Are these cleaning methods we’re accustomed to actually wrong?

As the Spring Festival approaches, households are starting to clean thoroughly. Every corner—such as wall corners, floors, and kitchen appliances—needs to be scrubbed clean. But did you know that some of the cleaning methods we’re accustomed to are actually incorrect? Many people think that adding a bit of disinfectant during cleaning can kill germs and make their homes even cleaner. However, disinfectants aren’t a panacea; in certain situations, you don’t even need disinfectants to achieve effective sterilization and germ removal.

Misconception 1: Add disinfectant when doing laundry or cooking. Some people believe that clothes worn on the head and used tableware, besides being dirty, also harbor bacteria, so they add disinfectant during cleaning to achieve sterilization and disinfection effects. In fact, everyday household items do not require the use of disinfectants. Instead, you can simply scald utensils, cloths, children’s toys, and other items with boiling water for about 15 to 20 minutes—this method is both simple and safe. For clothing that cannot be steamed at high temperatures, you can soak it in a medium-efficiency disinfectant such as a compound quaternary ammonium salt for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Chlorine-based disinfectants are not suitable for this purpose, as they can corrode and bleach fabrics and should therefore be avoided.

Misconception 2: Using disinfectants and air fresheners to sanitize indoor air. When a household develops unpleasant odors or the air feels stuffy, some people assume that the indoor air has been contaminated by bacteria and resort to spraying disinfectants or air fresheners to sanitize it. In general, the number of pathogenic microorganisms in most homes is limited, so there’s no need to use disinfectants. Disinfectants containing chlorine can easily irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and may even trigger allergies. As for air fresheners, they typically consist of ingredients such as ethanol, fragrances, and deionized water, which work by masking odors with pleasant scents but do not actually have any disinfectant effect.

To keep the air in your home fresh, it’s best not to use disinfectants or spray air fresheners—instead, open your windows for ventilation and promote indoor air circulation.

Misconception 3: Disinfectants are frequently used in large quantities in daily life. Whether it’s for cleaning floors, furniture, or appliances, some people always like to add disinfectants, believing that disinfection makes surfaces cleaner. In fact, this is purely a psychological effect. Unless there’s an infectious disease outbreak, there’s generally no need to use disinfectants regularly, let alone every single day. To disinfect furniture and floors, you can use a bleach solution at a concentration of 1% to 3%. Regularly wipe down tables, chairs, beds, floors, and air-conditioner filters. For straw and bamboo products—such as mats, pillows, and backrests—mix alcohol or floral water with water at a ratio of 1/3, apply the mixture to the surface, wipe it dry, and then let it air-dry. This method can effectively kill dust mites. Moreover, underwear and sandals exposed to sunlight for 3 to 6 hours can also meet general disinfection requirements.