remarkable difference in the cleanliness of your home.

For inspiration, take a look at this article, which lists tasks by the amount of time you’ll need to complete them. 

#4 Air freshener cleans the air in your home

This is a common myth that many people believe: again, smart advertising has something to do with it. Spritz the room with a floral air freshener, and you’d be forgiven for thinking the room is much cleaner as a result. In reality, all air freshener does is mask any bad odours in the room, meaning you're less able to smell them — but they’re still there.

At Colt & Willow, we love swapping chemical cleaning products for natural solutions, and we’ve even written a whole article about how to scent your home naturally. The best advice of all? It’s as simple as opening the windows for half an hour, and letting fresh air do the trick — no chemicals required.

If you’d like to learn more about keeping your home clean, head to our Knowledge Base here. To order some deliciously scented natural products of your own, you can take a look at all of our products here.