The Best Cleaning Supplies Essentials List
We have tried and tested many cleaning supplies, and these are the top 30 best cleaning supplies that are must-haves.
1 All-Purpose Cleaner: Your trusty sidekick for tackling everyday grime. Opt for eco-friendly brands or DIY concoctions of vinegar and water to keep things green and guest-friendly. I am OK with whatever is anyone’s preference, but I am not crazy about highly acidic formulas since they may not be suitable for all surfaces. My personal preference is Fabuloso.
2. Microfiber Cloths: Ditch the paper towel waste! These miracle cloths absorb like champs, leave streak-free finishes, and can be reused and machine-washed. Do not use fabric softener or drier sheets when laundering. I use microfiber specifically for glass, wiping ceiling fan blades, dusting, and stainless steel.
3. Cleaning Rags: I use white cotton rags for all-purpose cleaning. Washcloth size for cleaning, and hand towel size for drying. (Always dry everything that you clean)
4. Glass Cleaner: Make windows and mirrors sparkle like crystal with a streak-free formula. Consider a vinegar-based cleaner for a natural shine. Some of the aerosol brands are amazing but expensive! I make my glass cleaner and it works perfectly. In a spray bottle, I mix 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of alcohol, and 2 TBSP of vinegar. (Make sure to mix it before each use. Turn it upside down a couple of times, no need to shake.) This mixture works great for indoor glass and mirrors. For outdoor glass, I prefer a bucket of hot water with a little bit of Dawn and a squeegee. (This combo is a bit messy inside the house)
5. Scrub Brush: For tackling grout, oven racks, and other stubborn areas, a good scrub brush is your muscle-bound hero. Choose different sizes and textures for maximum versatility. Carry a toothbrush as well. This can be helpful for many things, but specifically for spot-treating stained linens.
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6. Disinfectant Wipes: Quick and effective for high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
7. Dish Soap and Sponge: Essential for conquering dirty dishes and keeping your kitchen sparkling. Invest in a good sponge and dish soap (Dawn) that cuts through grease without harsh chemicals.
8. Laundry Detergent: Keep those towels and linens fresh with a powerful yet gentle detergent. Consider fragrance-free options for sensitive guests. I use Gain Pods and I get them at Sam’s.
9. Stain Remover: Accidents happen! Be prepared with a pre-treatment stain remover for spills and mishaps.
10. Trash Bags: Always have a variety of sizes on hand to handle guest waste and keep your rental tidy. Leave a minimum of 2 per trash can.
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11. Rubber Gloves: Protect your hands while cleaning with comfortable and durable gloves. I thought I would throw this one in, but honestly, I haven’t used gloves in a long time. The large colorful ones are ridiculous, and the surgical type can be difficult to work with. If you have sensitive skin, that’s a different story (your call).
12. Vacuum Cleaner: A powerful yet lightweight vacuum is your best friend for conquering carpets and floors. Consider HEPA filters for allergy sufferers. I have had a Shark Professional for about 6 years now. Just like most things, if you take care of your things, they will take care of you. Regular cleaning of the filters, brushes, and general cleaning will make any vacuum you decide on last for years. There are tons of options when it comes to a vacuum. I do not like cordless or thin types that are heavy on the top as you must lean them against something to let them go in many cases. This is a link to my go-to vacuum cleaner.
13. Mop: For hard floors, a trusty mop with washable pads will keep things gleaming. It is important to recognize that spray mops are not the way to go. Spray mops do not clean floors and leave a waxy build-up that normal mopping will not remove. When I started my business, I spent over $400 on trying different types of mops. I ultimately settled on the Ocedar Spin Mop. You should have multiple mop heads and use a clean one for each job. I also suggest having multiple barrels for the pedal on the mop bucket, as well as keeping the inner components of the pedal properly lubricated. You will want to go to Amazon for the barrels and make sure you use the proper lubricant for plastic. Here is the perfect mop.
14. Broom and Dustpan: Use your own. You know your tools and often you will find the quality to be lacking in what is provided in the unit.
15. Bleach: I suggest regular Clorox Bleach as the off-brands simply don’t do the job. I carry this with me in a spray bottle to pre-treat stained linens before laundering. If you launder stained linens with certain types of stains before pre-treating, you run the risk of setting the stains permanently during the drying process. You must be very aware when using bleach not to allow it to get on anything unintended as you are using it, and it is also very important to pay attention to where you put the bottle down so as not to damage anything. Many people are very sensitive to bleach, I am one of them, so I use it only where I must. Bleach is also very helpful in certain types of stone shower environments, but there are alternatives. You simply need to find what works best for you.
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16. Peroxide: Peroxide is an item I can and will write an entire post on as it has many uses. I put this in a spray bottle as well. Mostly, I use peroxide for treating blood stains, or for fabric stains that I can not use bleach on such as items that are not white. Sometimes a combination of bleach and peroxide on whites is useful. A peroxide and baking soda paste can also be very helpful in certain situations.
17. Magic eraser: These things are amazing in certain situations. They are great for getting light stains off walls, baseboards, doors, and especially bathtubs. I use them specifically for dirty bathtubs. Combining a melamine sponge with water and Dawn power wash takes soap scum away in a matter of seconds. Be careful with them though, they can damage certain surfaces. The official Magic Eraser is wonderful, but I have found a brand on Amazon that is just as good in my opinion at a fraction of the cost. Check it out right here!
18. Dawn Power Wash: This is a must-have in my tool kit. It is more acidic than its sister Dawn. It is especially useful for ovens and bathtubs.
19. BKF, Powder, and Liquid (Bar Keepers Friend): I carry both! While the powder version is particularly useful for tough stains on porcelain, the liquid version is amazing for stainless steel if used correctly. They both have other uses as well. I have taken rust off stainless steel with the liquid version, and it cleans it better than anything I have found.
20. 0000 Grade Steel Wool: Perfect for tough glass stains or other problem areas. Not something I use every day, but something to have in your arsenal.
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21. SOS: Carry some SOS pads with you. While guests are expected to clean their dishes before departure, there are times when they leave a mess. Be prepared!
22. Razor: A razor knife and a razor scraper. Again, not something I use every day, but great to have when needed.
23. Pumice Stone: I once used a pumice stone to clean a toilet during a move-out clean. I didn’t think this toilet could be salvaged, but it looked brand new when I was done with it. What I’m about to say freaks most people out so make sure you are sitting down. I use “WET” pumice stones to clean glass cooktops and ovens almost every day. Yes, I said glass cooktops. I have cleaners on Facebook that argue about this one all the time. Get your pumice stone wet, get your surface wet and I promise that you will never use anything else on a glass cooktop. Get yours right here!
24. Stainless Steel Polish: Have a quality stainless polish handy to shine up those appliances after you clean them with the liquid BKF.
25. Swiffer: Get an extendable Swiffer and carry extra pads for it. The pads can be machine washed several times and these are a very valuable asset to have. You can easily get to hard-to-reach ceiling fans, under beds and furniture, and a ton of other areas that aren’t easily accessible in any other way. Here is the one I prefer!
26. Pine Sol: You will need a PH-neutral product to properly clean floors with. I like this one best as it does a great job, and it smells good.
27. Drain Clog Tool: Tub and sink drains in bathrooms will get clogged with hair from time to time. Keep one of these on hand at all times! It’s not fun to clean these out, but it does have to be done when drains are slow or completely clogged.
28. Lint Roller: One of these will come in handy, especially when a guest brings their furry friends.
29. Squeegee: For a streak-free shine on exterior windows or shower glass.
30. Cleaning Supply Caddy: Organize all of your cleaning supplies in one convenient place. Click here to see one that is perfect!
Beyond the Best Cleaning Supplies:
We provide amenities for many of our clients (at an additional cost) while some prefer to supply their own. In any case, it never hurts to have some extra supplies with you in case you are running low.
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and dish soap
- Laundry pods and dish pods
- Dish sponge
- Trash bags
Remember:
- Quality Matters: Invest in well-made cleaning supplies that will last. Cheap replacements often break easily and waste money in the long run.
- Safety First: Store cleaning products out of reach of guests, especially children, and never leave bleach within a guest’s reach.
- Stock Up: Keep your cleaning arsenal well-stocked to avoid last-minute scrambles. Regular inventory checks ensure you’re always prepared for cleaning duty.
- A perfect companion to this article to check out would be the ultimate checklist for Airbnb turnover cleaning. Check it out here!
Conclusion On The Best Cleaning Supplies:
With the best cleaning supplies and a little elbow grease, you can transform your Airbnb into a sparkling haven for your guests. So, grab your cleaning battle cry, channel your inner warrior, and conquer the cleaning chaos! Your sparkling reviews and happy guests will be your ultimate reward. For more tips on the best cleaning supplies to use for an Airbnb, check out this link.
Now go forth and clean, champions!
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