Hosting Christmas can be stressful enough without having to worry about keeping the house clean. We have some quick fixes for those unforeseen messes, (sticky fingers, spills, and paw prints) that may occur.

Mess: Spills, footprints.
Solution: Our LIFE CHANGING MOP, AKA SuperSwish Spray Mop (Just $42 from Bunnings Warehouse) – Is your go to, quick and stress-free cleaning tool this season. No need to get a mop and bucket out, the spray mop is always ready to go for those quick clean ups. Just fill the water chamber with water and it’s all ready and waiting for that mess!!

Mess: Sticky fingers.
Solution: 3-in-1 Window Squeegee ($15.50 from Big W) – Don’t get a bucket with water, squeegee and a towel out. This simple design allows you to spray, wash and dry your windows with just one tool.

Mess: Bench tops before and after food prep.
Solution: ALL SURFACE Premium Microfibre Cloths (3pk for $5 from Woolworths) – these are ideal to clean all household surfaces, plus you don’t need chemicals just add water.

Mess: DUST!
Solution: Microfinger Dusting Glove (Just $7 from Bunnings Warehouse) – the perfect duster to get into all those hard to reach places. And it’s machine washable and long lasting.

Is the oven clean and ready for the beautiful Turkey?

Here’s some great tips to make this big job, smaller and easier.

Step 1: Make sure you have a good pair of gloves. Our Tear Resistant Gloves are perfect for this tough job and a bargain for $3.86 at Bunnings Warehouse.
Step 2: Remove all racks from the oven and set aside.
Step 3: Mix half a cup of McKenzies Bi-Carb Soda and a few teaspoons of water to make a paste.
Step 4: Spread the paste all over the interior surfaces of your oven, steering clear of the heating elements. The Bi-Carb Soda will turn brown as you rub.
Step 5: Allow the Bi-Carb Soda to rest overnight, if possible, if not a few hours should do the trick.
Step 6: Meanwhile you can clean your oven racks in the sink of hot water with dish washing liquid.
Step 7: After the Bi-Carb soda has had time to work, use a damp cloth to remove the paste. You may need a plastic spatula to help.
Step 8: Put a little vinegar in a spray bottle and spray everywhere. The vinegar will react to any leftover Bi-carb soda and gently foam.
Step 9: Take a clean damp cloth and do a final wipe down.

Is the BBQ ready for the Shrimp?

Taking good care of your BBQ is not only good for your health, but it will help to maintain the taste of what you cook too! Luckily, it only takes a few basic steps to clean your BBQ grill. All you need is a Sabco BBQ Grill Brush (long handle $8.99 from Bunnings Warehouse) and paper towel.

1. Clean while the grill is still hot:
It’s obvious that cleaning is easier while the grill plates are still hot. For that reason, when you want to clean your cooled grill, turn up the heat for few minutes to soften all the grease and grime for easier cleaning.

2. Get your tools ready:
Use the steel scraper on the BBQ brush to scrape off food leftovers and then brush with brass bristle side to clean all remaining spots and grease. At the end, use paper towel to wipe away all the dirt and grease.

3. Cover up your Barbie:
Finally, make sure you keep your BBQ covered after any cooking, to stop dust and dirt from building up, prevent rust, ants and insects.

Easy fridge cleaning tips – and make room for all that YUMMY food.

Fridge cleaning can be a daunting task that we all put off. But with these simple steps you can have it done in no time.

Step 1: Remove all the food before cleaning. Make sure you throw anything that us out of date.
Step 2: Remove draws and shelves and soak in warm water with dishwashing liquid.
Step 3: Use a mixture of warm water and dishwashing liquid to wipe the interior.
Step 4: Use Bi-Card Soda to remove stubborn stains.
Note: Make sure you follow the instructions on any cleaning products with care.

Get the Kids involved!

Involve the kids in cleaning and getting the house ready for Christmas Day. This is also a great way for them to gain some extra brownie points before Santa arrives.

Create a cleaning game:
Add some interesting elements (like music or singing) to your cleaning routine, which make cleaning and organising fun, entertaining and engaging for kids. You can use a timer and turn the routines into a cleaning challenge!

Give your kids exciting tools to use:
The Sabco Microfinger Dusters ($7 from Bunnings Warehouse) are structured to make cleaning easy and fun, so your kids will LOVE the fantastic shapes and bright colours. Always remember, to work with them because kids are more likely to be involved if you are too, but keep the task as independent as possible.
You can also involve your kids in any of these cleaning duties under your supervision: dusting, folding laundry, tidying up their toys and some light sweeping jobs.

Christmas day dishes….
You’re in a Christmas food comma, now to get the dishes done.

Here are a few games you can play to get the job done and have some fun too.
Lucky Dip: Have some little gifts wrapped up and if someone cleans and dries 5 dishes, they get to pick one.
Dishes relay: Get your guests to pair up, each pair will have 60 seconds to wash as many dishes as they can. The catch, they also have to swap the glove and apron over. The team with the most dishes washed wins, and you could always add an extra incentive with a prize.

After Christmas solutions to get rid of the mess!

Now that all the presents have been opened and the guests are gone, the to do list is still just as long.

Getting rid of the tree:
You could remove all of the branches as close to the truck as possible and then turn them into mulch.
You can chop the tree up and use it for fire-wood.
Consider taking it to a local compost site. Composting is a more sustainable choice than sending a pine tree to landfill.

Cleaning up the Christmas tree needles left behind:
Our Xtra Sweep Broom ($13 from Coles) has X-bristles that will trap Christmas tree needles.

All that wrapping paper:
For this tip to work you need to make sure you tell your guests on Christmas Day not to rip the wrapping. This way you can re-use it or the kids can use it for arts and crafts. And it doesn’t end up in landfill.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

The post Easy, quick, and stress-free, all-in time for Christmas! appeared first on Sabco.

Let’s get started!

• Make a list of tasks by room.
• Declutter before you start each room.
• Work from the top down.
• Set goals and reward yourself.

Make sure you know what supplies you need, and order what you don’t have online for delivery / click and collect.

Here’s a sample list we put together:

✔ 3 in 1 spray squeegee

✔  All-purpose microfibre cloths

✔ Green Microfingers Dusting Glove

✔ Rinse n’ Wring microfibre flat mop

✔ Flo-Thru Wash Brush

✔ Duex Scrub & Wipe Kitchen Sponge

✔ Curved Cobweb Brush with Extension Handle

✔ SuperSwish Spray Mop

✔ Skirting Board Broom

✔ Oakwood Leather Care Deep Clean Soap

✔ Oakwood Hydrating Leather Conditioner

✔ Grout Brush

✔ Sabco Tile & Grout Brush

✔ DUSTING Premium Microfibre Cloths 2pk

✔ All-Purpose Microfibre Cloths

If you’re waiting for items, you can still get started with your spring clean, start by cleaning out cupboards, sorting our clothes and toys.

Let’s make this fun for the whole household. Listening to music while cleaning always makes the jobs easier but I think we can do a little better.

• Racing, a little bit of competition is always fun. Assign a cupboard to each member and the person to finish first wins.
• Judging, kind of like master chef, but master cleaner.
• Always have a reward / point system. This will motivate anyone, of any age.
• Fashion Show, of all the clothes you forgot you had / haven’t worn for a while. This will be fun but will also help you decide if you should keep it or not.

And now let’s tackle room by room! Here’s a list to get you started:

KITCHEN:

• Fridge:
  1. Throw out anything out of date.
  2. Remove everything from the fringe.
  3. Remove fridge shelves and clean in the sink with hot water and detergent.
  4. Wipes the inside of the fridge out with warm soapy water. Product tip: Use our Duex Scrub & Wipe Kitchen Sponge.
• Dust all the edges and above the kitchen cabinets. Product tip: You can always count on our Curved Cobweb Brush with Extension Handle; it can get into those hard to reach places!
• Pantry and Cupboards: Give your cabinets a deep clean. Empty the cabinets of all contents (throw away any out-of-date items). Then with a microfibre cloth with warm water, wipe down shelves, the inside of the door, and the outside of the door. Use a clean toothbrush to treat the corners and other small crevices. Let dry completely before restocking.

BEDROOMS:

• Mattress deep clean. Start with stripping the bed and wash all the bedding, then vacuum the mattress (don’t forget to do it both sides!), spot-clean the mattress with a stain remover, and leave your mattress out in the sun for the day to make sure the UV rays will kill all the mold or bacteria that still sits on the mattress.
• Wardrobe: – Tip: make a pile of clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in a while. You don’t have to throw them / donate them just yet. Over the period of 3 – 6 months (keep in mind of seasonal clothing), you will either take from the pile / look for something. What is left at the end of the period, donate.
• Toys clean out.
• Wipe down the walls. Tip: A quick and easy way to clean your walls is following this easy hack and use our microfibre SuperSwish Spray Mop: with 10 drops of essential oil, your walls will smell like Spring!
• Windows and curtains. Remove curtains (if you can) and wash as per manufacture instruction, alternatively wipe them down with warn soapy water. Remove fly screens and wash. Product Tip: Flo-Thru Wash Brush, just connect to your hose and clean away. Next dust the window frame, then use a window and glass cleaner for a sparkling clean window. Tip: use microfibre to help your window cleaning, they are absorbent, remove the dirt and leave the glass streak-free and shiny. Product tip: 3-in-1 Spray Squeegee.
• The duster will be your very best friend to tackle all surfaces. Make sure to use an electrostatic duster, it attracts dust like a magnet and much needed especially in the kids rooms!
• Carpet & fabric cleaner if needed.

LIVINGROOM:

• Skirting boards. Product tip: You only need the Skirting Board Broom, one broom for a complete sweep!
• Walls, tip above. 😊
• Clean your couch, remove cushions and vacuum, and wash cushion covers. If you have a leather couch, we recommend to use a Oakwood Leather Care Deep Clean Soap. Removes stains, in-ground dirt and grime build up. Provides a gentle deep clean to remove dirt, grime, body oils and odours. And Oakwood Hydrating Leather Conditioner to preserve softness and durability of the leather instead.
• Dust all items on shelves and dusting the surface.

BATHROOM: 

• Clean and re-organize your under-sink cabinet, chuck all the expired products.
• Deep clean the grout between tiles. Product tip: remove all the tough grime with our Grout Brush and the hard to reach grout with the extra firm bristles Sabco Tile & Grout Brush.
• Make-up cabinet: take everything out of the cabinet and toss all the expired makeup, skincare, and hair products.
• Shower drain. Remove the cover and take out the trapped hair that you can inside. Tip: If your shower drain is clogged and you’re looking for a ecofriendly method to unclog it, you can use baking soda and vinegar. Follow these three easy steps:
  • 1. Use a cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain.
  •  2. Wait for 5 minutes and then pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain.
  • Wait for 2/3 hours and pour boiling water down the drain.

OUTDOORS:

• Outdoor furniture.
• Play equipment.
• Clean all the windows.
• Gutters and drainpipes.
• Re-organise the garage / garden shed.
• Empty and clean out the bins. Tip: Baking soda is a great tool to help neutralize odours in homes. It works the same way for rubbish bins. Pour a small amount in the bottom of the bin and let the baking soda do all the work for you!
• Clean your outdoor doormat by shaking / banging the dust out on the grass or in an outdoor area.

Take you Spring Clean to the next level!

We call it “The under everything clean” and the “In everything clean”. The plan below is comprehensive, but there are so many places in your home that get missed.

All those good-looking boxes and baskets you use to store stuff, go through them, and clean them.

Under the fridge, couch, beds, draws, etc. There is carpet, walls and skirting boards hiding under there. Now let’s not forget bathroom fans, heating and cooling vents and kitchen exhaust fans. If you can remove the covers to clean, this will be a cleaner option, however dusting and wiping these will be enough. Kitchen exhaust fans will need a little more love. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and use a scrubbing brush to remove all the grime.

Eco friendly solutions

Microfibre cloths can be washed and re-used up to 500 times as a general rule. This makes microfibre one of the most economical cleaning materials existing today.

Microfibre cloths trap the grime and lift it away, and since they’re reusable, you’ll be doing the planet a favor! Instead of using chemicals, the unique fibre structure picks up 99% of bacteria with just water. Say goodbye to unnecessary chemicals in your home!

Product tip: Sabco DUSTING Premium Microfibre Cloths 2pk is perfect  to use in different areas of the house and they can be washed up to 500 times!

Did you know

Spring cleaning what is it? And why it’s so important?
When we talk about Spring Cleaning the first thing that comes to mind is how much work is involved in cleaning our houses. But what exactly is a Spring Cleaning? And why do we religiously do it every single year?
 
Fun fact, the term “Spring cleaning” is really old. Its origin date back centuries and this practice is a hallmark of Jewish, Iranian and Chinese cultures. The Jewish culture is originally connected to Spring cleaning for religious reasons, while the Chinese and Iranian ones find this practice useful to welcome the new year on a positive and lucky note. 

The actual definition of Spring cleaning relates to a domestic cleaning of the entire house, from top to bottom, making sure to thoroughly clean each room. ‘Cleaning’ is not the only process involved when we talk about Spring Cleaning: decluttering, dusting and re-organising the house are all activities involved as well. For this reason, it’s important to have a very good plan and make sure to have a good list of all the different chores and decide in advance what and when and which products to use. 

Sabco isn’t just a company, but part of the Australian way of life. We’re proud to have been in the cleaning business since 1892, and stand behind all our products. That is why we have been the cleaning experts for over 100 years.

The post Ultimate Multi-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist appeared first on Sabco.

Here are all the tips and tricks you need to know when it comes to cleaning with microfibre and caring for your microfibre. Just grab a cuppa and start reading.

How to care for your microfibre.

The first thing to know about microfibre, is how to take good care of it! For ultimate care, Microfibre should be washed in cool to warm water (below 40 degrees) to best preserve the quality. It’s also important to use a mild water based detergent when washing – oily soap is a no-go!  Remember to Avoid fabric softeners as they coat the fibres, preventing them from trapping dirt & dust and making the fabric unusable.  

Tip:  Be careful what you wash your microfibre with. Avoid anything made with cotton, as the microfibre will grab on to the lint, damaging the fabric. To avoid this, washing in a delicates bag would keep your cloths tip-top condition. 

Suggested products: Sabco All-Purpose Microfibre Cloths,  Sabco SuperSwish Spray Mop

The superpower of microfibre.

Why use single use, disposable paper towels to wipe away any countertop messes?! Paper towel will just move dirt & dust across surfaces. Microfibre cloths trap the grime and lift it away, and since they’re reusable, you’ll be doing the planet a favor!

Instead of using a chemicals, the cloths unique fibre structure picks up 99.9% of bacteria with just water.

Say goodbye to counter spray unnecessary chemicals in your home!

Suggested products: Sabco All Surface Microfibre Cloths, Sabco Extendable Feathered Microfibre Duster with Flexible Head

500 times! Long-lasting!

Microfibre cloths can last a long time, as they can be washed and re-used up to 500 times. This makes microfibre one of the most economical cleaning materials currently existing in the market!

Suggested products: Sabco Dusting Microfibre Cloths

Microfibre cloths & their multi-purpose function.

A multi-purpose tool to help us cleaning our spaces. Microfibre can be utilised for:

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• Reflective surfaces like windows and stainless steel. Microfibre cloths are great to use on reflective surfaces as they leave a streak-free finish.
• Bench tops, microfibre cloths are ideal to remove grime, food residues, liquids, and all types of mess you make while cooking. The microfibre cloths trap the grime and lift it away using just water!
• Skirting boards, the microscopic split fibres will grab dust and dirt with one wipe. 
• Bathroom surfaces. Keep a separate set of microfibre cloths for bathroom cleaning and replace more often. As you only need water to clean, you can even keep one in the shower and give it a once-over while you are in there. Be sure to wring out the cloth, as it can hold up to eight times its weight in water and will get mouldy if left completely soaked.
• Use DRY on Electronics like laptops, mobiles, and tablets can get grimy with constant use. Microfiber cloths are gentle enough for the fragile screens, so you can give them a good wipe-down without worrying about damage (as before use the lint-free microfibres for delicate surfaces).
• Suggested products: Sabco Superswish Xtra Mop, Sabco Microfingers Duster, Sabco SuperSwish Duo  

Smart way to use your microfibre cloths: Colour Coding!

Using one cloth for all spaces can transfer germs and bacteria around the home. The cleaning industry professionals came up with a smart way to tackle this problem. By using different coloured microfibre cloths, you will avoid transferring any germs or bacteria around the home. For example:

• Green cloths – Kitchen Benches
• Yellow cloths – Kitchen Stovetop
• Blue cloths – General Cleaning and Dusting
• Red cloths – Bathroom
• Orange cloths – Toilet

Suggested products: Sabco All Surface Microfibre Cloths   

How to Tell Your Microfiber is Worn Out?

Signs your microfibre cloth is becoming worn out can include a rough feel to the cloth itself. While this doesn’t mean that the cloth is useless, you should still consider replacing it soon.

Typically, the first signs of wear on your microfibre cloths will be visual. If you notice frayed material or streaks while cleaning, your cloths might be close to needing replacement.

Storage your microfibre cloths.

Very important is once you have washed, dried and folded your microfibre cloths, store them in a container or drawer to protect them from the environment. Microfibre is so great at picking up dust and dirt, leaving them out in the open can cause them to get dirty before you even use them again!

Make sure to take good care of your microfibre products and it will ensure a long-lasting usage.

Sabco isn’t just a company, but part of the Australian way of life. We’re proud to have been in the cleaning business since 1892, and stand behind all our products. That is why we have been the cleaning experts for over 100 years.

The post Microfibre Washing & Care Guide appeared first on Sabco.