10 must have supplies for your first apartment

You’re moving into your very first apartment. Congratulations! I bet you’re already thinking about the art you’re going to put on the walls or the way you’re going to arrange your television and gaming system speakers for the best possible sound.

But … you’re probably not thinking about how you’re going to dry your dishes or how you’re going to separate your trash from the recycling, right? A lot of us, when we move into our first apartments, end up with too many picture frames and not enough toilet brushes and dishtowels.

So take this list of must-have supplies and add it to your apartment shopping. Trust us on this one: these are the tools you need to get through the first year in a new apartment.

First item on the list? A collapsible step stool. The Easy Reach Step Stool by Gorilla Ladders ($22.97) is designed to fold up and fit into a closet or space next to a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator.

You might use your step stool on your first day in the new place to store items on high shelves. You might use it a month later, when your overhead lightbulb burns out. You should definitely use it to wipe the dust off ceiling fans or clean off the top of your refrigerator. (Please tell me you’re going to regularly clean off the top of your refrigerator.)

Next: a basic household tool kit. The Diversitech 144 Piece Household Tool Kit ($37.99) has everything you need, from a tape measure (important for those couches you’re going to buy off Craigslist) to picture hangers. You’ll have the basic tools like “hammer” and “screwdriver” as well as a bunch of tools that we often forget about, like putty knives. On the one day you need a putty knife (likely when you move out and need to patch a wall), you’ll be very glad to have it.

Now let’s turn to the kitchen. Buy as many bar mops as you can afford. These small, absorbent cloth towels take the place of paper towels, dust cloths, dish towels, and just about anything else you can think of. I’ve even used them as dinner napkins. Try the DII 100% Cotton Multi Use Dishtowel (set of four from $9.99) and never waste money on paper towels again.

I’m guessing your new apartment did not come with a dishwasher, and since I’m not your dad I am totally not going to make the joke about “that means you’re the dishwasher!” I will, however, recommend that you buy the 3M Scotch-Brite Soap Dispensing Pump Brush ($3.98). This is an incredible tool. Put dish soap in the pump, and it’ll automatically come out of the bristles, cleaning your dishes and dislodging food residue simultaneously.

If counter space is at a premium, skip the dish drying rack and use the Kitchen Basics Microfiber Dish Drying Mat ($8.49). My kitchen is so small that I dry my dishes on top of the refrigerator (another reason to keep that refrigerator surface clean). The mat goes down, the dishes go on top of the mat, and everything air-dries overnight.

Next, grab a value pack of Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (six for $37.26). These are so useful because they are designed to clean nearly every surface: countertops, floors, tubs, sinks, stovetops, and more.

Stash one of these Lysol wipe containers under your kitchen sink and another one under your bathroom sink, and get in the habit of cleaning up every mess as it happens. Get a little toothpaste in your sink? Spill spaghetti sauce on the stove? Grab a Lysol wipe and wipe it up. It takes literally ten seconds, and it’ll make your home feel so much cleaner.

While we’re thinking about cleaning the bathroom, just go ahead and buy your toilet brush and plunger right now. Please do not forget that these important cleaning items exist. (I did, in my first apartment. I think I thought the toilet was self-cleaning.) The LDR Exquisite Toilet Brush and Plunger Combo ($27.99) gets you both toilet tools at once.

Buy a small set of trash and recycling bins for each of the following rooms: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom. Those of you with studio apartments are probably laughing at me right now, so if you’ve got a studio, just make sure you’ve got a trash/recycling bin in both your main living space and your bathroom. The Safco Desk-Side Recycling Receptacles ($22.44) won’t take up much space, and they’ve got compartments for both trash and recycling. (Promise me you’ll empty them regularly.)

We’re almost done. You’re going to want to grab a small lantern, like the Dorcy International 4 LED Lightweight Compact Lantern ($12.99), for when the power goes out. (Yes, I know you have a flashlight app on your phone.) If the power is out for a long time, you won’t want to be draining that phone battery. The lantern will also come in handy if you and your friends decide go camping.

Lastly, it’s time to buy your very own sleep mask and ear plugs. There will be times when your roommates are making noise, or your upstairs neighbors are stomping on the hardwoods, or the lights from the apartment building next door are shining right in your window. Tune out all distractions with the Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask Ear Plugs Set ($12.97), which is designed to help you get the sleep you need.

What did we forget? If you’ve got other must-have supplies for first-time apartment dwellers, leave ‘em in the comments!