I'm having a big pre-baby sort out of all our cleaning materials (trying to be organised so I know where everything is and what I need to get beforehand).
I have found, quite literally, piles of cleaning items including:
- sponge scourers for the bathroom,
- different ones for the kitchen
- varioius random packets of microfibre cloths,
- jay-cloths,
- thicker cleaning cloths of the dishcloth type
- various rags reclaimed from old clothing and towels
These are all taking up far too much space and not being used very systematically and I can't help feeling that there is a more efficient way to do my cleaning.
My questions therefore:
1) What should I be using for cleaning (in terms of cloths/sponges etc)?
2) Are there some things better in some places than others? For instance, I generally use a sponge with a "soft" scourer on the back for cleaning bathroom fittings, a sponge with a stiffer scourer for washing up, a simple cleaning cloth for wiping the kitchen surfaces and something a bit more abrasive again for the sink/oven etc.
3) What is best for dusting? A simple duster or a feather duster?
4) What about furniture polish? I tend to use 2 rags (though not very often it must be said ). One to apply and one to polish up, usually old bits of cotton shirt or something.
5) Finally, I've heard that microfibre cloths are great, but can't imagine where on earth I would use them...
As a bit of background, I live in a very hard water area, so tend to use lots of vinegar/citric acid to get rid of limescale. My other main cleaning product is ecover multipurpose for the floors and kitchen surfaces, and bleach for the toilet. I also tend to use the cream cleaner in the bathroom.
Some helpful advice to allow me to rationalise the piles under the kitchen sink would be very much appreciated ...
GC