You know the drill: there's a big mess that needs cleaning up, so you head to the cupboard/laundry/bathroom and reach for your favourite cleaning product.

You pour some into a bucket or spray bottle (depending on the type of product), apply it to the surface you're trying to clean, and start scrubbing away. But for some reason, no matter how much elbow grease you put in, that stain just won't seem to come out. Sound familiar?



Well, according to one professional cleaner from Melbourne (whom many people definitely trust on these matters), there's actually a really simple reason why this might be happening – and it has everything to do with whether or not you shake your product before use…

Kacie from The Big Clean Co recently shared a TikTok video where she revealed that forgetting this crucial step is one of the main reasons why people think their cleaning products don't work properly.



This is because when ingredients settle over time (especially with natural or homemade cleaning products), they need a good shake before they are effective again. Otherwise, they just won't work as well as they should - which makes perfect sense when you think about it!

So next time you go to use something like dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner, make sure to give it a good shake first before applying it wherever needed.



Of course, there are also other things that can affect how well your cleaning products work, such as the surface you're trying to clean and the type/age of the product itself.

But if you've tried everything else and you're still not getting the results you want, then giving it a good shake before use is definitely worth a shot! After all, it takes two seconds, and it could make all the difference.



Aside from making sure they are effective, you should also make sure that you are using your homemade and store-bought cleaning products properly.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Always read the label, including the fine print

Always read and follow the label instructions to ensure the safe and effective use of any cleaning product. It is important to pay attention to the following parts of the instructions, in particular:

• What kinds of surfaces may you use the cleaner on? And what do they recommend you don't use it on?
• Is there a recommended serving size?
• How long should you apply the product? And how soon should you remove it?

A great example of not using a cleaning product properly was discussed in this article about ALDI’s $2 grout cleaner.



Do not mix cleaning products together

If you combine different types of cleaning supplies, you risk breathing in toxic fumes. And the same holds true for DIY cleaning products! For example, you shouldn't mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or vinegar because doing so will release a toxic gas.

Store your cleaning products safely

Many cleaning solutions are harmful if consumed or if they come into prolonged contact with skin or eyes, so it's important to keep them out of reach of children and pets.

To avoid any accidents, please keep the following in mind when stowing your cleaning supplies:

• Always store items in their original packaging where you can easily identify them and track their expiration dates.
• If you are going to be diluting a cleaning product or making your own cleaning products at home, labelling and dating the containers is extremely important.
• Food should never be stored in the same room as cleaning products. It's not a good idea to combine cleaning products with edible items.
• Keep your cleaning supplies in a cool, dry area of the house.

Dispose of your cleaning products properly

When you're finished with a cleaning product, make sure to properly dispose of it. Usually, any special disposal instructions will be printed directly on the label, so read it carefully before throwing anything away. You can also recycle any unused containers, but please be sure to thoroughly clean them first!

There you have it, members! Do you have any other tips or tricks that help your cleaning products work better? If so, make sure you let us know in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you.