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If you bought every cleaning tool and product on the market today, you would need an entire house just to store them. While many of these items are worth a look and a try, the only tools and products you need to keep around are the ones you actually use. And organizing your cleaning supplies will make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
- Evaluate your cleaning tools. What have you got? Is your vacuum cleaner in good working order? Is your mop head worn out? What do you need? Make a note to repair or replace cleaning tools or purchase new tools and replacement accessories as needed. Remove any tools that are broken or unnecessary, such as the dust mop for hardwood floors that you used to use in a previous home, when now you have only carpeted floors. Donate usable tools to Goodwill, or sell them at your next garage sale. Recommended cleaning tools to have in your closet include:- Vacuum cleaner (search Vacuum Cleaners or visit the Carpet and Rug Institute for recommendations)
- Broom and dustpan (plus an outdoor broom if you have a garage or deck)
- Wet mop
- Dust mop for non-carpeted floors
- At least one 5-gallon bucket for use in washing floors and windows
- Cleaning caddy or a second 5-gallon bucket for toting cleaning supplies
- Rubber gloves to protect your hands from dirt, germs, cleaning solutions, and hot water
- Microfiber cloths or cloth diapers for dusting and cleaning
- Cellulose scrub sponges in different colors for different jobs: dishes, kitchen counters, bathroom
- Toilet-cleaning brushes (best kept near toilets for use as needed)
- Shower/tub cleaning brush
- Old toothbrush(es) to clean grout and hard-to-reach areas such as around faucets
- Paper or cloth towels
- Trash bags
- Spray bottles for mixing homemade cleaners (optional) - Next, gather your cleaning supplies. Get rid of all the products you don’t use or need; give them away to a neighbor, friend or family member. If you haven’t used them in the past year, you probably won’t ever use them. If discarding, read and follow the directions on each product’s label for proper disposal. Do not mix cleaning products when disposing of them; some products, such as ammonia and liquid chlorine bleach, create harmful gases when combined.
Basic cleaning products you need include commercial or homemade versions of the following:
- All-purpose cleaner for floors, walls, countertops, toilet
- Disinfectant
- Glass and mirror cleaner
- Nonabrasive scouring powder
- Tub and tile cleaner
- Oven cleaner (for non-self-cleaning ovens)
- Wood cleaner
- Ceramic cooktop cleaner - Once you declutter your cleaning closet, organize it. Group together items by use, including any specialized cleaners for your car, laundry, shoes, silver and other metals, leather, and so on. Install hooks and wall-mounted holders for hanging mops, brooms, and dustpans. Store your clean rags, cloths, and towels in a hanging bag or a basket on a shelf.
If you don’t have a cleaning closet, here’s an idea: hang an over-the-door shoe bag with clear plastic pockets behind your garage or laundry-room door, and use it for storing cleaning supplies.
Put your basic cleaning supplies in a cleaning caddy or bucket for easy carting from room to room. Add cleaning cloths, sponges, paper towels, and rubber gloves and you’re ready to clean anywhere, any time. You might even consider stocking separate caddies for the bathroom and kitchen that you can store in those rooms. That way, you are ready for quick cleanups, without having to fetch what you need. Or stash cleaning supplies in strategic hiding spots, such as a bookshelf, so if you get inspired to clean, you can dust off your books or your coffee table right then and there.
Basic Housekeeping - Organize Your Cleaning Supplies 1-2-3: Created on May 29th, 2009. Last Modified on January 21st, 2014
