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Cleaning Caddy Essentials for Quick and Efficient Homekeeping

April 4, 2017

Bucket with cleaning supplies

Want to make weekly house cleaning quick, easy, and painless? Keep a cleaning supply caddy well stocked with cleaners, rags, and tools that can be transported throughout the home so that everything is with you when needed.




CLEAN + ORGANIZE   |   Updated March 11, 2024





Cleaning supplies in caddy










Weekly house cleaning is a must, whether you enjoy it or not.


Investing in a few cleaners and tools you love is one way to make the chore more bearable. Utilitarian products don't have to be boring, so look for favorite scents and well-made products you'll enjoy reacing for.


Corralling those supplies in an organized cleaning kit is another way to make the task efficient and perhaps a bit more fun. With everything stored together, there's no need for an armload of bottles or trips back to the kitchen for what you forgot.


In this article, you'll learn why a cleaning caddy is so useful, what to shop for, and the supplies that need to be stocked inside. Your days of being disorganized and frustrated when cleaning are about to end!





My suggestion for the ideal cleaning caddy is made Casabella. It is two pieces: a caddy to hold supplies fits into a bucket on the bottom so you have everything you need right at hand for even washing down walls, wiping out drawers or cleaning the windows.
clear cleaning caddy filled with supplies








Woman holding white cleaning caddy with suppliesIMAGE CREDIT: Ana Stanciu






What a Cleaning Caddy Is and Why You Need One


Thoroughly cleaning your home each week requires quite a few cleaners, rags, and other tools to carry from room to room. Loading supplies into a cleaning caddy makes weekly upkeep faster and easier because everything is stored in one transportable place.


No more trips back and forth for an extra rag or bottle of cleaner and you always know where to find what you need. Extra maintenance tasks like scrubbing grout in the tub can be handled immediately without looking for supplies.


A cleaning caddy is not the place to store all of the cleaning supplies you've ever purchased... Just what you need for regular weekly maintenance.







Finding a Cleaning Caddy That's Right for You


It is handy to have a cleaning caddy that fits under your sink or in a supply closet. This bucket should be able to hold all essential cleaning supplies and be easily transported from room to room.


There are many options on the market that work well for holding cleaning tools and supplies. Take a few minutes before you shop to consider the following characteristics so you know exactly what will work best for your home.


MATERIAL


Cleaning caddies are made of plastic, metal, or wood. Think about the durability of each material and how easy they will be to keep clean.

Also consider whether you prefer an open basketweave option or a solid caddy.


SIZE


Gather the spray bottles and tools you actually use and need to store inside your caddy so you can choose a size that is adequate.


It may be ideal for you to have two smaller caddies, one in the bathroom and another in the kitchen, so that there is less to carry. Large options can be heavy to carry and move when cleaning.


Measure where you plan to keep the cleaning caddy when not in use to ensure it isn't too big for the storage space available.






WEIGHT


If you have to carry the cleaning caddy far or up stairs, look for something lightweight because cleaning products are already heavy enough.


HANDLE


A sturdy and comfortable handle is necessary for easy carrying and durability. If possible, look for a handle that is permanently attached.


DIVIDED COMPARTMENTS


Separate compartments make supplies easier to find and keep the cleaning caddy tidy. If yours isn't divided or you have smaller things you'd like to store, set a few smaller containers down inside to divide products.






Ostrich feather duster




Stocking Your Cleaning Caddy


Necessary cleaners and supplies to store in a cleaning caddy vary for every household. We tend to believe we need a lot more specialty items than we actually use. And simple pantry items like baking soda and vinegar can be just as effective as fancy commercial cleaners.

Listed below are some suggestions for what may be considered cleaning caddy essentials. Include only what you actually reach for on a regular basis and declutter what you don't need. The goal is to make cleaning faster and easier.


Household Cleaners


  • All Purpose Cleaner

  • Glass Cleaner (Get the recipe for homemade window cleaner.)

  • Castile Soap or Dish Soap - So much can be cleaned with just warm water and squirt of soap.

  • Soft Scrub or Scrubbing Powder - Baking soda has effective natural scrubbing power.

  • Wood Cleaner

  • Leather Cleaner

  • All-Purpose Disinfecting Wipes

  • Heavy Duty Degreaser for stovetop and oven cleaning

  • Stainless Steel Cleaner

  • Granite or Marble Countertop Cleaner

  • Tub and Tile Cleaner

  • Toilet Cleaner






Rags and Scrubbing Tools


  • Microfiber Cloths - The soft lint-free cloths are gentle on surfaces while attracting dust, dirt, hair and bacteria. Look for all-purpose microfiber cloths as well as specialty options for glass and wood polishing.

  • Various Sponges - You don't want to use a bathroom sponge to wipe down kitchen counters, so be sure to have a couple different types of sponges to use in different places. They can be paired with cleaning spray or plain water and the abrasive surface works well for tough tasks.

  • Magic Eraser - Perfect for scrubbing the kitchen sink or stove top, wiping down the shower and removing scuffs on the wall and floor.

  • Scrub Brush - Easily clean grout and scrub stains out of rugs and carpets.

  • Toothbrush or Detail Brush - For smaller scrubbing needs. I like to store the toothbrush inside of a travel toothbrush case so that it doesn't get lost or crushed in the caddy.

  • Paper Towel

  • Cotton Swabs - Pair with all purpose spray for cleaning window and trim crevices as well as other smaller hard to reach places like computer keyboards.

  • Barcloth Rags - Sturdy rags for wiping down walls or furniture.







Other Cleaning Tools






READ NEXT: Eight Home Cleaning Tips to Make Life Easier








Casabella clear cleaning caddy and bucketSHOP FOR THIS Casabella Cleaning Caddy and Bucket.



Shop My Favorite Cleaning Caddy Options



Use the left and right arrows to scroll through the products.







Frequently Asked Questions


Where should a cleaning caddy be stored?

Your cleaning caddy is best stored where it is convenient in an adequately sized location. This is likely under a kitchen or bathroom sink, in a supply closet with your broom, mop, and vacuum, or in the laundry room.



Where should a toilet brush be stored?

For various reasons, you probably don't want to carry a toilet brush throughout the house in your caddy as you clean. Under the bathroom sink is a great place to store it, especially if you have a dedicated bathroom cleaning caddy.






Is it best to have multiple caddies or just one?

The decision about having one cleaning caddy filled with all your supplies or more than one dedicated to specific rooms is up to you.

In small homes or when cleaning is all on one floor, a singular tote may be all you need. In larger homes with multiple bathrooms or multiple floors, you may want to have more than one for convenience and ease in carrying.



I make my own cleaners. Should I store the supplies I use in the cleaning caddy?

The goal of a cleaning caddy is to have all the supplies needed to maintain the house in one easy to access place. Storing the supplies you need to make your homemade cleaners will likely give you too much to carry and overload your caddy. Those supplies should be stored elsewhere such as a utility closet or wherever the cleaning caddy is stored.






Cleaning caddy stocked with spray bottles and tools




You want the task of keeping your home clean and fresh for yourself and family to be fast, easy, and efficient. Having a container to hold all your favorite supplies helps make that possible.




More Homekeeping Articles You'll Find Interesting












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