Let’s be honest. We often neglect the fact that our cleaning supplies aren’t self-cleaning. For instance, when was the last time someone from your team sanitized a sponge or cleaned a broom?
If you’re like most businesses, you probably can’t remember the last time because it was so long ago. That’s because even those of us who do clean our supplies never do so regularly.
But that brings up a conundrum. How can we expect to have a sparkling clean workplace if our tools aren’t clean to begin with?
That’s why your office can sometimes look unclean right after a thorough cleaning. To prevent that from happening, follow these instructions on how to keep the 5 most commonly used cleaning tools and supplies in a spick and span condition.
1. Scrubs, Brushes, and Broom Heads
You should clean scrubs, brushes, and broom heads at least once a month. To clean them, follow these 5 steps:
1. Rinse the head thoroughly.
2. Fill a bucket with warm water and add half a cup of your favorite bleach.
3. Submerge the brush inside the bucket. Be careful not to soak the wood handles because the mixture of bleach and water can damage the wood.
4. Let the brush soak for 20 minutes before pulling it out.
5. Rinse it once again and let it dry.
2. Cloths
You’d think laundering cloths is the obvious solution. Well, it is. But the way you launder them matters, especially for microfiber cloths.
For regular cloths, such as rags, old shirts, or towels, just throw them in the washing machine, add half a cup of baking soda with regular laundry detergent, and put the machine on the hottest cycle.
For microfiber cloths, use warm water only and throw a laundry detergent into the mix. Don’t add any fabric softeners or dryer sheets because they disrupt the dust-attracting qualities of the fiber.
Also, don’t use microfiber cloths for cleaning greasy areas because there’s no way to get oil or grease out of them.
3. Sponges
First off, you should replace your sponges every two weeks. If you don’t, it doesn’t matter how many times you clean them, they will still be ruined once they go past their maximum lifespan.
To clean a sponge, rinse thoroughly and wring it out before placing it in an open dish. We recommend an open dish because it allows air to circulate around the sponge, letting it dry out completely.
4. Vacuum
Cleaning a vacuum is not as hard as people think.
All you have to do is make sure the vacuum is unplugged before you clean it. Then, use a damp cloth and mild detergent to wipe off the dirt from the hose, casing, and attachments.
Whenever you use the vacuum, clean out hair and strings caught in the hose or wheels. Also, empty the dirtbag once a week and replace the filters about every three months.
That’s all you need to do to keep your vacuum looking like it’s brand new — or at least close enough.
5. Mops
How can you expect to have a sparkling clean floor with a filthy mop?
Even if your mop is just a little dirty, it can cause a sour smell. That’s why we recommend cleaning it after each use. To do that, follow these three steps:
1. Fill a bucket with hot but not boiling water.
2. Add plain detergent and a cup of baking soda.
3. Remove debris and trapped dirt by hand before placing the mop head inside the bucket and rinsing it thoroughly afterward.
We know what you’re thinking. Proper cleaning is not nearly as easy as it looks. Not only do you have to clean your office regularly, but you also have to take care of your cleaning supplies — each of which requires a different approach.
So why not unburden yourself by leaving the cleaning to the experts? At Bluebird Cleaning, we take care of everything according to your schedule so you can forget about the cleaning and focus on your business instead.