6 Essential Household Cleaners
There are many types of cleaning supplies to choose from. And if you’re anything like most people, you’ve probably spent a minute or two staring at the options wondering what you need for different cleaning tasks around the house. It’s difficult to pick a product when there’s simply so much to choose from; however, there are six basic household cleaners that everyone needs in their cabinets.
All-purpose cleaner
All-purpose cleaners are perfect for everyday clean ups around the house. They’re made of a variety of cleaning agents, all with different purposes. These cleaners are safe to use on most surfaces, making them a great option for when you don’t know what else to use. You can even make your own all-purpose cleaner or choose one of the numerous eco-friendly products available.
Glass cleaner
Glass cleaners are the best options for keeping your windows and mirrored surfaces clean. They eliminate the built-up grime on your reflective surfaces without leaving behind any residue. And next time you reach for your glass cleaner, try using newspaper to wipe it. The newspaper will further reduce streaks.
Floor cleaner
You’ll need to use cleaners specific to the types of floors/flooring in your home. For hardwood, look for wood cleaners that will clean the floor without stripping its finish. For tile floors, grout and tile cleaners work the best—these clean the tiles while also brightening the grout between them. For vinyl and laminate flooring, stick to cleaners intended for those flooring types, which contain less water and will maintain the quality of the flooring while eliminating streaks that other cleaners leave behind.
Disinfectant
Disinfectants are essential to maintaining a healthy home. These cleaners work to kill off the bacteria throughout your living spaces, creating cleaner surfaces. Use these in areas that are regularly exposed to bacteria, including your bathrooms, kitchen, and on your doorknobs and light switches.
Bleach
Bleach is a versatile cleaner for your home. While it is a heavy disinfectant, it also removes grime and mildew, making it the perfect cleaner for your showers and tubs. If you don’t want to handle pure bleach, there are numerous cleaning products with bleach added in. Just avoid using these products on any fabric surfaces that could then be bleached.
Baking soda
Baking soda and other mineral abrasive cleaners contain small particles that clean your household surfaces through friction. These cleaners are great for built-up grime since the abrasive materials reduce how much you need to scrub. They’re perfect for the spots that can’t be wiped away.
With these household cleaners in your cabinets, you’re ready to tackle any mess you might find in your home!