You might have noticed that the selection of cleaning products and supplies is increasing with every year. Today, there are all kinds of detergents, brushes, soaps and etc. There are also plenty of new inventions like jelly cloths, for example, and it is hard to decide which of them you need or which of them actually work unless you test their qualities yourself. However, it would be insanely expensive and probably even impossible to try out all of the cleaning supplies that are available on the market today. But you do not really have to do that because there are only a few cleaning products that you need.

What cleaning products do you actually need

If you don’t want to waste your money on cleaning supplies which you do not need, you must first start to view cleaning as a process that consists of a few different elements and activities. For example, some of the categories which you can add to that list can include dusting, sweeping, scrubbing, washing and etc. Also, don’t forget to have a separate category dedicated entirely to cleaning agents. This list will outline the basic cleaning products shopping list. Once it is ready, start writing down different supplies you need to complete every cleaning activity. However, limit the number of products in each category to five. That will help you to keep things simple. Trust us, you do not really need more than five products or cleaning tools to dust around your house.

List of must-have cleaning supplies

• Cleaning agents – tile cleaner, mild abrasive cleaner, degreaser, glass cleaner;
• Washing – spray bottle, squeegee, sponge mop, dishwashing liquid, rubber gloves;
• Dusting – dust mop, extendable duster, microfiber cloth;
• Sweeping and scrubbing – scrub brush, broom;

Why it is important to read the labels

When selecting a cleaning product of any type, make sure you carefully read its label before putting it in your shopping basket. There are some cleaning agents and tools which are suitable only for a specific kind of a surface. Also, you must pay attention to whether the product is suitable for children, pets and people with allergies or asthma. If they are not, they probably contain a huge amount of chemicals.

Unfortunately, you can’t always trust everything that is written on the label because not all companies are completely honest with buyers. There are a few toxic ingredients which are often used in cleaning products but it is best to be avoided.

Toxic ingredients you should avoid

Dangerous ingredient	Commonly found in
Butoxyethanol	All-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners
Phthalates	Dishwashing liquid, air freshers and more
Triclosan	Hand soaps, aggressive dishwashing products
Chlorine	Mould removers, toilet cleaners, abrasive cleaners, etc.
Ammonia	Glass cleaners, polishers
Perchloroethylene	Fabric cleaning products and spot detergents
Quaternary ammonium compounds	Antibacterial cleaners, softeners

 

The negative effects of such highly toxic cleaning products vary but many of them are quite disturbing since they can easily result in allergies, poisoning, organ failure and even death. That is namely why it is so important to carefully read the label.

Another important tip you should remember and stick to is to diligently follow the instructions printed on the box. They are there for a good reason and they will not only inform you on how to properly store the product and how to get the most out of it but also how to use it in the safest possible way.

Cleaner vs. Disinfectant vs. Sanitiser

Another thing you should specifically pay attention to when you read the label of a cleaning product is if it is described as a cleaner, disinfectant or a sanitiser. The mildest and most harmless of them is the cleaner since it is less aggressive. However, you should also keep in mind that while they can make a surface look clean, it does not kill all the germs on it.

The purpose of disinfectants, on the other hand, is not so much to clean but to eliminate germs, viruses and microorganisms from the area on which they are applied. They can effectively make your home more health-friendly but they will not get rid of the stains on your carpet. In other words, it fights off only the invisible threats but not the visible spots and stains.

Sanitisers do a little bit of both – cleaning and disinfecting. They will eliminate some of the nasty bacteria in your home but they will also make everything shinier and cleaner.

DIY cleaning supplies that work like charm

A cheaper and often safer alternative to all the specialised cleaning products you can find in a store is to use homemade cleaning agents. You can usually use them on many different surfaces and fabrics and they offer excellent results when mixed with some water.

• Lemon juice – it will help you to remove stains and to clean greasy areas like a stove, for instance;
• Vinegar – White vinegar can be used to clean many surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom;
• Baking soda – it not only cleans but it also removes bad odours;
• Washing soda – use it to remove stains and to clean tubs, tiles or sinks;

Completely ditch your cleaning supplies

As you have probably realised by now, choosing cleaning supplies is not an easy task. It takes time, money and most of all experience since in order to know whether a product works for you or not, you must first try it out. Of course, you can also rely on homemade cleaning agents. After all, that is what people used to do in the past and that worked quite well for them. However, if you feel like you don’t have the patience for either of those things, you can simply stop using cleaning products entirely. Yes, you read that right! If you have had enough of cleaning and cleaning products, you can rely on a licensed team of sanitation experts like Palmer Cleaners in London. There are plenty of vetted cleaning technicians in London and most of them bring cleaning products and equipment with them. This might sound expensive but if you measure it in both time and money, you will see that every penny is worth it.