Here at Home-Ec 101, there aren’t a lot of products that we give that good old Home-Ec 101 Seal of Approval to, but if you peek under our sinks and in our closets, you will find the cleaning products that we do love. By the way, these links are Amazon referral links. We share them mostly so you can see what we are talking about. If you do purchase after looking, we will get a slight commission on your purchase. It does not affect what you pay, but it is appreciated.
The list below is a good guide to what you’ll need to keep your home clean most of the time. There will be special projects that may require other tools or products. These links may not reflect the best price at any given time. The links are to help you know what to look for the next time you are at the store if you don’t want to buy it now.
The cleaning products and tools we ❤️
Cleaning Tools
- A corn straw broom (Heather is tall and likes a sturdy broom. Hang this, don’t lean it in a corner to make it last longer. If you lean it, the bristles will bend, shortening the life span considerably.)
- OXO dustpan and brush
- Mop – Yes, you’ll replace the sponge heads regularly. Heather has no particular favorites. Lisa prefers the O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket Floor Cleaning System
- Bucket
- Rubber gloves — anything with a cuff, really. We hate wet sleeves.
- Paper towels/rags/old t-shirts
- Sponges
- An old toothbrush
- Scrub brushes, make sure you have a grout brush if you have tile
- Toilet scrub brush and caddy
- A squeegee
- Vacuums: These are my favorites from the ones we have owned over the years.
- Lower-end Bissell Pet Hair Remover If you have people with long hair in your house, the tangle-free brush roll is a very nice feature.
- Mid-range Dyson
- High-End Miele – this is what Heather saved up for several years to buy, and she is very happy. After reading a very thorough Reddit thread by a vacuum repairman, she was completely sold by his recommendation. This appliance is super solid. Heather doesn’t think she will ever go bagless again. “I love that running the bag doesn’t recirculate dog smell back into the house.” (There’s a charcoal filter. Yes, this rec is a little bougie, but you know what? I’ve worked hard learning all about cleaning houses and sharing that information; if I can’t get a little bougie about a vacuum, who can?)
Cleaning Products
- Chlorine Bleach
- Pine-Sol
- Ammonia (NEVER MIX WITH THE BLEACH)
- Windex – Blue or Windex with Vinegar
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Method Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Method Pink Spray / refill is Heather’s favorite all-purpose cleaner. Lisa prefers the Method Lime and Sea Salt.
- Method Wood for Good
- Bar Keeper’s Friend
