There’s something satisfying about a floor that sparkles and a countertop or cookware that shines. A freshly swept and mopped surface can make a room look like new and brings out the best in flooring materials from wood to laminate. Similarly, a good sponge-down can keep the life of cookware extended well into the future. However, less satisfying can be the reality of a mop, broom or sponge that’s been used one too many times. Although these cleaning tools are charged with picking up dirt and grime to let floors and cookware look their best, it’s easy to overlook the fact that they tend to hang onto what they collect. Eventually, mops, brooms and sponges can become carriers of everything from mold and dust to harmful bacteria.
Whether a floor requires a single cotton pad mop or a combination of brooms and string head mopping, it’s important to take time to attend to all of these as well as sponges before bacterial buildup gets out of hand. Sticking to a regular mop, broom and sponge maintenance routine is also an effective way to extend the life of these tools, saving money in the long run. There’s no reason to continue to live with dirt and grime that lies below the surface of a mophead, broom or sponge. Follow these 10 simple tips to de-funk mops, brooms and sponges, and rest easy knowing the floors, cookware and countertops not only sparkle but are clean in every way.
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1. Microwave sponges
Concerned about germs and bacteria on sponges? Microwave a sponge to kill 99.9% of germs, according to Good Housekeeping. Saturate a sponge in 1/4 cup of water. Place the sponge in the microwave for one minute on high heat. Perform the task daily until it becomes necessary to replace the sponge.
Concerned about germs and bacteria on sponges? Microwave a sponge to kill 99.9% of germs, according to Good Housekeeping. Saturate a sponge in 1/4 cup of water. Place the sponge in the microwave for one minute on high heat. Perform the task daily until it becomes necessary to replace the sponge.
2. Dust the broom head
Get rid of gnarly dust bunnies and buildup from the head of a broom. Use a vacuum hose to suck up hair and debris from the bristles. Soak the broom in a warm water and dish soap solution, and set it out to dry before using it again. Vacuum and soak the broom monthly.
Get rid of gnarly dust bunnies and buildup from the head of a broom. Use a vacuum hose to suck up hair and debris from the bristles. Soak the broom in a warm water and dish soap solution, and set it out to dry before using it again. Vacuum and soak the broom monthly.
3. Clean cotton mophead
The head of a mop can become filthy quickly. To extend the life of a cotton mop, remove the head (if possible) and clean it regularly. Place a removable cotton head in the washing machine with a little bit of laundry soap. Hang it to dry.
The head of a mop can become filthy quickly. To extend the life of a cotton mop, remove the head (if possible) and clean it regularly. Place a removable cotton head in the washing machine with a little bit of laundry soap. Hang it to dry.
4. Wash sponge mopheads
Wash sponge mop heads after every use with dish soap and water. Kill germs and bacteria by microwaving a sponge mophead. Unscrew a removable sponge mophead, and soak it in in 1/4 cup of water. Place the sponge in the microwave for one minute. Make sure there are no metal or plastic pieces attached to the sponge prior to placing it in the microwave.
Wash sponge mop heads after every use with dish soap and water. Kill germs and bacteria by microwaving a sponge mophead. Unscrew a removable sponge mophead, and soak it in in 1/4 cup of water. Place the sponge in the microwave for one minute. Make sure there are no metal or plastic pieces attached to the sponge prior to placing it in the microwave.
5. Wipe down mop and broom handles
Clean mop and broom handles regularly with antibacterial wipes. Clean the handles from top to bottom. The antibacterial properties of wipes will kill germs and prevent grime from building up on handles.
Clean mop and broom handles regularly with antibacterial wipes. Clean the handles from top to bottom. The antibacterial properties of wipes will kill germs and prevent grime from building up on handles.
6. Soak fixed mopheads
Give a fixed mophead a regular bleach treatment after each use to keep bacteria away. Fill a bucket with 2 gallons of water and add 1 cup of bleach. Rinse out the mop until the water runs clear, and allow the mophead to soak in the bleach mix for 10 minutes. Remove the mophead and rinse it a second time before letting it dry.
Give a fixed mophead a regular bleach treatment after each use to keep bacteria away. Fill a bucket with 2 gallons of water and add 1 cup of bleach. Rinse out the mop until the water runs clear, and allow the mophead to soak in the bleach mix for 10 minutes. Remove the mophead and rinse it a second time before letting it dry.
7. Use vinegar rinse for removable mopheads
For removable mopheads, there’s no reason to put together a fancy soak. Instead, simply put one directly into the dishwasher. Set the mophead on the top rack and leave the rest of the dishwasher empty. Fill the detergent container with vinegar and run a normal cycle. When it’s complete, the mophead can be removed and dried.
For removable mopheads, there’s no reason to put together a fancy soak. Instead, simply put one directly into the dishwasher. Set the mophead on the top rack and leave the rest of the dishwasher empty. Fill the detergent container with vinegar and run a normal cycle. When it’s complete, the mophead can be removed and dried.
8. Store mops upside down
Storing mops upside down is a simple solution for cleanliness that could also be applied to brooms. Although homeowners tend to instinctively place wet mops back where they came cloth down, this creates a breeding ground for mold and bacteria growth. Mops dry faster when stored with the head up, allowing for added airflow and making it harder for must, mildew and mold to find a space to thrive.
Storing mops upside down is a simple solution for cleanliness that could also be applied to brooms. Although homeowners tend to instinctively place wet mops back where they came cloth down, this creates a breeding ground for mold and bacteria growth. Mops dry faster when stored with the head up, allowing for added airflow and making it harder for must, mildew and mold to find a space to thrive.
9. Vacuum dry mops
Much like a broom head, dry mops are prone to dust buildup over time that leaves them less than effective. Take a vacuum nozzle to a dry mop at least every three cleaning cycles to get rid of cling-on debris. This ensures the mop won’t simply transfer dust from one area to another and keeps a dry mop in working order for longer.
Much like a broom head, dry mops are prone to dust buildup over time that leaves them less than effective. Take a vacuum nozzle to a dry mop at least every three cleaning cycles to get rid of cling-on debris. This ensures the mop won’t simply transfer dust from one area to another and keeps a dry mop in working order for longer.
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10. Clean out the reservoir
With attention exclusively focused on the mophead, it can be easy to forget that the water reservoir on handy automatic squeeze or steam mops can just as easily carry dirt, mold and debris. It’s important to drain the reservoir after each mopping before taking a damp towel to the interior to remove any remaining grime. Leaving the reservoir empty while it's in storage is an easy way to keep mildew and mold at bay. Only fill the reservoir immediately before the next mopping session.
With attention exclusively focused on the mophead, it can be easy to forget that the water reservoir on handy automatic squeeze or steam mops can just as easily carry dirt, mold and debris. It’s important to drain the reservoir after each mopping before taking a damp towel to the interior to remove any remaining grime. Leaving the reservoir empty while it's in storage is an easy way to keep mildew and mold at bay. Only fill the reservoir immediately before the next mopping session.