Cleaning Supplies List
What cleaning supplies should every working mom have on hand?
To tackle the mess from living with kids more manageable, you need the right cleaning supplies. Creating a cleaning supplies list will help you stay organized and make sure you have what you need on hand to clean up whatever mess life throws at you.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was one product to clean everything? From the “misses” on the toilet mat, peanut butter drawing on the window pane, and dirty dishes hiding in the teen’s bedroom for a week, moms need the right cleaning product for the job!
Cleaning tips for busy moms are a great place to start but what cleaning supplies should you have on hand?
You’ve got a solid cleaning schedule in place and good house cleaning checklists to work from. Now, let’s be sure you’ve got the right cleaning product on hand to help you clean!
Cleaning Supplies List
I am a firm believer in lists and plans. I’ve been working and homeschooling for over 14 years, and the one thing that has helped me juggle the different areas of my life is creating a plan. Without a plan, everything becomes overwhelming and chaotic!
I love using printable planners to help me figure out the best cleaning schedule. Check out this Cleaning Planner For Busy Moms. Inside you’ll find room-by-room pages and a cleaning supply list.
Time Saving Hack For Cleaning Supplies
Have you ever noticed how much time you spend running around gathering your cleaning supplies and going back to the room you were cleaning?
While I am all about getting movement in throughout your day, this is not the best way to get your steps!
One great tip for saving time is to create a cleaning caddy or bucket. If your house has multi-levels, I recommend one for each level.
Creating a cleaning bucket is easy. All you need is a decent bucket or caddy. Remember, it needs to hold your general cleaning supplies, which is why I prefer a bucket over a caddy. Either way, make sure it has a handle and can fit everything you need.
Next, choose cleaning supplies from the list below to put in your bucket! Jennifer Bly shares her favorite items for her bucket here.
In this post, I’ll share with you some of our favorite cleaning tools and supplies. Since everyone has a different opinion on what is the “best cleaning product,” I am including products that come highly recommended by other working moms.
General Tools & Cleaning Supplies List:
Having the right tool for the job makes cleaning easier. When my son started cleaning professionally, he went through our home cleaning supplies and made some suggestions for swaps or upgrades.
Let’s start with the general tools and cleaning supplies list. You may not need or want to use every cleaning product on this list. Go through and create a cleaning supply list of ideas you want to try out next time.
Baking Soda & Vinegar :
No cleaning supplies ist would be complete without these two items. They’re inexpensive and practical for so many cleaning jobs. Use whenever possible in place of a manufactured cleaner.
My mom swears by vinegar for everything from rinsing her clothes in the washer to cleaning windows to rinsing the dishes in the dishwasher.
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Paper towels:
Paper towels are perfect for quick spills or gross messes. I use them to clean out our compost bin, cat litter, or anything chunky. My in-laws love “select a size” for smaller cleanups.
- Bounty Paper Towels
- Kirkland Signature Paper Towels (I get mine from Costco)
- Brawny® Pick-A-Size® Paper Towels
Magic Erasers:
They are great for removing markers from walls, kitchen spills, and even hard water stains. We used them in our kitchen renovations on stains that were years old! If you have small children, I highly recommend keeping these in stock.
- Mr Clean Magic Eraser
- Melamine Sponge ( A mom said these are just as good, try them out for yourself!)
Broom & Dustpan:
Quickly clean up floors with a broom and dustpan. Great for sweeping up Kinetic Sand, the paper clippings from scissor practice, or dried mud off shoes. I also like to keep a mini broom and dustpan in my cleaning supplies.
There are a few different broom styles out there, I like this one.
Mop:
I love a spin mop. Mopping is one of those things that kills my back, but a spin mop is lighter and easier to use. Great for cleaning floors and walls. A working mom who has Rheumatoid Arthritis shared that she uses a spin mop (so you don’t have to exert pressure to wring the mop), and she loves the Swiffer for the floor since it’s lightweight.
- EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop
- Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Mops for Floor Cleaning
- Eyliden Mop Rag Mop, Easy Wringing Twist Mop
And yes, you really can spin mop your walls.
Scrub brush:
A tool every mom uses for scrubbing out different things. Just make sure your potato scrubber is not near the cleaning one! I prefer one with a handle for ease of use. Scrub Daddy is considered a friend in the kitchen. One working mom said, “It works on non-stick pans but is also tough enough to get baked food off surfaces.”
Toothbrush:
A toothbrush is perfect for scrubbing those little hard-to-reach places dirt likes to hide.
Bucket:
A good bucket makes life easier. I have two styles, one for my spin mop and a general one for my cleaning bucket.
Cleaning Caddy:
A well-stocked cleaning caddy or bucket can be a game changer. I talked about it earlier. I would recommend one that can hold the cleaning supplies you want and have a handle.
Vacuum:
If you ask a mom what her favorite vacuum is, each one will tell you a different model.
Keep in mind that different models are made for different jobs. You might need more than one. Personally, with pets and kids, I like Dyson Animal Cordless shown in the photo below.
Duster:
A job I absolutely detest and the first chore I taught my kids. I like Swiffer cloths and long-handled dusters for high shelves. A working mom said, “I use Swiffer dusters on the extendable pole for hard-to-reach places to avoid straining.”
- Swiffer 360 Dusters Extendable Handle
- Swiffer Dusters (short handle)
- Microfiber Feather Duster with Extendable Pole
Microfiber Cloth:
These clothes pick up dust well and are great for small kids learning to dust. My son recommends these instead of Swiffer cloths.
Sponge:
A good sponge is an excellent cleaner when you need some grit to get off the dirt.
Multipurpose Spray Cleaner:
I find a good cleaner will replace several products. Make sure the one you choose will work on the surfaces in your home.
My two favorite all-purpose cleaners are Method and Meyer’s in the photo below.
- Method All-Purpose Cleaner
- Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Cleaner Spray
- Essential Oil All Purpose Cleaning Spray Recipe
Floor Cleaner:
Different floors require different cleaners. One working mom said her favorite “cleaner” is a tablespoon of laundry detergent in the mop bucket to clean the floors. My mom swears by Murphy Oil for her hardwood floors.
- Murphy Oil
- Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate, Use to Clean Floors
Wood Polish And Furniture Cleaner:
Not all “wood products” are natural wood and need to be polished. You probably need a combination of products.
- Pledge – do not get this on your floor! It makes it very slippery.
- Method Daily Wood Cleaner (plant-based)
- Murphy Oil
Glass Cleaner:
Glass cleaner is perfect for glass items, mirrors, faucets, etc.
Disinfecting Wipes:
Quick and easy way to disinfect just about any surface. I keep some in the bathroom, kitchen, and in my car.
Spray Bottle:
A lot of moms like to use essential oils to clean their homes. Or, if you purchase bulk sizes of cleaning products or make cleaning recipes invest in a spray bottle. Amber glass bottles like the ones linked below are recommended for Essential Oil mixes
Gloves:
Protect yourself from harsh chemicals or when picking up gross messes that come with kids and pets with gloves. I do not like wearing gloves, but my son says they are super important. Be aware that some have powder inside, are disposable, or can be used over and over again.
Kitchen Cleaning Supplies List:
The kitchen is the heart of the home and one of the first places to become messy. Check your cleaning supplies list for the items specifically for your kitchen.
Dishwasher detergent:
A good dishwasher detergent will save you time when cleaning your dishes and leaving them clean!
There are many different types, such as gel, powder, and tabs.
- Finish Powerball Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Tabs (I get mine on sale at Costco)
- Cascade Complete Gel Dishwasher Detergent
- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Packs
Dish soap:
Liquid dish soap is good for more than just dishes. A good soap should cut through grease and not irritate your skin. I prefer one that bubbles as well.
Oven cleaner:
Oven cleaners are one of the more harsh cleaning products on the market. You can try cleaning your oven with baking soda, look for fume-free cleaners, and wear gloves and open windows. If you have a self-cleaning oven, ensure your cleaning product is safe.
- Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser
- Easy Off Professional Fume Free Max Oven Cleaner (Self-cleaning safe)
Scrub Pads:
Scrubbing sponges might not be enough if you have some burned-on food or tough stains. Try a scrubbing pad but make sure it won’t scratch!
- SOS Pad
- Stainless Steel Pads (with handles)
- Scotch-Brite Scour Pad (non-scratch)
If you assign your children chores, I would not let them use the wool cleaning pads or stainless steel scrubber without handles. Sometimes little fibers come off and get stuck in your skin. Wear gloves!
Antibacterial cleaner:
An all-purpose spray should cover most of your needs in the kitchen but if you want to include an antibacterial cleaner, look for one that is safe on kitchen surfaces.
Bathroom Cleaning Supplies List:
The second most used room in the house is the bathroom. Check your cleaning supplies list for the items to help keep your bathroom clean.
Toilet Cleaner:
Toilets need to be cleaned, scrubbed and disinfected often. A good cleaner does the work for you while you clean something else. A quick scrub and flush and you are done!
One mom highly recommends using rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) in a spray bottle to clean the inside and outside of the toilet.
Shower & Tub Cleaner:
Keeping the tub and shower clean is made easier with good cleaning products. There are a few options available, including making your own.
Always make sure the cleaner is safe for the surface you are cleaning.
- Barkeeper’s Friend for tough iron stains (we like the powder better than the liquid)
- Clorox Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover (with bleach)
- Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner
Tile And Grout:
Clean tile and grout require the right cleaning supplies.
- Seal It Green Tile And Grout Cleaner (Bleach-Free, Non-Toxic)
- Grout-Eez Super Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner
Cleaning Supplies List For Pets
Pets are lovely and make a house a home, but they also add to the mess. I have two cats and a dog. I’ll be the first to admit, that I was not prepared for the next dirt in my home.
Here are a few cleaning tools and supplies that are great when you own pets:
Lint Rollers:
If your pets are hairy and shed, lint rollers make getting the hair off easy. I have two different types, one for larger items such as my bedspread and one for smaller items.
Hand Held Vacuum:
Quickly suck up litter and dirt off the floor and furniture with a handheld vacuum. Some vacuums can be shortened like my Dyson, or you may want to invest in a small one for this purpose. They also make cleaning out the car a snap!
Spray Mop:
My dog likes to do this thing where she sucks up water and then lets it trickle out of her mouth all over the floor. Gross!
My spray mop gets used daily to quickly clean up that mess.
Pet Pee, Odor, & Stain Removal Cleaner:
Lastly, you’ll want a good cleaner for puppy training, and any other fun surprise messes our pets leave us.
Printable Cleaning Schedule
When it comes to cleaning and I am feeling overwhelmed, I just need it to be easy.
I created this daily, weekly, and monthly printable cleaning schedule for working moms.
And yes, this is the exact daily cleaning schedule for working moms I use every single day to stay on top of my cleaning tasks.
You’ll love how easy it is to use!
Cleaning Supplies List For Working Moms
I am a list maker! As a working mom who is also homeschooling, a cleaning supplies list helps me track what cleaning products I have on hand, what I need to buy and what supplies I like or don’t like.
Having the right tools and cleaners on hand makes cleaning the house easier, especially if you are cleaning when overwhelmed.
While many of the cleaning products above come highly recommended as “must-haves” by working moms and myself, what works for me may not work for you. Don’t be afraid to try new cleaning products. You might just find something you like better.
More Cleaning Help
- Weekly Cleaning Schedule For Working Moms
- Should Your Teen Do Chores?
- Organize Your Food Cabinets
- Spring Clean Your Homeschool
If you are looking for a planner to help you conquer your cleaning chaos, check out this planner for busy moms. This planner includes cleaning inventory pages to help you stay organized!
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
