TOP 13 HOUSE CLEANING PRODUCTS
TOP 13 HOUSE CLEANING PRODUCTS THAT GET THE JOB DONE
Finding the right cleaning product for the job—whether that’s removing stubborn pet hair or making the bathroom a little less mildewy—can be tough, which is why we turned to cleaning experts for their advice. Here we’ve compiled the best cleaning products for floors, kitchens, bathrooms, and more, all recommended by professional cleaners. So, whether cleaning feels like a joy or a duty, these are the must-haves for keeping your house spick and span.
All products featured on KLEANING are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Amazon
1
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Quickie All Purpose Microfiber Cloths
Various cleaning experts recommend using microfiber cloths to clean most surfaces: Stainless-steel appliances, televisions, glass and mirrors, countertops, and bathrooms. Eric Emms, co-owner of Rise and Shine Cleaning Service in Portland, Oregon, says that's because microfiber actually removes dirt and dust by capturing it, rather than just moving it around, like most cotton cloths.
JamiQuan, a Sacramento, California, based Tasker with TaskRabbit, agrees, adding that these reusable and washable cloths are “highly absorbent,” making them ideal for sopping up spills too. When using a microfiber cloth, Melissa Maker of cleanmyspace.com, applies the appropriate cleaner directly on the surface, then uses an S-pattern to wipe from top to bottom. For glass and mirrors, Anna Harasim, founder of Anna’s Cleaning Service in NYC, recommends using only water to clean and then drying the surface with a second cloth to avoid streaks.
Shoplet
2
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Seventh Generation Professional All-Purpose Cleaner Spray
This all-purpose, biodegradable cleaner is designed to spray away grease, dirt, and grime from most surfaces. “It’s great if you’re looking for something plant-based,” without harsh ingredients, says Dawna Boone, founder of Valet Maids in Dallas. Boone loves that it’s free of chlorine bleach and fragrances, too, meaning it “won't leave your home smelling like chemicals.”
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Bed Bath and Beyond
3
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner
Here’s another easy to use all-purpose spray that Boone recommends; the plant-derived alcohols in Mrs. Meyer’s products work to clean and cut grease on nonporous surfaces. To use, spray the product directly on the surface and wipe away with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. Once the bottle is empty, consider refilling it with concentrate and water to create your own spray mixture.
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Grove Collaborative
4
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Grove Glass Spray Bottle + All Purpose Concentrate
This all-purpose cleaning concentrate is all-natural and can be used on most hard surfaces, says Lorrisa May, a lifestyle expert at TaskRabbit. Dispense the concentrate into the bottle, fill with water, and shake gently before using on everything but aluminum, brass, and wood. May also loves that the glass bottle is reusable, to help reduce plastic waste. But if you already have your own 16 oz. spray bottle, you can buy the all-purpose concentrateseparately.
Amazon
5
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Green Gobbler Ultimate Vinegar
For general cleaning, the acetic acid in vinegar can help break down dirt and grime with ease. JamiQuan loves that it’s “a versatile cleaning option for your entire home,” including carpets, furniture, and most other surfaces. She recommends using this vinegar at full strength for tough jobs, and diluting it with five parts water for everything else. “It’s a lot safer than store-bought cleaners, as it’s biodegradable and additive- and chemical-free,” she says.
Amazon
6
- All-Purpose Cleaning: Fabuloso All Purpose Cleaner
Harasim loves this degreasing agent for the fresh lavender scent, and the fact that there’s no need to rinse off the product after use. The brand also claims it won’t leave streaks or visible residue behind. To use, add a splash to a bucket of water, submerge a microfiber cloth or mop, and run it over surfaces like toilets or tile floors.
Target
7
- Floor Cleaner: Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner
Sayeh and May both use this wax-free cleaner, which is biodegradable and made from plant-based materials, on sealed hardwood and laminate floors. “My favorite thing about using this product?” says May. “You don’t need a bucket of water! You can squirt it directly on the floor and clean.” Sayeh agrees, adding that the cherry and wood scents keep the whole house smelling fresh.
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Amazon
8
- Kitchen Supplies: Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap + Non-Scratch Sponge
This versatile dish soap can be used to wash pots and pans—one of its main ingredients, lauryl sulfate, bonds with grease to easily break it down in water—but can also be diluted into a handy all-purpose cleaner for the majority of surfaces in your home, says Maker. She keeps a bottle in the kitchen for doing dishes and a spray bottle filled with two cups of water, ½ teaspoon of dish soap, and 20 drops of essential oil for general cleaning.
Amazon
9
- Kitchen Supplies: Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Advanced Soap Control Dish Wand
Maker says this dish wand has saved her a lot of time in the kitchen by making it easier to “power through the toughest of dishes.” She uses the heavy duty sponge for pots and pans that are impervious to scratches, and the built-in scraper to pry stuck-on food from nonstick surfaces, or any other surfaces that can be easily scratched. She also likes that its valve is designed to be leakproof, which prevents dish soap from spilling out of the handle, and that there’s a button that allows detergent to be dispersed into the sponge as needed.
Grove Collaborative
10
- Kitchen Supplies: Grove Collaborative Coconut Scrubber Sponge
May loves that these sponges are made of absorbent, 100% vegetable cellulose, and finds that they’re nonabrasive while still effective in removing stubborn, stuck-on food. She uses them in the kitchen to clean cookware, glassware, countertops, and appliances.
Grove Collaborative
11
- Bathroom Cleaners: Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
Aurielle Sayeh, founder of Moody Maids in NYC, uses this powder cleanser to clean tubs and toilets or any surface in need of a scrub, but says it’s so good that she’s reluctant to share it. “This is top secret,” she says. Its formula features feldspar and limestone, as well as cleaning agents like corn, coconut and palm oils, plus baking soda for all-purpose cleaning. To use, sprinkle Bon Ami on wet surfaces before rubbing with a wet sponge. (Make sure to rinse this one or it’ll leave a residue.)
The Home Depot
12
- Bathroom Cleaners: Zep Shower Tub and Tile Cleaner
Harasim uses this acid-based formula in the bathroom to break down soap scum, dirt, and hard-water stains, and to remove limescale without producing harsh fumes. She advises spraying it directly on surfaces, spreading it around with a cloth or sponge, and then leaving it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
Amazon
13
- Bathroom Cleaners: Clorox ToiletWand
This toilet cleaning system includes a wand plus a storage caddy to house it, along with six disposable sponge heads preloaded with cleaner. Boone loves that the hexagonal sponges easily clean and remove calcium and lime stains from hard-to-reach places, while also eliminating the need to store a dirty toilet brush. “It’s great because you don’t have to touch anything and you can dispose of the sponge when you’re done,” she says.