Must-Have Cleaning Equipment & Tools for Every Cleaner in Portugal

Essential List Of Cleaning Equipment & Tools

Cleaners use a wide variety of cleaning equipment and tools to help them get the job done. From mops to microfiber cloths, there are a lot of potential items out there to help you in your career. 

However, when you’re just starting out and discovering how to become a cleaner and how to start your own cleaning business, you’re likely looking for ways to minimize your initial capital outlay and spend less. That’s why we’ve assembled this handy list of tools and equipment you need to get started as a cleaner.

Make sure to also check out our articles below for guidance across a range of cleaner-related topics.

Should You Supply Your Own Cleaning Equipment?

Quite uniquely, the cleaning industry actually operates in two different ways when it comes to equipment and tools for the trade. While just about all commercial cleaners are expected to provide their own cleaning products, not all house-cleaners supply their own equipment and products. Instead, they expect the homeowner to keep stock of basic cleaning tools and simply use the available resources when they come to clean your home.

So should you supply your own cleaning equipment or not?

In most cases, we recommend that you supply your own cleaning equipment. There are a few reasons for this:

• It’s more professional.

• It’s more convenient for your clients leading to an overall more satisfied experience.

• You are in control of the products and equipment you use.

• You can charge more in your fees than if you expect the client to provide cleaning materials.

• You will be more efficient when using equipment you are familiar with.

Putting together your list of cleaning equipment

Before you get started assembling your list of tools and materials, take stock of the sorts of cleaning you’re going to be doing. Are you cleaning offices with floor-to-ceiling windows? Then you’ll need specialist cleaning equipment for windows. Are you going to be cleaning outdoor patios as well as indoor lounges? Then you’ll need to shop accordingly.

As we mentioned before, there is a very wide spectrum of cleaning materials out there. Some are designed for particular thorough and deep cleaning, while others are ideal for quick, efficient surface-level cleaning only. The cleaning equipment supplies and tools you should invest in needs to reflect the type of cleaning you’ll be doing.

Essential Cleaning Equipment List

Mops (and Buckets/Wringers)

A good quality mop is one of the most essential items you’ll need. Nowadays cleaning equipment suppliers stock a range of mops that include simple bucket-mop combos to cleverly designed and highly ergonomic tools. Make sure to have a browse to find what sort of mop and wringer works for you.

Brushes and Dustpan

While we’ll get to a vacuum cleaner next, having a sturdy brush and accompanying dustpan is a must. Brushes and brooms come in all shapes and sizes depending on how and where you’ll be using it. As far as dustpans go, they’re a small and affordable yet indispensable tool for cleaning.

The different brush types available include:

• Hard floor and soft floor brushes

• Toilet brush

• Feather brush

• Hand brush

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Vacuum Cleaner

If there is one piece of cleaning equipment that it’s worth shelling out a bit more money for, it’s going to be a vacuum cleaner. Your vacuum is utterly essential for ensuring you’re able to clean floors of all types in either a commercial or home setting. While you don’t need to necessarily invest in a top-of-the-range machine, you will be using the vacuum quite a bit, so make sure it’s sturdy and reliable.

Cloths, Sponges and Wipes

Everyone works differently and when it comes to your cleaning tasks and setting, you’re likely to need to play around and try different equipment to see what works best. Nonetheless, having a small arsenal of quality cloths, sponges and wipes on you will help ensure that you’re best positioned to tackle any sort of dirty surface. We also recommend investing in some microfiber cloths. These soft cloths are excellent for a wide variety of applications from the kitchen to the bathroom and even TV and computer screens.

Spray Bottle

Spray bottles are endlessly useful. From simply water to detergent and cleaning substances, they can be used to hold just about anything. There are many sizes and a range of materials available, so have a browse at your local supplier to see what suits your needs.

Squeegee

A squeegee (and/or a scraper) are handy tools for keeping showers, bathrooms and kitchen floors and surfaces clean. Cloths and sponges can often leave marks and streaks along glass and tile surfaces, whereas a squeegee (unless the blade needs to be replaced) will allow you to leave just about any hard surface sparkling and spotless.

Scrub Brush

When a cloth or sponge just isn’t going to do the trick, an all-in-one, multi-purpose scrub brush will be your best friend when tackling stains. When you’re browsing for a scrubber though, bear in mind the surfaces you’ll be working on as you wouldn’t want one that’s too tough and likely to leave a scratch.

Dusters

Dusters come in all sizes, but we recommend investing in one short handled duster and a longer one for reaching those awkward spots. From dust itself to cobwebs, dusters are endlessly useful.

Buckets

You can’t have too many buckets! In addition to being useful during the actual clean, buckets are also handy as a double-up storage container if you’re carrying equipment in and out of your car and the office/house.

Paper Towel and Antibacterial Wipes

Keeping a few rolls of paper towel on you is very smart. Paper towel is endlessly useful and it’s not hard to throw a packet or two in the back of your work vehicle. Antibacterial wipes are also extraordinarily convenient when quickly needing to wipe down a surface or two. Make sure you always have access to a packet or two.

Protective Equipment

The exact type of protective gear you should be using will depend largely on what you’re cleaning and where you’re cleaning.

Here are some of the most common items to consider:

• Protective rubber gloves

• Protective face mask and glasses (especially when cleaning with hazardous materials)

• Protective clothing including a cleaning apron if necessary.

• Shoe covers if you’re worried about keeping the floors clean.

Trash Bags

Make sure you always have a roll of trash bags with you. Whether you’re clearing out waste paper bins, trash cans or even disposing of your own items, you’ll find everything easier with access to trash bags when and where you need them.

Bonus Cleaning Equipment

While not essential, if you’re looking for some extra equipment to make your life easier and take your cleaning to the next level why not invest in one of the following items:

• Cleaning trolley for storing and moving around your equipment.

• Polishing machine to help you leave hard flooring shining and gleaming.

• Steam vapor mops/machines.

Got Your Equipment? Now Get Work With AllFeito!

Your cleaning equipment and tools are only as useful as you make them.

So make sure you register with AllFeito today so you can connect with more clients and get more work.

It’s simple, hassle-free and quick!