Welcome back! For those who have just joined us in our Speed Cleaning series, we're so happy to have you here. Don't worry, you are not too late. Just be sure to read Speed Cleaning Rules #1 to 7 first before moving on the Rule #8.
Are you ready? Let's go!
Speed Cleaning Rule #8: Keep your tools in impeccable shape.
Dull razors don't clean - they scratch. Spray bottles puff up and make funny noises when they are clogged, they will not spray at all. After you have all the right products, make sure that your Speed Cleaning efforts are not wasted because your tools are slowly wearing out or your supplies are running really low. Remember, what we are showing you is time not spent cleaning. Don't just get the right supplies and tools, keep them clean and working 100% at all times. The strict rules that you are learning apply when you store your cleaning supplies as well. Your tools are very important so make sure you don't just scatter them around the house where they can get lost, damaged or not available when you need them. Keep them organized in one cleaning tray.
Speaking of tools, there are three important ones that we use all the time and we don't compromise on them - the feather duster, the cleaning cloth and the Sh-mop.
For feather dusters, the only one that works is made with real feathers or ostrich down, to be more specific. These feathers are soft, full and almost spider web-like at the ends. We use feather dusters that are 18 inches long, including the handle. They are definitely worth it their weight in gold, so invest in a good one. You'll appreciate how valuable they are when you see your cleaning time cut in half after using them. Don't waste your money on the bright colored dusters that make a big mess dropping feathers everywhere.
What about cleaning cloths? Using them is a vital part of your cleaning routine. The best cleaning cloths are pure white 100% cotton. Used table napkins are perfect. You may be able to get them at your local linen service or order a dozen from SpeedCleaning.com. Don't substitute under any circumstance! Get rid of those old t-shirts, underwear, and socks and most especially, newspapers! Using them is just a waste of your time. Keep a large supply of cleaning cloths so that you will not run out once you start cleaning. When they are too worn out and you can't use them for general cleaning, use them for grungier jobs like oven cleaning or other heavy-duty jobs, then throw them away. Take note, we call them "cleaning cloths", never rags. Wash (and sanitize) your cleaning cloths in hot water with a liquid detergent and a small amount of chlorine bleach. It only takes a small amount of bleach to kill germs, but too much will deteriorate the cloth quickly.
Lastly, we have the Sh-mop. After trying every kind of mop out there, we favor the a "Sh-Mop" over sponge mops, string mops, and fabric rag mops. It is rare to have a major new design in cleaning but the Sh-Mop makers have definitely done it. The Sh-Mop uses a full 8 by 15 inches flat rubber surface covered with a terry cloth cover that can be removed, washed, and reused-now that's green! That's 120 square inches of scrubbing power on your floor for ease and speed! A regular sponge mop only covers 25 square inches so the Sh-Mop cleans three to four times faster than the best sponge mop out there. Not only that, the Sh-Mop is better at cleaning floors and reaching corners. It also cleans under the edges of appliances. It also works well on walls and ceilings, but that's another story. And since you can wash the covers after every use, it's like getting a new, sparkling clean mop every time you clean. Finally, the Sh-Mop comes with a supply of 3 terry cover cloths or the microfiber bonnets.
