How Clean Are Your House Cleaning Tools?

How Clean Are Your House Cleaning Tools?  And How to Clean Them Guide: Cleanliness is essential to the health and well-being of your loved ones and household. And like many homeowners, you try to make good on a regular cleaning schedule. But did you know that the dirtiest items in your home might actually be your cleaning tools? From your dustiest feather duster to your grimiest mop to your germiest sponges, just because they are used for cleaning doesn’t mean they are self-cleaning. In fact, household cleaning tools can harbor dirt, grime, bacteria, debris, and odors if they are not properly cared for.

A dirty mop can redeposit dirt into your grout and onto your floors. An improperly maintained vacuum won’t be able to suck up as much dust and debris. A dirty sponge that’s been hanging out in your kitchen or bathroom for too long is probably so full of germs and bacteria that it should be tossed out. When a tool is used to clean something which can potentially lead to cross-contamination or has been used for a seriously dirty or germy job, make sure to clean and disinfect it immediately or simply throw it away after use.

Keep your tools in tip-top shape for optimum cleaning results. The better you clean and maintain your tools, the better they’ll perform for you, the longer they’ll perform, and the less money you’ll need to spend on replacements. Here are a few helpful tips on how to properly clean and maintain your household cleaning tools for the best results:

Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cleaning cloths are an invaluable cleaning tool. Designed to hold an electrostatic charge, they need to be washed gently to keep them in good condition  If they are washed with a fabric softener or a dryer sheet – both designed to reduce static cling –  the microfiber strands can become clogged and the cloth won’t dust or buff the way it used to while leaving streaks everywhere. When cleaning microfiber cloths, add laundry detergent to the wash.

For extra cleaning power, set the machine for a one-hour soak cycle, adding a cup of white vinegar to the water along with the usual amount of laundry detergent. Microfiber cloths can be washed up to 500 times but it’s best not to use them for jobs that are really dirty or greasy as there’s no way to really get oil and grease out of them.  

Regular Cleaning Towels & Cloths

Regular towels and non-microfiber cloths you use to clean and dust should also be washed frequently. Once you finish using towels in cleaning, wash them in the washing machine. Use your regular detergent and the hottest cycle your wash has. Try adding a cup of baking soda to the wash along with regular laundry detergent to brighten and deodorize the cloths. Dry them on the hottest dryer setting and dry them completely. If a towel or cloth is just too dirty after a major cleaning job, don’t bother salvaging it and toss it out.     

Feather & Wool Dusters

To clean a feather or wool duster, take it outside and give it a good smack against a wall to knock the dust loose. If you have more than just dust caught in a feather duster, fill a bucket with warm water and add a couple of drops of dishwashing soap. Dunk the feather duster in and swish it around.  Then, gently wring it out and run under warm water until the water runs clear.  Hang to dry.  When the duster is completely dry, run your hand through it a bit to fluff it up.

To clean a wool duster, spin the handle between the palms of your hand, while the duster is upside down to shake off any dust.  For a more thorough clean, wash the same as you would a feather duster. Let it air dry, then spin it upside down between your palms to restore its shape. Dusting tools should be cleaned every 3-6 months depending on the frequency of use.

Sponges

Kitchen sponges frequently contain more active bacteria than anywhere else in a house — including the toilet. Among the bacteria that can live on sponges are E. Coli and salmonella, the two big ones most people associate with food poisoning (via The New York Times). Clean and disinfect sponges for five minutes in a solution of ¾ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. You can also run sponges through the dishwasher on the normal setting, or microwave for one to two minutes.

Make sure the sponge is very wet before microwaving on high heat and don’t microwave any sponges with metallic parts or metallic scrub pads as this can cause a fire. Allow the sponge to cool off for several minutes before attempting to remove it from the microwave. As an added bonus, the steam produced by the sponge will loosen any crud stuck on the inside of your microwave and make it easier to wipe clean.

Scrub Brushes & Toilet Bowl Brushes 

Scrub brushes are the absolute go-to tools for fighting baked-on grease and gunk, but a tough grime-fighting session can leave the bristles pretty mucked up. Cleaning is critical for removing debris caught in bristles and for getting rid of bacteria and dirt. Start by wearing a pair of gloves and pick out any hair or caught debris – use an old pen or disposable chopstick for this. Fill a bucket with warm water and a cup of chlorine bleach and place your brushes in the bucked for a few minutes or so. Don’t soak your brushes for an extended period as this can weaken or dislodge bristles.

Leave brushes to dry by hanging them from a hook or leave them on an old towel to absorb excess liquid. Brushes should be thoroughly rinsed after every use and cleaned monthly. Clean and sanitize your toilet brush once a month by simply adding 2 cups of bleach into your (clean) toilet bowl, then allow the brush to sit in the bowl for a few minutes. Afterward, rinse the brush thoroughly and allow it to air-dry by propping it between your toilet seat and the rim of the toilet. Clean the brush holder by wiping it down inside and out with a disinfecting wipe.   

Broom 

Make sure you remove any debris from the broom ahead of time. Remove the broom head portion from the broomstick if it is threaded and place it in your bucket next to your brushes. Don’t let the broom soak as this can weaken the bristles. Make sure you remove any debris ahead of time.  Maintain the shape of the broom by hanging it on a wall or storing it upside down. If the bristles become splayed, submerge them in warm water for 30 seconds. Then wrap a rubber band around the bottom, and hang the broom for a day or two. When you remove the band, the form will be restored.  Clean your broom every couple of months.  

Mop Head 

Mop heads can be laundered in the hottest water you can find and then hung to dry.  Before washing, remove any debris or trapped dirt by hand. Use plain detergent and hot water.  Add a cup of baking soda if you want to give a wash boost. If you have multiple mop heads, wash each one in an old pair of pantyhose to avoid getting them tangled up. Replace the mop head when it starts to show signs of unraveling or shedding. 

If you use a flat head mop, the pads can be thrown into the washer and treated like a microfiber cloth, since that’s the material that is used. Just like microfiber clothes, don’t use any fabric softener or dryer sheets. Be sure to wash your mop head once a month and aim to replace it about every 3 months.

Vacuum

Even though there are many different vacuums on the market, there are a few good general tips on keeping your vacuum maintained that are worth mentioning here. Emptying the canister on the regular is one of them. This is not a storage container, rather it’s a temporary reservoir and should be emptied after every use. If you have a volume that uses paper bags, then empty the bag when it is full and replace it with a brand new one.  An odor coming from your vacuum is probably due to a full canister or bag, which can eventually ruin your vacuum from overheating it and clogging up the filter. 

You’ll want to wash the filter about every three months, which traps the really fine particles you’re trying to get out of the air. Remove the filter and run it under hot water. You can also clean it with a little dish soap. Rinse well, then leave it to dry for at least 24 hours –  replacing the filter wet can ruin your vacuum. Clean the beater bar and roller by using a pair of scissors to cut out any string and/or hair that’s wrapped around the rotating brushes. Wash vacuum cleaning tools and attachments with soapy water, rinse well and let dry for at least 24 hours before using them. Do this about twice a year.  

Dishwasher 

Cleaning your dishwasher a couple of times a year can help keep it working correctly. There’s a simple 3-step process that will remove food residues, grimy buildup, and anything else that may be lurking in the nooks and crannies of your dishwasher. Read more about the steps to cleaning your dishwasher in our recent article: How to Deep Clean & Maintain Your Dishwasher 

Washing Machine

Just like with your dishwasher, it’s also important to keep the inside of your washing machine clean. Getting rid of detergent and hard water mineral residue that may have built up inside can help your washer clean your clothes more effectively. Read more about the steps to cleaning your laundry appliances in our recent article:  Guide to Cleaning Your Washing Machine & Dryer.

The Takeaway

Cleaning with dirty and grimy tools and equipment is not only less effective, but it also makes you work twice as hard. With clean and well-maintained tools, you’ll have an easier time and ultimately end up with a cleaner home to boot!  If you have a busy, hectic schedule with little time leftover for tasks like cleaning the house, you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaning service like Clean Nation Company. Let our trained cleaning PROs do the cleaning for you. Our weekly, biweekly, and monthly recurring house cleaning services will help keep your home spic and span and looking amazing

Clean Nation Company is a full-service cleaning company with over 50 years (three generations) of experience in the cleaning and janitorial industry. We offer recurring house cleanings, one-time deep cleans, move-in/move-out cleanings, Airbnb cleaning services, post-construction/renovation cleanings, and more. Our high standards, attention to detail, and ongoing employee training are what set us apart from other cleaning companies.

We provide quality house cleaning services you can count on. If you are not completely satisfied with any area in your home we have cleaned, just give us a call within 24 hours and we will re-clean it for free—no questions asked! You can be assured that all of our cleaners are bonded, insured and background checked before they are hired. At Clean Nation Company, we are committed to providing the best cleaning services available!

• Woman-owned and operated full-service cleaning company
• Over 50 years (three generations) of experience in the cleaning industry
• 24/7 cleaning options & support
• Emergency one-time cleanings
• Professionally-trained cleaning specialists
• Healthy home electrostatic spray disinfection
• Commitment to the highest level of clean
• Licensed, bonded, and insured
• Customized cleaning solutions
• Quick response times
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• OSHA, HIPAA, EPA, CDC, compliant
• BBB Rating: A+

For more information about our comprehensive house cleaning services in Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Spokane, and Spokane Valley, or to schedule a cleaning, please give Clean Nation Company a call today at (509) 217-4729. Request a free online cleaning quote now!