Best cleaning products of 2024, tested by editors for spring cleaning

For some, the thought of scrubbing your toilet or eradicating mold stains is loathe-filled. For others, any excuse to deep clean is like therapy.

Regardless of how you feel about it, cleaning your home is just one of those things that have to be done. From your quartz countertops to behind the faucet, there are a few pesky areas that benefit from a good scrubbing and spraying.

With so many nooks and crannies of your home, some common cleaning products are self-explanatory: a high-performing vacuum (perhaps one of the Dyson models we reviewed), a sturdy mop and an effective all-purpose cleaner. But, others have more depth.

RELATED: Best hardwood floor cleaners, per experts

“Always read the label before using a product,” Jessica Ek, senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), told the New York Post. “It has some really valuable information, including directions and safety messages. And, store cleaning products safely, up and out of sight.”

Ek did quite the clean sweep herself of some common household cleaning FAQs below. Sit back, relax and research exactly how to clean and the best products to use based on these expert-backed recommendations.

Best Vacuum Cleaner: Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Vacuum

The Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum is all the rage, and for a good reason — it’s the best cordless vacuum tested from Dyson and is a practical, relatively affordable investment that’ll leave your house spotless.

With the V8 Animal, you’re getting optimal suction and hassle-free maneuvering. Though I don’t have a furry pet, this vacuum impressively worked well in picking up finer dust and hairs from carpeting.

The ability to switch between two power modes was a feature I didn’t know I needed. I enjoyed its MAX mode — which provides up to seven minutes of intense power — on my thicker shag carpet and its Powerful mode for regular Sunday deep cleans.

Additionally, you’ll never need a car vacuum or a spot cleaner again. Conveniently, this model is clad with a combination tool that works well on finer textures — like carpeting on stairs — a crevice tool for hard-to-reach places and even a motorized brush bar to tackle dirt and dust on anything from car seats to couches. In essence, it’s a two-in-one vacuum: cordless and handheld.

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Best Mop: Bissell SpinWave Hard Floor Spin Mop

When I first used the Bissell SpinWave Cordless Hard Floor Spin Wave, I was instantly amazed by its unique spinning technology that provides a 360-degree cleaning experience to pick up dirt and debris from corners and hard-to-reach places. It’s the perfect size, too; not too flimsy and not too bulky.

I’ve been using this model for a little over a year now and I’m *obsessed,* For around $100, it’s the effective and easy-to-use floor scrubber you’ll need. I love how I actually see the solution working; unlike some other mops I’ve used, it doesn’t leave any streaks, either.

I love that it came with two reusable microfiber pads and detergent. When you’re in need of a restock, the Hard Floor Sanitize Formula (64oz) is $17, while its Multi-Surface Formula (64oz) and Eucalyptus Mint Sanitize Formula (32oz) range from $14 to $17.

It’s also one of the simplest to use: start by inserting the corresponding solution into its slot and start mopping away. While there aren’t a litany of speed settings, there isn’t a need for them; the rotating spinning heads effectively remove debris. Plus, they’re washer-dryer safe when you’d want to give them a clean.

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Best All-Purpose Cleaner: Blueland Multi-Surface All-Purpose Cleaner

I’m floored by Blueland. The sustainability-first cleaning brand is on a mission to inspire others to reduce, reuse and recycle in the best way possible. Not only are the brand’s glass bottles and containers glamorous but the inside formulations are the cherry on top.

How it works? Fill the bottle with water, drop in a tablet, and voilà — your spring cleaning is on tap and ready to go. I love its fresh lemon scent and find myself using it everywhere, from the surface of my toilet bowl to wooden base molding and inside dresser drawers.

Made with plant-based and planet-friendly ingredients, Blueland’s Multi-Surface All-Purpose Cleaner screams “quality” in every sense of the word. I feel ultra-luxurious whenever I reach for it and it’s a brand I truly stand by, especially for the multi-purpose value you’re receiving.

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Best Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lavender Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner

When I first used Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender toilet bowl cleaner, I didn’t realize I’d enjoy cleaning the toilet as much. After months of testing, it’s my most-used toilet bowl cleaner and the best one yet — words I remain firm on.

Since initially using it, I’ve spread the word to others who clean their bathrooms regularly. I love its angled dispenser arm to squeeze out cleaner in hard-to-reach places and — the best part — it naturally brightens your bowl thanks to its clear color. It’s always by my toilet bowl, no questions asked.

Not only does the lavender smell lovely but it’s offered at an excellent value, too. Specifically, I found myself using this product once weekly to clean the center of my bowl well, along with the interior. Overall, it’s a product worth grabbing for only $6 or $7 online.

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Best Hardwood Floor Cleaner: Swiffer WetJet Hardwood and Floor Spray Mop

I have been using the Swiffer WetJet Hardwood Spray Mop Cleaner for years. It was one of the first mops that has been shuffled into my home from a young age — a testament to how long-withstanding the product is, and how effective it is that it hasn’t left my laundry room in years. Aka, it’s living rent-free.

It’s a stellar model with more than 52,000 rave reviews on Amazon, and rightfully so. Because of its compact size, simple execution and easy operation, it’s a budget-friendly winner in my book that always leaves my hardwood floors shiny and well-cleaned.

Though ultra-affordable, it does have its setbacks: it’s not the best for picking up large debris and it may leave streaks if you spray too much solution at once. But, if you’re not looking to spend upwards of $1,000 on a mop, this is your best bet.

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Best Bathroom and Tub Cleaner: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

We all know and love Mr. Clean. He’s probably the cleanest man we know, obviously, and whatever variation of his acclaimed Magic Erasers you buy, you’ll instantly notice the grime and debris leaving the surface and sticking directly onto the white, soft bar. Not only do I use this on my tub but so does another Post Wanted team member.

“You may already know and love the Magic Eraser for *magically erasing* scuff marks and other imperfections in your home, but let me introduce you to their bathroom cleaning product,” Meaghan Roche, Senior Commerce SEO Manager, shared with us. “This is the only thing I’ve tried that actually removes soap scum and mildew with ease, leaving behind a fresh scent and a clean tub. It works great on tile, grout and any other bathroom surface that needs some TLC. But most importantly, it couldn’t be much easier to use; just add water and a little elbow grease.”

Additionally, I’ve been loving Mr. Clean’s newest Magic Eraser Variety Pack ($9), featuring Ultra Thick, Ultra Foamy and Extra Durable options to tackle any area of your home.

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Best Window Cleaner: Windex Ammonia-Free Glass and Window Cleaner

Windex is the Kleenex of window cleaners: it’s well-known, a household brand and is what you commonly think about and reach for when making your glass areas spic and span. However, the brand’s Ammonia-Free Glass and Window Cleaner is the clear-cut winner after months of testing.

Whether I’m cleaning my small bathroom windows, my nearly floor-to-ceiling glass closet doors or the countertop to my makeup vanity, this spray bottle gets the job done and gets it done well. Because it’s ammonia-free, it won’t leave streaks, and it’s also safe to use on certain stone countertops, like granite.

For less than $5, your Amazon cart is surely ready for this incredibly effective glass cleaner. While it’s not the best for certain types of windows, especially older ones, it’s not a dealbreaker for most of my cleaning tasks.

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Best Stainless Steel Cleaner: Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish

In my eyes, there’s no other cleaner more fitting than the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for your appliances, like your microwave, dishwasher and washer-dryer combo. When my family renovated our kitchen a few years ago, our contractor advised us to pick up this particular formula, the one we’ve been using ever since.

Whether I’m using it on the handles of my refrigerator door or on my dishwasher, I always notice it’s effective and leaves my appliances with a streak-free, glossy finish. Notably, it works on the parts of my appliances that aren’t stainless steel, like the buttons of my microwave, for an added shine.

Sometimes, its foamy formula is quick to run down the stainless steel exterior when sprayed, though it’s not a dealbreaker; just be careful when spraying because a little goes a long way.

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Best Dish Soap: Homecourt Cece Dish Soap

Thank you, Courtney Cox, for enacting your true character of Monica on “Friends” and coming out with a home cleaning line. As far as dish soap goes, the Homecourt Cece Dish Soap is one of my favorites. Not gonna lie, I was a bit skeptical of using a dish soap that wasn’t the typical fresh citrus scent but I was so proved wrong. I now want all of my dinnerware plates to smell like roses.

Revered for being skin-safe yet powerful, this dishwashing liquid quickly dissolves grease and grime and leaves dishes my sparkling, no soap pad required. I love how it’s designed, too. Made from plant-derived surfactants to naturally remove food debris and even glycerin to hydrate and protect skin, it’s my best cleaning product and skincare item in one.

I’m not too keen on leaving any unwashed dishes overnight, but I decided to test out how well it removed caked-on debris when left overnight. After pumping two or three times onto my dishes and other cookware, it erased like water the next day. Truthfully, I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about this one.

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Best Cleaning Wipes: Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Wipes

When I’m looking for effective and easy-to-use cleaning wipes, the Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Wipes is the exact type I reach for. They’re quite affordable, especially when you opt for this three-pack on Amazon, and has a fresh scent that’s not too overpowering.

As a whole, I love the brand for its plant-based derivatives that I know will be gentle on the surfaces I use them on. It’s one of the reasons why I turn to Seventh Generation for laundry detergents as well.

While I do love the cleaning wipes, they’re not the best for tough stains. However, I’ll use the Blueland Multi-Surface All-Purpose Cleaner to tackle that issue head-on.

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Best Stain Remover: Shout Advanced Action Gel Laundry Stain Remover

When there’s a stain that makes you want to shout in frustration, reach for the Shout Advanced Action Gel Laundry Stain Remover. Haha, very funny. All jokes aside, this is a phenomenal stain remover, accompanying your natural laundry detergents when you spill some wine or makeup on your white T-shirt.

With a fresh scent, I love how it’s gentle on most fabrics, especially cotton, polyester and linen. Its super-concentrated thick gel allows it to work effectively on set-in stains, making it 100% worth the $5 price tag.

While it’s not as quick as instant stain-removing pens, I never have to worry about this formula letting me down, especially if some clothing pieces are on the expensive side that I certainly don’t want to ruin into a worsened state. I find that it’s safe on any colorfast washables I use it on and works well under any water temperature, too.

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An FAQ on House Cleaning Products

Ahead, a cleaning expert shares the inside tips on cleaning your home, going inside each room and crevice.

Cleaning your home: Where to start

Sometimes, the heaps of laundry piles and piles of dishes in the sink can be overwhelming, to say the least. Luckily, Ek shared a step-by-step cleaning guide exclusively for us.

“For each room of your home, you should generally be cleaning from high to low, starting in one corner and working toward the doorway,” Ek began. “This means starting with dusting and cleaning and ending with mopping or vacuuming.”

In bathrooms, apply cleaning products to the toilet and shower or tub and let it sit before cleaning. In the kitchen, start with cleaning dishes and clearing counters, then clean from the top down, counters to floors, making sure to clean appliances on the way, like the oven and fridge.”

What are the best all-purpose cleaners?

“With an all-purpose cleaner, you have the benefit of only needing one product to cover a lot of ground,” Ek noted. “The workhorse ingredient in these products is the surfactant, which helps break up and lift off dirt and grime.”

Plus, these types of cleaners work well on a variety of hard surfaces: counters, floors, sinks and the like.

“The drawback to all-purpose cleaners is that they’re not specifically designed to work on any one surface; for example, it’ll work on glass but a glass cleaner will be more effective at cleaning without leaving streaks since that’s what it’s designed for,” Ek said. The same holds true for using oven cleaners for baked-on grease and tackling tougher stains and mold.

But, don’t mistake all-purpose cleaners with disinfecting cleaners. “Disinfectant cleaners contain ingredients that remove soil as well as antimicrobial ingredients that kill germs,” Ek noted. “These can often be used on the same hard surfaces an all-purpose cleaner would be used, but you should check the label for surfaces it is designed to be effective on.”

What’s more, there are many disinfectants and disinfecting cleaners on the shelves today that the EPA expects to kill all strains and variants of COVID-19 when used according to the label directions.

What are the best kitchen cleaners?

Aside from an all-purpose cleaner for rendering counters, faucets and sinks like-new, Ek recommends a good dish soap for hand-washing dishes, as well dishwasher detergent if you have a dishwasher.

Also in your kit should be an oven cleaner and potentially other appliance cleaners, like a stainless steel cleaner and dishwasher cleaner. “You may also want a cleaner designed for finished wood for cabinets and a cleaner appropriate for the type of flooring you have,” Ek said. “The manufacturer can give more specific recommendations for cleaning your floors.” Check out ACI’s hard floor cleaning guide for more.

What are the best hard floor cleaners?

For cleaning hard floors, there are wood cleaners specially designed for hardwood floors that will be the “best option for cleaning,” per Ek. “It will have instructions on cleaning, usually sprayed or diluted in a bucket and cleaned with a mop,” she added. “Some hardwood floors also benefit from a wax or polish after cleaning.”

What are the best bathroom cleaners?

“For bathroom cleaners, you’ll want one specifically designed for the toilet, as well as one for cleaning tile,” Ek noted. “It can also be helpful to have a glass cleaner for mirrors and an all-purpose cleaner for sinks and faucets.”

What are the best mold removers?

What’s more, eradicating mold stains may be on your agenda. “Bleach [shop this two-pack for $20] can be a helpful way to remove mold from clothes and other surfaces, as long as it is safe for the fabric or surface,” Ek instructed. “There are also cleaners designed to remove mold from specific surfaces, such as carpet or tile.” But, if this mold was caused by flooding, you may need to bring in professionals who specialize in mold remediation.”

What are the best carpet cleaners?

No, you don’t have to replace your carpet if you have a stain. “For carpet cleaning, in addition to a vacuum cleaner, you’ll want a stain remover for spot stains,” Ek highlighted. “For more deep cleaning, you can use a powdered carpet cleaner that you vacuum up, rent a steam cleaner for carpets or bring in a carpet cleaning service.”

What are the best window cleaners?

For cleaning windows, look no further than your trusty all-purpose cleaner for the sills and frame. Then, use a glass cleaner on the window glass.

“[Glass cleaners] will usually have ammonia, which helps it evaporate quickly and not leave streaks,” Ek said. “Clean off with dry microfiber cloth, paper towel or squeegee, and dust blinds with a clean, soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum.”

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How we tested

Here at Post Wanted, we spend hours testing the very best products. Toss in the need to deep clean our spaces regularly, it’s safe to say we’ve been rotating our cleaning products for years to ensure we’re trying the latest and greatest cleaning appliances, formulas and tools.

I find solace in my Saturday deep cleans, so I’ve been product-testing cleaning items for three years straight. Ahead, here’s the testing criteria I kept in mind:

• Purpose: Different cleaning products have different purposes, while some have multi-purpose abilities. I studied each item carefully, read up on ingredients and assessed its performance based on what each was instructed to do.
• Efficacy: Of course, you’re not going to use a cleaning product if it’s not effective. I took the time to step back, look and think, “are my floors cleaner?” or “is my space more cleansed as a whole?“
• Value: All things considered, is the cleaning item worth the cost? Perhaps worth the splurge? While price is relative, I kept this characteristic in mind, all things considered.
• Form: Is it a liquid? Is it a foam? A machine? How simple is it to use? This depends on the product, but the design and even packaging came into play while testing.

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