What to Buy for a Cleaning Day
A cleaning day needs more than buckets and cloths. You also need enough tools for each room, a clear way to collect waste, and food and drinks for the people doing the work. This shopping list covers the practical supplies behind cleaning entrances, group rooms, kitchens, restrooms, storage areas, windows and outdoor spaces. Check what is already in stock before shopping, then distribute supplies by room so nobody loses time looking for equipment.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 6
- Folding chairsqty 30
- Clothes racksqty 2
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 30
- Reusable bowlsqty 30
- Reusable cupsqty 40
- Cutlery setsqty 35
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Chef's knifeqty 3
- Mixing bowlsqty 4
- Serving spoonsqty 4
- Serving plattersqty 6
- Thermos flasksqty 3
Equipment
- Coolersqty 3
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
Cleaning
- Bucketsqty 8
- Mop setsqty 6
- Broom setsqty 6
- Dustpan and brushqty 6
- Cleaning glovesqty 30
- Scrub brushesqty 4
- Tractorqty 4
- Spongesqty 12
- Microfiber clothsqty 30
- Litter pickersqty 4
- Waste binsqty 8
- Vacuum cleanerqty 2
- Laddersqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Coffee creamer - 2 tubs
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 4 bottles
- Spa Rood - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 2 cartons
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Snacks - 2 bags
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Bread - 8 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Pedal bin bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Degreaser - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Scouring cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Disposable wipes - 4 packs
Tips
- Plan one complete cleaning set for each active work area where possible: a bucket, mop set, broom set, dustpan and brush, gloves, scrub brushes, sponges and microfiber cloths. This prevents teams from waiting for the same equipment.
- Buy or bring at least one pair of cleaning gloves per person, plus a few spare pairs. Gloves are easy to overlook when counting stock and are needed in kitchens, restrooms and storage rooms.
- Count waste bins and arrange waste collection before the cleaning day. Keep separate bins or collection points ready for the entrance, kitchen, restrooms and outdoor area so rubbish does not pile up in one room.
- Check access equipment before shopping: ladders for windows and doors, litter pickers for the outdoor area, and extension cords and power strips if the vacuum cleaner or other equipment cannot reach every space.
- Plan food and drinks for the full working period, not just the arrival time. Chill drinks in coolers in advance, and count reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery against the number of participants plus a small spare set.
Frequently asked questions
- What cleaning supplies do I need for a cleaning day?
- For each active room, plan a bucket, mop set, broom set, dustpan and brush, gloves, scrub brushes, sponges and microfiber cloths. Add a vacuum cleaner, ladders, litter pickers and waste bins according to the rooms and outdoor areas being cleaned.
- How many cleaning cloths do I need per person?
- Allow around 2 to 3 microfiber cloths per person for a full cleaning session, with extra cloths for the kitchen and restrooms. Keep a separate stack for each room so used cloths are not carried between areas.
- How much food and drink should I buy for a cleaning day?
- Plan food for every participant and the entire working period, with at least 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Add a small buffer for late arrivals and people staying longer.
- When should I buy supplies for a cleaning day?
- Check stock and tools 3 to 7 days before the event, then shop for missing cleaning supplies and catering items no later than the day before. Chill drinks and prepare the food on the day itself, before participants arrive.
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