• For wooden bristles brooms, shake out dust and debris or run the bristles along a firm edge to knock out collected garbage.  Never stand your wooden broom on the bristles or they can break.
• Brooms of any kind should be cleaned out at least once a month.
• To properly clean your broom heads, pull out any debris over your trash can and then rinse the head under water.  Submerge the broom head in a bucket or sink filled with warm water and a half cup of OxiClean or bleach.  Let them soak for 20 minutes, rinse and let air dry.  Do not soak any wooden handles.

SCRUB BRUSHES

• Scrub brushes should be rinsed after each use and left to dry out thoroughly.
• Deep clean scrub brushes at least once a month and submerge them in the warm water and OxiClean or bleach solution.

MOP HEADS

• Rinse mop heads in hot water after each use and store in a well-ventilated area so they can dry completely.
• For cleaning cloths, mop or cleaner pads, wash them in your washing machine WITHOUT fabric softener.  Make sure to wash them in hot water and dry them on hot.

SPONGES

• Sponges should be deep cleaned weekly to prevent bacteria buildup.
• To clean, either run them through the sanitize cycle of your dishwasher or soak them in a bowl of hot water and a tablespoon of OxiClean.

TOILET BRUSH

• You should clean your toilet brush after every use and replace them every 6 months.
• To clean, add a quart of hot water, 2 cups of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Borax and a half teaspoon of dish soap to a bucket and let the brush soak for 30 minutes.

VACUUM CLEANERS

• Before cleaning or disassembling your vacuum, be sure to refer to the instruction manual that came with it to follow proper care procedures.
• Twice a year you should deep clean your vacuum.  This involves washing all attachments in soapy water and letting them air dry.  You should also wipe the exterior of your vacuum with antibacterial wipes or disinfectant product.
• Wipe dirt from all casings using a damp cloth and mild detergent and gently clean the belt with a dry towel.
• Make sure you empty the bags or change the filters at least every 3 months.
• Use scissors, seam rippers, screwdrivers, towels or your bare hands to pry all of the hair and debris off of the roller underneath.

DUSTERS

• If you still use the old fashioned feather dusters, shake them outside after each use and then swirl your duster around a tub of hot water and dish soap.  Work the mixture into the duster and then rinse it.  Gently wring the duster out and hang it to dry.

Keeping your tools clean is the best way to keep them lasting longer and doing a better job on making your home dirt and germ free.  If it seems like a bit too much to handle in your schedule, consider getting older kids involved or hiring a professional cleaning service near you.  Having help is a great way to free up that time for other things – like enjoying family time in your freshly cleaned home!