6 Cleaning Supply Storage Ideas
For removable storage, choose a hanging shoe bag with clear pockets to hold bottles of cleaner, cloth, and brushes. There are also over-the-door storage racks with narrow shelves for supplies. If the bottles are too tall to stay in place, stretch a bungee cord from side to side on the rack. If you have wire shelving, many bottles will easily hang from the outer edge of the shelf. Use S-hooks over the closet rod to hang mops and brooms. Don’t forget the closet’s wall space. There might just be room to slip in some narrow hanging baskets, like those used for mail or magazines, between the closet rod and the doorframe. If you like to keep extra products on hand, use clear plastic labeled bins, so you can quickly see what you have on hand.
Evaluate Cleaning Tools
Do you need every mop, broom, vacuum, and duster you have stashed away? Dispose of duplicate, worn-out, or hard-to-use tools. Take the time to thoroughly clean the ones you are keeping. The one exception for duplicates is if you have a multi-story home: It is easier to have a set of tools for each level of your home.
Evaluate Cleaning Products
How many open bottles of toilet cleaner or glass cleaner do you have under the sink? There should only be one of each. If you have two partially used bottles of the same brand, combine them and toss or recycle the empty container. Look for multi-purpose cleaners that can be used on several surfaces. You don’t need always need a separate cleaner. Or, go organic and make cleaning products using distilled vinegar, baking soda, and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. If you make a homemade cleaning solution, be sure to label it properly. As with cleaning tools, keeping multiple of a single product is a good idea so that cleaning supplies are handy on every level of your home.
Evaluate Your Storage Space
Cleaning supplies don’t always have to go under a sink. You may find that a garage, linen closet, behind a door, or hallway closet works best for you. One rule you should always follow is that no cleaning products should be stored where young children, pets, or vulnerable adults can reach them. It’s also always a good idea to get cleaning products off the floor.
Laundry detergent: Effective for six months to one year after opening Bleach: Loses effectiveness six months after opening Multi-purpose and disinfecting cleaners: Effective for up to two years Dishwashing liquid: Effective for 12 to 18 months
Never store cleaning supplies near open flames or hot pipes. Cleaning supplies should always be stored in areas that are dry and temperature-controlled.
