Essential cleaning tools

Housework is certainly not fun but it can be made easier if you have the right cleaning tools and materials. If you’ve just moved into your first home, these are the items you’re most likely to be needing on a regular basis:..

Vacuum cleaner

It is the most effective tool to remove dust. You can use it on floors and furniture. Try to find one with a HEPA filter – this can trap a large amount of small particles that other cleaners just recirculate back into the air.

Broom

It is used for sweeping up dust, fluff, crumbs etc inside or outside. Get one with soft bristles as they gather more dust and are easier to use in corners.

Mop

It makes wet cleaning jobs easier rather than getting down on your knees and hands. Get one made from strips of cloth – these work better on wet surfaces. On the other hand, a soft cotton mop can also be used when dry for dusting floors.

Bucket

You’ll need a bucket for the mop – they are normally sold together. You might also need another bucket or a large bowl for other household jobs – get a plastic or stainless steel one for smaller jobs.

Sponges

They come in many shapes and sizes. You’ll need one in the kitchen for washing up and in the bathroom for cleaning the bath and basin. The large ones are useful for DIY jobs and soaking/cleaning very dirty surfaces. Some have scourers on one side which are useful for scrubbing off built-up dirt and cleaning pans.

Cloths and dusters

They are made of many types of materials and you can find a lot of different types. Natural materials are the best – such as cotton, linen and chamois leather.

Scourers

They are used for scrubbing. They are made of nylon or metal – very useful for scrubbing off deposited dirt and grease. They are also useful for decorating jobs, such as preparing paintwork.

Toothbrushes

Don’t get rid of your old toothbrushes! They are excellent tools for cleaning corners, window frames, awkward areas etc.

Scrubbing brushes

Very dirty surfaces require a good scrubbing which is best done with a scrubbing brush. Get one with firm bristles.

These are the 10 essential cleaning tools needed for housework. If you can think of another one, please comment below. In the next article you can read about natural cleaning.

Before you start any cleaning jobs, make sure you’re wearing sensible clothes and have proper home insurance!