Maintaining cleanliness in the home involves appropriate tools and equipment in all areas of the home. Depending on the room, various complications arise and thus, endearing one with tools that would help in the process is very important. In this blog, we will categorize the cleaning tools that you need for different areas of your home using the accessible and affordable items available in Sri Lanka.
1. Kitchen Cleaning Tools
The kitchen is often the busiest and messiest room in the house. From food spills to grease stains, having the right tools will make maintaining a clean kitchen much easier.
- Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths are perfect for wiping down countertops, cleaning spills, and polishing surfaces. They’re highly absorbent and ideal for handling grease and grime in the kitchen.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Domex, CIF, and other local brands offer quality microfiber cloths.
- Dish Scrubber with Handle: A dish scrubber with a sturdy handle makes washing pots, pans, and dishes more efficient. Look for scrubbers with interchangeable heads to handle different cleaning tasks.
- Recommended: Scotch-Brite dish scrubbers are widely available in supermarkets across Sri Lanka.
- Multipurpose Cleaning Spray: A good cleaning spray is essential for sanitizing countertops and appliances. Look for one that is suitable for a variety of surfaces, including wood, stainless steel, and tiles.
- Recommended: CIF Multipurpose Cleaner and Mr. Muscle Kitchen Cleaner are great choices.
- Grease-Cutting Dish Soap: Grease can be tough to remove, especially when cooking with oils. A good dish soap will help break down tough grease and leave your dishes sparkling clean.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Sunlight and Vim dishwashing liquids are popular and effective.
2. Bathroom Cleaning Tools
Bathrooms need regular cleaning to prevent mould, soap scum, and hard water stains. These tools will help you tackle the most common bathroom cleaning challenges.
- Toilet Brush and Holder: A sturdy toilet brush is a must-have for scrubbing the inside of your toilet bowl. Look for brushes with a holder to store them hygienically.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Domex and Harpic offer reliable toilet brushes with holders.
- Tile and Grout Brush: Tiles and grout lines can accumulate dirt and grime over time. A narrow, stiff-bristled brush makes it easy to clean grout without damaging the tiles.
- Recommended: Lysol grout brushes are available in major Sri Lankan supermarkets.
- Squeegee: Prevent water spots and mildew in your shower by using a squeegee to wipe down glass surfaces after each use.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Look for brands like Scotch-Brite or generic squeegees available at most hardware stores.
- Bathroom Cleaner Spray: Bathroom-specific cleaners help tackle soap scum, mildew, and hard water stains. Make sure to use a cleaner that’s suitable for your surfaces, whether tiles, glass, or porcelain.
- Recommended: Domex Bathroom Cleaner and Harpic Bathroom Cleaner are effective and widely available.
3. Living Room Cleaning Tools
The living room is where you relax and entertain guests, so it’s important to keep it clean and tidy. Dust and pet hair can quickly accumulate, especially on soft furnishings.
- Vacuum Cleaner: A vacuum cleaner is essential for keeping carpets, rugs, and upholstery dust-free. In Sri Lanka, where humidity can lead to dust buildup, a vacuum with a HEPA filter is recommended to reduce allergens.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Brands like Black+Decker and Karcher offer good quality vacuum cleaners for home use.
- Feather Duster or Microfiber Duster: For dusting delicate items like electronics and décor, a feather duster or microfiber duster is perfect. They attract dust without causing scratches.
- Recommended: Locally available options include feather dusters from DSI and microfiber dusters from Scotch-Brite.
- Lint Roller: Lint rollers are handy for removing pet hair, dust, and lint from upholstery, curtains, and even clothes.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Supermarkets like Keells and Cargills carry affordable lint rollers.
- Glass Cleaner: Keep your windows and glass surfaces sparkling clean with a good glass cleaner. Look for streak-free formulas that work on both indoor and outdoor windows.
- Recommended: Windex and CIF Glass Cleaners are popular and effective in Sri Lanka.
4. Garden and Outdoor Cleaning Tools
Maintaining outdoor spaces like gardens, patios, and driveways requires heavier-duty cleaning tools. The humid climate in Sri Lanka can encourage the growth of moss and algae, so regular cleaning is essential.
- Broom and Dustpan: For sweeping outdoor areas, a durable, wide broom is your best bet. Pair it with a large dustpan for easy debris collection.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Brands like Elephant House offer durable outdoor brooms and dustpans.
- Garden Hose with Spray Nozzle: A hose with adjustable spray settings is perfect for washing down patios, driveways, and outdoor furniture. You can also use it to water plants or rinse off garden tools.
- Recommended: Hosepipe sets with spray nozzles are available at hardware stores like Arpico and Laughs Supermarkets.
- Pressure Washer: For tougher outdoor cleaning tasks like removing moss, algae, and dirt from driveways and walls, a pressure washer is highly effective.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Karcher and Black+Decker pressure washers are popular options for home use.
- Garden Shears and Rake: Keep your garden clean and tidy with a pair of shears for trimming plants and a sturdy rake for gathering fallen leaves and debris.
- Available in Sri Lanka: Garden shears and rakes are easily found at local hardware and gardening stores like Arpico and Home Depot.
Choosing the perfect cleaning tools for cleaning your house will go a long way in helping you lessen the strain and time you take to clean all the rooms in your home. When in the kitchen and washing the counters or anywhere else around the house or in the garden, gathering the right tools is vital to achieving high cleanliness.
Fortunately, most of these tools can easily be accessed in Sri Lanka in vernacular computer stores, supermarkets and hardware shops. Fundamentally when you acquire the right cleaning products you will be making your home a cleaner and even a happier environment to live in.