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There are many myths around household chemicals. Some claim that it is deadly, others believe that natural remedies are better at removing pollution. But is this really so? In this article, YokoSun will debunk 10 popular myths about household chemicals and figure out what exactly the misconception is.
Myth 1: Natural products are safer than household chemicals
It is believed that home remedies cause less harm to the body and the environment, and sometimes even cope better with pollution. But this is not so.
In fact, such ingredients can be even more dangerous - causing allergic reactions and skin irritation. These include, for example, vinegar and citric acid.
In addition, they are simply less effective. So, using baking soda to descale a kettle is almost pointless. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment, while acidic soda is better at dissolving scale.
Myth 2: The more foam, the better the effect
It would seem that a large amount of foam is a clear proof that the product is guaranteed to cope with dirt. Then there will definitely be an effect. But no, it doesn’t work that way.
The amount of foam does not determine the cleaning power. This is just a feature of the composition, and some effective cleaning products hardly foam at all. For example, detergents for washing machines contain substances that, on the contrary, reduce the amount of foam. This is necessary so that the machine does not break.
Myth 3: The more aggressive the product, the more effective it is
A “poisonous” product will definitely cope with pollution, so the harsher the composition of the product, the more effective it is - this is another common misconception. Let's figure out what the truth is then.
In fact, aggressive means can indeed be effective, but not always. For example, acids can damage the surface, and alkaline compounds are not always suitable for certain materials.
In addition, such ingredients can be hazardous to health. Therefore, doctors do not recommend, for example, using bleach as a universal cleaner. Chlorine-containing substances can form a film, leaving particles on the surface even after drying. Contact with them can be dangerous for children and pets.
Myth 4: Washing powder is dishwasher safe
At first glance, the operating principle of a dishwasher and washing machine is the same, then why not use laundry detergent to wash dishes? If you have been asked a similar question, know that the answer is definitely negative. Using laundry detergent in the dishwasher can be dangerous.
Firstly, the operating principles of the two machines are still different, and therefore the composition of the cleaning products is also different. Washing clothes requires deeper penetration of the active ingredients, which is why their concentration in the composition is higher. Dishwasher detergents are usually "softer" because modern machines have devices that "soften" hard water. And in the end, washing powder is poorly washed off from dishes - the chemicals will remain on its surface.
Myth 5: Gels are no different from laundry detergents
It is believed that there is no fundamental difference between gels and washing powder, they differ only in ease of use. Yes, gels are indeed more convenient to use than powder - at least they do not form lumps or cake. But there are other differences.
Gels are better suited for food stains and delicate fabrics. The thing is that gels are less aggressive than powders (nonionic versus anionic surfactants, the latter are less soluble in water).
Myth 6: Eco-friendly products are less effective
Eco-friendly products are less effective because they do not contain aggressive cleaning ingredients and do not create enough foam. If we have already figured out the foam (see Myth 2), then we need to figure out the composition of eco-products.
Usually eco-friendly products do not contain chlorine and phosphates (the latter do not decompose well, end up in wastewater and harm the environment). But instead of them, others are used, depending on the purpose of the product. In the case of bleaches, for example, these are substances that release oxygen; they cause discoloration of the pigment and remove stains just as well, and sometimes even better than aggressive agents.
There are many more myths around household chemicals. Some of them are even dangerous to health. For example, mixing different agents or substances is strictly prohibited - it will be quite difficult to predict chemical reactions without profile formation, while such experiments can lead to the release of toxic gases or even explosions.
Household chemicals have an expiration date, contrary to popular belief. Using spoiled products is not only pointless (the product loses its properties), but is also dangerous to health. You will find even more life hacks about the proper storage of such funds in this article.
Remember, it is important to trust not the prevailing stereotypes about products, but the facts - the ingredients, their purpose and experience of use.