WE all have our go-to cleaning routines, often inherited from family or picked up along the way.
But for TikTok user Angela, known as @cleanwithangelaannd, her methods are deeply rooted in her Traveller heritage – and some of them have sparked quite a debate online.
Angela has taken to TikTok to share her cleaning hacks[/caption]
Angela recently took to TikTok to share a cleaning hack that’s been passed down through her family for generations.
And it’s one that might raise a few eyebrows for those not familiar with it.
“Every single Traveller that I know washes up their kitchen with washing up liquid and bleach,” Angela revealed in her video.
She showed herself topping up her basin with the mix.
It wasn’t until she joined TikTok that Angela realised this wasn’t a universal cleaning practice.
“I knew that not everybody puts bleach into their washing up basin. Some people don’t even own a washing up basin,” she explained.
Her video has gained 977.3k views and 1,962 comments after it was shared on 4 July.
Naturally, the comments section lit up with questions and concerns about the safety of mixing bleach and washing-up liquid.
But Angela was quick to reassure her followers.
She revealed that one common question she gets asked daily is about using bleach in the washing up basin.
Angela went on to clarify that there is a “tiny bit of bleach” in the basin and “a lot of water.”
For Angela, this method isn’t just a personal preference; it’s a deeply ingrained tradition.
“My mother did it. Her mother before her did it. And every single person that I actually know does it,” she says.
Angela also noted a similar cleaning habit among another community.
Angela has revealed the products she uses to clean the dishes[/caption]
Beyond the bleach, Angela highlighted another key aspect of Traveller cleaning that goes far beyond just doing the dishes.
She explained that travellers are taught to also wipe down the walls, tables, outside the fridge, the washing machine, floor, oven and anything that needs to be done.
And the meticulous routine doesn’t stop there.
Angela also explained that she’ll always make sure a wash is on before leaving the room.
Despite the effort, Angela wouldn’t have it any other way.
One person commented on her video writing: “I actually love watching traveller cleaning videos, everyone is so stereotypical, you’re probably the cleanest people on this earth!!”
5 cleaning hacks
Say goodbye to ironing
Don’t have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor‘s Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish – simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface.
Teabags for trainers
When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours.
Remove limescale without scrubbing
When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies.
Streak-free mirrors and windows
White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant.
Make your home smell amazing
For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing.
A second added: “I love bleach,I know that travellers love to wash up with bleach.”
A third said: “I’m not a traveller but Irish bred and always been taught a little bleach in the washing bowl. I can’t wash up without it.
“And if I can’t smell bleach after a house is clean then I don’t feel clean.”
While bleach can be used to sanitise dishes, experts urge those to not do it for regular washing due to potential health risks and damage to dishware.
When using bleach, be sure to check the lapel for an EPA statement that confirms it sanitises.
Bleach is a strong chemical and can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, according to Yaya Maria’s.
It can also be harmful if ingested, even in small amounts.
Bleach can also discolour or damage certain materials and it can also corrode metal over time.
The impact of using plastic cleaning products
Laura Harnett, founder of eco cleaning brand, Seep, said: “Many people have switched to eco friendly cleaning sprays and detergents but aren’t aware that cleaning tools (such as green and yellow sponges and microfibre cloths) are made of plastic and release microplastics every time they are used.
“Microplastic is a huge concern as they are released into our water every time a plastic sponge or cloth is used to wash up or is rinsed out.
“A yellow and green plastic sponge lasts approximately one month and when you see the green part go bobbly that’s all of the microplastic coming out of it.”
- 600 million plastic household items end up in landfill every year
- 13 million tonnes of plastic lead into our oceans each year
- 1.1 million marine animals die each year as they swallow, get strangled or are suffocated by plastic
