Ready to tackle your cleaning checklist, but not sure if you have the right cleaning essentials? This is my list of holy grail cleaning products that I swear by.
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If you’re moving into your first apartment, chances are that you’ve never had to keep a space this big clean on your own before. I was definitely in that boat and had no idea what cleaning essentials I needed to keep on hand so that I could always be prepared to tidy up when needed.
When it comes to cleaning supplies and materials, there are so many options. I am sharing all of my favorites that I use on a weekly basis from bathroom cleaning essentials to kitchen cleaning essentials.
You will be super prepared to tackle your cleaning checklist and will be able to handle any mess that happens.
This post is all about the cleaning essentials you need to keep your apartment in the best condition possible.
BEST CLEANING ESSENTIALS:
CLEANING TOOLS
1. Vacuum
Having a good vacuum is going to make or break your cleaning routine. If you have one that keeps breaking on you, it will cost you some serious money to have to keep replacing it over time. Vacuums are definitely pricey but look at them as an investment. If you pay the money upfront for a good one, it will last you for years. I seriously cannot recommend this vacuum enough. It has been a game-changer for keeping my apartment floors, baseboards, and furniture clean from crumbs and dust.
2. Mop
The kind of mop you get is a personal preference and how much time your schedule allows for deep cleaning. A traditional mop and bucket are going to give you more freedom on what cleaning solution you use on your floor (I love Pine Sol), but it will make the process a little longer. I have a Wet Jet because it helps me get the dirt off my floors without spending a ton of time on it and it comes with the cleaning solution already!
3. Broom + Dustpan
The one area that my vacuum can’t help me clean well is my apartment deck. Because of this, I like to take a broom and dustpan out there every so often so I can get any leaves, bugs, and dirt picked up. It’s also great for inside in the case that your budget doesn’t allow for purchasing a vacuum!
4. Sponges
Sponges will come in handy in different areas of your apartment. I like to use just regular sponges to use to clean my shower walls and bathroom countertops. For the kitchen, you’ll want to get something a little more heavy-duty to help you clean off those stubborn food stains.
5. Scrub Brush
Some dirty spots need a little bit of extra elbow grease to get them properly cleaned. If I run into a stain that my sponges aren’t enough for, I’ll grab a scrub brush. They really come in handy when cleaning the tile in my shower and bathroom.
6. Dusters
Dusting is something that I so easily forget until I look at my shelves and can visibly see that I’ve forgotten this step in my cleaning checklist. It is super helpful to have two kinds of dusters in your cleaning arsenal: a regular handheld one and an extendable one. A regular duster is perfect for wiping down shelves quickly while the extendable kind is necessary to keep your blinds, ceiling fans, and baseboards free from dust build up!
7. Bucket
A bucket is just one of those practical cleaning essentials that serve two great purposes. First, you can use it as storage to hold all of your cleaning products in an organized way to keep in your closet. It helps you keep everything in one place until you need it. Secondly, when that cleaning day comes around, you can use your bucket to carry around everything you need!
8. Rubber Gloves
Rubber gloves are essential to protect your skin from all of the harsh chemicals that could be in your stronger cleaning products (like bleach). The best part is that they are reusable so you can get the most use out of your money.
Pro Tip: get rubber gloves that can also act as sponges to make cleaning your dishes 10x easier.
9. Toilet Brush + Holder
A toilet brush and a holder are for sure a must-have cleaning essential. If you’re on a budget, your local dollar store will have what you need. You definitely do not need to spend a lot of money on this! They all do the same thing.
10. Rags
I keep a pack of these rags handy to help me wipe down my counters, cabinets, blinds, and so much more. They are used in every room of my apartment. Buying these in bulk means that I won’t feel bad about throwing any away that get gross over the years.
11. Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cloths are a necessity when you clean your windows, mirrors, and stainless steel appliances. They are gentle on your surfaces and won’t leave any scratches behind! I always use them on my fridge, oven, and dishwasher specifically.
12. Grout Brush
Use one of these to get in between your tiles to ensure that your bathroom is truly ~spotless~. There are fancy grout brushes out there, but if you have an old toothbrush laying around already, that typically does the trick!
13. Squeegee
I keep this in my shower at all times, but a squeegee will be a helpful tool to use on the glass surfaces and mirrors in your apartment. Basically, it just helps you remove excess water or cleaning product from the surface so there are no streaks or spots left behind.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
14. All-Purpose Cleaner
One of the most versatile cleaning essentials you can keep on hand and will help you clean every room in your apartment. I use an all-purpose cleaner on everything and swear by Mrs. Meyer’s brand specifically so I love that I can buy it in bulk!
15. Glass + Mirror Cleaner
My key to getting a good glass and mirror cleaner is to make sure that it is streak-free. The last thing you want is for your windows to look dirty when the sun hits them because there were streaks left behind by your cleaner.
16. Floor Cleaner
Whether you use a mop or a Swiffer Wet Jet, you’re going to need a floor-cleaning solution to go with it. I really like the smell of Pine Sol because it just makes me feel like everything is clean, but the most important thing to remember is to dilute it with water because this stuff is pretty strong.
17. Shower Cleaner
You’d be amazed (and probably grossed out) by how much build-up can happen in your shower. I like to use a strong (but inexpensive) shower cleaner to wipe down my shower at least once a week.
18. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Toilet bowl cleaner really makes a difference in how easy it is to get your toilet clean. Definitely make sure you get one that has a fresh scent so you aren’t stuck with just the bleachy smell filling your bathroom! The perfect finishing touch is to leave a self-cleaning gel on the side of your toilet bowl.
19. Tile Cleaner
This is the best way to get those stubborn stains that live in between your tile. No matter how clean your bathroom is, the visible build-up will actually make it look like it is not clean at all. Tile cleaner and a good brush will take care of that problem for you!
20. Stainless Steel Cleaner
There’s just something so satisfying about cleaning the stainless steel appliances. Finger prints, smudges, and stains are instantly gone and it looks like the first day you moved into your first apartment again. Make sure you are using a microfiber cloth with this cleaner!
21. Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant wipes are another cleaning essential that I keep everywhere. My bathroom, kitchen, purse, car…they’re important to have so that you are able to wipe those most often touched places in your apartment like light switches, remotes, or door handles.
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22. Magic Erasers
When they say these things are magic, they aren’t kidding. I have used these for years to help me make sure I get my security deposit back when I move out of an apartment. Any scuffs or marks on the walls are instantly gone because of these!
23. Fabric Spray
In my opinion, this is the best finishing touch to a deep clean. It is kind of difficult to clean your couch well, so having fabric spray to help fight odors is a must (especially if you have a pet). I love how fresh these sprays make my apartment smell after using them!
