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How-To
Speed Cleaning Tools: Why You're Dusting in the Wrong Order
by Amy Sardone
on May 22 2026
The method · Dust first, vacuum later
Most people clean in the wrong order. Gravity is the reason.
I want to ask you something almost nobody stops to think about. When you vacuum first and dust second, where does the dust from your shelves and furniture actually go? It falls. Straight down. Onto the floor you just vacuumed. You have done the work twice and the second time you do not even realize it.
I have seen this in home after home. Professional cleaners included. People who do this for a living, every day, cleaning in the wrong order — not because they are careless, but because nobody ever taught them the physics of what they were doing. They learned by watching. And whoever they watched was doing it wrong too.
"Dust first. Vacuum later. Gravity does the work and your job is to be there when it lands."
A confession from someone with a degree in astrophysics
I studied astrophysics before I took over Speed Cleaning. Sounds like a strange career pivot. But gravity does not care if you are tracking galaxies or dust particles. It works exactly the same way at every scale. The moment I looked at cleaning through that lens, the whole system clicked. The cosmos and your living room follow the same rules — and once you see that, you cannot unsee it.
The physics of clean
Why top-to-bottom is not just common sense. It is physics.
Every particle you dislodge from a surface falls. Not sideways. Not up. Down. That is gravity and it is the most reliable, most predictable force in your cleaning routine. The Speed Cleaning method is built entirely around working with gravity, not against it.
High
Ceilings, fans and top shelves
Start here with the feather duster. Particles dislodged here fall to mid-level surfaces. You have not cleaned those yet, so nothing is wasted.
Mid
Furniture, counters and blinds
Use the microfiber cloth and dusting mitt. Fallen particles from above are now here, along with what was already sitting on these surfaces. One pass captures both.
Low
Baseboards and floor edges
A cotton cloth or mop picks up everything that has settled. One final pass and the room is genuinely clean, not just rearranged.
Last
Vacuum — always the final step
By now every particle that was going to fall has fallen. The vacuum captures it all in one pass. No re-doing. No coming back.
It seems almost too simple. And that is exactly why most people skip it or do it backwards without realising. The mind says "the floor is dirty, start with the floor." Gravity has a different opinion and gravity always wins.
For professional cleaners, getting this sequence wrong adds real time to every single job. Multiplied across a full week, it can add up faster than most people expect.
Speed Cleaning · Where this all comes from
We did not invent cleaning.We mapped what actually works.
The story behind the system
Speed Cleaning was founded by Jeff Campbell, a man who did exactly what I described above. He watched professional cleaners obsessively, measured what the fastest ones had in common, and wrote it down as a reproducible system. His book became a classic and his method changed how thousands of people think about cleaning.
Then my mother, Debbie Sardone, acquired the company in the early 2000s and did something even more ambitious. She took the system Jeff built and adapted it specifically for professional cleaning businesses — the trainers, the teams, the people running ten houses a day. She built training programs around that distinction and Speed Cleaning became the standard for professional cleaners across the country.
And now it is my turn. I am Amy Sardone, Debbie's daughter and the current CEO. I came to this with a background in astrophysics and I have spent the last few years applying systems thinking and a healthy obsession with efficiency to everything Speed Cleaning does. The 13 Tenets are still the foundation. I am just making sure they stay relevant for the next generation of cleaners.
Tenet 03 · The one I talk about most
Work from top to bottom.
This is where I start every training conversation because it is the tenet most people violate without knowing it. Gravity is your ally only if you let it work for you. Clean from the highest point in the room to the lowest. Vacuum only when every surface above floor level has already been dusted. This single change makes a visible difference in how long a clean actually takes.
The full system has 13 tenets. Each one sounds simple. Together they change everything.
01Make every move count
02Use the right tools
03Work from top to bottom
04If it is not dirty, do not clean it
05Do not rinse or wipe a surface before it is clean
06Do not keep working after it is clean
07If what you are doing is not working, shift to a heavier-duty cleaner or tool
08Keep your tools in impeccable shape
09Repetition makes for smoother moves
10Pay attention
11Keep track of your time and get a little faster every time
12Use both hands
13If there are more than one of you, work as a team
That is it. Like any new skill, Speed Cleaning must be learned, practised, reviewed and perfected. But it is well worth the effort. The payoff is that you will save hours every week.
The tools I use
What is in my cleaning kit
These are the Speed Cleaning tools I recommend in every training. Professional dust buster tools built for the method, not just the shelf.
Premium Ostrich Feather DusterBest seller
13, 18, 20 and 28 inch sizes. Natural charge, no chemicals.
→
Dusting MittPro pick
Professional-grade dust trapping. Fits any hand size.
→
Microfiber Cloths, color-coded set
Pink, blue, green, yellow, red and gray. 500-wash lifespan.
→
Premium Cotton Cleaning Cloths
High absorption and durability. Reusable and machine washable.
→
Speed Cleaning · Tools and Training
The method is learnable. The tools are ready.
Browse the duster collection or explore our training programs and learn all 13 tenets the way they were meant to be taught.
Shop speed cleaning tools The 13 tenets ↗
Speed Cleaning · Since 1985
800-717-2532 · info@speedcleaning.com
How-To
How to Care for Your Cleaning Cloths (And Make Them Last)
by Amy Sardone
on May 12 2026
Cleaning Hub — Care Guides
Whether you use microfiber or cotton, a little love goes a long way. Here is everything you need to know to keep your cloths in top shape, without the guesswork.
🕑 6 min read 👕 Cleaning Tips
What is inside
01 Microfiber Cloth Care Guide 02 Cotton Cloth Care Guide 03 Microfiber vs. Cotton Quick Comparison
Part 1
Microfiber Cloth Care Guide
Microfiber cloths are basically the superheroes of cleaning. They can trap dust, polish glass, and scrub surfaces without leaving scratches. If you treat them right, they can survive up to 500 washes. That is years of cleaning from a single cloth.
But here is the thing: microfiber is picky. The tiny fibers that make it so great are also easy to ruin if you are not careful. Follow these rules and you will be golden.
Before your first use
Always wash a new microfiber cloth before you use it the first time. Do not be alarmed if some color bleeds out. That is completely normal for the first few washes and it will not affect how well the cloth works.
✓ Do this
✓ Rinse off dirt and debris before tossing it in the wash
✓ Wash separately from other laundry
✓ Use regular laundry detergent with no extras
✓ Wash with cold water
✓ Tumble dry on low heat (low heat creates static, which helps attract dust!)
✗ Do not do this
✗ Use bleach. It destroys the fibers
✗ Use fabric softener. It clogs the fibers and kills absorption
✗ Use dryer sheets
✗ Wash with hot water. It melts and fuses the fibers together
✗ Iron the cloth
✗ Use it to clean up grease, wax, paint, solvents, or bleach spills
Why cold water?
Hot water can literally melt the tiny synthetic fibers that make microfiber work. Once fused, the cloth loses its ability to trap dirt and clean effectively. Cold water protects those fibers every single wash.
Day to day use
How often you wash your microfiber cloth depends on what you are cleaning.
Light
After wiping counters or quick surface cleans, rinse with dish soap and water, then hang to air dry. No machine wash needed yet.
Heavy
After a full day of cleaning, dusting, or multiple uses, it is time for a proper machine wash. A stiff or stinky cloth is a sign it is overdue.
Rinse tip
Always rinse out dish soap completely before hanging. Soap residue left in the cloth can cause streaking on your next clean.
Watch for these signs
If your cloth feels stiff, will not absorb water, or starts leaving streaks, it needs a wash. A dirty cloth does not just clean less. It can actually scratch surfaces.
Part 2
Cotton Cloth Care Guide
Cotton cleaning cloths are the old school workhorses of the cleaning world, and for good reason. Made from 100% natural cotton fibers, they are incredibly durable, can handle serious messes, and unlike microfiber, they are totally fine with bleach and hot water.
If you need a cloth that goes through heavy duty disinfecting, high temp washes, or tough jobs, cotton is your go to.
What makes cotton different?
The biggest advantage cotton has over microfiber is its tolerance for heat and harsh cleaners. You will not ruin a cotton cloth by tossing it in a hot wash or soaking it in a bleach solution. In fact, that is often exactly what you should do when you need to truly disinfect.
Cotton cloths are also thicker and more absorbent for large spills, great for heavy scrubbing, and much easier to sanitize in high risk environments like kitchens, bathrooms, or wherever germs matter.
✓ Do this
✓ Wash in hot water when you need to disinfect. Cotton can handle it
✓ Use bleach for tough stains or sanitizing. Cotton will not break down
✓ Tumble dry on high heat. No problem for cotton
✓ Use with strong cleaning agents, degreasers, or disinfectants
✓ Wash frequently. The more you wash cotton, the softer it gets
✗ Watch out for
✗ Over bleaching too often. It can weaken fibers over many washes
✗ Washing colored cotton cloths with whites, especially when new
✗ Leaving wet cotton cloths bundled up. This causes mildew fast
Pro tip: rotate your cloths
Keep a few cotton cloths in rotation so you always have a clean one ready. Wet cloths left sitting breed bacteria fast, so hang them to dry right after use.
When to use cotton vs. microfiber
You do not have to pick one forever. Most people use both. Cotton is best when you need to disinfect, use strong cleaners, or handle big messy jobs. Microfiber is better for streak free finishes, dusting, and everyday light cleaning.
Part 3
Microfiber vs. Cotton Side by Side
Not sure which cloth to grab? Here is a quick reference to help you decide.
Feature
Microfiber
Cotton (100%)
Bleach safe
No
Yes
Hot water safe
No, use cold
Yes
Durability
500+ washes
Almost forever (with proper care)
Streak free finish
Excellent
Moderate
Fabric softener OK?
Never
Yes
Best for
Glass, dusting, everyday surfaces
Disinfecting, heavy scrubbing, spills
Dryer heat
Low heat only
Any heat
Gets softer with washing?
Stays similar
Gets better
Our take
Most households benefit from having both. Use microfiber for daily cleaning and polishing, and keep cotton cloths handy for when you need heavy duty disinfecting or tough stain removal. Together, they cover every job in the house.
Take care of your cloths, and they will take care of your home. It really is that simple.
Happy Cleaning,
Amy
How-To
Slippery Shower? You Might Have Mold — Here’s How to Fix It
by Amy Sardone
on Apr 23 2026
You just cleaned your shower.
It looks spotless.It smells fresh.
But when you run your hand across the surface…
 it feels slippery.
That’s not clean.
And it might not be just soap scum.
 What That Slippery Feeling Really Means
That slick, almost greasy feeling on your shower walls or tiles is usually a buildup of biofilm — a thin layer made of:
bacteria
body oils
soap residue
moisture
minerals from hard water
Over time, this layer sticks to surfaces and creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow.
So even if you don’t see black mold yet…
 the conditions for it are already there.
 Why Your Shower Still Feels Dirty After Cleaning
Most people clean like this:
spray a cleaner
wipe lightly
rinse quickly
And that’s the problem.
 This removes what you can see But leaves behind what you can feel
Biofilm doesn’t just rinse away. It clings to surfaces and protects itself.
That’s why:
your shower feels slippery
glass looks cloudy
tile loses its shine
mold keeps coming back
 Slippery Doesn’t Mean Clean
Here’s a simple rule professionals follow:
If it feels slippery, it’s not clean yet.
A truly clean surface should feel:
smooth
squeaky
residue-free
Not slick or coated.
That slippery layer is exactly what allows mold and buildup to return faster.
 How to Fix It (And Actually Remove the Buildup)
If you want real results, you need to clean differently.
1. Use the Right Cleaner
You need something that breaks down:
soap scum
mineral buildup
organic residue
Not just something that smells clean.
2. Don’t Skip the Scrubbing
 Wiping is not enough Spraying and rinsing is not enough
You need mechanical action — using a sponge or scrub pad — to break that layer apart and lift it off the surface.
Without scrubbing, the buildup stays behind.
3. Don’t Rinse Too Soon
One of the biggest mistakes:
 rinsing before the surface is fully clean
Take a few extra seconds to:
apply your cleaner
let it work
scrub thoroughly
Then rinse.
 The Key to Keeping Mold Away
Mold doesn’t just appear randomly.
It grows where:
moisture stays
residue builds up
surfaces aren’t fully cleaned
When you remove biofilm properly, you’re not just cleaning…
 you’re removing what mold feeds on.
That’s how you keep surfaces cleaner for longer.
 The Real Difference
Most people clean for appearance.
Professionals clean for results.
 They don’t stop when it looks clean They stop when it feels clean
 Final Thought
Next time you clean your shower…
Don’t just look at it.
 Run your hand across the surface.
If it still feels slippery, it’s not clean yet.
 The Solution Most People Miss
That slippery layer isn’t just dirt.
 It’s buildup that needs to be broken down and properly removed.
That’s exactly what a product like Scum Bum is designed to do.
It breaks down soap scum and hard water buildup
It helps lift biofilm from the surface
It works especially well on showers, tile, and glass
So instead of just wiping surfaces…
 you’re actually removing what’s causing the problem
 Still Feel That Slippery Layer?
Stop wiping it around. Remove it for good.
 Try Scum Bum and feel the difference after your first clean.
Happy Cleaning,
Amy
How-To
5 Essential Tips for a Safe and Clean Pet Day
by Amy Sardone
on Apr 22 2026
Hosting a Pet Day at home or in your business? Keeping your space clean and safe for pets requires extra care. Here’s what you need to know to ensure a pet-friendly cleaning routine:
1. Never Mix Bleach with Urine
One of the biggest cleaning mistakes is mixing bleach with urine. When bleach comes into contact with urine, it produces toxic fumes, including chloramine vapors that can cause severe respiratory issues for both humans and pets. If cleaning pet accidents, use an enzyme-based cleaner instead of bleach to safely break down odors and stains.
2. Choose Pet-Safe Cleaning Products
Not all cleaning products are pet-friendly. Avoid cleaners containing ammonia, chlorine, or phenols, as these can be harmful if inhaled or ingested by pets.A great option is Pet "OoPS", our non-toxic cleaner specifically designed to tackle pet messes while keeping your furry friends safe. It effectively removes pet odor and stains, making it the perfect solution for pet owner.
3. Keep Pets Away During Cleaning
Even safe cleaning products can be irritating if pets are exposed to them while wet. To avoid skin irritation or accidental ingestion, keep pets in a separate area until surfaces are completely dry.
4. Proper Ventilation is Key
Cleaning in a well-ventilated space helps reduce exposure to fumes, even when using pet-safe products. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate, preventing any lingering odors or irritants from affecting your furry friends.
5. Store Cleaning Supplies Securely
Pets are naturally curious, and they may lick, sniff, or chew on cleaning bottles left within reach. Always store cleaning products in a locked cabinet or on high shelves to prevent accidental exposure.
Final Thoughts A clean home is a happy home, but pet safety should always come first. By using safe products, avoiding harmful chemical reactions, and ensuring proper ventilation, you can maintain a spotless and pet-friendly space for your furry companions!
How-To
How to Remove Pet Fur From Your Home
by Amy Sardone
on Apr 14 2026
Pet fur sticks to surfaces and spreads easily. The good news? You only need two tools and the right order to remove it faster and more effectively.
What to Use
Light pet fur? Use the Rubber Brush (Upholstery Brush).
Heavy buildup or deep cleaning? Use the Rubber Brush first, then follow with a Vacuum.
Step 1: Start with the Rubber Brush (Upholstery Brush)
The rubber brush is the best first step because it helps loosen and lift pet fur before deep cleaning.
Use it on:
Couches
Carpets
Rugs
Car seats
Why it works:
Loosens pet fur from fabric
Lifts hair to the surface
Breaks static, especially with cat fur
Helps gather the fur for easier removal
How to use it:
Work on a dry surface
Use short strokes
Apply light to medium pressure
Pro Tip: Even when you plan to vacuum, use the rubber brush first. It loosens embedded fur so the vacuum can remove it much more effectively.
Step 2: Use the Vacuum for Deep Cleaning
If you’re dealing with heavier buildup, a larger area, or fur trapped deeper in the fabric, follow with a vacuum after brushing.
Use a vacuum when:
Fur is embedded
The area is large
You want a more complete clean
Best way to vacuum:
Vacuum slowly
Use a brush or turbo attachment if possible
Where to Use Each Tool
Surface
Best Method
Couch / Upholstery
Rubber Brush → Vacuum
Carpet / Rug
Rubber Brush → Vacuum
Car seats
Rubber Brush → Vacuum
Light fur on fabric
Rubber Brush only
Common Mistakes
Vacuuming first
Skipping the rubber brush
Cleaning too fast
Best rule to remember: loosen first, then remove.
Final Takeaway
Removing pet fur does not have to be complicated.
The Rubber Brush (Upholstery Brush) helps loosen and lift the fur, and the Vacuum helps finish the job when you need a deeper clean.
Use them in that order for faster, better results.
Happy Cleaning,
Amy
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