Your home is only as clean as what you use to clean it. The tools you use to clean, and the products in your home that help you keep it that way, need to be cared for and replaced regularly in order to prevent the spread of germs, bacteria, and other dirt and grime. Keep reading for a list of 15 common cleaning products and supplies and how often they should be replaced.
Air Filters
Most homes have an air filter or air filters within their ductwork that helps to trap unwanted and potentially hazardous airborne particles. These particles are known to cause allergies and other illnesses, especially for those struggling with respiratory ailments. Dust, dirt, bacteria, viruses, mold, and other pollutants get caught in the air filter, helping to keep your home fresh and healthy. Air filters should be replaced once a month to prevent clogs and buildup, and to ensure maximum efficiency.
Brooms
A decent broom can last you a long time before needing to be replaced, as long as you take care of it. After sweeping your floors, shake out your broom to release any trapped dirt, dust, or debris from the bristles. Store your broom in a place that has good airflow to eliminate musty smells. To increase their longevity, brooms should be washed every three months.
To clean and disinfect your broom, fill a bucket with warm water, dish soap, and a drop of bleach. Soak your broom in the cleaning solution (30 minutes for a plastic-bristled broom, 15 minutes for a natural-bristle broom), swishing it around a few times while it’s in there. Then, rinse out the suds and hang in the sun to dry.
Dusters
There are many cleaning products and supplies that can last you for years if cared for properly. Dusters should be replaced when they start showing visible signs of wear. Feather dusters should be cleaned once a month, or after every use, if used less frequently. Simply use warm water and dish soap to keep your duster working well for years to come.
Gloves
Cleaning gloves can last you years if utilized correctly and cared for. Always use different gloves for cleaning different areas of your home – don’t wear the same pair of gloves to scrub the toilet AND the dishes. Cleaning gloves should be washed after every use and should be replaced once they show visible signs of wear.
Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cleaning cloths are great for removing dust and dirt from surfaces in your home. They are a great alternative to feather or cloth dusters, as they are better for the environment and can last a lot longer with correct care. Microfiber cleaning cloths should be machine washed once a week, or after every use.
Read more about how often you should clean everything in your home here!
Mop Heads
Mopping the floor is a great way to remove dirt, germs, and bacteria from the floors of your home. However, the mop head you use to get rid of all of that unwanted grime gets pretty gross after just a few uses. After you finish mopping, make sure to rinse out the mop head thoroughly and store it in a place with good airflow to allow it to dry fully – this is a good idea for storing all of your cleaning products and supplies. Mop heads should be completely replaced every two months.
Rags
Cleaning rags are bound to wear out after a while but can last you for years if cared for properly. Make sure to rinse out your rags after use to remove any potentially harmful chemicals, and then run them through your washing machine. To keep your home as clean as possible, try to replace your cleaning rags once a month.
Scrub Brushes
How often you’ll need to replace plastic cleaning brushes will depend on where, how often, and how aggressively they are used. With proper care and cleaning, your scrub brushes can last you quite a while and are a great alternative to sponges and cleaning cloths. To ensure maximum cleanliness and disinfection, replace your scrub brushes every 2-3 months.
Sponges
Kitchen sponges are heavily used around messes, food waste, and other dirt and grime. To elongate the lifespan of your kitchen sponge, make sure to disinfect it between uses. To do this, just place it on the top rack of your dishwasher, or let it soak in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Due to their frequent use, sponges should be replaced every 3-4 weeks.
Toilet Brushes
When it comes to tools used to clean the toilet, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Toilet brushes should be replaced whenever they start to show signs of deterioration, like fraying, staining, or missing bristles. Standard plastic toilet brushes should be replaced every 6 months.
Not all toilet brushes are equal, however. Toilet brushes with natural bristles may need to be replaced more often than toilet brushes with plastic bristles. Check out this article from Good Housekeeping on the 6 Best Toilet Brushes of 2022.
Vacuum Bags
If your vacuum has a bag, it’s important that you change it regularly to avoid spreading allergens in your home while you clean. Especially for families with pets, vacuum bags should be fully cleaned or replaced every 6 months.
Vacuum Filters
The filter in your vacuum helps to catch hazardous airborne particles and keep them from spreading back into your home while you clean. Like the air filter in your house, the filter in your vacuum can become clogged with buildup over time. Depending on the model of your vacuum, vacuum filters should be replaced every 3-6 months, or even more often for families with pets.
Water Filters
A lot of refrigerators come with built-in filtered water dispensers, but the filter inside needs to be changed regularly to ensure the safety of your drinking water. The same is true for water filters on faucets, pitchers, and elsewhere. Every manufacturer will be different, so check the manual of your appliance for recommendations on how often the filter needs to be replaced. As a general rule, plan to replace your water filters every 2-3 months.
Cleaning Solutions (Homemade)
Homemade or “DIY” cleaning solutions are a great way to save money on cleaning supplies, and an easy way to get your home looking and smelling great without the use of harsh chemicals often found in store-bought cleaning solutions. However, they tend to not last as long due to the lack of added preservatives. Homemade cleaning solutions should be discarded after each use. To help with waste, only make enough cleaning solutions for the project you’re working on.
Cleaning Solutions (Store-Bought)
Most cleaning solutions you buy at a store will have an expiration date printed on the bottle. It’s important to pay attention to the instructions on the bottle, some cleaning solutions need to be stored in specific temperatures or types of light to maintain their efficacy. Store-bought cleaning solutions should be replaced according to the directions on the packaging.
It’s important to take care of the products and supplies you use to clean your home if you want them to last, but the easiest way to ensure your home stays neat and tidy is to let Green Cleaning DFW handle your house cleaning for you! we offer recurring maid services, deep house cleaning services, and move-in/out cleaning services to get and keep your home beautifully clean. Our cleaning services will keep your space looking, smelling, and feeling fresh. You can also fill out the convenient form below to request a quote.
Green Cleaning DFW provides cleaning services in the following cities and all points between Caddo Mills, Fate, Forney, Garland, Heath, Lavon, Poetry, Quinlan, Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City, Sachse, Sunnyvale, Terrell, Wylie, and surrounding areas.
