The Best Tools for Every Cleaning Task, From Dusting to Mopping

collage of cleaning cloths, vacuum and spray cleaner — Photo:
Courtesy of Amazon and Walmart

If it seems like you're always cleaning your home, but it still feels dirty, it's possible you're not using the right tools. Not cleaning your home with the proper products can leave behind dust, dirt, bacteria, and dander. To ensure you're getting the most mileage out of your daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal cleaning tasks, it's important to have the correct tools in your arsenal. To help, we're sharing a list of the best products for every cleaning task on your checklist, from vacuuming and mopping to removing pet hair.

Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids
Melissa Poepping, founder of The Chemical Free Home
Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean

01 of 17

Best for Dusting Hard-to-Reach Areas: Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Extender Handle Starter Kit

Swiffer box of dusters on a yellow background — Courtesy of Amazon

Clean under furniture, ceilings, and more hard-to-reach areas with this duster, which has an extendable handle. "Swiffer Dusters are great for grabbing dust and debris even from hard-to-reach places," says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids. "Since the head can bend to accommodate tight spaces and the duster has grooves to lock in dust particles without creating a bigger mess, it is easier to dust fans, corners, bookshelves, and more."

$15 at Amazon

02 of 17

Best for Cleaning Upholstery: BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner on green background — Courtesy of Amazon

Clean drapes, curtains, shades, and more with this specialty cleaning tool. "The Bissell Little Green is small but mighty," says Cohoon. "This is a great upholstery cleaner for those tight on space as it has a smaller footprint than a lot of upright models."

$116 at Amazon

03 of 17

Best Vacuum for Carpet: Shark AZ2002 Vertex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

Shark AZ2002 upright vacuum on a yellow background — Courtesy of Amazon

Your carpets will look like new with this vacuum from Shark. "I have been through a fair share of vacuums over the years and have put them through a battery of tests; the one that has stood the test of time has been the Vertex Lift Away by Shark," says Melissa Poepping, the founder of The Chemical Free Home. "It is incredibly easy to wash and properly clean the canister and access the filters after each use to prolong the life and functionality."

$400 at Amazon

04 of 17

Best Vacuum for Tile Floors: Tineco iFLOOR 3 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum

Tineco iFLOOR 3 Breeze Complete Wet Dry Vacuum on a purple background — Courtesy of Amazon

One of the best ways to clean tile floors and built up grout is with this wet and dry vacuum from Tineco, says Poepping. "I am beyond impressed with the Tineco mop. Not only does it clean the grout, but it gets into any uneven or rough surface on the tile," she says. "The first week, I used this tool nightly and now have found I can maintain them by mopping twice each week."

$280 at Amazon

05 of 17

Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors: Shark IZ682H Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins

shark mop on a pink background — Courtesy of Amazon

If you have hardwood or tile in your home, this vacuum from Shark is a great option. "I love the Shark Vertex since it's cordless and has the suction power to lift pet hair, tiny debris, and dust from these harder surfaces while being lightweight enough to easily carry around the house," says Cohoon. "While a bit of an investment, it is worth it because of the deep clean it is capable of and the long lifespan of the battery."

$480 at Amazon

06 of 17

Best for Cleaning Pet Messes: Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor

jug of orange odor eliminator — Courtesy of Amazon

Pet messes can leave behind odors that feel next to impossible to get rid of. "Angry Orange products are great for cleaning up—and neutralizing the odors from—pet messes," says Cohoon. Derived from fresh orange peels, the deodorizer targets strong, lingering smells and gets rid of them.

$54 at Amazon

07 of 17

Best for Cleaning Wood Furniture: Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner

Murphy Oil Soap bottle on a pale green background — Courtesy of Amazon

Murphy Oil Soap has been a trusted cleaner for decades. Designed to clean wood surfaces, this soap is formulated from 98 percent naturally derived ingredients and can be used to restore everything from wooden floors and furniture to cabinets.

$14 at Amazon

08 of 17

Best for Cleaning Glass Shower Doors: OXO Good Grips Wiper Blade Squeegee

Oxo blade cleaner on green background — Courtesy of Amazon

Over time, hard water can build up on shower doors and leave behind unsightly residue. Prevent this from happening by going over the glass with a squeegee after every shower. "The OXO blade is a great squeegee for keeping shower doors sparkling," says Cohoon. "It helps remove excess water, which mitigates the risk of water spots."

$13 at Amazon

09 of 17

Best for Removing Pet Hair: Uproot Cleaner Pro™

pet removal tool on a tan background — Courtesy of Uproot Clean

When it comes to removing pet hair around your home, it's best to keep it simple, says Cohoon. This easy-to-use product can remove pet hair from everything from furniture and carpets to clothes. What's more, it's available in various sizes, so you can find one that's best suited to the cleaning task at hand.

$17 at Uprootclean.com

10 of 17

Best for Cleaning the Toilet: BON AMI Powder Cleanser for Kitchens & Bathrooms

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser on a tan background — Courtesy of Amazon

Deep clean your toilets with this beloved cleaner. "For years, I have used only Bon Ami cleaner on my toilets," says Poepping. "Its simple five-ingredient formula of sodium bicarbonate, soda ash, limestone, sulfonic acid, and feldspar powder has kept my bowls clean."

$10 at Amazon

11 of 17

Best for Cleaning the Bathtub: Universal Stone

Universal Stone all-purpose stone cleaner on a yellow background — Courtesy of Amazon

Universal Stone can tackle a handful of cleaning tasks, but it's especially great for cleaning bathtubs. "For tubs, both tile and fiberglass, I reach for Universal Stone," says Poepping. "This gentle powerhouse is non-toxic and multi-purpose to remove water stains, rust, soap scum, and more to reveal the most pristine surface afterward."

$39 at Amazon

12 of 17

Best for Cleaning Windows: E-Cloth 4-Pack Glass & Polishing Cloth

4-Pack Glass & Polishing Cloth on an orange background — Courtesy of Amazon

Remove fingerprints and smudges from windows with this polishing cloth from E-Cloth, which Poepping swears by. The cloth promises to erase streaks, light grease, dirt, and 99 percent of bacteria for a clear finish.

$18 at Amazon

13 of 17

Best for Cleaning Marble Countertops: AspenClean Kitchen Cleaner

Aspen Clean kitchen spray on a yellow background — Courtesy of Aspen Clean

Marble countertops are porous, so they require a cleaner that's free of harsh chemicals. This all-purpose kitchen cleaner contains all-natural ingredients that are completely safe for your surfaces and safe for you," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean. "Bonus point: they are very effective at removing dirt and spills."

$10 at Aspenclean.com

14 of 17

Best for Cleaning Granite Countertops: Method Daily Granite & Marble Cleaner Spray

Method Daily Granite Cleaner on an orange background — Courtesy of Walmart

Like marble, granite is another soft stone that is porous. Keep your granite countertops clean with this gentle spray from Method. Made with plant-based cleaning agents, this cleaner will leave all sealed stone countertops free of streaks. Simply buff, polish, clean, and shine for a sparkling surface.

$12 at Walmart

15 of 17

Best Mop: O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket

O-Cedar mop and bucket on a pink background — Courtesy of Amazon

For mopping, Cohoon likes this tool from O-Cedar. The mop head promises to remove over 99 percent of bacteria using only water, and it's safe to use on finished hardwood, wood, laminate, tile, vinyl, and more. It has a built-in pedal that allows you to easily wring the mop to get the moisture level you want—which is important since you don't want to drench hardwood floors. What's more, the mop head can be easily removed, washed, and reused.

$50 at Amazon

16 of 17

Best for Cleaning the Stove: Scotch-Brite Cooktop Pad for Glass Stovetops

Scotch-brite glass cooktop pads on a neutral background — Courtesy of Amazon

Although it stands up to cookware, spills, and splatter, your stovetop is relatively sensitive when it comes to cleaning. These Scotch-Brite cooking pads are designed to clean stoves and are formulated with innovative micro-texture scrubbing surface technology that avoids leaving behind scratches.

$9 at Amazon

17 of 17

Best for Cleaning Range Hoods: Thieves Household Cleaner

Thieves Household Cleaner on a bright yellow background — Courtesy of Amazon

The range hood needs proper consideration, and a powerhouse degreaser, says Poepping. To properly clean this area of your kitchen, opt for Thieves household cleaner, a plant-based cleaner from Young Living. The product is formulated with Thieves essential oil blend for effective cleaning and degreasing.

$37 at Amazon

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