The Best Cleaning Products for Every Kind of Mess, According to Cleaning Experts
Stock up on the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab's top picks to banish stains, streaks, and scuffs.
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The hardest part about cleaning is finding the right — well, best — products to get the job done. Because, let's face it, a pesky wine stain isn't going to remove itself. Whether you're dealing with stubborn soap scum, hard-to-clean streaks, or burned-on spills, these cleaning products selected by the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab will make everything in your house — clothes, countertops, and carpets, included — look just like new. Right this way to a cleaner, mess-free home...
For more top picks, check out The 2019 Good Housekeeping Top-Tested Cleaning Awards.
Not only does this GH Seal holder dissolve stuck-on food without a problem, but it leaves glasses spot-free and shiny. Thanks to Dawn's grease-fighting power, these do-it-all pacs clean baked-on messes in one wash, which means there's no pre-wash necessary.
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Crayon on walls, scuffs on floors, even dried-out refrigerator spills wipe up easily with this tool. "We haven’t found another eraser that lasts as long or works as well as this GH Seal holder," says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.
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Antibacterial wipes are the superheroes of cleaning supplies: they're easy to grab, disposable, and clean while they disinfect. To get rid of germs, use them on faucets, toilets, and appliance handles; light switches; doorknobs; remote controls; and other common areas.
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Persil ProClean Stain Fighter Liquid Laundry Detergent
If you've stayed true to liquid laundry detergent, Persil ProClean Stain Fighter is the best of GH's test. This detergent beat out 42 other formulas because it can remove even the most stubborn stains — yep, even coffee.
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Give your hardwood floors a much-needed clean without taking away their shine — literally. A leader in our Cleaning Lab tests, Bona dissolved dried-on stains and left our test wood floors looking good as new.
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Affresh Cooktop Cleaning Kit
Cleaning your stovetop doesn't have to be messy or complicated. This cleaning kit, complete with cream cleanser, scrubbing pads, and a scraper, gets rid of burned-on spills without streaking.
Sure, that mop tucked away in the closet does the job, but it doesn't disinfect like these scented Scentiva cloths. If you need to kill germs (think: bathrooms, pet areas, or anywhere that kids roam), then these are your best bet.
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CLR Bath and Kitchen Foaming Action Cleaner
If you dread cleaning the bathroom, CLR is for you. "This is my favorite cleaner, because it dissolves soap scum and whitens grout with very little scrubbing or effort," says Forte. Another bonus: It carries EPA Safer Choice certification, so you don’t have to worry about harsh fumes.
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Life's stickiest moments are no match for this tough cleaner: "Goo Gone is best for removing sticky stuff, like tape residue, gum, and candle wax," says Forte. You can even use it on hard surfaces, carpeting, and clothing.
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Affresh Stainless Steel Cleaning Spray
Your kid's fingerprints are no match for this spray: Make your dishwasher and refrigerator sparkle and shine by removing marks, smudges, and smears.
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This spray goes on glass, windows, and mirrors like a fine mist, so you don't have to worry about cleaning up a drippy mess. You know what that means: a streak-free shine.
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Spills are inevitable. Walking around the office with a massive coffee stain on your shirt? Well, nobody's got time for that. Get rid of stains on-the-go with these individually wrapped towelettes.
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"Dawn cuts grease best and has suds that last a long time," says Forte — which is exactly what you want in a powerhouse soap. Grease aside, it's also used to dissolve oily splotches on washable fabrics, hand-wash delicates, and even remove carpet stains.
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Guardsman Clean & Polish For Wood Furniture
In the Institute's test of furniture polishes, Guardsman took the “Best Aerosol” spot for drying quickly and removing pesky water rings and crayon marks without streaking.
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When it comes to leather, gentle is best. This cleaner removes dirt and grime while leaving leather looking smooth and supple.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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