Generally, the living room is the first room you step into when you enter a home. It’s the face of your living space and should be the most presentable and comfortable room in your house. Some people ban visitors from entering the sacred space of their clean living room but others welcome the company. That being said, the living room is normally the most high-traffic area of the home as well. Between muddy shoes and shedding dogs and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be overwhelming to know how best to have a clean living room. Here are my top ten must-have cleaning tools for your living room:
- Microfiber Dust Rag. When dusting electronics, coffee tables, or bookshelves, dust particles tend to
be whisked back into the air regardless of the products you use. However, when using a microfiber dust rag, the particles are trapped in the rag instead of being transferred onto the floor. When you’re finished cleaning, you can simply throw the dirty rag into the washing machine for continued use.
- Extended-reach Duster. Cleaning the ceiling fan or high shelves can be tricky and terrifying. Instead of fiddling with ladders or step stools, invest in an extendable tool. You can attach your dust rag to safely and efficently clean those hard to reach areas.
- Wide Angled Broom. Most living rooms have tight corners that collect dust bunnies and cobwebs. If you have hardwood floors in your living room, invest in a wide angle broom with densely-packed bristles. The more bristles in a smaller space, the better. The wide angle allows you to reach into the furthest corners and the dense bristles ensure nothing is left behind.
- Dust Pan with a Rubber Lip. Why go through the trouble of having an efficient broom to only spread the dirt around with a flimsy dust pan? Make sure your dust pan is made of a sturdy plastic and has a rubber lip. This allows the pan to grip the floor to create a seal and keep the dirt in the pan instead of creating the dreaded dirt line on your hardwood or linoleum floor.
- Mop with Re-useable Head. I like using good, old-fashioned mops with a twist. When I use the premixed-spray with a disposable cloth (you know who you are), it tends to leave a residue on my floor, and I can’t reach the corners as efficiently. However, old-fashioned mops tend to get grimy and filthy over time. The solution? Buy a mop with a re-useable head. When you’re finished with mopping, simply throw it in the washing machine with your microfiber rag. This produces less waste and will clean more efficiently. The mop is an essential tool to have a clean living room
- Mop Bucket. When I was in college, I didn’t have the luxury of a mop bucket. We just filled the sink with hot water, but that made cleaning more tedious and difficult, not to mention I made a bigger mess trying to lift my mop to the height of the kitchen sink. Invest in a solid mop bucket with a no-slip grip on the bottom and a handle for mobility.
- Mop and Broom Holder. While not technically a piece of cleaning equipment, it will make your life much easier to have a clean place to store your new mop, broom, and dustpan. Investing in a holder that attaches to the wall will create more space and reduce clutter wherever you store your cleaning supplies. Keeping them separated and off the floor will also keep your new equipment clean and lasting longer.
- Vacuum. Even if your home is covered with hardwood floors, you most likely have a few area rugs or runners to protect your floors from everyday wear and tear. Whether dealing with wall-to-wall carpet or smaller rugs, it’s important to have a reliable vacuum cleaner. Make sure to look for one with a brushroll that digs deep into the carpet to bring all the crumbs and debris to the surface.
- Corner Attachment. My favorite attachment to my vacuum is the corner attachment. It attaches to the hose and reaches under the couch, into corners, and behind heavy furniture. I have a few vents in my living room that heat and cool my house, but these tend to collect dust. Using the corner attachment of my vacuum, I can rid these vents of the allergens that would be reintroduced into my living room.
- Brush Attachment. Whether the residents of your home have four legs or two, your furniture usually bears the burden of its occupants. I use the brush attachment for my vacuum to clean the hairs and crumbs from my furniture. The brush rotates as the air is pulled through, taking any debris with it that doesn’t belong on your couches and chairs. This will help reduce allergens and dust in your home.
By using these helpful tips, your can have a clean living room and it will be your favorite room of the house. It will be a clean, inviting precursor to a beautiful home. Don’t forget to live in your living room, but make sure you clean up after yourself.
— Sydnie Olliff
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