18 products professional housekeepers rely on for a spotless home

CNN

16-04-2025

Expert-approved cleaning products quick picks
For a streak-free shine: Microfiber Wholesale Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloths, 8-Pack
For tough messes that chemicals can't fix: Pumie Scouring Stick, 2-Pack
For tackling grease buildup in the kitchen: Citra Solv Concentrated Cleaner & Degreaser
For mopping hard floors: O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop
For vacuuming hard floors: Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum Sure, many of the trending cleaning products you see all over TikTok really do work, but have you ever wondered what professional housekeepers actually use? As CNN Underscored's home editor, I definitely have. That's why I set out to uncover the essential cleaning tools that pro cleaners recommend, from basics like vacuums and all-purpose cleaners to specialty products with surprising uses.
'A little secret that many professional cleaners don't want to tell you is that nothing we buy is exclusive to professional cleaning companies,' Chris Willatt, founder of Alpine Maids, said. 'You can easily purchase everything we buy to clean your own home. I would prefer if you hired me to clean your house, but you don't have to pay for professional cleaning services to get professional products.'
Keep reading to discover the secret weapons that housekeepers and cleaning experts rely on for their toughest messes.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner in Lilac
Turns out Mrs. Meyer's products are loved by CNN Underscored editors and cleaning experts alike. "Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner is the perfect everyday cleaner because it is tough on grime but gentle on surfaces," Willatt said. "It works on everything from appliances and counters made of wood to stone." He also appreciates the scent (there are tons of options!) and that even though it's made from plant-derived ingredients, it works well.
Microfiber Wholesale Microfiber Glass Cleaning Cloths, 8-Pack
When you ask a cleaning expert for their favorite products, chances are very high that they'll recommend microfiber cloths. "Leaving no lint and no streaks on glass is a must when cleaning homes and is one of the biggest call-backs a cleaning company can get when a cleaner is not paying attention or using the wrong products," Jen and Brian Boyle, members of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board and owners of MaidThis Cleaning, said, suggesting this eight-pack from Microfiber Wholesale. "The glass cleaning cloths can also be used on stainless steel in the kitchen to restore the shine after the surface has been cleaned."
Tide Powder Laundry Detergent
While it's great for laundry, powdered Tide also has plenty of other uses. Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo and House Work, said it's her "go-to for pretty much everything" and that "a little bit goes a long way." "It works great on walls, floors, sinks, cabinets, grout, window screens and even toilets," McAllister said. "Need to disinfect? Just add 1/3 cup of bleach. You can even make a paste with water to get rid of stains."
Pumie Scouring Stick, 2-Pack
You might think pumice stones are solely used for exfoliating your skin, but they're actually quite handy for cleaning too. "These versatile tools can be used to scrub hard water stains and buildup in toilets and baths, as well as the inside of ovens, griddle surfaces and outdoor grills," the Boyles said. "Saving time and energy while cleaning can really add up, and these stones help with that." Since pumice stones are abrasive, make sure you thoroughly read the instructions and avoid delicate surfaces to prevent scratches. You might also notice a gritty residue after cleaning, but that's normal. "We recommend using a cleaning product and a microfiber towel to wipe down the surface after scrubbing to remove any remaining residue and ensure a clean finish," the Boyles said.
O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop
O-Cedar's spin mops are among the best of the best, so it makes sense that multiple experts recommended them. "I use this spin mop with my Tide recipe on all types of flooring — hardwood, tile, linoleum, LVP, you name it," McAllister said. "Press the pedal about eight times to get the moisture out until it is just barely damp, then get scrubbing. It's so easy, kids love to help with this chore!"Read our review
Zep Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner
If you have laminate or hardwood floors, this one is for you. "Zep is my favorite hardwood floor cleaner," Willatt said. "It smells great, does not leave residue and, best of all, it does not leave unsightly streaks like you see in most floor cleaners." You can even use this solution in refillable spray mops.
OdoBan Odor Eliminator and Disinfectant Concentrate
Some surfaces are just so gross and stinky that they need to be thoroughly disinfected. That's where this concentrated cleaner comes in. "You can use this to clean and disinfect countertops, freshen up upholstery, mop sealed floors, [clean] your stainless steel appliances or even in the shower post-cleaning to prevent the future growth of mold," Carly Castro, TikTok cleaning expert and founder of Clean With Carly, said.
Citra Solv Concentrated Cleaner & Degreaser
Not sure how to tackle those stubborn greasy messes in the kitchen? Consider Citra Solv. "As the name suggests, it is a citrus-based cleaner that breaks down any tough grease buildup," Willatt said. "It is a biodegradable cleaner that does not use hard chemicals." Just keep in mind that since Citra Solv is a concentrated product, you're supposed to dilute it with water first.
Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser, 2-Pack
Bar Keepers Friend makes powdered and soft cleansers, both of which were recommended by a few of the cleaning pros I interviewed for this story. It's also one of my favorite cleaning products! "We use the powdered version of this cleanser to deal with our toughest stains," Willatt said. The Boyles rely on it too. "From cleaning cookware with burnt-on grease and food to stainless steel oven racks and sinks, the cleanser does the job," they added. Read our review
Rinseroo Jumbo Shower Hose With Spout
Maybe you've seen this shower hose on your TikTok feed or on a recent episode of "Shark Tank," but either way, Castro confirmed it is worth the hype. "The Rinseroo makes rinsing your shower (or pet) a breeze," she said. It's especially useful for renters who aren't allowed to change out their shower head for a handheld version.
Homax Super-Fine Grit Steel Wool, 12-Pack
Steel wool is nothing new, but maybe you never realized how much you could actually use it around the house. Castro recommends steel wool 0000, which is the finest grade available. "It's extremely different from the coarse type found in most supermarkets," she said. "I know it can seem intimidating, but steel wool 0000 works amazing for removing burnt-on foods during oven cleanings or even for removing the most stubborn stains on delicate surfaces like glass. When you feel like you've tried every cleaning tool and nothing is working, reach for this."
Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum
McAllister reaches for the Bissell Zing, a bagless canister vacuum, to clean hard floors before and after mopping them. "This vacuum has 10/10 suction, is lightweight and portable, and cost-effective," she said. "This vacuum is not for carpets, however, as you need a carpet vacuum with a beater bar for that."
Windex Glass and Window Cleaner
Windex is a household name for a reason. It's obviously an essential for cleaning windows, but it can also be used for so many more cleaning tasks. "After you've cleaned your sinks, toilets, light fixtures and other surfaces, give them a quick polish with Windex for that extra sparkle," McAllister said.
Sprayway Foaming Action Glass Cleaner
But maybe you want an alternative to Windex, particularly if you're looking for an ammonia-free product that's safer around pets. If so, Sprayway's foaming glass cleaner might be your best choice. "We have tried many other glass cleaning products, and nothing else compares — others either don't work or leave streaks," the Boyles said.
Dawn Platinum Liquid Dish Soap
Dish soap can be used for so many things around the home besides just doing dishes. Dawn — especially Dawn Platinum — comes highly recommended by the experts we spoke with. "Platinum is a thicker soap that breaks down grease easier while remaining gentle enough to be used on most surfaces," the Boyles said. "It also dries clear, so it can be used on a wet microfiber towel to clean and degrease microwave ovens, the fronts of stainless steel kitchen appliances — including refrigerators and ovens — and shower glass doors, along with tackling dirty dishes." Just be careful to avoid too much sudsing, which can leave behind some residue, they warn.
Cif Lemon Cream
Cif Cream is similar in theory to cleaning products like The Pink Stuff and Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, but it's more delicate on surfaces and not acidic. "This cream cleanser has millions of cleaning crystals that break down grime, soap scum and even stains," Castro said. "It's actually my go-to for hard water marks on glass shower doors!" Cif Cream is often sold in sets with Scrub Daddy sponges.
Orange Glo Wood Furniture 2-in-1 Clean Polish Spray
As the label implies, Orange Glo is a great choice for cleaning and polishing wood — but there's another under-the-radar use worth considering it for. "This is actually my secret weapon for stainless steel," Castro said. "If you struggle with streaks when polishing stainless steel, you need this product! The fact that it has an incredible orange scent is an [added] bonus."
Mr. Clean Summer Citrus Multi-Surface Liquid Cleaner
McAllister is a big fan of Mr. Clean's Summer Citrus cleaning solution. "Especially in a kitchen, you need a degreasing product in order to cut the grease and get that kitchen clean, she said. "I use this on various surfaces like the tops of kitchen cabinets, on backsplashes (not marble, though), kitchen light fixtures, blinds and hood vent screens. Mr. Clean can sometimes streak, so be sure to wipe your surface with a clean, damp cloth after cleaning to rinse." For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
Jen and Brian Boyle, members of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board and owners of MaidThis Cleaning
Carly Castro, TikTok cleaning expert and founder of Clean With Carly
Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo and House Work
Chris Willatt, founder of Alpine Maids
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel asked several cleaning experts for the products they swear by.