How to Organize Your Cleaning Supplies
Set up a safe, efficient system for cleaning supplies with caddies, smart storage locations, and tips for keeping chemicals away from kids and pets.
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When cleaning supplies are scattered across the house, cleaning takes longer. You start wiping the bathroom only to realize the glass cleaner is in the kitchen. A good organization system saves time, reduces duplicate purchases, and makes your home safer.
Step 1: Gather and Sort
Collect every cleaning product from every room: under sinks, closets, laundry room, and garage. Sort them into groups:
- All-purpose cleaners
- Glass cleaners
- Bathroom cleaners
- Kitchen and degreasers
- Floor cleaners
- Laundry supplies
- Specialty products (wood polish, stainless steel cleaner, etc.)
- Tools (cloths, sponges, brushes, gloves)
Step 2: Declutter
Most homes have more cleaning products than they need. Remove:
- Empty or nearly empty bottles (combine identical products if safe and labeled)
- Products you never use
- Old, separated, or expired products
- Duplicates beyond one backup
Dispose of cleaning products according to label directions and local guidelines. Some products may require household hazardous waste disposal. Never pour different chemicals down the drain together.
Step 3: Simplify Your Products
You probably need fewer products than you think. A basic kit might include:
- An all-purpose cleaner
- A glass cleaner
- A bathroom cleaner or scrub
- A disinfectant (EPA-registered) for times when disinfecting matters
- Dish soap
- Microfiber cloths
- Scrub brushes and sponges
Our guide to homemade cleaning solutions explains which DIY cleaners can replace some store-bought products.
Step 4: Choose Storage Locations
Store supplies close to where you use them.
Kitchen
Store dish soap, sponges, and kitchen cleaners under the kitchen sink. See our under-sink storage ideas.
Bathrooms
Keep a small set of bathroom cleaners in each bathroom if possible. A small caddy under the sink works well.
Laundry Room
Store laundry supplies on shelves or in a cabinet above the washer and dryer.
Central Cleaning Closet
If you have a utility or hall closet, store your vacuum, mop, broom, and backup supplies there.
Step 5: Use a Cleaning Caddy
A cleaning caddy is a handled container that holds your most-used supplies. Carry it from room to room as you clean. A typical caddy includes:
- All-purpose spray
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Scrub brush
- Gloves
- Small trash bags
After cleaning, restock the caddy and return it to its home.
Step 6: Store Tools Smartly
Brooms, Mops, and Dusters
Use a wall-mounted tool holder in a closet, laundry room, or garage to keep long-handled tools upright and off the floor.
Vacuum
Store your vacuum in a closet near the center of your home. Keep attachments in a bag or bin with it.
Cloths and Rags
Store clean microfiber cloths in a bin. Use a separate container for dirty cloths until laundry day.
Sponges and Brushes
Let sponges dry between uses, and replace them regularly.
Safety First
Cleaning products can be dangerous if misused or swallowed. Follow these guidelines:
- Keep products in their original containers with labels intact.
- Store chemicals out of reach of children and pets, ideally up high or in a locked cabinet.
- Install child safety latches on lower cabinets if you have young children.
- Store products upright and away from heat sources.
- Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia or acids.
- Keep the Poison Control number handy: 1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.
Label Everything
Label shelves and bins so everyone in your household knows where supplies belong. Clearly label any homemade cleaners with the ingredients and date.
Keep Backups Under Control
Store backup supplies in one place, like a closet shelf or garage cabinet. Keep only one backup of each product. When you open the backup, add the item to your shopping list.
Budget Tips
- Buy concentrated cleaners that you dilute at home.
- Use microfiber cloths instead of paper towels.
- Buy store brands for basic products.
- Use inexpensive bins and caddies from discount stores. See our dollar store organization finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should cleaning supplies be stored if I have kids? Store them up high or in a locked cabinet, and install child safety latches on lower cabinets. Keep products in their original labeled containers.
How many cleaning products do I really need? Most homes can manage with an all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, an EPA-registered disinfectant, dish soap, and good tools like microfiber cloths.
How do I dispose of old cleaning products? Follow the directions on the label and check your local guidelines. Some products may need to go to a household hazardous waste collection site.
The Bottom Line
Organizing cleaning supplies makes cleaning faster, safer, and cheaper. Gather and declutter, simplify your products, store supplies where you use them, use a portable caddy, and keep chemicals safely out of reach. With a simple system, you'll always know where everything is and spend less time searching and more time finishing.
