25 Essential Cleaning Products HGTV Editors Swear By

Make tackling messes a little easier with our favorite tried-and-true cleaning tools.

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Updated on January 30, 2023

From game-changing vacuums that save you time to hard-working cleaning solutions that tackle pet odors, spills and more, these tools and supplies have earned permanent spots in the cleaning supply closets of HGTV staffers.

BEST VACUUMS, MOPS + UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS

$76.21

"It’s called the 'Pet Hair Eraser' for a reason. This tough, little machine is perfect for quick pet cleanups, like clumps of hair, scattered litter and food debris. I also use it often to vacuum out my car after messy road trips. The included crevice tool makes it so easy to get in awkward places a standard vacuum just can’t reach." — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

$164

"I’m obsessed with this carpet and upholstery spot cleaner. We use it at least weekly. It’s gotten raspberries out of a rug, yogurt off of a sofa, and it brought back a carpeted stairway that we were sure we would have to replace. They should basically hand these out at the hospital when you have kids, though it’s awesome for pets as well." — Marianne Canada, Executive Producer

$30.49

"Over the past few years, I’ve tried to reduce my waste in the cleaning department, like using microfiber cloths instead of paper towels, using refillable bottles, etc. This spray mop deep cleans everything from porcelain to vinyl flooring with little waste. It comes with a refillable bottle and reusable microfiber mop pad and a pocket-sized cleaning concentrate that lasts for a while. Plus, I love that the concentrate is phthalate-free, paraben-free, bleach-free, ammonia-free and formaldehyde-free, so it’s safe to use around my pets and toddler. I personally love the Meyer lemon-scented concentrate." — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

$12.95

"After reading the importance of cleaning your dryer vents and experiencing a decrease in my dryer performance, I found a dryer vent cleaning kit on Amazon which included a vacuum attachment to reach the hard-to-reach places within the lint trap and a long lint brush to grab at any remaining debris. The Holikme 2-piece dryer vent cleaner kit has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon with over 33K reviews. To use the cleaner kit, I first removed the lint trap and used the vacuum attachment to suck up the debris in the lint trap. I then used the lint brush to remove any leftover debris and then vacuumed again. I was amazed at how quickly it cleaned and how effective it was. As someone who always cleans out the lint trap after each load, this is a great addition as an annual deep clean to ensure the dryer is working efficiently and, most importantly, safely." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Senior Manager of Commerce Analytics

$349.99 $248

"I always thought a robot vacuum wasn’t for me (I’m really particular about cleaning). But this gadget has changed my life! It may not get every single crumb and dust bunny, but it has decreased the amount of time I have to spend vacuuming each week. Instead of plugging up my corded Shark Navigator every day, I only pull it out to spot clean once or twice a week. Just this morning, my i3 vacuumed the whole house while I went on a neighborhood walk and drank coffee. Can’t beat that convenience!" — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

$399.99 $169

"One of my pet peeves is feeling dirt and crumbs stick to my feet. But, thanks to my Neato robot vacuum, stepping on yucky floors is much less of an issue. Dog hair and crumbs are much more manageable, and I don’t spend as much time cleaning the floors." — Molly Miller, Assistant Editor

BEST CLEANING SOLUTIONS, WIPES, SOAPS + MORE

$4.86

"We all know that vinegar can be used to clean almost anything, but did you know that there’s a BIG difference in the distilled white vinegar you buy at the grocery store (five percent acidity) and cleaning vinegar (six percent acidity)? One percent might not sound like a lot, but it actually makes the product up to 20 percent more effective. I started using cleaning vinegar on my glass shower door and I had one of those “no freaking way!” moments. The hard water spots I’ve never been able to get clean wiped right off! Just pour the vinegar directly into a spray bottle and use it undiluted as an everyday cleaner for spills on carpet, glass, toilets and other hard surfaces. The smell dissipates in a few hours and your home is left sparkling clean. Pro tip: Don’t use this strong cleaner on porous surfaces such as wood or natural stone countertops and never ever cook with it – save the five percent vinegar for that." — Chelsea Faulkner, Editor

$8.44

"Recently, I've been obsessively cleaning every surface in my kitchen with Dawn Powerwash Spray. Not only is it extremely versatile — I use it to clean my glass stovetop, kitchen sink and, of course, the dishes — but it actually works. One of the hardest things for me to clean is my grill pan after cooking burgers or marinated meat, but not anymore! The grease-fighting power of the classic blue Dawn (IYKYK) is now in spray form, and this set even comes with a refill bottle." — Morgan Faulkner, Editorial Assistant

$8.24

"We refinished our wood floors and got a puppy at the same time... not necessarily a good mix, but we couldn’t say no. We needed to find a spray that would clean up the puppy mess without ruining the flooring. This stain remover has blown our minds. We’ve used it both on our hardwood and on rugs, and in both cases, the cleaner removed the spot/stain, left the area smelling fresh and completely removed the odor so that Chief (our pup) was no longer returning to the same spots to have another accident. Highly recommend for both puppy parents and long-time dog moms and dads." — Ellie Sanders, Assistant Editor

$4.79

"I'm addicted to Mrs. Meyer's products, which make even mundane chores like washing dishes — I am the last person in America without a dishwasher, I think — more pleasant. The peony scent is a current favorite." — Felicia Feaster, Managing Editor

$19.99 (Pack of 2)

"I have a senior dog with a slight incontinence problem. This stuff works wonders on pee stains." — Jackie McGilvray, Editor

$2.48

"This is my faaaaavorite glass cleaner. It’s cheap, 100-percent recyclable, made in the U.S.A. and works so much better than Windex. Use it with a soft microfiber cloth, and you’ll get crystal clear, streak-free mirrors and glass every time." — Molly Miller, Assistant Editor

$2.99

Cruelty-free, ammonia-free, compostable (what!), non-toxic and super effective at cleaning multiple surfaces, these wipes are my go-to for countertops, tabletops and wiping up spills. Plus, they smell heavenly." — Chelsea Faulkner, Editor

$4.99

"Litter boxes are a pain, but I can forget they exist for a while thanks to this deodorizer spray. One spritz will cover the entire litter box, destroying odor on contact. Plus, it doesn’t affect clumping! (I know you were wondering.) It even works well for trash cans." — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

$7.24

"I’m a big fan of Bar Keepers Friend for tough stains. This stuff works miracles on stainless steel cookware that has seen better days, removing discoloration and burnt-on food to make it look shiny and new. It can also remove rust, tarnish and mineral deposits from all kinds of surfaces." — Shannon Petrie, Managing Editor

$5.49

"Nothing cleans and shines stainless steel appliances (including black stainless steel) like Weiman wipes. Fingerprints, grease, food smears – gone. Plus, you only need one or two to clean an entire fridge, so the product lasts forever." — Chelsea Faulkner, Editor

$15.95 (Pack of 24)

"Attention all smelly dishwasher owners! I was battling with a smelly dishwasher, and didn't have the time to do a manual deep clean regularly. I found these dishwasher cleaner and deodorizer tablets by Active with a 4.5-star rating from over 4K reviews on Amazon. To use, I first opened the trap on the bottom of my dishwasher and cleaned out any food particles. I replaced the trap and placed one tablet at the bottom of my dishwasher and one within the dispenser for the first time and ran the dishwasher on a normal setting empty. I was stunned at how clean and fresh the dishwasher came out. The stink is gone, along with any of the grime and limescale. This pack comes with a 12-month supply to keep your dishwasher fresh and clean all year long with minimal work. I was so happy with the results." — Jennifer Cicatelli, Senior Manager of Commerce Analytics

BEST BRUSHES, TOOLS + ACCESSORIES

$19.54 (Pack of 3)

"I might be late to the bandwagon, but the Scrub Mommy is a kitchen cleaning must-have for me. I love it because it's dual-sided, with the original Scrub Daddy scrubber on one side and a soft sponge on the other. The foam is firm in cold water and soft in warm water and is scratch-free so you can really get things clean without the damage. My favorite way to use the Scrub Mommy is to spray my kitchen sink with Dawn Powerwash Spray then use the Scrub Mommy to scrub, wash and really clean the entire sink. Oh, and did I mention it's dishwasher-safe? It's truly an all-in-one sponge." — Morgan Faulkner, Editorial Assistant

$5.79

"Cleaning bottles by hand is a breeze with this gadget. Other ones I tried over the past year either couldn’t hold up to frequent use or started to mold after just a few weeks — ew! This sponge bottle brush stands upright — away from kitchen germs and bacteria — and comes with a hidden soft, rubber nipple brush to use on small parts." — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

$5.44

"When faced with particulate matter grossly embedded just below the surface of any substrate that demands a militant level of cleanliness... I reach for a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Got scum on the tile? Mr. Clean. You got some gunk in the bottom of your Le Cruset that's marring its glorious enamel finish? Mr. Clean. Found yourself with a nasty buildup on your stainless steel sink? Buck up and hit it with a Mr. Clean. They're as safe as any sponge since they're essentially melamine foam, but it's always a good idea to test them on a surface before you go scrubbing it into oblivion." — Derek Trimble, Contributing Writer + Photographer

$8.99 (Pack of 2)

"For years, I’ve exclusively used cheap toothbrushes to clean hard-to-reach spots like grout and sink drains – until I ran across this set of OXO scrubbers. They work just like a toothbrush, but the bristles are ten times stronger, so they clean better and you can use them over and over. This equals less waste and less money spent replacing your cleaning brushes every month." — Chelsea Faulkner, Editor

$24.98 $20

"I use a mixture of vinegar, water and essential oils to create natural all-purpose cleaner, and these amber spray bottles are the perfect, stylish vessels to hold my homemade solution. They’re reusable, durable, endlessly versatile and made in the U.S.A.!" — Molly Miller, Assistant Editor

$17.99

"I love my glass shower door but hate cleaning it. To prevent the inevitable water droplet residue from building up, I keep this handy little squeegee in the corner of my shower so I can do a quick wipe down after showering." — Laura James, Editor

$24.95

"I came across this lint/pet hair remover on TikTok and had to have it. My dog sheds like crazy and the ChomChom Roller has been a lifesaver for removing hair from furniture, car interiors and other fabric surfaces. The best part? No sticky paper, batteries or power source required. Simply use quick back and forth strokes to pick up hair and lint. Press the button to open the waste compartment and empty all the contents. It’s that easy!" — Morgan Faulkner, Editorial Assistant

$6.79

"When the bottles, sippy cups and baby spoons start to pile up, this dishwasher basket saves the day. It features a smaller top basket — ideal for nipples and pacifiers — and a large lower basket — perfect for collars, valves, spouts and more. Plus, it comes with a straw rack on the side." — Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

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