The Ultimate Home Cleaning Toolkit

If you're interested in keeping a clean house, you'll want to have in your possession the ultimate home cleaning toolkit.

What's the best part about this toolkit? It doesn't include harsh chemicals or expensive, difficult-to-find tools.

Cleaning Agents

Baking Soda

It's no wonder that baking soda has been used for years as a cleaning agent. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps to remove built up gunk off of kitchen and bathroom counters. It can even be used to shine stainless steel sinks. It's readily available in any grocery store, and the best part is, it's completely nontoxic.

Vinegar

Vinegar is another great household item useful for all-purpose cleaning. It can be mixed with dishwashing detergent in a spray bottle to make a cleaner that disinfects and cuts through grease. It can also be added to the washing machine to get clothes extra clean.

Dishwashing Detergent

Speaking of dishwashing detergent, this cleaning agent has uses far beyond washing dishes. Make use of its grease-fighting abilities by getting stains out of clothing - just make sure you test on a small section first. Dishwashing detergent is also one of the best things you can use to get walls clean when diluted in water (again, test before using).

Windex

Ready to make your clean surfaces shine? Use Windex or a similar type of spray to make counters, sinks, windows and mirrors sparkle.

Murphy's Oil Soap

This liquid soap is great for wood, but can also be used on surfaces of all types. You can even use this soap to clean your car!

Tools

In order to get serious about building the ultimate home cleaning toolkit, you should check out FlyLady, the leader of a community that teaches members how to clean their homes. In addition to giving advice about cleaning and motivation, FlyLady also provides tools in her shop that have been tested and approved by thousands of community members.

Feather Duster

An good, old-fashioned feather duster is one of the best tools for battling one of a homeowner's worst nightmares - dust. A feather duster is an important addition to your ultimate home cleaning toolkit.

Rubba Scrubba

This funny-sounding item is a cleaning wonder tool. It's about the length of your forearm, with a head covered with flexible, rubber bristles. It has a thousand and one uses, from brushing animal hair off of sofas to getting dried mud off of shoes to removing stains from clothing to freeing your car from snow. The Rubba Scrubba can be used wet or dry, and is rugged enough to withstand everyday use.

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

It can take some experimentation to find the best cleaning cloths, but once you do, you're set for life. It's good to use cleaning cloths because it's better for the environment if you aren't always throwing away paper towels. Good cloths can be used on mirrors, windows, and stainless steel without leaving any residue.

Rubber Gloves

If you're using nontoxic chemicals, you don't have to worry about hurting your hands. However, cleaning can be rough and drying on your hands, so it's good to have gloves in your toolkit if only to encourage you to clean.

Old Toothbrush

One of the most frustrating types of dirt to get rid of is the type that clings to cracks and crevices, especially around sinks and toilets. However, an old toothbrush can work wonders in getting into those small spaces. Save an old toothbrush for your ultimate home cleaning toolkit - just make sure you don't get it confused with your new one!

Ready to use your toolkit? Check out How to Start Cleaning Your House.