Essential Cleaning Supplies Every Home Needs

Discover which cleaning supplies you should always have on hand in your home.

Are you a new homeowner? Or have you just moved into your first apartment? If so, you may be wondering which types of cleaning supplies you should stock your new place with.

There are hundreds of different cleaning tools and products to choose from. It can be overwhelming to figure out which ones you actually need to have handy.

That’s why Blain’s Farm & Fleet has put together this list of house cleaning supplies that every home should have.

Cleaning Tools

Cleaning tools are supplies and equipment that you don’t need to buy regularly. You should get each of these items when you first move into your new place. And they should last you a long time.

Vacuum

If you have any sort of carpeting in your home, you’ll want to have a vacuum. Vacuum cleaners are the best way to properly clean your carpet.

Even if you don’t have carpeted floors, investing in a vacuum is still a good idea. With the proper attachments, it can help you clean crumbs and hair off things like furniture and your car interior.

If you have pets or a lot of carpeting in your home, you may also want to invest in a carpet cleaner. It uses soap and water to thoroughly clean your carpets and remove any stains or odors.

Broom

A broom is essential to keeping your floors clean. It will help you quickly pick up and hair, dirt, or other debris on your hard floors.

When shopping for brooms, try to find one that comes with a dustpan. This will help you easily pick up any debris and throw it away.

Mop

After you’ve swept your floors with a broom, you’ll want to mop them. Mopping helps keep them thoroughly cleaned and in good condition.

There are many different types of mops to choose from. You can opt for the more traditional type, which comes with a bucket you fill with soapy water.

Or some people prefer things like the Swiffer WetJet. It sprays the cleaning solution on the floor for you, making your job much easier.

Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are a great thing to have on hand for cleaning virtually all surfaces. Their material is great for cleaning because things like dirt, crumbs, and hair will cling to them easily.

They’re perfect for wiping down countertops, glass, stainless steel, and more.

It’s a good idea to have at least a few of these in your home, as you may end up using more than one throughout the week.

Sponges

Sponges come in handy in several rooms of the home. In addition to washing dishes with them, you can use them to clean other areas around your kitchen, such as your sink.

You’ll also either want a sponge or scrubber of some sort to help thoroughly clean your bathroom, and especially your shower.

These are another good thing to buy in packs, since you’ll go through them quicker.

Duster

You can use a duster to clean off a number of different surfaces and items in your home. Use it on things that collect dust easily, such as shelves, blinds, fan blades, and more.

When choosing a duster, many people opt for an extendable version. It helps you get at higher, hard-to-reach areas.

Toilet Brush

A toilet brush is a necessity for cleaning your toilet bowl. It will help you thoroughly scrub away bacteria in your toilet.

Most also come with a holder, which will help keep the brush concealed and prevent messes.

Rubber Gloves

Rubber gloves are great for protecting your hands while cleaning. Many people like to keep one pair in the bathroom and another pair in the kitchen.

Not only will the gloves protect your hands from harmful bacteria. But they will also shield you from harsh chemicals found in cleaning products like bleach.

Squeegee

A squeegee is a great tool for cleaning showers and bathtubs. It helps quickly and easily get rid of soap scum and water spots.

You can also use a squeegee to keep any sort of glass clean, such as shower doors and windows.

Cleaning Products

Once you’ve stocked up on all your cleaning tools, it’s time to get all of your cleaning products. To properly clean your home, many of these will need to be paired with the tools.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Just as the name implies, all-purpose cleaner is great for cleaning virtually anything. You can spray it on your kitchen countertops, appliances, car interior, and more.

All-purpose cleaners work wonders at easily cleaning up messes, such as spills, grease, dirt, and so much more.

Glass Cleaner

One thing all-purpose cleaner isn’t ideal for is glass. Instead, you should use a special glass cleaner for things like windows and mirrors.

Glass cleaners are specially made to not leave behind smears or streaks like other cleaners might.

Floor Cleaner

A floor cleaner is what you’ll pair with your mop to properly clean your floors. The kind of floor cleaner you should buy depends on the type of mop you choose and the type of floors you have.

For example, there are cleaners made specifically for hardwood floors. There are also multi-surface floor cleaners, for homes with more than one kind. And if you have a Swiffer WetJet, they make their own solution specifically for that.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

You should pair a toilet bowl cleaner with your toilet brush. It has a special top to help you easily apply the cleaner to the toilet bowl.

Plus, it’s bleach-based to help ensure all harmful bacteria gets killed.

Bathroom Cleaner

A bathroom cleaner is another good product to have for other germy areas. Like toilet bowl cleaner, it is bleach-based.

You can use it to clean the rest of your toilet, like the seat and the base. And it’s great for using in your shower.

Disinfecting Wipes or Disinfectant Spray

You’ll also want to have some sort of disinfectant on hand. You can choose between wipes, a spray, or both.

These are great to use in germier areas of your home, such as the kitchen and bathroom, in addition to your other cleaning products.

For more articles like this one, visit our Around the Home Blog.