How can one expect to have a sparkling clean house, office spare or public area if your cleaning supplies and tools are dirty? You can have a trained workforce and all the right products, but without maintaining the cleanliness and effectiveness of your equipment, your hygiene and sanitation regime is set for failure from the get-go. Many of us neglect our cleaning tools and essentials. In this way, various forms of dirt, debris, bacteria and odours can build up on brooms, pops, brushes and equipment it not cleaned properly after each use. These germs and bacteria are hereafter transferred to other various surfaces. It is therefore important to establish a sound cleaning routine, not only for the space you intent to clean, but for your cleaning equipment too. Here are a couple tips to help you maintain the cleanliness of your cleaning products, tools and equipment.
Brushes and feather dusters
Cleaning is critical to remove all debris caught in the bristles and feathers of your brushes and dusters. Make a point of removing all dust bunnies, hairs and fibers from your brushes after each day’s use. Additionally, you can rinse your brushes and brooms in hot water or cleaning solutions before returning them to storage.
One brush you never want to forget about is your toilet brush! Take a moment to think of all the germs and bacteria your toilet brush picks up each time your use it. Make a point of thoroughly cleaning your toilet brush each time you use it, and replace it every four-to-six months.
Sponges
Even though sponges are inexpensive, and easy to replace, there are also a number of ways you can keep them clean and hygienic. You can simply run them through a dishwasher cycle, soak them in cleaning chemicals or even pop them into the microwave for a couple minutes if they do not have any metal parts. These simple tips can help you keep your kitchen clean and free of any unwanted germs.
Cleaning Cloths and Pads
While using your cloths to wipe down surfaces and clean off windows for example, make sure you rinse them in clean hot water after each use so to prevent cross contamination of germs and bacteria. Hereafter, cleaning cloths, just like dirty socks, can be thrown into the washing machine and washed on the hottest cycle. Use pieces of old t-shirts, towels and rags for the hard grime and grease areas. These greasy cloths may need extra strong detergent to come clean, however you don’t have to feel bad discarding them if they are too far gone.
Mops and Brooms
Mop heads can be laundered on a hot cycle in the washing machine and thereafter hung out to dry. Before washing however, make a point of removing all debris and dust. A quick rinse can help remove all the particles and fibres that may get stuck in your washer filter to later cause problems. If you have multiple mop heads, wash each one in an old pair of pantyhose to avoid them getting tangled up. In addition to this, if you have a flat head mop, these pads can be thrown in the wash and treated like a microfiber cloth as well. Take caution in washing any cleaning equipment with household items like sheets and towels. Keep things separate to avoid cross contamination.
Vacuum Cleaners
Since every vacuum brand and model are different, we recommend that you refer to your own user guide however, here are a few general tips you can follow to ensure the maintenance of your machine.
Firstly, empty out the canister regularly. A full vacuum leaves space for damage from overheating and clogging, and is also the perfect place for germs and bacteria to grow, so make sure you empty it after each use. Think of it like flushing a toilet. Alternatively, if your machine uses paper bags, make a point of replacing these bags frequently.
In addition to this, washing your machine filter is imperative. Make sure you wash your filter at least every 3 months so that it can work optimally to help clean your space. To do this, remove your filter from the machine and rinse it under hot water until the water runs clean. Leave it out to dry before returning it to the machine otherwise you may damage it.
All tools and attachments can be easily removed , soaked and wiped down in a matter of minutes. Simply ensure each and every attachment is entirely dry before you make use of the machine. Any moisture that runs through the machine may not only cause damage, but can also contribute to a saturated environment for bacteria to grow.