We’ve all experienced a bite from the cleaning bug, an insatiable urge to tidy and organize our living space that strikes independently of the yearly spring cleaning frenzy. This can cause a mad scramble to organize and deep clean the home, usually without the necessary supplies to make the process as smooth as possible. Therefore, whether it be Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter, we’ve compiled a list of must-have cleaning products to make life easier when the cleaning bug comes calling.
Magic Eraser
The “Mr. Clean” line of products provides not only a wide range of goods to choose from, but a consistent quality of cleanliness across the board. Nothing exemplifies this more than their flagship product, the “Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.” From its original release in 2003, the Magic Eraser has become something of a trademark classic and maintained its status as a sworn by-product ever since. With its ability to tackle multiple surfaces and myriads of stains, everything from crayon marks on the wall, scuff marks on shoes, and dirt build-up on bathroom tile become a thing of the past. Its multi-surface optimization makes it the preferred choice for novice and professional cleaners alike.¹
Dishcloths/Sponge cloths
Dishcloths and sponge cloths are a product optimized for repeated use and cleanliness. Unlike a regular commercial sponge, which can be difficult to truly deep clean and holds onto a myriad amount of residual food germs, sponge cloths have been designed with hygiene and ease of use in mind. With both durability and absorbability, sponge cloths have also become a popular substitute for paper towels, as they are able to hold up to 20x their weight in liquid; pair this with the fact that they are made to be reused and can be machine washed upward of 300+ times, this is a product that can replace up to 15 rolls of toilet paper. Its affordable nature, reusability, and low price of $2-$6 makes this product a triple threat and must have. Brands such as “Ten. and co.” and “Amala” provides extremely affordable options, easily found at favorite online retailers.²
Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to the classic dryer sheet. Often made from wool, and scented with essential oils, dryer balls provide an enhanced clothes drying experience; they reduce and eliminate static, and provide a reduced drying time with increased softness and fluffiness in clothes. The main selling point of these woolen balls is the double package of naturally sourced materials and the reusability of the balls. On average, a wool dryer ball can last up to 1,000+ loads of laundry, coming out to about 2-5 years of use for a single ball. As dryer balls gain popularity, more and more retailers have taken to stocking them; popular wool dryer ball brands include “Budieggs” and “Smart Sheep”, and can most often be found easily through online retailers.³
Reusable Cleaning Towels and Microfiber Cloths
Reusable cleaning towels are a must-have in the home, for their range of versatility as well as money-saving benefits. Reusable cleaning towels come in many different forms, from those meant for dusting, ones optimized for scrubbing or polishing, and others optimized for glassware and windows; microfiber cloths are often optimized for all these tasks, making them an extremely versatile home cleaning tool. These reusable towels can not only help cut down on paper waste, but also help with consumption as these are made to be reused over and over again. With a microfiber cloth at the ready, there’s no more need to spend an exorbitant amount on paper towels ever again. The brand “Scotchbrite” currently provides a microfiber 3-in-1 towel that should do the trick quite nicely!⁴
We hope that this article has helped to provide information on some of the most amazing cleaning products available on the market today. Cleaning can be a hassle as well as a big point of stress for many people, due in part to the inundation of a myriad of different products to choose from. Therefore, this list helps to lay out a handful of “essential” types of products, with ample wiggle room to discover what works. As always, make sure to do independent research catered to the particular situation; a homeowner will always know what’s right for their home, schedule, and budget so make sure to find the products that work for the job at hand.
[1] Kaminski, Lisa. “The Magic Tool You Need to Clean Vintage Pyrex.” Taste of Home. Taste of Home, March 20, 2019. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-magic-eraser/.
[2] Lynn Redmile, Good Housekeeping Institute and Carolyn Forte. “We Tested 1,000+ Cleaning Products to Find the Best Ones for Your Home.” Good Housekeeping, April 8, 2020. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a32009007/good-housekeeping-cleaning-awards-2020/.
[3] Poskin, Ashley. “I Tried Dryer Sheets, Dryer Balls, and a DIY Hack: Here’s What Happened to My Towels.” Apartment Therapy. Apartment Therapy, LLC., March 2, 2020. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dryer-sheets-vs-dryer-balls-36720638.
[4] Mitroff, Sarah. “14 Cleaning Tools That’ll Make You Excited to Clean in 2020.” CNET. CNET, April 12, 2020. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/best-cleaning-products-that-will-make-you-excited-in-2020/.