Just like we wouldn’t go to work without the tools of our trade, so should we ready our tools for making a cozy home.
What are those tools, you ask? Well don’t worry, girl. I’m going to tell you exactly how to choose and organize your cleaning supplies into one tidy, hardworking setup — the cleaning apron. I’ll also walk you through the cleaning supplies you actually need to stock it with.
Spoiler: it’s far less than you think.
Okay, I’ll stop dawdling now and get on with it.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
Why a Cleaning Apron Just Makes Sense
A cleaning apron is exactly what it sounds like — an apron designed with lots of pockets so all your supplies move with you as you clean.
Instead of walking back and forth to grab sprays, rags, or trash bags (or setting something down and immediately forgetting where you put it… ask me how I know), everything you need stays right on your person.
It’s efficient.
It’s organized.
And honestly? It makes cleaning feel a little bit official — like you’ve clocked in as the CEO of your home.
But First: Let’s Talk Cleaning Supplies (and Free Up Some Cabinet Space)
Those massive grocery store aisles try very hard to convince us we need a special cleaner for everything. And if we’re being honest, many a sink cabinet reflects that.
I know I was guilty as charged — until I learned the truth.
You do not need a designated cleaner for every surface in your home.
In fact, you really only need three:
- Something to wash
- Something to disinfect
- Something specifically for the toilet bowl
That’s it.
Our great-grandmothers knew this well — not because it was trendy, but because most families simply couldn’t afford twenty different cleaning products.
And the wild thing? This simpler method works just as well — if not better — than a cabinet full of bottles.
Let me tell you why.
Cleaner #1: Sal Suds + Water (Your Wash Spray)
When we talk about “cleaning” or “washing,” we’re not talking about killing germs — we’re talking about removing them, along with grease, dirt, crumbs, and general mess.
And for that, nothing beats good old-fashioned soap and water.
Why Sal Suds Works So Well
Sal Suds by Dr. Bronner’s is not castile soap — and that’s exactly why it shines here.
Sal Suds is a true detergent, made with powerful surfactants that excel at cutting grease. Surfactants are little double agents: one end grabs onto water, the other grabs onto oil and grime. When you scrub with Sal Suds and water, those surfactants lift oily messes and germs off surfaces so they can be wiped away completely.
This is especially important in kitchens, where grease builds up faster than we realize.
But What About Castile Soap?
Castile soap is an option — and it’s wonderful for many things — but it’s slightly inferior for everyday household cleaning.
Here’s why:
- Castile soap is oil-based, which means it can leave residue behind.
- In hard water, it can create a cloudy film.
- It’s gentler, but not as effective at cutting heavy grease.
Sal Suds doesn’t leave residue, works beautifully in hard water, and rinses clean every time. If you want one wash spray that handles countertops, cabinets, floors, sinks, and sticky fingerprints — this is it.
And remember: washing doesn’t kill germs — it removes them. And in most cases, that’s all you need. To make a cleaning spray, you can just follow the dilution ratios on the bottle.
Cleaner #2: Hydrogen Peroxide (Your Disinfectant)
Now let’s talk disinfecting — because while you don’t need to disinfect everything, there are times when it matters.
Food prep areas.
Bathrooms.
High-touch surfaces.
Anything touched during illness.
This is where hydrogen peroxide steps in.
Why Hydrogen Peroxide Works
Hydrogen peroxide disinfects by releasing oxygen, which breaks down the cell walls of bacteria, viruses, and mold. That bubbling action you see? That’s it actively doing its job.
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (the kind you buy at the store) is highly effective, affordable, and trusted in medical and household settings alike.
Unlike some disinfectants:
- It breaks down into water and oxygen (no residue!)
- It doesn’t leave harsh fumes
- It’s safe for most hard surfaces when used properly
The Trick to Using It Correctly
Hydrogen peroxide needs contact time to work.
Spray it on a clean surface and let it sit for at least 1 minute before wiping. If you spray and immediately wipe it away, you’re cheating it out of doing its job.
Dry dust first. Wash second. Disinfect third.
Cleaner #3: Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Non-Negotiable)
One thing I simply do not mess around with is toilet bowl cleaner.
While there are DIY options out there, this is one place I prefer to purchase a dedicated product designed specifically for the job. Toilets are their own category, and I’m perfectly okay admitting that.
Now let’s set that apron up.
How to Set Up Your Cleaning Apron
What You’ll Need
- An apron with lots of pockets (You can find the one I use here!)
I recommend one designed specifically for cleaning — many even have a trash bag dispenser, which I love. - A clear glass spray bottle, and some Sal Suds to make your wash spray
- An amber spray bottle and some Hydrogen peroxide to make your disinfecting spray
- Swedish dish towels, flannel cloths, or microfiber cloths
- Paper towels for bathrooms.
- A scrubby sponge
- A scrub brush
- A duster
- Trash bags
- Gloves
- Headphones (I like these open ear ones so I can still hear my toddler easily).
Before we get back into our apron talk, let me share something I think you’ll really love — especially if the idea of making every day cleaning easier is something you vibe with.
You know how audiobooks and vibey playlists make cleaning feel easier? What if you could listen to something that actually guides you through every step of your routine — like a friend in your ear telling you what to do next, in timed increments, so you can just clean on autopilot?
That’s exactly what my podcast cleaning routines in my Domestic Daydreams membership are all about. I’ve got a link to some free episodes for you, and a free 30 day trial! You’ll get podcast-style audio you can press play on while you clean — morning routines set to classic audiobooks like Anne of Green Gables and vintage radio shows from the 1940s-50s. I guide you the whole way so you never have to wonder what to do next.
It’s totally free to try for 30 days, so you can see how it feels to have a direction for your cleaning and a little bit of company while you do it — all while your cleaning apron keeps your supplies within reach.
Alright, let’s talk organizing your cleaning apron!
How to Organize It
Cleaning aprons are already designed with organization in mind, so the key is placement.
- Put your most-used items in the easiest-to-reach pockets
- Store sprays upright and balanced
- Use mesh pockets for items that need to dry, like gloves or sponges
- Keep trash bags in the built-in dispenser or back pocket
Once it’s set up, you’re ready to clean anything without stopping to hunt things down! You can click here to get all my links to the products I stock my apron with!
Is a Cleaning Apron Right for You?
Perfect for you if:
- You live in a small to medium-sized home or apartment
- You like keeping your hands free
- You would absolutely forget where you put something the second you set it down
Maybe not for you if:
- You experience back pain (they can get heavy)
- Having something brush against your legs is a sensory issue
Cozy Tip
Cleaning aprons don’t come in many cute options — but that doesn’t mean they can’t be cozy!
Add pins, patches, iron-on decals, or even choose supplies in colors that match your vibe. Your tools are part of your home, too — they deserve to feel intentional and lovely.
One Final Tip
Now that you’ve got your cleaning apron — stocked, organized, and styled — let me share something that completes your entire cleaning experience.
What I wish someone had given me when I first started trying to keep a house clean was a routine I could literally listen to while I work — something that tells me what to do, when to do it, and helps me stay out of decision fatigue… all without sacrificing my weekends to the cleaning gods.
That’s exactly why I created Domestic Daydreams Radio: my membership full of over 200 episodes of guided audio cleaning routines you can press play on while you clean. These aren’t boring checklists — they’re 30-minute episodes that walk you through morning, evening, and even kids’ routines while you listen to audiobooks like Anne of Green Gables or old time radio shows from the 1940s-50s.
✨ And I have a 30 day free trial!
With this free trial you’ll get:
- Morning routines that help you start your day with a clean slate
- Evening routines so you don’t have to wake up to mess anymore
- Episodes you can follow step by step
- And cleaning challenges to help you get caught up!
Click here to listen to some sample episodes and sign up for a 30 day free trial!