The cleaning aisle is overwhelming by design. Companies want you to buy 20 different products. The truth? You only need 7 essentials.

The Core 7 Cleaning Products

1. All-Purpose Cleaner (Clorox)

Cleans 80% of surfaces:

• Countertops
• Appliances
• Walls
• Doors
• Light switches

Cost per use: Less than $0.10

2. Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Clorox Gel)

The thick gel clings to bowl surfaces for effective cleaning. Use weekly to prevent buildup.

3. Kitchen Degreaser (Lysol Pro)

Essential for:

• Stovetops
• Range hoods
• Oven exteriors
• Greasy counters

4. Microfiber Cloths (12-pack)

Replace paper towels and save hundreds per year. Color-code by room:

• Blue: Bathrooms
• Green: Kitchen
• Yellow: Living areas
• Pink: Dusting

5. Spin Mop Refills

Machine-washable heads last 6+ months each. Three refills = 18 months of floor cleaning.

6. Toilet Paper (Charmin Ultra)

Bulk buying saves 40% vs. small packs. Mega rolls reduce restocking frequency.

7. Dish Soap

Multi-purpose beyond dishes:

• Hand-washing delicates
• Spot cleaning carpets
• Cleaning makeup brushes

The Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Monday: Bathrooms (15 min) Tuesday: Kitchen deep clean (20 min) Wednesday: Dust all surfaces (15 min) Thursday: Vacuum/mop floors (20 min) Friday: Laundry and linens (30 min) Saturday: Quick tidy (10 min) Sunday: Meal prep and organize (30 min)

Total weekly time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Cost Breakdown

Monthly cleaning supply budget:

• All-purpose cleaner: $7
• Toilet cleaner: $5
• Kitchen spray: $7
• Microfiber cloths: $13 (one-time)
• Mop refills: $5
• Toilet paper: $40
• Dish soap: $4

Total monthly: $68 (vs. $150+ for name-brand everything)

Money-Saving Tips

1. Buy in bulk - Save 30-40% on per-unit costs
2. Use less product - Most people use 2-3x more than needed
3. Dilute when possible - Many cleaners can be diluted 50%
4. Reusable cloths - Save $20+/month on paper towels
5. Preventive cleaning - Daily quick cleans prevent deep cleaning needs

DIY Alternatives (Even Cheaper)

For the ultra-budget-conscious:

All-Purpose Cleaner:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 1 part water
• 10 drops essential oil

Glass Cleaner:

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 tsp dish soap

Scrubbing Paste:

• Baking soda
• Water (make paste)

What You DON'T Need

Skip these marketing gimmicks:

• Specialized "granite cleaner" (all-purpose works)
• "Wood-specific" cleaners (microfiber + water)
• Antibacterial everything (regular soap is fine)
• Scented pods and beads (fragrance doesn't clean)

Storage Solutions

Keep supplies organized:

• Under-sink caddy
• Over-door organizer
• Cleaning cart on wheels
• Labeled bins by room

Environmental Impact

Reusable cloths prevent:

• 3,000 paper towels/year per household
• 60 pounds of waste annually
• $240 in paper towel costs

Check out our Deep Cleaning Day shopping list for all the essentials in one place!