By Emilia Mazza For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 23:39 EDT, 19 November 2019 | Updated: 01:01 EDT, 20 November 2019

The internet is packed with hundreds of cleaning hacks - all promising to make the job at hand much easier.

However not all live up to the hype, according to Australian cleaning experts who recently examined six of the most popular online.

These include using dryer sheets to remove burnt-on grime from pans, mouthwash to sterilise a washing machine and Coke to remove limescale from the toilet bowl. 

If you're looking for an easy way to clean burnt on grime from pans, you're better off using either baking soda or dishwashing powder rather than dryer sheets (stock image)

1. Using dryer sheets to clean a burnt pan 

If you've been left with a pan covered in the remains of burnt food, you may have tried a popular trick involving a drying sheet to remove the debris.

Dryer sheets are small squares of fabric that are added to the dryer to help remove lint and to add extra softness to clothing and linen.

However, according to Lauren Smith, head of operations at Bond Cleaning, the cloths don't work as a cleaning aid for pots and pans.

'I've tested it, and it doesn't work. That's all there is to it. And really, do you want something that's made to clean your clothes to go where your food goes,' she told Domain.

Proven alternative: Sprinkle baking soda or dishwashing powder on burnt remains, leave overnight then wash.

2. Disinfecting the washing machine with mouthwash

Using mouthwash as a way to disinfectant has been revealed as ineffective by cleaning experts (stock image)

Cleaning enthusiasts looking for a simple way to disinfect the washing machine may have turned a hack involving the use of mouthwash.

The idea is you simply run half a cup of mouthwash through an empty washing machine, set to a normal rinse cycle, and this effortlessly restores your machine to a state of cleanliness.

Ms Smith debunks the effectiveness of this idea saying its unlikely you would be able to sterilise your machine using such a small amount of mouthwash.

She adds mouthwash isn't designed to offer a powerful level of cleansing as it is designed to go in your mouth.

Proven alternative: Use bleach to kill bacteria or mildew or white vinegar to dissolve soap build-up and tough mineral deposits.

3. Cleaning the toilet with Coke

Using Coke to clean the toilet became a viral sensation after people starting sharing photos online showing how they had used the fizzy drink as a cleaning solution.

The idea behind this hack is you pour a can of Coke directly into the bowl, let it settle for an hour then scrub and flush as you normally would.

Ms Smith said using Coke to clean the toilet is a waste of money as the soft drink isn't 'formulated to clean anything at all, let alone bacteria'.

Cleaning expert Lauren Smith said Coke isn't something you can use to remove unsightly stains from the bottom of the toilet bowl (stock image)

Proven alternative: Blogger Jody Allen, who writes for Stay At Home Mum, said the only way to clean limescale is to first empty the bowl, then dry it before adding an acid-based cleanser.

'[If the situation is really bad] pour a whole bottle of CLR Clear into the bowl. Allow it to sit and work its magic – preferably overnight or at least eight hours,' Jody said.

'Every so often, use the toilet brush to give it a good scrub and help the dissolving limescale to move so that the acid can get right into the scale.'

For those messy microwave users (spaghetti stains can be a nightmare to shift), halve a couple of lemons and set in a glass dish with water. Bring the water to the boil in the microwave, and leave the dish to steam in the microwave for minute before opening - this will loosen hardened particles and make it easier to scrub away stains. 

Use a rubber squeegee run the blade forcefully along sofas - the friction of the rubber will pick up the hair at once.

If you're in a rush and need a swiftly presentable bathroom, don't underestimate the power of a baby wipe. Run the wipe over all bathroom surfaces; this gives the added advantage of a pleasant subtle scent.

Cut a lemon in half and rub juice on the problem areas affected by limescale. Leave for a couple of minutes and then rinse off for shiny results.

Use a microfibre cloth and rubbing alcohol and gently push at the stain, then pour on cold water while rubbing. Before you know it, it's good as new. 

Source:  Maybelle Morgan for Mailonline.com

4. Banana peel to clean shoes 

Those wanting an alternative to shoe polish laden with chemicals may have turned to banana peel as a natural remedy.

It's understood the potassium that bananas contain has shoe-polishing capabilities.

Ms Smith said its unlikely banana peel could be used to properly clean shoes, however, it may impart a waxy finish.

Proven alternative: Writers at Foot Fitter swear by a combination of white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning leather shoes.

'Start off by diluting a cup of white vinegar with 50 per cent water. Once you have your new solution, use your cloth to buff out stains.'

Using banana peel to clean shoes isn't a proven hack, however, the peel may impart a waxy finish (stock image)

5. Clean sponges by heating them in the microwave

Placing a damp sponge in a microwave for two minutes on high heat is said to kill any nasty bacteria that might be hiding inside it.

But while it might have a small effect, it certainly won't get rid of the bacteria.

Proven alternative: A study conducted by a group of microbiologists conduced that it was more effective to replace your sponge every week or so.

6. Using lemon and baking soda to remove marks on a kitchen bench

For this hack, you should supposedly dip a half-cut lemon in baking soda and rub it onto your countertop to remove grime and stains.

To finish you simply wipe the surface with a wet sponge and dry it with a tea towel.

But sadly this will only pick up smaller stains and won't work on the vast majority of deeper marks.

However, it will increase the shine of your bench considerably.

Proven alternative: Professional organiser Robyn Amott, from Bless This Mess, told Realestate.com.au the best way to keep a stone bench clean is to wipe it down using warm soapy water.

'To leave a streak-free surface, use a clean dry cloth to dry it off; and for extra shine use a small amount of methylated spirits on a cloth.' 

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