To think, when we were younger all we wanted was to be an adult. Little did we know that ‘adulting’ is a constant stream of bills and cleaning rather than the non-stop parties and magical movie moments we imagined.
While we can’t help you with your paying your bills, we’re here to make all that cleaning a little easier. You’ll have to do the hard work yourself of course, but this list of essential cleaning supplies will help you get your home sparkling in no time.
Keep reading to find out the must-haves for your house cleaning kit:
- All-Purpose Cleaner
At the top of every household cleaning products list is an all-purpose cleaner. As the name suggests, all-purpose cleaners are suitable for wiping away all kinds of dirt and grime from a variety of surfaces. Whether you want to clean your kitchen cupboards, bathroom tiles, or living room floor, an all-purpose cleaner can do the job well.
Spray versions are the easiest to use for most surfaces. But adding a small amount of all-purpose cleaner to hot water will work wonders for tasks like mopping floors and cutting through grease on work surfaces.
- Bleach
Bleach is another one of the cleaning essentials your home shouldn’t be without. Also known as hydrogen peroxide, the harsh and abrasive nature of bleach makes it ideal for common cleaning tasks that require extra effort. So, while you shouldn’t use bleach every day, it’s useful for dirtier jobs like cleaning grout between tiles, getting your toilet bowl sparkling clean, and removing mold.
Bleach is also necessary if you need to do a tenancy cleaning when your lease ends. A tenancy cleaning is an extreme deep clean to an apartment or house before moving out so the new tenant can have a “like new” vibe when they move in. Sometimes you’re required to do it, while some landlords handle it themselves.
- Gloves
To ensure your hands don’t dry out from all the hot water and harsh chemicals, your house cleaning kit should contain a few pairs of gloves too.
But what kind of gloves are the best? You can learn about different types of gloves here to find out which are most suitable. But, whether you favor latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves, they’re essential for providing a barrier between you and the grime you’re cleaning up.
For optimal cleanliness, have separate gloves for cleaning the bathroom and kitchen in your kit. This will help stop you from spreading germs from one room to the next.
- Disinfectant
A good disinfectant is also one of the essential cleaning products to include in your grime-fighting kit. Although all-purpose cleaners can help clear some of the germs from dirty surfaces, you’ll need a disinfectant to get rid of them for good. Thanks to their powerful antimicrobial ingredients, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, disinfectants can kill most bacteria on contact. This helps stop the spread of many diseases and can prevent your family from getting sick.
That said, you should use disinfectant sparingly as its harsh chemicals can be damaging for the environment. Limit using a disinfectant to germ-packed areas such as your toilet seat and kitchen surfaces where you cut meat.
- Microfiber Cloth
Regular cloths and paper towels have their place in your house cleaning kit, but nothing rivals the mighty microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths are so much more effective than other cleaning cloths thanks to the way their thin, tightly-packed fibers attract dirt and debris. They’re also antibacterial and 100 percent washable and reusable. This, and the fact that they can clean surfaces with water alone, makes them a much more eco-friendly option than paper towels and cleaning detergents.
Use a wet microfiber cloth for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms and a dry microfiber cloth for dusting furniture. And be sure to wash your microfibers cloths in very hot or boiling water to get rid of the bacteria they’ve picked up.
- White Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Lemon
We bet you’re wondering why these three humble household items are here among the cleaning supplies every house should have. The truth is, they’re amazing at tackling a variety of cleaning jobs. And, as well as being an economical alternative to pricey cleaning products, they’re often more effective.
First off, forget forking out for a limescale remover. Instead, use a lemon. All you need to do is cut a lemon in half and rub it onto areas of limescale in your bathroom or kitchen. Leave the juice for around half an hour then come back and wipe the surfaces clean with a damp cloth.
For smeared windows and mirrors, mix white vinegar with hot water and a few drops of essential oils in a spray bottle. Apply this mix to glass surfaces and wipe clean with an old pillowcase or scrap of cotton material.
As for baking soda, you can use this magical powder for cleaning everything from your barbecue grill to your toilet bowl. It’s also great for freshening up your carpets, brightening white clothes, and polishing tarnished silver. And, when used with boiling water and vinegar, it’s great for unclogging a blocked sink.
- Scrubbing Brushes
For giving tiles, greasy kitchen appliances, and shower grout a thorough clean, an all-purpose scrubbing brush is essential. Go for an easy-grip medium-sized model to cut your cleaning time in half when tackling these stubborn areas. A scrubbing brush also comes in handy for getting stains out of clothing, carpets, and upholstery.
And, for tighter or hard-to-reach areas like faucet bases, an old toothbrush is an unrivaled cleaning tool. Next time you’re about to throw out your old one, add it to your cleaning kit instead.
From cleaning products to the right tools for the job, these are the items your house cleaning kit shouldn’t be without.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of everything you’ll need to keep your home sparkling, these essential cleaning supplies are all you need for most tasks.
For more money-saving tips and lifestyle advice, be sure to check out our other blog posts!
