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How to clean like a pro, according to hospitality directors and other experts
Plus top-rated sprays, mops and detergents that will save you a lot of time, money and hassle.
Keeping a home clean can feel overwhelming: No sooner do you wash your clothes or dishes than there's another shirt in the hamper or plate in the sink. That's not to mention all of the dust, dirt, hair and soap scum that can accumulate — it may seem like the only way to stay on top of things is to be constantly wiping and scrubbing. The light at the end of the hamper? Experts say there are some shortcuts and products that can help you preserve time and energy, all while achieving a pristine clean.
Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty Dusting Kit
Endust Dust & Clean, 24 oz., 2 pack
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, 32 oz., 3-pack
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All-Purpose Cleaner Spray, 16 oz., 3-pack
Joymoop Mop and Bucket with Wringer
Rubbermaid Commercial Products Hygen Pulse Microfiber Spray Mop Kit
Mr. Siga Multi-Purpose Silicon Squeegee
Aunt Fannie's Glass & Window Cleaning Vinegar Spray, 16.9 oz.
Zenowick Glass Spray Bottles, 16 oz., 3 pack
Molly's Suds Oxygen Whitener, Pure Lemon Essential Oil, 79 oz.
OxiClean Versatile Home and Laundry Stain Remover Powder, 5 lb.
Clorox Clean-Up Multi-Surface Cleaner with Bleach, Rain Clean, 32 oz.
Ecolab Lemon Lift Heavy Duty Cleaner with Bleach, 20 oz.
Read on for smart hacks — from where to dust first to what kind of mop to use — all straight from the mouths of people who clean for living, including a hotel hospitality director and MaidPro franchise owner. And while you're at it, discover more guides for getting your home in tip-top shape:
How to clean like a pro
1. Start at the top and work your way down.
You may think you need to tackle your floors first, then get to other surfaces, but that plan can double your work! "One piece of advice I always give my housekeeping team is to have a cleaning plan that flows logically," says Paul Maielua, assistant director of rooms and housekeeping of the Thompson Savannah.
"When I clean, I start from the top and work my way down. I begin with high dusting — vent covers, ledges, and fans — then move on to shelves and furniture." Vacuum and/or mop last to collect any dirt that has fallen onto the floor.
These top-rated double-sided dusters from Swiffer feature a fluffy 360° design for trapping and locking fibers, plus an extendable pole that makes it easy to get particularly high or low areas without a ladder or uncomfortable bending.
"Perfect for overhead cleaning," confirmed one of the dusting kit's 29,000+ fans. "This little thing removes dust and has extended length for those hard to reach places. Its soft design gets all of the dust at one swipe. These are not scented and fold down for easy storage."
Dust and clean in one go with this plant-powered, multi-surface spray from Endust which, according to the brand, also removes fingerprints, smudges and allergens.
"Much better than [traditional] dusting spray," wrote one reviewer. "It leaves wood clean and shiny, with no waxy buildup, and seems to repel dust. Nice light lemon scent."
2. Get a cleaner that does everything.
Sure, you can buy sprays specifically for granite, wood and other materials, but nothing beats an all-purpose disinfectant, says Maielua. "Disinfecting surfaces and fixtures effectively is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment, especially in high-traffic areas," he says.
When shopping, "Look for products that eliminate 99.9% of germs, and ensure they are safe to use on various surfaces — from countertops to fixtures to floors," he says. "I also always check for harmful chemicals and any that may have strong odors that could affect indoor air quality, such as ammonia or anything with a very heavy fragrance."
Maielua has tried a lot of products, but says he still taps Simple Green as his go-to for cleaning just about everything.
"From appliances to general cleaning to even laundry, it gets the job done," he explains. "Depending on how dirty the area is, Simple Green offers dilution formulas to ensure safety. The best part is that it’s always easy to find, as it’s sold at all my favorite stores like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Amazon!"
For another do-it-all cleaner, consider Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. I personally use the brand's All-Purpose Cleaner Spray for countertops, floors, glass — you name it! The Lemon Verbena scent is fresh and transcends the seasons.
"This is my favorite cleaning agent currently," wrote one reviewer. "I love the smell. It smells so clean! It does not leave any residue behind or greasiness. It cleans all the tough stains so easily, it was able to clean up spots that other cleaners were ineffective at removing and leaves my counters so shiny! And it's safe to use around kids and pets."
3. Use microfiber for mopping.
When looking for a mop, it’s important you find one that's "lightweight and not too bulky," advises Kathy Cohoon, director of operations at Two Maids.
"Be sure to check that the mop head will fit into the bucket you have at home. Material also matters — choose something that is hygienic, easy to sanitize, and durable — like microfiber," she adds. "Be mindful of mops with plastic scrubbing nubs, which are ideal for scrubbing grout or loosening dirt on more rugged stone floors but can scratch hardwood and other more delicate floors if not used properly."
Maielua is also a fan of microfiber: "These mops as they are particularly effective for trapping dirt and dust while also leaving a floor streak-free."
Cohoon recommends flat microfiber mops for hardwood or vinyl floors, as "these mops don’t use a lot of water and are smaller so they can often reach tough-to-mop places like under furniture or in tight corners."
Consider this mop and wringer set from Joymoop, beloved by more than 20,000 customers — plus yours truly — for its compact design and washable microfiber pads.
Maielua's loves this microfiber mop because you can change out the pad and wash it for extra disinfecting. Its refillable reservoir holds enough solution to clean up to 850 square feet, while a non-slip handle tip is designed to grip onto hard surfaces to help reduce slips.
He also has another handy tip: "When we begin mopping a space, we start at the farthest corner of the room and work our way backward toward the door to avoid stepping on freshly cleaned areas. Be sure to give the floor enough time to dry to prevent slipping or dirt from sticking to damp surfaces."
4. Try a squeegee to eliminate streaks.
When it comes to cleaning mirrors, "Squeegees or a cleaning blade are your best friend!" says Cohoon. Use them with a vinegar-based glass cleaner — you can buy a ready-made one or try her recipe for a DIY solution: Mix equal parts lukewarm water and white vinegar.
"To avoid noticeable streaks, wipe in horizontal and vertical motions, not circles," she says. "If any streaks remain, use a cloth dampened with water to wipe them away."
Mr. Siga's squeegee has more than 65,000 perfect ratings for its streak-free precision and budget-friendly price point.
Checking out ," wrote one reviewer. "The suction cup stays put. The squeegee is my mighty ally. It is the right size and it cleans the shower glass doors as well as the walls with precision. No streaks, no buildCup."
While you're shopping, check out the brand's Amazon-famous microfiber towels.
Auntie Fannie's is known for its non-toxic, hypoallergenic cleaning products that harvest the power of natural ingredients.
"I use this for cleaning more than just windows and mirrors, shared one of the vinegar spray's 1,000+ fans. "It cleans my glass-top stove with no streaks. I also use it for my stainless steel appliances and it always leaves my home smelling fresh and clean!"
If you'd prefer to go the DIY route, these reusable glass bottles are there for you. They feature rubber along the bottoms so they don't scratch surfaces — plus, better grip!
The accompanying labels are also helpful for keeping track of different formulas.
5. Boost bedding with a powdered brightener.
You could use liquid bleach, but Zachary Pozniak, a fourth-generation dry cleaner and author of The Laundry Book, considers powdered oxygen bleach, which is color-safe and isn't made with chlorine, the best addition to a laundry room. "Oxygen bleach attacks the color-causing molecules of stains and corrects them slowly over time," he explains. "For best results, soak your garments in hot water (ideally above 140°F) overnight with some powdered oxygen bleach and rewash after. Oxygen bleach requires lots of heat and time to work, so patience is key."
Maielua adds that "if you can pretreat a stain with a stain remover, this will help keep bedding pristine and assist in protecting the fabric from having to use harsher chemicals to remove them later."
For crisper whites or colorful brights, Pozniak likes this bleach alternative from Molly's Suds, which is color-safe and made without chlorine.
"Oxygen bleach attacks the color-causing molecules of stains and corrects them slowly over time," he explains. "For best results, soak your garments in hot water (ideally above 140°F) overnight with some powdered oxygen bleach and rewash after. Oxygen bleach requires lots of heat and time to work, so patience is key."
Trish Duarte, franchise owner and cleaning expert of MaidPro Temecula, considers this powder from OxiClean a stain-busting must-have. "It's made of sodium percarbonate, which is the shelf-stable powder version of hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate (washing soda), and it includes surfactants and polymers to lift and capture stains," she says. "With OxiClean, you have a tried-and-true winning solution for white or dark fabrics."
Prefer a spray? Pozniak relies on the power of OxiClean Max Force: "Apply to the stain and let it sit for at least an hour before washing as recommended," he advises. Pro tip: Keep a bottle of this next to your hamper and treat stains before tossing clothes in. "The longer this sits on a stain the better it'll work," he says. Just don't wait longer than a week to wash.
6. Tackle scum and mold with bleach.
Few other cleaners are as effective on this kind of buildup. Dr. Evan Li, an assistant professor of medicine in Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, recommends cleaning your shower curtain with a 5% bleach solution at the first sight of mildew to help keep mold at bay. "If you allow mold to grow uncontrolled, it can become embedded in the curtain, which makes it impossible to eradicate," he explains.
"The key to effectively treating these issues lies in the application method," Maielua says. For smaller areas (like mold along caulk lines), use a cleaner that comes in a bottle with an applicator tip, says Maielua, who likes Lemon Lift. "For larger areas, I switch to a trigger nozzle, which allows for a quicker and more even application across a broader surface. After applying the solution, I let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away and rinsing with water. In most cases, no extra tools are necessary."
This multi-surface cleaner with bleach from Clorox promises to kill 99.9% of germs. I personally keep a bottle on hand to use sparingly for a deeper bathroom clean once a week: I just spray it along the sides of my bathtub and inside the toilet, let it sit for a bit and watch dirt and buildup melt away.
I also like to use it in case of stain emergencies, like when I manage to drip red wine on my quartz countertops — and this fresh rain scent doesn't smell like bleach.
"Lemon Lift is a diluted version of bleach used to clean bathrooms and kitchens and hard surfaces, and it works amazingly well," shares Maielua. "We like it because it combines the stain fighting properties of bleach but also has the degreasing power of lemon. Its ability to cut through tough messes but with a pleasant scent makes it a go-to."
Maielua is also a fan of Ecolab Gel Pro Cleaner for removing soap scum from showers.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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