My Favorite Things

Remember when I said I was excited to go and buy a new broom?  I'm definitely one of those people who eagerly anticipates a change or upgrade to my daily routine, and a better broom fits into that category.  When I first started cleaning, I surveyed my cache of cleaning products with a bit of dissatisfaction.  I had a mop and broom that I had bought as cheaply as possible when we moved into the house, as well as a shelf full of mostly-empty bottles of cleaning products.  After a quick trip through Target, I am armed with an assortment of goodies that have helped me in my project these past few weeks.  Some of them are particularly great and warrant my valuable endorsement.

Libman Wonder Mop:  For years, I've used one of those large sponges on the end of a stick.  It didn't really fit into my mop bucket, was messy to wring, and always seemed to just smear the dirt around the floor.  My new version is fantastic; it has a handle that allows me to wring it without getting wet hands (and it was simple enough for Mini-me to use, actually).  It looks like an orange octopus that spreads out when it hits the floor, rather than simply rubbing in a single spot.  Also, the head is detachable and washable...genuis!  Cost:  about $10

Libman Large Precision Angle Broom:  My old broom was in sad shape and sported a family of dust bunnies living in its bent and stretched bristles.  The handle had also broken, and left me bending to reach the floor as I swept because I was too cheap to buy a new one.  Since I was buying a Libman mop, I figured I'd go all out and buy a Libman broom too.  I love it (as much as one can love a broom).  The bristles are stiff enough to sweep even tiny dirt particles off the floor, and the dust pan is angled so that they actually sweep into it, rather than getting trapped in a line as I sweep.  One side is angled, so I've been able to sweep easily under my cabinets and between the cabinets and refrigerator.  Cost:  about $10

Pledge:  I know that there are other dusting products, but this was a mainstay in my house when I was growing up, and I love the lemony scent and the way it makes my furniture shine.  Also, Pledge actually traps dust that I wipe, rather than simply allowing it to float around in the air.  Cost:  about $3

Lysol Wipes:  Is there anything that these wipes can't do?  I like that they are simple, portable, and not messy.  Since they are smaller than a cleaning cloth, they can also easily get into small nooks and crannies, like the corner of my vanity or the tiny ledges of cabinet doors.  Pair with a toothpick, and there's nowhere for dirt to hide!  Cost:  about $4

Apple cider vinegar:  I was iffy about using vinegar as a cleaning product, because I wasn't sure if it did any more than make surfaces look clean.  After some research, it appears that a 5% vinegar solution does, in fact, kill bacteria and mold.  That said, I prefer the smell of apple cider vinegar to basic white vinegar.  I have diluted it with water, then used it to clean anything that Pledge, Windex, or a Lysol wipe won't work for:  floors, door frames, window sills.  Cost:  about $3

Scott kitchen sponges:  My favorite sponges for washing dishes and cleaning countertops are the kind that are yellow and absorbent on one side and green and abrasive on the other.  They work well for caked-on food, and the same can be said for sticky spots on the floor or grime atop a kitchen cabinet.  Cost: about $3 for 2

Paper Towels:  I think I've used an entire roll since I started my endeavor on cleaning alone (not including standard kitchen messes).  Though I prefer to use a washable cloth when I can, these seem to work well for cleaning glass and windows.  That said, I have absolutely zero brand loyalty to paper towels.  Do some brands work better than other?  Absolutely; I especially like Bounty Select-a-Size.  However, paper towels are one of those items that can break a week's grocery budget, so I have set the rule that I will not pay more than $1 per roll for them.  There are times I can get Bounty for that much, with a sale and a coupon; if not, the Wal-Mart store brand is good enough for me.  Cost:  $1

Gerber flat cloth diapers:  I had several of these laying around from when Mini-me was an infant and I was experimenting with using them as burp cloths.  As it turns out, they are soft and absorbent and perfect for cleaning.  I've used them for even delicate surfaces, including our TV screen and the exposed light bulbs over our bathroom counter.  I have some old washcloths and towels too, but the diapers are hands-down my favorite cleaning rag.  Cost: about $8 for a dozen

I definitely have used an assortment of other products as well; however, they aren't as consistently used and don't exactly wow me.  I'd say that this is the list I can't live without!