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Cleaning covers the products and equipment for keeping homes, workplaces and outdoor areas clean and hygienic: bleaches, disinfectants, multi-surface and kitchen sprays, degreasers, toilet and dishwasher cleaners, wipes, hand cleaners, stain removers, patio cleaners, brooms, dustpans, buckets, bins, refuse sacks and toilet rolls.

Cleaners and disinfectants

• General cleaners and degreasers: lift everyday dirt and grease from worktops, floors and other hard surfaces.
• Disinfectants: kill bacteria and other germs on surfaces. Where a product claims to kill bacteria, look for testing to BS EN 1276, the standard for disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas.
• Bleach: made in thin and thick versions. Check the label for dilution rates, contact times and any surfaces it can damage.
• Specialist cleaners: carpet, oven, dishwasher, patio and outdoor fabric products are each made for one job, so match the product to the surface.

Using cleaning chemicals safely

Never mix bleach with other cleaning products. Bleach mixed with an acid gives off chlorine gas, and bleach mixed with ammonia gives off chloramines; both irritate the lungs and can cause serious harm. Strong bleach is corrosive to skin and eyes. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety data for every product. In a workplace, cleaning chemicals fall under COSHH, so employers need to assess the risks, control exposure and use the safety data sheets.

Equipment

Choose brooms and brushes by surface, with softer bristles for smooth indoor floors and stiffer ones for yards and paths. Match refuse sacks and bin liners to the size of the bin, and pick buckets and dustpans that suit the area you clean most.

For washing and fabric care, see laundry, or browse the wider home essentials range.