Cleaning Hacks That Actually Don’t Work (And Some That Weirdly Do)
We tested them so you don’t have to.
There’s something hypnotic about cleaning hacks on social media. Someone mixes three household items into a spray bottle, wipes once, and boom — their grout is sparkling and their life looks put-together. It's seductive. It’s satisfying. It’s also mostly nonsense.
At Ultrix, we’ve seen countless Sydney businesses try to cut corners using TikTok tips, Pinterest potions, and “eco-friendly” cleaning rituals that amount to spritzing vinegar and manifesting. So we decided to put the most popular hacks to the test — in real commercial settings across the Inner West — and separate the trendy from the truly effective.
Here’s what actually works, what doesn’t, and one thing we wish didn’t work but unfortunately… kind of slaps.
❌ 1. Lemons in the Microwave = Instant Clean?
Doesn’t work.
The internet claims that microwaving a lemon in a bowl of water loosens grime and makes it easy to wipe away. Reality? It leaves a citrusy vibe, but the baked-on food gunk still needs elbow grease. And if the bowl overflows, congratulations — now you’ve added a boiling water hazard to your staff kitchen.
✅ 2. Shaving Cream on Bathroom Mirrors
Weirdly works.
Apply shaving cream to a foggy mirror, wipe it off, and it won't fog up for days. We’ve tested it in beauty clinics and gyms — it holds up. Bonus: it makes your staff bathroom smell like aftershave, which is somehow comforting.
❌ 3. Vinegar for Everything
No.
We love a natural solution, but vinegar is not a universal cleaner. It smells like a sandwich, doesn’t actually disinfect, and can damage stone, grout, and certain tiles. Spraying vinegar everywhere is the Inner West’s version of using coconut oil to fix your life. It’s not enough. Call a professional.
✅ 4. Using a Squeegee on Carpets for Pet Hair
Wildly effective.
Don’t ask us why. A simple window squeegee drags up dog hair from carpet in a way vacuums just can’t. We tried it in a dog-friendly coworking space in Marrickville. It was disgusting. It was amazing. We use it all the time now.
❌ 5. Baking Soda Bombs in the Toilet
Visually pleasing. Practically useless.
Dropping a fizzy ball of baking soda and vinegar into the toilet looks cool. But unless you’re also scrubbing, you’re just making bubbly toilet tea. Real buildup requires real cleaner — and gloves. Sorry.
✅ 6. Dishwasher Tablets for Sink Grime
Legit.
Drop one in your stainless steel sink with boiling water. Let it soak. Wipe it down. The gunk melts. We now use this trick in hair salons and hospitality venues when we need shine fast. Just don’t use it on matte black sinks — it’s too harsh.
❌ 7. Dryer Sheets for Dusting
They smell nice. That’s it.
They push dust around like a lazy intern. Use a proper microfibre cloth or electrostatic duster. Or better yet: call us.
✅ 8. The Sock on a Broom Trick
Unhinged. But works.
Take a clean sock, stretch it over a broom, and run it under furniture. It pulls up lint, hair, and dust bunnies like a champion. One of our team members used this at a Newtown photography studio and found two USB drives, a rogue SD card, and someone's wallet.
❌ 9. Vodka for Cleaning Glass
Waste of alcohol.
Yes, it technically works. But so does glass cleaner — and that doesn’t smell like a regretful Sunday morning. Save the vodka for staff drinks. Use Windex.
✅ So… Which Hacks Can You Trust?
The ones based on chemistry, not aesthetics. If it fizzes, foams, or smells like dessert, it’s probably show over substance. If it involves basic science (heat, abrasion, solvents), it probably works. But if you’re running a business — you need more than hacks.
✅ Want Results Beyond DIY?
Ultrix Cleaning brings real-world expertise, industrial-grade gear, and actual proven techniques to commercial spaces across Sydney’s Inner West.
✔ Professional cleaners, no gimmicks
✔ Results that last longer than a TikTok
📍 Book now at www.ultrixcleaning.com — and leave the hacks to the influencers.