What’s in My Cleaning Kit?

I guess this would be my equivalent to a ‘what’s in my bag’ video for a makeup guru.  Except I deal with cleaning products, and hardly wear a lick of makeup when cleaning.  Yes, when I do videos I’m in makeup, but that’s because our cameras are beyond an acceptable level of HD and you know, I’ve got insecurities too.

OK enough about my personal issues, let’s see what’s in my ultimate cleaning kit! And if you live in an apartment, condo, or small house be sure to check out Cleaning Kit & Storage Solutions for Small Spaces for a comprehensive list of what I would recommend for small spaces and how to store and organize your cleaning products and tools.

What to use for the ultimate cleaning kit?

Most folks rely upon a cleaning caddy, and while I think they are useful to a degree, I don’t think they can store everything you would need in the most efficient manner if you’re going to be cleaning the whole house.  Perhaps for smaller tasks they’re OK, but for the whole house, you need a real set up.  And nothing says ‘real set up’ like a boxy, two-foot tool box!   That’s right, I use a Stanley toolbox to keep my cleaning gear and man, has it served me well.  I particularly like mine because it’s got a removable half tray which allows for tool storage and also for taller bottle storage on the opposing side.  Finally, it’s got a couple of little extra compartments up top which I can store smaller items that won’t get lost in the larger mix below.  The box cost about $20 at Wal Mart, and is made by Stanley.  I’ve got links below for this exact model!  I love that it is plastic, meaning it’s durable and easy to clean.  It’s large, I know, but they also have smaller models which can serve the same purpose.  All in all, tool boxes are super functional for compartmentalizing a set of tools and products and provides me with easy access to them as required throughout my cleaning.

I highly recommend you watch the video so you can see how I actually stocked and packed it!

Inside the box

I’ve got a full list below with links to everything – and for starters, here’s a description of what I have inside.

Cleaning products

I keep small, 12 oz. spray bottles in the kit, which consist of homemade glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant and soap scum remover.  You can either make your own like I do, or sometimes I’ll use products I have at home (store-bought) and transfer them into clean, empty small spray bottles and use them.  It’s easier to tote around smaller volumes of liquid, which avoids schlepping gallons of product around the house unnecessarily.  Then, I’ve got a can of compressed air to tackle any debris in delicate or tight spaces, including electronics. On the other side of the tool box under the tray, I’ve got rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and a box of baking soda.

Cleaning cloths

I’ve got a collection of several cloths in the kit; including regular terry-style microfiber cloths – different colours help me differentiate between different zones in the house i.e. kitchen and bathroom to avoid cross-contamination.  I’ve also got an extra plush cloth for drying and a flat cloth for glass and electronics.  I’ve included a cotton rag for any jobs which I don’t want to use microfiber on, as well as about 10 half-sheets of paper towel for jobs where I don’t want to re-use the cloth again (i.e. toilet).  Finally, I’ve got a little optical cloth which can be used for electronics and delicate glass.

Cleaning tools

I’ve got a squeegee, which fits nicely into my box, and I use that for glass cleaning occasionally but my favourite use for the squeegee is when I’ve finished cleaning a shower, I swipe the tiles dry and it makes them shine beautifully.  I have a lint roller, which is a must have for any pet owner to quickly tackle blankets and upholstery laden with pet hair.  I keep two cleaning ‘toothbrushes’ on hand, one for kitchen and one for bathroom (different colours of course).  Then, I’ve got a dish and sink brush for other jobs which require a larger bristled-brush like cleaning sliding door or window tracks, grout and faucets.  I’ve included the SKrAPr, one of my all-time favourite go-to cleaning tools for removing build-up safely.  I couldn’t have a cleaning kit without sponges, and I am really liking Brillo estracel sponges of late, they are durable, dry lightning fast and don’t smell (yay!). I’ve thrown in a couple of soft paint brushes for detail cleaning such as delicate figurines, glassware or other speciality items.  I’ve got this in my half-tray for easy access.

 L’il extras

There’s a couple of cute little storage compartments on top (which we call ‘the penthouse’) where I keep a few of my essential oil bottles for good measure and to add a nice natural scent to rooms that may need a refresher, and then in the other compartment I’ve got some cut up scrub pads, some silica gel packs for areas which need to be dried out and finally, some disposable gloves.

Some tool box options:

Stanley Tools 024013S 24″ Series 2000 Toolbox With Tray – here’s the exact one I got

Stanley 019151M 19-inch Series 2000 Tool Box with Tray – this one is a little smaller than the one I got

Tactix 320020 4-in-1 Plastic Tool Organizer Set, Black/Orange – an option in case you prefer a different configuration

Items I’ve got in my ultimate cleaning kit:

I’ve done my best to place the exact item/brand I have at home in the list below, although I can’t always find it on Amazon, which I believe to be the most universal shopping destination which is why I try to link to Amazon as much as I can.

Products

(3 Pack) Empty Spray Bottle Red, Green, and Blue 10 oz.

Fast Blast Duster 10 oz. Can Air Removes Dust and Debris

Aromatherapy Top 6 Essential Oil Gift Set

Baking Soda

Isopropyl Alcohol, 99%, Pint, 16 OZ

Hydrogen Peroxide

Tools

OXO Good Grips All-Purpose Squeegee

SKrAPr Heavy Duty Cleaning Tool

Dish Brush

Hobby Paint Brush Set, 5 Assorted Brush Sizes

Soft Toothbrush 4 Count

Heavy Duty Scouring Pads

Brillo Wedge Edge Multi-Purpose Scrub Sponge

Cloths

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (24-Pack) – Terry Style

Ultra Thick Plush Microfiber Cleaning Towels

Microfiber Glass Cloth 10-Pack

Premium Microfiber Optical Cloths (6 Pack)

Bag-A-Rags Reusable Wiping Cotton Cloths

Other stuff

Cotton Silica Gel Packet, Pack of 20

Powder Free Latex Exam Gloves

A Cleaning Kit is Not a Cleaning Storage Solution!

Now I want to make it very clear that my cleaning kit is not my cleaning storage solution, rather, it’s a containment device for all of my cleaning swag and I pack it according to what cleaning work I’ve got to do.  By having it properly (and fully) stocked, I never have to run around the house mid-clean (and risk becoming distracted) to find something.  It’s all conveniently packaged up and ready to rock.  When I’m done cleaning,  I clean what has to be cleaned (like sponges and brushes), I throw cloths in the wash and place all products back in their respecivte homes.  Finally, I’ll give my cleaning kit a quick wipedown and let it hang out where the rest of my cleaning tools and products live.

Having a well-stocked cleaning kit means you can clean well; you have everything you need at your fingertips.

If you want to learn how to make your own cleaning products, visit this post: https://cleanmyspace.com/5-awesome-homemade-cleaners/

So, what do you have inside your cleaning kit?  Let me know!