We Tried 5 TikTok Cleaning Hacks in a Real Commercial Space — Here’s What Bombed
We risked our noses, mops, and sanity so you don’t have to.
TikTok is many things: chaotic, addictive, occasionally educational, and—when it comes to cleaning—absolutely full of lies.
At Ultrix, we don’t usually take advice from 19-year-olds with ring lights and no cleaning license. But in the name of science (and SEO), we decided to test five of the most viral TikTok cleaning hacks in an actual Sydney commercial space. Not a bedroom. Not a rented Airbnb. A real, functioning, paying-client kind of space.
Here’s what happened — and why you should leave cleaning to the professionals (or at least someone who knows what pH-neutral means).
Hack 1: The Vinegar Microwave Bomb
The TikTok Claim: Put a bowl of vinegar in the microwave, run it for five minutes, and it’ll steam-clean everything.
The Reality: Yes, it made things steamy. Yes, it sort of loosened gunk. But it also made the whole workspace smell like a fish-and-chip shop kitchen at closing time. One staff member gagged. Another cried.
Also: plastic microwaves and vinegar steam? Not friends.
Verdict: Works-ish. But bring a gas mask.
Hack 2: Baking Soda on Carpets “To Deodorise”
The TikTok Claim: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, wait, then vacuum. Goodbye smell.
The Reality: We tested this in a boutique retail store. The result? A powdery mess, clogged vacuum filters, and a faint odour of old cake. The scent didn’t go away — it just got confused. Also: baking soda dulls carpet fibres over time.
Verdict: More of a TikTok placebo than a real clean.
Hack 3: The Toilet Bowl Coke Flush
The TikTok Claim: Pour Coca-Cola into your toilet. Watch it “clean” the stains. Apparently, the acid in Coke does the work.
The Reality: It made things stickier. That’s it. We tested this in a client bathroom and had to explain why their toilet looked like it had hosted a soft drink tasting. And surprise: it didn’t clean anything. It just added sugar to ceramic.
Verdict: Disgusting. And possibly criminal.
Hack 4: Lemons in the Dishwasher to “Naturally Clean It”
The TikTok Claim: Put half a lemon in the dishwasher and run it to clean and freshen it.
The Reality: Tried this in a commercial kitchen’s industrial washer. The machine smelled lemony, sure. But inside? Still crusted with soap scum and grease. Lemons are for garnish, not sanitisation.
Verdict: Smells cute, cleans nothing.
Hack 5: DIY “Miracle Spray” (Vinegar + Dish Soap + Water)
The TikTok Claim: This homemade miracle spray will clean glass, benches, tiles, and your soul.
The Reality: We sprayed it on commercial windows. Streaks. Used it on tiles. Sticky. Tried it on steel. Cloudy. Basically, it’s a terrible all-purpose cleaner with an identity crisis. Not to mention: acidic vinegar + alkaline soap = neutralised effectiveness. #Science
Verdict: Great for TikTok likes. Not for actual cleaning.
What These Hacks Get Wrong
TikTok loves “one-ingredient hacks.” But commercial cleaning is chemistry, not vibes. What works in a house doesn’t cut it in a business with foot traffic, hygiene laws, and public bathrooms that have seen things.
Plus, most of these viral videos don’t account for:
✅ Surface types
✅ Proper dwell time
✅ Chemical compatibility
✅ Cross-contamination risks
And let’s be honest — most of them aren’t even tested. They’re filmed once, with one wipe, and 200k likes.
What Actually Works in Commercial Spaces?
✅ pH-balanced disinfectants
✅ Professional-grade microfibre
✅ Machines, not mason jars
✅ Actual cleaning technique (sorry, influencers)
We get why these hacks are appealing. They’re quick. Cheap. Aesthetic. But in a real business — whether you’re running a clinic, gym, or showroom — they can cost you big time.
The Ultrix Take
We’re not anti-TikTok. In fact, we love a good cleaning montage. But when it comes to serious hygiene? We don’t do “hacks.” We do systems. We do results. We clean Sydney commercial spaces like your reviews depend on it — because they do.
📲 Want Real Results, Not TikTok Tricks?
We’ll bring the real gear, the right techniques, and none of the cola. Just commercial-grade, eco-friendly, emotionally stable cleaning.
📍 Sydney & Inner West
📍 For businesses who need more than a vibe
📍 Natural products, professional tools, viral results (but, like, real)
👉 www.ultrixcleaning.com — The only hack is hiring us.