Have a garden? Show it off! Share your pics here.

16 basic products (and tools) you need to clean everything in your house

Print Email More

You appreciate your house for its charm, history, and maybe even it's location.

However, the grime between your bathroom tiles and the dust on your windowsills is another story entirely. Basically, you hate to clean, but that doesn't change the fact that you still have to.

So to make things a little easier, I found this great list of 16 essential products, in Real Simple magazine (Nov. 2007), that will help you tackle your entire house with ease.



  1. Microfiber cloths - These machine-washable cloths handle almost any chore with just water -- no cleaning products needed.
  2. Scrub brush -- Use it on floors, fireplaces, or any rough surface.
  3. Spray bottle -- This comes in handy for spraying homemade solutions.
  4. Rubber Gloves -- To protect your skin form harmful chemicals.
  5. Toothbrush -- This little guy gets into all the places you can't.
  6. Dry-cleaning sponge -- Its tiny pores pick up soot, dust, and pet hair from upholstery and lampshades.
  7. Squeegee -- It works on more than windows ... try mirrors and shower doors too.
  8. Disinfecting Wipes -- They eradicate nearly 100 percent of bacteria and can clean a counter in a flash.
  9. Mild Abrasive Cleaner -- This helps you scour scum on tubs and tile with a minimum amount of elbow grease.
  10. Vinegar -- Removes mineral deposits from faucets and windows.
  11. Dishwashing Liquid -- You name it, it's dirt-cheap and still cleans everything from dishes to windows.
  12. All-purpose cleaner -- The name says it all.
  13. Baking soda -- A natural scouring powder and it eliminates odors.
  14. A caddy (to hold everything) -- This is what will determine your success ... if everything you need is in one easy-to-find place that can move with you ... you're more likely to tackle the cleaning that's needed.
  15. Microfiber duster -- With magnetic attraction, it will pick up dust and pet hair on blinds, works of art, and even plants.
  16. Hand broom with dustpan -- Convenient for whisking away small spills.

Now all you need to do is put everything in your caddy and move from room to room cleaning like a pro. I think the only thing they forgot is Laundry detergent (a little heavy for the caddy) ... but unless you live in a nudist colony, don't you also have to clean your clothes?

Tags: cleaning, how to, HowTo

Comments [17]
Print Email Twitter Facebook Digg AIM Share

Related Headlines

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New Users

Current Users

DIY Lists

About DIY Life

Do Life! DIY Life highlights the best in "do-it-yourself" projects.

Here you'll find all types of projects, from hobbies and crafts to home improvement and tech.


Powered by Blogsmith

DIY Life Contributors

#ContributorPostsCmts
1Erin Loechner430
2Diane Rixon213

Most Popular

  1. Daily DIY: Silver Cleaning Guide
  2. Daily DIY: Clumpless Brown Sugar
  3. Daily DIY: De-Stale Your Bread
  4. Hammer Nails Painlessly

Featured Galleries

An easy way to insulate and skirt an elevated structure
USB analog gauge overview
USB analog gauge circuit
Hardscapes for Winter Gardens
Basil harvesting
Bug snacks

 

Sites We Love