Cleaning Supplies Checklist
- 1). Take stock of what you will be cleaning. Many items and household areas can be cleaned using general-purpose cleansers, while others require more specialized treatment, such as porcelain tubs, for example. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on all general areas of a home--kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
- 2). Obtain general, all-purpose cleaning tools that you will need in most situations. You will need heavy duty rubber gloves, a sponge mop (more effective than a rag mop), cloths for dusting and cleaning, a roll of thick paper towels, sponges and a toilet brush. Place all cleaning tools into a 5-gallon plastic bucket. You will also need heavy-duty trash bags.
- 3). Purchase cleaning solutions. The most important cleaning solutions that can be used in most situations include a general disinfectant (such as Lysol), bleach (generic brands are cheaper) and glass cleanser. The items in Step 2 and this step can usually be purchased from a grocery store, hardware store or a general department store (such as Wal-Mart).
- 4). Choose the area of the house that you wish to clean first. Prioritize each area by its importance and the level of cleaning needed. Start with the area of the home that will take the most time. This will help you get the most difficult cleaning out of the way immediately. Lower priority areas can be cleaned when you have more time.
- 5). Pick up loose objects in the area you are cleaning. Place in a basket or a box. This is a great time to sort out things that you no longer use and donate them to charity.
- 6). Begin cleaning. Wear the gloves to protect your skin from dirt and chemicals. Start by wiping down the area with a damp cloth to pick up lose debris and dust. Use the general disinfectant solution to clean the area after wiping it down. Reserve stronger, bleach-based cleansers for difficult-to-clean areas (such as a shower stall or toilet bowl). If cleaning a delicate area, such as a mirror, using a specialized cleanser.
- 7). Restock your cleaning supplies after each cleaning session. Keeping a full cleaning supplies checklist and inventory on hand lets you clean and touch-up whenever the need arises. This saves time and effort instead of reserving cleaning for one or two big cleaning sessions each year.