Maintaining a spotless home is essential for your well-being and comfort, and to achieve this, you need the right Cleaning gear. In this guide, we'll walk you through the top cleaning supplies and tips every young renter should have and why they are essential for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. We broke our cleaning supplies list down by room to save you time, so scroll to a specific room if needed.
Why keeping a clean home is important
Keeping your house clean offers a multitude of physical and mental health benefits. On the physical front, a clean home reduces exposure to allergens, dust and harmful bacteria, which can help prevent respiratory issues and allergies — and not to mention, needless illness.
Regular cleaning also promotes physical activity, as tasks like vacuuming, mopping and decluttering engage your muscles and contribute to a more active lifestyle. Moreover, a tidy and organized living space minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries, such as slips and falls.
Mentally, a clean home can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels. A clutter-free environment promotes mental clarity, allowing you to focus better and feel more in control of your surroundings. The act of cleaning itself can be therapeutic, providing a sense of accomplishment and order in your life. Additionally, living in a clean and organized space can boost your self-esteem and overall well-being, as it fosters a sense of pride and comfort in your home.
Essential cleaning supplies list for every room
Before we dive into room-specific cleaning essentials, let's start with the basics that are indispensable for maintaining a clean home regardless of the room.
- Cleaning gloves: A pair of durable cleaning gloves is your first line of defense against dirt and germs. They protect your hands from harsh chemicals and ensure you can tackle even the messiest cleaning tasks with confidence.
- Cleaning caddy: Invest in a portable cleaning caddy or bucket to keep your cleaning supplies organized and easily accessible as you move from room to room.
- Trash bags: Keep a stash of high-quality trash bags on hand. Regularly emptying the trash (think once per day) is key to maintaining a clean space.
- Multi-purpose cleaner: Opt for a versatile, all-purpose cleaner that can be used on various surfaces. This will save you money and space compared to having specialized cleaners for every surface. If you want to go the natural route, we've provided some low-cost, DIY cleaning solution ideas below.
Kitchen cleaning essentials
The kitchen is often the heart of the home, so keeping it clean is essential for both hygiene and aesthetics.
- Dish soap and sponges: You'll need these to hand wash dishes and clean countertops, sinks, and appliances.
- Oven cleaner: To tackle baked-on grease and grime in your oven, a specialized oven cleaner is a must.
- Refrigerator cleaner: Keep your fridge smelling fresh and bacteria-free with a dedicated refrigerator cleaner.
- Dishwasher detergent: If your apartment comes with a dishwasher, make sure you have a good quality detergent to keep your dishes sparkling clean.
Bathroom cleaning supplies
The bathroom is another area that requires regular cleaning and sanitizing to prevent the buildup of mold, mildew and bacteria.
- Toilet bowl cleaner and brush: A dedicated toilet bowl cleaner and brush are essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic toilet.
- Tile and grout cleaner: To keep your bathroom tiles looking pristine, invest in a tile and grout cleaner.
- Shower and tub cleaner: Prevent soap scum and grime buildup in the shower and bathtub with a specialized cleaner. Some of them have mold and mildew cleaning agents that keep buildup in check.
- Glass cleaner: For mirrors and glass surfaces in the bathroom, a good glass cleaner is a must-have for streak-free surfaces.
Living room cleaning essentials
The living room is where you unwind and entertain guests, so make sure to keep it clean and inviting.
- Furniture polish: Keep your furniture looking its best with a quality furniture polish.
- Carpet cleaner: If your living room has carpeting, a carpet cleaner or stain remover is essential for tackling spills and stains.
- Electronics cleaner: Safely clean your TV, computer screen and other electronics with an electronics-specific cleaning solution.
Bedroom cleaning necessities
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so it's important to keep it clean and comfortable.
- Bed linens spray: A bed linen spray can freshen up your bedding between washes, creating a cozy sleeping environment.
- Mattress protector: Protect your mattress from spills and stains with a waterproof mattress protector.
- Dust cloths: Dusting regularly is essential for maintaining a clean bedroom. Microfiber dust cloths are effective at trapping dust and allergens.
Eco-friendly cleaning options
If you're environmentally conscious, consider incorporating eco-friendly cleaning supplies into your arsenal.
- Biodegradable cleaning products: Look for cleaning products that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
- Reusable cleaning cloths: Reduce waste by using washable and reusable cleaning cloths and sponges instead of disposable ones.
DIY cleaning solutions
For those on a budget, DIY cleaning solutions can be just as effective as store-bought products.
- Distilled white vinegar and baking soda: These two household staples can clean and disinfect various surfaces.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice is a natural degreaser and can add a pleasant, energizing scent to your cleaning solutions.
These cleaning products keep your house clean and green
If you prefer store-bought green cleaning products, there are many options available.
- Plant-based cleaners: Look for cleaning products that are made from plant-based ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals.
- Certified Green products: Some cleaning products carry certifications like the Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice, indicating they meet specific environmental and safety standards.
Cleaning tools and accessories
To efficiently tackle cleaning tasks, you'll need the right tools.
- Mops and brooms: A good quality mop and broom are essential for keeping your floors clean. If you want an AI-powered version of either or both, there are now robot brooms and mops available for sparkling floors, but they're pricey.
- Microfiber cloths and sponges: Microfiber cloths are excellent at trapping dust and dirt, making them versatile cleaning tools.
- Vacuum cleaners: If your apartment has carpets, invest in a vacuum cleaner that suits your space and needs. If you have more than one pet or a heavy shedder, consider a vacuum specifically geared toward eliminating pet hair concerns.
Organizing your cleaning supplies
Now that you have your cleaning supplies, it's crucial to keep them organized for easy access.
Storage solutions
- Shelving or cabinets: Consider adding shelving or a cabinet in a convenient location to store your cleaning supplies neatly.
- Labels: Use labels on containers and shelves to ensure you can quickly locate the right cleaning product.
Time-saving techniques
No one has endless hours to devote to cleaning tasks. Here's what you can do to stay on track and clean more efficiently so you can get back to what you actually enjoy at home.
But first, declutter
Before cleaning, declutter the space to make cleaning more manageable. Decluttering nearly automatically decreases mess because it's one less item you have to clean — or an obstacle to clean around. Plus, a decluttered space is one that collects less dust.
Try a room-by-room approach
Clean one room at a time to stay focused and maximize efficiency. Some people have even suggested closing the door to the room until it's clean to keep you from noticing things you might need to clean or tidy in surrounding areas.
Deep cleaning vs. routine cleaning
All of the products and techniques we outlined above apply to both deep cleaning and routine cleaning, but it's important to know the difference between the two.
Routine cleaning for a healthy home
Regularly scheduled cleaning tasks are considered preventative because they help prevent the buildup of dirt and grime. Setting aside just 10-15 minutes per day to take care of routine cleaning tasks, like washing dishes, vacuuming, tidying or cleaning kitchen counters eliminates the need for a deep clean later. If it helps keep you on track, stick to one area at a time: Committing to clearing one counter will save minutes and hours later.
Deep cleaning for a spotless home
Not everything can be taken care of by the spot cleaning we mentioned above. Whether you've let cleaning tasks pile up for a while or you just want a total cleaning reset on your home, deep cleaning might be your best bet. Set aside time for deep cleaning sessions to tackle more thorough tasks like cleaning the oven or scrubbing tile grout.
Basic cleaning supplies checklist
To recap, here are all the house cleaning supplies and organization tools mentioned in this article, listed for your convenience. Next time you're headed to the store, make sure you have all the supplies we discussed here.
What you need:
- Cleaning gloves
- Cleaning caddy or bucket
- Trash bags
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Dish soap and sponges
- Oven cleaner
- Refrigerator cleaner
- Dishwasher detergent
- Toilet bowl cleaner and brush
- Tile and grout cleaner
- Shower and tub cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Furniture polish
- Carpet cleaner
- Electronics cleaner
- Bed linens spray
- Mattress protector
- Dust cloths
- Reusable cleaning cloths
- Vinegar and baking soda
- Lemon juice
- Plant-based cleaners
- Certified Green products
- Mops and brooms
- Microfiber cloths and sponges
- Vacuum cleaners
Start your pre-spring clean today!
In conclusion, having the right cleaning solutions and supplies is essential for keeping your apartment clean and comfortable as a young renter. By investing in these essential cleaning supplies and following a cleaning schedule, you can maintain a spotless home that you'll be proud to call your own. Whether you prefer eco-friendly options, DIY solutions or traditional cleaning products, there are plenty of choices on our cleaning supplies list above to suit your cleaning needs.
Home is where the cleaning happens, after all. Still looking for a place to call your own? Browse our available apartments for rent today.
The post Cleaning Supplies List for Renters: The 26 Items You Need Now appeared first on Apartment Living Tips - Apartment Tips from ApartmentGuide.com.
