When it comes to keeping our homes spick and span, we often rely on a variety of cleaning products and tools to get the job done. But did you know that one common cleaning habit could be causing more harm than good? Charlotte, a professional cleaner, has taken to social media to warn us about a seemingly innocent practice that could be damaging our homes.

In a revealing TikTok slideshow, Charlotte has highlighted a mistake she's seen time and time again in her clients' homes: leaving wet cleaning cloths draped over taps to dry. While it might seem like a convenient spot for a quick dry, the reality is that the residual cleaning products on the cloths, especially bleach, can be incredibly corrosive to the metal surfaces of your taps.

Charlotte, a pro cleaner, advised not to leave wet cloths on taps to avoid damage from cleaning products like bleach. Credit: @homecleanswithcharlotte / TikTok

'I have seen many damaged taps from bleachy cloths left hanging on them,' Charlotte explains in her post. 'Bleach is very much corrosive to many surfaces, metals especially! Just because you haven't seen any damage, it doesn't mean the damage isn't being caused over time.'

But it's not just bleach that's the culprit. Other cleaning agents can also cause deterioration to the finishes on your fixtures, leading to a less than sparkling bathroom or kitchen. The solution? Charlotte advises that we should wash our cleaning cloths immediately after use. She recommends swapping them out daily to avoid cross-contamination and to maintain a high level of hygiene.

If you're not able to wash your clothes right away, or if you need to hang them to dry before their next use, Charlotte suggests alternatives to the tap. One handy solution is a sink tidy that attaches to the inside of the sink with suction cups. These can be found at home storage retailers, including Kmart, where a cloth holder that attaches to the door of the under-sink cupboard is available for just $5. Additionally, a two-pack sponge holder for $5 can serve as a drying spot for your clothes.

The frequency with which you should wash and replace your cleaning clothes depends on their use. Cloths that have been used to clean up high-risk areas, such as raw meat juices on kitchen benches, should go straight into the wash. For those that aren't as soiled, ensuring they dry fully between uses is key to preventing bacterial growth.

And for those looking to minimize bacterial buildup altogether, Charlotte suggests opting for a dish brush over a kitchen sponge. Studies have shown that dish brushes tend to harbor less bacteria due to their ability to dry more quickly.

By following these simple tips, you can protect your home fixtures from unnecessary damage and keep your cleaning tools in top condition. Remember, the tools we use to clean our homes need just as much care as the surfaces we're scrubbing. So next time you finish wiping down your counters, think twice before you hang that cloth over the tap.

Key Takeaways

• Professional cleaner Charlotte warns against leaving wet cloths on taps because of potential damage from cleaning products, particularly those containing bleach.
• She recommends that cloths should be washed after each use and swapped daily to avoid bacteria build-up.
• Alternative storage solutions for drying cloths include sink tidies and sponge holders, which can be bought from home storage shops like Kmart.
• For those looking to minimise bacteria on kitchen cleaning tools, using a dish brush is suggested as they tend to dry faster than sponges or cloths and can harbour less bacteria.

We'd love to hear from you, our Seniors Discount Club members, about your cleaning habits and any tips you might have picked up over the years. Do you have a go-to method for keeping your cleaning clothes in check? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's help each other maintain our homes without causing unintended damage.

 

[Barbara V]

I hang my wet dishcloths over the cutlery rack ,always rinsed.In the laundry over a rail would think most peple had sense to know what to do

 

[Towing]

For those who think coca cola can be used for various purposes it has been proved it causes rust on some metals.