← Back to Simmons Home

CLEANING SUPPLIES GUIDE

What to buy · What goes where · What each room needs

MASTER SUPPLY LIST — Everything to keep stocked

Floor Cleaning

  • Spray mop (or mop + bucket)
  • Hard floor cleaner (tile-safe)
  • Broom + dustpan
  • Vacuum with attachments
  • Grout brush

All-Purpose

  • All-purpose disinfectant spray
  • Microfiber cloths (buy in bulk)
  • Rubber/nitrile gloves
  • Spray bottles (for diluted solutions)
  • Trash bags (small + tall)

Glass & Mirrors

  • Glass cleaner (Windex or similar)
  • Streak-free microfiber cloths
  • Squeegee (for glass shower)

Bathrooms

  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Toilet brush (one per bathroom)
  • Scrubbing sponge / scrub pad
  • Grout brush or old toothbrush
  • Lime & calcium remover (CLR or similar)
  • Shower/tub scrubbing spray

Kitchen

  • Dish soap
  • Stainless steel cleaner/polish
  • Degreaser spray
  • Scrub sponges
  • Paper towels
  • Baking soda (stovetop scrub)

Furniture & Fabric

  • Upholstery vacuum attachment
  • Lint roller / velvet brush
  • Fabric spot treatment spray
  • Mild dish soap (faux leather cleaning)

Dusting

  • Extendable duster (for fan blades, high shelves)
  • Dry microfiber cloths
  • Crevice vacuum attachment (vents, stairs)

Laundry Room

  • Affresh washer cleaning tablets
  • White vinegar (washer cleaning alternative)
  • Dryer vent cleaning brush kit

Specialty

  • Leather wipes or leather cleaner (office chairs)
  • Disinfectant wipes (gym equipment)
  • Dry microfiber only for screens and instruments
  • Magic Eraser (wall scuffs, white surfaces)
BATHROOMS

Downstairs Bathroom

  • Toilet bowl cleaner + brush
  • Disinfectant spray
  • Glass cleaner (mirror)
  • Scrubbing sponge/pad (tub & sink)
  • Grout brush (tile walls & floor)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Small trash bags
  • Rubber gloves
Keep under the sink: toilet cleaner, brush, disinfectant spray, gloves, spare trash bags

Kids' Bathroom

  • Toilet bowl cleaner + brush
  • Disinfectant spray
  • Glass cleaner (mirror + light bar)
  • Scrubbing sponge/pad (tub, both sinks)
  • Grout brush (tile walls & floor)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Small trash bags
  • Rubber gloves
Keep under the sink: toilet cleaner, brush, disinfectant spray, gloves, spare trash bags

Master Bathroom

  • Toilet bowl cleaner + brush
  • Disinfectant spray
  • Glass cleaner (large mirror + shower glass)
  • Squeegee (glass shower door)
  • Lime & calcium remover (shower door monthly)
  • Scrubbing sponge/pad (tub, both sinks)
  • Grout brush (tub surround & floor)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Small trash bags
  • Rubber gloves
Keep under the vanity: toilet cleaner, brush, CLR, squeegee, disinfectant spray, gloves, spare trash bags
CLR or lime remover is for the glass shower door only — not for tile or fixtures.
KITCHEN & DINING

Kitchen

  • All-purpose disinfectant spray (counters, backsplash, island)
  • Degreaser spray (cabinet fronts, backsplash, oven exterior)
  • Stainless steel cleaner/polish (fridge, oven, microwave)
  • Dish soap + scrub sponges (sink)
  • Paper towels
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Broom + dustpan
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Baking soda (stovetop scrub)
Keep in kitchen cabinet: disinfectant spray, degreaser, stainless cleaner, dish soap, paper towels, sponges
Do not use abrasive scrubbers on quartz/marble countertops or island — use soft microfiber cloths only.

Dining Room

  • All-purpose cleaner (table surface and base)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Lint roller or velvet brush (chair upholstery)
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Glass cleaner (chandelier shades)
Velvet chairs: use a dry lint roller or velvet brush ONLY. Never use a wet cloth — it leaves watermarks.
LIVING AREAS

Living Room

  • Vacuum with upholstery attachment (tufted sectional)
  • Lint roller or velvet brush (barrel chairs)
  • Fabric spot treatment (tufted sectional)
  • All-purpose cleaner (coffee table, lamp bases)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Glass cleaner (if any mirrors)
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner (tile floors)
  • Extendable duster (ceiling vent, mantle, high shelves)
Tufted sectional: always use upholstery attachment or dry brush. Test spot treatment on a hidden area before applying broadly.

Family Room

  • Mild dish soap + water (faux leather sofa, chair, ottoman)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Vacuum with upholstery attachment
  • Glass cleaner (French door glass panels)
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner (tile floors)
  • Extendable duster (ceiling fan, recessed lights)
Faux leather: wipe with a barely damp cloth and a tiny drop of mild dish soap. Never soak it — excess moisture can crack or peel faux leather over time.
UPSTAIRS LOFTS & ACTIVITY ROOMS

TV Loft

  • Vacuum with upholstery attachment (recliners)
  • Dry microfiber cloth (TV screen — no sprays)
  • All-purpose cleaner (TV stand, shelves)
  • Disinfectant spray + microfiber cloth (air track, gymnastics mat)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Extendable duster (ceiling fan, blinds)
TV screen: dry microfiber ONLY. Never spray cleaner directly on any screen.

Homeschool Loft

  • Vacuum with attachments (large carpet area, chair wheels)
  • Dry microfiber cloth (monitor screens — no sprays)
  • All-purpose cleaner (desks, shelves, cart)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Extendable duster (ceiling fan, bookshelves)
  • Scissors or seam ripper (for hair wrapped in chair wheels)

Circle Room (Music Room)

  • Dry microfiber cloths ONLY for keyboard and drum kit
  • Slightly damp microfiber cloth (keyboard keys monthly)
  • Vacuum with crevice tool (under/behind equipment)
  • All-purpose cleaner (desk surface)
Never use spray cleaners on keyboard keys, drum pads, or cymbal surfaces. Dry microfiber only — moisture can damage electronics.
BEDROOMS

All Bedrooms (Rowan, Juliet, Guest Room, Master)

  • Vacuum with crevice and upholstery attachments
  • All-purpose cleaner (dressers, nightstands, surfaces)
  • Glass cleaner (mirrors, French doors in guest room)
  • Microfiber cloths (dusting and wiping)
  • Extendable duster (ceiling fan blades, ceiling corners)
  • Magic Eraser (wall scuffs, white bed frames)

Chloe's Bedroom (Makeup Vanity)

  • Vacuum with upholstery attachment
  • All-purpose cleaner (vanity surface, shelves)
  • Glass cleaner (vanity mirror + full-length mirror)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Extendable duster (ceiling fan)
  • Makeup brush cleaner or isopropyl alcohol (vanity shelves monthly)
Hairspray leaves a sticky residue on shelves and the mirror. Use a slightly damp microfiber with a drop of all-purpose cleaner to break it down — a dry cloth won't cut it.
ENTRY, HALLWAYS & STAIRS

Entry / Foyer & All Hallways

  • Broom + dustpan
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner (all tile areas)
  • Glass cleaner (front door glass insert)
  • All-purpose cleaner (wall niches, switch plates, door surfaces)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Magic Eraser (wall scuffs, white baseboards)

Staircase

  • Vacuum with crevice attachment (each carpeted stair tread)
  • All-purpose cleaner (white railing, banisters, newel posts)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Magic Eraser (scuffs on white risers and stair walls)
The white railing and banisters show hand oils clearly. A damp microfiber with all-purpose cleaner cuts through it better than a dry cloth.
LAUNDRY ROOM & UTILITY

Laundry Room

  • Affresh washing machine cleaning tablets (or white vinegar)
  • All-purpose cleaner (washer/dryer tops, cabinet fronts, shelving)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Dryer vent cleaning brush kit (monthly — fire safety)
  • Broom + dustpan
Keep in laundry room: Affresh tablets, all-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, dryer vent brush kit
FIRE SAFETY: The dryer exhaust vent brush kit is not optional. Lint buildup in the vent hose is the #1 cause of dryer fires. Clean it every month.
OFFICE / DEN

Office / Den

  • Dry microfiber cloths (monitor screens — no sprays)
  • All-purpose cleaner (desk surface, keyboard, mouse, chair)
  • Leather wipes or leather cleaner (office chairs)
  • Disinfectant spray or wipes (weight bench, inversion table)
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Mop + hard floor cleaner
  • Extendable duster (ceiling light fixture, accent wall)
Monitor screens: dry microfiber ONLY. Spray cleaners damage screen coatings. Office chair wheels collect hair on carpet — scissors or a seam ripper are the best tool for clearing them.