32 of the best cleaning products you should be using at home

For using all around your home
We are totally obsessed with Zoflora, and yes we fully blame it on Mrs Hinch, but this Instagram sensation has gained its cult following for a reason. It has a ton of uses, is pet friendly and kills up to 99.9 per cent of germs. Stick it in a bucket with some hot water to clean your floors, mix it up in a spray bottle to clean your surfaces or splash a bit in your sink to get that sparkling, too.

We love it so much we have a whole article dedicated to the many, many Zoflora uses. 

The best mould spray
A highly effective, fast-acting Astonish Mould and Mildew Blaster is our pick of the best cleaning product for getting rid of mould. For use on walls, UPVC window frames, glass, plastic shower curtains and much more, a little goes a long way to remove mould stains and most of all, kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria. Just spray it on the affected area, leave for around 10 minutes and wipe clean. Zero scrubbing required.

Have a read through our guide on how to get rid of mould and mildew for more tips. 

Great for cleaning stubborn stains
We swear this stuff has more of a social media presence than the whole Real Homes team combined. If you haven't seen it plastered all over your Instagram, then let us introduce you to Stardrops' The Pink Stuff (you can thank us later). It's basically just an amazing all-around cream cleaner that works on ovens, cookware, sinks, tiles and worktops. It can turn pretty much any appliance or surface from looking drab to fab, with little effort required.

A natural stain remover and bacteria buster
From descaling shower heads to cleaning the microwave, vinegar is probably the best cleaning product out there. It's cheap, versatile and environmentally friendly – what's not to love? Oh, the smell? It'll dissipate and it's nothing that one of the best air fresheners can't handle. We say that Stardrops Vinegar Spray is the best, mostly because it's housed inside a convenient spray bottle. 

Don't miss our guide on how to clean with vinegar, too.

The best air freshener you can buy
In our opinion, Puressentiel's Purifying Air Spray is the best air freshener you can buy for your home, and the best part is that it's made with no synthetic chemicals – just a unique blend of 100 per cent pure and natural essential oils. Just one spray will make a difference and you'll immediately notice the air clearing. As for the scent, it's natural and fresh with notes of tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus. 

A natural cleaning powder with multiple uses
Another everyday item that has super cleaning powers. Bicarb is tried and tested and its results do take some beating. This versatile cleaner can be used to clean cooker tops, sinks, and tiles,  while it can also deodorise carpets and upholstery, as well as eliminate odours in baths, basins, and sinks. You can even use bicarbonate of soda to freshen a mattress. We say that the Dri Pak Bicarbonate of Soda is the best stuff out there.

Don't miss our baking soda cleaning tips guide.

Best for cleaning fridges and freezers of nasty smells
A great cleaning hack for your fridge or freezer is to put activated charcoal in to eradicate nasty smells (or mix equal parts warm water and vinegar and spray sparingly across the inside). The Special Ingredients Activated Charcoal Powder from Amazon ought to do the trick.

Find more advice on how to clean a fridge in our guide.

All-round kitchen cleaner
Cutting through grease and dirt in seconds, this Astonish(ing) kitchen cleaner is definitely one of our faves. It leaves a zesty lemon and grapefruit scent behind, as well as a streak-free shine. To use, simply spray on your surfaces and wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. For tough stains and grease, leave for two minutes before wiping. Just be aware you can't use this spray on unsealed wood, porous surfaces or unglazed tiles. You should also avoid leaving the Astonish Kitchen Cleaner Zesty Lemon on paintwork, gold plating and lacquered or varnished wood for too long.

For cleaning chrome
Prefer not to use sprays when cleaning your kitchen? Not only does this multi-purpose cleaner work wonders on your taps, hob and any other metals in your kitchen, but works great as a general surface cleaner too. It does require a bit more effort than using a spray, but the results are well worth it. Use the Bio-Mex Multi Surface Cleaner your sink and draining board for a lovely shine, and your hob and pots and pans to make them look brand new. To use, wet the sponge included, rub it on the block, squeeze the sponge until it foams and you're good to go. Wipe down with a damp cloth, and for extra shine, then wipe again with a dry cloth. Trust us, this is the stuff of cleaning dreams. 

Best oven cleaner
A little bit of this stuff goes a loooong way. Just apply a small amount of the Astonish Oven and Cookware Cleaner to your oven, cooker top, sink or tiles (yes, it doesn't just work wonders on ovens) and rub with a damp sponge or cloth, and then rinse with clean water and a clean cloth.

Tackle your oven with our step-by-step guide to how to clean an oven – we've got some clever ways to clean yours with natural products, too.

For cleaning wooden worktops
This non-toxic, plant-based daily cleaner works amazingly on sealed wood surfaces, wooden furniture and cabinets. Cleaning away any dust and dirt leaving wooden surfaces with a protective, non-greasy, shine. To use just spray the Method touch wood almond polish on a soft cloth, wipe down your tree-based possessions and buff with a clean, dry cloth. 

For a full guide on how to clean wooden worktops check out our step-by-step guide. 

For granite, marble and steel surfaces
This spray is perfect for removing the ring marks and fingerprints that can spoil the look of your work surfaces. It works best on granite, marble stone and steel, while it is non-abrasive and protects the surface as it cleans. You can buy the Worktop Wonder Hard Surface Spray at Amazon.

Best stainless steel cleaner
Bar Keepers Friend Power Cream works wonders on stainless steel taps, sinks and cookware.  It's a non-scratch cream cleaner that's still really tough on grease and grime and it easily removes limescale too. Don't just confine this product to the kitchen though, it's also great in bathrooms on showerheads, taps, tiles and grout. 

For more tips on how to clean stainless steel, check out our guide. 

To unblock your sink
Not sure we can say anything particularly exciting about a drain unblocker, other than the fact that the HG Liquid Drain Unblocker does the job with minimal fuss. Just pour three cups of this stuff down your kitchen or bathroom sink and let it work its magic for 30 minutes, then wash it away with clean warm water. Simple and effective. 

If you are having sink troubles, check out our guide to how to unblock a sink. 

Best washing-up liquid
What's going on inside this bottle is brilliant but, first, let's just mention that it comes in a 100 per cent recycled plastic bottle made from completely biodegradable plant-based ingredients. In terms of the actual product, the Ecover camomile & marigold washing-up liquid does a great job on tough stains but is mild, so good for those with sensitive skin, plus a little goes a long way. Our favourite scent is Chamomile & Clementine, but there are a load more delicious aromas: Pomegranate & Fig, Lily & Lotus, Lemon & Aloe and a zero-fragrance alternative.

Check out more of our best washing up liquids. 

Best dishwasher tablets
Our favourite dishwasher tables have to be the Smol dishwasher tablets. These work by subscription, although you can get your first box for free so that you can try before you buy. This makes it super convenient as they get posted through your letterbox every month, and you needn't lug them home from the supermarket. These pink tablets will leave your glassware shining and your plates clean as ever. Plus, they're eco-friendly and cruelty-free. The only waste you'll be left with is the cardboard recyclable packaging.

If your dishwasher is in need of a more stealthy clean then check out our advice on how to clean a dishwasher. 

Best kitchen cloth for cleaning
Another one from Mrs Hinch's Narnia, the M Cloth (or 'Minky' as she affectionately refers to it) is dual-sided, with the scrubbing side ideal for quickly removing burnt-on stains and marks and a microfibre side for lifting away grease and grime.  You can use it for washing up, cleaning kitchen surfaces, and the scrubbing side works pretty well on ovens, too. 

The best bathroom cleaner
This bathroom cleaning product can remove limescale, soap scum and tough stains, leaving your surfaces bright and clean. A great product for deep cleaning your bath in particular as it removes watermarks with ease. Simply spray some Astonish Bathroom Cleaner onto your surfaces and leave for one or two minutes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge and you're all done! Just as an FYI, this can't be used on marble, enamel baths, limestone and porous surfaces. 

The best shower cleaner
Literally the easiest shower cleaner out there, just spritz it around your shower (when it's wet) and it just gets on with its job: dissolving watermarks, soap scum and residue. Oh, and it's free from toxic chemicals. The Method Shower Cleaner Spray is brilliant.

And, of course, we've got a guide to tell you how to clean a shower fast (and thoroughly).

The best toilet cleaner
It may not be all that glamorous, but toilet cleaner is essential in your bathroom cleaning armour. These Astonish(ing) (wait, did we already make that joke?) toilet cleaning tablets will blast any limescale, rust or calcium in your toilet bowl, no scrubbing is necessary. Simply remove the tablet from its packet, pop it in your toilet and leave for 20 minutes. Then, quickly brush and flush. For a deeper clean, leave overnight or use two tablets together. Once you start using the Astonish Toilet Bowl Cleaner you'll never stop.

For more of our best toilet cleaners, have a read through our buying guide. 

For a fresh loo
What we love about this toilet cleaner is how incredibly low maintenance it is. Clip the Bloo Fragrance Switch to the side of your toilet bowl and every time you flush, no only will you get a fresh scent, but they clean the toilet too, preventing lime-scale and getting rid of any grime. With the Fragrance Switch you also get a different scent when you flush to when the bowl is dry so you will always notice the clean fragrance. This is basically the ideal product for keeping everything looking fresh between deeper cleans. 

For more tips on how to clean your toilet head over to our guide. 

The best grout cleaner
Cleaning grout is an incredibly satisfying job, especially when you have a product that makes it so easy. This HG Grout Cleaner quickly removes even the most persistent dirt; just spray the product over the area, leaving for a few minutes, then use a hard scrubbing brush (or an old toothbrush for those tricky-to-get-to areas) to remove the dirt. Wipe the surface over with a warm cloth to remove any odd bits of dirt and job done. 

The best limescale remover
Your in-laws are coming over and you have all of five minutes to clean the bathroom. Which single product do you reach for? That would be Cillit Bang Limescale and Grime cleaner. It gives super results and will work on just about any bathroom surface. It removes soapscum, water marks, limescale, dirt, grime and even rust in no time. Bang! And the dirt is gone (or similar).

The best wooden floor cleaner
Specially formulated for sealed wooden floors, this Bona Wood Floor Cleaner Spray is great for quick and easy cleaning. It doesn't leave streaks or residue just a soft sheen. Just make sure that before cleaning floors, you vacuum or sweep first to remove any loose dirt or grit from the surface.

For more of the best wooden floor cleaners check out our guide, and don't miss our how to clean wooden floors piece for more tips.

For cleaning tiles
Designed for all types of tiles including ceramic, glass, porcelain and stone, Dr Beckmann Stone & Tile Cleaner adds a protective layer to your tiles to stop them from staining or being subject to wear and tear. It leaves a soft, natural shine and is also super easy to use; just dilute it with water and use a scrubbing brush to clean your tiles. 

Find more of the best floor tile cleaners with our help.

The best carpet cleaning spray
If your carpet (and by your carpet we clearly mean you) is susceptible to getting red wine spilt on it, it's always a good idea to have something a bit stronger on hand. While the HG Extra Strong Stain Spray is particularly potent and should be handled with care, it works wonders on stubborn stains such as coffee, grease, blood or wine, making it our pick of the best carpet cleaning product for removing stains.

The best window cleaning solution
This window cleaner cuts through tough grease and grime to leave a streak-free shine, plus it has added vinegar to give window and glass extra shine. For the best result use the Mr Muscle 5 in 1 Window And Glass Cleaner with some kitchen roll.

The best microfibre cloth
E-cloths are also a glass cleaning essential in our eyes. Use them to clean windows for a crystal clear, streak free finish. Best of all? You can use them with water alone to get a good shine.

For cleaning walls
Perfect for getting rid of scuff marks on walls, this genius little product basically works like a rubber. When damp, the microscopic fibres develop a strong, eraser-like quality, cleaning surfaces and tough stains like magic. Made from melamine foam, the Magic Eraser Stain Remover Cleaning Blocks can be snipped to any size that suits – perfect for getting into those hard-to-reach places. It can also be used on ovens and cookware. 

For upholstery stains
This works just as well on soft furnishings as it does on carpets. With its powerful oxy formula and built-in brush, Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover effectively removes heavy soil and unsightly spills such as red wine, coffee, fruit juice, grease and other common household stains from upholstery. The cleaning brush gets deep into the stain, whilst the special oxy-powered formula also eliminates any odours.

For cleaning leather
Leather needs a fair bit of TLC but this kit has everything you need to clean and care for your leather furniture. The Lakeland Leather Furniture Care Cleaning Kit includes a gentle cleaning solution, condition and protector, an ink spot remover and a cloth.

The best laundry powder
When you want a detergent that is gentle on clothes and skin, you can't go wrong with Fairy Non Bio. You get 65 washes out of a big box of the stuff and it keeps your laundry smelling fresh for up to a week.

See more of our best washing powders in our guide.