Many of us today live hectic lives, so when we finally find a couple of hours to clean house, we want the supplies all together and ready to go. Taking time to hunt down the cleanser or to run to the store for furniture polish can break your stride and divert your attention. Spend an hour or two organizing and stocking your cleaning supplies ahead of time, so when you're ready to start your chores, there won't be any delays.

Begin with finding a storage area for the larger equipment. This could be a tall utility closet or storage enclosure that can be kept in the laundry room, basement, or garage. The cabinet can open with a turn handle or a snap-lock. Even one with a curtain cover, you can keep the dust mop, broom, and wet mop there, along with a bucket, sponges, brushes, and other implements. If you don't have a cabinet, you can still keep these items together in a corner of the laundry room or a hall closet. Just make sure the area is neat, clean, and moisture-free.

Use a wooden, vinyl, or plastic crate for cleaning products like cleansers, polishes, and soaps. Find a safe place to keep the crate where pets and kids are unlikely to come across these things and tamper with them. You may need to use more than one crate to include all your supplies. In fact, you can keep a crate of needed cleaning supplies on each floor of the house, since cleaning needs may differ. For example, if the main bathrooms are on the second floor, the crate for that level will include tub cleaner, sponges, and maybe a little rust treatment if your water is hard. In the basement, though, you may want to keep stronger scrubbing agents and dusters.

Inside the crates, closets, and cupboards, organize your cleaning products in the order you will use them, preferably with the tallest in the back and shorter ones in the front. Make sure that all container caps are secured tightly. Wipe away spilled droplets or powder before putting away your supplies for the next time. Set aside used sponges or cloths for washing so they will be ready for the next use. You will want to occasionally clean the broom, mop, dustpan, and other equipment to keep them neat and germ-free.

When cleaning supplies go on sale, stock up on your favorites and store them in neat cases or on storage shelves at home. This way you can avoid paying top dollar when you run out of something you need and shop in a hurry. If a product has an expiration date, though, just be sure to use it before that date comes up.

Don't wait to check your supplies when you're ready to begin cleaning. It's frustrating to pick up a can of cleaner for the bathroom sink, only to realize it's empty, or near so. Plan ahead, organize your supplies, and save time.