A cleaning caddy is a necessity for keeping all your tools in one place. They can also be great for washing sponges and cloths, as well as mixing cleaners or water.

A squeegee makes tackling hard stains and soap scum easier. Plus, they’re a must-have for cleaning windows and appliances.

1. Scrub Brush

Whether you’re cleaning tile floors or those hard-to-reach corners of the tub, scrub brushes help get the job done faster and more efficiently. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes with bristle types that match the surface you’re cleaning. For example, nylon or polyester bristles are good for heavy-duty surfaces like kitchen and bathroom floors, while soft bristles are perfect for delicate surfaces such as cookware or counters.

Some models have a long handle for reaching high areas, while others are short enough to be used by employees who might otherwise hurt their backs or knees. Some also have a contoured handle to absorb pressure and protect the knuckles of workers who need a firm grip.

2. Microfiber Cloths

If you want to clean faster and better, stock your cleaning caddy with these must-have helpers. Janitorial and housekeeping workers will find them especially helpful since they require minimal water to work, reducing the potential for worker strain and slip-and-fall accidents.

Microfiber cloths are also light and soft, so they won’t damage surfaces. Plus, they’re reusable, so you can simply throw them in the wash for an easy refresh. They’re great for scrubbing sticky, goopy messes, as well as picking up wet ones.

There are a variety of microfiber cloth options, with some featuring different weaves for specific uses. For example, a waffle weave is the best choice for scrubbing heavy soil areas, while a loop weave is ideal for picking up dust from delicate surfaces like glass tabletops and television screens.

Other essential cleaning tools to have on hand include a duster that extends and rotates for hard-to-reach areas (think baseboards, ceiling fan blades, and tops of cabinets). A lint roller is also helpful for quickly picking up pet hair, clothing stains, and other debris.

3. Spray Bottles

A spray bottle can help a cleaner control the amount of cleaning solution used on a surface. It is also an effective way to distribute a mixture of different chemicals or natural ingredients when cleaning a space or area. Spray bottles are inexpensive and easy to find at most grocery stores or online retailers.

A squeegee is a cleaning tool that has a variety of household uses. While it is best known for keeping shower doors and tiles mold-free, squeegees also work well on glass-topped furniture and windows, wicking water off surfaces to prevent bacteria like mildew and Serratia marcescens from forming.

A bucket can serve a variety of purposes when cleaning, from holding soap dispensers when mopping floors to storing water for laundry rinses. Plastic buckets are often labeled, which helps a cleaner keep track of which solutions are for which tasks. They are also cheaper than a large, stainless steel container that can be quite expensive to replace when it is broken or lost. Buckets are also easy to transport from one area to another and fit nicely in most janitorial carts or bags.

4. Broom

A broom is an important cleaning tool for keeping surfaces like floors, walls, and ceilings clean. It can sweep up loose dirt, dust, and hair from different types of flooring. It also helps remove cobwebs from ceiling areas. It can also be used to sweep up leaves and other debris from the streets in a community.

The type of broom you choose can significantly impact your cleaning experience and the effectiveness of your cleanup job. Choosing the right bristle stiffness and type is essential to ensure you get the best results when using it for different surfaces. A broom with soft bristles can cause less abrasion to surfaces than one with hard-bristled bristles, which can damage the surface if they come into contact too often.

Plastic brooms are excellent for managing allergens in a home, as they don’t stir up dust and other particles into the air like traditional straw brooms do. They can help improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens that can trigger symptoms for people with sensitive respiratory systems.

5. Dustpan

Cleaners often need to sweep debris away from areas that vacuum cleaners can’t reach. A dustpan with a brush is simple, cheap, and effective at getting to the bottom of piles of tiny residuals like food crumbs, broken glass, or pet hair that can build up in corners and cracks. Moreover, if you AirBNB, cleaning fees are included, which might be something you must consider.

Purchasing all the cleaning tools on this list might seem expensive and excessive, but having the right tools will make their work easier and more enjoyable. The right tools will save time, eliminate harmful pathogens, and allow cleaners to perform more efficient deep cleaning.

Other tools that should be in every cleaner’s arsenal include a canister vacuum (for daily hardwood floor maintenance), a mops with multiple attachments and a steam mop (for tile and natural stone floors), scrub brushes, spray bottles, microfiber cloths, a whisk broom for the nooks & crannies of furniture, baseboards, and window casings, and a squeegee to keep glass shower doors free from water stains, soap scum, and bacteria like mildew and Serratia marcescens. A washable cleaning caddy is also a great tool to keep all your supplies organized and ready to use.

6. Squeegee

Despite the fact that it sounds silly, a shower squeegee is one of the best tools for keeping bathrooms clean. It’s easy to store (most models come with holders that suction to shower walls or doors), low-maintenance, and efficient. Plus, it’s a great way to keep glass shower doors and windows free of soap scum.

Squeegees are also useful for wiping down surfaces such as floors and countertops and for removing spills. They push away liquids known to stain granite and counters, so they can help to keep those materials looking beautiful for longer than cloths could.

When choosing a squeegee, be sure it’s made from tough and durable materials that can withstand frequent use over time. It should have an extendable handle that allows anyone, regardless of size or mobility limitations, to reach the high areas they need to clean. And it should have a blade that is easy to replace as needed. A dry blade can alter the squeegee’s profile or even contaminate successive prints. A squeegee with a replaceable blade is a must-have for any cleaning professional.

7. Mops

When mops are used with the right cleaners, they can make floors and other surfaces shine and remove hard to remove stains. These durable and versatile cleaning tools come in a variety of sizes, styles and types to suit any surface or size of space.

A mop is great for wicking away moisture from tiles, showers and bathtubs to prevent mold, mildew and Serratia marcescens growth as well as for wiping down windows and other glass-topped furniture to leave them streak free. They’re also easy to use for wiping down radiators and other awkward spaces where a duster with an extendable handle might be more difficult to reach.

A scrub brush is a heavy-duty, durable tool that can be used with chemical or natural cleaners to remove stubborn dirt and stains from sinks, tiles, tubs and other fixtures. It’s especially useful for tackling grout lines and tough spots that regular sponges, cloths or towels can’t. It’s a must-have for any serious cleaner! If you’re a homeowner or renter, these essential cleaning products are an absolute must to keep on hand.

8. Sponges

A sponge may seem like a common household item but it’s actually an essential cleaning tool that should be in every cleaner’s arsenal. It can be used to scrub hard stains, especially those that have been caked on over time, and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes so it can tackle any surface.

There are also dry sponges that are made from a rubber mixture and can be used to clean surfaces that cannot withstand water and soap. They’re great for removing soot from fireplaces, screens, bricks and other surfaces. Plus, when one side becomes covered with dirt or pet hair, you just slice it off and use the other side!

Finally, there are chemical sprays that are useful for eliminating >99% of harmful germs from door handles, cupboard corners and other areas that are difficult to reach. These can be a great addition to your cleaning arsenal, just remember that excessive chemical spraying can leave behind a suffocating smell that can be quite overwhelming for some. So, we recommend using it sparingly and in specific areas where you need to eliminate a lot of germs at once.