The Ultimate Cleaning Supplies List: Here's What to Have on Hand

Reviewed by Brandon Pleshek

When it's time to tackle house cleaning, it's much easier if you have the basic supplies and tools on hand. Some items, like a vacuum or steam cleaner, are long-term investments, and others, such as microfiber cloths or detergents, need to be replaced regularly. Read on for the 18 basic cleaning supplies and tools that provide almost everything you need to clean your home.

Tips for Cleaning Supplies

• If you live in a multi-level home, consider having duplicate supplies on every floor. This will save you many steps and probably result in more frequent cleaning.

• Store cleaning supplies and tools in the room where they will be used the most often. No need to keep everything stored in a central location.

• Use a plastic bucket or cleaning caddy to hold supplies so you can quickly move them around and assess what you have on hand.

Vacuum

If you can purchase only one vacuum, look for one that can be used to clean multiple surfaces. If you have carpet or area rugs, a vacuum with a beater head will produce the best results. If you have hard surface flooring (hardwood, LVP, or tile) and area rugs, select a vacuum with the option to disengage the beater bar when cleaning hard surfaces.

A vacuum that converts to a handheld model with a crevice tool and upholstery brush can be used to remove soil from upholstery, drapes, blinds, and even car interiors.

Microfiber Wet/Dry Mop

If you have hard surface flooring (laminate, vinyl, hardwood, stone, tile), you need a mop. You can choose brands with disposable cleaning cloths, those that have a spray apparatus built-in to apply cleaner, or a simple microfiber mop with interchangeable heads that can be used as a wet or dry, dust mop.

The heads can be tossed in the washer so they are easy to clean. You don't want to push yesterday's dirt around when you mop.

Broom and Dust Pan

There are times when nothing beats a basic broom and dustpan for sweeping a floor. A broom is essential if you don't have a vacuum. It works best for cleaning outdoor areas and gathering large or dangerous debris like broken glass which you shouldn't suction away with a vacuum.

Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner can do much more than remove wrinkles from your clothes. The powerful heated moisture can remove odors, kill bacteria and dust mites, and loosen grime. Add a steam cleaner to your cleaning tools to:

• Clean Grout with Steam

• Clean a Mattress

• Clean Couch Upholstery

Duster

Whether you choose a traditional feather duster, microfiber duster, or disposable one, choose one that has an extendable handle. You will be able to easily clean hard-to-reach places like the top of furniture, ceiling corners, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.

Plastic Bucket or Large Plastic Tub

A heavy-duty plastic bucket or tub is invaluable for cleaning all types of surfaces without tying up or messing up your sink. It can be used as a mop bucket, for soaking stained clothes, or for mixing cleaning solutions used for cleaning ovens, carpets, or appliances.

Plastic is a good choice because it can be cleaned easily, doesn't rust, and doesn't react with most cleaning products.

Scrubbing Brushes

Tough-to-remove stains often require scrubbing; having the right scrub brush is the key to success. Most surfaces like carpets, sinks, and clothes require a soft-bristled nylon brush to remove stains. Removing stains from grout or cleaning a grill requires a stiff-bristled brush. Cleaning water bottles and baby bottles requires a bottle brush. Stock up and replace the brushes as the bristles become flattened and worn.

Microfiber cloths

Microfiber cloths are durable, absorbent, easy to clean, and most importantly, lint-free. When you use a microfiber cloth to clean glass or dust a flat-screen TV, no bits will be left behind.

The cloths are sold in a variety of weaves from smooth to ribbed enough to provide the abrasiveness needed to lift stuck-on grime. Go for a color-coded system for different cleaning situations to keep cloths separated.

Toilet Brush

While you can clean a toilet by reaching deep inside the bowl with a sponge, do you want to? For the most effective cleaning, don't forget to clean your toilet brush and holder regularly.

Spray Bottles and Labels

Spray bottles are extremely handy for applying cleaning products, especially if you like to make DIY cleaners. Plastic bottles work well for many products and are safe to use outdoors. However, glass bottles often last longer and are needed if you are using essential oils in cleaners that can cause the plastic to deteriorate.

Whatever type of bottle you use, be sure to add a label with the name of the solution and usage directions.

Melamine Sponge

A melamine sponge (Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, for example) has dozens of uses to break through and lift dirt, grime, and stains. The sponge is made of melamine foam (a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer) and when it's activated with water, it becomes an abrasive cleaner.

With each use, the sponge wears down as the melamine particles break away from the sponge to remove soil. This is similar to the way sandpaper loses its effectiveness after several uses. Use the sponge for the following:

• Clean White Leather Furniture

• Clean Tennis Shoes

• Remove Scuff Marks on Walls and Floors

• Clean a Microwave Mess

• Remove Stains from Drinkware

Distilled White Vinegar

You will want to keep distilled white vinegar or the stronger cleaning vinegar on hand for cutting through grease, removing soil, and softening laundry. Use it for the following:

• DIY Window Cleaner

• DIY Mold Remover

• Remove Bathroom Soap Scum

• Unclog a Showerhead

• Remove Stains and Soften Laundry

• Descale Coffee Makers and Tea Kettles

Warning

There are surfaces, like granite and other natural stones, that can be damaged by using vinegar.

Baking Soda

If you like DIY cleaning supplies, then keeping baking soda on hand is essential. The list of how to use the natural, gentle abrasive as the basis for cleaning products is nearly endless. including:

• DIY Scouring Powder

• DIY Oven Cleaner

• Carpet Deodorizer

• Laundry Deodorizer

• Remove Scratches from Plastic

• Clean a Smelly Drain

• DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  

Dishwashing Liquid

Dishwashing liquid can do much more around the house than clean dishes. The mild soap can be used to treat laundry stains, add cleaning power to DIY cleaners, and even unclog a toilet.

Dishwashing Detergent

If you have an automatic dishwasher, you'll need to keep dishwashing detergent on hand. You can even use the powerful cleaner to keep a jetted bathtub sparkling clean or salvage a burnt pot.

Laundry Detergent

Every household has laundry. Even if you are lucky enough to send everything out to be cleaned, there will come a moment when something needs to be hand-washed or a stain needs to be treated. So whether you choose pods, liquid, or powder, a container of laundry detergent is sure to come in handy.

Oxygen-Based Bleach

Oxygen bleach, also called oxygenated bleach or all-fabric bleach, is a gentle bleaching agent that removes stains, brightens laundry, and is safe to use on almost all types of washable white or colored fabrics. In addition to its work in the laundry room, oxygen bleach works well to remove stains on grout, outdoor furniture, and concrete patios.

Disinfectant

Whether you are using a disinfectant wipe, spray, or laundry additive, it is important to read the product directions and follow them carefully to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's standards of cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three basic things you need for cleaning?

The three basic things you should have for cleaning include a DIY or commercial all-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths or sponges, and a vacuum cleaner.

Why do you need a cleaning checklist?

A cleaning checklist can help you establish a routine so your whole house can stay consistently fresh and neat.

How do you make homemade cleaning supplies?

You can make many types of homemade cleaning supplies but a basic recipe for an all-purpose cleaner is equal parts water and white vinegar mixed with a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap.

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Housekeeping

Read the original article on The Spruce.