Keeping Cleaning Tools Clean: Mops, Sponges, Cloths and Vacuum Filters

Microfibre picks up dust with very fine fibres, and fabric softener coats them in an oily film that reduces pick-up, while very hot water and bleach also damage them. Wash in lukewarm water with mild detergent, preferably alone or with non-linting fabrics so they do not collect fluff.

Separate cloths by use: those used in the bathroom or on grease are washed apart from those used on glass or furniture, because some greases and bathroom cleaners leave residue that causes later streaks.

Dry them in the air or on low heat and make sure they are completely dry before storing, since damp folded cloth smells heavy within two days in Jeddah. If a cloth turns rough or stops absorbing after a proper wash, replace it.

The kitchen sponge holds moisture and food residue more than almost any tool, so smells rise quickly in humid summer. Squeeze it well after each use and keep it somewhere dry and raised where air circulates, not in the sink or standing water.

Replace it every one to two weeks, or at once if it smells, crumbles or changes colour. Do not use the same sponge to wipe shelves and surfaces after washing dishes, because grease and dirt transfer to the surfaces.

Plastic brushes and bristle brushes are washed in hot water and detergent, sometimes soaked in diluted vinegar, and dried head down. Replace them when the bristles bend or change.

Cleaning gloves hold moisture inside, so turn them inside out and dry them after use and hang them up, with separate pairs for the bathroom and kitchen. Disposable wiping cloths or cotton rags are washed after each use or replaced and are not reused wet.

Remember that leaving a damp item in a bag or basket turns it into a smell source within hours, so give used items a ventilated laundry basket.

After each use rinse the mop head in clean water until it runs clear, wring it hard and hang it to dry away from the floor. If the head is machine washable do so periodically in lukewarm water without fabric softener and make sure it dries completely before use.

Never leave the head soaking in the bucket, because standing water turns foul quickly and the smell passes to the next mopping. Empty the bucket after use, wash it and dry it upside down.

Change the mopping water whenever it gets dirty, because mopping with grey water redistributes dirt on marble and porcelain where marks show. If possible use two buckets, one for washing and one for rinsing.

Hard brushes used in bathrooms and outdoor floors are washed in hot water and detergent and dried raised, and are not used on soft floors like parquet or polished marble because they scratch. Dust brushes and hand brooms are shaken outdoors and washed monthly with water and mild soap.

Use separate tools for the bathroom, so you never wipe the kitchen with something used in the bathroom. A colour code for each zone helps you avoid mixing.

Do not keep diluted cleaning solutions for long in open bottles or in sunlight, because they weaken and can react. Write the preparation date on the bottle, and never mix different products, especially bleach with acidic cleaners or ammonia, since this releases harmful gases.

Use clearly labelled bottles out of children's reach and store them somewhere cool and dry.

Empty the dust bin after each use or when it is two-thirds full, outdoors or inside a bag to avoid spreading dust. Clean the washable filter following the manual in lukewarm water and dry it fully for over 24 hours before refitting, since a damp filter grows mould and cuts suction.

Remove hair and threads wound around the brush roll with small scissors or a tool made for it, because they cut suction and heat the motor. Check hoses for blockages by looking through them or passing a soft rod.

Replace filters and bags as the manufacturer advises, usually sooner in homes with heavy dust or pets. A HEPA filter should not be washed unless the instructions say so.

Keep dry tools away from damp floors, hang mops and brooms so they do not touch the ground, and give them a rack or holder. Leave the tool cupboard door slightly open to let air move, and add a moisture absorber if it is closed and small.

Before the guest season or a big seasonal clean, check your tools and replace the worn ones so you do not begin with dirty equipment, and note what to buy.