7 Old-School Cleaning Rules That Are Totally Fine to Break

Over time, our cleaning techniques have become safer and more efficient. Digital Vision

Just like technology and fashion, cleaning best practices and household cleaning products change over time—thank goodness, right? Fortunately, we’re not all still hand-washing every piece of laundry. That’s not to say some tried-and-true originals aren’t still gems, but naturally, over time, our cleaning techniques and solutions have gotten safer and more efficient. So, once we know better, we can do better. Here are some antiquated cleaning rules you should feel free to break.

Then: Don’t Use Soap on Cast Iron

Now: Actually, a couple of drops of dish soap is OK! It was thought that soap would remove the seasoning on the surface, but that’s likely not true if your pan is properly seasoned.

However, while you can use soap, it’s often easier to scrub with a coarse salt to remove any gunk and grime from your cast-iron pan. Then, give the pan a quick rinse and dry it thoroughly.

Then: Always Pre-Rinse Dishes Before Loading The Dishwasher

Now: Today’s dishwashers and detergents have enough power to take care of stuck-on food messes. If you have a modern machine, you can simply scrap off any excess food before loading the machine. It’s a win-win because not pre-rinsing helps save water too.