Cleaning Supplies Storage: 10 Small Apartment Hacks
Brooms, mops, and vacuums are ugly but essential. Learn 10 smart cleaning supplies storage ideas for small apartments that hide them in plain sight.
What's the Deal with Cleaning Tools Storage?
As a professional organizer, I've walked into hundreds of small apartments. And almost every single one has the same problem: cleaning dumped in a corner, leaning against a wall, or stuffed behind a door.
Let's be honest — brooms, mops, vacuums, and cleaning sprays are ugly. They're awkwardly shaped. They don't fold. And in a small apartment, every square inch matters, so these often end up as visual clutter in the most visible spots.
But here's the good news: with a few smart storage solutions, you can hide all your cleaning gear without sacrificing accessibility. In fact, a well-organized cleaning station makes cleaning faster and easier — you'll actually want to do it more.
I've helped dozens of clients transform their cleaning tool chaos into organized systems. Here are 10 practical solutions that work for any small apartment.
1. Install a Wall-Mounted Broom and Mop Organizer
This is the single most impactful change you can make. A wall-mounted organizer with clips and holders keeps brooms, mops, and dustpans off the floor and neatly arranged on a wall.
The best part? You can install it inside a closet, behind a door, or on any narrow wall space. It takes up zero floor space and keeps everything visible and accessible.
Look for organizers with adjustable clips that can hold different handle thicknesses. Some models include a shelf on top for storing spray bottles and dusting .
2. Use an Over-the-Door Organizer for Cleaning Supplies
That blank space behind your pantry door or bathroom door is prime real estate. An over-the-door organizer with adjustable pockets can hold spray bottles, scrub brushes, sponges, and microfiber cloths.
Choose one with clear pockets so you can see what's inside. Or go with a mesh design for breathability — important for wet items like sponges and scrub brushes.
This setup works especially well in rental apartments where you can't drill into walls. It's fully removable with zero damage.
3. Maximize Under-Sink Storage with a Pull-Out Organizer
The space under your kitchen or bathroom sink is often a black hole of cleaning bottles and sponges. A pull-out organizer with tiered shelves changes everything.
Install a U-shaped pipe shelf that fits around your plumbing, giving you two usable levels instead of one. You can store cleaning sprays on the top tier and sponges, gloves, and scrub brushes below.
I recommend using small bins or caddies within the organizer to group similar items — all bathroom cleaners together, all kitchen cleaners together.
4. Create a Cleaning Caddy System
A portable cleaning caddy lets you carry everything you need from room to room. Instead of lugging individual bottles, you grab one caddy and go.
The trick is to have multiple caddies — one for the kitchen, one for the bathroom, and one for general all-purpose cleaning. Stock each caddy with the specific products and you need for that area.
This system saves time and makes cleaning feel less like a chore. You're not running back and forth to grab a forgotten spray bottle.
5. Design a Vacuum and Mop Robot Docking Station
Robot vacuums and mops are becoming standard in small apartments, but their charging stations can be an eyesore. Instead of letting them sit in the middle of a room, create a dedicated docking station.
Find a corner near an outlet and place a small mat underneath. If you have a baseboard or low furniture nearby, the robot can tuck itself partially out of sight while still charging.
For cordless stick vacuums, install a wall-mounted charging dock in a closet or pantry. Many models come with a wall bracket that holds both the vacuum and its accessories.
6. Use a Narrow Gap Cart for Tall Cleaning Tools
The gap between your refrigerator and kitchen cabinet, or between your washer and wall, is perfect for a slim rolling cart. These carts are usually 4-6 inches wide and can hold spray bottles, dusters, and even a slim broom.
The wheels make it easy to pull out when you need something and slide back when you're done. It's essentially invisible storage that uses otherwise wasted space.
Look for a cart with adjustable shelves so you can fit taller bottles on the bottom and smaller items on top.
7. Organize Cleaning Supplies in a Drawer
If you have a spare kitchen or bathroom drawer, dedicate it to cleaning supplies. Use drawer dividers or small bins to separate spray bottles, scrub brushes, gloves, and cloths.
This works best for daily cleaning essentials — a few multi-surface sprays, a sponge, and a microfiber cloth. Keep the heavy-duty (broom, mop, vacuum) elsewhere.
The drawer approach keeps your countertops completely clear and makes daily wipe-downs effortless because everything is right where you need it.
8. Build a Laundry Area Cleaning Station
If you have a washer and dryer in your apartment, the area around them is ideal for a cleaning station. Install a shelf above the machines for storing cleaning supplies, or use a wall-mounted rack for brooms and mops.
This works especially well if your laundry area is in a bathroom or closet — you can keep all cleaning in one place, out of sight from the main living areas.
Add a small bin for dirty cleaning cloths and sponges so they're ready to wash with your next load of laundry.
9. Repurpose a Shoe Rack for Cleaning Products
A clear over-the-door shoe rack is surprisingly versatile for cleaning supplies. The individual pockets are perfect for holding spray bottles, dusters, and scrub brushes.
Hang it on the back of a closet door or inside a pantry. The clear pockets make it easy to see what you have, and the fabric is easy to wipe clean if something spills.
This is one of my favorite budget-friendly hacks — a shoe rack costs a fraction of dedicated cleaning organizers but works just as well.
10. Use a Wall-Mounted Pegboard for Flexible Cleaning Tool Storage
A small pegboard section in your laundry room, pantry, or closet can hold all your cleaning in a customizable layout. Hang brooms, dustpans, spray bottles, and even small vacuum attachments on hooks and pegs.
The beauty of a pegboard is flexibility — you can rearrange the layout whenever your cleaning toolkit changes. Paint it the same color as your wall for a seamless look, or make it a feature with a contrasting color.
I recommend using a pegboard panel about 24x18 inches for most small apartments. It's enough to hold all your essential cleaning without taking up too much wall space.
Quick Comparison: Which Solution Fits Your Space?
| Solution | Best For | Floor Space Needed | Installation | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall-Mounted Organizer | Brooms & mops | None | Drill or adhesive | $ |
| Over-the-Door Organizer | Sprays & brushes | None | No-drill | $ |
| Under-Sink Organizer | Kitchen cleaning | None | Assembly | $$ |
| Cleaning Caddy | Portable cleaning | None | None | $ |
| Robot Docking Station | Robot vacuum | 1 sq ft | Plug-in | $$ |
| Narrow Gap Cart | Tall bottles & brooms | 4-6 inch gap | Assembly | $$ |
| Cleaning Drawer | Daily essentials | Drawer space | None | $ |
| Laundry Station | Washer/dryer area | Varies | Shelf or drill | $$ |
| Shoe Rack Hack | Spray bottles | None | No-drill | $ |
| Pegboard System | Full toolkit | None | Drill | $$ |
The Bottom Line
You don't need a big apartment to have organized cleaning . The key is using vertical space, hidden gaps, and multi-functional organizers. Start with one or two solutions from this list — the wall-mounted broom organizer and the under-sink pull-out are the highest-impact changes you can make.
Remember, the best storage system is one you'll actually use. Choose solutions that match your cleaning habits, not the other way around. A simple system you maintain beats a complex one you ignore.
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