How to clean a toilet bowl brush, sponges, and microfiber cloths

Your toilet is clean and sparkling – but what about the tools you used to get it that way? For safety and hygiene, it’s important to clean toilet brushes and any sponges and microfibre cloths that you may have used to clean the toilet. Restoring these tools to their best condition is, in fact, a relatively easy process.

It’s always important to take any necessary safety precautions. When dealing with a dirty toilet brush, sponges and microfibre cloths, it is highly advisable to wear gloves.

A tough bleach, like one from the Domestos range, is best for cleaning toilet brushes. Remember to always read the instructions on your cleaning product and test in a small area first.

How To Clean A Toilet Brush & Sponges

• Fill a medium-sized bucket with hot water.

• Read the directions on the label of your bleach product and carefully add the appropriate amount of bleach to the water.

• Place the dirty toilet brush or cleaning sponges in the bucket and allow to soak for one to two hours. If any dirt still remains after this time, then leave the products to soak for as long as required.

• Once all dirt and residue has been removed, rinse the sponges or toilet brushes and set aside to dry.

Sometimes knowing how to keep a toilet brush clean isn’t enough. If the dirt and residue is proving difficult to remove, it might be a good idea to replace the toilet brush or sponge. They don’t last forever – it is recommended to change them twice a year.

Key Points

1. Soaking a cleaning sponge or dirty toilet brush is the key to cleaning them

2. Replace cleaning sponges and toilet brushes twice a year

3. You can wash a microfibre cloth by hand or in the washing machine

How to Clean A Microfibre Cloth

There are two methods you can use to give these handy cleaning tools a new lease of life.

Machine washing a microfibre cloth

• First, read the directions on the label or the packaging.

• Wash all microfibre cloths separately from other materials as the cloths tend to carry a large amount of dirt.

• Set your washing machine to 90 degrees. Washing microfibre cloths in hot water will deliver the best results and leave your cloths looking as good as new.

• Once the cycle has finished, hang to dry.

How to Clean a Microfibre Cloth by Hand

• Create a paste of baking soda and water.

• Dampen each cloth and begin by rubbing the paste onto the cloths.

• Allow the paste to sit for half an hour on the cloths. Baking soda absorbs any lingering odour and will also remove stains and dirt.

• Fill a medium-sized bucket with warm water and soap.

• Place the cloths in the bucket after half an hour and rub cloths gently to remove any remaining dirt.

• Rinse the cloths with water.

• Hang to dry.

Fortunately, cleaning toilet brushes, sponges and microfibre cloths doesn’t require much time or expense. Getting dirty toilet brushes back to their original condition is also simple and hassle-free. Best of all, these handy cleaning tools will perform even better next time you use them, leaving your whole home spic and span.

For more information on the ingredients in products mentioned in this tip, visit What’s in Unilever Products here.