No matter how clean you keep your home, your efforts could be wasted if the tools you use to clean it with, are dirty and full of dust and bacteria. Often thrown in a closet or drawer once we’re done with them, or never cleaned because we don’t think we need to make the effort (such as in the case of a dishwasher or washing machine), our cleaning regime could leave something to be desired if we’re using grubby tools and equipment.
From sponges and cloths, to your dishwasher, here’s how to keep your cleaning tools as spotlessly clean as your home:
Sponges and cloths
It’s easy to simply throw your sponge or dishcloth in the trash when they start to lose their lustre, but there’s really no need to discard them altogether (or at least not as often) when you can simply run them through the microwave for 30 seconds, or soak them in a bucketful of water and bleach for a few minutes. Washcloths can always be thrown into the washing machine on a hot wash, or washed first in hot water with a cup of white vinegar, and then again with detergent to get rid of any lingering smells.
That said, every sponge or cloth will have its lifespan, so when they start to look bedraggled and no longer fit for purpose, replace them.
Brushes
Scrubbing brushes can also be soaked in hot water and white vinegar for up to twelve hours (or overnight) to sanitize them and prevent them from spreading potentially harmful bacteria all around your kitchen or bathroom. Just make sure they’re fully dry before using them again.
Dishwasher
If you’ve never cleaned your dishwasher before, you’re guaranteed to find all manner of gunk and food debris in the drainage section, and the racks will likely benefit from a good clean, too. So, once you’ve taken the bottom rack out and removed any debris from the drain, you can simply place a cup full of white vinegar on the top rack, and run a hot water cycle. If your dishwasher is a bit smelly, sprinkle some baking soda over the bottom before running a short, hot cycle.
Washing machine
Pay attention to the rubber gaskets of your washing machine, and clean these every week to get rid of grey slimy gunk that will inevitably have begun to build up there. Remove the detergent and softener drawer and run it through the dishwasher for a thorough clean, and then run the washing machine on a hot rinse cycle with white vinegar to eliminate any odors and remove stubborn fibres or fluff.
Don’t waste the time you spend cleaning your home, by using grubby tools and equipment. Instead, clean these items regularly as detailed above, and you can keep your home as spotlessly clean as your tools; and vice versa!
