WE ALL WANT to keep our homes clean, but which products should we have on hand for both daily cleaning and the tougher jobs – that will actually do the trick?
Each fortnight, Laura de Barra brings her lifestyle and home maintenance expertise to the Glenveagh Home Magazine on TheJournal.ie – and this week she’s sharing her advice for keeping your bathroom taps shiny, starting with the dreaded limescale.
The recent cleaning craze means we are often left scratching our heads at the amount of recommended and must-have products being thrown at us. There is always something new, improved or half price.
Well, I have a secret for you: you only need a few cleaning products, and they are simple to get your hands on and even easier to use.
If you are starting to put together a cleaning kit or are on the lookout for some replacements here are my recommendations;
Make sure you have microfibre cloths:
If you must buy one thing, this is it! These alone are key pieces for any home cleaning kit. This is because they reduce how much cleaning product you need to use. In fact, you can actually clean with just a microfibre cloth and no other product due to how they work.
Microfibre cloths are long lasting when properly cared for (they can be washed hundreds of times without affecting quality). They are non-scratch, so they can be used on any surface. They also leave nothing behind – no streaks, no dirt, no lint, no bacteria. They’re highly absorbent and dry in no time.
How do they work? Microfibre cloths’ advantages are all down to science, and how the textile is made. Simply put, there are two girls involved here, polyester and polyamide (she’s also known as nylon), fused together to create one new glorious fibre.
In microfibre cloths used for cleaning, this new fibre is then split into lots and lots of tiny strands, to increase absorption – they’re so tiny that a human hair is 100 times thicker. These strands are then woven together to make your incredibly absorbent microfibre cloth. It’s important to note here that the more splits/ strands, the better the clean. The splitting causes the fabric to be positively charged, which means when it comes into contact with dirt and grime (which is negatively charged) it will grab on and not release until it’s relaxing (while soaking when you clean it). The more strands, the more dirt the cloth can grab.
Microfibre cloths are best used dry or slightly wet – not soaked – with water or a water and vinegar mix (30/70 vinegar to water). It’s best to spray the surface you are cleaning and then wipe down with your cloth, rather than apply the product to the cloth first.
To clean your microfibre cloths, you can put them in a cool wash without any detergent (a little vinegar at the rinse stage is fine) and make sure you wash microfibre cloths separately as they will gather dirt from other fabrics. A hand wash is also fine. Make sure you allow them to air dry and don’t apply heat to them.
An important thing to note here: there are lot of poor quality microfibre cloths out there. These cheaper versions usually contain less fibres and are limper, even if they look the same. If your cloth is the real deal, it will almost stick to your skin when you touch it, and it will also drink up a spilled liquid in one touch, rather than push it along a surface.
And always carry washing up liquid
This is a product I literally carry in my handbag to every end-of-tenancy inspection. It is a universal product for me and if I spot something in a bathroom, kitchen or living area that has been missed, I know washing up liquid will be able to tackle it.
Warm water and washing up liquid is a deadly match for any grime, grease or dirt, yet it is not harsh on skin, nor is it expensive. If washing up liquid has the power to remove oil and grease from pot and pans, it can remove soap scum and build up from shower walls, body cream oils from the sink, marks on walls, and so on.
It even leaves glassware sparkling, shower screens become a cinch, and sticky surfaces are no more. If it’s is fine to use on cutlery that will eventually end up in your mouth, then for me, it’s okay to use in a fridge, fine to breathe in and kind enough to use with my bare hands.
You’ll need a metal bucket
Plastic mop buckets are a pet hate of mine. For a start, they look awful, they break easily, and they end up in landfill. Metal buckets are chic, durable and the way forward. They are large and strong enough to be used as mop buckets, or as a handy portable basin when cleaning away from the sink, and are durable enough to be use as storage when not in use. They also, more importantly, are made to last a lifetime. My advice is to go for a galvanised bucket and always turn it upside down to dry after use.
And ordinary white vinegar
I know I always mention vinegar for cleaning, but it is because she really is a one for all product. She is high in acidity which means she clears away most bacteria, is kind to the environment and not harsh on skin. Diluted with water she makes a great all-purpose cleaner, she can also be used to tackle mould, limescale and dirt. This makes her a great product for a bathroom overhaul or for deep cleaning appliances and their pipes. Don’t forget vinegar dries odourless so if you hate the smell, you can still use her as she won’t linger. For more details, check out my previous articles for where she is best used. One thing to remember here, is her high acidity makes her unsuitable for some surfaces, especially natural counter tops etc.
Finally, don’t forget the bicarbonate of soda
What can I say, this girl and her alkaline realness, can do it all. Popped in a bowl and left overnight, she can absorb smells in cupboards and fridges, this is because odours are usually acidic and her alkaline content can over power this. She can dissolve most dirt and grime easily and is slightly abrasive, which means she can help you scrub away any build up.
She is best used mixed with a little water or as a paste on grout and dirty surfaces. When combined with vinegar, the two make a bubbling foam (be warned!), which can be great for keeping drains clog-free and for attacking burnt on grease around hob rings. She’s a fantastic natural cleaner, but always check she’s suitable for your surface.
Laura de Barra’s book, Gaff Goddess, will be published in February 2020 by Transworld Ireland. Pre-order it here – and follow her on Instagram for even more cleaning and lifestyle tips.
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