The Go-to Cleaning Supplies Every Home Needs

Whether you own a little bungalow, rent an apartment, or just moved into an estate with vast acreage, there’s one home maintenance task everyone has in common: regular cleaning. And while some cleaning methods vary from home to home, there are a few go-to supplies every household should have on hand. 

Consider this list as a solid starting point when building out your cleaning toolkit.

The House Cleaning Supplies Basics

Having a bin of cleaning supplies at the ready will allow you to keep your home tidy on a regular basis. And when your kids accidentally (and inevitability) spill their dinner, you’ll be prepared to tackle the mess.

• Rubber gloves

• Window or glass cleaner

• Sanitizing spray

• Squeegee

• Vacuum

• Duster

• Broom

• Dustpan

• Bucket

If your schedule is already overflowing with tasks like grocery shopping, taking the kids to soccer practice, and walking the dog, you may benefit from outsourcing the task. In that case, consider hiring a local cleaning service to get that weight off your shoulders.

Floor Cleaning Supplies

Sparkling floors instantly make your home look nice and tidy, but the cleaning supplies you’ll need depends on your home’s type of flooring. 

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can get very slippery when wet, but you shouldn’t use any old cleaner on them, especially if they’re antique. To maintain their classic look, only use hardwood-specific cleaners and gentle scrubbers or mops with microfiber cloths. You can also mix dish soap or vinegar with warm water for a gentle—but effective—hardwood floor cleaning solution.

• Dust mop

• Microfiber cloths

• Gentle soap specific for wood floors

Laminate Floors

Photo: fizkes / Adobe Stock

Laminate floors are hardier than hardwood floors, as they’re typically made up of multiple layers designed to look like wood. It’s important to clean up any spills on laminate floors quickly—like wood, laminate is very slippery when wet, and it’s also susceptible to staining. 

• Dust mop

• Damp cloth

• Liquid laminate cleaning solution

Carpet

Carpet provides warmth and comfort that laminate and wood floors simply can’t offer. It’s also quite durable and can give you a bit of cushion—it’s a great option for homes with active kids and pets. Keeping it clean has numerous health benefits, but it does require specific supplies.

Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA, recommends hiring a professional carpet shampooing company. “Carpet fiber can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold,” Biddle says. “If the proper solutions and procedures are not utilized while shampooing a homeowners carpet, it will pose a possible risk to the carpet fiber itself as well as to the health of the homeowner."  

First, make sure you have a vacuum so you can regularly suck up any dirt lingering in the fibers. Then, depending on how clean you need it, purchase additional cleaning supplies.

• Carpet shampoo

• Carpet stain remover

• Steamer (you can rent one to cut costs)

• Deodorizer, like baking soda

Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

Regularly cleaning your kitchen can seem like such a chore, especially when you have a big family—those dishes pile up quickly! But in addition to washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen involves sanitizing countertops and scrubbing appliances. 

While these tasks may seem like a lot of work, they’re worth it. You’ll need:

• Dish soap

• Sponges

• Oven cleaner

• All-purpose cleaner

• Microfiber cloths

• Deodorizer

Bathroom Cleaning Supplies

Bathrooms are where you get clean, so keeping the room itself clean is essential. Having streaky mirrors and grimy showers can really put a damper on your own personal hygiene.

To keep it clean, you’ll need:

• Sponge

• Scrubber brush

• All-purpose cleaner

• Grout brush

• Grout cleaner

• Toilet brush