If your cleaning supplies aren’t clean, they won’t be able to get your house clean. For example, a dirty duster will smear around the dust and cobwebs rather than take them away. By spending a little time cleaning your cleaning supplies, you’ll get better results with less effort. Here’s what to do for a cleaner home.
How to Clean your Cleaning Supplies
Regularly cleaning your supplies helps you keep a tidy home and allows cleaning supplies to last longer. Follow these steps to clean common household cleaning supplies:
- Vacuum. Empty the vacuum bag after every use. Clean off the beater bar, which sucks up dirt and debris, by pulling off tangle hair and other obstructions. Every few months, wipe off the hoses and attachments. If you notice your vacuum cleaner is no longer working as well as it once did, it may be time to replace it.
- Brooms. Brooms benefit from an occasional washing in a bucket of hot water and liquid soap, such as dishwasher soap. Swish the broom through the soapy water, then allow it to air dry. If your broom has lost its original shape, secure a rubber band around the bristles while the broom is still wet. Once the broom is dry, remove the rubber band. To keep your broom intact, store it with the head pointing up, rather than with the head in contact with the floor.
- Mops, sponges, and rags. Mops and rags may be washed in the washing machine or by hand, if you’re unable to remove the mop head from the mop. If doing the work manually, let the rags or mop soak in a solution of hot water and dish soap to remove grime and dirt. After 15 minutes, swish the mop through the water to remove dirt. Rinse until the water runs clean, then hang to dry.
- Sponges. Sponges can be washed in the dishwasher to prolong their lifespan. Once the sponge begins to break down or looks dirty, your best bet is to dispose of it.
- Duster. While disposable dusters are designed for single-use only, other dusters should be cleaned after every use. Before cleaning, shake off the duster outside to dislodge debris. Then soak the outer head in a dish soap and hot water solution. Rinse the soap until the water runs clear, then allow your duster to air dry.
- Cleaning bucket. The workhorse of your cleaning supplies, the cleaning bucket should always be cleaned in between uses. Cleaning it with a bleach or pine oil based solution works well. Remember, never mix bleach and ammonia-based cleaning products, as this can create dangerous gases.
Get an Estimate for House Cleaning
Does house cleaning always fall to the bottom of your to-do list? It may be time to enlist professional help. Let our cleaners give your home the deep scrub it needs, then provide the maintenance and upkeep required to have a tidy, clean home. Reach out today for a custom estimate.