Choose Your Weapon – Check Out the Best Cleaning Tools

Most of us have hard-worn habits when it comes to cleaning tools; we like the broom we’ve used for years, or prefer a certain type of duster that we saw our parents use.  If we want to clean more efficiently and better, however, our choices for household cleaning tools should be based on ease of use, effectiveness, and concern for the environment.  We’ve gleaned a few tips from housecleaning experts to help you decide on the best mops, brooms, dusting tools, and vacuum cleaners for your home. 

Wet Mops

An article by Cynthia Townley Ewer excerpted by HGTV.com notes that string mops are heavy, awkward, and difficult to rinse.  Instead, try a wet mop that offers a swivel base for easy maneuvering and features washable terry cover mopheads (so you won’t have to spend a lot of money on disposable liners, which also take up a lot of space in landfills).  Once you’ve finished mopping, you can use a dry cover to dry and polish the floor.

Sponge mops can also be a good option, but HGTV warns that plastic mops can break easily; if you opt for a sponge mop, buy one with metal hinge mechanisms.

Dry Mops

Dry mops are designed to draw dirt off the floor between damp moppings.  Just as with wet mops, it’s best to choose a dry mop with reusable mop heads to avoid the cost and environmental concerns associated with disposable options.  And also just as with wet mops, be careful not to invest in a dry mop that’s too flimsy, because you’ll find yourself pushing harder during this chore than you might expect.  You don’t want your dry mop to snap in your hands.

Brooms

Avoid buying brooms that use glue instead of having tacked-in bristles, and once again – chose metal couplings over plastic if you want your broom to withstand tough cleanings.

Synthetic brooms tend to be light, which makes them useful for cleaning baseboards and maneuvering behind furniture.  Their usefulness, however, can be limited; they are generally too light to be used outdoors, for example.  Push brooms are larger and are designed to sweep significant areas such as spacious indoor rooms, garages with cement floors, and outdoor patios.

Corn brooms have natural bristles and do it all; try one with a smooth, strong handle for comfort and durability, and look for multiple rows of stitching that will hold the bristles firmly in place.  This type of broom should be stored head-up to prevent the bristles from bending.  You can trim the bristles as they age to make the broom last longer.

If you’re tired of bending over to use a dustpan, try a model with a long handle like one of these dust pans available from Sears.  This will eliminate the need to bend at the back in order to hold the dustpan in place.

Dusting Tools

About.com notes that microfiber cloths are a great tool for dusting because they attract and hold dust without releasing it back into the air during cleaning.  These cloths don’t scratch or damage wood, and are available in both disposable and washable (and therefore more eco-friendly) options.

For ceilings and other hard-to-reach places, try a duster with an extendable handle.  If you have ceiling fans, look for specialized ceiling fan dusters that will enable you to reach difficult-to-dust spots without the use of a stepladder.

Vacuum Cleaners

It seems as if every New Year sees a crop of new vacuum cleaners introduced to the market.  It’s hard to keep track of which vacuums work best when we’re faced with bag-free versions, deep-cleaning models, wet vacs, and portable or cord-free versions.  Which type of vacuum you choose will likely be based on a number of factors: the size of your home, whether you’ll use the vacuum exclusively for carpeting or also for stairs and upholstery, personal strength for carrying heavier models, and, when it comes down to it, budget.  We all would love to purchase a vacuum cleaner that is both powerful and feather-light, but the best models often come at a steep price.

Consumer Reports recently reviewed a number of vacuum cleaner models, including the Oreck XL Element Professional Series and the Kenmore Progressive 21614.  When making a decision about a vacuum cleaner purchase, try out a few models and read customer reviews.  Purchase a machine that has a strong track record, is powerful, and that includes any attachments you might require for specialized areas.  Be sure you can maneuver the vacuum cleaner without difficulty; you don’t want to harm yourself carrying a heavy cleaning tool from floor to floor, or even from room to room.

Of course, home cleaning tools and your own muscles can only achieve so much when it comes to thorough cleaning.  When the time comes to call in the experts for a professional job, dial 1-800-FOR-COIT.  We look forward to complementing the work you do at home with professional services that will keep your home clean, fresh, and healthy for your whole family.