Should You Buy Bulk Household Supplies for Your Cleaning Business?

Is It Worth It to Buy Cleaning Supplies in Bulk?

In many cases, yes! As a cleaning business owner, you’re likely continually looking for efficient ways to save time and money. Buying cleaning supplies in bulk can help you keep your inventory stocked while cutting costs.

Below, learn more about the top benefits of buying bulk cleaning supplies.

You’ll Have More Control of Your Budget

When you buy cleaning products in bulk, you get wholesale prices and reduce operational costs. For example, say a single container of disinfecting wipes costs $5. A pack of 12 of the same disinfecting wipes may be priced around $24, equivalent to $2 per container.

Saving money by purchasing wholesale cleaning products will allow you to allocate your budget better. Sticking to your budget for cleaning items will enable you to fund other expenditures of your cleaning business.

You’ll Save Time and Better Manage Inventory

Running errands all over town just to buy one or two cleaning products for your next cleaning project is time you could have spent on another client. After all, time is money.

By buying bulk, not only will you cut your shopping time in half, but you will also have less room for error when tracking your inventory.

For example, say you buy a box of disinfectants that comes in a pack of 20. Rather than having to repeatedly count each bottle to ensure you have enough inventory for upcoming cleaning projects, you’ll already know you have at least 20 and can plan accordingly.

You’ll Seamlessly Handle Emergencies

Accidents can happen at any time. For example, say a member of your cleaning crew spills a bottle of cleaning solution. Rather than rushing to the store, keeping bulk cleaning items stored in your company vehicle at all times will help you instantly deal with such emergencies and unexpected situations.

Having your cleaning supplies well-stocked can also help you be prepared for busy seasons in your business.

10 Top Cleaning Supplies to Buy in Bulk

Although not all cleaning products are safe to buy in bulk, the items we have hand-picked below have a relatively long shelf life so you won’t have to worry about wasting any supplies.

Good Housekeeping recommends using the following rules of thumb when it comes to expiration dates and buying cleaning supplies in bulk:

• Disinfectants: 2 years
• Multi-surface cleaners: 2 years
• Cleaners with antibacterial ingredients: 1 year
• Laundry detergent: 6 to 12 months

That said, here are the top 10 wholesale cleaning supplies worth purchasing for your cleaning business.

1. Paper Towels

No matter what cleaning industry you are in, paper towels play a central role in cleaning and should be well-stocked at all times. Buying them in bulk can come in handy since they’re used so frequently.

2. Microfiber Cloths

According to Ever Plush, microfiber cloths are about 7 times more effective than traditional cleaning cloths. They can impressively pick up specks of dust that would normally be missed. They’re also incredibly absorbent and perfect for all types of messes and surfaces. Both of these features will help you use less cleaning products, further saving you money.

Microfiber cloths can help you enhance every cleaning process — increasing customer satisfaction.

3. Rubber Gloves

Apartment Therapy shares that, by wearing protective rubber gloves, “you’ll have a better grip, your skin will be protected from the harsh combo of hot water and soap, and you can use hotter water — effectively killing more germs.”

Protect your hands from grime and harsh chemicals by adding bulk rubber gloves to your inventory.

4. Disinfectant Wipes

When spraying disinfectants, chemicals are being forced into the air which can be dangerous for you and your clients. For instance, hazardous chemicals can be inhaled and land on food and utensils. Disinfectant wipes may be a more efficient and safer choice for your business.

Additionally, rather than buying disinfectant bottles that can potentially spill or break, buying disinfectant wipes in bulk may be the better choice to help you save money long-term and keep your inventory stocked.

5. Trash Bags

Trash bags are prone to tears, causing wet and sticky messes that may lead to slips and falls. The Strategist suggests purchasing a bulk of sturdy trash bags recommended by other professional cleaners to avoid such accidents.

6. Multi-Purpose Cleaner

An all-purpose cleaner is one of the most effective and commonly used products for removing dirt, stains, and grease. Buying bulk multi-purpose cleaners is a great idea as they “usually last two years unopened, which gives you plenty of time for using them,” according to Real Simple.

7. Laundry Detergent

Professional cleaners often provide laundering services, as they can earn an extra $20 to $35 per bag of laundry.

Buying bulk laundry detergent can be very profitable, especially if you work with vacation rental hosts and property managers who need their blankets, duvets, and linens washed before every check-in.

8. Vinegar

Homes and Gardens shares that, “vinegar is very effective at cleaning precisely because of the acid, which will break down grease, grime, and dirt easily.”

That is why even professional cleaners clean with vinegar. Best yet, it has an “almost indefinite” shelf life, so buying and storing vinegar in bulk for your cleaning business is safe.

9. Degreaser

Degreaser is another powerful cleaning agent that can be used to clean kitchens, bathrooms, and even pet messes. Bulk degreasers are safe to stock up on as long as you use them within 6 to 12 months, according to Good Housekeeping.

10. Dish Soap

Many times, clients ask professional cleaners to wash the dishes in addition to their standard cleaning duties. If you want to go the extra mile and offer to wash dishes for your clients for extra cash, having dish soap in bulk can help you save time and effort.

Where to Buy Bulk Cleaning Supplies

You can buy bulk cleaning supplies on Amazon where you can easily manage frequency and delivery schedule.

Other distributors that sell online direct to consumers, such as Wholesale Janitorial Supply and Bargain Wholesale, are also great options. They are focused on providing cleaning experts like you with the best selection and quality products for your business.

If you’re a more hands-on professional cleaner, you can also schedule a monthly trip to a local wholesale store, such as Costco, BJ’s, or Sam’s Club. You can find all your cleaning essentials from these retailers, while also saving time and money.

Stock Up on Bulk Cleaning Supplies for Your Cleaning Business

Buying cleaning supplies in bulk saves you extra trips to the store, giving you more time to focus on other aspects of your business. It also allows you to save your budget, organize your inventory, and be more prepared for emergencies.

Once you’ve stocked up on all your needed supplies, you can further optimize your cleaning business with the free Taskbird app. Our user-friendly platform will help you streamline management, communication, and scheduling among your cleaning crew.