Even the most basic studio apartment needs cleaning tools. So we asked Joy Mangano, inventor of the Miracle Mop and the inspiration for the film “Joy,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, for five items that are essential. She started, as you might expect, with her own self-wringing mop, millions of which she has sold since 1992.
1. Mop: Mangano says clean floors are the starting point of a tidy home. A mop can quickly clean up wet spills or dust dry floors and is perfect for wiping up dirt tracked in from outside. It doesn’t take up much space and will last for years, she says. Mangano’s Miracle Mop ($19.95 on HSN; also at Bed Bath &Beyond, Target and Macy’s) is self-wringing and was designed so the head could be machine-washed. The mop has braided microfibers for texture and absorption, and it can be used wet or dry. Mangano says you can use hot water with lemon for mopping, if you don’t like to use chemicals.
2. Stick vacuum: You don’t need a large, expensive vacuum in a small place, Mangano says. But you do need a lightweight one with a cord. She says cordless models don’t have enough power. For a basic model, she suggests a stick vacuum. The Dirt Devil Vibe 3-in-1 Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum ($39.99 at target.com) is great for a quick pickup and doesn’t take up a lot of room in a closet. This versatile design cleans both area rugs and hard floors and has a removable handheld vacuum.
3. Organization: A cluttered area is probably also a dirty area (after all, it’s hard to dust under piles of stuff). Mangano suggests getting special organizing items for your kitchen, bathroom, home office and bedroom that can help to keep everything neater and cleaner and also make it easier for you to find your things. One example is the Expandable Undersink Organizer ($39.99, containerstore.com). This organizer can be adjusted to fit under the pipes in your kitchen sink or in a bathroom vanity.
4. Bucket: A bucket is one of the most basic of household cleaning essentials. You need a bucket to use a mop properly, but you can also use your bucket to store cleaning supplies in one place. So, Mangano says, a utilitarian item becomes a storage space saver and a way to transport your cleaning supplies around your apartment. The basic Rubbermaid 11-quart Neat-N-Tidy bucket would set you back less than $10 ($8.49, acehardware.com).
5. Microfiber: A microfiber cloth attracts dirt and can be used in hard-to-reach places such as the top of the refrigerator and around the computer. Mangano says you can use a mitt to dust underneath furniture and to clean bathroom cabinet shelves that get gummy with residue from shampoo and other products. She likes using a mitt because it is washable instead of disposable. The Fuzzy Wuzzy Microfiber Mitt ($5.99, containerstore.com) has two sides: a nubby chenille side for dust and cobwebs and a smooth side for wiping and polishing. It’s perfect for cleaning without chemicals and safe for computer monitors and TVs.
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