NOTE: This information is for reference only. For complete instructions, please visit Global Ministries UMCOR Cleaning Kit page.
After a storm strikes, you may be looking for a way to support those affected. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) assists victims of disasters all over the world. UMCOR collects hygiene, school, and cleaning kits for distribution within the United States. These supplies enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood or hurricane.
The Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church shared this video on how to assemble a cleaning bucket. Buckets are collected at United Methodist Churches and are stored and distributed through a network of United Methodist Relief-Supply Warehouses across the United States.
Cleaning Kit Materials
- One 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid (14.35” h x 12.19” w x 12.19” d)
- No screw lids
- May be used, but must be free from all residual product.
- Advertisements on the outside are acceptable.
- One 32-64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent
- One 16-40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner
- No spray cleaners
- One 16-34 oz. bottle dish soap
- One 4-8 oz. pump spray air freshener
- One 6-14 oz. pump spray insect repellent (pack of 10-20 wipes also acceptable)
- Pump spray bottles must have protective covers
- One scrub brush
- With or without handle
- 18 re-useable cleaning wipes
- No terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels
- Remove from packaging
- Five scouring pads
- No stainless-steel pads with soap in them
- Remove from packaging
- 36-50 clothespins
- One 50-100 ft. clothesline (cotton or plastic line)
- 24 roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45-gallon sizes)
- Remove from packaging
- Five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm thickness)
- No surgical masks
- Two pairs kitchen gloves
- Durable for multiple uses
- Remove from packaging
- One pair work gloves
- Cotton with leather palm or all leather
Assembly instructions
- Place all liquid items in the bucket first.
- Place remaining items in the bucket fitting them around and between the liquid items.
- Scouring pads and trash bags can be separated in order to fit all of the items in the bucket.
- Clothes pins may also be placed in a small re-sealable bag.
- Secure the lid on the filled bucket.
Important notes
- All items must be new with the exception of the bucket and lid.
- All cleaning agents must be liquid form. No powders are accepted.
- If items have been omitted, label bucket. Please indicate which items are missing.
- Sponges have been removed from the list of supplies due to the challenge of locating the non-cellulose sponges that prevent mildew. Non-cellulose sponges will be added to each bucket upon arrival at the affiliate warehouse.
- Do not include any personal notes, money or additional material in the kits.
- Contents of kits or the containers of kits should not be imprinted with cartoon characters, advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols.
