The Cleaning Tool Starter Kit for Your First Home

When you move into your first place, it is hard to know which cleaning tools to buy first. Stores are full of clever gadgets that end up unused. We built this list from the tools that appear most often in Malkkeum guides, so you only buy what you will actually use.

What we assume you have

We assume you already have a vacuum and a mop or floor wipe. For a small apartment, a cordless vacuum and one flat mop with disposable pads are enough for floors.

How to choose

Microfiber cloths that are thicker hold more water and last longer. Buy a set in different colors and use them separately for kitchen, bathroom and living room. Skip fabric softener when washing them; it reduces absorbency.

Spray bottles with a trigger are easier on your hand for long jobs. Check that the spray is a fine mist. Keep two, one for citric acid and one for soapy water, and label them so they never get mixed up.

Detail brushes are most useful as a 2–3 piece set with different bristle sizes. Use the thin one for faucet joints and the thick one for window tracks.

Squeegees with soft silicone blades will not scratch tile or glass. A hanging one on the bathroom wall gets used more.

Rubber gloves must be separate for kitchen and cleaning use. For cleaning with bleach or oxygen bleach, choose elbow-length gloves.

Things that can wait

Steam cleaner: effective, but costly and bulky. Consider it once your cleaning habit is established.
Electric scrub brush: handy for large bathrooms or frequent grout cleaning.
Magnetic window cleaner: can reach outside glass on upper floors, but always use the safety cord.

Cleaners are covered separately in the three basic cleaners every beginner needs.