Clean tools really are the key to a clean home, and if you don’t clean your tools regularly, you could be making your home dirtier, not cleaner! To help you clean your home more effectively and hygienically, here are some simple tips for keeping your tools clean:
Mop heads
Ideally, you’ll have a mop with a removable head that can simply be popped into the washing machine as often as required (depending on how often you use it, you might want to do this weekly or after every use), and while this may eventually ruin the mop head, you can simply replace it when needed – they’re not too expensive, after all.
If you have a sponge mop, soak the head in a bucket filled with a cup of hot water and a cup of vinegar, and leave it to soak for around thirty minutes.
Brooms
Giving your broom a good thwack against a wall outside should help get rid of a lot of the dust and dirt, alternatively, you can vacuum it for a similar effect. To give it a deep clean once a month or so, place the broom into a bucket filled with warm, soapy water for around an hour.
Vacuums
Vacuums quickly get dirty inside, and if you don’t clean the interior and the filters regularly, you could end up simply transferring dust and dirt around your home. Some vacuums come with instructions for cleaning, in which case, refer to those, for others, try to clean the dust cup, filters and brush roll without damaging them.
Sponges
The dishwasher is great for cleaning sponges, as is the microwave; pour a tablespoon of vinegar over a wet sponge and microwave it for 2 minutes. Remember to allow the sponge to cool before you take it out of the microwave, once the time is up.
Toilet Brushes
You might use bleach when scrubbing your toilet bowl with a brush, but the brush will still hold onto bacteria and grime over time, so clean it at least once a month by pouring 2 cups of bleach into your clean toilet bowl, and allowing the brush to soak in it for an hour. Then, rinse and let it air dry by wedging it between the toilet seat and the rim. Don’t forget to wash the brush holder out with bleach, too, or use a disinfecting wipe for convenience.
Microfiber Cloths
These incredible dusting tools need only be washed every week, and will go inside your washing machine, just be sure to put them on a gentle, cold-water cycle.
It might take a little extra time to clean your cleaning tools, but it’s definitely worth it to make sure your home is hygienically clean, and to prevent germs, grime and dust from being transferred around.
