Go Vertical and Use Your Walls
In a small home, the walls are your best friend. Instead of letting brooms and mops fall over in a corner, use wall-mounted grippers or hooks to hang them neatly inside a utility closet or on a small patch of wall in your laundry area. This trick frees
up valuable floor space and keeps tall, awkward tools from becoming a tripping hazard. You can also install simple shelves above your washing machine or in a tall cabinet to store bottles and containers, effectively doubling your storage capacity without taking up more room.
Embrace the Back of the Door
The unused space on the back of a closet or pantry door is a goldmine for storage. A simple over-the-door shoe organiser can be repurposed to hold spray bottles, sponges, cleaning cloths, and brushes. The clear pockets make it easy to see exactly what you have at a glance, so you’re not fumbling around looking for the right product. For larger items, you can find over-the-door racks with baskets or hooks designed to hold heavier supplies, turning a simple door into a full-fledged storage station.
Conquer Under-the-Sink Chaos
The cabinet under the kitchen or bathroom sink is a classic spot for cleaning supplies, but it often becomes a jumbled mess. To maximise this awkward space, use pull-out drawers or tiered organisers designed to work around plumbing. A lazy Susan is another brilliant solution, allowing you to spin it to easily access bottles tucked away in the back. You can also add a tension rod to hang spray bottles by their handles, keeping them off the cabinet floor and freeing up space for bins and baskets below.
Create a Portable Cleaning Caddy
Instead of storing supplies all over your home, assemble a portable caddy with your most-used essentials. A simple bucket or a divided basket can hold your go-to all-purpose cleaner, cloths, scrub brushes, and gloves. This system saves you time and effort, as you can carry everything you need from room to room. When you're finished, the entire caddy can be tucked away neatly under a sink or in a closet, keeping your supplies consolidated and organised.
Think Multi-Purpose with Your Furniture
When space is truly at a premium, look for furniture that does double duty. An ottoman with a hidden storage compartment or a slim rolling cart can be a discreet home for cleaning supplies. A narrow cart can slide into the small space between your refrigerator and the wall or next to the toilet in the bathroom, keeping items hidden but accessible. These pieces blend into your decor while providing a much-needed spot for bottles and tools that would otherwise create clutter.
Categorise and Contain
Before you start organising, take a moment to sort through your supplies. Discard anything old or empty, and group the remaining items by category—like glass cleaners, surface sprays, and bathroom-specific products. Store these groups in clear, labelled bins. This not only makes things look tidier but also helps you quickly find what you need and see when you're running low. Storing supplies for each room within that room (e.g., bathroom cleaners in the bathroom) can also streamline your cleaning routine.
