Cleaning your home is essential for maintaining a healthy, tidy, and welcoming environment. According to NSW Health, effective hygiene practices at home, including regular disinfection, play a key role in reducing the spread of bacteria and viruses.
With so many cleaning supplies available, choosing the right ones for each area of your home can be overwhelming. In this guide, we explore the most effective types of cleaning products, including microfibre towels, cleaning wipes, disinfectant wipes, and alcohol-based wipes. We also offer practical tips on how to use them in different spaces to maintain a clean and safe home.
Products to use during cleaning
Choosing the right cleaning supplies is crucial not just for effectiveness but also for the longevity of your surfaces. Using the correct products ensures that you maintain a clean home without damaging your furniture or appliances. Additionally, certain cleaning products, like disinfectant wipes or alcohol cleaning wipes, can help maintain a hygienic environment by eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other germs.
Popular Household Cleaning Products
Microfibre Towels
Microfibre towels are a must-have in any cleaning toolkit. Manufacturers make these towels from tiny fibres that trap dirt, dust, and moisture more effectively than traditional cotton towels. You can use them for a variety of cleaning tasks, from dusting to wiping down surfaces, without leaving streaks or lint behind.
Why Choose Microfibre Towels?
- Versatility: You can use microfibre towels to clean a wide range of surfaces, including countertops, glass, and floors.
- Environmentally Friendly: Microfibre towels are reusable, reducing the need for disposable cleaning products like paper towels and wipes.
- Effective Cleaning: The fine fibres in microfibre towels trap dirt and grime, making cleaning faster and more efficient.
Best for: General cleaning tasks such as wiping down kitchen counters, cleaning windows, and dusting furniture.
Cleaning Wipes
Cleaning wipes are an incredibly convenient option for quick clean-ups around the house. Cleaning wipes come in different types, such as all-purpose, glass, and disinfecting wipes. They are easy to use and do not need extra tools like sprays or cloths. Simply pull out a wipe and start cleaning.
Why Choose Cleaning Wipes?
- Convenience: Cleaning wipes are pre-moistened and ready to use, making them perfect for quick clean-ups and spot cleaning.
- Multi-Surface: You can use most cleaning wipes on a variety of surfaces, from countertops to appliances.
- Portable: Cleaning wipes are easy to carry around the house. They are great for cleaning up spills or messes right away.
Best for: Quick surface cleaning, wiping down appliances, or cleaning high-touch areas like doorknobs and light switches.
Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant wipes are essential for maintaining a germ-free home. These wipes have disinfecting agents that kill bacteria and viruses right away. This makes them great for high-risk areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Many disinfectant wipes work well on different surfaces. They can clean countertops, sinks, and even electronic devices.
Why Choose Disinfectant Wipes?
- Sanitation: Manufacturers specially formulate disinfectant wipes to eliminate harmful germs, bacteria, and viruses, promoting a healthier home environment.
- Quick and Effective: Disinfectant wipes clean and sanitise surfaces quickly. You don’t need extra cleaning tools.
- Easy to Use: Simply wipe down surfaces with a disinfectant wipe and dispose of it after use.
Best for: High-touch surfaces such as kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, and doorknobs. They're also great for sanitising toys and other shared items.
Alcohol Cleaning Wipes
Alcohol cleaning wipes are a special kind of wipe. They contain alcohol, usually isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, as the main ingredient.
These wipes are excellent for disinfecting surfaces while also providing a quick, streak-free clean. Alcohol works well to break down oils, grease, and other residues. This makes these wipes great for cleaning electronics, glass, and other delicate surfaces.
Why Choose Alcohol Cleaning Wipes?
- Fast Drying: Alcohol cleaning wipes dry quickly. This makes them great for surfaces that shouldn’t stay wet for long, like electronics.
- Effective Cleaning: The alcohol in these wipes breaks down oils, dirt, and grime. This makes them great for cleaning smartphones, tablets, and computer screens.
- Disinfection: Alcohol has natural disinfecting properties, helping to kill germs and bacteria on surfaces.
Best for: Electronics like phones, tablets, and laptops, as well as glass and stainless-steel surfaces. You can also use them to clean high-touch items that need quick sanitization.
How to Choose the Best Cleaning Products for Each Area of Your Home
When choosing cleaning products for each area of your home, it’s important to consider the specific needs of each space. Here are some tips on how to choose the best products for various tasks:
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most used areas in the home. It's where messes, germs, and bacteria can also build up there. When choosing kitchen products, look for ones that cut through grease and food stains. They should also be safe for food preparation surfaces.
- All Purpose Cleaner and Microfibre Towels: Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down countertops, cabinets, and appliance surfaces. Microfibre towels are perfect for wiping up food debris and cleaning without leaving lint behind.
- Disinfectant Wipes: Disinfecting wipes are important for cleaning kitchen surfaces. This is especially true for areas that touch raw meat, vegetables, or harmful bacteria.
- Alcohol Cleaning Wipes: Alcohol wipes are great for cleaning small appliances. They work well on toasters, blenders, and microwaves. These wipes help remove grease and food particles that can be hard to clean.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are another high-traffic area where hygiene is a top priority. When choosing cleaning supplies for the bathroom, look for items that can tackle soap scum, mould, mildew, and bacteria.
- Disinfectant Wipes: These are ideal for wiping down toilets, sinks, and countertops. They’ll help kill bacteria and viruses that thrive in the moist bathroom environment.
- Microfibre Towels: Microfibre towels are excellent for wiping down mirrors and glass shower doors without leaving streaks or watermarks.
- Heavy Duty Cleaners: Use a stronger cleaner for grout, tubs, and showerheads. These cleaners help remove soap scum and mineral build-up.
Living Room and Bedrooms
The living room and bedrooms are spaces where we relax and unwind, so it’s important to keep them clean and comfortable. Use products that are gentle yet effective for general cleaning.
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Use an all-purpose cleaner to dust furniture, wipe shelves, and clean TV stands or tables.
- Microfibre Towels: These are great for cleaning furniture, especially if you have upholstered chairs or couches. They can pick up dust and debris without damaging delicate surfaces.
- Cleaning Wipes: For a quick clean-up, use cleaning wipes on small messes. They work well on surfaces like bedside tables and coffee tables.
References
NSW Health, n.d. Hygiene at home – Fact sheets. [online] Available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/domestic-cleaning.aspx [Accessed 1 May 2025].