Cleaning sucks! Can I get an amen? But… (just like with DIY projects) if you use the right tools and the best cleaning products, it makes the work a little less well… sucky.
Strangely, I do tend to get excited about spring cleaning every year. Am I excited about cleaning a toilet? No. I’m not a freak! There’s just something about a fresh start that gets me motivated.
Spring is still months away, and unfortunately, I need to clean my house in the meantime. I try to use the best cleaning products for each job. My favorites are either multi-purpose or give the best results every time I use them.
With this being the holiday season, I know many of you will be deep cleaning for company. Below you’ll find some of my current favorite products that help me get the job done.
First, I will discuss the best cleaning products for floors. Many people have a few different types of flooring in their houses. It’s important to make sure a product works on your type of flooring before you use it.
Floor Cleaners
1. Bissel PowerFresh Steam Mop Deluxe– This mop is lightweight and easy to use. I like the idea of sanitizing my floors with extremely hot water and a light scent.
In the past, I used a Swiffer WetJet. I wasn’t happy with it because it always left my floor sticky. I never felt like it was completely clean. Therefore, I started looking for something better.
This mop comes with a detachable brush for scrubbing those bits that are really stuck. It also has a built-in slot where you can slide scent discs (included in some purchases) into the steamer.
This will lightly freshen up your floor. It is safe for hardwood, linoleum, ceramic tile, marble, and granite. The Bissel website says it kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria. Retails for about $100.00.
2. Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover– This product was all over Instagram, so I had to try it. I was not disappointed. I didn’t initially buy it to use on my carpet. I’ve had this stain on my couch that I haven’t been able to get out with any other cleaners, so I was curious if this would work.
I don’t even know what the stain was. It just “appeared” one day. None of our family members (including the dog) would fess up. Anyway, it worked! Stain gone.
Since then, I have used it many times to clean dog vomit (sorry, but my dog has a lemonade belly) out of our carpet. I’m going to start using it on clothing stains next. Retails for about $6.00 for a 32oz. bottle.
Next, I will discuss the job people hate most and the best cleaning products for that crappy task!
Toilet Cleaner
3. Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Stamps– I wish I had found these earlier. Toilet cleaning is pretty low on my list of the things I enjoy doing. But, it’s the first thing to start looking gross in a bathroom if it has gone too long between cleanings.
After you clean your toilet, you stick one of these gel stamps on the inside of your toilet bowl. It keeps your toilet clean longer and has a light, clean scent.
This product comes with a dispenser, so you don’t have to actually touch anything in the bowl. It will keep rings from forming. However, if you DO start to see stain rings, then you know you’ve probably waited too long to clean your toilet! Retails for about $4.00 for a 6-count package.
Next I will discuss multi-use products. These are some of the best cleaning products because of their versatility. Without a doubt, they should be in everyone’s cleaning cabinet or caddy.
Mulit-Purpose Cleaners
4. Blueland Cleaning Tablets– This is a relatively new concept, and I think it is very cool. Instead of plastic bottles, I use glass spray bottles. You throw a tablet in the bottle, and it dissolves into a cleaning agent. I love it!
There are several tablets sold by their brand, but the one I’m currently loving is the multi-purpose tablet. One tablet will give you 24 oz. of cleaning spray.
I truly believe this is the way of the future. If you have your own glass spray bottle as I do, you only need to purchase the tablets. A refill pack (one tablet) is $2.00.
5. Heinz Multi-purpose Vinegar– This product is a real workhorse. It’s commonly called a cleaning vinegar, which is slightly different than regular white vinegar. You mix the cleaning vinegar with water, and you can use it in every room of the house.
Some of the ways I use it include dusting fan blades and blinds, cleaning out the coffee maker, and cleaning bathroom shower tile. Furthermore, it’s all-natural, so when you’re holed up in your shower cleaning, you’re not inhaling something vile and dangerous. Retails for $3.00-$4.00 for 1 gallon.
6. Bar Keeper’s Friend Cleanser– Throughout high school and college I worked in many restaurants. I used this product while working those jobs, and it has been around FOREVER. On the other hand, I don’t think it was always a household product.
Now you can find it everywhere. I just recently started using it again, and it made me wonder why I ever stopped. I love to use it on my stainless-steel sinks, oven door, and my bathtubs. My husband loves it because it’s especially good at getting rid of rust stains. Retails for under $2.00 for a 21oz. can.
7. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser– Magic Erasers should be pictured in the dictionary under the words miracle and versatile. How many products will get scuffs off your shoes AND walls, polish your jewelry, cell phone, and white tile and grout?
There are too many uses to name, but if all it did was take crayon off your wall, it would be worth its price tag. Retails for about $5.00 for a 6-pack.
Finally, I will discuss the best cleaning products for immediate gratification.
Glass Cleaner
8. Sprayway glass cleaner– I used to use Method Glass Cleaner because I thought it was a good brand (and still do). But once I tried Sprayway, I realized that no other product could compare.
Other glass sprays left frustrating streaks. Alternatively, this product is a foam and does a much better job.
Of course, glass cleaning isn’t all about the cleaner. It’s also the cloth you are using with it. After much trial and error, I have found coffee filters work best for getting crystal clear glass or mirrors. Retails for about $2.00-$2.50 for a 19oz. can.
Room Spray/Air Freshener
9. The Laundress N0 247 Home Spray– If I had named this product myself, I would’ve just called it “Fresh.” But I guess that isn’t very sexy or original. Fresh is the best word to describe the scent of this spray.
If you want your house to have that clean smell (and I don’t mean that newly bleached or Lysol disinfectant smell), this is what you need.
When I worked at The Container Store, I would walk over to the laundry department every day and spray the sample. Sometimes I would spray it in the air and walk through it because the smell put me in a better mood.
Along with my steam mop, this product is going to be the priciest. But, sometimes you must pay more to get a product you really love. Retails for $12.00 for an 8oz. bottle.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
10. Weiman Stainless Steel– If you have stainless-steel appliances, then you know “stainless” does NOT mean you won’t get fingerprints. If you have kids, you have fingerprints on your stainless-steel appliances.
There is no cure for keeping fingers off the appliances except maybe making the kids polish them. Maybe then they would be less likely to rub their fingers all over the front of the fridge.
This cleaner makes it a little less painful to keep after those smudges. It’s such a great feeling of accomplishment when you stand back and see your appliances shine.
Simplehuman makes an excellent microfiber mitt that makes it easy to rub it in. The spray retails for about $6.00 for a 22oz. bottle. If you are interested in the washable mitt, it retails for about $5.00.
There you have it! My current top 10 best cleaning products that make cleaning a little easier. I could’ve listed sponges and dusting cloths as well but none of those products really impress me (yet).
If you’ve discovered a great new cleaning product (or an old faithful one you think is fantastic), please share in the comments. Let’s all benefit from sharing our experiences and product tests.
Thanks for reading!
