For Diwali cleaning you need microfibre cloths, a mop and bucket, a broom, a squeegee for glass, an extendable duster for fans, a glass cleaner, a kitchen degreaser, a bathroom cleaner, brass polish (or lemon, salt and tamarind), rubber gloves, scrub brushes, garbage bags and a sturdy step stool. You can start with a small kit and add the rest as you go; the budget tiers below show what to buy first.
Tick items off as you buy them. Your progress is saved on this phone, you can print the list, and one tap sends it to the family WhatsApp group. The amounts suit a 2 to 3 bedroom home, so scale up or down. Diwali is on Sunday 8 November 2026, so plan to start cleaning about three weeks before. Our room-by-room cleaning plan tells you what to clean when.
Cloths, brushes and basics
These do most of the work in every room, so buy them first.
- Microfibre cloths (माइक्रोफाइबर कपड़े): a pack of about 10, for dusting, glass and wiping. Use one colour for the kitchen and another for the rest of the house.
- Scrub brushes (ब्रश): a set of two to four, in different sizes, for grout, taps and corners.
- Sponges and scrub pads: a pack of six, kept separate for the kitchen and the bathroom.
- Broom (झाड़ू): one soft broom for floors and one stiff one for balconies and terraces.
- Dustpan: one, with a rubber edge so it sweeps cleanly.
- Two buckets (बाल्टी): one for clean water and one for rinsing.
See ideas on Amazon.in
Floors and mopping
- Mop with bucket (पोछा): a spin mop is quick on large floors, while a flat microfibre mop is gentler on tiles and wood. See mops with buckets on Amazon
- Floor cleaner: one bottle that suits your floor type. Check the label for marble, which should never get acidic cleaners.
- Spare mop heads: two, so you can swap while one dries.
- Rubber doormat: one for the entrance, to keep the cleaned floor clean on Diwali night.
Kitchen
- Kitchen degreaser spray: one bottle for the chimney, hob, tiles and cabinet fronts. See kitchen degreasers on Amazon
- Baking soda (बेकिंग सोडा): a 500 g pack, for sinks, stainless steel and stubborn marks. See baking soda on Amazon
- Dish brushes and steel scrubbers: two of each.
- Shelf liners or newspaper: enough for the cabinets you are emptying.
- Containers or boxes: a few, to hold items while you clean shelves.
Bathrooms
- Bathroom tile cleaner: one bottle, for tiles, taps and glass. See bathroom cleaners on Amazon
- Toilet cleaner and brush: one of each, kept only for the toilet.
- Disinfectant: one bottle, for door handles and taps after cleaning. Do not spray it on switches or sockets.
- Old toothbrush: one, for grout and tap bases.
Windows, fans and walls
- Squeegee (वाइपर): one, for windows and glass doors.
- Glass cleaner: one 500 ml spray bottle.
- Extendable duster: one, for fans, high shelves and cobwebs on the ceiling. Switch the fan off and let it stop completely before you reach for it.
- Soft sponge and a bucket of mild soapy water: for walls, wrung out well so it never drips. For switchboards, switch off at the MCB first, use only a barely damp cloth (never a dripping sponge, and never a spray), dry the board completely before you switch the power back on, and skip switchboards entirely if you are unsure.
- Newspaper: for drying glass without streaks and for covering furniture.
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Brass, copper and puja items
- Brass and copper polish: one bottle, for lamps, thalis and idols. See brass polish on Amazon
- Tamarind (इमली), lemon (नींबू) and salt (नमक): the traditional alternative to polish, and cheap if you already have them at home.
- Soft cloths and an old toothbrush: for corners and carving.
- A dry towel: to dry each piece straight after rinsing.
Safety and disposal
- Rubber gloves (दस्ताने): two pairs, one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom.
- Face masks: a pack of masks for dusty jobs, such as cleaning fans and cupboards.
- Sturdy step stool: one with a non-slip base. Never stand on a chair or a stack of boxes.
- Garbage bags: a large pack, plus a separate bag for items to donate.
See ideas on Amazon.in
How much should you budget?
Choose the tier you are comfortable with and buy in the order shown. Prices change daily and vary by brand and seller, so check the current price before you pay.
| Your budget | What to buy first |
|---|---|
| Under ₹500 | The essentials: a pack of microfibre cloths and rubber gloves. Use baking soda, lemon, salt and tamarind from your kitchen for sinks and brass, and old newspaper for glass. |
| ₹500 to ₹1,000 | Add garbage bags, a glass cleaner, a kitchen degreaser, a bathroom cleaner and a set of scrub brushes. |
| ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 | Add a squeegee, an extendable duster and brass polish, plus a basic mop and bucket if you do not own one. |
| ₹2,000 and above | Add a spin mop with spare heads, a sturdy step stool and a pack of face masks, choosing mid-range tools you can keep using after Diwali. |
If you already own a mop, a broom, a step stool and a few brushes, you can stay in the lower tiers and spend only on the cleaners and consumables.
What can you make at home, and what should you avoid?
Brass and copper clean well with ingredients from your kitchen. For tarnished brass, spread a paste of tamarind pulp and salt, leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse and dry it straight away. A cut lemon, dipped in baking soda for stubborn marks, also works.
For copper, a paste of equal parts salt and vinegar, or half a lemon dipped in salt, does the job. Always dry the piece completely after rinsing, or water spots and green marks come back. Antique brass is the exception: polishing it can reduce its value, so ask before you scrub.
Be careful with acids on stone. Vinegar and lemon can etch marble and some natural stone, so use a floor cleaner made for stone on those surfaces, and test a hidden corner first. For lacquered brass, skip the abrasive pastes and wipe with a soft damp cloth, because scrubbing takes the coating off.
What should you never mix?
Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners, with vinegar or with any other acid, including many toilet and limescale cleaners, because the combinations release toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse the surface with water before you switch to another cleaner, and read the label for any warnings.
Open windows when you use strong cleaners, keep children and pets out of the room, and wear gloves. If you feel dizzy or your eyes or throat burn, step outside into fresh air and stop.
What should you skip?
- A cleaner for every surface. One glass cleaner, one degreaser and one bathroom cleaner cover most homes. A shelf of ten bottles costs more and mostly sits unused.
- Heavy acid cleaners for floors. They damage grout and polished tiles. Choose a floor cleaner that suits your flooring.
- Very cheap brushes and mops. They shed bristles and strands and need replacing mid-job, so buy mid-range tools you can reuse after Diwali.
- Buying at the last minute. Popular items can sell out close to Diwali, so buy in the first week of your clean-up.
A shopping order that saves time
- Three weeks before Diwali: the starter kit (cloths, gloves, glass cleaner, degreaser, garbage bags, brushes, baking soda).
- Two weeks before: floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, brass polish and anything missing from the list above.
- One week before: replacement bags and sponges, and the shopping for the puja. Our puja samagri list has a tick-off checklist for it.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for Diwali cleaning?
Microfibre cloths, a mop and bucket, a broom, a squeegee, an extendable duster, glass cleaner, a kitchen degreaser, a bathroom cleaner, brass polish or lemon, salt and tamarind, rubber gloves, scrub brushes, garbage bags and a step stool.
How much does Diwali cleaning cost?
It depends on what you already own, so choose a tier. Under ₹500 covers the essentials (cloths and gloves, plus kitchen ingredients for brass and sinks). ₹500 to ₹1,000 adds bags, cleaners and brushes. ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 adds a squeegee, an extendable duster, brass polish and a basic mop. Above ₹2,000 adds a spin mop, a step stool and masks. Prices change daily, so check the current price before you pay.
When should I start Diwali cleaning?
About three weeks before Lakshmi Puja, which is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Our room-by-room plan lays out what to do each week.
How do I clean brass lamps and thalis at home?
Spread a paste of tamarind and salt, leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, rinse, and dry the piece straight away. A cut lemon with baking soda also works. Test a small spot first on lacquered or antique pieces.
Is it safe to mix cleaning products?
No. Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners, vinegar or other acids (including many toilet and limescale cleaners), because they release toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between products, ventilate the room and wear gloves.
How do I clean switchboards safely?
Switch off the power at the MCB first. Use only a barely damp cloth, never spray liquid on the board, and dry it completely before you switch the power back on. If you are unsure, skip the switchboards.
Your next step: buy the starter kit this week, tick off what you already own, and open the room-by-room cleaning plan to decide where to begin. For the festival itself, see the five-day Diwali calendar and our decoration ideas for your home.
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