It’s a catch-22: Nobody likes a messy living space (well, except for Marie Kondo), but nobody likes to clean either. While there is no magic wand that can keep a home sparkling clean, having the right tools and essential cleaning supplies for an apartment on hand can make the chore easier and quicker.

Which begs the question: “What cleaning supplies do I need for my apartment?” Here’s a basic cleaning supplies list for an apartment, house, or any other place you call home.

Cleaning Supplies List for An Apartment

Basic cleaning supplies for an apartment fall into three main categories: wiping tools, brushes and brooms, and cleaning solutions. You might want to get a bucket or caddy to keep your cleaning supplies all in one, convenient place. Also, rubber gloves and a cleaning apron will protect your skin and clothes from dirty water as well as bleach and other cleaning chemicals.

Wiping Tools

  • Paper towels – Paper towels are a quick and sanitary way to wipe away most cleaning solutions, including all-purpose and window cleaners.
  • Sponges or non-abrasive scrubbing pads – Not just for doing dishes, reusable sponges and scrubbing pads can be used to clean most surfaces throughout your home. Disinfect sponges once a week by placing them in the top rack of your dishwasher or placing a wet sponge in the microwave for one minute.
  • Melamine cleaning sponge – Sometimes also known as a “magic eraser,” these tough non-toxic, multi-use sponges can tackle almost anything—from wall scuffs to greasy stove tops to soap scum on shower doors. Just be sure to wet and wring it out first.
  • Cotton or linen dish towels – Having a set of washable, reusable cleaning towels on hand can help you wipe down most surfaces quickly without leaving fibers behind.
  • Microfiber cloths – Not only can these pick up dust on delicate surfaces, but they are also reusable.
  • Extendable duster – This feather or microfiber tool will help you get to those hidden places where dust collects, including ceiling fans and ceiling corners.
  • Lint roller – Especially helpful if you have pets who like to sleep on your soft surfaces such as beds, sofas, and chairs.

Brushes and Brooms

  • Broom and dustpan – Before you break out a mop and bucket, you need to remove all small dirt and debris from your floors.
  • Vacuum and attachments – A good vacuum with attachments and extenders to get into hard-to-reach spaces is a cleaner’s best friend. The bristled dust brush can clean air and heat registers, vertical blinds and lampshades, while the textile tool can pick up hair and dust trapped in your furniture or curtains.
  • Mop and bucket – To tackle grime, brighten grout and remove sticky spots quickly, invest in a microfiber, sponge, or chamois mop (preferably with a detachable, washable head or surface pad).
  • Toilet brushes – Keep one toilet brush by each toilet to control the spread of germs and make cleaning easy.
  • Scrub brushes – Have a firm-bristled brush or two in your cleaning caddy for serious scrubbing areas, like tubs, showers, sinks, and stove tops. You could even use a designated toothbrush to help scrub grout and tile or fit into tight areas like behind the faucet. Just don’t mix it up with your personal toothbrush.

Cleaning Solutions

  • White vinegar, baking soda, and lemons – Believe it or not, these basic cooking supplies can be essential cleaning supplies for an apartment, as well. Use lemons to clean your cutting boards by squeezing and rubbing half a lemon on food stains and allowing it to sit before rinsing. Sprinkle baking soda on a sponge for a mildly abrasive cleaner for sinks, showers, and tubs. Put diluted white vinegar in a spray bottle for an organic all-purpose cleaner (read on for more uses). Making your own solutions can also help you be more environmentally friendly in your apartment by cutting down on harmful chemicals and plastic bottles. It’s often cheaper too!
  • All-purpose spray cleaner – Good for cleaning countertops and other hard surfaces, except for stone surfaces, which should only be cleaned with mild dish detergent and warm water to protect the sealant. There are a number of homemade all-purpose cleaner recipes that use a mixture of vinegar, different citrus fruits, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid Castile soap.
  • Glass cleaner – For a DIY version, mix three tablespoons of white vinegar with one-and-a-half cups of water in a spray bottle. Add two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to help the solution evaporate quickly on glass surfaces.
  • Wood polish – To keep your wood surfaces (including cabinet doors and bookshelves) shining clean. You can make your own by mixing two parts vinegar, two parts olive oil, and one part lemon juice and rub into furniture with a microfiber cloth.
  • Carpet cleaner – There are several options on the market, or you could sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet to neutralize odors before vacuuming.
  • Floor cleaner – Make your own by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of dish soap per 5-gallon bucket of warm water to clean most hardwood floors, linoleum, or tile.
  • Stainless-steel cleaner – When paired with a microfiber cloth, this specialty cleaner for stainless-steel appliances removes streaks and fingerprints that an all-purpose cleaner leaves behind.

Get a Clean Start with Southern Management

Keeping your apartment looking clean and smelling fresh doesn’t have to be arduous or expensive. Whether you’re doing an annual deep cleaning or just tidying up your bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen, this cleaning supplies list for an apartment will help you clean smarter, not harder.

At Southern Management, we take pride in maintaining beautiful, well-kept communities. We also deep-clean, paint, and refresh each apartment before every move-in. Communal areas like the lobby, laundry rooms, business and fitness centers are cleaned and sanitized regularly.

Our 75 apartment communities across Virginia and Maryland offer a variety of options if you are looking for a fresh, clean start in a new space. Explore our communities today with a virtual tour and contact us for more information!