10 Cleaning Tricks That Took Longer Than Doing It Right

Some of those “quick hacks” floating around online sound like a great time-saver—but they end up being more work than just doing the thing properly. If you’ve ever tried one and regretted it halfway through, you’re not alone. Here are the ones that make a mess, waste your time, or end up doing nothing at all.

Soaking Stove Grates in a Garbage Bag

Supposedly, ammonia in a trash bag “loosens grime overnight.” In reality, you’re stuck with a smelly bag, soggy grates, and grease still stuck to the metal. Scrubbing with hot soapy water and a decent degreaser gets it done quicker—and doesn’t stink up the house.

Sprinkling Baking Soda on the Couch

It’s supposed to deodorize, but unless you vacuum every bit up perfectly (which takes forever), it leaves behind a film that makes the couch feel gritty. Using a proper upholstery spray and spot-cleaning trouble areas works way better.

Using a Toothbrush for Tile Grout

It sounds smart until you realize how tiny the surface area is. Scrubbing a whole shower with a toothbrush takes ages. A stiff-bristle grout brush with a long handle works faster and doesn’t shred your knuckles in the process.

Cleaning Blinds With a Sock

The “sock on your hand” method doesn’t work as well as it looks. It mostly pushes dust around, and you have to wash the sock constantly. A microfiber duster or vacuum attachment knocks it out in less time and less mess.

Using Vinegar on Everything

Vinegar’s great for some things, but on porous stone or rubber seals, it can actually break things down. If you’re constantly battling weird smells or film after cleaning, it might be the vinegar causing it. Use it sparingly and know where it works.

Soaking Shower Heads in Bags

Tying a vinegar bag around your shower head looks simple—but the leaks, mess, and awkward balancing act aren’t worth it. Unscrewing the shower head and soaking it in a bowl for 10 minutes works way better and doesn’t soak your floor.

Trying to Steam Clean With a Pot on the Stove

The whole “boil water and use steam to clean the kitchen” trick rarely helps unless you want to sweat while wiping. It fogs everything up but doesn’t loosen gunk the way a real steam cleaner does. Plus, it heats the house up.

Using Dryer Sheets on Baseboards

They’re supposed to repel dust, but they smear more than they clean. You’ll end up wiping twice—once with the sheet, then again with something that actually picks up the dust. A damp microfiber cloth works better and takes half the time.

Freezing Vinegar in Ice Cubes for Garbage Disposals

It’s cute in theory, but if the disposal isn’t already stinky, this does nothing. You’ll spend more time making vinegar cubes than you would by tossing a lemon slice and running hot water for 10 seconds.

Cleaning Windows With Newspaper

It used to work when newspapers were printed differently, but now? You get streaks, ink smudges, and wet paper falling apart in your hand. Microfiber cloths or squeegees are faster, cleaner, and way less frustrating.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.