TikTok Cleaning Trends Can Damage Homes, Experts Warn

Viral cleaning trends on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often featuring excessive water, harsh chemicals, and intense scrubbing, can cause significant damage to household surfaces and appliances, according to experts. These trends, known as #CleanTok or #Overcleaning, showcase influencers cleaning homes vigorously, sometimes involving flooding rooms with water or mixing large amounts of cleaning agents, all documented for social media with ASMR sound effects.

Experts caution that what looks good on camera is not necessarily good for the items being cleaned. Kfir Avigad, owner of D-box Trade, warns that water and wood panels are incompatible, especially with lower-quality modern wood boards. He advises against using excessive water on wood, recommending mild detergents instead and noting that improper glues can lead to swelling and material damage. Guy Natan, deputy CEO of Samgal Kitchens, echoes this, stating that prolonged exposure to water and aggressive cleaners can warp wood-based kitchen cabinets and fronts, advising gentle cleaning and immediate drying with mild soaps or window cleaner.

Porcelain surfaces, however, are generally more resilient. Bar Getanyo from Getanyo Marble states that porcelain is highly durable, easy to maintain, and resistant to large amounts of water, direct spraying, and even harsh cleaning agents like bleach and acetone. Michal Shemer Ohana from Absolute Stone and Marble explains that natural stone, while versatile, requires appropriate care. Granite is very strong, but prolonged standing water on porous stones or improper cleaning with acidic agents can damage the surface. She emphasizes using pH-neutral cleaners for natural stones like marble and travertine and avoiding high-pressure water on grout and seals.

Alisa Keiser, a chemist and science writer at the Davidson Institute of Science, stresses that no single cleaning method suits all surfaces. She highlights that excessive water is detrimental to wood, leading to furniture damage if not protected. For appliances, she warns that washing with running water without protecting electronic components can cause short circuits and destruction. Keiser also advises using specific cleaning products for appliances like washing machines to avoid damaging rubber seals and warns against mixing cleaning agents due to health risks, such as respiratory irritation from bleach fumes, recommending adherence to product instructions and using gloves.