How to disinfect (and clean) a mop head, feather duster, and other cleaning accessories

Fill your sink with warm water.

Use a couple of drops.

Soak your duster in the solution for at least one minute.

Once soaked, swish your duster back and forth in the solution.

Rinse your duster under fresh, clean water.

Squeeze the feathers gently, before shaking to remove excess water.

Allow your duster to air-dry.

Once fully dry, turn the duster right-side-up and fluff up the feathers with your hand.

Some mop heads are removable - check the manufacturer’s details to see if it is machine washable. If so, use a gentle cycle at the hottest temperature. Just as with the feather duster, you want to make sure the mop head is fully dry before putting it away to prevent bacteria growth and mould. Wring the mop head out first, then hang it in direct sunlight to dry.

Just as you don’t want to clean your house with dirty cleaning accessories, you don’t want to wash things in a dirty washing machine either. Head to our guide on how to clean a washing machine to make sure it’s cleaning and disinfecting effectively.

If your mop head is not machine washable, wash it by hand. Soak for 15 minutes in a mix of equal parts cool water and Domestos bleach, before rinsing the mixture off the mop head. Remember to do this in a well-ventilated area and to wear protective clothing and gloves. As with machine washing, wring the mop head out and then hang to dry.

Ensure you store your mop in a cool, dry spot. The best way is to hang it up; that way the mop head doesn’t drag on the floor and get dirty again. While keeping your mop head or duster clean is important, sometimes it may be beyond simple cleaning. Make sure you replace the mop head every two to three months.

Brooms are a great way to sweep up any dust and debris on the floor before mopping but they can get pretty disgusting after a while – from pet hair and dirt to food debris and dust, there’s a lot that can be lurking in your broom! Use these simple steps to help guide you on how to clean brooms and disinfect them.

Take your broom outside and knock it against a wall or hard surface to loosen dust. You should do this around once a week.

Place the broom head in a bucket filled with warm, soapy water. Let it soak for around half an hour. While waiting for the broom head to soak, wipe down the broom handle with disinfectant. Rinse the broom head with warm water and leave to dry, bristle-end up.