All of these recommended cleaning products and tools can save you time and space by multi-tasking while they help you clean your home better than ever before.

Recommended Cleaning Products and Tools

The products I recommend here are ones I use in my home. I created this page because I don’t enjoy wasting money. You probably don’t, either. But when you’re shopping for cleaning tools or other household items, it’s easy to get sucked in by sales pitches or fake online reviews.

So, while I recommend only products that I use, I include affiliate links for them because it costs money to run this website. Please see my Disclosure Page if you have any concerns.

General Cleaning

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

I’ve been using the Zwipes brand for years. Amazon sells its own version that costs less, but I don’t like them as much. The Zwipes feel thicker and last longer. I use each of the three colors in the pack for different purposes: green to dust, blue for general cleaning, and yellow on toilets. (Get them here.)

Lint-free, White Cloths

Although microfiber towels are great, they’re not suitable for every cleaning task. I use flour sack towels to polish furniture because they’re lint free and leave a smooth shine. White cloths are also crucial when you’re trying to remove stains because they don’t have dyes that might transfer to what you’re cleaning. These are inexpensive and great in the kitchen, too. (Get them here.)

Squeegee

I use this homemade window cleaner to do my windows every month, and a squeegee makes it go so fast. This one has a universal handle, so it screws onto the pole from my long-handled dusting kit. Thanks to the 12-inch blade, it only takes about 3 swipes to get a window clean. (Get it here.)

Spray Bottles

Okay, they’re not the prettiest spray bottles, but they sure last. Also, they fit my small, chubby hands just right. This brand comes in a 3-pack, and I bought two sets in 2011. Those lasted a decade before wearing out. When they did, I bought more of the same type. Why mess with a good thing? They’ve held up well using vinegar-based homemade cleaning mixes, essential oils, even liquid dish soap combined with water. And they’re very affordable. (Get them here.)

Multi-Head Extension Duster

I’m short, so this gets a lot of use in my home. It’s great for reaching cobwebs and ceilings overhead and works to dust baseboards, one of my least favorite chores. Oh, and the long blue attachment on the right is bendable, so you can fold and slide it over ceiling fan blades. So convenient! (Get it here.)

Washable Cleaning Caddy

It’s not fancy, and it’s not even pretty, but this tote is definitely handy! I stash my spray bottles of homemade cleaning mixes, a set of rubber gloves, and microfiber cloths in mine. When it’s time to clean, I’ve got everything I need… except an excuse to get out of it. (Get it here.)

Household Scrub Brush

Thanks to the handle, this ergonomic scrub brush makes the miserable task of cleaning grout easier. It’s also great for tough carpet and upholstery stains or getting dried mud off your sneakers. Clean it by running an old comb through the bristles to remove hairs or threads, then pop it in the top rack of your dishwasher. (Get it here.)

Floor Cleaning

Microfiber Mop

I used a steam mop on small messes for years, then saw this at Sam’s one day and tried it. I’ve never looked back. The heads are washable and highly textured, so they scrub beautifully. Best of all, I can fill the container with my homemade floor-cleaner recipe rather than buying a mopping solution. (Get it here)

Robot Mop

I despise mopping floors, but I hate dirty floors even more. That’s why I love to let my robot mop do the work for me. It’s almost silent, and my pets don’t mind it at all. I’ve used mine just about every day since 2017, but that means I’ve had to replace the battery a couple of times. It’s so worth it. (Note: I replaced my mop in 2022 with this one, as you can see in my floor cleaning video.)

Manual Floor Sweeper

I always tell people this is what will get your kids to help clean up their messes! Thanks to an electric-powered rotary brush, this easily picks up crumbs, pet hair, and dust from hard floors and carpets. I use mine nightly in the kitchen and go over high-traffic areas on the rug when it’s not dirty enough to vacuum. (Get it here.)

Upright Bagless Vacuum

My trusty Hoover upright quit working after seven years. I tried the company’s “new and improved” version and hated it. So, I gave this Shark a try, and I am so happy with it! I really love the ability to separate the canister and hose from the main brush head. It makes cleaning stairs or even my car so easy. (Get it here.)

Furniture Cleaning

Scratch Repair Sticks

I’ve written an article about fixing furniture scratches using things you’ve already got at home. But deeper scratches, or scratches on wood floors, need a professional touch. That’s where these things help. Use the Crayon-like wax stick in a matching color to fill in scratches or dents until the surface is smooth. Then top it with the carpenter-grade stain to make it look new. (Get it here.)

Silicone-Free Furniture Polish

If you aren’t making your own furniture polish, this is the next best thing. Unlike Pledge or Endust, this doesn’t contain silicone. Why is that important? Because silicone traps humidity, which makes your furniture look dull and eventually feel sticky. This one actually moisturizes your wood furniture while leaving a nice shine and no waxy buildup. (Get it here.)

Non-Slip Furniture Pads

If you’re tired of your sofa sliding around on the floor every time you try sitting down, you need these non-slip pads! They’ll protect your floor, of course, but will also keep your furnishings where you want them. I’ve even cut them into squares and stuck them on the bottom of my stand mixer, so it doesn’t slide around on the kitchen counter. (Get them here.)

Miscellaneous

Flexible Brush for Dryer Vents and Refrigerator Coils

This is so handy for cleaning dryer vents. I’m always picky about ours because dirty dryer vents cause so many household fires. If you’ve got a refrigerator with exposed coils on the back or bottom, this brush is an easy way to clean those, too. (Get it here.)

Power Rotary Brush

Attached to a power drill, this long brush snakes through your air ducts or longer dryer vent hoses to get rid of dust buildup. It even makes 90-degree turns. Doing this twice a year drastically reduces the amount of dust in my home, and it’s so much less expensive than calling the pros. (Get it here.)

Gutter Attachment for Leaf Blowers

After falling from a ladder while cleaning my gutters, I refuse to do it that way again. So, when I saw this attachment that fit over the end of my leaf blower, I had to try it. I love that it lets me reach even the second-story gutters without leaving the ground. All you have to do is slide the ends together, slip one over the leaf blower, and whoosh all the debris out of the gutter without ever leaving the ground. (Get it here.)

A Sturdy Folding Step-Stool

Again, I’ll choose practical over pretty any day. That’s about the only way to describe this step-stool that makes my life as a shortie so much easier. Whether I need to reach tall blinds or my secret stash of candy on the top shelf in the kitchen, this makes it possible. Then it folds away and fits perfectly next to my dryer. It’s steel-framed with non-slip steps and rubber non-slip feet, too. (Get it here.)

Light Bulb Changer for High Ceilings

You don’t have to be as short as me to find changing lightbulbs on a high ceiling a nuisance. This gadget uses a basket and suction cup to hold the bulb firmly. It has a standard sized thread, so you can pop it onto your broom or mop pole, or onto the end of the extension duster mentioned above. (Get it here.)