With less room for luxury and a budget for everyday shopping, it's time to reevaluate the household supplies you need. While some supplies and cleaning products are staples we've grown up with, they may not always be our best supporter when getting the toughest jobs done. It's important to use products that fit your day-to-day needs and come through on all of their promises. Here's 20 household cleaning supplies that don't always fit the bill.
View the slideshow above for the 20 worst household cleaning supplies.
Need help cleaning? Check out 30 Ways to Nix Stains with Pantry Staples and 8 Unusual Uses for Antiseptic Mouthwash.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Tags: Budget, News & Trends, Cleaning, Spring Cleaning
1. Feather Dusters
Through the decades, feather dusters have been style icons in the home passed on from generation to generation. But now the time has come to leave them behind. Many dusters inefficiently spread dust around instead of strongly grabbing it for good. Opt for vacuum duster attachments when picking up those grey bunnies.
Photo Credit: jupiter images
2. Toilet Brushes
No one can dispute the importance of keeping a fresh and clean toilet. However, the germ and bacteria materials accumulated on the brush from a dirty toilet are unhealthy to keep around your home. In many ways, toilet brushes simply transfer dangerous germs to another agent. Try out flushable disinfectant wipes or disposable eads and bleach infused contraptions.
Photo Credit: Corbis
3. Rope Mops
Traditional rope mops are some of the biggest culprits in spreading bacteria around your home. By using the same tendrils on your flooring, sometimes a floor can become more infested with millions of bacteria than before you started as it becomes soiled as soon as your cleaning begins. Use towels around the base of a stick instead.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
4. Sponges
We can't live without sponges! Right? Well, with all of the bacteria held in sponges that can even rival that of a toilet bowl, we're ready to consider alternatives. Plus, replacing a sponge made from plastic once or twice a week can also be damaging to the environment--and a budget. Try purchasing ones made from cellulose fiber or use dishclothes that can be washed and reused.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
5. Sponge Mops
The same goes for sponge mops. In addition to the bacteria they hold, sponge mops can also be an inefficient tax on getting cleaning jobs done quick fast. All the rinsing and prepping can take up time. They do get the job done but be sure to clean and replace often.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
6. "Green" Cleaners
We can't dispute how important is to go green for all of your cleaning needs. However, be sure to read labels of green cleaners carefully. While they're great for the environment and helping to remove germs, not all kill germs as efficiently as may be needed.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
7. Paper Towel
While paper towels are great for wiping up some of the worst spills, sometimes we get a little too carried away with using them. Too many paper towels hurts our little green thumb. Paper towels often get dirty or wet very easily, making them non-recyclable and good for only one use.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
8. Paper Napkins
Like their paper towel cousins, paper napkins cannot be recycled which hinder from them being as efficient as we'd like them to be. Paper napkins have a high amount of recycled fibers in them which make them useless for being recycled again. Also, they're only good for one use and contain bacteria easily.
Photo Credit: jupiter images
9. Bathroom Scrub Brushes
Always scrub your bathroom! But using stand-alone scrub brushes are the worst for back pain and discomfort especially when reaching those hard to get places. Instead, attach a wooden handle to the bathroom scrub brush and save a ton of energy.
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10. LCD Cleaner
They can be just plain expensive; especially when there are affordable alternatives that get the job done practically just as well. Water and cloth does the trick for dusting problems. Use an extra coffee filter for next time you need to dust the screen.
Photo Credit: Alamy
11. Silver Cleaner
Here's a cleaning product you can skip on while supply shopping. Aluminum foil, water, baking soda and salt create a great homemade new solution. This method skips the silver cleaner scrubbing time and allows tarnish to quickly disappear. Plus, it's totally green!
Photo Credit: jupiterimages
12. Stainless Steel Cleaner
While stainless steel is easy to clean, it does run the risk corrosion and rust. Stainless steel cleaners polish surfaces well and remove stains, but they do contain chemicals that can be risky to use on surfaces where you prepare food. Save money and use water and cloth instead.
Photo Credit: jupiterimages
13. Mold and Mildew Cleaners
Some of these cleaners can cause breathing problems and if swallowed, burn the throat. Most of these cleaners work well, but can be replaced by your everyday bleach product. Be careful of the caustic properties of these types of cleaners that may be corrosive to objects and harmful to humans. Latex dishwashing gloves are a great solution for helping to protect your skin.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
14. Too Many Laundry Products
We all want clean and fresh feeling clothes, but buying too many expensive and often similar laundry products can be the worst. Look for just one detergent that fits your needs. Fabric softener or dryer sheets? Choose one to be best buds with and you're laundry and you're wallet will be happy.
Photo Credit: Corbis/Dana Hoff
15. Wood Cleaners
The wrong wood cleaners can be your hardwood floor's worst enemy. Steer clear of oils, waxes or furniture sprays that can leave residues or worse--leave surfaces slippery and dangerous. Never use products that contain ammonia as they can strip your floor. Steer clear of using just water on your wood as it will leave dirt and lead to dull-appearing floors.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
16. Shower Spray
Some shower sprays can be the worst household items as they're sometimes not instant fixes. Make sure you research which ones work best for your needs and type of shower. Most are great for daily maintenance inbetween showers but don't depend on them for that big spring cleaning job up ahead.
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17. Carpet Fluffer
Splurge on your home with a carpet fluffer product, but don't worry about stocking your cleaner cabinet with one. With the right vacuum, or surprisingly even with a fork, a desired carpet look can be achieved.
Photo Credit: Alamy
18. Inefficient Brooms
Brooms are a cleaning staple but can make a cleaning chore into, well, a real chore! Bristles can get caught up with too much thread and dust over time, making it hard to quickly and easily pick up messes in just one stroke. It's hard to recover brooms once they've gone too far to the dusty side! Some jobs only a vacuum can do.
Photo Credit: jupiterimages/Alex Wilson
19. False "Green" Products
No one likes to be duped! There's no worse cleaning product than one that lies to you about its stance on the environment. Some products falsely claim to be environmentally friendly and not a risk to health. Make sure to read the labels carefully of these "greenwashing" products.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Annabelle Breakey
20. Products Inefficiently Labeled
These products put you and your family at risk. Be sure to take care of yourself and your home as regulations on certain cleaning supplies aren't very restricted. Do research, stay informed, and have a happy home!
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