Five Cleaning Tools You Can’t Live Without
1. Swiffer Duster
Of all the Swiffer products, it’s their Duster I like the best. Being that I’m short, the extendable wand makes reaching high areas a breeze. The disposable dusting cloths trap loads of dirt and I can do the entire first floor of the house with just one. The wand folds down for easy storage and the duster refills come 10 to a box. Of all the dusting products I’ve tried, this is the one I choose to use week after week.
2. Clorox Ready Mop
I tried regular mops, the Swiffer Mop, and even an electric mop. I found I like the Clorox Ready Mop the best. The mop itself is sturdy and can handle some elbow grease behind it without it feeling like you’re going to snap it in two. The thick mop pads hold a lot of fluid and dirt and the cleaning solution does a great job cutting through regular kitchen floor grime. This is the product I use for regular mopping, though I must admit that no mopping product compares to a good, old fashioned bucket of water and scrub brush. But who wants to get down on their knees and scrub the floor?
3. Black and Decker Scrubber
To heck with the Clorox Bath Wand, sponges, wash cloths, and scrub brushes. I prefer the cordless Black and Decker Scrubber to clean my sink, shower, tub, and sometimes tile floors. The battery holds enough charge to clean two bathrooms. For those who don’t want to use up all their weekend energy scrubbing bathrooms or floors, this really takes the elbow grease out of cleaning with fabulous results.
4. Dyson DC14 Animal Upright Vacuum
This vacuum came recommended to my husband because of my allergies and the simple fact that we live in a four cat household. There tends to be a lot of animal hair and dander on our floors, not to mention other allergens. When my husband first brought the Dyson home, I was reluctant to have given up my Hoover as a trade in. I was concerned that the Dyson would eventually lose suction like so many bagless vacs before it. I’ve been surprised, however. The ease of use and the simple fact that there are no bags or parts to buy and continually replace are definitely pluses. However, it’s the cleanliness of my carpets that finally sold me. The Dyson cleans my carpets all the way down to the fine, woven in cat hair and after two years, it hasn’t lost suction once.
5. Bissel SpotBot
Having four indoor cats, we tend to get a lot of upchucked hairballs on the floor. This is a problem when there’s some cat food mixed into the mess. The coloring from the food will always stain the carpet. If you have pets or kids, you have to get the Bissel SpotBot. It works better than my Green Machine ever did. Plus, it’s easier than having to pull out your upright steam cleaner every time there’s a small mess to clean up. It’s lightweight and small enough to be kept in a closet ready to go. You just make sure you have water and cleaning solution in one tank, position it over the spot, plug it in, push a button, and walk away. It will beep at you when it’s done. Emptying the used water and cleaning solution is a snap. It also comes with a hose and hand attachment to clean upholstery. With all our furry friends, it’s been a furniture and carpet saver in my house.
