With all the gadgets, chemicals, and doo-dads on television and in the cleaning aisle at the store, cleaning can get overwhelming. But if you really want to learn how to clean anything, here are some basic tools you should have. Remember, our great-grandmothers didn't have any of these modern "necessities," and most of their homes were cleaner than ours!
Chemicals - You'll be able to clean just about anything if you just keep some basic liquid cleansers and chemicals around. Let's start with ammonia. Do you want clean clarity? Ammonia is a good choice to use for cleaning solutions. Ammonia is wonderful stuff when you mix it up with water to clean your glass, stainless steel, and tile or linoleum floors.
Another acidic liquid you'll want to keep around is lemon juice, which can help bring the shine back to dull items. To kill mildew and mold, as well as to lift stains from white objects, bleach is an absolute necessity.
However, always remember that ammonia and bleach are mortal enemies! The combination of the two creates fumes that are deadly! Never try it! To tackle the really challenging cleaning jobs, use cream of tartar and salt. You probably already have them stocked in your spice cabinet. With these items on hand, you'll be prepared for how to clean anything.
Large tools - A good broom and dust pan, a dust mop or Swiffer, and probably a vacuum. All three are considered necessities in many households, depending on the types of floors.
A bucket and mop are preferred by many people for their tile and linoleum flooring, as well. Got dusty ceiling fan blades and cobwebs hanging in the corners of your ceiling? You'll want a long-handled duster for these jobs.
Small tools - Rags, sponges, and two microfiber cloths are the staples for your small cleaning tools. Great rags can be made from old cloth diapers, and men's undershirts. Sponges should be replaced on a regular basis, as they can hold germs. There are two varieties if microfiber cloths.
Nubby or napped, the first kind of cloth is mostly used for dust and general household cleaning. The second is smooth, meant for delicate surfaces like electronic screens. If you don't like the idea of touching filthy things with your bare hands or damaging your skin with chemicals, wear rubber gloves.
