Overwhelmed by the excessive amount of cleaning supplies available? These 18 cleaning essentials will show you what you actually need in order to make your house sparkle!
Between the numerous ads we face every day and influencers on social media, we always feel like we NEED that one AMAZING product to clean our house with. As a homemaker, I’m here to tell you to save your time and money. You only need a handful of really good cleaning supplies to get the job done. This list of cleaning essentials will help you to choose products without the headache.
In this post, you will be given my favorite cleaning products I use to clean my 1,000 square foot bungalow. From cleaning your bathroom mirrors to getting rid of dust bunnies, you’ll be given every product you need to clean everything in your home including the kitchen sink.
After reading this post, you will know exactly what products you need to make your home sparkle.
Please note that none of the mentioned products in this post are sponsors. I am simply sharing the products and brands that I use because I believe they are effective.
Cleaning Supplies: A Social Media Craze
If you have social media, there’s no question you’ve seen some variation of the “clean with me” trend. These videos get millions of views, and have people dropping money on the newest of cleaning products. I never imagined people would view certain cleaning products as “trendy,” but here we are, obsessing over Scrub Daddy and The Pink Stuff.
As I am always looking for effective cleaning supplies, I try to drown out the noise of social media telling me I can’t live my life without a specific cleaning product. I am a simple homemaker, and don’t spend time or money on products I don’t think will be useful to me. I also live in a small home, and don’t have the room to store excessive amounts of cleaning supplies. If you are one of those people who love to try the next best cleaning product, there is a good chance you’re going to find my post boring. I stick to the basics, and am here to give you the ESSENTIALS.
The products I am going to share are not trendy or fancy. Social media is full of fancy cleaning gadgets and expensive cleaning solutions, but don’t be fooled. The basic, non-trendy cleaning supplies work just as well. Unless you are a cleaning influencer, you do not need these fancy, name brand tools to successfully clean your home. Using the status quo will give you the same outcome: a clean home.
“Clean” Cleaning Supplies
Before you read on, I just want to note that this post is solely based on my opinions and thoughts. I am not a cleaning expert, and never will be. I am just a homemaker trying to help other homemakers out, and I recognize people have different priorities when it comes to purchasing cleaning supplies.
As I am conscious to not use harsh cleaning supplies, I am not someone who only purchases “clean” cleaning supplies. As I see the value in this and do use some, I also use some products that I’m sure some people would not approve of. With only myself and my husband living in our home, it does not get super dirty, so I eliminate any harsh cleaning supplies from my routine such as bleach. I try to steer clear of scented products, and in the future, I may shift toward more natural cleaners. However, for right now I am happy with my arsenal of cleaning supplies. If you like an idea presented in this blog, I’m sure you can find a more gentle/cleaner alternative.
Truth Be Told
I do not enjoy cleaning. Never have, never will. As a homemaker, it is definitely the one task that I have not made peace with yet. I do what needs to be done, but am not an intense cleaner. It’s definitely one of those chores that I have to do, rather than one that I get to do. Either way, I view cleaning as part of caring for my cute home, and as part of providing a peaceful environment for myself and for my husband. There always seems to be a silver lining…
18 Cleaning Essentials You Need To Make Your House Sparkle
This section will have three categories: Bathroom Cleaning Essentials, Kitchen Cleaning Essentials, & Multi-Room Cleaning Essentials
Bathroom Cleaning Essentials
When it comes to the bathroom, I use very minimal products. We have a very simple bathroom that does not require a lot of upkeep, and only a handful of supplies does the trick. I tend to use the strongest cleaning supplies in this area of the house, and the bulk of cleaning supplies I purchase are for the bathroom.
Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant wipes come in handy all over the house, but particularly in the bathroom. I use them to pre-clean my sink and vanity, and also use them on the outside/seat of my toilet.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
I don’t know what’s in them, but they truly are *magic.* From scrubbing the sink to scrubbing the shower, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are my go-to cleaning product.
Disinfectant Bathroom Cleaner
I use a multi-purpose bathroom cleaner, which allows me to use it on all my bathroom surfaces.
Windex & Sprayway
The very best at making your mirror & glass streak-free. Sometimes I use Windex, other times I use the Sprayway glass cleaning wipes. Both work wonders on glass and mirrors!
Dawn Dish Soap
In the bathroom? Yup. Dawn cuts through toothpaste grime like you wouldn’t believe. Putting some in your sink and then scrubbing it will immediately remove toothpaste residue.
Cleaning Brushes
For those lovely nooks and crannies that every shower has. Using a larger brush for the main surface of the shower is useful, but having a smaller brush for hard-to-reach places will ensure every inch of your shower is sparkling.
Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Gel Toilet Cleaning Stamp
One of the best ways to keep your toilet fresh on a daily basis! One cleaning stamp lasts for weeks, and it conveniently sticks to your toilet bowl and freshens it with each flush.
Toilet Tank Tablets
There are many different brands and options for these, and I don’t really have a favorite one. Any kind works very well, and makes your toilet look professionally cleaned with each flush!
Clorox ToiletWand
I have tried many different toilet bowl cleaning set-ups, and this one is definitely my favorite out of the bunch. It doesn’t take up much room, has a stand with built in refill storage, and does not require a separate toilet bowl cleaning solution. You can’t get much better than that! Each wand head is single-use and is disposable, which avoids that nasty, germ-ridden toilet brush hanging out by your toilet. It is small enough to be stored in a cabinet, and is a useful tool that takes minutes to use.
Kitchen Cleaning Essentials
Having a small kitchen DOES have its perks, such as having less to clean! I have a very straight-forward and functional kitchen with only the basics included. This means minimal cleaning supplies are needed to keep it clean. With all the cooking I do, my kitchen NEEDS to be SPOTLESS. My kitchen has to feel clean before I start any meal, and I clean it as soon as I am done using it. Having dirty dishes and food scraps lying around drives me crazy, and I thoroughly clean my kitchen every single day. Your kitchen is not a place you want to neglect when it comes to cleanliness! These are my top products for keeping my kitchen immaculate.
Dawn Dish Soap
Equally useful in the bathroom and kitchen, having Dawn dish soap is non-negotiable. I have tried other, cheaper brands, but when it comes down to it, nothing works like Dawn. When it comes to a clean kitchen, I am willing to pay a little extra for a quality product. Dawn is what I use on all my dishes, and I occasionally use it on stubborn grease stains on different surfaces in the kitchen. Using it in the kitchen sink with a sponge also freshens it up nicely, and leaves it smelling clean.
Sponges
From Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to Dawn dish sponges, I always have AT LEAST 3 of each stored under my sink. Magic Erasers are my go-to for stubborn stains and marks, and always work like… well, magic! I am always cautious using it on a new surface for the first time, just in case it ruins the top layer. Whenever I have something I can’t scrub off with water, I immediately grab my Magic Eraser and watch the problem disappear. Other sponges come in handy for cleaning other things in the kitchen, such as dishes, the sink, and stovetop.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
All of my appliances are stainless steel. As this looks sharp, it is a nightmare to keep clean. Food splatters stick out on stainless steel, and make it look dirty very quickly. Luckily, there are stainless steel formulas and wipes that help keep your appliances looking brand new!
Kitchen Safe Spray
There are so many options when it comes to kitchen safe sprays. I always get one that kills dangerous germs, and use it to clean my kitchen after working with meat or other potentially dangerous foods. Getting a multi-surface spray allows you to use one product for the entire kitchen, which I am always a fan of.
Oven Top Cleaner
Both Bar Keepers Friend and Weiman make awesome cooktop cleaners. It gets those impossible-to-remove stains off the surface, and keeps it shining. I have a glass cooktop, and everything shows on it. These products make it look brand new again.
Razor Blade
Paired with oven top cleaner, you’ll never have a dirty cooktop again. Using a razor blade on a glass cooktop may sound risky, but as long as you’re careful and don’t dig the edges of the blade into the glass, you’ll be just fine. This tool is something I use every night when cleaning my kitchen, It is able to effortlessly remove stubborn, burnt food in a matter of seconds. My worst cooktop messes have been cleaned using my razor blade. Just be sure to test it on a small part of your glass cooktop first, and be super careful not to scratch the surface! They make really nice razor blades that are attached to a handle so you can get scraping leverage without the risk of hurting yourself or ruining your cooktop.
I don’t have a gas stove, so I cannot recommend cleaning products for this. These types of stoves seem to require a lot of deep cleaning, and that is just not something that would be functional in my home!
Multi-Room Cleaning Essentials
These cleaning supplies are the ones that are used in every room of my home, and are usually the larger, more expensive tools. I keep it pretty basic for these as well, and have found what works for my small home.
Vacuum
Enough said.
Swiffer WetJet Mop
This mop is easy to store, and works like a charm. I like to use it after I vacuum, and love how it has a built-in spot for the cleaning solution. It makes cleaning the floors a breeze, and ensures you have as much solution as you need!
Swiffer Sweeper (Dry & Wet)
I love this tool because of its ability to bend and get under furniture pieces. The dry cloths work so well at picking up dust and hair, and I use it before I use my Swiffer WetJet. The Swiffer Sweeper also has the option to use wet cloths, making it a dual-purpose tool. If you’re limited on space, you can use the Swiffer Sweeper in place of the WetJet. The downfall to this is I find the wet cloths for the Sweeper run out of solution fairly quickly, as the WetMop has an endless supply at the touch of a button. I prefer to have both tools on hand.
Swiffer Duster
I love how this can reach the highest places in my home, and truly attracts and holds onto dust like a pro. I find I can get multiple uses out of one duster head, and it is much more effective than using a cloth and liquid dusting solution.
Whether you choose to use each of these cleaning essentials or just a couple of them, they will undoubtedly make a difference in your home’s cleanliness. Figuring out what works for your routine will help you determine what your essentials are, as everyone’s home has different needs. It is always better to start off with a small amount of supplies and add on as needed. This way, you aren’t stuck with products you don’t use collecting dust under your sink.
These cleaning essentials are what work in my home, and I never feel like I am lacking. These products make cleaning almost tolerable. Almost.
This post was all about cleaning essentials you need to make your house sparkle.