10 Key Cleaning Tools to Keep Your Home Sparkling

 

When it comes to cleaning your home, the tools you use are frequently more significant than the cleaning agents themselves. The ease and success of the task are typically much more influenced by the rag, sponge, mop, or vacuum than by the spray or cleaning solution.

It can be challenging to determine which cleaning tools you actually need with so many available on the market, including many gimmicky items. We're sharing the top ten cleaning tools that every home need in order to help you get a head start on your upcoming deep clean.

 

Here are 10 key Cleaning Tools to Keep Your Home Sparkling

 

1. Dish Towels

Dish towels are necessary for drying hands and dinnerware, but they can also be used to polish freshly cleaned surfaces like stovetops and kitchen counters. They can also be placed on the countertop to serve as a dish drying rack for dishes that have been washed by hand and as a surface for cleaning up both large and small spills. Wash your dish towels more frequently than you think are necessary—at least once a week, but ideally right after use—to keep these surfaces clean and germ-free.

 

2. Assorted Sponges

A traditional two-sided scrubbing sponge should be a staple in every home. It is useful for washing dishes and cleaning the oven, among other household tasks. However, there are a number of other sponge varieties that should be included in your cleaning kit, such as the Dobie Pad, a non-abrasive scrub sponge that is perfect for thoroughly cleaning surfaces like stainless steel or plastic that are prone to scratches.

Another useful tool to have on hand is the wildly popular Scrub Daddy. Its texture switches from soft to abrasive depending on the water temperature, giving you total control over messes. Chainmail scrubbers quickly remove food particles from cast-iron cookware, while microfiber sponges can be used for both light and thorough cleaning.

 

3. Scrub Brushes

Sometimes a scrub brush is a more effective cleaning tool than a cloth or sponge for cleaning confined spaces where tough buildup can develop. With a little elbow grease and the right scrubbing tool, you can usually remove tough stains from grout, tiles, fixtures, and other surfaces. A scrub brush can be purchased for practically anything, but you can also use an old dish brush or toothbrush as a cleaning tool. From small detailing tools to broad, flat scrub brushes for tackling expanses of tile flooring, there are scrubbers for every job you can think of.

 

4. Microfiber Cloths

More effectively than cotton rags or sponges, microfiber attracts and holds onto dirt and other contaminants. Microfiber can more effectively grab dirt, dust, baked-on food, or soap scum thanks to the combination of its minuscule fibers—the eponymous "microfibers"—and static electricity. The ease of cleaning practically everything in your house, from the bathtub to the refrigerator, will significantly improve if you switch to microfiber cleaning cloths.

 

5. Squeegee

A squeegee is a necessary tool for any house with glass shower doors and can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. Use a squeegee to quickly dry off tile walls to prevent mold and mildew from growing, or use it to wick water off glass shower doors to prevent soap scum and water spots from creating an unsightly film. Naturally, squeegees can also be used to ensure that windows, windshields, and furniture with glass tops are streak-free after cleaning.

 

6. Telescoping Duster

There are many types of dusters, but the telescoping duster is one of the most practical. You can dust difficult-to-reach areas, such as baseboards, window casings, and cabinet tops, without bending over or using a ladder thanks to this long-handled duster. If you don't already have one, you can make your own telescoping cleaning tool by using a rubber band to fasten a dry or wet microfiber cloth over a broom's rushes.

 

7. Vacuum

Another indispensable tool is a vacuum, but its uses go far beyond just cleaning floors. To keep mattresses and upholstered furniture free of dust, dander, pollen, and other allergens, a vacuum is essential. A vacuum can also be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including the inside of your car and the needles from holiday garlands when equipped with the appropriate attachments.

 

8. Toilet Brush

Toilet brushes are technically scrub brushes, but they are significant enough to be treated as separate tools. A quality toilet brush is essential for cleaning a toilet bowl where bacteria and human waste can accumulate and leave a stained basin.

 

9. Broom and Dustpan

The humble broom and dustpan are sometimes forgotten in the midst of the popularity of robot vacuums. A high-quality broom is the best cleaning tool for your home's hardwood or laminate floors. (Aim to vacuum less frequently used areas once a month and heavily trafficked areas once a week).

You can optimize your cleaning routine with the aid of specialty brooms. If you have pets, sweeping up pet hair is simple with a broom with rubber bristles. Look for a broom made for heavy-duty outdoor jobs if you work outdoors or in the garage frequently.

 

10. Mop

Mops are an absolute necessity for cleaning tile or natural stone floors, and they're also incredibly practical tools for many other cleaning tasks. Mops can be used dry or damp and as telescoping tools for swabbing walls, window casings, baseboards, and other difficult-to-reach areas of the house.