TikTok is full of clever cleaning hacks and DIY tricks, some weirder than others. As someone who struggles to keep my kitchen clean and organized, I decided to put some of these viral TikTok cleaning tips to the test in my own home. Were these odd hacks helpful or just hype? Read on for my honest review of how well these strange TikTok kitchen cleaning hacks worked to get my space sparkling.
Using Latex Gloves for Grease-Free Oven Cleaning
One of the most popular and peculiar TikTok cleaning tips I tried was using latex gloves to easily wipe away grease and grime from my oven and stove. The hack suggests lightly coating latex disposable gloves in a cleaning product like Easy Off then slipping them on your hands. Use your latex-coated fingers to wipe down the interior oven surfaces, concentrating on built-up grease. The latex allegedly helps wipe away stubborn, baked-on food residue.
My Take: I was amazed at how well this weird hack worked! The latex gloves allowed me to get into nooks and crannies in my oven and really scrub away caked-on spills and grease drips. I was able to remove layers of grime that I hadn’t been able to tackle with regular cleaning. While it may look odd, latex-gloved oven cleaning is super effective. This is definitely a TikTok cleaning hack I’ll be using again in the future.
Blasting Burnt Baking Sheets with Dryer Heat
Burnt, stained baking sheets are a common kitchen headache. TikTok users have popularized the idea of tossing scorched baking pans into the dryer on high heat to loosen burned-on food bits. The extreme heat from the dryer can purportedly restore baking pans to a like-new condition.
**My Take: **While this tip did help remove some stubborn stains, it did not miraculously restore my baking pans. However, the heat did loosen debris enough that I could then scrub them away with steel wool. I found this hack helped as a first step but elbow grease was still required to fully refresh my sheets. One word of caution – be sure pans are completely cool before placing in the dryer to avoid a fire hazard.
Cleaning Wooden Cutting Boards with Salt
For sanitizing and removing odors from wooden cutting boards without harsh chemicals, TikTokers tout the power of plain table salt. Sprinkle salt liberally over the surface of the board and use half a lemon to scrub the salt around. The salt’s abrasiveness helps remove stuck-on food and stains, while the lemon lifts odors. Rinse clean with water when finished scrubbing.
My Take: I was impressed with how well the salt and lemon combo worked to refresh my stained, smelly wooden boards. The salt really helped scrub off dingy surface stains that plain lemon juice hadn’t touched. My boards looked brighter and smelled citrusy fresh after this treatment. I now plan to use this hack on a bi-monthly basis to keep my boards in top shape. This is a super affordable and effective cleaning shortcut.
Erasing Lime and Calcium Buildup with Coca-Cola
Mineral deposits from hard water can leave lime and calcium scale on kitchen faucets, showerheads, and stainless steel sinks. Many TikTokers advise soaking these fixtures overnight in a bowl of Coca-Cola, which purportedly dissolves mineral buildup. The acid in the soda does the tough work overnight.
My Take: I was both fascinated and disgusted by how well Coke worked to dissolve the thick lime deposits on my kitchen faucet and stainless steel sink. After a 12 hour soak, the buildup wiped away easily with no scrubbing needed. However, the soda did leave behind a sticky residue that required extra soap and water to remove. While Coke does indeed tackle hard water stains, I’m not sure the sticky aftermath is worth it.
Detoxing Cloudy Glassware with Denture Cleaner
Over time, glassware can develop a cloudy, dirty-looking film that regular washing fails to remove. TikTok has discovered that soaking glassware in denture cleaning tablets can dissolve away this grimy film for sparkling results.
My Take: This hack absolutely worked! After soaking my cloudy drinking glasses overnight in a denture tablet solution, they emerged looking crystal clear. The powerful effervescing tablets wiped away all traces of the dingy buildup that made them look permanently dirty. While it’s an odd use, denture cleaner is affordable and gets glassware squeaky clean without heavy scrubbing. I’m a total convert.
Is Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide Better for Produce Washing?
Washing fresh fruits and veggies well before eating is crucial. To really remove grime, bugs, and pesticides, TikTokers recommend using vinegar or hydrogen peroxide instead of plain water. The acidic vinegar or oxidizing peroxide solutions purportedly give produce an extra disinfecting cleansing.
My Take: I tried submerging vine-ripened tomatoes in vinegar prior to slicing one day and spraying strawberries with diluted hydrogen peroxide the next. While both solutions helped loosen and bubble away visible dirt, bugs, and debris, neither fully removed pesticides according to a produce wash test kit. For that, a dedicated produce wash product is still required. However, these solutions do have a powerful cleansing effect for surface-level washing.
Melting Away Grease with Baking Soda
TikTokers sprinkle baking soda directly on greasy stove burners, countertops, and range hoods before scrubbing with a wet sponge or cloth. The abrasive baking soda loosens cooked-on grease and oil splatters for much easier cleaning. For burned spills on the stove or in pots, apply baking soda directly and spritz with vinegar for an active fizzing effect.
My Take: Baking soda is amazing for cleaning greasy kitchen messes! It really cuts through tough oil splatters on my stove and countertops that typically resist cleaning. Combining baking soda and vinegar on burned spill areas creates a satisfying bubbly reaction that lifts grime with minimal effort. This is a super affordable hack that works wonders in a greasy kitchen. Definitely a new staple cleaning solution for me.
Freshening the Garbage Disposal with Lemon Peels
For smelly garbage disposals, TikTok recommends turning to citrus peels as a natural deodorizing solution. Simply toss leftover lemon, lime, or orange peels down the running disposal to freshen the drain with a zesty scent. Citric acid purportedly eliminates odors and purifies the drain without harsh chemical cleaners.
My Take: My garbage disposal did smell noticeably better after running a tray of used lemon halves through it. The lemony aroma lingered for several hours. However, the citrusy scent eventually faded and foul smells returned shortly. While lemon peels provide a quick freshening boost, truly disinfecting and deodorizing a garbage disposal requires more thorough cleaning on a regular basis. I don’t see citrus peels as a complete solution, but rather a helpful supplement to regular disposal cleaning.
DIY Roach-Repelling Spray
No one wants roaches in their kitchen. Many TikTokers swear by mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle to instantly kill and repel these pests. Supposedly the dish soap immobilizes them and vinegar kills them on contact. Simply spray along baseboards, under appliances, and other prime roach real estate.
My Take: I haven’t dealt with a roach problem, but decided to test this DIY spray in my kitchen nooks and crannies as a precautionary measure. The strong vinegar smell was quite apparent at first but faded relatively quickly. While the spray made my kitchen smell clean, I can’t truly vouch for its pest-repelling properties without an active roach infestation to target. If roaches did appear, I think I’d opt for a professional pest control treatment rather than relying on this alone. But it does seem a good chemical-free option to try.
Cleaning Wood Furniture with Olive Oil and Lemon
Wooden furniture gets dull, dry, and dirty over time. For an easy DIY conditioning treatment, TikTok recommends mixing equal parts olive oil and lemon juice. Lightly rub the mixture onto wood surfaces using a soft cloth, allow it to soak in for 10 minutes, then buff dry with a clean towel. The oil nourishes the wood while the lemon lifts dirt and grime.
My Take: I was nervous about putting olive oil on my finished wood coffee table, but it turned out beautifully. The oil brought back shine and vibrancy to the dull surface while the lemon removed a fine layer of dust and dirt. I made sure to completely buff off excess liquid to avoid oil stains. My coffee table looks rich and renewed. However, I’d test this method in an inconspicuous spot before applying to heirloom quality wood pieces.
Deodorizing Trash Cans with Dryer Sheets
Smelly trash cans are common, especially for households that frequently dispose of food waste. For a quick deodorizing boost between deep cleanings, TikTokers recommend tossing 2-3 dryer sheets in the bottom of trash cans before replacing the bag. The airy scent of the dryer sheets masks odors and lingers as new trash is added.
My Take: My kitchen trash can does smell much better with scented dryer sheets in the bottom under the new bag. I can still faintly detect the clean linen scent several days later. However, the effect seems to only last a week or so before odors take over again. While not a complete solution, dryer sheets are an easy weekly refresh to keep trash cans smelling cleaner between thorough scrubbings. Definitely an easy hack I’ll be repeating.
Conclusion
While some TikTok cleaning hacks struck me as odd, even off-putting at first glance, many of them proved surprisingly effective when tested. Truly, some of the most unsuspecting pantry staples and generic household items can transform into powerful cleaning tools with the right know-how. I never would have thought to clean my oven with latex gloves or deodorize my garbage disposal with citrus peels had TikTok not exposed me to these unconventional applications. While not every weird tip panned out perfectly, this experiment overall expanded my cleaning knowledge and arsenal of DIY tricks. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box when tackling dirty kitchen messes in the future!
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Cleaning Hacks
What is the weirdest TikTok kitchen cleaning hack you tried?
The weirdest TikTok cleaning hack I tried was definitely using latex gloves and oven cleaner to wipe down my oven and stove. Giving an oven a hand scrub wearing slick, chemical-coated gloves seemed odd at first but really worked!
Were there any TikTok cleaning hacks that didn’t work at all?
The TikTok hacks that didn’t work quite as advertised for me were using Coke to remove mineral deposits and dryer sheets to deodorize the trash can. While these hacks showed some promise, they only solved part of the problem rather than being total solutions.
What kitchen cleaning tools do you swear by for great results?
Some of my tried-and-true kitchen cleaning tools that I swear by are baking soda, vinegar, lemons, a good degreasing spray like Formula 409, Bar Keeper’s Friend, and a durable scrub sponge. These help me tackle most kitchen messes!
Do you use TikTok cleaning hacks anywhere else besides the kitchen?
Yes! Some of my favorite TikTok cleaning hacks I use all around my home include using denture tablets to clean cloudy shower doors, cleaning tile grout with baking soda, removing soap scum with vinegar, and wiping down surfaces with coffee filters.
What advice would you give someone who wants to test TikTok cleaning hacks?
I’d advise being open-minded and experimental when trying TikTok cleaning hacks, but also don’t get rid of your tried-and-true cleaning staples. Not every weird tip works perfectly, so have back up supplies on hand. Also, test products first in inconspicuous spots to avoid damage!
What are your top 3 favorite TikTok cleaning hacks?
My top 3 favorite TikTok cleaning hacks are using latex gloves to hand scrub my oven, dissolving cloudy shower glass with denture tablets, and mixing baking soda with vinegar to combat tough burned-on gunk. These were game-changing!