Nothing cleans dishes, pots and pans, and just about any surface like a little soap and water. In fact, it’s so effective, we trust this combination for our own personal hygiene. And yet, there are several household surfaces and items that water can easily damage.

So, before you fill up that cleaning bucket or suds up the sponge, check out the several items on the “no water” list.

Wood Furniture & Flooring

The truth is, wood and water don’t mix. It’s practically the reason coasters were invented. Water can discolor and damage the finish and cause wood to crack, swell, and split. Left to sit, water can cause hardwood floors to swell and discolor over time (sealed wood being no exception). Instead, dust wood furniture regularly with a clean microfiber cloth and shine and protect it with a high-quality furniture polish or a little bit of olive oil. Sweep, vacuum, and dust hardwood floors and clean them with a specially formulated floor cleaner.

Silk

While some silk is labeled as “washable”, it still requires a little bit of TLC. Don’t be so quick to toss your “washable” silk in the washing machine. Instead, use a soft bristle brush to gently remove any surface dirt, then follow with a mild soap formulated for delicate fabrics. Test an inconspicuous area for color fastness before washing or if you’re not sure you can safely clean them at home, bring your silk and other delicate fabric garments to a dry cleaner to avoid streaks, spots, and shrinkage.

Leather

Water can leave unattractive spots on leather shoes, boots, handbags, and upholstery, and over time, can cause the leather to crack. While many claim that coconut oil, olive oil, and a variety of other home-made cleaning solutions can be used on leather, your best bet is to use a specially formulated cleanser.

Suede, Velvet, & Velour

From upholstered furniture and decorative pillows to trendy clothing and shoes, these soft, luxurious fabrics remain popular year after year. But using water to clean them can result in unsightly stains, streaks, and shrinkage. Use a soft brush to gently remove surface oil, and – depending on the item and fabric in question – an at-home dry cleaning cloth, foaming upholstery cleaner, or specially formulated suede cleaner.

Silver & Brass

Most household silver and brass items are treated with a protective lacquer or sealant that exposure to too much water over time can remove. Clean with water and protect these items with a sliver or brass polish only and buff to a shine with a soft cloth.

Musical Instruments

Whether string or brass, keep your musical instruments sounding sweet by cleaning them with specially designed cleansers. Water can discolor and damage wood-based instruments like violins, guitars, and pianos, and can remove the protective coating from saxophones, trumpets, cymbals.

Stucco, Brick & Marble

Sure, these materials may seem solid, but they are quite porous. Water can damage them, remove any protective sealant, and loosen caulking and grout. Wipe down or vacuum these materials regularly and use a soft brush to remove dirt and dust or use a specially designed cleaner to remove stains.

Light Fixtures, Electronics, & Outlets

When electricity and water come in contact, the result can be disastrous. Never use water to clean electrical equipment, light fixtures, or outlets. Unplug or turn off the power to such items, then use compressed air to blow away any dust and debris or wipe with a soft cloth.

If your home is infected with hard water, washing your body, hair, or anything else can be a struggle. So, if you’re washing your clothing or dishes more than once, needing more soap or shampoo to get clean, and so on, contact PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling today. We’ll test your water for any impurities and, if needed, recommend a high quality water softening or filtration system.