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Let’s be honest here. Though we’re kind of obsessed with watching other people clean their houses on TikTok, for most of us, cleaning in real life sucks. It’s that chore we almost always dread on the weekends (though we do get kind of excited for Spring cleaning). And when it’s time to really get down and dirty, the last thing anyone wants to have happen is to not having the right supplies for the job. If you’ve ever tried to clean up a serious mess with nothing but paper towels and a random spray bottle of cleaner that you bought five years ago, then you know the process can be frustrating enough to make you want to give up.
And when you do head to Target to restock on supplies, you find yourself staring at the aisles of countless bottles, sprays, and wipes asking yourself, “But will this actually work?!” Allow us to save you the headache.
Not only have we narrowed down the seemingly endless options and curated only the best cleaning products for your home, but these products will also drastically reduce the amount of time you do spend cleaning — and less time scrubbing means more time relaxing. Once you have the right tools for the job, your home can sparkle like the ones on TikTok do.
Best Mop: O-Cedar Easywring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket, $43
Best Upholstery Cleaner: BISSELL Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, $100
Best Glass Cleaner: Windex Glass and Window Cleaner, $3.50
Best All-Purpose Cleaner: Lysol Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner, $4.50
Best Abrasive Powdered Cleaner: Bar Keepers Friend, $2.40
Best Bathroom Cleaner: Scrubbing Bubbles, $4.30
Best Scrubber: Scrub Daddy 3-Pack, $14
Best Laundry Detergent: Tide Original Powder Laundry Detergent, $16
Best Smelling Household Cleaner: Mrs. Meyer’s Basil Scent Multi-Surface Concentrate, $10
Best Dish Soap: Dawn Power Wash, $5
A version of this article was originally published in March 2018.
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Lysol Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lysol. We were recently in the market for a bleach-free cleaner that would still disinfect surfaces around the home, and we found a new holy grail in Lysol’s Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner. We’ve used it on our quartz countertops, our marble bathroom vanity, our porcelain toilets, our weird plastic tub, and so far, it’s been able to remove everything from grease to soap scum, and has even helped with removing some hard water build-up, too.
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Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Variety Pack
Image Credit: Courtesy of Mr. Clean. You probably already love Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They’re super versatile, doing everything from removing crayon marks from walls and scuffs from shoes to getting that stubborn soap scum out of the tub. But the brand now has two new versions of its signature sponge: Ultra Thick and Ultra Foamy with Dawn. The Ultra Thick sponge lasts 7x longer than the original Magic Eraser and is great for heavy duty cleaning tasks, while the Ultra Foamy variety reduces the need for scrubbing (it has an ultra-clean Dawn scent, too).
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Glisten Garbage Disposer Cleaner and Freshener
Image Credit: Glisten. We can’t be the only ones who hate the nasty smells that emanate out of the garbage disposal after a week of doing dishes. Thankfully, these drop-in cleaning packets from Glisten clean the disposal and deodorize it, so doing the dishes doesn’t have to mean an assault on your olfactory system.
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Dawn Power Wash
Image Credit: Courtesy of Dawn. You may have seen TikTok cleaning obsessives using Dawn Powerwash Spray, and for good reason. The unique bottle disperses the Dawn Powerwash foam in an even, fine mist that clings to dirt and grime, and after a few seconds, the cleaner starts to break down grease and stubborn, stuck on foods. You can keep this by the kitchen sink for washing dishes, pots, and pans, but it works great for busting up soap scum in the tub and shower, too. This kit comes with two containers of Powerwash and a reusable spray head.
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Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Image Credit: Homexcel. Microfiber cloths are essential for cleaning the house and car. We use them to get dust and lint off mirrors, to dust pretty much anything in the house without scratching the surface, and to buff things to a gleaming shine. They’re also more eco-friendly than using paper towels for everything.
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Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Image Credit: Bissell. If you have pets, kids, or just tend to knock over your coffee at least once a week (guilty!), then you need a Bissell Little Green. This easy-to use, relatively compact upholstery shampooer works to get cat puke of the throw rugs, juice box spills off the couch, and banish mystery stains of all kinds from your home.
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The Pink Stuff
Image Credit: Courtesy of Star Drops. This cleaner is another social media star, and not just because of its stylish hot pink packaging. Inside each tub of “The Pink Stuff,” you’ll find a cleaning paste that clings to dirt, grime, and grease all over the house. The multi-purpose spray can be used similarly, and is great for stove tops, in bathrooms, and anytime you need a multi-purpose cleaner that will actually do its job.
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Windex Glass and Window Cleaner
Image Credit: Windex. If you despise streaky, spotted windows and mirrors, then Windex is a must-have in your cleaning cupboard. It does the job like nothing else, and it also helps chrome faucets and knobs shine.
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Bar Keepers Friend
Image Credit: Courtesy of Bar Keeper's Friend. This product has a cult following for a good reason. It’s mildly abrasive, and it can make stainless steel pans, porcelain bathroom fixtures, sinks, and other surfaces shine.
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O-Cedar Easywring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket
Image Credit: O-Cedar. If you hate mopping, this spin mop might change your mind. It’s easy to move around the house, the spin function keeps the mop clean and not sopping wet when you’re cleaning, and it comes with multiple mop heads that can just get thrown in the wash when you’re done mopping. Don’t believe us? Maybe the 39,802 5-star reviews on Amazon will convince you.
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Tide Powder Laundry Detergent Original Scent
Image Credit: Courtesy of Tide. Yes, this powdered laundry detergent is a miracle-worker for soiled clothes. But thanks to its de-greasing properties, a teaspoon of powder mixed into a half gallon of hot water also works wonders as an all-purpose cleaner in the kitchen, bathroom, and on floors, too.
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Fabuloso
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fabuloso. If you want a cleaner that will leave your house smelling fresh, then you’ve got to keep a bottle of Fabuloso on hand. It comes in several scents, including their signature lavender, but we love the pink grapefruit version, too. You can use this concentrated cleaner in your favorite spray bottle, or add some to your mop bucket for sparkling floors. We use it on pretty much everything, but especially love how it cuts through greasy kitchen grime.
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Scrub Daddy
Image Credit: Courtesy of Scrub Daddy. This non-scratch dish scrubber got its start on Shark Tank, but now it’s a staple in many cleaners’ homes. That’s because it does such a good job of cleaning so many different things. It’s hard in cold water, for scrubbing tougher bits, and softens up in warm water. Whether you’re scrubbing your sink or washing the counters, the Scub Daddy and its many variations can make the job easier.
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Cleaning Gloves
Image Credit: Courtesy of Playtex. Cleaning can be tough on your skin, and if you’re squeamish, the thought of touching all of that nasty slime and grime can be enough to put you off of cleaning before you even get started. That’s why gloves are an essential part of any cleaning kit. Not only do they protect your hands from the hot water and chemicals you use while cleaning, but they also make you more likely to really get into those dirty corners and crevices you wouldn’t want to touch with bare hands.
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Mrs. Meyer’s Basil Scent Multi-Surface Concentrate
Image Credit: Courtesy of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. Aside from the completely intoxicating smell, this multisurface cleaner is perfect if you want to cut back on the number of products you’re purchasing.
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Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner
Image Credit: Courtesy of Weiman. Lots of homes have stainless steel appliances these days and while they do look nice, the streaks you get while trying to clean them are so annoying. That’s why this stainless steel cleaner is such a necessity. It even comes with polish cloths for a streak-free shine.
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Pledge Lemon Enhancing Wipes
Image Credit: Courtesy of Pledge. Polishing furniture might be our least favorite chore but at least these wipes do most of the hard work for us and bonus? They smell amazing.
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Goo Gone Pro-Power Spray Gel
Image Credit: Courtesy of Goo Gone. If you’ve got glue or gum or any other kind of unknown gooey substance that needs removing, this is the bottle you need to grab.
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Method all-purpose cleaner in French Lavender
Image Credit: Courtesy of Method. Another great option if you’re looking for something that can clean every room in your home is this all-purpose cleaner. It comes in a calming lavender scent.
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White Brite Laundry Whitener
Image Credit: Courtesy of Out. White Brite is incredibly hard to find in stores anymore so online is your best bet, but honestly, nothing will work better on your whites. Not even bleach.
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Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner
Image Credit: Courtesy of Pine-Sol. Pine-Sol is a great all-purpose cleaner, but our favorite is to use this in our mopping solution. It gives everything a forest-fresh smell.
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Scrubbing Bubbles Penetrating Foam Bathroom Cleaner
Image Credit: Courtesy of Scrubbing Bubbles. If you’re only going to buy one bathroom cleaning product, you’ll get the most bang for your buck with this can. The bubbles cling to surface grime and lifts stains, doing most of the scrubbing work for you.
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Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Pads
Image Credit: Courtesy of Swiffer. Tackle your floors with these multi-surface Swiffer WetJet pads. It’s so much easier than going the traditional bucket and mop route, and they can even be used on wood floors.
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