25-03-2025
22 cleaning products that our editors can't stop reaching for
Regular cleaning is a necessity if you want to keep your home feeling fresh and organized, but it's by no means the most high-octane activity on your to-do list. And Underscored editors, we're just like you — we have homes that, whether we like it or not, we have to clean.
Luckily, since we test products for a living, we've found plenty of cleaning essentials that make sprucing up our spaces easy and at times, even borderline fun. Ahead, we're sharing our tried and trusted cleaning products with you.
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Scrub Daddy Scrub Mommy Sponges, 3-Pack
I have yet to find a better sponge than the Scrub Mommy. I love that it's double-sided for all my cleaning needs. It's long-lasting, durable and gets the job done, all without scratching my most delicate dishes or pans. I've even used it to scrub floors. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer
Oxo Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
I've had these mini scrub brushes for years, and they're so handy that I think everyone should have them in their home. I use them for practically everything, whether I need to clean the small parts of my cat's water fountain or scrub away residue from stickers. I also like that the smaller brush has a silicone 'blade' that reaches into tight crevices I'd be otherwise unable to clean. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner
When I need to start cleaning, I put on a podcast and pull out my Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner. I like using it after cooking or to freshen up my space over the weekend. It's safe to use on every surface in my home. Plus, the lavender scent smells incredible. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer
Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel
I've used other toilet bowl cleaners, but I like that this one from Lysol clings to the rim and inside of the toilet bowl. The gel's clinginess, combined with the angled bottle shape, makes it easy to coat those hard-to-reach spots before going in with the toilet brush. Plus, the Atlantic Fresh scent has a pleasant, slightly minty smell to it. — Rachel Dennis, associate editor
Shark Vacmop
If you have a lot of hardwood and/or tile flooring in your space, the Shark VacMop is an absolute must-have cleaning tool. I grab it for minor and major messes alike, and it's significantly cut down on the need to do regular deep cleans. I love it so much that I have one for upstairs and one for downstairs. — Daniel Toy, section editor, copy chief
The Laundress Glass & Mirror Cleaner
Windex is usually my go-to glass and mirror cleaner, but these days, I'm loving this one from The Laundress. With notes of lavender, jasmine and eucalyptus, this luxury cleaning product smells incredible — and it leaves my mirrors streak-free when paired with a microfiber cloth. I'm also a fan of the surface cleaner from the same collection. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
Staff Reusable Lint Roller
Who said cleaning products have to be an eyesore? Not Staff, the brand behind all my favorite cleaning products that look like decor. I just got this cute lint roller that I display in my apartment proudly, and it makes catching fuzzies a lot more fun. I also own Staff's toilet plunger, hangers, toilet brush and oven mitts, so I mean business when I say the brand should become a staple in your cleaning and organizing routine too. These items are so cool, I actually look forward to cleaning a dirty toilet (I'm slightly kidding)! — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor
Clorox Clean-Up All-Purpose Cleaner
I find bleach scary and don't like to use it too regularly for cleaning, but sometimes you need to break out the heavy-duty stuff to get the job done. I'll dilute a tablespoon or two of this Clorox cleaner and bleach into a bucket when I need to give my shower a good scrub or add a splash to my compost bin when I need to get rid of lingering decomposition smells. It's a bit harsh, but good to have on hand when you want something to clean and disinfect effectively. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, 10-Pack
I hesitate to call any cleaning tool 'magical,' but the Magic Eraser comes pretty close. Whether I'm using it to remove weird smudges on my walls or brighten up my white sneakers, this sturdy sponge works on tougher messes to minimize the need for intense scrubbing, often times with just water alone. I always have a pack under my kitchen sink at home, and they're my cleaning go-to when nothing else works. — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
Lysol Disinfectant Spray
Before lining my trash bins with a fresh bag, I like to spray the inside of the bins with this Lysol disinfectant spray. You only need a few sprays, and it keeps things smelling nice and fresh while disinfecting the surface and killing any lingering germs. — Rachel Dennis, associate editor
Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Household Cleanser and Polish
Bar Keepers Friend is one of those must-have cleaning products that you're always going to find under my sink. It works extremely well at removing rust stains and hard water spots in my kitchen sink, and it can also restore scorched stainless steel cookware. The best part? It's so affordable! — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor Read our review
Wagner Spraytech 925e Elite Steamer
I love using a steamer because once you buy it, all you need to do is add water to get a good clean. From floors to ovens to taking off wallpaper and getting wrinkles out of clothes, this steamer can get any job done. It gets even the worst gunk and grime off ovens in only a few minutes. The whole thing is lightweight and on wheels, so it makes it easy to go from room to room. Plus, it comes with a variety of attachments for whatever you use it for. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor
Dyson WashG1
I had the opportunity to finally test this wet vacuum for my best Dyson vacuums guide, and I am in love! I've probably owned about three or four mop vacuums over the years, and this one made the process so much easier. Although, I wish Dyson made the water tank bigger so I didn't have to refill it as often. — Michelle Rae Uy, writer, testing and updates Read our review
Stardrops The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste
This pink paste was all over my social feeds a few summers ago, and after a while, I was influenced to give it a go. I have no idea what is in this strange, pink paste, but it cleans well. I tend to reach for this when I deep clean and need to cut through built-up grime on my stove top, oven or shower. I've even used it to spruce up a pair of white sneakers. For extra cleaning precision and force, I like to dip an old toothbrush in the paste to get hard-to-reach areas like in-between sink handles, drains and other tight nooks. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor. Read our review
Shark Steam Mop
My friend gave me a Shark Steam Mop because she accidentally received two due to a shipping error, and I'm glad she did. Despite not having a lot of features and being made of mostly plastic, it's an impressive steam mop that you'll want in your spring cleaning arsenal. It gets hot enough — scalding hot, in fact, so be careful — that it'll quickly remove all the months of grime off your floor without requiring that much effort from you. I love using it on days when I'm feeling lazy but know that I absolutely need to clean. It's a cheap alternative to the Dyson WashG1. — Michelle Rae Uy, writer, testing and updates
Bona High Performance Dusting System
I recently got my hands on this extendable duster from Bona, and it has been a game changer at dusting those hard-to-reach areas in my apartment. I had been neglecting to dust my ceiling fan for way too long, but as soon as I got my hands on this long-handled duster with an adjustable head, it was a cleaning task that was borderline kind of fun. Even though it's taller than me while fully extended, it folds up so compact that it'd fit in even the smallest apartments. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
Iucge Rubber Cleaning Gloves
It's my belief that every home should have at least one pair of rubber gloves on hand. Whether you're dealing with harsh chemicals like bleach or dealing with grimy and harrowing messes, it's nice to have something protecting your skin and clothes. These gloves give me the liberty to clean with even more elbow grease and are also great for daily tasks like dishwashing, especially if you have manicured hands you'd like to keep looking sharp. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
Swiffer PowerMop
Since I live in an NYC apartment, I don't have space for bulky cleaning supplies, which is why I've always opted for Swiffer's space-saving products. The PowerMop is an upgrade to the standard Swiffer Sweeper, with dirt-grabbing mop pads and a fresh-scented cleaning solution that you can spray with the push of a button. The mop itself is battery powered so you aren't hindered by long cords or the availability of outlets. It honestly makes cleaning up my floors a breeze, and I like that I can target specific spots with the spray. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
I got tired of trying to figure out whether or not my empty bottles of detergent are getting recycled, so I recently switched to these detergent sheets. They're very effective at cleaning my clothes, don't take up much space in my laundry closet and are easier to use — just grab a sheet and toss it in the washer! — Michelle Rae Uy, writer, testing and updates
Swiffer Heavy-Duty Duster Refills
I already have a Swiffer Duster handle, so now, I just buy duster refills whenever I empty a box. They do a great job at picking up dust, and because they're double-sided, I feel like I get more use out of one. The dusters I currently use are unscented, but I may need to pick up a box of scented ones the next time I run out. — Rachel Dennis, associate editor
Febreze Fabric Extra Strength Air Freshener
Having a pleasant-smelling abode is important to me, and after I've swept, wiped, straightened and vacuumed my living spaces, I like to metaphorically seal the deal by locking in the clean with this Febreze fabric spray. I use this liberally on my couch, carpets, curtains, bathmats and pillows to help everything feel extra fresh. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
Suzanne Somers Suzanne Eco Cleaner Multi-Surface Duo
Tons of cleaning products are made with a lot of chemicals, so finding an eco-friendly product that gets the job done isn't always an easy task. I started using this organic multi-surface cleaner and life has never been easier. I really love that you can use this for almost every household task, from your windows to even your car. It has a light and refreshing scent and makes my space smell clean without being too overpowering. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don't just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands. In addition to hands-on testing products, we also consult top experts to understand what features, benefits and possible downsides each item offers. We also seek out important considerations and advice from our experts to help give you the information you need to make smarter shopping decisions. For this article, associate editor Jillian Tracy curated our editors' favorite cleaning products that help to keep our spaces spotless.
