How clean is your house? In the time of Covid-19, this is something we’re all asking ourselves. And, of course, you may think you know how cleaning products work. But if they’re not used properly, they can end up doing more harm than good.
When was the last time you really read the instructions on a cleaning product before using it, for example?
Here, we look at a few common items and offer a few tips.
Antibacterial wipes
There was a run on these during peak panic buying as we wiped down everything in sight.
To make best use of them, only clean one surface before you dispose of a wipe. Otherwise you just transfer dirt from one surface to another. For large areas, you may need more than one.
Check the surface is suitable before use and look at the list of ingredients. Many natural stone surfaces such as granite and marble cannot tolerate acid-based cleaners.
After wiping, leave the surface to air-dry.
Cleaning with vinegar
Vinegar is a greener, cheaper alternative to chemical-based cleaners, and we’ve previously written about it. Again, the acid in it can harm marble or granite, as well as hardwood floors and furniture, so use with caution.
But a solution of white vinegar and water can be handy for blitzing your microwave, windows or shower doors. Soak your shower head in a plastic bag of the mixture to shift mineral build-up.
(Bear in mind, though, that vinegar won’t kill the coronavirus.)
Laundry detergent
You probably don’t think about detergent much as you throw your washing in the machine.
But measure out according to instructions. Using too much is costly and wasteful and could leave marks and residue on your laundry. Excess suds can also trap dirt in areas like collars while placing a strain on your washing machine as it works to rinse them. So don’t fill above the line of the measuring cap.
Bleach
As we’ve said before, many natural stone surfaces like marble will react to bleach, so use carefully.
Use dilute bleach to clean floors and soak dishcloths and sponges, or neat in the toilet, and allow time for it to be effective.
Never mix it with other cleaning agents, as this can cause toxic fumes.
Bathroom cleaner
Give your product time to work before rinsing, and remember to clean all the things you touch – from taps and shower control to loo flush and door handles. It’s also easy to forget to wash things like bath mats.
Floor cleaning
Make sure, of course, that the product is suitable for the surface you’re cleaning. Strong chemicals, for example, can damage tiling. Vacuum or sweep often so dirt or crumbs don’t get ground into your floor. For a marble or natural stone floor, you need a soft brush that won’t scratch the surface.
Vinegar is OK for a ceramic floor, but absolutely not on marble, travertine or limestone.
Clean the cleaners
Don’t forget to clean the things you use to clean!
Rinse sponges, cloths and brushes in hot water after every use and disinfect each week in a water and bleach solution. Shake dusters outside and wash them in washing-up liquid with warm water. Soak microfibre cloths in warm water before rinsing and hanging out to dry.
Here to help
We’re here to help during lockdown with a safe and thorough deep clean of your commercial or residential property. We’re also offering our use services such as marble repair, marble cleaning in London and so on. Give us a call for an initial chat about how we could help you.
