The Cleaning Products Recommended by the Pros

As a working mom of three, cleaning has never been my strong suit. Recently, I decided I could no longer stare into the abyss of my cleaning supply closet with absolutely no idea how or what to use to fight dust, dirt, and grime effectively. After finding some inspiration from TikTok, I went to house cleaning professionals to discover the best cleaning products to get my house sparkling with as little effort as possible. Below are their recommendations and tips.

_{Prices are accurate as of October 10, 2024. Subject to change.}

Magic Erasers

When it comes to removing dirt, stains, and other buildup, Magic Erasers are the gold standard, explains Delah Gomasi, managing director and CEO of MaidForYou, a house cleaning organization based in Sydney, Australia. “Melamine foam is the perfect cleaner,” he says. “It’s abrasive, durable, non-toxic, and can activate and clean with just water. Our teams use them regularly for cleaning walls, pent-up stains on kitchen countertops, bathtubs and other fixtures in the home where cleaning chemicals just don’t seem to be doing the trick.”

But there are certain things you should never clean with Magic Erasers, like stainless steel, wood, and even granite. These sponges feel soft to us, but they can cause micro-abrasions, strip off varnish, and make smooth surfaces dull and rough. To save money, Gomasi opts for the unbranded melamine foam. They work just as well because they’re made of the same material, but are far cheaper.

E-Cloth Microfiber Sponges

If you clean like I used to, you probably spend half your income on paper towels, which is wasteful for your wallet and the environment. I’m now a microfiber cloth convert. There are affordable microfiber sponges that Better Report already likes, but if you feel like you need something more heavy-duty, the professionals recommend E-Cloths. Whatever brand you go with, they easily clean up messes and then go through the washing machine with your other towels to be reused. “They make cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces a breeze,” says Gomasi. “And most don’t require dish soap or chemicals to clean.” All you need is to dampen them with some water and you’re good to go!

Kenmore DS1020 16V Cordless Stick Vacuum

Cordless vacuums are great for saving space and your sanity — you can clean your house without schlepping a full-size vacuum around and not be tethered to the nearest outlet. The Kenmore DS1020 16V Cordless Stick Vacuum is lightweight and compact, but highly rated for working on both carpet and bare floors. It makes removing pet hair, cleaning up messes, and eliminating dirt and dust quick and easy. And at $99, it’s cost-effective. If you can splurge, Dyson stick vacuums are more powerful cleaning tools that should last longer. The brand has a line of vacuums at different price points, but we like the V8.

Zep Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner

I’m always shocked at just how quickly the tiles and grout in my shower get dirty, dingy, and well, black. Ick. To the rescue: Zep Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner. It’s affordable and works without having to put in too much elbow grease. I got swept up in countless TikTok videos showing just how well this spray works, and it’s also a top pick of Dionne Livingstone, Cleaning Expert at Home Spritz, a house cleaning service in Calgary. Seriously, you barely need to scrub. You can find single bottles to try at Lowes or Walmart. If you like it, stock up on gallons from Amazon instead and refill the original spray bottle.

Bissell CrossWave x7 Cordless Pet Pro Wet Dry Vacuum

Throughout the years we have amassed an arsenal of brooms, vacuums, and mops, each one standing upright in a corner, unused, collecting their own layers of dust. The Bissell CrossWave is a combination of a vacuum and mop, making it the perfect solution to reduce the cleaning clutter. “They’re generally suited for hardwood floors but have the ability to clean area rugs too,” says Gomasi. His company finds the Bissell CrossWave to be not only efficient at cleaning but also easy to use. It’s cordless, has a great battery life so it can clean multiple rooms on a single charge, and unlike most other vacuum/mop combos, is light at 10.5 lbs.

Easy Off Heavy Duty Degreaser

Livingstone put this oven cleaner on her list of must-haves — an oldie but goodie that I already had sitting under my kitchen sink. There is nothing I dread more than the workout I get from attempting to remove grease from the stovetop, especially after making a fresh batch of French fries for the kids. But I was shocked at how well this spray worked! A few squirts on the offending splatters and a quick swipe with a microfiber cloth and they came right off. It also removed a crusty glop of tomato sauce that had set in the day before.

Pumice Stones

We all have the standard brush stationed right next to the toilet — it’s a classic bathroom accessory. But Livingstone shares that to really get rid of the gunk collecting inside the bowl, a pumice stone is your best bet. And yes, this is the same tool your grandmother used to scrub dead skin from the bottom of her feet. “It just as easily removes mineral rings and build-up on the underside of the toilet bowl lip/underside where water comes into the toilet,” says Livingstone. Her tip: If you have time, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the toilet, and let it sit for an hour. This particular pumice stone set has handles for easier toilet cleaning, but you can get handleless multi-packs for less — maybe just grab some rubber cleaning gloves too.

Method Daily Wood Cleaner

Wood cleaners make furniture look shiny, but one thing that always bothers me is that they also leave behind a slimy-to-the-touch layer. Plus, most are lemon-scented — a smell I’m not a fan of. But not the Method wood cleaner. “It has a lovely almond cherry scent and cleans wood furniture effectively,” Livingstone says. “And most importantly, leaves no polish build-up.” A few spritzes and my dining room table was gleaming. Because it conditions the wood instead of just leaving an artificial shine, the results last far longer, too.

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish

The most frustrating thing about stainless steel, whether it be on your fridge, oven, sink or dishwasher, is that all it takes to make it look dull and dirty is just a few fingerprints. All the experts I spoke to agree that removing fingerprints, smudges, residue, grease, water spots, and more from stainless steel requires a cleaner made specifically for the material. And the one that gets the highest marks all around is the Weiman Cleaner and Polish. It works well. Just spray, buff with a microfiber cloth, and voila! The only caveat, according to Livingstone: “Always polish in the same direction as the grain in the steel.” Wiping against it can cause dirt and residue to get deeper into the grain, making it harder to remove.

Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop

Rinea Blanchard, founder and CEO of Superior Contract Cleaning in Lafayette, LA, recommends a steam mop for everyday cleaning of your tile floors, specifically the Bissell PowerFresh. “It sanitizes without chemicals, which is great for homes with kids and pets. Plus, it leaves floors dry almost instantly,” says Blanchard. And if you’re willing to spend a few more dollars, the Slim 3-in-1 version comes with extra attachments that you can use to deep clean things like tile grout, winter jackets, and oven knobs! But no matter what the steam mop companies say, you should avoid using them on hardwood floors and even vinyl and laminate. For tile kitchens and bathrooms, though, they’re nearly magic. 

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

There is no shortage of all-purpose cleaners on the market. I have at least five different options (in five different colors!) under my sink. So how do you know which works best? Take it from the pros. Blanchard swears by Simple Green’s option. “It’s versatile, effective, and doesn’t leave behind any funky chemical smells,” she says. “We use it diluted for everyday cleaning and full strength for tougher jobs.” Use it on countertops, sinks, walls, toilets, and surprise! It also works well on grass-stained jeans, scuffed-up shoes, and mattress stains.

Feature Image Credit: Jacob Wackerhausen/ iStock