How Often Do You Really Need to Change Your Mop, Sponges, and Other Cleaning Products?
Cleaning products don’t stay clean for long, but it’s not always clear how often they need to be cleaned or replaced. Let’s take a look at some common consumables and how often they should be thrown away.
How often to change the dish sponge
According to WebMD, throw away your dish sponge once a week, and immediately if it starts to smell. You should also wring it out every time you use it and keep it in a ventilated place. There are two ways to clean the sponge and you should do it more often: you can put it in the dishwasher during the cycle, or you can put it in the microwave for a minute while it’s slightly damp. In USDA testing, microwaved sponges remove 99.99999% of existing bacteria, while washing dishes kills 99.9998%.
How often to change the washcloth
If your washcloth is natural, it should be thrown away every three to four weeks, according to the Cleveland Clinic , and if it’s synthetic, feel free to keep it on for two months. You can clean it weekly by soaking it in a diluted bleach solution for five minutes and rinsing it, or by simply putting it in the dishwasher.
How often to change mop heads
According to Mop Pull , the mop head should be replaced every two to three months… but that’s not all. If the fibers fall off or it just doesn’t do the cleaning anymore, throw it away. Wash your mop head regularly, ideally after every use, never leave it damp or store it in a dark place, according to Rubbermaid . You can toss the removable mop heads into the washing machine, or add dish soap to a bucket of water, lather, then rinse. If you want to go the extra mile, you can soak it in a diluted bleach mixture for about 10 minutes and rinse again, then wring it out well and air dry before putting it away.
How often to change cleaning cloths
You should use a fresh rag in the kitchen every day or every other day at most, according to Apartment Therapy , so keep enough rags on hand so you don’t run out of them while others are in the wash. Throw them away as soon as you notice significant wear, but they should last a while as long as you wash them thoroughly.
How often to change brooms
There is no hard and fast timeline for brooms, but you should throw yours out and replace it when the bristles wear out, especially if there are gaps between them, as it becomes less effective then. You should wash it in warm soapy water about once a month. Here is our complete guide to broom cleaning .
How often to change toilet brushes
According to British toiletry retailer Drench , you should throw away your toilet brush every six months, although Good Housekeeping says you can keep it longer if you clean it after every use, or at least once a week. Rinse it in warm soapy water, then rinse. You can also add bleach to cold water and soak the toilet brush for about 10 minutes, then rinse and air dry it. Don’t forget to clean its holder as well.