6 Incredible Ways to Use Your Drill to Clean Your House
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Most people view their power drill as a tool for home improvement projects, such as hanging shelving, assembling furniture, or driving screws into wood. Drills are traditionally associated with construction and repair, so the idea of bringing one into the bathroom or kitchen to clean might feel counterintuitive. However, by swapping out a screwdriver bit for a specialized brush or scouring pad attachment, you can transform your drill into a high-speed cleaning machine that automates the most cumbersome manual labor.
For tasks like polishing appliances and lifting grime from floor grout, using electric drill attachments can slash cleaning time while delivering a level of scrubbing power that working by hand simply cannot match. Here are six areas in your house where you can use specialized drill attachments for cleaning tasks.
1. Buff and polish stainless steel and other surfaces.
Buffing and polishing wheel sets for typical home repairs also are convenient drill attachments for cleaning tasks. They are excellent tools to help make metal surfaces like stainless steel, brass, and copper shine with minimal effort. Available in a range of sizes and textures, these attachments work well on everything from stainless steel kitchen sinks and appliances to copper pots and light fixtures. Just add some polish or wax to achieve that smooth, shiny look.
2. Remove rust and old paint.
Grab a wire brush attachment to remove rust, corrosion, and old paint from surfaces. The steel-wool-like texture of this durable, abrasive tool effectively removes unappealing buildup from metal and other surfaces without needing a chemical remover or having to put a lot of effort into scrubbing by hand. For example, if your exterior doorknobs are getting a bit rusty, use this attachment on your drill for a quick fix.
3. Refresh carpets and upholstery.
Choose a soft brush attachment for carpets, upholstery, and floor mats. This tool effectively removes stains from carpets and furniture with the push of a button. Use it with your favorite commercial cleaner and work it into the surface with the spinning brush. Wipe away the excess residue with a microfiber towel. Clean the brush by rinsing it with water and then letting it air dry.
4. Make glass windows sparkle.
Attach a soft-bristle brush to your power drill to clean sensitive materials like glass windows. This is a much better choice than a hard-bristled brush, which could scratch and damage your windows. The gentle rotation of the brush easily removes dirt from the glass without having to scrub or wipe anything by hand. Use a wider brush to clean the main part of the window and a narrower brush for reaching into tight areas.
5. Scrub tile and grout.
Scrubbing pad attachments for your cordless drill can help you quickly tackle dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and stains on tile and grout throughout your home. Use them on floors, countertops, and backsplashes in the kitchen, bathroom, and beyond. Scrub pad attachments are available in a variety of sizes and levels of abrasiveness to fit different project needs. They are typically easy to rinse clean, so they’ll be ready for the next use.
6. Clean out the dryer duct.
You can even find a specially designed drill attachment for cleaning out the dryer duct. A dryer duct cleaning brush attached to your drill makes cleaning the dryer duct a cinch. This brush-like attachment typically comes with multiple rods to extend it several feet to remove lint and other debris that has built up in the dryer duct.
Your Complete Guide to Spring Cleaning
