Home Maintenance Myths That Cost You Money

Maintaining a home can feel like a full-time job, with a long list of tasks that never seems to get shorter. To make things easier, homeowners often rely on long-standing advice passed down through generations or found online. While many of these tips are helpful, some are nothing more than DIY myths that can lead to wasted time, money, and even bigger problems down the road.

This guide will expose some of the most common home maintenance myths and provide you with the correct information to manage your property effectively. By understanding the difference between fact and fiction, you can avoid costly mistakes and keep your home in top condition. We’ll explore everything from cleaning your garbage disposal to how often you should test your smoke detectors, offering practical household tips along the way.

Myth 1: Bleach Is the Best Cleaner for Everything

Many people reach for bleach as their go-to solution for tough stains and disinfection. While it’s a powerful disinfectant, it’s not suitable for every surface and can cause significant damage in certain situations. Here are a few household tips to keep in mind before you reach for the bleach.

• Porous Surfaces: On materials like wood or grout, bleach’s water component can soak deep into the surface, feeding mold and mildew instead of killing it. The chlorine remains on the surface, leaving the roots of the mold intact.
• Mixing Dangers: Never mix bleach with other cleaning agents, especially ammonia. This combination creates toxic chloramine gas, which is hazardous to your health.
• Material Damage: Bleach can corrode metals, damage certain plastics, and discolor colored fabrics and surfaces over time.

Instead of relying solely on bleach, use cleaners specifically designed for the surface you are treating. For general disinfection, a solution of vinegar and water or a store-bought disinfectant can be a safer and more effective option.

Myth 2: Lemons and Ice Cubes Sharpen Garbage Disposals

One of the most persistent DIY myths is that grinding up lemon peels and ice cubes will sharpen your garbage disposal blades. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of how garbage disposal works.

• How Disposals Work: Garbage disposals don’t have blades like a blender. Instead, they use impellers, which are blunt metal lugs that spin rapidly to pulverize food waste against a grinding ring. These impellers are not sharp and cannot be sharpened.
• What Lemons and Ice Actually Do:
  • Ice Cubes: Grinding ice can help dislodge stubborn food particles stuck to the impellers and grinding chamber.
  • Lemon Peels: The citrus oils in lemon peels can help deodorize the unit, leaving your sink smelling fresh.

While this method can clean and deodorize your disposal, it does nothing to improve its grinding performance. For a deeper clean, try using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by a hot water rinse.

Myth 3: Turning Off the AC When You Leave Saves Money

It seems logical that turning off your air conditioner when you’re not home would save energy and money. However, this practice can actually make your system work harder and increase your electricity bill.

• The Re-Cooling Effort: When you turn your AC off, your home’s interior temperature and humidity levels rise. When you return and switch it back on, the system has to run continuously for an extended period to bring the temperature back down to a comfortable level. This intense effort can consume more energy than if you had left it running at a higher temperature.
• The Smart Alternative: The most efficient approach is to use a programmable or smart thermostat.
  • Set the temperature 5-8 degrees higher when you are away.
  • Program it to begin cooling your home about 30 minutes before you are scheduled to return.

This strategy balances energy savings with comfort, preventing your AC unit from overworking.

Myth 4: You Only Need to Test Smoke Detectors Once a Year

The “change your clocks, check your batteries” reminder has led many to believe that testing smoke detectors once or twice a year is sufficient. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a more frequent testing schedule.

• Recommended Frequency: You should test your smoke detectors at least once a month. This ensures the batteries and the alarm’s internal components are functioning correctly.
• How to Test:
  • Press and hold the “test” button until the alarm sounds.
  • If it doesn’t sound, replace the batteries immediately and test again.
  • If it still fails, the entire unit needs to be replaced.

Remember that smoke detectors don’t last forever. Most models should be replaced every 10 years, regardless of how well they seem to be working.

Myth 5: Gutter Guards Eliminate the Need for Cleaning

Gutter guards are marketed as a permanent solution to clogged gutters, promising to keep leaves and debris out while letting water flow freely. While they can reduce the frequency of cleanings, they do not eliminate the need for them.

• How Debris Builds Up: Small debris like pine needles, seeds, and shingle grit can still pass through the guards and accumulate in the gutters, eventually forming sludge that causes blockages.
• Growth on Top: Moss and algae can grow on top of some gutter guards, preventing water from entering the gutters and causing them to overflow.
• The Importance of Inspection: You should still inspect your gutters at least once a year, even with guards installed. Remove any accumulated debris from both the guards and the gutters themselves to ensure they are functioning properly.

Gutter guards are a helpful tool, but they aren’t a “set it and forget it” solution for home maintenance.

Myth 6: Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy

Many people think closing air vents in unused rooms saves energy by redirecting conditioned air elsewhere. However, this common practice can actually disrupt your HVAC system’s balance and lower its efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s one of those household tips you should ignore:

• Creates Pressure Imbalance: Your HVAC system is designed to manage a specific volume of air. When you close vents, you increase the pressure inside the ductwork. This can cause air to leak from the ducts, forcing your system to work harder and use more energy.
• Risks System Damage: The added pressure strains the blower motor. Over time, this can lead to expensive repairs or even cause the entire system to fail prematurely.
• Leads to Moisture Problems: In humid areas, closing vents can trap moisture in rooms, which encourages mold and mildew growth.

For optimal performance, keep all your vents open to ensure proper airflow and system balance. If you want to manage temperatures in different areas of your home, a zoning system is a much more effective solution.

Smart Maintenance Starts with Facts

It’s important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to home maintenance. By debunking common DIY myths, you can adopt smarter practices that save time, protect your property, and keep your home running smoothly. Always rely on advice from trusted professionals and use products as intended. A little research and proactive care can go a long way in preserving your home’s value and your peace of mind.