- Experts debunk spring cleaning hacks that could put users in danger
- Air fryer cleaning hack could risk short circuiting devices and cause fire
- Warning comes as one fire linked to a Tik Tok hack occurred in Dorset
Experts are warning against dangerous spring cleaning TikTok hacks for common household appliances, as they could cause fires and risk electric shock.
Consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, is urging consumers to avoid online trends that could put them at risk.
Brits looking to spruce up their homes this spring are turning towards videos on TikTok, which are sharing advice on how to clean common household appliances.
One hack, which has been viewed more than 43,000 times, shows a user cleaning an air fryer with a dishwasher tablet and water. The user puts the dishwasher tablet and water in the draw and runs the appliance.
“Running an air fryer with water in it can damage the appliance and potentially cause a fire due to the shorting of electrical components and risk electric shock,” Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First commented. “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to clean your appliance.”
Another hack, labelled as ‘safe’ by the user, which has been viewed 1.5 million times and amassed over 13,000 likes, shows a user cleaning a toaster in a sink with water and baking soda.
“Water should never be used to clean the inside of a toaster. It will damage the internal parts of the appliance and could cause a fire or give you an electric shock when it’s turned on,” Giuseppe Capanna adds. “Toasters should always be unplugged before they are cleaned to avoid electric shock. You can wipe down the toaster and clean out the crumb tray regularly, as this will keep your toaster working properly and prevent fire. But never use water or any sort of cleaner inside it.”
Households looking to get out into the garden to spruce up their lawn are also being warned about risky ‘hacks’ after a Facebook post by one user showed a cable reel placed inside a sweet tub in an attempt to prevent it from getting wet.
Experts are warning not only will the tub allow water to get inside, but that a cable reel that is not fully unwound can risk a build up of heat and fire.
The charity has previously issued similar warnings after a TikTok hack went viral which involved a user taping a frozen towel to their electric fan while in use, in the hope of blowing colder air throughout their home during a heat wave, risking electric shock.
The warning comes as the #cleantok hashtag on TikTok, which includes videos of users sharing cleaning hacks, surpasses 5.7 million posts, and after an air fryer caught fire after the user followed a cleaning hack on TikTok.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Electrical Safety First is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to reducing fires, injuries and deaths caused by electricity in the home. Visit electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk for more information.