Beginner's Guide to Cleaning - Essential Tools

When you're setting up home for the first time and looking at the cleaning section in your local store, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you need loads of expensive equipment. The truth is that you really don't. So don't be tempted to go mad. Start off with some basics and only add to them if you really need to.

TOOLS

A good quality vacuum cleaner

It's worth buying a good quality vacuum cleaner because it will get a lot of use and you'll want to keep it for quite a long time. Vacuum cleaners work on carpets and on hard floors such as wood, laminate and vinyl. Your main choice is between an upright cleaner and a cylinder (canister) one. Generally speaking, uprights are better if you've got a home with large areas of carpet and not too many stairs (they can be quite heavy to lift around). Cylinder models are easier for cleaning around furniture in smaller rooms and much better for cleaning stairs. But some people find that they have to bend a lot more when using them.

A floor mop (and bucket)

There are a number of types of floor mops available. The main choice is between a traditional string or cloth-strip mop which require a special bucket with a wringer device and a sponge type mop with a built-in squeezing mechanism that removes excess water. The type of mop you choose is partly a matter of personal preference and partly to do with the type of floors you need to clean and how large they are. Traditional mops are quicker for larger floors and sponge ones more suitable for smaller areas. You can buy reasonable mops in most supermarkets and discount stores. Remember you shouldn't use the same mop in your bathroom and toilet as you use in your kitchen and other areas of your home.

Dustpan and brushes

These are useful if you've spilled something but don't want to get your vacuum cleaner out. You will need a soft-bristled brush for wiping up spills on hard flooring and one with stiff bristles to use on carpets and mats. Look before you buy to check that the pan has a lip that will lie flush to the floor - otherwise you will be brushing any spills through the gap and back onto the floor!

Long-handled or extendable dusting brush

These are useful for getting rid of cobwebs, dusting stairwells, cupboard tops, ceiling fans and behind radiators. There are three main types - feather dusters, lambswool dusters and microfibre dusters. Microfibre and lambswool dusters trap the dust better than feather dusters. The feathers on feather dusters can also be prone to breaking. You can also buy disposable dusting brushes but these are expensive, not very environment-friendly - and don't do the job any better than the other types.

Toilet brush

Some people think toilet brushes are unhygienic and it is better to use a cloth strictly reserved for toilet cleaning. But if you buy a brush with an integrated lid, and clean it and replace it regularly, I think it is the easiest way to clean your toilet. Alternatively you could buy a disposable brush, though these are quite expensive. If you opt for a traditional toilet brush, remember you will need one in each toilet in your home.

Rubber gloves

Use these to protect your hands from the drying effect of water and from harsh chemicals. Remember to have different pairs for the kitchen and bathroom.

A good supply of cloths and tea towels

Microfibre towelling cloths are useful as dusters and for cleaning all sorts of surfaces including worktops and windows. In my experience, the cheap ones work just as well as the more expensive ones. Also remember to recycle your old t-shirts, socks and bedding into useful cloths.

A washing up brush and scouring pads

In my experience, cheap washing up brushes work just as well as the more expensive ones. I wouldn't recommend the brushes with small reservoirs for washing up liquid as these can be fiddly and awkward. Scouring pads are useful for scrubbing grill pans, baking trays and pans and getting rid of stubborn marks on some other surfaces. Scourers can be made of plastic, metal wire or acrylic. Plastic scourers are safe to use on non-stick cookware and stainless steel, as are some of the other scourers that are marked safe for this purpose. As most scourers are cheap, buy a few kinds and find out which ones work best for what you need.

Old toothbrushes

An old toothbrush (or even a specially bought cheap toothbrush) is ideal for cleaning awkward, small places like the seal of your fridge or the grout between tiles.

Fiona Katherine Goble