Tag: care

Overuse of apologies is silly: It diminishes the force of the apologies overall …

If you’ve seen Inside Amy Schumer Season 3, then you’ll probably remember a certain skit called “I’m Sorry.” The scene involves a panel of “top innovators in their respective fields,” all of them women. The presenter makes continuous errors while introducing the panelists, but instead of acknowledging the mistakes, it’s the experts themselves who are constantly apologizing:
“Sorry, uh, it’s not child refugees, it’s actually child soldiers. Sorry, I’m so annoying.”

Why are women so sorry?

Women have a habit of apologizing for the most trivial of things. Pointing this out to them may just prompt another apology.

Boys are typically socialized from birth to see the world as their oyster … . Girls are typically raised to attune themselves first to the needs of others …

While, granted, it’s hard to track the amount of times that women apologize, research published in Psychological Science found that women did indeed apologize more than men,

“This is a reflection of gendered socialization so deeply ingrained in our culture that we often can’t see it,” she says. “Boys are typically socialized from birth to see the world as their oyster and have no reticence about claiming their power. Girls are typically raised to attune themselves first to the needs of others, to respond rather than assume their own agency, even though they are now simultaneously told they can become anything they want to be.”
Feldt noticed that this social programming is particularly problematic in the business world.
“When I was researching my bookFeldt (via International Women’s Forum), No Excuses, I found that prevailing studies attributed this to women’s lower ambition to lead in business and politics,” she says. “But the more I dug into the research, interviewed women across the country, and looked into my own heart and performance as a leader, the more I came to attribute the disparity not to lack of ambition but to women’s socialization that leads to less intention. Ambition is aspirational—having a goal, hope, or desire. Intention implies assuming you are empowered to achieve your ambition and that you take the responsibility to make it happen.”

For women to achieve those ambitions, it’s important to make conscious strides to overcome the need to apologize. Are you ready to adopt a “sorry, not sorry” attitude?
Stop apologizing, then, for these 10 things:

1. Getting Someone’s Attention

You wouldn’t answer the phone or greet someone in the street by apologizing to them. So why do so many women say “sorry” when they really mean to say, “excuse me”?

I catch myself almost every day starting sentences with ‘Sorry to bother you, but…’

This is especially common in work environments. Think about it: How many times do you apologize during your daily interactions with your coworkers?
Even Feldt has to remain mindful of not apologizing simply for being noticed or taking up attention.
“I catch myself almost every day starting sentences with ‘Sorry to bother you, but…’ and overusing the words ‘just’ or ‘a little bit’ to diminish the credibility of whatever I am saying,” she says. “I have started editing my emails as a practice to stop apologizing, unless of course there is a reason to apologize.”

She’s even had to edit the language she uses in Take The Lead’s corporate communications in order to use “simple declarative sentences that state what we believe or know in direct terms rather than deflecting to language couched in lack of certainty.”
Remember: there’s no need to apologize for getting someone’s attention. You have a right to initiate a conversation!

2. Getting Bumped Into

It sounds too bizarre to be true, but it happens. Just the other day, I apologized to a group of ducks for slipping on ice in front of them and startling them. I don’t think they appreciated my sentiment.
But seriously, if apologizing to someone else when they bump into you isn’t vocalizing a subconscious fear of taking up too much space, then what is?

3. Crying

Crying in front of someone else is an incredibly vulnerable act. And if you’re prone to Kim Kardashian cry face, then you might find yourself apologizing for subjecting the other person to a potentially uncomfortable, raw display of emotion. But as awkward as it might feel, there’s no need to apologize for anything.

Women are often stereotyped as being emotional and thus irrational. Not only is this belief massively untrue, but it further emphasizes the outdated belief that emotion is a sign of femininity and weakness.
Every human is entitled to express themselves, regardless of gender. Continuing to attach shame to displays of emotion just perpetuates those same toxic attitudes. Let people feel their feelings!

4. Being Sexually Harassed

Thanks to that fight-or-flight instinct, you never know how you’re going to react when you’re harassed. It’s horrible to freeze up. It’s even more infuriating to hear yourself suddenly apologize.
Why would a woman apologize for being harassed? This is a symptom of a culture that tells women to take responsibility for everything—even the actions of others.

Lindsey Weedston created Not Sorry Feminism as an antidote to women’s need to over apologize, something she noticed in nearly every woman she knew. She says that “our patriarchal culture teaches women to blame themselves for abuse and assault.”
She says her habit of constantly saying sorry is a result of guilt issues that are “magnified by a culture that blames women and girls for everything bad that happens to them,” otherwise known as victim blaming.
When women react to harassment by apologizing to their attacker, they’re vocalizing that the blame lies not with their attacker, but with them.

5. Not Understanding Something

Did you ever have a teacher tell you that “there are no stupid questions?” That’s just as true now as it was when you were still in school.

Not everyone learns in the same way. Maybe you need to perform a task first to really understand how it works, or maybe you need to see something written down to remember it.
Remember that apologizing for lacking knowledge you were never taught is like apologizing for not seeing the landmark in a city you’ve never traveled to. It’s not your fault, and there’s no need to be sorry about it.

6. Setting Boundaries

Setting boundaries is an area where being firm takes priority over being polite. While people should always be respectful of what you are and aren’t okay with, it’s totally not your responsibility to make sure they respect you.
If they do cross the line, don’t ever think you owe them an apologetic explanation. There’s really no need to use the word “sorry” when you tell your mother-in-law that you weren’t cool with her filling your baby’s bottle with soda instead of formula.

7. Turning Someone Down

Do you apologize when you won’t give someone your number or go on a date with them? As much as you might be afraid to hurt someone’s feelings, you aren’t under obligation to date or spend time with anyone you don’t want to.

Of course, you can still let someone down politely. A simple, “no, but thanks” is always better than, “no, I’m sorry.” If they can’t handle rejection, then that’s on them.

8. Declining an Invitation

We all know the guilt of “flaking” on a friend’s social engagement. But you don’t have to be an introvert to know that it’s a bit draining to attend every single event on your calendar. Just think about it: would you really be the best company if you spent the entire time waiting for an appropriate time to leave?
It’s okay to say no and stay in for the night. You don’t owe everyone your presence at their art show or gig. Well, maybe you shouldn’t bail on your mother’s birthday, but you get the gist.

9. Being “Basic”

Do you love pumpkin spice lattes? Is fall your favorite season? Do you think pugs are just the cutest? These might seem like pretty generic interests, but there’s a reason they’re so popular.

Pumpkin spice is delicious. Fall is beautiful. Pugs are amazing. So why are people who admit to liking these things shamed for being so, well, basic?
Apologies can often reflect embarrassment or shame. But don’t let the haters dictate your interests. Hold that pumpkin spice latte high with pride!

10. Not Being Able to “Fix” a Situation

For a long time, women have been viewed as caregivers whose main task is to keep things running smoothly. Of course, gender roles are (thankfully) a lot more diverse nowadays, and women are less likely to be limited by this outdated cliché. Sadly, they kind of still are—which means women are still feeling like they’re responsible for smoothing over anything that goes wrong.
Madeleine Burry documented her own week-long experiment to stop saying sorry. Not only did it help her become more aware of her apology habit, but it helped her realize that she often feels responsible for situations that really shouldn’t be her problem.
“Ultimately, I think I apologize a lot because I’m an accommodating person and eager to smooth over situations,” she says. “Mostly, I choose to think of that as a positive side of my personality. So I don’t apologize for being an over-apologizer, is what I’m saying. But obviously, there are times when apologizing undercuts me. So I do try to be very aware of when I apologize … ”

There’s ways to smooth over situations without taking on all the responsibility,” she adds, “which is what apologizing does in some sense.”
The next time you feel the need to apologize when something’s gone wrong, ask yourself: Am I responsible for what went wrong in the first place?

How to Say Sayonara to Sorry

Are you feeling ready to take a break from “sorry”? Great! But…what’s the alternative? What can be done to address this habit?
“It’s been pointed out to me that the goal shouldn’t be to never be sorry,” says Weedston. “Another aspect of our patriarchal culture is that women are expected to solve all the problems that men created that harm us. Should women apologize less, or should men apologize more? Men are taught that nothing they do is their fault, and it’s easy to find men that are extremely reluctant to apologize for anything, ever.”
It’s hard to say if men should start apologizing more to balance the scale, but it’s definitely a good idea for women to reassess just how much they say “sorry” every day. So what about completely eliminating “sorry” from your vocabulary altogether?
Burry thinks this method is a tad over the top.
“Sounds like a super-rude society to me!” she says. “Overuse of apologies is silly: It diminishes the force of the apologies overall … . … We’re in a moment, culturally, … of men apologizing to women for actions from the past, and I think that has a value, even if it’s not a solution to the problem.”

Weedston agrees that there’s definitely a time and a place for a genuine apology.
“There have also been times where I have said things that harmed people I have privilege over, and it was very important that I be sorry for that,” she says. “I still think that women need to work on not apologizing for speaking up.”
If you want to revolutionize the way you communicate and move away from your “sorry” addiction, think about how you can replace the word with something more appropriate.
Artist Yao Xiao has a suggestion: instead of “sorry,” say “thank you.” Like, “thank you for being patient” instead of, “sorry I’m always late.” By doing this, you remove yourself from this subconscious guilt complex and shift the focus to how appreciative you are of the other person’s efforts. Not to mention you’re kind of complementing them at the same time.
As one of Xiao’s comics says: “Don’t apologize for simply existing. Because it is not wrong.”

Since preschool we’ve been taught that sharing is caring, and it’s true. If you share your crayons and glue with your neighbor, the world will be a better place.

1. Toothbrush

It’s something we rarely do, but every now and then a situation arises that calls for a shared toothbrush.
Just about everyone is grossed out by it, and rightfully so.

A study found that 1 in 10 people had shared a toothbrush.

A review of case studies published by Nursing Study and Practice shows that toothbrushes retain a large amount of bacteria after each use. Toothbrushes can carry bacteria and viruses, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and the herpes simplex virus.

2. Hair Brushes and Combs

When you were a kid, you parents might have taught you not to share brushes, because that’s how you get lice. Well, newsflash: Lice aren’t just for children. Adults are equally susceptible to the little invaders.

3. Keyboards and Mice

Let’s keep this one simple: You shouldn’t let anyone use your computer.
A 2016 study found that keyboards have 20,000 times more bacteria than a toilet bowl, and mice contain 45,000 times more than the flush handle.

4. Phones

Now you have an excuse not to share your phone, either.

Cell phones do tend to get pretty gross.

According to PhoneSoap, a company that sells products to charge and sanitize your phone with a UV light, phones are warm due to their tech interior. We keep them even warmer by storing them in warm places, such as our pockets and purses. Warm places are breeding grounds for bacteria. Furthermore, PhoneSoap reports that 1 in 6 phones carry fecal matter, probably because we tend to bring them in the bathroom with us.

5. Towels and Shower Accessories

It’s probably best to claim your own towels, washcloths, and loofahs, too.
“These items come in contact with both your skin and water, so not only are you spreading the bacteria or infections that might be on your body, like warts, but also you are creating an environment for bacteria to grow in,” Caitlin Hoff, a health and safety investigator with ConsumerSafety.org, tells us.

6. Earbuds

We’ve all done it. We’re in a public place when a friend says, “Hey I want to show you this song. Put on my earbuds!”
You don’t have to look hard to see the gross wax build-up inside those tiny speakers, but even worse, there are bacteria.

7. Underwear and Bathing Suits

We all remember the story about how Gayle King borrowed Oprah Winfrey’s underwear during a snowstorm sleepover, and just like that they were best friends. Also note that King says Winfrey drew the line at sharing a toothbrush.
But was she already a step over the line?

8. Tweezers

If you’re just using your tweezers to pluck a few stray eyebrow hairs and your friend wants to borrow them for the same reason, it shouldn’t be too big of a deal to share.

9. Drinks and Food

This is the really sad one. Brace yourselves.

10. Makeup and Skincare Products

Alan J. Parks, MD, founder of Eastside Dermatology & Skin Care Center in Ohio, says sharing makeup is also sharing bacteria.
“Think about a foundation sponge or a makeup brush,” says Parks, who also founded DermWarehouse, a website for skin and hair products. “You put these on your face where there’s dirt, oil, and plenty of bacteria. When you share this type of product, you’re transferring that dirt, oil, and bacteria from one person to another.”

They say that blondes have more fun, but if blonde isn’t your natural color, you might be in for a lot of work to keep it up.
Truth is, maintaining golden locks isn’t easy. Repeatedly coloring or bleaching your hair can be damaging, causing it to become dry, brittle, or porous. Additionally, some environmental factors can influence the health of your hair, such as having hard water in your home.
Many women with hair that has been dyed blonde deal with brassy tones or fading of the original color over time. In an effort to make life as a blonde a bit simpler, there a many speciality products on the market. And this is how purple shampoo became a popular trend in the beauty industry.

Purple shampoo is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a bright purple shampoo that’s specifically marketed toward women who color their hair blonde. Typically, no matter the brand, these shampoos all claim to do the same thing.
They’re intended to balance the colors of blonde hair by working against fading and preventing the emergence of brassy tones.
If you’ve found yourself wondering if they work, you should know we’ve found ourselves wondering the exact some thing. We’ve heard of countless beauty products that don’t live up to the hype or can’t deliver on the bold claims they make. Is purple shampoo just one more useless product you don’t need?

Two industry experts gave us the lowdown on purple shampoo and cleared up a few other commonly asked questions about shampoo.

Does purple shampoo actually work?

Using a purple or violet shampoo may seem like a strange grooming practice, but the reason it works is as simple as looking at the color wheel. Purple and yellow are complementary colors, which means that in the right proportions, they effectively cancel each other out. Because of this, the purple or violet color of the shampoo neutralizes the undesirable brassy tones in your hair and helps to return it to a cooler blonde or platinum color.

“Not only do purple shampoos work but they belong in the haircare arsenal for most anyone with blonde, gray, or lightened hair. They’re all about neutralizing brassy tones and, particularly for blondes, help keep hair looking fresh and icy,” explains Fae Norris, licensed cosmetologist and esthetician at Neighborhood Salon in Echo Park, California.
Before you splurge on a bottle of purple shampoo, you should know that this isn’t a product everyone needs on hand. According to professional hairstylist and industry educator Michelle Farley, this is a product that is only meant for those with blonde, platinum, gray, or white hair.

“It will not make a difference on hair that is dirty blonde, light brown, or darker. If they get lighter highlights, it will tone the lighter pieces only. It will not correct a bad color job or if the hair is an unwanted orange tone. The orange is too strong to counteract the violet,” she explains.
When it comes to buying a purple shampoo, there are a few things you should know. If you’re on a drugstore budget, Norris recommends Clairol’s Shimmer Lights but warns that it can have a drying effect. Although it works well, she recommends following it up with a good conditioner. If you are able to spend a little more, Norris recommends No Yellow by Fanola.

“It’s significantly stronger and less drying than Shimmer Lights,” she says, cautioning that leaving it on too long could actually result in purple hair. (Although Farley says a wash with clarifying shampoo will solve this problem.)
No matter what brand you choose, Norris recommends you don’t shampoo with purple shampoo more than once a week.

Do I have to spend a lot on my shampoo?

The price difference between drugstore shampoos and name-brand products can be alarming.

It’s hard to know if spending that much is really necessary.
Although many will say that drugstore brands are always a bad choice if you want healthy hair, Farley says the ingredients are way more important than the brand name printed on the bottle.

In general, professional products have higher quality ingredients, which is why they are more expensive.

“These categories range so widely it is hard to say definitively. In general, professional products have higher quality ingredients, which is why they are more expensive. They are less damaging to the hair than cheap ingredients,” she explains, adding that even expensive products have been known to use cheap ingredients and that she knows of plenty of inexpensive products that are gentle on the hair.

Should you really “rinse and repeat”?

For as long as I can remember, the phrase “rinse and repeat” has been in the instructions of every shampoo I have ever bought. Is a second washing really all that necessary? The answer, like many things in the beauty world, is all about your hair type and lifestyle.
“It’s not hard to figure out why a shampoo company would have ‘rinse and repeat’ on a bottle but it’s really only necessary if there happens to be a lot of buildup. If hair starts looking dull, feeling extra dirty and greasy, or is laying flatter than usual after just a day or two, then washing twice makes sense,” explains Norris, adding that a clarifying shampoo can accomplish the same result after just one wash.
If you don’t shampoo often, rinse and repeat may be the right choice.

According to Norris, if you are only washing once a week with a sulfate-free shampoo, your hair may require a second wash before applying conditioner. This will remove buildup and allow your hair to better absorb your conditioner.

Can I skip shampoo altogether?

In the world of curly hair, skipping shampoo altogether is a fairly common practice. Instead, women with curly hair are often advised to adopt “co-washing,” or using their conditioner as their cleanser. According to Norris, shampooing less is a good practice, but conditioner can’t replace shampoo for the long term.

“I’m all for skipping shampoo if you have dry, curly hair or if you’ve gone with fashion colors. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid deep cleaning. At least once or twice a week it’s important to do a real scalp scrub, rinse, and condition. Daily brushing should also be part of the regimen as it stimulates the scalp and helps move the oil down to the drier ends,” she says.

Can I shampoo every day?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are plenty of people who insist a daily shower and shampoo is the only way they can start the day. But some say that a daily shampoo can be bad for your hair, drying it out and causing it to produce more oil. How much truth is there to this claim?

According to Norris, only certain hair can handle a daily shampoo. Fine, flat, or oily hair can benefit from daily shampoos, especially if it isn’t as voluminous as you might prefer. But daily shampooers should be certain they’re using a high-quality shampoo and following it with hydrating conditioner.
If the ends of your hair or your scalp seem to be dry, daily shampooing might not be the best habit. Instead, if a daily shower is your thing, she suggests a rinse followed by a conditioner to refresh your hair.

“The frequency of hair washing is entirely dependent on the individual’s hair type, shampoo, and lifestyle. Some of the factors at play include where someone lives and the harshness of their tap water, if they work out every day and, of course, if hair is bleached, which needs the least amount of washing. If the hair is coarse and frizzy, once a week or even just using conditioner can also be enough,” she says.
“For other hair types, simply rinsing and conditioning daily is more gentle and will refresh the hair,” says Norris.

Do I need to switch shampoos regularly?

One common piece of shampoo-related advice is that you need to switch up the brand you use on a regular basis. The idea is that your hair grows accustomed to a certain brand and that brand becomes ineffective over time. This is said to cause your hair to lack volume or to become hard to manage.
The truth is, if your favorite shampoo doesn’t seem to have the same effect it once had, buildup could actually be to blame.

“Finding the right shampoo can be a lot of trial and error. If you find one that works initially it might stop being as effective down the road. That’s usually caused by buildup. Some shampoos use animal proteins and, just like the way they can build up in our arteries, they can build up on hair. I suggest using a detox shampoo on occasion, particularly if you’ve found a product you really like,” Norris says.

Remember the good old days before Pinterest? When hacks were still called tips and if you wanted a recipe for lasagna you’d just call your grandmother? Those days are all but a distant memory now, though truth be told, it’s actually quite handy living in the age of information.

But with so many domestic lifehacks populating the internet, there’s no guarantee that every single one of them will work.

Sadly, it seems that a few homemaker blogs are more invested in making that Pinterest pin look pretty than testing out their “mind-blowing” cleaning hacks.

Afraid your Pinterest board might be nothing more than a digital scrapbook of lies? Maybe you should be. Check out these worryingly ineffective cleaning hacks and see what you might be doing wrong.

1. Microwave sponges to kill bacteria.

Your microwave might just be the handiest gadget in your entire kitchen. Did you know that microwaving water is the most energy-efficient way to boil it?

As effective as they are at reheating dinner, one thing microwaves are not great at is blasting the bacteria right out of a dirty kitchen sponge.

It’s not too much of a stretch to assume that microwaving a sponge would help to kill bacteria. After all, we make sure we heat food all the way through to kill bacteria, right?

This is what researchers thought about 10 years ago. A 2006 University of Florida study found that “two minutes of microwaving is sufficient for most sterilization.” Since then, dozens of blog posts have raved about the benefits of regularly zapping sponges.

But more recent research revealed that the average kitchen sponge actually harbors a lot more bacteria than previously thought. So much, in fact, that the kitchen is actually the most bacteria-ridden room in your house—even worse than the toilet.

Kitchen sponges are also responsible for the spread of bacteria to people and other surfaces when they’re used, thanks to the fact that they’re frequently touched and used to wipe down counters and dishes.

Although microwaving does help to kill a lot of that bacteria, this recent study found that “no method alone seemed to be able to achieve a general bacterial reduction of more than about 60%.”

The same study even showed that frequent attempts to clean sponges also increased the amount of certain bacteria, since they become more resistant to these sanitation methods over time.

Do this instead: So what exactly is the best method to clean a kitchen sponge? Considering persistent attempts to clean them can end up doing more harm than good, it’s better to simply replace them regularly—about once a week. Otherwise your kitchen may just become a breeding ground for super-resistant bacteria, putting you and your family’s health at risk.

2. Remove hair dye stains with potatoes.

The most daunting aspect of dyeing your hair with box dye is not knowing how it’s going to turn out. The second scariest part is the messy aftermath all over your bathroom.

Hair dye stains are one of the most annoying things to get rid of. The dye can wreak havoc on porcelain, especially if it happens to be porous. And if your basin is cream colored rather than white, you might feel reluctant to bust out the bleach and end up with even more discolored splotches.

A much less risky method is rubbing a slice of potato on the stain. Potatoes contain something called oxalic acid, which can naturally lift stains and even rust. But they’re no miracle solution.

First of all, yes, oxalic acid is an ingredient used in many cleaning products. But potatoes have a relatively low oxalic acid content compared with many other vegetables, such as turnips or even Brussels sprouts. So their popularity as the go-to stain removal veggie doesn’t quite add up.

Second, even the most oxalic acid–rich vegetables will have a very gentle effect on stains. This may be enough to lift temporary hair dye off your sink, but it’s not going to do much when it comes to permanent or semi-permanent dye stains.

Do this instead: There are dedicated stain-removal products that will lift even the darkest hair dye stain off your bathroom tiles. Stain removal pens use both a concentrated cleaning solution and micro-scrubbers to really lift those pesky spots.

Emma Couch is a professional cleaner who knows a thing or two about banishing stains. The 28-year-old has worked in pubs, hotels, and private homes, scrubbing away every possible mess imaginable for over five years. Before you bust out the specialty products, she says you might want to try her method first: good old elbow grease. “The best way to remove stains in a sink is some gumption, fine steel wool, and, as an old lady I once cleaned for always used to say, ‘a bit of elbow grease.'”

3. Remove rust with Coca-Cola.

Here’s the thing: Coca-Cola (or any soda, really) does have the ability to remove rust. But dousing something in Coke is far less cost effective than buying an actual rust-removal product.

Not to mention it will leave behind a sticky residue because of all that sugar. If you’re trying to steer clear of strong cleaning products, you can always try regular soda water instead. It’s just as effective as Coke, and the carbonation will help to lift the rust.

4. Use newspaper to clean glass.

For the budget or environmentally conscious, paper towels are an unnecessary expense. But using old newspapers to wipe away window cleaner isn’t exactly an effective alternative. The ink in the print can easily run when wet, leaving even more smudges on the glass.

Do this instead: Trying to cut down on waste? Microfiber window-cleaning cloths are a great substitute for paper towels. Just make sure they haven’t been washed with fabric softener first, or else you might leave a film on the glass.

5. Put lemon peels in the garbage disposal to eliminate odors.

Garbage disposals are one of the trickiest parts of a kitchen to clean. You might be tempted to stuff something down there to neutralize unwanted odors. But whatever you do, don’t use lemon rinds.

A nasty-smelling garbage disposal could be the result of a clogged drain. And if your drains are smelling bad due to buildup, it’s counterintuitive to stuff more food down there.

Do this instead: If you do insist on treating the odor, make sure to use a liquid or powder form to prevent the problem from worsening.

More importantly, have your drains inspected for clogs or use a product designed to clear them out. Treat the cause, not just the symptom!

6. Use vinegar as a disinfectant.

Vinegar is often touted as the ultimate natural cleaning agent. But is it an effective disinfectant? Not exactly.

Much like baking soda and even tea tree oil, vinegar has the ability to kill a lot of bacteria, including the flu virus. Unfortunately, it’s not capable of killing some forms of very harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella.

Do this instead: You can still use vinegar as a cleaning product. But be aware that it won’t sufficiently sterilize everything. To eliminate the presence of dangerous bacteria, always make sure to scrub your kitchenware with very hot, soapy water.

And if you’re looking for a more effective natural disinfectant, Couch says you might want to consider eucalyptus oil.

“My favorite disinfectant is eucalyptus oil,” she says. “A lot of people really aren’t aware of how good that stuff is at killing bacteria.”

7. Clean wood furniture with tea.

We all know you can’t wash your wooden furniture with just any old surface cleaner. You have to take care not to damage the wood itself.

Tea may seem like a gentle, natural way to freshen up your furniture, but it could do more harm than good. Different kinds of finish require different methods of cleaning. Black tea will stain most unpainted wood. Unless you’re going for a natural tint, put the kettle down!

Do this instead: Wooden furniture is actually very simple to clean. Just dust it down with a dry cloth regularly, as water can dampen and damage the wood.

8. Salt will stop dye from running in the wash.

There’s nothing worse than discovering your entire load of laundry has become stained by dye running off a new item of clothing. Unless you’re overly fond of wearing the same shade of baby pink, you need to protect your clothes from accidental dye disaster.

Salt has the ability to act as a natural mordant—that is, it fixes the dye and stops it from running. But throwing a cup of salt in the washing machine won’t do the trick. This is because salt is only useful for specific types of fabric and dyeing techniques.

Do this instead: Always hand-wash a new item of clothing to get rid of any excess dye that wasn’t properly “sealed” during the manufacturing process. If you find it’s still bleeding dye after the first wash, then you’re better off just sticking to hand-washing whenever you need to clean it.

The most underrated method to prevent dye from running is to follow the care instructions on each garment, especially in regard to temperature.

Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work

By now you’re probably feeling a little disillusioned by the whole “cleaning hack” thing. Fortunately, there are still plenty of tips and tricks that really do work.

Check out these effective hacks and get ready to level up your cleaning game.

1. Microwave a bowl of lemons and water to clean it.

Do you hate scrubbing away at the crusted-on food in your microwave? Good news: Now you never have to do that again! Simply cut a lemon in half, place it in a bowl of water and microwave on high for two minutes. The steam from the boiling water will loosen up all the gunk, meaning all you have to do is wipe it off with a cloth. Easy!

The lemons also make your microwave smell like citrus. It won’t last too long, but it’ll make the cleaning experience a lot easier to endure.

2. Use eucalyptus oil to remove sticker residue.

If you’re guilty of hoarding old jars, then you’ll know how hard it is to remove the residue left by the label. Lucky for us, eucalyptus oil isn’t just great at killing bacteria. It makes quick work of those labels and is actually a super versatile product.

“It’s great for so many other cleaning things,” says Couch. “Removing chewing gum from carpet, a few drops added to mopping water to help remove any stickiness from floorboards and tiles, removing stubborn labels from glass jars. And it smells so good!”

3. Soap nuts are a natural soap alternative.

Soap nuts are hailed as the magical, all-natural replacement for pretty much any cleaning product imaginable. Dishwashing liquid, floor cleaner, even shampoo!

They’re not actually a nut, but the dried outer casing of a berry. They contain naturally occurring saponin, otherwise known as soap. When combined with water, they produce bubbles and that slippery feeling that you get from regular soap. This helps to lift grime and grease.

Their all-rounder status means you get to cut down on the amount of products you use, which aligns perfectly with Couch’s motto: simplicity.

So many people tend to buy 20 different products to clean a few things at home.

“My biggest tip would be to keep things simple,” she says. “So many people tend to buy 20 different products to clean a few things at home. So many cleaning products you see on the shelves are total wastes of money. A lot of cleaners and sprays can be used for multiple purposes, and a lot of things can actually be made at home.”

As a teenager and young adult, I spent over eight years working in hotels. I started off in a full-service resort, where I did just about everything. I worked as a banquet server, pulling late nights at weddings and holiday parties. I made reservations, helped with laundry when we were busy, and eventually went on to manage the front desk at that hotel. As you might imagine, this taught me a whole lot about the ins and outs of staying in hotels.
You might be surprised to know, though, that my experience in the hospitality industry didn’t leave me terrified of staying in hotels or certain that every room is covered in germs. Instead, I learned that hotels are full of great people who really love ensuring that their guests have memorable stays.

Do a safety check.

Whether you are traveling with a friend, a gaggle of kids, or solo, safety should be one of your top priorities. Here’s the good news: the vast majority of hotel staff members care about your safety, too. Your room is set up for your safety; all you need to do is double check to make sure the appropriate safety measures are in place.

The lock in our hotel room probably has a pretty sweet backstory. pic.twitter.com/Q0u6qQXNHY

— Seth Sivak (@sjsivak) July 24, 2015

“Check to be sure you know how to use you door’s deadbolt lock, which you should always utilize when you turn in for the night,” suggests Eric Busick, general manager of The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Additionally, Busick advises you to be certain the safe in your room is working so you can confidently store any items that are especially valuable.

Inspect these commonly neglected areas.

The staff at most reputable hotels are trained to thoroughly clean every hotel room between guests. Hotels associated with an international chain, like Holiday Inn, are held to strict cleaning requirements in order to remain associated with the brand, according to an anonymous employee. Still, there is no harm in checking that everything is in tip-top shape before you get too comfortable in your room.

Wash your hands frequently, wipe down airplane/hotel room with antibacterial wipes. Don’t touch your face! #TravelSkills

— Natalie DiScala (@nataliediscala) November 4, 2016

“Although you probably won’t spend the majority of your time watching TV during your trip, make sure you disinfect the TV remote before your downtime,” Statt says. “One investigation by Rossen Reports looked into the top hotel chains and found that the remotes were the dirtiest item in hotel rooms, making it a prime way to spread infectious diseases.”

Check for these annoying guests.

Some hotel stays can be ruined by, say, a group of obnoxious college kids staying in the room next to you, but those guests are the least of your worries. Check out the video below to learn about the six-legged creatures you should check for when you check in:

Prepare for your stay.

Whether you travel a lot or if this is your first trip in a long time, it’s a great idea to spend a few minutes preparing for a great stay.
If you plan to hit the ground running first thing in the morning, Busick suggests ordering your breakfast the night before by using your hotel’s express breakfast menu.

Breathe easy.

Although green and non-toxic cleaning products are rising in popularity in the hotel world, the industry still has a long ways to go. If you’re not certain what type of products were used to clean your hotel room, it is a good idea to take extra precautions to limit your exposure to the harsh chemicals present in many industrial cleaning products.

Speak up.

During my eight years in the hospitality industry, I was always amazed at how many guests would wait to share that there were problems with their rooms until they were leaving. If you’re unhappy with your room, speak up! This will allow the staff members to address the problem and fix it right away.