Missed a spot! There’s one cleaning task that’s commonly neglected and forgotten, and it’s also one of the most critical—a house cleaned with dirty, germy tools really isn’t all that clean. Gearing up for spring cleaning is the perfect time to think about items that are about to get a heavy workout. Sprays and cleansers have expiration dates, but it’s those cleaning supplies without “use by” dates that really need our attention. We turned to Terry Sanderson, local franchise owner of The Maids of Cincinnati—a leading residential cleaning company—to chat about the three types of tools to review with a critical eye.
Floor tools. “These bacteria and germ magnets are easy to overlook, but they get filthy fast,” says Terry. Start with your vacuum—turn off, remove the brush, and cut away debris and hair. Wipe it with a dry towel regularly, then periodically wash it with warm water and mild detergent. Floor dusters and brooms should be taken outside and shaken off as you clean. Mop heads should be washed in your washing machine in hot water.
Cleaning brushes. So many brushes, all with a specific purpose around the house. Cleaning your brushes should be routine. “Skipping this step spreads more germs than you’re picking up,” Terry notes. Scrub them regularly with antibacterial soap and water. Then simply leave them out to air dry. A tip for toilet brushes: after use, add disinfecting cleaner to the bowl again, soaking the brush for 10 minutes. Flush to rinse and prop to let dry.
Surface wiping items. Hello, kitchen sponges, we’re looking at you. You can use the microwave trick on a non-metal sponge every day or two (soak sponge in water, nuke two minutes on high, and remove carefully). But that’s finite—be sure to replace sponges every one to two weeks! Reusable microfiber cloths should be washed often, but being gentle is key—hand-washing in warm water and line drying is best. If you use soap, washer and/or dryer, follow the label directions.
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