Mops, Brooms, Dustpans...Oh My!

By Sinea Pies

A place for everything, and everything in its place. Everyday cleaning tasks are a real chore if you don't have the right tools--and if they're not handy. 

Today we are going to talk about the tools that get our floors clean and shiny, and where to put them when they're not in use. 
Martha Stewart shared her storage tip for mops and brooms on her website this week. How to keep an Orderly Utility Closet

Organizers for your Mops & Brooms

There are several styles of organizers available to keep your mops and brooms neat, and conveniently handy. 

Here are some easy to install space savers: BROOM ORGANIZERS

KINDS OF BROOMS

FLAT BROOM

Traditional broom with even-trimmed bristles at bottom attached to a wooden handle.

ANGLE BROOM

Similar to the traditional flat broom except that the bristles are cut at an angle for cleaning debris out of corners, as well as sweeping the central part of the room.  This style is more versatile than the flat broom variety. 

PET HAIR SECRET:  having trouble getting pet hair off of your carpeted stairway?  Use an angle broom!  Sweep back and forth, starting that the top stair, and watch the fur fly!  Once it is loosened up, use an electric broom or vacuum cleaner to finish the job!  Works brilliantly.

PUSH BROOM Often depicted in cartoons being used by street-cleaners, this wider and thicker broom covers large open areas well.  Especially big, open rooms, hallways or garages.

WHISK BROOM

This broom has a short handle and is therefore well suited for cleaning the interior of vehicles or uncarpeted stairs.  Be sure to use a dust pan.

ELECTRIC BROOM Closer to being a vacuum cleaner, this broom is a bit less powerful but very useful for short jobs.

TYPES OF MOPS

Flat Mops and Dust Mops

Similar in nature, these dry mops quickly clean up light debris and pet hair from hard surfaces floors.  Sweep and shake em outside or over a garbage can. The latest version is the Swiffer Duster. Cover with disposable sheets and dust your floors in no-time.

Sponge Mops

Wet mops that absorb dirt and distribute cleaning solutions.  The sweeper just wets the sponge end in water, and squeezes it dry with a metal device that is built in, applies cleaning solution to the floor and wipes it clean.  Many of today’s solutions do not require rinsing.  Sponge mops are most often used on kitchen, bathroom and hallway floors.  A contemporary version of the traditional sponge mop, is the Swiffer Wetjet. 

String Mops

String or rag mops are often depicted in old-time movies 
where the janitor is cleaning a linoleum floor in an office building or a navy seaman is cleaning the ship. Bucket at his side, he “swabs the deck” with steady, large back and forth motions. String mops do the job but can get yucky pretty fast and it takes lots of elbow-grease to use them. 

Steam Mops

A home executive’s dream come true!  Black and Decker has a Steam Mop with smart technology that is oh so neat.  No cleaning solutions necessary—just use tap water!  Gotta check this video out.

Vacuum Cleaner
More and more we are using vacuum cleaners as brooms. They are lightweight, easy to clean and made for hardwood and tile floors as well as carpet and upholstery. By far, the best vacuum I've ever owned is the Shark Navigator. 

What are your favorite "tools of the trade"?  How do you store them? What do you like, or not like, about the ones that you use?

I think we can all agree that, after the floor is clean and shiny, we stand back, admire our work saying "Yes! Now that's much better! Gee, I'm really gonna miss this when I hire a maid!"    :)

Like Us on Facebook

More ...

• 5 Best Organizing Tips I Have Ever Learned
• Speed Clean Your Email 
• Best Vacuum
• Simple Lovely Living
• Healthy Eating for Kids