There are a couple rules-of-thumb when it comes to successfully keeping your home clean. One of those rules is that you should always keep your cleaning supplies in one place, and you should always put them back when you’re done using them. A cleaning caddy meets both those criteria, and – bonus – makes carrying household cleaners from room to room super easy! I’ve been wanting to incorporate a carrier into my cleaning routine for a while now, and rather than purchase a cheap-looking plastic one that will surely break over time, I opted to make one instead.
The plus side to making rather than buying a cleaning caddy is I could build it a little smaller than the store-standard sizes. Living in a smaller apartment, I’m always looking for ways to save on storage space!
Materials
- 5 pieces of wood, measuring 6 by 12 inches each, with a 3/8 inch width
- Cordless drill with drill bit (available at Home Depot)
- Sandpaper
- Wood stain and foam brush
- Rope or twine
- Hand saw or table saw
- Wood glue and masking tape (not pictured)
Step
Begin by lining up the pieces of wood. Lay the first board on the bottom, and the second standing on its side flush with the edge of the bottom piece. Line a third board on top of the bottom board, and make a mark where it reaches the second board. This mark will lie about 5 1/2 inches from the edge of the board.
Step
Make this mark on the opposite side of the board. Do the same for a fourth board. Next, make a mark in the middle of each board, and draw a line from the first marks to the middle point. About 1 1/2 inches down from the top, draw another line. This marks out what wood will be cut in the next step.
Step
Cut along the drawn lines using a hand saw or a table saw. About 1 1/2 inch down from the pointed top of the cut boards, drill a 1/4 inch hole using a power drill. Sand all rough edges.
Step
Assemble the caddy using wood glue. Use masking tape to hold the pieces in place as they dry. Wipe up any excess glue with a damp paper towel before the glue dries.
Step
Apply a layer of wood stain to the entire caddy. Wipe the wood with a dry paper towel once it has reached the desired darkness of stain, then let dry completely.
Step
Feed rope or twine through the drilled holes the cleaning caddy. Knot the rope on each end. Done!
I’m really hoping that having such a cute cleaning caddy will encourage me to clean more around my apartment. Fingers crossed!
Now that the cleaning supplies are in order, let’s tackle the spice rack with this simple system!
Creating a DIY wood-cleaning caddy is such a clever and practical project! It’s amazing how a simple organizational tool can transform the efficiency of your cleaning routine, making it easier to keep all your supplies in one handy spot. From personal experience, having everything organized and accessible not only saves time but also makes the task of cleaning less daunting. This kind of DIY project not only adds a personal touch to your home but also encourages a more organized lifestyle.