A well-stocked cupboard of cleaning supplies is essential for a well-kept home. And if, like us, you've done your fair share of sprucing, you'll also know that not all products are made equal. From dishcloths to glass cleaners, we've put some of the best-rated cleaning products through their paces and these are all of the ones that can make a real difference to the cleanliness of your space.
Whether you're freshening up your bathroom or tiny studio kitchen, we've featured all the tools and products you could need to make every surface shine and every room smell like a dream. Think Scrub Daddies and dish wands to make even your least favorite chore a little easier; plus, if you want to use eco-friendly cleaning products there are endless options to keep your routine more sustainable too.
Scroll to get one step closer to next-level sparkling results and soon, reaching for your cleaning caddy to give everything a once-over won't seem so bad at all.
The best cleaning products, as tried and tested by the Real Homes team
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Our favorite everyday cleaning spray
The perfect everyday cleaning supply, this cleaner is great for all around your home. Affordable, well-scented, and cruelty-free, this is essential for your cleaning caddy. This spray is a golden pick because it's made with plant-derived ingredients, and avoids artificial colors, parabens, and glycol solvents. Well-scented and thoughtfully made, what could be better to spritz your home with?
Our favorite cleaning sponge
The ultimate cleaning companion: the Scrub Daddy. With this pack, you can have one of these friendly scrubbers for every room of the house, which really is the dream. Soft in warm water and hard in cold water, this sponge is versatile, multi-functional, plus, ideal for both deep and quick kitchen cleans.
Our second favorite all-purpose cleaner
This cleaner is somewhat of a staple in several Real Homes team members' homes. Why? It's a multi-purpose solution so you can use it pretty much anywhere, and it smells AMAZING — just like fresh rhubarb. Just spray, leave for a few minutes and wipe away. It kills bacteria yet is plant-based and cruelty-free. Its bottle is recyclable but the cap, trigger, and pump aren't, just an FYI.
The best handwashing accessory
If you handwash your crockery and cutlery, this heavy-duty scrubber will speed up time at the sink. No wet sponge on the side, and the see-through handle clearly shows you how much dish soap is contained inside the vessel. Over time, this tool will save you from free-pouring detergent onto dishes. When the sponge gets a bit tatty — there's no need to bin the whole thing. Simply replace it with a refill.
Our favorite air freshener
Puressentiel's Purifying Air Spray is our favorite air freshener, and the best part is that it's made with no synthetic chemicals – just a unique blend of 100 percent 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.
Our favorite cleaning paste
There's no end to the usefulness of this magical paste, which is so versatile. Whether you're cleaning saucepans, your grill, or even rusted patio furniture, this mighty paste has your back. Designed using a non-toxic, environmentally responsible formula, the Pink Stuff is my definition of an all-rounder. Its ingredients? 99% natural and completely cruelty-free.
Our favorite cleaning cloths
Using these E-Cloths to clean your home will make a big improvement to the sustainability of your setup. You can get any and every cleaning task done with these cloths, which are suitable for countertops, appliances, and glass. Each one has a different use, and thanks to the precision-engineered microfiber texture, they can be washed up to 300 times. You can use them to clean with only hot water, and most of the Real Homes team practically swear by theirs.
The best shower cleaner
Take it from us: this is the easiest shower cleaner to use in the history of all shower cleaners. Simply spritz it around your shower (when it's wet), and it gets on with the job: dissolving watermarks, soap scum, and residue. Oh, and it's free from toxic chemicals. Add to this a recycled bottle, a fresh eucalyptus and mint scent, and a rinse-free formula, and we have a legend in the making. Now you know how to clean a shower quickly (and thoroughly), you've got no excuse.
The best cleaning vinegar
If you're not using vinegar to clean your home then you are doing it all wrong. This multi-purpose vinegar from Heinz is ideal to have in your arsenal, with special strength for banishing stains and aiding with overall cleaning. Pop it in your dishwasher or washing machine come cleaning day, and reap all the rewards. Otherwise a little goes a long way, and it's safe for cleaning up after pets.
For cleaning your toilet
Okay, so it's not the most glamorous job in the world, but this Lysol cleaner definitely makes tackling your toilet a lot easier. Able to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, it has a handy angled top to get the task done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
For removing tough stains
This cult product can power through grease, rust, and more to get rid of stains — even historic ones — to return countertops in your kitchen and sinks in your bathroom to their former glory. What's more? It works wonders on cookware, to restore it back to its original condition. Happy reviewers refer to this as a 'literal miracle worker' so pick it up and try it on your problem areas to find out for yourself.
For cleaning stainless steel
You can give your appliances a thorough clean on their exteriors with this product. With a polish that protects against pesky fingerprint marks and fights dust and other nasty stuff, this is a must-have for smartening up your fridge, microwave, and more.
For cleaning up after your pets
Take care of all of the more unpleasant duties of having a super lovable pet with this product, which smells like fresh oranges and is safe to use around your fave furry friends. We think this is a great thing to have in your supply, as it can be used in your home, garage, and car, and cover all bases.
For cleaning granite
Granite surfaces can be a real problem, so invest in this cleaner for a smoother cleaning experience. This one can be used daily and is plant-based too. It'll leave your countertop sparkling and won't damage your precious granite top.
For cleaning your oven
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.
For more cleaning advice, find out how to clean an oven.
For cleaning wooden floors
Specially formulated for sealed wooden floors, the 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.
You'll never wonder how to clean wooden floors again.
For cleaning tiles
Designed for all types of tiles including ceramic, glass, porcelain, and stone, the 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.
For cleaning upholstery
Hoover's Oxy Tough Stain Remover works wonders on upholstery, such as sofas and armchairs, but is also effective on curtains, carpets, and rugs. It works fast to remove stains including red wine and coffee, and it's super simple to use. Simply just spray, leave for 10 minutes and wipe with a damp cloth. It might just be one of the best upholstery cleaners you can buy.
For removing mold
There's no scrubbing necessary with this top-rated mold remover, which works straight away to restore your walls or your bathroom tiles to their former glory. Suitable for use in bathtubs, on wood, drywall and plenty of other surfaces, this reasonably priced spray will help you eradicate mildew and mold, and keep away bad odors too. As with any cleaning product, be wary of how strong this spray is, and take all necessary precautions when it comes to airing your home from the fumes and with protective clothing and eyewear. One of our best mold removers.
Our favorite dusting cloth
Tik Toker Vanesa Amaro (opens in new tab) introduced us to the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster. You can use it anywhere from shelves to baseboards and blinds, using only water. This rippled sponge also manages to catch pet hair at the same time. Magic!
Our favorite reusable dishcloth
Our Deputy Editor, Camille Dubuis-Welch, loves reusable kitchen cloths to quickly wipe down counters, and in particular, spare grounds that escape her coffee machine. These Swedish Dishcloths (opens in new tab) are super robust and you can just run them through the dishwasher every few days to refresh and sanitize them.
Real Homes review process — how we picked these cleaning supplies
Cleaning products are so important when it comes to making your home sparkle, which is why we've gone to lengths to test the majority of these products out firsthand as a team at Real Homes.
We asked our whole team what their favorite products are (and their reasons why) so that we can show you why we really think these products are worth your money. Those that we haven't had a chance to test in our homes just yet are next on our list, with this list being updated as soon as we can give them our stamp of approval. The cleaning products we have tested are listed as our favorites, and the ones we've not we chose based on customer reviews.
Hear from the Real Homes team below as they chat about their must-have products — and why they are so great.
Hey, I'm Annie, Real Homes' head ecommerce editor. I've been writing and reviewing for the brand since 2018, and cleaning supplies are one of my favorite things to test. Why? Because when you find a good one, you're set for years to come. Personally, I'll always go for an eco-friendly alternative when shopping for cleaning supplies. Whether that be a biodegradable formula or a plastic-free option, that is. Otherwise, I am obsessed with cleaning my home with vinegar (once I get past that god-awful smell).
Hello, I'm Christina, Real Homes' ecommerce editor. I look after all small kitchen appliances which is a blessing and a curse. Yes, those pancakes, fries, and other gourmet goodies look lovely, but after making and eating these delights — someone's got to clean. So, seeing as my work revolves around food, I like cleaning products that don't smell too strong, and have a fruity or herbaceous fragrance. You'll always find the Method antibacterial cleaner (rhubarb ftw), or Mrs. Meyers Clean Day spray in Lemon Verbena under the sink.
Hi, I'm Nishaa, staff writer at Real Homes. I swear by the entire Method range of cleaning products, but my three staples are the clementine kitchen cleaner, eucalyptus mint bathroom cleaner, and the glass cleaner. The products are all plant-based and biodegradable, so they're pet-friendly and planet-friendly too. The fresh scents leave your home feeling bright and clean, without a hint of chemical smell, and they leave surfaces sparkling. I like to leave the kitchen and bathroom cleaners to sit for about ten minutes before wiping surfaces, and find the scent lasts all day. Plus, the bottles, colors, and minimalist design are so dreamy.
Hey, I'm Melissa, and I'm the editor in chief of Real Homes. Cleaning bores me to death, so products that are generally healthier, eco-friendly, and look good make scrubbing my apartment more bearable. I adore Grove Collaborative, particularly its walnut fiber sponges. These handy sink sidekicks can get crusted-on gunk off any pan without damaging it (and without the use of extra chemicals). I'm also pretty sensitive when it comes to fragrance and rely heavily on laundry detergents from Ecover and Methods that are fragrance-free. They both ensure clean clothes and bedding sans super annoying skin reactions.
Which cleaning supplies do I need for my bathroom?
You'll find that you'll end up with a completely separate cleaning arsenal in your bathroom, with solutions designed specifically to clean this room. Here are the basics that you will need to keep your bathroom sparkling:
- Bathroom cleaner (or all-purpose spray)
- Glass and mirror cleaner
- Stainless steel cleaner (for your taps)
- Limescale remover
- Toilet cleaner
- Mold remover
4 things to think about when buying cleaning supplies online
There's plenty to consider when you're building up a cleaning selection for your home, from where you're going to stash it all to what kind of scents you favor. These are the essential things we keep in mind when restocking your cleaning caddy.
1. What does it smell like?
We know there's more to a spray or toilet cleaner than its scent, but at the end of the day, it is still important to like the smell of whatever you're spritzing in your home. Work out which scent profile you like, whether that's fresh cotton, a citrus burst, or something more specific like lemongrass and try and line your products up with that smell, to avoid a headache when you're deep cleaning.
2. Does it have any eco-friendly credentials?
For a lot of us, it's becoming increasingly important to ensure that the things we buy for our homes are certified as being good for the planet in the long term. There are so many great brands you can invest in that have starter bundles featuring glass bottles and cheap refill programs for when you run out of your favorite cleaners so that you can overhaul your whole set of products. Some of our favorite eco-friendly cleaning retailers include Blueland (opens in new tab), CleanCult (opens in new tab), and Grove Collaborative (opens in new tab).
3. How long will it last?
Investing in a cleaning product that you can only use once always feels wasteful, and isn't good for those who forget to pick another one up next time they're in a store. Using microfiber cloths or mops with washable heads is great for ensuring longevity, as you can throw them into your machine and use them again once they're nice and clean.
4. Is it made using any hazardous chemicals?
Understandably, people have different viewpoints when it comes to using chemicals to clean their homes. While some won't mind using a stronger cleaner to shift bleach or mold, some want to avoid it entirely. Always check the hazards involved when it comes to cleaning supplies, and prepare yourself with rubber gloves and protective clothing if necessary.
Wondering where to buy your cleaning supplies online?
Cleaning your home is a pretty personal thing, and you might be searching for a more niche product for a particular area or appliance. Or, you might have more specific needs when it comes to sustainability or products needing to be used around children, animals, and those with sensitive skin. These are our favorite retailers to head to, to stock up on cleaning products for your home.
- Amazon cleaning supplies (opens in new tab)
- Home Depot cleaning supplies (opens in new tab)
- Lowe's cleaning supplies (opens in new tab)
- Target cleaning supplies (opens in new tab)
- Walmart cleaning supplies (opens in new tab)
