How to Stock Your Cleaning Closet

By Susan M. Keenan

Cleaning your home may be one of the last things that you want to do. In fact, it may be one of the least pleasurable tasks that fill your hours, and it may be one of the last things on your mind. Nonetheless, cleaning needs to take place or your home won’t be fit to live in and enjoy.

On the other hand, you may enjoy cleaning. You might actually like to scrub floors, vacuum, disinfect, and dust like there’s no tomorrow. Perhaps you turn to cleaning when things are troubling you, and you need to escape from the pressing thoughts of life that are weighing on your mind.

Either way, whether you enjoy cleaning or not, the task is so much simpler with a well-stocked closet full of cleaning supplies. Exactly what should you have in your cleaning closet? Is it like your pantry, full of the things you like and nothing else? Does that mean it’s empty if you dislike cleaning and overflowing if you simply love to clean?

In fact, your closet should neither be empty or stuffed until you can barely close the door. A properly stocked cleaning closet contains only the tools that you need to do a cleaning task properly. Hundreds of cleaning tools are on the market today and no one needs every one of them. After all, where could you possibly store them all?

Likewise, a closet full of items that you refuse to use only adds to the problem as they sit in the back, or front of the closet as the case might be, gathering dust and cobwebs. Of course, you may have purchased these items with the best intentions, truly believing that a more expensive version of a vacuum cleaner that purportedly claimed to be able to suck up more dirt and dust than any vacuum ever before was going to encourage you to use it.

However, let the truth be acknowledged. If you aren’t going to use it, give it away or sell it. Perhaps you have a steam cleaner for carpets, but no longer have carpeting in the home. Maybe you have floor wax for wood flooring, but you no longer have wood floors. Take everything out of your closet and make two piles- things to keep and things to give away.

Now that you have emptied the closet out, look at your cleaning tools. Make a list of things you need to purchase. You should replace any items that are worn out or irreparably broken. Make a list of things you need to repair. You should repair any of the items that can be fixed. Likewise, you should purchase any item that you should have but don’t have.

Emptying the closet of things that you don’t need or can’t use will also make it easier to get to the things that you do use. Once you have gone through the two piles, replace the items that you are keeping back into the closet. Take the items that are no longer useable to the trash and discard them. Relocate the items that you are giving away, and find new owners for them. If you cannot locate anyone who wants them, drop them off at the nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Stock your closet with the basic essentials- the tools you need to get the job done and the models that you will actually use. Look at the list below for suggestions as to what should be in your closet in order to properly clean your home.

Cleaning Tools

• Indoor broom
• Outdoor broom (if you have a deck or garage)
• Dust pan and brush
• Dust mop (not only are these good cleaning tools for hardwood floors, but also, for cobweb removal)
• Wet mop
• Two buckets (one can be used for harsh chemical cleaners and the other for milder cleaners)
• Vacuum cleaner (preferably with attachments)
• Dusting cloths (preferably microfiber)
• Sponges
• Scrubbing brush with nylon bristles
• Small scrubbing brush or toothbrush
• Toilet brush
• Cleaning caddy (makes it easier to transport supplies)
• Rubber gloves (protects your skin from chemicals)
• White paper towels (avoid prints since the dyes can transfer)
• Disposable rags

Now that you have all of your tools in place, it’s time to look at your cleaning products. If you have products that you no longer need, dispose of them properly. Proper disposal instructions are probably included on the label. Again, you can also give them away to a friend or neighbor.

Remember that you should never mix cleaning solutions due to the possibility of toxic fumes forming. The basic cleaning supplies that you need are included in the following list.

Cleaning Products

• Disinfectant
• All purpose cleaner
• Glass/mirror cleaner
• Tub/tile cleaner
• Nonabrasive scouring powder
• Oven cleaner (if you do not have a self-cleaning oven)
• Wood cleaner (if you have wood floors)
• Furniture polish

Some cleaning tasks make use of other products that are not normally found in the aisles for cleaning supplies. You may also want to stock a bottle of white vinegar and a box of baking soda since these are often used for specific cleaning tasks.

© Doityourself.com 2006