April 4, 2018 by Mulberry Maids
As your cleaning supplies clean your home, they take on a lot of dirt and grim, and need to be regularly cleaned for the health of you, your family, and your home. Below is a list of 9 essential cleaning supplies and how to clean them.
1 – Brushes – Rinse brushes after each use to dislodge and food or dirt particles that are trapped inside. Do not soak the brushes, as it can harm the bristles. Let the brushes air dry before storing them to prevent mold or mildew buildup.
2 – Brooms – Clean broom bristles by running them against something hard outside, such as a patio step. Proper storage is essential to maintaining the correct shape of the bristles, so store the broom upside down or from a hook. For warped bristles, submerge the broom in warm water for up to a minute, then put a rubber band around the bristles and hang from a hook for a couple days.
3 – Duster – Shake your duster outside, or lightly knock it against an outside object like a tree or pole, to release dust.
4 – Rags – Simply wash these normally in your washing machine regularly to make sure you are wiping down your house with clean rags and towels, and most importantly not harming the environment by using disposable wipes.
5 – Sponges – Thoroughly rinse and wring out your sponges after each use, and let them air dry. Even with regular cleaning, sponges unfortunately need to be replaced often.
6 – Mops – Maintaining a clean mop is essential for clean floors in your home. Rinse your mop head in a bucket of hot water or a large wash sink after each use.
7 – Vacuum Cleaner – Use a damp rag and detergent to wipe down the vacuum and its attachments. Vacuum any attachment pieces that have soft bristles. Don’t forget to change the bag as needed or instructed by your vacuum instruction manual.
8 – Washing Machine – Washing machines see a lot of frequent use, and can have lots of harmful bacterial buildup. A simple cleaning method starts with vinegar (or can use bleach if you prefer) and baking soda. First fill the washer with water using the highest and hottest setting you have. While the washer is filling, add about a liter of vinegar to the machine. After a minute or two, add in a cup of baking soda, and leave the top open, so the water, vinegar, and baking soda can sit for an hour. While the solution is sitting, you can clean with a small brush or rag, other parts of the machine, including corners and the exterior of the machine. After about an hour, you can close the lid and finish the cycle. For a complete clean, repeat the procedure once more.
9 – Dish Washer – Like the washing machine, your dishwasher likely gets used daily. For effective cleaning, first check the drain area to make sure there is no caked on food or debris that is clogging anything. Next, fill a cup of vinegar and place it on the top rack, and run the dishwasher through on the hottest setting possible. The last step involves running the dishwasher again on the hottest setting, but this time with baking soda around the bottom of the dishwasher.