Avoid unnecessary damage to these household items by learning what to clean them with instead.
EDMUND BARR
Very few things around the house wont benefit from a scrub down with basic soap and water.
However, there are a few things that will suffer if they come in contact with the cleaning agent.
Credit:EDMUND BARR
Its important to know which household items shouldnt be cleaned with soap so that keep them in top condition.
Anything Made of Wood
Anything made from woodincluding wood furniture andhardwood floorsshould never be cleaned using soap.
Prefer a DIY wood cleaner?
Try mixing equal partsolive oil, denatured alcohol, gum turpentine, andlemon juice.
Meanwhile,utensils like wooden spoons can be cleanedwith all kinds of pantry staples, fromhydrogen peroxidetowhite vinegar.
Stick to designated leather cleaners, such as saddle soap, to protect your prized pieces whenever possible.
Linens
Barring an emergency, always uselaundry detergentrather than soap when washing articles of clothing.
Detergent is designed to be gentle on fabric, whereas soap is harsher and can ruin the fibers.
The same rule applies to bedding, includingsleeping bags, which contain a water-resistant coating that soap will strip.
Instead, simply clean flat painted surfaces with a dampened sponge.
Small Appliances
6.
The Oven
You should skip using soap on two large kitchen appliances.
The Dishwasher
Another appliance you shouldn’t clean with soap isthe dishwasher.
To be clear, the dishwasher can be spot-cleaned with a bit of soapy water in between cycles.
But if you find yourselfout of dishwashing detergent, don’t substitute dish soap in the dispenser.
Stainless Steel
Add your oven, dishwasher, and any other stainless steel appliances to your no-soap list.
Soap tends to leavestains on stainless steel surfacesthat can dull the finish over time.
Cast Iron
Theres one punch in of cookware that should never bewashed with soap: Your cast-iron skillet.
Doing so will reverse all the hard work you put intoseasoning itbecause it will strip it all away.
Mirrors and Glass
Truth be told, dish soap is a popular ingredient in homemade glass cleaners.
(Tip: Try a similarrecipe to wash your windows!)
Electronics
Always avoid using soap and water on electronics, from screens to keyboards.
At best, soap will leave streaks and, at worst, it will permanently damage them.
stash your expensive electronics by trying these approaches to remove dirt, dust, and smudges instead:
