Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [cleaning]

Cleaning is the act or process of removing dirt and other unwanted build-up from an object with the goal of restoring it to its original state.

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Does washing hands with soap remove more germs than plain water?

As a germophobic, I almost consume a soap bar each day due to the touch of a door handle or other daily used items around the house. This is instigated due to OCD perhaps. This is unhealthy and bad for the skin (As using too much is harmful and thus…
Haider
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Against the law to spray-clean not according to label directions?

I have a bottle of Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach, marketed for sale in the United States. Its label reads, in part (and with emphasis removed): Directions for use: It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent…
msh210
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Can magnets be used to clean laundry?

According to the Magnetic Laundry site, magnets can be used instead of detergent to clean laundry! For a "scientific" explanation, their video states: These magnets work at an atomic level to lower the surface tension of the water doing naturally…
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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Does filling a clothing washing machine to the top reduce cleaning effectiveness?

Someone recently insisted that filling a washing machine to the top doesn't get clothes as clean. My washing machine has water fill levels from "Small" all the way to "Extra Large," but no corresponding lines inside the machine to indicate how high…
Hendy
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Can burning potato peels clean a chimney?

Some state, that burning dry potato skin would remove or reduce carbon black in a chimney. One can find many examples for this online: The potato peels burn at high energy and will help push the soot and creosote out of the chimney. I could not…
Jonas Stein
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Do vinegar or salt prevent the cloth colors from bleeding?

Here are the claims: Vinegar helps “set” colors and prevents build-up of detergent residue, which contributes to color fading. [...] Pour ½ cup of salt in the wash cycle to prevent the dyes in colored fabrics from bleeding. 4 Natural Ways to Keep…
Aquarius_Girl
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Are antibacterial soaps better than plain soap and water?

“Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug…
GEdgar
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Replace toothbrush every 3 to 4 months

I read from this link (http://www.ada.org/1887.aspx) It says to: Replace toothbrushes at least every 3–4 months. The bristles become frayed and worn with use and cleaning effectiveness will decrease. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly…
Jack
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Are laundry detergent and fabric softener fumes dangerous to human health?

One of my neighbors raised the topic of toxins in the dryer effluence from our buildings' laundry rooms. That's not particularly surprising, but she claimed there was evidence that the trace toxins in the air are dangerous. It sounded just…
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Is freezing jeans a substitute for cleaning them with soap and water?

It is a common household tip: Put your jeans in the freezer to freshen them up. Denim enthusiasts claim it will kill bacteria (although it won't remove stains). Is this true? Is it hygienic to forgo normal cleaning for jeans?
fredley
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Do cleaning agents in the gym stop the spread of disease?

My gym (like almost every other gym) has specific instructions that people must wipe down equipment after using it. This is in addition to the regular (daily) cleaning done by the staff. The gym provides a cleaning solution which is 3.95% hydrogen…
patstuart
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Would baking soda and vinegar clean hair, and how?

There's a popular hair cleaning regime circulating in the 'green' blogs called the "no 'poo method." Rather than using shampoo, one rinses the hair with a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water, rinses with clean water, then does the same…
Maia
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Should you wash tuna cans before opening them?

My dad told us we need to wash tuna cans before opening them because canned food (at least tuna) is imported on ships and rats really like to "take a trip" on these ships, too. They touch those cans and thus contaminate them. Do I really need to…
user12686317
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Do "Toilet Magnets" help prevent staining due to hard water build-up?

The claim is that two magnets dropped into the tank of a toilet can help prevent staining and scaling due to hard water and products such as the following are sold for this purpose: I have found at least one site that provides a "scientific…
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Can an iron + steam remove "heat stains" from a wood table?

I recently accidentally caused heat stains on our wood table by placing hot pizza boxes on it. You can see the evidence of it below.           When I googled for fixes for this I came across this website: [DIY – How To Remove White Heat Stains On…
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