Essential cleaning supplies

Efficient gear can save you time and money

Cleaning the house is pretty low on most people’s list of ways to spend their free time. If you’ve finally found the motivation to get the job done, you don’t want to be delayed because you either don’t have, or can’t find, the supplies you need.

Following are tips that will make the tedious task of cleaning your home less frustrating and more efficient.

CHOOSING PRODUCTS

There are so many cleaning products to pick from, and new ones seem to pop up every day. It’s easy to accumulate too many bottles of too many cleaners by grabbing something each time you’re in a store, “just in case.” And before you know it, your cleaning products are themselves clutter in need of tidying. Many basic cleaning products are incredibly versatile, so you don’t need a carload of specialized supplies. Most households can get by with this simple list:

■ An ample supply of your favourite multi-use cleaning liquid for surfaces such as glass, tile, countertops and cabinets.

■ A broom or a brush with a dustpan. Brooms with densely packed synthetic bristles are best for indoor use. They are soft enough to use on hardwood floors and work well for dust and larger pieces of dirt. Angled brooms will help you reach into corners.

■ A mop with reusable cloths — the cloths can be washed and used again, which will save you money. They’re also more environmentally friendly than disposable cloths.

■ A scrub brush is a versatile tool that can clean floors and shower tiles and remove stains from rugs. Elyse Moody, senior editor at Martha Stewart Living, recommends making a paste with OxiClean and using it with a scrub brush to clean tile. This type of brush can be used instead of a sponge and will last a lot longer.

■ A vacuum cleaner (or at least a hand vacuum). The type of vacuum you need depends on the size of your home and your floor coverings. If you live in a small apartment with hardwood floors, you can probably live without a full-size vacuum. Before deciding what type and size you’ll need, consider how much you’ll use your vacuum cleaner, whether you’ll be hauling it up and down the stairs, and where you’ll store it.

■ Microfibre dusting cloths, rags and sponges. Microfibre cloths come in different weaves. “Dampened thin, flat-weave ones will take streaks and fingerprints off mirrors and glass,” Moody says, “and plush, thick cloths work well for grabbing dust off textured items like books.” Microfibre cloths can be washed and reused, so you don’t need more than 12. And it’s always useful to have rags and sponges around the house for spills. Of these, 12 to 24 of each is sufficient.

STORING YOUR SUPPLIES

Cleaning supplies, like all household items, should be stored in designated spots, not just tucked away here and there. Some people prefer to keep their cleaning supplies in or near the rooms where they use them most. I find it’s easier to keep track of what I have if everything is in one location.

If you don’t have a closet dedicated to cleaning supplies, good options include a cabinet or shelves in the laundry room or under the kitchen sink. Read product labels for instructions on how best to store each item, but it is generally important to keep cleaning agents out of extreme cold and heat and away from gas appliances.