Cleaning your cleaning tools
In order to clean your house/stuff the best you can, the tools you are using to do so need to be running the best they can. These tools will run better with a deep cleaning and routine maintenance. I break down some of the ways to deep clean my cleaning tools to get my house as clean as possible.
Top used (favorite): the hose
I use a hose as my number one cleaning tool Clean the vacuum pieces, shampooer, hoses, blow outs, high chairs, you name it I use the hose if I can. That being said, it is cold for a majority of the year here so I save a lot of my cleaning supplies deep cleaning for the warmer weather. Jet on the shower head is a substitute of cleaning is necessary, but a hose is still preferred.
If you cannot use the hose, a shower head on jet can take over the job.
Tineco Vacuum Mop
**We just removed all carpeting from our home so this has stepped up greatly in a must have tool (on each floor).
I love that this both vacuums and mops. It is not two steps, therefore I mop more often because I actually get to it vs being distracted between step 1 and 2. I love that the cleaner is concentrated and is held on the device (vs dipping in a bucket). I also love that the vacuum function helps the floor dry relatively quickly so it is not long before you can put things down and walk on the floors.
Self Clean
The Tineco I have has a self clean function. I make sure to run that (with soap and hot water left in the canister) Just be sure that after it runs you clean out the tank completely (dump in toilet) and rinse with hot water and leave open slightly to air dry.
Deep Clean Steps:
Again with the hose, when a deep clean is necessary
- remove the spinning mop pad
- Spray it down thoroughly with the hose. I often start with jet, then move to flat pushing the water out.
- Scrape with something flat to get most the water out and let dry in the sun (UV helps clean too)
- I also point the hose on jet into all of the water tracks to make sure to clean out any debris that has built up.
- Let it all air dry in the Sun
- If it is winter in Wisconsin and a deep clean is needed, I will use the shower head removable head on jet to clean it out. (not as powerful, but does get hot)
Carpet Shampooer
**We recently removed all the carpeting from our home so this is rarely used now (sometimes on rugs) but when we had carpeting this was a hit.
I only pull out the carpet shampooer when there is something pretty nasty that needs more than hand cleaning. Accidents are the usual culprit. That being said, I do not enjoy touching the materials that must be cleaned which leads me to use, you guessed it, the hose.
Steps:
- Take apart the shampooer with all of the removable tabs. The more you can break it down, the better you can get in all of the parts.
- Clean all the hoses out with the hose/shower head
- Clean all the tanks
- Clean all of the brushes
- LET DRY COMPLETELY BEFORE REASSEMBLY
Bissell Little Green
**Since upgrading to all hard floors, this has become more important for small spots on rugs and furniture.
Basic cleaning steps:
- Empty the dirty water container, rinse, and replace
- Fill the sink with some hot water
- Suck the hot water up in the hose to clean it all out
Roomba
It is so nice to have cleaning at your fingertips, but if the brushes are dirty or the filter is blocked, it isnt going to clean the floor as efficiently. This one is actually hose free so it is much quicker to clean and can be done year round….it is also required more often.
Basic cleaning steps:
- Empty the bin
- Clean the brushes with the brush cleaner and scissors for tangled hair/strings
- Change out the filter (and rinse out the old to trade out again next time)
- Vacuum out the whole thing
- Clean the sensor with a wipe
Deep cleaning steps:
- In addition to above:
- Unscrew the spinning brush. Mine get dirty and greasy, I put in the palm of my hand, 1 drop of dish soap and lather with my hand. Rinse completely and dry completely before using and replacing.
- Unscrew bottom panel and remove all hair with a tweezers and vacuum.
- Remove the front wheel and use tweezers to remove any debris
- Wipe out collection bin with a wipe (dry completely before using)
It is also convenient to have a back up set of the filters and brushes so you can trade them out until you have time to deep clean the ones you have removed
Dyson Animal hand held vacuum
This vacuum is so great for getting in tight spaces. It is one of my main cleaning tools for cleaning my cleaning tools–as well as vents, the car, and quick spills. Like any vacuum, it needs its brushes cleaned, its filter washed occasionally, and build up removed so it can work it’s best.
Steps:
- Empty the bin
- Unscrew the filter in the bin-use a small brush to brush out the filter
- Remove and wash the filter. Make sure completely dry before putting back in.
- Wipe bin out with a wipe. Make sure completely dry before closing.
- cut hairs/threads out of brushes and remove all the debris
Washing Machine
I use the washing machine tablets to clean my washing machine because that is the setting on my washing machine. We have very hard water that gets very stinky so washing our washing machine simply so it doesn’t smell is key. It also removes a lot of harmful bacteria from the washing machine keeping it from putting that bacteria on your family’s skin.
There are ways to CLEAN OUT your whole washer. We did remove the drum of our old one and scrub it clean. This current one is more “digital” and we have not done this one yet
Dryer
If your dryer is not cleaned out properly, it can be a fire risk to your home. It is essential that you make sure your dryer is cleaned out. If you use dryer sheets, there is also a film on your trap that needs to be cleaned. (I recommend stop using dryer sheets).
Steps:
- Every time you finish a load, clean the lint out of the trap.
- Monthly, I use my dyson or my Norwex wand to get all the dust out the trap. That build up can catch fire.
- Yearly, pull the dryer from the wall and make sure the vent in the back are clean
- Yearly, check the vent outdoors is also clear of lint.
- If you use dryer sheets, there is also a film on your trap that needs to be cleaned. (I recommend stop using dryer sheets).
- Fill the sink with hot water and dish soap deep enough to submerge the trap.
- Put the trap in and leave for 1/2 hour (You can go back up and vacuum at this time).
- Scrub the vent with a soft brush make sure not to puncture.
- Rinse.
- Dry COMPLETELY before putting back in and doing any more loads.
Thought we clean out routinely, there are still areas we cannot reach. We have purchased an attachment to put on the end of the hose to get deeper.
Dryer Vent
The dryer vent is what take the hot air out of the house–and often builds up with lint as well. This should be cleaned as well. While most can be brushed off and cleaned, ours is on the second floor and off a steep pitch so that is very tricky. Steps to clean out vent
- vacuum as deep as you can with as many long ends as you have.
- Unhook the dryer from the silver accordion looking tube (ours you expand the ring by using a flat head to have it feed the ring looser.
- Using a leaf blower, blow as much dust ands lint as you can out
- brush off (in our case that means a ladder, extension pole, and broom) to get any hanging lint off the outside.
Disposal & Dishwasher
Disposal
Disposal cleaning tabs (Lemishine) help get rid of build up as well as smells. I do this once a month and before a trip (longer time of not being used) to keep smells and fruit flies at bay. Follow directions on packaging.
Dishwasher
- Use a manual to find your filter and clean it out regularly
- Scrub filter and any parts you see with an old toothbrush
- If there are joints/rubber that has build up, I sprinkle with baking soda and use a water sprayer to shoot vinegar into the crevices to push the gunk out.
SHOP
To find the cleaning tools themselves as well as the cleaning the cleaning tools, you can click the amazon storefront link below.
*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you*
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