Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.
Have you ever spent all day cleaning house only to be disappointed with the results? I have. While a targeted checklist is certainly an important component to getting everything done, the most overlooked reason your house isn’t as clean as you’d expect could all boil down to your cleaning tools. That’s right: The tools you use to clean your home could just be perpetuating the mess.
From your mop to your toilet brush, cleaning tools need to be cleaned themselves in order to do their jobs efficiently. Why go through the trouble of tending to these household essentials regularly? Aside from having a house so clean that it sparkles, your dutifully maintained cleaning tools will save you time (they’ll work faster and better) and money (you won’t have to replace them as regularly).
Vacuum
Each vacuum is different, so while there are common pointers everyone can use, your user manual will provide you with an in-depth explanation of how to thoroughly clean your vacuum cleaner. Firstly, empty your canister after each and every use so the vacuum can run faster and last longer. Once a month or so, take your vacuum cleaner apart and clean every tube and connection you can get to with a damp rag or canned air. Take scissors to the brush rollers at the bottom to cut out any hair and debris that might be trapped.
Broom
A clean broom is the first step toward clean floors. Wipe down the handle of the broom, then do your best to remove any hair or large debris stuck to the bottom. Next, submerge your broom in a bucket filled with soapy water and continue to brush out the bristles. Once it’s clean, throw out the bucket water and run hot water over the broom until the runoff is clean. Let the broom dry in the sun, if possible.
Sponges
The sponge that hangs around your kitchen sink is a notoriously dirty cleaning tool. Sponges not only collect bits of food and bacteria from scrubbing dishes, but they can also pick up an unsavory mildew smell from sitting damp for too long. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. To clean your sponge, thoroughly soak it in water then stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute. This will kill bacteria, eliminate odor and generate steam. When the minute is up, open the microwave door and let the sponge sit for a minute to cool off before removing it. While the microwave trick is an easy way to clean sponges, remember that sponges should still be replaced every month!
Toilet brush
Your toilet brush should be disinfected once a month to maintain a clean bathroom. To thoroughly clean the toilet brush, combine a full kettle of boiling water with one cup of bleach. Let the brush sit in the mixture for an hour, and in no time, you’ll have a cleaning tool that’s as good as new.
Washing machine
In the long run, tending to your washing machine means you’re also tending to your clothing. After every load, take the time to wipe down the rubber seal — water, dirt and debris can get easily trapped here. Once a month, go a step further to banish bacteria and odors by running your washer with warm water and one cup of white vinegar. Leave the door open when the empty load is done, and you’ll have fresher feeling (and smelling!) laundry. By the way, you can use this same cleaning recipe on your dishwasher!
It’s hard to believe that our trusty cleaning tools could be so dirty, but give them a good scrubbing and you’ll be amazed at how much more efficient they become.
Happy cleaning!
Bree
