The Cleaning Arsenal: A Guide To The Ultimate Cleaning Caddy Part 2

A freshly cleaned space puts a smile on your face
Discover the must-have cleaning products for your ultimate cleaning caddy. From all-purpose cleaners to toilet bowl cleaners to disinfectants, odor eliminators, and so much more. Get ready to find out what products we use, why we prefer to use them, and their benefits. I use these essential products and tools daily in both my home and clients’ homes, so stick around and find out what’s in our cleaning arsenal.

Suck it up buttercup
The mighty vacuum cleaner! Whether your day involves dealing with pet hair, crumbs, or dust bunnies, the vacuum cleaner is your best friend for keeping your floors clean and debris-free. So invest in a good one, because you and your vacuum will spend the most time together. Trust me, it matters which one you choose, especially if you're looking for a good thorough cleaning. I am a shark girl all the way! There are so many reasons why I love my Shark vacuum from its powerful suction, versatile attachments, and easy maneuverability, to the ease of cleaning and sanitizing the vacuum parts which are a breeze. The powerful suction ensures that all the crumbs and loose debris are picked up off the floor the first time, the attachments are great for reaching cobwebs, high curtains, and high spots that are difficult to reach. The best part is the ease of getting under and around furniture with the vacuum's maneuverability. Keeping your vacuum clean and sanitized regularly is a must not only for your health but also for a fresh and clean-smelling vacuum.

Shine bright like a diamond
First, it's all about the magic of the right microfiber. The world of microfiber cloths offers many uses. When scrubbing stubborn stains or polishing woodwork, nothing beats a good microfiber cloth. These ultra-absorbent cloths trap dust and dirt without the need for harsh chemicals. I have tried many different microfiber cloths and my favorite choice is the Auto Drive Tear-Away Microfiber Towels. They come in a roll of 75 for only $14.97 at Walmart in the auto section. Plus, they are reusable and machine washable up to 50 times, making them an Eco-friendly choice for cleaning. Second, you’ll want a good window shammy or window cleaning cloth. My go-to is the Norwex window cloth or the Unger microfiber window and glass cloth. I highly recommend both options and you can purchase them on Amazon for an affordable price. You can use water to dampen the cloth and clean the mirrors and glass using just water for a more Eco-friendly clean or you can also use your favorite window cleaner. Moving on to the good old squeegee the squeegee will allow you to cover larger spaces and get a good clean streak-free look. There are many different squeegee options out there and many different sizes depending on the size of space you’ll need it for. The squeegee can be used on floors, windows, mirrors, glass shower doors, and many other uses.

Mopping madness
Let’s face it, mopping is like the never-ending battle against dirt and grime, it’s a dreaded chore, but hey someone has got to do it, right? It doesn't have to be daunting though. With the right mop; it can be very relaxing. When it comes to mopping, not all mops are created equal. Invest in a good-quality mop that fits your needs. There are many different varieties and options to choose from. The key is to find a mop best suited for your specific floor type and your specific cleaning needs. I’ll fill you in on the mops I've used and what I like and don't like about them. The first one is the Bissell Spinwave, which is my go-to when it comes to mopping large spaces. It cleans wood, linoleum, and laminate flooring, and I love the ease of the machine and the fact that I can control how wet the floors get. Also, it does the back-breaking work for me. This bad boy has saved my back and it does get the floors clean. The microfiber mopping pads get the dirt and grime up with ease. My clients love it because it gets the floors clean and dries super fast. The downfall is it isn't the best in corners, so you will need to clean those by hand or use another mopping source that can get those corners. The backup mop I recommend using is the O'cedar mop. The O'Cedar mop is a super handy mop to have around for many things like mopping smaller spaces and cleaning baseboards and walls. You can even use it on those tall, hard-to-reach shower walls. The downfall to the O'Cedar is you do need to carry a bucket and change the water frequently, so there is some extra work involved there. Both of these mops are good ones to have in your arsenal.

Spotless solution must-haves
The following cleaning products have become my go-to choice to tackle any mess I come across big or small. Their fresh scents and shine leave your home smelling and looking like a dream. Let’s start with the freak I think we all know about Mr Clean and the Clean Freak brand, it has many different scents including some of my favorites lavender, and fresh scent. They smell amazing and the scent lasts. They shine up surfaces and do contain some disinfecting powers as well. The multi-surface cleaner can be used on linoleum, tile, hardwood floors, toilets, sinks, counters, and stoves. For floors only use a little bit like 1⁄4 of a cup of solution to a gallon of water. Mixing smaller amounts of water make sure to lower the solution as well. However, I don’t recommend using it on stainless steel or aluminum. My next must-have on my list is the orange glow oh my ward I love this stuff it is my favorite wood cleaner. Not only does this stuff restore and shine up your wood surfaces, but it also cleans the wood. Apply to a dry clean cloth, do not spray directly on surfaces. Wipe the product evenly over your wood surface, wait a few seconds then wipe off any access residue. It leaves your wood surfaces looking fabulous. My next must-have is the brand new Day coconut water and Sea Minerals scent toilet bowl cleaner. It does the job of getting the toilets clean and disinfected. While also leaving behind a refreshing smell. Moving on to the next favorite on my list, I've got to have my Dawn Spray Wash gain scent for my kitchens. I use it for the sinks, granite and quartz counter tops, backslashes, and even to clean stainless steel. Surfaces to not use spray wash on are marble counter tops or any other soft natural stone, and untreated wood surfaces. Let’s not forget about my shower buddy Mr Scrubbing Bubbles the bathroom grime fighter. Rain showers smell the best by far, it leaves the bathrooms smelling so good for days.

Scrub-a-dub-dub
Let’s talk about sponges for a minute. I came here to say that I am a scrub daddy product girl. I used to hate using sponges to clean because they get yucky and smelly and harbor so many germs and bacteria super quickly. YUK!!!! Then I got introduced to the amazing scrub daddy family and I’ve been hooked ever since. They are non-toxic and scratch-free, and they have this amazing superpower that allows them to change their scrubbing power in cold and hot water. Using cold water your Scrub Daddy will turn hard for those tough scrubbing jobs, and using hot water it will turn soft for those light cleaning jobs. The Scrub Mommy is dual-sided and has the same superpower on one side and a soft sponge on the other. The scrub daddy and mommy harbor fewer germs and bacteria if sanitized properly, and they are also smell-resistant making them a great sponge option. I have included some care instructions if you're a Scrub Daddy fan or are now going to give them a try.

Scrub Daddy care instructions

• Remove debris
• Squeeze out excess water and remove any food particles or debris after each use.
• Dry completely
• Let the sponge dry completely in a well-ventilated area between uses. You can use the Scrub Daddy Caddy to elevate the sponge and help it dry faster. Avoid leaving it in a damp or enclosed space, which can cause mold and mildew.
  Sanitize
• You can sanitize your Scrub Daddy by dampening it and microwaving it for up to 60 seconds.

 The other scrubbing power you will want in that caddy is a good Scrub Brush Kit. I like the Libman brush kit. It includes a tile and grout brush, a large power scrub brush, and a small scrub brush. They have good handles for that tight grip so you can get the best scrub possible. The tough bristles on these scrubbers will tackle even the toughest messes, leaving your surfaces sparkling clean. They are strong and durable like the Scrub Daddy. They will last for a long time as long as you take care of them and keep them clean and sanitized properly. Whether you're doing a deep clean or a quick wipe down, these sponges are an essential tool for any cleaning arsenal.

The bucket boss system
You are probably thinking, what do you carry all these great cleaning supplies in? Well, my friend, I have your answer. My caddy system didn’t come to me right away, I was putting my supplies in a regular cleaning caddy sometimes two caddies depending on our workload that day, and then putting my dirty rags from my cleaning into a new trash bag or a bag of some sort til I could get home to wash and sanitize them. I wanted to find a way to get rid of that system because I didn’t feel like it was the most efficient or sanitized way to carry my cleaning supplies and dirty rags. I was on a mission to find the solution to my problem, so I started looking for a better system. My husband, my fantastic partner, suggested a bucket boss and I was immediately interested. With this system, I can carry my cleaning supplies on the outside with the extra help of a bucket cleaning tool organizer, while having the inside of the bucket to use for my dirty rags. I loved it! This keeps me from wasting money on trash bags and having that extra load to carry. The bucket is sanitizable which is awesome and super easy to carry. I was hooked and have been using it ever since! Find the right system that works for you and your needs, because everyone is different and everyone has different products they use. Keeping all your supplies in one easy-to-carry place will make your cleaning a little bit easier and more enjoyable.

The finishing touches
Having a well-stocked and efficient cleaning arsenal is essential for maintaining a clean and organized home. As we have seen in parts 1 and 2 of this series, there are many different tools and products available to help make cleaning easier and more effective. From multi-purpose cleaners to specialized tools for different surfaces, it's important to have a variety of options to tackle different cleaning tasks. It's also important to have a good understanding of how to properly use these tools and products to get the best results. This includes following instructions, using the right amount of product, and using proper techniques for different surfaces. Aside from physical tools and products, having a positive mindset and making cleaning a regular part of your routine can also help in maintaining a clean home. By incorporating all of these products and tools into your cleaning arsenal, you can achieve a clean and organized home that you can be proud of. So don't hesitate to try out new products and techniques, and find what works best for you and your household. Happy cleaning!