After a visit from a professional house cleaning service, your home looks pristine. Do you ever wonder how they get every inch so spotless? There are a few tools of the trade that should make their way into your collection of cleaning supplies. Your space will sparkle and you’ll make the process a whole lot easier. Here are a few items that can make a big difference:
1. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths: Not only will you cut down on waste by avoiding paper towels, a microfiber cloth is a jack of all trades. It can be used with plain water to quickly wipe down surfaces. They’re even effective for dissolving greasy messes and pulling spills out of the carpet. A quality microfiber cleaning cloth is reusable and can be washed up to 300 times.
2. A Microfiber Mop: Similar to the microfiber cloths, these mops are built to last. You will use less water and cleaning solution, the floors will dry faster, and they’re much more efficient than the average mop. Because the microfibers are so tiny, they can can get into every crevice. They’re also lighter and easier to use.
3. A Cleaning Cart: A small cart can be stored in a closet between uses. Fill it up with supplies to keep them organized. Nothing wastes more time than gathering up products and tools every time you need to clean.
4. An Angled Broom with Nylon Split-Tip Bristles: The angled shape of these brooms makes sweeping corners and tight spaces quick and simple. Plus, you’ll save your back! Nylon split-tip bristles trap even fine dust, dirt, and debris while you sweep.
5. Toothbrushes: A toothbrush has endless uses, aside from just brushing teeth. Use one to clean bathroom tile, small, hard to reach spaces, shower and sliding glass door tracks, the area around drains, light switches, carpet stains, seams, corners, and more.
6. Spray Bottle: Spray bottles are inexpensive and reusable. They’re perfect for housing homemade, eco-friendly cleaning solutions, diluting cleansers for light messes, and mixing up concentrated formulas. A spray bottle can reach messes that a sponge or brush can’t. Just be sure to label them.
7. White Vinegar: Distilled white vinegar is a household green-clean solution. It can be used instead of harsh chemicals, making it a handy choice. Mix it with water and spray it on nearly any surface you want to clean, including countertops. Or use it undiluted on heavier grime, such as mildew, soap scum, calcium deposits, and grease. It also deodorizes while it cleans. Solutions using white vinegar are excellent for:
- Getting out carpet stains.
- Shining silver.
- Cleaning chrome and stainless steel.
- Unclogging drains.
- Cleaning blinds.
- Revitalizing wood paneling.
- Mopping brick floors.
- Freshening up rugs.
- Removing candle wax spills.
- Washing your microwave and dishwasher.
- Cleaning the inside of coffee makers and appliances.
- Sanitizing garbage disposals.
- Getting rid of water rings on furniture.
8. Baking Soda: Baking soda is another cleaning powerhouse. It has literally hundreds of uses. Sprinkle some to clean your refrigerator, countertops, showers, floors, sinks, and toilet. Placing an open container of baking soda in the refrigerator, cabinets, or closets is an instant deodorizer. Or scatter it on the bottom of your garbage can, the kitty litter box, the carpet before vacuuming, and any other surface that smells less than savory. Baking soda can also be used alone, with water, or as a part of a solution to:
- Remove stains on surfaces, including showers, toilet bowls, countertops, sinks, carpets, and even cutting boards.
- Buff out scuff marks.
- Get rid of burnt-on food at the bottom of pots and pans.
- Unclog drains.
- Clean glass shower doors.
- Remove soap scum and lime build-up.
- Eliminate grout.
- Revitalize stone tiles.
- Clean and deodorize the oven.
- Deodorize the garbage disposal.
- Freshen up kitchen towels and cleaning rags (simply soak them in baking soda and warm water).
- Enhance the effectiveness of your laundry detergent.
What are the cleaning products you can’t live without?