How to Restock Your Laundry Room After a Move

You just moved to your new home and finally unpacked. You go to do a load of laundry and reach for your favorite cleaning solution to get stains out — but it’s not there. Now you remember you used up the last of your favorite product at your old home and never bought a new one for this house. Avoid this annoying inconvenience by restocking the laundry room as soon as you get settled into your new home.

Restocking the laundry room tends to happen little by little and only when you realize you don’t have an item on hand.  I typically store all cleaning products, in our laundry room. Well, in our house, it’s more like a laundry closet, but you get what I’m saying.  I store cleaning items here for two reasons: (1) all the products are out of reach from my kiddos. (2) I know exactly where to look when I need a cleaning product.

In case you didn’t know, most cleaning solutions are prohibited on moving trucks when moving. Moving companies will not pack these items due to the risk of a spill or chemical reaction that could injure a person or damage property.  See my prohibited list to determine what items won’t make it on the moving truck.  Since I haven’t been able to pack these items, I tried to finish up products or give them away for someone else to use.  Taking it a step further, I like to replace items like brooms and toilet brushes when moving.  I don’t want to carry all the dust, bacteria, and germs from our old home to our new home. So, when moving, I replenish my cleaning products and tools as soon as I arrive at my new home.

To avoid last-minute, inconvenient trips to the store, use the list below to make sure you have all the products and tools needed to stay on top of your clean home. Keep in mind, we all have different preferences when it comes to cleaning products. I tried to include items from traditional cleaning supplies to items that are greener and less toxic.

Laundry Items

• Bleach. I don’t use this often, but like to keep a small bottle on hand, just in case.
• Dryer balls or dryer sheets. I started using these dryer balls to get my kiddos to help with sorting laundry. I empty the clothes from the dryer into a laundry basket. Then as we sit and fold, they try to find the dryer balls. Sometimes I make a game out of it to see who can find the most.
• Dryer vent brush. I learned the hard way how important it is to keep the dryer vent cleaned out. Our dryer started to smell like something was burning — I was super freaked out. I cleaned out the lint bin after each load, but I bought this vent brush to deep clean the lint trap. I use it weekly and I get so much extra lint out each time.
• Drying rack. We have the collapsible one, but I also put this one up on the wall next to the dryer so I can dry small things like bras and panties.
• Hydrogen Peroxide. I use this to help with stains, but I recommend always testing the fabrics first to avoid damage.
• Laundry basket for clean clothes (I prefer a collapsible type to save space)
• Laundry detergent. I just ordered these laundry strips to save on space, eliminate the mess, and decrease waste.
• Soft-bristle brush to help with scrubbing stains. I’ve used a toothbrush in desperate times.
• Spray bottle. I have started making some of my own cleaners and these spray bottles have held up so well.
• Stain remover spray. Most people have a favorite type of spray, but I recommend this one if you are in the market for a new spray.
• Stain remover stick. Here is my go-to statin stick
• Vinegar. I like to get the big containers from Costco since we go through so much vinegar here.

Household Items

• All-purpose cleaner. My favorite is a homemade mixture of 1 1/4 cups of water, 1/2 vinegar, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. I put all ingredients in a spray bottle and boom it’s ready to go. Beware… don’t use this on stone. Vinegar can damage stone surfaces.
• Baking soda. I’ve started using baking soda each night to scrub down my kitchen sink, mixed with dish soap, and it’s made such a difference.
• Bleach. Again I just keep a little bottle handy for emergencies.
• Broom & dustpan. I prefer a dustpan that has a long handle like this so that it is more ergonomic.
• Bucket. For all the cleaning tasks… mopping, washing the car, collecting debris, etc.
• Dull butter knife. I keep one of these handy to use as a scraper when cleaning.
• Dustbuster handheld vacuum. This is super handy for the car or to clean up quick spills.
• Duster. I just picked up a duster that has a long adjustable handle and it has made a world of difference in reaching high spaces with ease.
• Floor cleaner. I just purchased a floor steamer and it is amazing! The floors feel so clean afterward. In the past, I’ve used a swifter, a mop with a spinning bucket, and plain old rags. Just depends on what your preference is.
• Furniture polish. You will want to get a product that fits your furniture needs, whether it’s leather, fabric, or something else.
• Glass cleaner. We keep a big bottle of Windex on hand to get the tough-to-clean glass in our bathrooms and windows.
• Magic Eraser. I have a box of these tucked in our kitchen drawers. They’re great to clean up the walls and counters.
• Mop. Even though I use my floor steamer more often, I keep this mop on hand to help pick up big messes more than anything.
• Old toothbrush. I tuck away a couple of old toothbrushes to help with scrubbing. They have come in handy when cleaning sinks and hard-to-reach spots.
• Paper towels. I always keep a roll in the car and a roll in the kitchen. I just got this under-counter holder which has helped save so much space in the kitchen.
• Rags. I have started cutting up old clothes and using them as rags. I also have microfiber cloths that I picked up at Costco to help with cleaning.
• Rubber Gloves. Protect your skin and nails with a set of rubber gloves for jobs that are dirty or super wet.
• Sponges. Keeping a pack of sponges at home helps me remember to change out my sponge more often, which has been way more sanitary.
• Stainless steel cleaner. I use this on all appliances in the kitchen to get little kids’ fingerprints off.
• Toilet cleaner brush. I’ve started buying a cheaper brand and replacing them more often.
• Vacuum. While we have a central vacuum at home, I really like our stick vacuum that I can pick up and take anywhere. I even use it to clean out the car and car seats regularly.

Being prepared and planning ahead for how you will handle cleaning at your new home can make all the difference in creating a space that is more enjoyable. Here is a shopping list of items for you to print off and take to the store with you as you restock!