Professional Cleaning Tools and Equipment

No. Melamine foam works like a very fine abrasive, so it can dull high-gloss finishes, car paint, polished stone and some painted walls. Wet it, squeeze it out and rub lightly. On anything glossy or painted, test a small hidden spot first. Our melamine sponge guide lists the surfaces to avoid.

They resist different chemicals. FKM seals are for acidic products and solvents in the pH 1–7 range. EPDM seals are for alkaline products in the pH 7–14 range. Check the pH on your cleaner's label and choose the matching seal so the sprayer keeps working and does not leak.

The first number is the bottle neck diameter in millimetres, the second is the thread style. A 28/410 head fits most standard 500 ml and 1 litre spray bottles. Match both numbers to your bottle, because a head with the same diameter but a different thread may not close tightly.

Use the hard yellow bristles for heavy, ground-in dirt on tough surfaces such as car mats, grout lines, paving and outdoor furniture. Use the soft white bristles where a stiff brush would be too harsh: fabric car seats, upholstery, rugs, bathroom tiles and sinks. Start at a low speed and keep the brush moving.

Latex gloves give a good grip and feel, but they are not suitable if you are allergic to latex. PVC gloves are a latex-free choice. For strong chemicals, check the glove's protection rating against the product label. Our guide to latex, PVC or nitrile cleaning gloves explains the differences.