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Cleaning expert reveals how often you should replace your household essentials


Searches for “coronavirus cleaning” have surged by +1,150% since the start of lockdown, which indicates we are more obsessed with cleanliness than ever before. Other searches on the rise: Cleaning products online +850%, Antibacterial wipes +550%, Dettol spray +250%.


To help homeowners out, End of Tenancy London (www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk) have provided how often you should replace and clean your cleaning essentials:


Sponges: Mop Heads:


use


Cleaning Rags: Cleaning Gloves:


Replace every 2 months; clean weekly Replace after signs of degradation;


clean after every use


Plastic Scrub Brushes: Vacuums:


Replace after signs of


degradation; clean weekly Years, with regular maintenance; Replace


bags and clean suction nozzles as needed Replace after signs of


Feather/Cloth Dusters:


degradation; shake out weekly, clean with warm water monthly


Microfiber Cloths: Brooms:


Replace after signs of degradation;


clean weekly Years, with regular maintenance Shake and


; clean after every use


Homemade Supplies: Store-Bought Supplies:


Discard after each use; wipe containers after every use Check the expiration date; wipe containers after every use • Microwave


Place the sponge in the microwave, saturating it in water (1/4 cup for scrub sponges and 1/2 cup for cellulose), then heat on high for one minute (scrub) or two minutes (cellulose). Reportedly this can zap 99.9% of germs.


• Dishwasher


Add your sponge to a regular dishwasher load, using the "heated dry" setting.


Mop Heads


Dunking mops in dirty water can cause a buildup of bacteria over time. It's advised you replace mop heads every 2 months. In the meantime, make sure to rinse and wring dry after every use.


Cleaning Rags


Like sponges, cleaning rags are a breeding ground for bacteria especially if they're being used daily for tasks like wiping down your WFH station. You will only need to replace cleaning rags every 2 months if you keep them clean. Wash weekly and air dry to prevent “damp” odour.


Cleaning Gloves


The gloves you wear for washing up or scrubbing the toilet should last a long time if cared for. Clean gloves with warm water and soap after every use and only replace after signs of degradation!


Plastic Scrub Brushes


Similarly, plastic brushes last a long time and tend to be more durable than cloths and sponges. You will need to replace brushes after signs of degradation, such as bristles thinning, and give them a good rinse and tap after every use.


Vacuums


Cleaning Tips: Sponges


Dirty dish sponges can harbor dangerous bacteria like E. coli, which is why it's important to replace them regularly. End of Tenancy London advises replacing sponges weekly, but if you want to minimise how often you are swapping sponges, here are some ways you can clean them:


• Bleach


Mix 3/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water and soak the sponge for five minutes, then rinse. • Vinegar


Soak your sponge in full-strength vinegar for five minutes, then rinse.


High-quality vacuums should last years with regular maintenance. Replace bags and clean suction nozzles as needed. Check the manufacturer's guide and have it examined by a professional if it's no longer working. You don't want to replace unnecessarily!


Feather/Cloth Dusters


A feather duster will not need replacing until signs of degradation, such as feathers falling out. But you will need to give your feather duster a weekly shake out and wash with warm water and soap monthly. Like cleaning rags, if they are used regularly, cloth dusters should be washed more often and allowed to air dry.


Microfiber Cloths


A longer-lasting alternative to cloth dusters, microfiber cloths are hardier and can be washed and reused many times before falling apart. However, like any


have long-term preservative chemicals so are more likely to degrade and become less effective over time. A great tip is to only make enough for the cleaning task ahead, or for a few days' worth if you plan on using the mix continually (wiping the kitchen side for example.)


Store-Bought Supplies


Store-bought cleaning supplies do have expiration dates and improper storage can cause them to be less effective. Typically, you will not have to change store- bought cleaning supplies often, an expiration date can be anywhere from 6 months to two years, so always check the labels.


Replace weekly; rinse after every use Replace every 2 months;


rinse after every


cloth, they still need to be cleaned regularly. Once a week, throw your microfibers into the laundry and allow to air dry.


Brooms


Just like with plastic brushes, brooms will last a long time possibly longer than any other cleaning essential you own! Again, replace brooms after signs of degradation, such as bristles thinning, and give them a good rinse and tap after every use. Another tip is to store any type of brush with its head facing up so the air can get to it, rather than facing the ground.


Homemade Supplies


While it's kinder to the environment to make homemade cleaning supplies, rather than filling up on plastic containers at the shops, they don't have a long shelf life. Ideally, homemade cleaning supplies should be discarded after each use. Remember, they don't


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