Cleaning Solutions to Use Around Your Home

Keeping your home clean can feel like an endless chore. With busy schedules, it’s easy to let messes build up and dirt accumulate. Implementing effective cleaning solutions and products can help make maintaining a tidy household more manageable. From all-purpose cleaners to solutions for specific problem areas, having the right tools on hand is key. Read on for an extensive guide to cleaning solutions to use for every part of your home.

All-Purpose Household Cleaners

Having a good all-purpose cleaner is essential for quick cleanups around your home. These versatile cleaners can be used to wipe down countertops, appliances, finished wood surfaces, and more.

Multi-Surface Cleaners

Multi-surface spray cleaners allow you to quickly clean a variety of surfaces in your home. Look for plant-based or other non-toxic formulations. Spray directly onto surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Some popular multi-surface cleaner options:

Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner – cleans and deodorizes without harsh chemicals
Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner – derived from plant-based ingredients
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner – disinfects and kills 99.9% of bacteria

All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes

Disposable all-purpose cleaning wipes provide a convenient and portable option for quickly cleaning surfaces throughout your home. Opt for thick, durable wipes that won’t tear easily.

Good choices for all-purpose cleaning wipes:

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes – disinfect and remove messes from surfaces
Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes – kill viruses and bacteria
Method All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes – made with biodegradable fibers

All-Purpose Cleaning Sprays

Keep a multi-use cleaning spray under your sink or in each room for swift surface cleaning. Spray directly onto surfaces, let sit briefly, then wipe away.

Effective all-purpose cleaning sprays:

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner – available in scents like lavender and lemon verbena
Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray – kills 99.99% of household germs
Method All-Purpose Spray – non-toxic and derived from plants

Window & Glass Cleaners

Keep your windows, mirrors, glass surfaces streak-free with a specialty glass cleaning formula. Spray and wipe with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

Recommended glass and window cleaners:

Windex Original Glass Cleaner – ammonia-free cleaning power
Method Glass + Surface Cleaner – plant-based ingredients and essential oil scent
Rain-X Glass Cleaner – repels water to prevent spotting and streaking

Kitchen Cleaning Solutions

The kitchen sees a lot of messes on a daily basis. Having the right cleaning tools makes maintaining this high-traffic area much simpler.

Kitchen Surface Cleaners

Clean kitchen counters, appliances, sinks, and backsplashes with a dedicated kitchen cleaner. Look for grease-cutting ingredients to remove cooking residue.

Top kitchen surface cleaners:

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Kitchen Scrub – cuts through grease and food grime
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Kitchen Cleaner – kills germs on kitchen surfaces
Method Anti-Bac Kitchen Cleaner – cleans and disinfects in one step

Kitchen Appliance Cleaners

Over time, kitchen appliances accumulate burned-on food, grease, and grime. Specialty appliance cleaners help restore your appliances’ shine.

Effective for cleaning appliances:

Affresh Cooktop Cleaner – formulated for ceramic and electric stove tops
Whirlpool Refrigerator Cleaner – removes soils and odors from fridges
Method Stainless Steel Cleaner – cleans and polishes stainless steel

Dish Soaps

Prevent spotted dishes and kill germs on plates, cups and cutlery with a high-quality dish soap. Look for concentrated formulas that fight grease.

Recommended dish soaps:

Dawn Platinum Powerwash – cuts through stuck-on foods
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Dish Soap – available in scents like lavender and lemon
Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Soap – non-toxic and fast-acting suds

Antibacterial Scrub Brushes

For scrubbing stuck-on foods on pots, pans and dishes, use an abrasive scrub brush. Choose one with antimicrobial bristles to eliminate germs.

Helpful kitchen scrub brushes:

OXO Good Grips Dish Brush – durable bristles and built-in scraper
Mr. Clean Antibacterial Scrubber – textured scrubber kills 99.9% of bacteria
Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System – self-dispensing scrub brush

Bathroom Cleaning Solutions

The bathroom requires regular disinfecting to prevent mold, mildew and bacteria from taking hold. Stock up on these bathroom cleaning essentials:

Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaners

Cleaning your toilet, sink, tub and shower is easier with a bathroom cleaner that disinfects. Look for natural, non-toxic formulas when possible.

Effective disinfecting bathroom cleaners:

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach – removes stains and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria
Method Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner – certified disinfectant derived from plant-based ingredients
Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner – cleans and freshens

Scrub Cleaning Tools

For removing soap scum, mineral deposits and grime from bathroom surfaces, use a specialized scrub tool. Long handles allow you to clean hard-to-reach areas.

Helpful scrub tools:

Scrubbing Bubbles Vanish Continuous Clean Drop-Ins – automatically cleans with each flush
Lysol Touchpoint Deep Clean Scrubber – angled design cleans corners and crevices
Clorox ToiletWand Disposable Scrubber – cleans under the rim with antibacterial pads

Grout & Tile Cleaners

Over time, tile and grout gets dingy with soap scum, mildew and hard water buildup. Use a cleaner made for porous grout lines and textured tile. Apply with a scrub brush.

Recommended grout and tile cleaners:

Clorox Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover – kills mold and mildew growth
ZEP Grout Cleaner and Whitener – deep cleans and whitens discolored grout
Method Daily Shower Cleaner – naturally cleans soap scum and hard water stains

Drain Cleaners

Prevent slow-flowing bathroom drains with a liquid drain cleaner or enzyme formula. This helps break down hair, soap scum and oils that can clog drains over time.

Effective drain clearing solutions:

Liquid-Plumr Foaming Pipe Snake – clings to pipes to clear clogs and prevent future blockages
Green Gobbler Enzyme Drain Cleaner – biodegrades soap scum, fats and organic materials
Drano Max Gel Clog Remover – thick gel formula removes water-blocking clogs

Floor Cleaning Solutions

Your floors encounter spills, tracked-in dirt, debris and more on a daily basis. Use the right floor cleaner to keep them looking their best.

Hardwood Floor Cleaners

Keep hardwood floors lustrous by using a cleaner formulated specifically for wood. Avoid excessive water.

Recommended hardwood floor cleaners:

Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner – gently cleans without dulling finish
Method Hardwood Floor Cleaner – naturally derived cleaner and polish in one
Murphy Oil Soap – cleans and conditions wood surfaces

Laminate & Vinyl Floor Cleaners

For laminate, luxury vinyl and other synthetic floors, use a cleaner designed for the protective topcoat. Check the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations.

Good laminate and vinyl floor cleaner options:

Bissell Laminate Floor Cleaner – cleans without damaging finish
Method Squirt + Mop Hard Floor Cleaner – plant-based cleaner safe for laminate floors
Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Floor Cleaner – cleans grease, dirt and footprints

Tile & Grout Cleaners

For ceramic, porcelain, stone and other tiled floors, use a cleaner specifically for the porous grout lines. Apply with a scrub brush.

Effective tile and grout floor cleaners:

Clorox Tilex Soap Scum Remover – formulated for shower floors and walls
ZEP Grout Cleaner – cleans and whitens dirty grout lines
Method Daily Shower Cleaner – cleans soap scum and hard water stains

Disinfecting Floor Cleaners

To disinfect high-traffic floors like in entryways and kitchens, use a sanitizing floor cleaner. These kill bacteria and viruses on contact.

Recommended disinfecting floor cleaners:

Clorox Disinfecting Floor Cleaner – cleans and disinfects in one step
Lysol Disinfectant All Purpose Cleaner – kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria
Pine-Sol Liquid Cleaner – clings to floors for potent germ-killing power

Furniture Cleaning Solutions

From couches to tables, keep all your indoor furniture looking its best with these cleaning solutions:

Wood Furniture Polish

Remove dust, fingerprints, and dullness from wooden tables, dressers, cabinets and more with a wood polish. Apply to surfaces and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Quality wood furniture polishes:

Pledge Lemon Oil Furniture Polish – dusts, polishes and conditions
Method Wood for Good Polish – plant-based polish cleans and protects
Howard Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish & Conditioner – cleanser and wax in one

Leather Cleaner & Conditioner

For leather sofas, chairs, and other upholstery, use a specialty leather cleaning formula. This helps moisturize and prevent cracking.

Recommended leather cleaning products:

Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner – cleans, shines and protects
Leather Nova Cleaner & Conditioner – gently cleans and nourishes leather
Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner Complete Care Kit – premium cleaner and conditioner kit

Upholstery & Fabric Cleaners

From couches to drapes, keep fabrics fresh and stain-free with an upholstery cleaner designed for the fabric type. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.

Effective fabric and upholstery cleaners:

Scotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Cleaner – cleans stains and protects from future stains
Hoover PetPlus Pet Stain & Odor Remover – lifts pet stains and odors from fabrics
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer – kills 99.9% of bacteria on fabrics

Specialty Cleaning Solutions

Tackle other cleaning needs around your home with these specialty solutions:

Stainless Steel Cleaners & Polishes

Remove fingerprints, water spots, food splatter and more from stainless steel appliances by using a dedicated stainless steel cleaner and polish.

Quality stainless steel cleaners:

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish – foaming spray formula
Method Stainless Steel Cleaner – plant-based cleaner and polish
Zep Stainless Steel Cleaner – anti-fingerprint spray

Granite Cleaners & Polishes

Keep granite countertops, tiles, monuments and other granite surfaces shiny with a specially formulated granite cleaner. Help seal and protect the porous rock.

Recommended granite cleaners:

Method Daily Granite Cleaner – certified disinfecting formula
Weiman Granite Cleaner and Polish – cleans and polishes without streaks
TriNova Granite Cleaner and Sealer Kit – cleans and seals in one step

Mold & Mildew Removers

Eliminate black mold, mildew, and fungus in the bathroom, basement, outdoor areas, or anywhere moisture accumulates with a potent mold remover.

Effective mold killers and removers:

RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover – hospital-grade formula
Concrobium Mold Remover – chlorine-free spray removes existing mold and prevents growth
Lysol Mold and Mildew Remover – kills and prevents mold and mildew

Carbonated Cleaners

Carbonated cleaners like cleaners contain sizzling CO2 bubbles that penetrate and lift away grime and residue from household surfaces. Simply spray, let fizz for 2-3 minutes then wipe away.

Good carbonated cleaner options:

Carbona 2-in-1 Oxypowered Carpet Cleaner – penetrates fibers to clean carpets and rugs
MasterBlaster All Purpose Cleaner – lifts grease and grime from ovens, sink, and more
Carbona Stain Devils – various formulas tackle oil, grease, ink and other stubborn stains

DIY Homemade Cleaning Solutions

Whip up your own homemade cleaners using simple, natural ingredients you probably already have at home:

All-purpose cleaner – Mix 1 part white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for scent if desired.

Glass cleaner – Combine 2 parts water with 1 part white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add lemon juice for extra cleaning power and grease removal.

Disinfectant cleaner – Mix 4 teaspoons bleach with 1 quart water. Add a few drops dish soap. Do not mix with vinegar!

Mold cleaner – Combine equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Add 15-20 drops tea tree oil for mold-fighting properties.

DIY scrub – Sprinkle baking soda on surfaces, then scrub with a cut lemon or lemon half dipped in borax powder. Rinse clean.

Wood polish – Combine 1 part olive oil with 2 parts lemon juice. Apply a small amount to wood and polish with a soft, clean cloth.

Cleaning Tools & Equipment

Having the right tools makes cleaning tasks faster and more efficient:

Microfiber cloths – lint-free and perfect for cleaning glass, mirrors, electronics
Sponge mop – great for washing floors with a bucket and cleaning solution
Magic eraser – melamine foam helps remove scuffs from walls and tougher messes
Vacuum cleaners – upright, stick, handheld and robot vacuums help keep floors clean in between deeper cleanings
Steam cleaners – use hot steam to sanitize surfaces and refresh carpets, drapes, upholstery
Cleaning caddy – portable caddy totes cleaners and supplies from room to room

When to Call for Professional Cleaning Services

Some intensive cleaning tasks are best left to the professionals. Consider hiring a cleaning service for:

Deep carpet cleaning – steam clean carpets to remove embedded dirt, stains, allergens
Upholstery cleaning – deep clean upholstered furniture and drapes
Air duct cleaning – sanitize HVAC system ductwork throughout the home
Window washing – interior and exterior window cleaning, including screens and sills
Post-construction cleaning – intensive cleaning of newly built or renovated homes
Move-in/move-out cleaning – thorough cleaning for new homeowners or renters

Cleaning Solutions Shopping Checklist

Print out this checklist to bring to the store when restocking your cleaning supplies:

[ ] All-purpose household cleaner
[ ] Disinfecting wipes and sprays
[ ] Glass and window cleaner
[ ] Kitchen surface spray or wipes
[ ] Dish soap
[ ] Disinfecting bathroom cleaner
[ ] Toilet brush and bowl cleaner
[ ] Shower scrub brush
[ ] Grout cleaner
[ ] Floor cleaner for your floor type
[ ] Furniture polish
[ ] Stainless steel cleaner
[ ] DIY cleaner ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Cleaning Solutions

What is the best natural all-purpose cleaner?

Some of the top options for natural all-purpose cleaners are Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner, Method All-Purpose Cleaner, and Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner. They use plant-based ingredients that clean and disinfect without harsh fumes.

How should I clean my hardwood floors?

Use a cleaner specifically made for hardwood like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Spray directly onto floors and wipe with a microfiber mop. Avoid excessive water.

How do I get soap scum off tile and grout?

Use a tile and grout cleaner like Clorox Tilex Mold and Mildew or Method Daily Shower Cleaner. Apply directly to tile surfaces and grout lines and let sit briefly before scrubbing and rinsing clean.

What’s the best way to clean stainless steel appliances?

Use a dedicated stainless steel cleaner and polish made for removing fingerprints and water spots without scratching the finish. Spray onto a microfiber cloth then wipe down the appliance surface.

What homemade solution works well as an all-purpose cleaner?

An effective DIY all-purpose cleaner is to mix equal parts water and white vinegar or lemon juice in a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for scent. The acidity in vinegar and lemon juice helps cut through grime.

How often should I mop my floors?

For lightly trafficked areas, mopping once a week is sufficient. For high traffic areas like kitchens and entryways, mop 2-3 times per week or more as needed.

What’s the best way to clean mold in the bathroom?

Use a mold and mildew remover like RMR-86 Instant Mold Remover or Concrobium Mold Control. First, scrub away any surface mold growth, then apply the cleaner