Portable Home Cleaning Kit Essentials

This post is sponsored by Clean Ones.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

With spring cleaning here, I thought I would go through what I keep in my {portable} home cleaning kit essentials.  Having all of your cleaning supplies together in one place makes it so much quicker and easier to get things done and helps to keep you on track since you are not running around the house looking for a specific item. Not only is this handy to have in your own home, but it would also be a great idea to put one together for a new grad or housewarming gift!

A couple of months ago, I showed you our cleaning cupboard where I keep all of our main cleaning supplies.  This is kind of the “master stash” and then I take supplies from here to stock portable cleaning kits for our basement and upper floor.

Having cleaning items handy on each floor makes it so much easier to do those quick little cleaning tasks that pop up – the less steps you have to do something, the more likely you will be to get it done!  All you need is some kind of portable tote and some basic cleaning supplies.  Here’s what I stock up on…

• Microfiber cloths – I generally use Norwex cloths {you can see why I love them here}, but there are many varieties on the market to choose from. The cloths are great for scrubbing, washing, and attracting all of that dirt and grime.   There can be quite a difference in quality and performance between brands {depending on how tightly knit the weave is and how thin the microfibers are} so I definitely think investing in a slightly more expensive cloth is worth it.   I keep two cloths in each kit – one for the scrubbing and deep cleaning and the other to use more for wiping down afterwards.

• Polishing cloths – These microfiber cloths have a smooth finish and work to clean windows and any other shiny surface with just the use of water {bye-bye stinky window cleaners!}.  I also use them to buff up any streaks on walls, countertops, etc.
• Spray bottle of water – Never underestimate the power of water!  I always have a water bottle handy to use with my microfiber cloths or to mix with other green cleaning products.  Invest in a good bottle – I have found that there is a big difference between even a $5 bottle and the cheap dollar store bottles that you can buy.   I also like to add a few drops of essential oils {especially lemon} to my water bottle to add an extra fresh scent when I am cleaning.
• Vinegar – White distilled vinegar is an amazing cleaning solution and is really easy on the budget!  Vinegar loosens dirt, disinfects, deodorizes, and helps to remove mineral deposits and stains.  Although some people do not love the smell, it does dissipate quickly and will leave your home fresh.  Although there are many different ways to use it, a basic 50/50 mixture with water will get you started for basic cleaning.  NOTE: DO NOT use vinegar on stone surfaces such as granite or marble as the acidic properties of the vinegar can eat away at the stone.
• Hyrdrogen Peroxide – Like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide is a great non-toxic disinfectant and is also helpful for stain removal on carpets, clothing, mattresses, exc.   Make sure you use the three percent solution that is typically found in drug stores and keep it stored in the original container and out of direct sunlight {it will break down if it is kept in a clear container}.  I like to attach a spray nozzle to the top of my bottle so that it can easily be sprayed.  Once used, hydrogen peroxide simply breaks down into oxygen and water so it is a very environmentally friendly product.  NOTE: Hydrogen peroxide can have bleaching properties so be sure to spot check the area first.  I have never had any problems, but better safe than sorry!
• Toothbrush – I have a whole stock of cleaning toothbrushes!  They are great for getting into those little spaces and grooves that are tricky to get into and can still give that scrubbing effect.  You can always place these in the dishwasher to disinfect them between cleanings and make sure they will not be mixed up with those regular toothbrushes!
• Baking Soda – Baking soda is an amazing deodorizer and is great for removing smells from carpets and upholstery {you can find a DIY carpet and upholstery cleaner here}.  It also works wonders in the bathroom and kitchen as a mild abrasive.  I like to keep mine in a slat shaker so I can just sprinkle it on areas that need a little extra scrubbing!
• Dusting Mitt – I use a Norwex microfiber dusting mitt.
• Cleaning Gloves

My newest addition to my cleaning kits are these pure comfort gloves from Clean Ones.  Not only do I love the pretty pink color, but they are one of the healthiest gloves available being latex, BPA, and phthalate free.

These gloves fit perfectly {I was a size small} and  they are nice and form fitting which makes them so much easier to use.  They also have a comfortable, soft liner in them so your hands don’t end up sweating like crazy and getting all clammy.

I like to hang up my gloves so they are able to dry out and don’t get all bunched up, so I decided to add some grommets to mine for easy storage {you can find the grommet sets at most home hardware stores such as Home Depot}.  This is also great to do with cleaning cloths as well if they don’t already come with a sewn in tag to hang them.  First you need to make a hole where you want the grommet to be.  I did this with my Crop-O-Dile {which is seriously a punching ninja}.  You could also punch the whole with the hole punch in the grommet kit, but you need a lot of force to get through the gloves – they are definitely strong!  Be sure to put a scrap block of wood or cutting mat underneath when you are using the hole punch or grommet setter as they will make indents in the surface below!

Next you need to put one of the grommets through the hole in your glove. The glove is nice and stretchy so it is okay if your hole is smaller than the grommet.  You want the grommet on the outside of the glove to give it a more finished look.  Place the anvil base under the grommet and then place the washer over the hole in the glove with the teeth side down.

Place the flaring punch in the washer and into the hole in the anvil.  Strike it hard several times with the hammer to close the grommet firmly.  Once it was fairly set I actually did a few hits of the hammer directly over the washer to get any areas that were not completely set. The gloves can then be hung from some self-adhesive hooks on the inside of a cupboard door or hung with S hooks off of a towel bar.

For more information on Clean Ones you can check out their website or find them on Amazon.  They are also available to purchase at Kmart, Wegmans and Meijer.

For more cleaning tips, check out these posts…

How to Remove Burnt Food from Pots, Pans, and Other Bakeware

How to Clean the Dishwasher

The Ultimate Guide to Deep Cleaning the Toilet