10 Essential Cleaning Tools Every Home Should Have

This is a list of all the main essential cleaning tools that you have to have in your apartment or dorm room. They will help keep things clean.

When moving into a new home as a new adult I was freaking out about all of the things I needed to buy. Especially the cleaning supplies. I had no idea what I really needed. So here are 10 essential cleaning tools that every home should have.

1. A good sponge

A good sponge is one of the best things you can have. And there are a huge variety of sponges out there. Classic sponges are great to have around, especially those that have an abrasive (rough) side to tackle any tough dirty surface. But if you want to explore a more alternative side, you can try out sponge cloths that close the gap between sponges and towels, spaghetti sponges (they don’t require any soap!), or silicone sponges that last just about forever. Sponges are the best.

2. White Towels

These are a classic kitchen item, and are great for all over the house. My mother always keeps a ton of white towels in the a drawer in the kitchen. And the best thing about these is that you can find packs just about anywhere, even at the hardware store and they aren’t very expensive! And some great things about them are that they’ll always match, you’ll know when they’re dirty and need to be switched out, and they can be easily bleached and disinfected without getting totally ruined. For an eco-friendly alternative cut up some old t-shirts.

3. Microfiber Cloths

Just like the white towels, getting a few of these to keep on hand can totally boost your cleaning power. An awesome feature with the microfiber towels is that they can often get surfaces clean on their own or with just a little water added, and they shouldn’t scratch or leave streaks behind (they’re so great for windows). These things rock!

4. A squeegee

These things do have a purpose outside of just cleaning your shower door. They work great on your windows if that’s a part of your normal cleaning routine. They’ll definitely speed up your routine! This is another one of the essential cleaning tools.

5. A Bucket

A nice sized bucket can do more than only stow your cleaning supplies. They can also be used for mopping and a multitude of other household tasks. These are a cleaning essential for sure. You can buy them online, but most people just pick ’em up from the local hardware or grocery store. Simple and so useful!

6. A Bunch Of Spray Bottles

Keep a bunch of spray bottles on hand if you ever need to rinse something off with water, or to try your hand at making your own cleaners (they are also great for hair care). Spray bottles will hold up to anything, and you can buy them one at a time for less than $10, or in multi-packs for a savings boost. So many uses for such a great price! This is another one of the essential cleaning tools.

7. A Scrub Brush

Sometimes a sponge or cloth isn’t always going to work, so keep an all-purpose scrub brush on hand to use on tile, tubs, fixtures and really tough stains. These things are great, and they last a lifetime!

8. Broom, Dustpan, and Mop

If you have any hard flooring surfaces like wood, tile, cork, and linoleum, you will need a broom, dustpan and mop to get them clean. These are some of the first things that you should buy when moving into a new place. And they will stand you in good stead. This is another one of the essential cleaning tools.

9. A Toothbrush

Yes, you can use a toothbrush outside of just its normal purpose. They are a great tool when you need something a little more detailed than a scrub brush. Disinfect some old toothbrushes and put them to work on grout, sink rims and all the other nooks and crannies in your house.

10. A Vacuum

Whether it’s a a cordless Roomba, a classic Dyson or a sturdy workhorse passed down to you, you need one of these machines to keep floors clean and allergies at bay. They will make cleaning your flooring surfaces so much easier, and it will go by much faster! This is another one of the essential cleaning tools.