Everday Cleaning Tools Essentials

Part 1: Everyday Cleaning Supply Essentials

If you've been in to the cleaning supplies aisle of any store lately, you'll see a dazzling array of cleaning tools to go along with your cleaning products.  If you're like me, you'll probably feel like a kid in a candy store, but beware, not all tools are created equal.  Read on to learn which tools you need and how to find the best of each type for the job.

Mops

When looking for a mop, stay away from sponge mops. While you can slop water on the floor with them, they don't pick it back up very well and once you get dirt in a sponge it's hard to wash out.  Cleaning should make things cleaner, right? Look for a mop with a removable head that is designed to be cleaned in a clothes washer --I prefer the kind with wide cloth ribbons.  Not only will this make using your mop more sanitary, it'll increase the longevity of the mop head.  I am not a fan of disposable products in general.  It's not good for the environment or the pocket book. 

That being said, a Swiffer is not a mop.  It's not even a good broom. It's a dust mop at best.  My experience is that the wet cloths will do okay on a smooth surface, but if it has any kind of texture it won't be wet enough to loosen the dirt from the surface. 

Brooms

Natural bristle brooms are best left to riding around under the pale moon.  Go with a sturdy synthetic bristle broom with an aluminum handle and it might be a couple of decades before you're buying a new broom.

Look for a dust pan designed to clip on to the broom handle so they're always put away together. My grandmother had an awesome vintage metal dust pan that I really loved, but a rubbery plastic will be more flexible and you can always throw it in the dishwasher to clean it.

Again, a Swiffer is not a broom.  It works well on fine particles, making it more of a dust mop, but doesn't do well to pick up crumbs are large pieces of dirt.  The flexible bristle of a broom make it easy to sweep dirt out from under the edges of counters that a Swiffer will leave behind..  A broom also doesn't need special cleaning clothes that you have to purchase again and again.  If you're really stuck on your Swiffer, at least consider purchasing or making reusable Swiffer clothes. If you do want a dust mop, look for one with a removable cover that can be washed.


Cleaning Cloths

I don't use sponges.  If you've ever smelled a dirty kitchen sponge, you'll understand why.  No matter how much you rinse it, it will still be dirty.  Keeping yourself in clean sponges could break the bank.  If you find you can't imagine giving up your sponges, you can sanitize a wet sponge by putting it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds.  It won't get out the dirt but it will kill the bacteria.

Instead of using disposable products like paper towels, cleaning wipes, or sponges, consider using cloth rags.  You can use old towels or t shirts.  It's not only cheaper but more environmentally friendly.  I keep a plastic tub on the dryer where I deposit the soiled clothes, then I wash them in hot water and borax once a week.

You can also use newspaper to replace paper towels.  It is good for cleaning glass, but I also use it for catching bacon grease by putting it beneath a cooling rack and laying the bacon over the top.

Scrubbing Brushes

I use a scrub brush on my dishes, another for the shower, and of course a toilet scrubber.  I recommend having a toilet scrubber that has its own holder for each toilet in your home.  It'll make it more likely that you'll clean it when it's dirty and the thought of carrying a used toilet brush around the house makes me squick.

For dishes I like a long handled scrubber that has a sharp edge for scraping.  If you have non-stick cookware you shouldn't use anything but plastic on it anyway.  I also like that you can throw it in the dishwasher to clean it.  I don't feel strongly either way about whether it's a replaceable head or all one piece, but if you buy one from a brand name you'll be more likely to find replacements in the future.

Vacuums

If you have several hundred dollars to blow, I would recommend a Dyson.  It works better than anything I've ever used and they sell replacement parts for nearly the whole unit.  If, like me, you don't have that kind of money for a vacuum, make yourself a wish list.  I got a perfectly good vacuum for $35 on sale and I like it better than other vacuums I've used for twice the price because it has a powerful motor, goes automatically from carpet to floors, and is bagless. It's also light weight which is important when you're small like I am.

Pay attention to how it is emptied because some designs are messy to empty.  If you have pets or allergies you should choose a vacuum that includes a HEPA filter as it will prevent allergens from reentering the air and you can dispose of them.  Some vacuums come with filters that are also made to be washed and reused which can reduce the cost of using it.  If you have long hair you might also consider models where it's easy to remove and clean the roller brush.