Some people love cleaning, some people hate it. But having the right tools to do the job makes it so much easier and more enjoyable. Today I am going to share some of my favorite cleaning tools and supplies, and I will be referencing these throughout the month. If you already have cleaning supplies you love, use them!
Cleaning Tools
Vacuum
I have a mixture of hardwood floors, carpet and a little vinyl. We have a ton of trees in our backyard, and two fuzzy dogs wandering in and out all day, so that equals a lot of leaves and dirt being tracked in. I have had a Dyson Animal DC65 for almost 2 years now, and while I was initially skeptical of the cost, I love it! I also have the Dyson DC34 hand vacuum. I use it CONSTANTLY. All of the attachments from my big Dyson fit it, and it has the best suction of any hand-held I have used.
Mop
For a year or so I have used the Shark steam mop. It has it’s pros and cons. Pro – it sanitizes the floors with absolutely no chemicals, and is easy to use. Cons – it pushes dirt into the corners, and mine barely lasted a year.
After the steam mop died, I decided to get this refillable mop. We also have a cheap rag mop for our garages.
Cleaning Products
My #1 favorite cleaning product is Thieves Cleaner from Young Living, they were recommended by Carpet Cleaning Greenville NC, I usually call them when I am not able to get rid of the stain myself. You order a concentrated bottle and dilute it down for various uses. I use this on all of my surfaces, glass, and even mop my floors with it. Not only is it free of funky chemicals, it works GREAT.
Another “green” cleaning product I like is Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. There isn’t much that a little soap and water can’t clean.
I do, however, still use a few more caustic cleaners because, quite frankly, they work the best. I ALWAYS have a bottle of Bar Keeper’s Friend in my cupboard. From cleaning and polishing my sink, to scrubbing the tub, to making my stainless steel pots and pans look like new, this stuff is magical. Definitely wear gloves when you use it. Your skin will thank you.
A couple other cleaning products I use for specific jobs (i.e. not that frequently) are vinegar, blue Dawn dish soap, and melamine foam (Magic Erasers. Just way cheaper).
Miscellaneous Tools
I do use paper towels for cleaning things like toilets, but for 90% of my cleaning I use washcloths like these. A good duster is a MUST. And, since I have yet to find a way to keep a toilet brush that doesn’t make me want to wash myself in bleach, I use these Clorox Toilet Wands in both bathrooms.
This is a fairly comprehensive list of some of my favorites, and I will go more in-depth on things like laundry and dishes in future posts. If you already have cleaning products you love, by all means use them! But if you are scratching your head and wondering where to start, this is a good list of some basics. What are some of your must-have cleaning products?
This is day 2 in my series 31 Days to a Clean House. Click here to follow the whole series!
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