If we have a war, stock these cleaning products now! When disaster looms or global tensions rise, most people think about food, water, and first aid. But experienced preppers and emergency planners know that sanitation is just as critical to survival and family health. Dirty living conditions breed illness, and illness in a crisis can be far more dangerous than the crisis itself.
Whether you’re building a bunker supply, filling a storage room, or simply thinking ahead for your family, stocking the right cleaning products now can make an enormous difference later. Here is a breakdown of essential cleaning supplies to prioritize before things get tough.
When I grew up living with my grandmother after my parents divorced, my grandmother had a canister vacuum that we poured some “Pine-Sol” into a container, and when you vacuumed the whole house would smell like it. I loved it! Well, here’s the deal: a week after we were married, Mark left for basic training in California at Ft Ord. Shortly after his basic training was completed, he mentioned he wished I would use a cleaner other than Pine-Sol when cleaning the house. I think it reminded him of cleaning the latrines; he doesn’t remember the story. But I do. I never used it again. LOL!
If We Have A War: Stock These Cleaning Products
Unscented Bleach
Unscented bleach is arguably the single most important cleaning product you can stockpile. It disinfects surfaces, purifies water in an emergency, sanitizes food preparation areas, and kills a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The unscented variety is preferred because it contains no additives that could interfere with water purification or cause respiratory issues in enclosed spaces.
Standard household bleach has a shelf life of around 6 to 12 months, so rotate your supply regularly and store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. A little goes a long way when diluted correctly, making it one of the most cost-effective items on this list. I understand some people won’t use bleach. Well, listen up, unless you’ve cleaned a home after a disaster or flood, you need bleach to effectively clean. Lots of bleach and lots of gloves.
Bleach: Everything You Need to Know
Homemade Laundry Soap
In a prolonged emergency, commercial laundry detergent may run out or become unavailable. Knowing how to make your own laundry soap and keeping the ingredients on hand is a skill and a supply strategy that can serve your family for months or years. The basic recipe typically calls for washing soda, borax, and a bar of soap such as Fels-Naptha or castile soap.
These ingredients can be stored virtually indefinitely when kept dry, making them ideal for long-term stockpiling. Homemade laundry soap cleans effectively, is gentle on sensitive skin, and can be made in large batches inexpensively. Learning to make it before you need it is the smart move.
Laundry Detergent Supplies and Glass Jar
DIY Laundry Detergent/Soap
Ingredients
- 1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap-grated either by hand, food processor, or salad shooter
- 1 cup Borax Detergent Booster
- 1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (not regular baking soda)
Instructions
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Grate the bar of soap by hand, or use an electric vegetable grater.
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Put these 3 ingredients in a blender to blend.
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After doing this, it will look just like the store-purchased detergent, but will not include all the “fillers."
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You will use less product per load and will have fewer “soap bubbles."
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Remember, just having bubbles doesn’t mean clean. I use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per load, depending on the size of the load.
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I have a HE-High Efficiency washer, and it works great in regular washing machines as well.
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Store the finished product in an airtight container, preferably glass to keep it dry.
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I store some in 5-gallon buckets, but I don't live where it's humid. Just giving you the heads up.
White Distilled Vinegar or Special Cleaning Vinegar (It’s different)
White distilled vinegar is one of the most versatile cleaning agents available, and it’s been used in homes for decades. It cuts through grease, removes mineral deposits, deodorizes, and has mild disinfecting properties against some bacteria. In wartime or crisis scenarios, vinegar becomes especially valuable because it’s non-toxic, safe around children and pets, and can serve a dual purpose in food preservation and cooking.
A gallon jug takes up minimal space and costs very little. Stock several gallons and store them in a dark, room-temperature location. Vinegar doesn’t expire, which makes it one of the easiest long-term storage wins on this list. Regular White Vinegar 5%, and Special Cleaning Vinegar
Dawn Platinum Dish Soap
Not all dish soaps are created equal, and Dawn Platinum stands apart for its degreasing power and versatility. Beyond washing dishes, Dawn can be used to clean tools, remove grease from clothing, wash produce, and even help in pest control around the home.
Wildlife rescue organizations famously rely on it to clean oil-soaked animals, underscoring its effectiveness at cutting through heavy grime without harsh chemicals. Dawn Platinum is concentrated, so a single bottle goes further than most competitors. Stock a few large bottles in your supply, and you’ll have a workhorse product that earns its shelf space many times over. If you have a casserole dish with baked-on food, try this gem; it’s magical. Dawn Platinum Dish Soap
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap
Dr. Bronner’s is a legendary multi-purpose soap that can replace an entire cabinet of products in a survival situation. It works as a hand soap, body wash, shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, and even a household cleaner when diluted appropriately. The pure castile formula is biodegradable, concentrated, and made with simple ingredients, making it gentler on the environment and your family.
A single large bottle of Dr. Bronner’s can be diluted and used for dozens of applications, making it one of the most space-efficient items to store. The unscented Baby version is a good choice for families with young children or sensitive skin. Just so you know, I love natural cleaners; some work, some don’t. I think it’s a personal thing. I still like my favorite commercial cleaners, so buy your favorites that you know work. Dr. Bronner’s Soap
Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner
When you need to scrub down hard surfaces quickly and effectively, Mr. Clean delivers reliable results. This multi-surface cleaner tackles floors, countertops, walls, and appliances without leaving behind heavy residue. In a crisis where maintaining clean living quarters is essential for preventing the spread of germs and illness, having a dedicated heavy-duty cleaner is important. Mr. Clean is also available in concentrated form, which significantly extends your supply. Store several bottles among your emergency supplies and rest easy knowing your home surfaces can stay sanitary even under difficult conditions. Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner
Window Cleaner
Clean windows and glass surfaces may seem like a cosmetic concern, but in a crisis setting, they serve a practical purpose. Smeared or dirty windows reduce visibility, which matters whether you’re monitoring your surroundings or simply letting in natural light during a power outage. A good window cleaner also works well on mirrors, glass food storage containers, and vehicle windshields.
Stock at least a few bottles of your preferred brand, or make your own by mixing water, white vinegar, and a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Either way, this is an inexpensive item that pulls its weight in a well-rounded cleaning supply kit. I LOVE clean windows, there I said it. I used to have them cleaned monthly in Southern Utah; now we do them ourselves. So we’re lucky if it’s once a year. Window Cleaner
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Clorox disinfecting wipes are a convenience item that becomes a necessity in a prolonged emergency. When water is scarce, or plumbing is compromised, these wipes let you quickly disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and bathroom fixtures without a bucket, mop, or running water.
They are individually moistened and ready to use straight out of the canister, which is a significant advantage when speed or simplicity matters. Keep multiple canisters on hand and rotate them, since they have a shelf life of around 2 years. Their portability also makes them useful in vehicles or in situations where you may need to move quickly.
Don Aslett Toilet Cleaning Products
Don Aslett built a career around professional cleaning science, and his toilet cleaning line reflects that expertise. His products are designed to be tough on stains, mineral deposits, and bacteria, yet straightforward to use without professional training. In a survival scenario where waterborne illness is a genuine concern, keeping toilets and bathroom surfaces clean is not a luxury but a public health necessity.
Don Aslett’s formulas are effective even with minimal scrubbing, which matters when energy and water may both be in short supply. If you’re not already familiar with his product line, it’s worth looking into as you build out your emergency cleaning kit. This may seem weird, but Sunday is my bathroom cleaning day. It literally makes me so happy for the week to have clean bathrooms. What’s funny, I only have two bathrooms, and one is a 1/2 bath, so life is easier in this small home.
Clorox Clinging Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Toilet hygiene is one of the most overlooked aspects of emergency preparedness, and neglecting it can have serious health consequences. Clorox Clinging Toilet Bowl Cleaner is specifically formulated to stick to the bowl surface rather than run off immediately, giving the disinfecting bleach formula time to work and kill germs effectively.
This clinging action is especially important when water pressure is reduced, and flushing is less forceful. A clean toilet bowl helps prevent the spread of intestinal illness, which can spread rapidly through a household under stress. Stock several bottles and make toilet sanitation a non-negotiable part of your emergency hygiene plan. I confess, I am a clean toilet lover. I have to have clean bathrooms. Clorox Clinging Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Lysol Disinfectant Spray
Lysol Disinfectant Spray is one of the most effective and fast-acting surface disinfectants available to the average household, and it deserves a dedicated spot in any emergency cleaning stockpile. Unlike wipes or liquid cleaners that require direct contact and scrubbing, Lysol spray can reach into corners, crevices, fabric surfaces, and hard-to-wipe areas that other products simply can’t. It kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on soft surfaces like mattresses, pillows, couch cushions, and curtains, which is a capability very few other products on this list can match. Lysol Disinfectant Spray
In a wartime or crisis scenario where people are living in close quarters and medical care may be limited or unavailable, controlling the spread of illness through your immediate environment becomes critically important. A single can covers a large area quickly, making it ideal for disinfecting a room after someone has been sick. Stock several cans, store them at room temperature, away from heat sources, and make sure every member of your household knows to use them on both hard and soft surfaces during a health emergency. Just think of the bacteria on TV remotes, light switches, door knobs, you get the idea. It’s not good.
20 Items For Emergency Cleaning Buckets
Final Word
Building a cleaning supply stockpile isn’t about paranoia. It’s about protecting your family’s health when the systems and supply chains we normally rely on are disrupted. Disease, infection, and illness are historically far more dangerous to civilian populations in wartime than direct conflict, and most of those health threats come down to sanitation. The products on this list are affordable, widely available right now, and proven in real-world use. Start building your supply a little at a time, rotate your stock to keep it fresh, and make sure every adult in your household knows where supplies are kept and how to use them. Preparedness is simply another form of love for your family. May God bless this world, Linda
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