If you love a clean house, chances are you have a short list of specific cleaning products and tools that you rely on to get the job done. But what happens when your favorite cleaning tools get a dirty themselves? Since you can’t very well keep things spic and span with dingy cleaning tools, here is how to get them clean and ready to go.
1. The Notorious Sponge
Sponges are a notorious breeding ground for germs and all kinds of ickiness. To clean yours, soak it for just 5 minutes in a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 3/4 cup bleach. Done and done!
2. Married to the Mop
If you feel like you’re “married” to a dirty mop, you don’t have to live with it that way! After you clean your floors, your mop is definitely dirty. Instead of simply wringing it out, give it a soak in hot, soapy water. Then rinse it well in more hot water, wring it well, and let it dry completely standing upright, so plenty of air flow gets in. If you have a removable mop head, run it through your machine on the delicate cycle with a little bleach to banish germs.
3. Dingy Dish Towels
I don’t know about you, but my kitchen is home to at least a dozen stained dish towels. Even though I wash them, the stains never allow them to look clean. Sometimes they even have an odor. What should I (and you) do? Wash them more frequently in the hottest water, and add a 1-hour soak to the cycle. Also, pour in a cup of vinegar along with your laundry detergent. And if you buy white dish towels, they can usually be bleached to remove dirt and stains.
4. Give Dirt the Brush-Off
If you have scrub brushes in your home, you know how hard they can be to get clean — especially deep down in the bristles.  All they need, however, is a good soak in dish soap and vinegar, along with a fork to remove particles.
5. De-Dust Your Duster
When was the last time you cleaned your duster? It’s probably trapped all kinds of dirt, cobwebs, and other nasties inside. You’ve probably taken it outside and shaken it well, but then you end up covered in all that stuff. Next time, stick it in a paper sack with some rock salt and shake it vigorously. The salt will help dislodge the dust, and it won’t end up all over you.
6. The Vacuum
If you have a bagless vacuum, you might think it’s pretty handy. You’re right, but how often do you clean it? To help your vacuum perform well, it needs to be cleaned regularly. If your vacuum has bags, make sure you’re replacing them before they’re stuffed full. And if your is bagless, wipe or rinse out your canister regularly, along with hoses and attachments. Just make sure everything is dry before putting it back together. And no matter what kind of vacuum you have, check and clean the beater brush frequently.
