The Cleaning Hack That Could Be Sabotaging Your Declutter Efforts

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Cleaning hacks are supposed to make life easier. Whether you enjoy suiting up with a duster and trash bag or not, there's always something to declutter around the house. Don't get us started on the fact that there are daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal chores too. While there are a few simple cleaning hacks to keep your home tidy that we love, others could actually contribute to the mess, like the infamous compartmentalized cleaning caddy.

Cleaning caddies are usually recommended because they provide a convenient way to keep all your supplies together. All your sprays and wipes are packed into a cute basket. However, they can actually create a clutter of cleaning supplies with products you don't need or have duplicates of. It's probably why some people are prompted to get cleaning carts, equipped with multiple caddy tiers and wheels. That's great for a commercial janitor but a little excessive for a traditional household. Nixing this storage trap is the key to decluttering your cleaning products.

The problem isn't with caddies in general. It's specifically all the compartments. The divided containers are designed for communal showers in college, not for household cleaning. Those compartments can encourage you to fill each pocket with an item, leading to a container stuffed with supplies you probably don't need or have too much of — a.k.a. clutter. Plus, the dividers create size restrictions that force you to adjust to the container instead of the container complementing your cleaning routine.

A better option is an open tub, like the ALINK Large Plastic Tote. A DIY cleaning caddy is also a brilliant way to repurpose an old bucket around your home. Just choose one that's large enough to store your supplies. You still get all the perks of having your tools easily accessible, there's a convenient handle, and there are no compartments to limit what you can fit inside or entice you to create a surplus.

You really only need a few items inside your caddy. Think of it as a home for cleaning must-haves — things you'd have on your tool belt, not every product in the cabinet. A good checklist includes rubber gloves, microfiber cloths, a scrub brush, trash bags, disinfectant, all-purpose cleaner, and glass cleaner. You can even DIY an all-purpose cleaning solution with ½ cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 ¼ cups of distilled water that can also tackle glass, condensing both products into one. Specialized items like toilet bowl cleaner or oven degreaser can stay in their respective rooms instead of in your caddy. This way, your caddy is clutter-free, and it'll encourage you to do so with the rest of the house.