Experts told us the cleaning tools they can’t live without
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Whether you’re preparing for a massive spring cleaning, or you just love to add the best of the best to your cleaning arsenal, learning tips and tricks from the pros is a great way to get a sparkling clean, every time.
We spoke with three professional cleaners and entrepreneurs to learn what they consider to be the best cleaning tools. Some of the names that made the list are classics we probably grew up seeing around the house, while others are trending tools that already show they’ll stand the test of time.
Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach
According to Amanda Silva, owner and operator of Pennsylvania-based company AS Cleaning Service, if you want to keep your space clean and disinfected, sticking with the classics is the way to go.
“Clorox with bleach is the best,” Silva explains. “Before scrubbing the bathroom, we spray it on the toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower and let it act for a few minutes.”
Silva opts for the one with the green label, and her mother, a veteran cleaning pro, considers this one of the best cleaning tools for any home!
“My mother, who has worked as a cleaner for almost 20 years, likes to say ‘the dirt that doesn’t come out with Clorox, doesn’t come out with anything else,” Silva says. If you’d like to get even more for your money, look for a spray bottle that comes with a refill, like this set from Amazon.
Method Lime + Sea Salt Cleaning Products APC Spray Bottle
If you’re looking for a bleach-free alternative to keep your countertops and other interior surfaces free of grime and grease, this option from Method is a fave for a few reasons, including its effectiveness, versatility, and the sweet, clean smell it leaves behind.
“I really can’t explain how amazing this product is,” says Brittany Gaytan, owner and operator of Hot Mess House Cleaning in Arizona. “I use it everywhere. Another helpful hint: use it to dampen a microfiber rag and dust your room. Makes your room smell and look amazing!”
Pledge Furniture Spray
To keep your wooden furniture looking shiny and clean, look no further than Pledge.
“I use it to clean and polish some wooden furniture, it gives a beautiful shine as well as being very fragrant,” says Silva. Her clients not only love how Pledge maintains their wooden wares, but also can’t get enough of the smell that comes with it.
“I have clients who ask me to use it because they like it to smell fresh,” she adds, of the iconic Lemon Clean scent that the product is well known for.
Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber with Multi-Purpose Head
Some build-up requires a bit of extra effort and old-fashioned elbow grease to remove, and thankfully, there are tools like this power scrubber from Rubbermaid to help speed things along.
“This saves me time when I need to deep clean between tiles,” explains Lee Yong, a retired upstate New York custodian with over 25 years of experience in the cleaning game.
The wide grip makes it comfortable to hold, especially for arthritic hands, and the compact size makes it convenient for maneuvering in tight spaces, like around sink faucets, behind toilets, and in any little crevice where dirt can hide. This particular cleaning tool comes with four AA batteries to keep it powered, as well as a detachable head that can be swapped out with attachments to tackle other needs, like a grout-cleaning option, and a polishing kit.
Sprayway Glass Cleaner
No bathroom cleaning is complete until that mirror is sparkling, and Silva has a couple of items she relies on to get that look every time.
“A product that I really like for mirrors is Sprayway Glass Cleaner,” Silva states. “It is a foam that leaves mirrors and glass looking beautiful, and what makes it even better is that it does not contain ammonia.”
Some window cleaners, including Windex, contain ammonia, which may damage sensitive skin. Silva recommends Windex as a lower-cost option than Sprayway, but we love this foaming formula for its efficacy and safety.
Matscover Pan Scraper
Built-on grime and gunk can seriously slow down any cleaning session, which is why experts consider this handy scraping gadget one of the best cleaning tools to consider.
“I can’t do a clean without one of these babies,” says Gaytan. “I keep it in my pocket as I mop and use it to scrap the really stuck-on gunk.”
You can purchase these handy BPA-free tools in sets of five or ten to use several ways—removing build-up, scraping and cleaning grills, or even as a cutting tool for dough, fruits, and other soft substances. The best part? Every Matscover Pan Scraper is reusable with a hot soak and a bit of soap, so this purchase pays for itself quickly.
Playtex Handsaver Yellow Gloves
A staple in so many households and a classic for a reason, Playtex gloves are a must for many, including Yong.
“These keep my hands soft when they’re in hot water or touching chemicals,” she explains. “Plus, I don’t have to touch as much dirt when I wear them, so it makes cleaning faster and easier.”
These gloves are lined with cotton for comfortable wear, and made from latex, nitrile, and neoprene, so they’re built to last even after continued use. This is one of the most overlooked and underrated items to keep in your cleaning closet, in our opinion, and at under $3 a set it’s an affordable way to keep hands soft and free from irritation.
Swiffer Duster Multi-Surface Dusting Kit
Before you can give any space a truly deep clean, you’ve got to get rid of the dust and debris that sits on surfaces, and Silva has one tool above all else that she swears by to get the job done — Swiffer Dusters.
“There is no cleaning without it, it’s my favorite!” she assured. “It’s really great to have at home. I always use it to remove excess dirt and cobwebs, and to clean baseboards.”
When it comes time to buy your refills you have a few options to choose from, but Silva is partial to one in particular. “I always buy the one that smells like lavender, it’s so good!” she added.
Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Easy to find, effective to use, and well within most budgets, Fabuloso Multipurpose Cleaner is a must-have for mopping. The best part? It’s safe to use on a variety of surfaces, including tile.
“I use it on floors because it has anti-grease action to help us remove dirt more easily,” explains Silva. “It can be used on ceramics, wood, and laminate. I always mix a little with water and it makes a lot.”
Fabuloso’s recommended mixing formula is 1/2 cup Fabuloso to one gallon of water, and because it doesn’t contain ammonia or other abrasives, it’s safe to use on surfaces like countertops in addition to floors.
O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop
Now that we’ve got our mopping solution made and ready to use, let’s talk tools! Keeping a mop that’s easy to use will make cleaning feel like less of a chore, and this mop and bucket set from O-Cedar offers a compact and reliable way to do that.
“There’s a reason everyone raves about this mop!” says Gaytan. “Steam mops are great for everyday upkeep but for those weekly deep cleans, this is the only way to go.”
This mop is designed to wring out easily with the press of a foot, and the microfiber mop head is machine washable, so you’ll always have a clean tool to work with. Gayton leaves us with one more pro tip to get the perfect, professional clean, every time — mop with cold water to avoid streaks!
Orange Glo Wood Furniture 2-in-1 Clean & Polish Spray
This one is more than just a recommendation, it’s also a pro hack that Silva shared with us!
“Orange Glo Wood is an oil for wooden furniture and is also used to shine stainless steel,” she says. “I use it to make stainless steel shine in refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves.”
We love to keep a multifunctional product in the home, and at under $5, we think this is one of the best cleaning tools for houses or businesses with wood and stainless steel fixtures in them.
Easy Off Foam Oven Cleaner
We can’t decide what we loathe cleaning more—a dirty fridge, or a dirty stovetop. If you’re faced with the latter, a heavy-duty foaming formula like Easy-Off can make your cleaning process a lot faster and easier.
“You know that dirt that gets stuck to the stove and oven, and that only soap and a loofah can remove? This makes it easy to take off!” Silva assures.
The cleaner is so powerful at doing its job, in fact, that Silva recommends taking extra care when you use it.
“It is a very strong product and cleans very well,” she adds. “But it has to be used with caution, as it can stain and also if it comes into contact with the skin it can cause a slight burn.”
Scrub Mommy
When it is time to clean those fridge shelves and drawers, or any other surface or dish, for that matter, a strong sponge that won’t scratch is essential, and one came recommended above all else.
“Scrub Mommy. The dual sponge has you prepared for any clean,” Gaytan says. “Use it to scrub the bathtub, kitchen sink, appliances, counters, and walls. It’s so versatile, you’ll never need any other sponge!”
Soak it in warm water for a soft feel, or run it under a cold tap to create a stiff scrubber when you need to tackle tough stains.
Mr. Clean Original Magic Eraser Cleaning Pads with Durafoam
A cult classic, The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is beloved by many, including our cleaning experts.
“It lives up to its reputation,” says Silva. “We use it a lot in bathrooms and in dirty areas that require a lot of scrubbing—with this, it takes less work and cleans very well!”
The Magic Eraser has become a bathroom and kitchen staple for many, but Silva says the cleaning powers of this mighty little scrubber can work its magic in less obvious areas as well.
“In addition to bathrooms, we use them on doors, to clean baseboards, walls, and wherever possible,” she adds.
Shark UV580 Performance UltraLight Corded Stick Vacuum with DuoClean and Self-Cleaning Brushroll
Now that the rest of the home is clean, it’s time to vacuum those floors and furniture surfaces before you can fully relax in all that freshness. For Gaytan, there’s one trusty tool she always keeps by her side.
“Shark shark and only shark!” she says. This lightweight, dual-action model makes it easy to clean carpets as well as hard surfaces, so you can save time by skipping the broom without scratching the surface of your floors.
“The most important note to take when picking a vacuum is to make sure it is ‘duo clean.’ It picks up the best with hard floor and gets the extra look when vacuuming carpet.”
For us, there’s no better feeling than relaxing in a clean home. What’s the tried-and-true trusty tool or product you can’t live without?
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