| When you're setting up home for the first time and | | | | radiators. There are three main types - feather |
| looking at the cleaning section in your local store, | | | | dusters, lambswool dusters and microfibre dusters. |
| you'd be forgiven for thinking that you need loads of | | | | Microfibre and lambswool dusters trap the dust |
| expensive equipment. The truth is that you really | | | | better than feather dusters. The feathers on feather |
| don't. So don't be tempted to go mad. Start off with | | | | dusters can also be prone to breaking. You can also |
| some basics and only add to them if you really need | | | | buy disposable dusting brushes but these are |
| to. | | | | expensive, not very environment-friendly - and don't |
| TOOLS | | | | do the job any better than the other types. |
| A good quality vacuum cleaner | | | | Toilet brush |
| It's worth buying a good quality vacuum cleaner | | | | Some people think toilet brushes are unhygienic and it |
| because it will get a lot of use and you'll want to | | | | is better to use a cloth strictly reserved for toilet |
| keep it for quite a long time. Vacuum cleaners work | | | | cleaning. But if you buy a brush with an integrated lid, |
| on carpets and on hard floors such as wood, laminate | | | | and clean it and replace it regularly, I think it is the |
| and vinyl. Your main choice is between an upright | | | | easiest way to clean your toilet. Alternatively you |
| cleaner and a cylinder (canister) one. Generally | | | | could buy a disposable brush, though these are quite |
| speaking, uprights are better if you've got a home | | | | expensive. If you opt for a traditional toilet brush, |
| with large areas of carpet and not too many stairs | | | | remember you will need one in each toilet in your |
| (they can be quite heavy to lift around). Cylinder | | | | home. |
| models are easier for cleaning around furniture in | | | | Rubber gloves |
| smaller rooms and much better for cleaning stairs. But | | | | Use these to protect your hands from the drying |
| some people find that they have to bend a lot more | | | | effect of water and from harsh chemicals. |
| when using them. | | | | Remember to have different pairs for the kitchen |
| A floor mop (and bucket) | | | | and bathroom. |
| There are a number of types of floor mops available. | | | | A good supply of cloths and tea towels |
| The main choice is between a traditional string or | | | | Microfibre towelling cloths are useful as dusters and |
| cloth-strip mop which require a special bucket with a | | | | for cleaning all sorts of surfaces including worktops |
| wringer device and a sponge type mop with a built-in | | | | and windows. In my experience, the cheap ones |
| squeezing mechanism that removes excess water. | | | | work just as well as the more expensive ones. Also |
| The type of mop you choose is partly a matter of | | | | remember to recycle your old t-shirts, socks and |
| personal preference and partly to do with the type | | | | bedding into useful cloths. |
| of floors you need to clean and how large they are. | | | | A washing up brush and scouring pads |
| Traditional mops are quicker for larger floors and | | | | In my experience, cheap washing up brushes work |
| sponge ones more suitable for smaller areas. You can | | | | just as well as the more expensive ones. I wouldn't |
| buy reasonable mops in most supermarkets and | | | | recommend the brushes with small reservoirs for |
| discount stores. Remember you shouldn't use the | | | | washing up liquid as these can be fiddly and awkward. |
| same mop in your bathroom and toilet as you use in | | | | Scouring pads are useful for scrubbing grill pans, |
| your kitchen and other areas of your home. | | | | baking trays and pans and getting rid of stubborn |
| Dustpan and brushes | | | | marks on some other surfaces. Scourers can be |
| These are useful if you've spilled something but don't | | | | made of plastic, metal wire or acrylic. Plastic scourers |
| want to get your vacuum cleaner out. You will need | | | | are safe to use on non-stick cookware and stainless |
| a soft-bristled brush for wiping up spills on hard | | | | steel, as are some of the other scourers that are |
| flooring and one with stiff bristles to use on carpets | | | | marked safe for this purpose. As most scourers are |
| and mats. Look before you buy to check that the | | | | cheap, buy a few kinds and find out which ones |
| pan has a lip that will lie flush to the floor - otherwise | | | | work best for what you need. |
| you will be brushing any spills through the gap and | | | | Old toothbrushes |
| back onto the floor! | | | | An old toothbrush (or even a specially bought cheap |
| Long-handled or extendable dusting brush | | | | toothbrush) is ideal for cleaning awkward, small places |
| These are useful for getting rid of cobwebs, dusting | | | | like the seal of your fridge or the grout between |
| stairwells, cupboard tops, ceiling fans and behind | | | | tiles. |