Shopping for cleaning supplies can be overwhelming because there are tons of cleaning products out there. From tools like broom, mop, vacuum cleaner, wiping cloth, duster, scrub, sponge, brush, squeegee, to various cleaning solutions made for specific part of the house such as floor, kitchen, counter top, bathroom, glass and mirror, toilet bowl, and so on. But do we really need them all? What should we actually have in order to keep our home spic and span all year round?
Well, I think the answer to that is it depends.
Not every house is created the same and everyone has different method of cleaning. What works for me doesn’t always work for everyone else and vice versa. However, I believe there’s always essential of everything, basic of the basics.
So when I first shopped for cleaning supplies for my new home, I thought of the essentials. It’s easy to get lost with so many products in the store aisle, thus it’s extremely important to start with the ones that are absolutely necessary.
In total, there are 10 basic cleaning items that I personally feel really crucial to have as a start. This also includes supplies for doing laundry and dishes (because hey, they are part of cleaning work too).
The Essential Cleaning Tools
Let’s start with the essential cleaning tools. These are the tools that I use to make cleaning easier from the beginning:
1. Microfibre Wiping Cloth
If I can only choose one type of cleaning tool to use in my apartment, it will definitely be wiping cloth. And not just any cloth, my favourite is the one with microfibre material. I can use microfibre cloth on almost anything in my home, from kitchen, bathroom, furniture, and even the floor (if I really must). Microfibre is a great material as wiping cloth not only because it traps dust easily but also because it won’t scratch the surface. The best thing about microfibre cloth is that you can use it dry or with water. As a start, I recommend having at least 3 microfibre wiping cloths to avoid contamination: one for kitchen, one for bathroom, and one for the rest of the house. You can also get more if you need for alternate usage.
2. Vacuum Cleaner
In term of sweeping, vacuum cleaner works faster and more efficient than old-fashioned broom and dusting pan. If you are shopping for vacuum cleaner, invest in a good quality one. Look for the one that has a variety of attachments so you can clean various spots in your home.
3. Toilet Brush
Toilet brush comes in many different shapes and materials, but my favourite is the conventional heavy-duty brush that comes with the holder. I’m not a fan of hanging toilet brush because I think about faeces particle in the air whenever I saw an exposed used toilet brush and that’s not so hygienic, but maybe it’s just me.
4. Sponge
I bought plenty of cleaning sponges as part of my cleaning supplies starter kit because I know I will use it often and anywhere. From doing dishes to washing the bathroom doors, sponge is my best friend. But of course, I wouldn’t mix the one I use for washing dishes and for cleaning other things. Like most of other cleaning tools, sponge also comes in many different shape, size, colour, and materials. I recommend to choose the one that’s durable so it won’t easily break.
5. Mop
Sometimes, removing dust off the floor is not enough without mopping. A mop is a powerful tool to ‘rinse off’ the excess dirt and add some extra shine. There are many kind of mops to choose in the market, my favourite is the one that comes with a drying system because I hate touching a wet and dirty mop (ew!). I also prefer to be able to easily wash my mop so a detachable system is a smart choice too.
6. Disposable Wipes
There are days when I’m too lazy to commit on ‘full’ cleaning or when I just need to do a quick wipe off spills. Disposable wipes are super handy for that purposes because I don’t need to clean the cloth afterwards, just bin it. They are also good for cleaning out narrow spots that are hard to reach.
The Essential Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning supplies are not complete without the cleaning solutions. So here are my essential cleaning solutions:
7. Multi-Purpose Cleaner
If microfibre cloth is my favourite cleaning tool, my favourite cleaning solution will be multi-purpose cleaner or all-purpose cleaner. This is the secret weapon for almost all of your cleaning needs. From grease and grime on the countertops, to water stain or soap scums on glass shower doors, multi-purpose cleaner is safe to use on an array of surfaces. If you are confused with what brand to choose, go for the one made out of natural plant based. It’s good for the environment and for you.
8. Floor Cleaner
Floors are the largest surface area that need to be cleaned regularly. Having spotless floors is important as it is the fundamental aspect of a healthy home. Floor cleaner doesn’t only help bringing the shine on the floor, but also keep your room smelling fresh. To make sure you don’t leave too much toxic on your floor (especially if you have babies or pets), choose floor cleaner with plant-based formula.
9. Dish Soap
Who doesn’t like squeaky-clean dishes? Dish soap is one of the must-have cleaning supplies that you need since day 1 in your new home (because you’re eating everyday, right?). Since I don’t have a dishwasher, choosing a high quality, natural dish soap is necessary to help washing up tough stuck-on food easier and to make sure my hands stay soft.
10. Laundry Detergent (and Fabric Softener, optional)
When shopping for your initial cleaning supplies, don’t forget to grab laundry detergent (and fabric softener, optional). Depending on what type of washing you do, get the one that doesn’t only have your favourite smell but is also suitable for your washing type (either with machine or by hand). For fabric softener, make sure you use it only when necessary.
The key of having the perfect set of cleaning supplies is to start with the essential and move from there. It’s better to slowly add up your cleaning supplies when you need it rather than overwhelm yourself by buying unnecessary stuff that you end up not using from the beginning.
