Minimalist Cleaning Supplies That Make Homemaking A Breeze
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If you’re looking for inspiration on minimalist cleaning supplies, you’ve come to the right place. Everyone has their own ideas of what minimalism should look like. I think that’s why minimalistic lifestyles can be so empowering, because you can literally make it look however you want it to look so that it works best for you, your family, and your home.
Minimalist cleaning supplies don’t have to be fancy. However, I will also be writing a post in the future on fun cleaning gadgets that will make you WANT to clean. Let’s face it, fun cleaning tools really can help motivate you to keep things tidy because they actually make cleaning enjoyable. A lot of what makes cleaning enjoyable is also our heart posture. The Lord has blessed us with homes, and the families that live within them, to care for. Cleaning and organizing our homes is a privilege. And when we take the time to focus our attention on that simple truth, it changes everything.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
PROVERBS 31:17 NIV
Today, I’ll be sharing my favorite go-to minimalistic cleaning supplies that I use every single day to make homemaking minimal and simple.
1. Your Deadliest Minimalist Cleaning Weapons
If I really had to narrow down my minimalist cleaning supplies, these are the two I am keeping. White vinegar and baking soda are powerful cleaners. When combined, they’re almost unstoppable. If I had to guess, I would say that I probably clean 90% of my home with these two cleaning supplies, alone. White vinegar is an amazing disinfectant, and baking soda has wonderful odor-absorbing properties.
How I use white vinegar and baking soda to clean my home:
- Bathtubs and Showers – sprinkle baking soda throughout the bottom of the shower. Take a spray bottle filled with a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar and generously spray overtop of the baking soda. For the walls, I make a paste or just add baking soda to a scrub pad, then spray it with your 1:1 mixture before using the scrub pad to clean the walls. This combo works on tile, glass, metal, and acrylic surrounds. For a streak-free finish on glass, follow up with a good rinse and squeegee.
- Kitchen Sinks – sprinkle baking soda throughout the sink and spray with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping. Very little scrubbing should be needed.
- Laundry – add a 1/2 – 1 cup of baking soda to a load of laundry to draw out odors. Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of vinegar to act as a fabric softener.
- Flooring – Use a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to spray on floors while mopping.
- Oven – Create a paste with white vinegar and water and apply to problem areas in your oven. Then spray a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water on top of areas with paste. Let sit for 20-30 minutes before scrubbing or wiping. Alternatively, you can also apply the paste and spray to a warm oven, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes before wiping.
- Windows & Glass – use a spray bottle filled with a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water. Spray on windows and glass, then wipe with a microfiber cloth. Finish with a squeegee if needed.
- Toilets – generously sprinkle baking soda in toilet bowl. Spray with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water and let sit for 5 minutes. Scrub toilet bowl as usual.
2. Get Yourself a Good Grease-Cutter
My minimalist cleaning arsenal wouldn’t be complete without a grease-cutting agent. That’s where Thieves comes in. Since 2014, we have been very fond of Young Living Essential Oils, but they aren’t just an essential oil company. Young Living also has a wide range of cleaning products (among other things). Thieves Household Cleaner has been our go-to for all of our general household cleaning needs. Not only can it cut through grease, but it’s also a very powerful cleaner for keeping your home healthy and safe. It is a plant-based product, so you can rest assured knowing that it won’t be adding any harmful toxins to your home.
How to use Thieves Household Cleaner:
For most applications, add one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner to a 16oz spray bottle. Spray and wipe surfaces as usual. For tougher jobs like grease, I will sometimes either make a stronger concentration or just apply Thieves Household Cleaner undiluted to the grease.
Grab your own Thieves Household Cleaner and receive 10% off your first order of 50PV or more by using code SHAREYL. I’ve already gone ahead and compiled all my favorite Thieves products in one easy-to-shop wishlist for you.
3. Oh, the Power Of A Toothbrush
Minimalist cleaning supplies don’t have to be fancy to get the job done. One of my favorite tools that I often reach for is a simple toothbrush. From scrubbing stains on clothing, to getting into small nooks and crannies, a toothbrush can be a powerful cleaning tool.
A few ways I like to use a toothbrush (other than to brush my teeth):
- Scrubbing stained clothing before putting in the wash
- Cleaning tile grout
- Removing grime from window tracks
- Cleaning jewelry
- Scrubbing tumbler lids and gaskets
She selects wool and flax; and works with eager hands.
PROVERBS 31:13 NIV
4. Microfiber Dusters, Mops & Cloths
I recently found a new favorite tool that I didn’t know I even needed. (Don’t you love it when that happens?) I was browsing the aisles of Walmart the other day, when I stumbled upon this small extendable duster. At first, I just thought it was cute. But since I do try to practice minimalism and make sure that my purchases are practical, logical, and necessary, I stood there for a moment contemplating what I would use it for. Then it dawned on me! I have plenty of spaces that I can’t reach to clean the dog hair, dust, and debris out of. I now use this little cleaning tool to clean the side spaces around our laundry unit and underneath my oven and refrigerator. Eureka! What’s even better, is the head of it is detachable for easy cleaning.
In addition to a reusable duster, I also love my reusable microfiber mop as well. We use a Norwex mop system, but reusable mop systems are super easy to find on Amazon, too. Being intentional about using sustainable products in your minimalist cleaning arsenal is an easy first step in starting your own minimalism lifestyle. I love Norwex cloths as well, but I actually use these microfiber cloths for cleaning and polishing my car. So far, they’ve been just as amazing as Norwex at a fraction of the cost.
5. A Cordless Vacuum
Last, but certainly not least! Do yourself a huge favor, and ask for a cordless vacuum for your next birthday. This is another one of those cleaning products that I never knew I needed until I had one. Any cleaning product that makes cleaning easy, accessible, and versatile is a win for me. We’ve been using this cordless vacuum since 2017, and it still runs like a champ. There are definitely newer, fancier models by now, but this model has served our family, and tiny homes over the years, very well. Part of our minimalistic mindset is investing in items that will last. So although this particular cleaning product is a bit pricey, it has proven that it can stand the test of time very well.
Cordless vacuums typically come with an assortment of attachments, making it really easy to switch from cleaning your floors to sucking up dust on surfaces like your TV, nightstands, dressers, and baseboards. Finding multifunctional tools like this help take your minimalist cleaning supplies to a more sustainable and economical level while also helping with saving space and reducing clutter.
