Tools and tables
Essentials reference
About ninety things a first household may need, by room and phase, with what to check before you accept one used. Filter by room or phase; nothing here is a shopping list until you make it one.
This is the full list behind your essentials list. The list is seeded with the first-night, first-week and first-month rows that fit your setup; this page also shows the later rows and the ones your setup left out. Essentials in phases explains the phases and the have, borrow, secondhand or buy decision.
How to read the table
- Phase is this manual's convention for when an item is usually needed: the first night, the first week, the first month, or later. Convention Your own days set it; move any item.
- Used? says what to check before buying or accepting the item secondhand. Fine used means no agency check applies beyond your own look. Search recalls first means look the product up at CPSC's recall search (the Consumer Product Safety Commission). Check for bed bugs first means inspect the seams, piping, tags and cracks as EPA describes before it comes inside. Do not accept used is CPSC's rule for cribs made before June 28, 2011 and drop-side cribs. Consumable means it gets used up.
- Source names the agency or organization behind the note. "Convention" means the row is this manual's own starting list.
Limits
A recall search and a bed bug check reduce the chance of bringing home a recalled or infested item; they do not prove an item is safe. Car seats, helmets and medical devices are outside this manual and this table. The table gives no prices and does not say what to spend.
The table
| Item | Room or need | Phase | Used? | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A mattress or bed to sleep on | Sleep | First night | Check for bed bugs first | Check seams, piping and tags before it comes inside. | EPA |
| Sheets, pillow and blanket | Sleep | First night | Check for bed bugs first | Wash and dry used bedding on high heat before use. | EPA |
| Phone charger by the bed | Sleep | First night | Fine used | Also the alarm clock for most people. | Convention |
| A bed for the child (crib or toddler bed) | Sleep | First night | Do not accept used | No crib made before June 28, 2011 and no drop-side crib. Search recalls for any other. | CPSC |
| Mattress encasement | Sleep | First week | Check for bed bugs first | EPA names encasements for the mattress and box spring. | EPA |
| Curtains or blinds for the bedroom | Sleep | First week | Search recalls first | Cordless where children live or visit. | CPSC |
| Hangers | Sleep | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Laundry hamper | Sleep | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Bed frame | Sleep | First month | Check for bed bugs first | Bed bugs hide in frame and headboard cracks. | EPA |
| Dresser or drawers | Sleep | First month | Search recalls first | Anchor it to the wall, or ask the landlord in writing first. | CPSC |
| Toilet paper | Bathroom | First night | Consumable | Convention | |
| Hand soap | Bathroom | First night | Consumable | Convention | |
| Towels, bath and hand | Bathroom | First night | Fine used | Wash used towels before use. | Convention |
| Toothbrush and toiletries | Bathroom | First night | Consumable | Convention | |
| Shower curtain and liner (if no door) | Bathroom | First night | Consumable | Convention | |
| Plunger (a flange plunger fits a toilet) | Bathroom | First night | Fine used | Start with this before any drain cleaner. | InterNACHI, Poison Control |
| Medicines you take, in child-resistant containers | Bathroom | First night | Consumable | Up high and out of sight where children live or visit. | Up and Away |
| Toilet brush | Bathroom | First week | Consumable | Convention | |
| Bath mat | Bathroom | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Small trash can | Bathroom | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| First-aid kit | Bathroom | First week | Consumable | The Red Cross lists the contents for a family of four. | Red Cross |
| Pot with a lid | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | A lid within reach also covers a pan fire. | USFA |
| Frying pan | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| A sharp knife | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Two cutting boards (raw meat; everything else) | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Replace a board that is deeply grooved. | FSIS |
| Spatula, spoon and tongs | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Plates, bowls, cups and cutlery | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Manual can opener | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Ready.gov lists one in the emergency kit. | Ready.gov |
| Appliance thermometers (fridge and freezer) | Kitchen | First week | Consumable | Fridge at 40°F or below, freezer at 0°F or below. | FSIS |
| Shallow food containers with lids | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Shallow for cooling leftovers; sealed against pests. | FSIS, EPA |
| Dish rack or drying towel | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Oven mitts or pot holders | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Kitchen trash can with a lid | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | EPA: tightly covered cans, emptied often. | EPA |
| Labelled shelf or bin for your food | Kitchen | First week | Fine used | For a shared kitchen or fridge. | Convention |
| Measuring cups and spoons | Kitchen | First month | Fine used | Convention | |
| Baking sheet | Kitchen | First month | Fine used | Also covers a pan fire. | USFA |
| Colander | Kitchen | First month | Fine used | Convention | |
| Microwave (if the home has none) | Kitchen | First month | Search recalls first | Convention | |
| Kettle or coffee maker | Kitchen | Later | Search recalls first | Convention | |
| Toaster or toaster oven | Kitchen | Later | Search recalls first | Convention | |
| Other small appliances | Kitchen | Later | Search recalls first | Buy them after a month of cooking shows what you use. | Convention |
| Dish soap | Cleaning | First night | Consumable | Convention | |
| Sponges or a dish brush | Cleaning | First night | Consumable | Replace sponges often. | Cardinale et al. 2017 |
| Trash bags | Cleaning | First night | Consumable | Convention | |
| All-purpose cleaner | Cleaning | First week | Consumable | Read the label for surfaces and contact time. | EPA |
| Bathroom cleaner | Cleaning | First week | Consumable | Acid toilet and tile cleaners never go with bleach. | Poison Control |
| Cleaning cloths | Cleaning | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Broom and dustpan | Cleaning | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Rubber gloves | Cleaning | First week | Consumable | Wear what the label recommends. | CDC |
| Scrub brush | Cleaning | First week | Consumable | Convention | |
| Unscented household bleach | Cleaning | First month | Consumable | For sanitizing by the label, or CDC's ratio when the label gives none. | CDC, FSIS |
| Mop or vacuum | Cleaning | First month | Search recalls first | EPA advises vacuuming often in bed bug prevention. | EPA |
| Laundry detergent | Laundry | First week | Consumable | Packets stay in their original container, out of sight and reach of children. | CPSC |
| Bag or basket to carry laundry | Laundry | First week | Fine used | In shared machines, carry laundry in a plastic bag. | EPA |
| Quarters or a laundry card | Laundry | First week | Consumable | Convention | |
| Drying rack | Laundry | First month | Fine used | Convention | |
| Stain remover | Laundry | First month | Consumable | Treat stains before drying. | Texas A&M AgriLife |
| Iron | Laundry | Later | Search recalls first | Convention | |
| Flashlight | Light and power | First night | Fine used | Ready.gov lists one in the emergency kit. | Ready.gov |
| Spare bulbs, chosen by lumens | Light and power | First month | Consumable | 800 lumens replaces an old 60 W bulb. | ENERGY STAR |
| Floor or desk lamp (if few fixtures) | Light and power | First month | Search recalls first | Convention | |
| Power strip (temporary use only) | Light and power | First month | Search recalls first | Never with a major appliance or space heater. | USFA, ESFI |
| A chair | Seating and surfaces | First week | Check for bed bugs first | Check seams and cushions if it is upholstered. | EPA |
| A table or desk surface | Seating and surfaces | First month | Fine used | Measure the space and the delivery route first. | Convention |
| Bookcase or shelving | Seating and surfaces | First month | Search recalls first | Anchor it, or ask the landlord in writing first. | CPSC |
| Sofa | Seating and surfaces | Later | Check for bed bugs first | Check seams, cushions and cracks before it comes inside. | EPA |
| TV and a sturdy, low stand | Seating and surfaces | Later | Search recalls first | Anchor the TV, or keep it low and pushed back. | CPSC |
| Rug with a non-slip pad | Seating and surfaces | Later | Fine used | No cords under rugs. | USFA |
| Latching or high cabinet for medicines and cleaners | Storage | First week | Fine used | Where a child lives or visits. | AAP, CPSC |
| Bins and labels for the first sort | Storage | First month | Consumable | Start with one small area. | MSU Extension |
| Under-bed bins | Storage | First month | Fine used | Extension specialists name under beds for small homes. | USU Extension |
| Over-the-door hooks | Storage | First month | Fine used | No holes needed. | Convention |
| Sealed containers for dry food | Storage | First month | Fine used | Glass or plastic with lids keeps pests out. | EPA |
| Shoe rack | Storage | Later | Fine used | Convention | |
| Tape measure | Tools | First week | Fine used | Measure before buying furniture. | Convention |
| Utility knife | Tools | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Screwdrivers, flat and Phillips | Tools | First month | Fine used | InterNACHI | |
| Pliers and an adjustable wrench | Tools | First month | Fine used | InterNACHI | |
| Duct tape | Tools | First month | Consumable | InterNACHI | |
| Furniture anti-tip kit | Tools | First month | Consumable | Renters ask the landlord before drilling. | CPSC |
| Level | Tools | Later | Fine used | InterNACHI | |
| Safety glasses | Tools | Later | Fine used | InterNACHI | |
| Stud finder (if anchoring is allowed) | Tools | Later | Fine used | CPSC names one among anchoring tools. | CPSC |
| Picture hooks (if the lease allows holes) | Tools | Later | Consumable | Convention | |
| Smoke alarm where one is missing | Safety | First night | Consumable | Renters ask the landlord in writing; NFPA says replace alarms 10 years after the manufacture date. | USFA, NFPA |
| CO alarm (fuel-burning appliance or attached garage) | Safety | First night | Consumable | Renters ask the landlord in writing. | NFPA, USFA, CPSC |
| Outlet covers | Safety | First week | Consumable | Ones a child cannot remove or choke on. | CPSC |
| Window stops (landlord installs or approves) | Safety | First week | Consumable | So windows open no more than 4 inches; screens do not stop falls. | CPSC |
| Fire extinguisher (multipurpose ABC) | Safety | First month | Search recalls first | Look for a UL or ULC label; check the gauge. | USFA |
| A spare key with someone you trust | Safety | First month | Fine used | Convention | |
| Emergency kit and stored water | Safety | Later | Consumable | Water: a gallon per person per day for several days. | Ready.gov |
| Copy of the lease or association documents | Paperwork | First night | Fine used | Convention | |
| Folder or binder for records and receipts | Paperwork | First week | Fine used | Convention | |
| Envelope for a month of receipts | Paperwork | First week | Consumable | For the CFPB spending tracker. | CFPB |
| Insurance policy papers (if you have a policy) | Paperwork | First month | Fine used | This manual defines the terms; it does not say whether to buy. | NAIC |
| Pet food, bowls, litter or leash | Pets | First night | Fine used | Convention |
Sources for the notes
CPSC: Resellers Guide to Selling Safer Products (cribs and recalled products), Anchor It (furniture and TVs), Childproofing Your Home. EPA: How to Find Bed Bugs and Protecting Your Home from Bed Bugs. USDA FSIS: Cutting Boards. Ready.gov's kit list. The Red Cross first-aid kit list. ENERGY STAR on brightness. The full list with dates is in the resource library.