The Unfiltered Guide to Life's Dirtiest Messes: Our Favorite Cleaners and Tools
Smart Cleaning Awards Recipients Announced by Real Simple in 2025
When it comes to banishing grime, REAL SIMPLE editors know a thing or two. Here, we share our top picks for the best cleaning products on the market, from powerhouse disinfectants to fragrance-free laundry detergents that are easy on your skin. Let's dive into our favorite cleaning solutions that will make your home sparkle!
The Bathroom Bowl Crusader: Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter
If the thought of scrubbing your toilet sends shivers down your spine, then it's time to welcome Scrubbing Bubbles into your life. Social media editor Samantha Saunion calls it her go-to product for conquering all bathroom surfaces—from toilets to floors. Spray, let sit, wipe, done!
- To buy: $4; walmart.com
Skin-Friendly Laundry Detergent: All Free Clear Laundry Detergent
Beauty director Heather Muir Maffei vouches for this detergent because of its gentle formula, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or young children. It's dermatologist-recommended and gets clothes clean without damaging them.
- To buy: $12; target.com
Glass Cleaner With a Streak-Free Promise: Windex Vinegar Glass Cleaner
Transform the look of your home with Windex Vinegar Glass Cleaner, which forgoes harsh chemicals for a streak-free shine that managing editor Tara Cox finds impressive. It offers all the glass-cleaning power of vinegar without the overpowering smell.
- To buy: $4; amazon.com
Disinfecting Wipes That Keep the Flu at Bay: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Associate editorial director Katie Holdefehr says these disinfecting wipes are heroes in a canister, ideal for cleaning doorknobs, light switches, counters, and other nonporous surfaces to keep germs at bay.
- To buy: $6; walmart.com
A Sink-Saving Wonder: Bon Ami Scratch-Free Powder Cleanser
Food director Jenna Helwig puts her kitchen and dishes through the wringer, but she finds solace in Bon Ami Scratch-Free Powder Cleanser, which cleans to a sparkle and doesn't scratch surfaces.
- To buy: $3; grove.co
A Multi-Purpose Stain Remover: OxiClean Max Force Spray
Creative director Phoebe Flynn Rich swears by this multi-purpose stain remover for removing stubborn hot sauce stains from her son's sweatshirts. It works on any washable fabric, including whites and colors.
- To buy: $5; walmart.com
Non-toxic Degreaser: Krud Kutter Degreaser & Stain Remover
Home editor Morgan Noll can't get enough of this non-toxic miracle spray, which can cut crud from anywhere inside or outside your house. It's perfect for cleaning messes on driveways, stovetops, and more!
- To buy: $8; amazon.com
Miracle Cleaner for Your Stainless Steel Appliances: Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes
Phoebe finds these wipes magical, as they not only clean fingerprints from her appliances but also leave a shine. (And it doesn't take long, either!)
- To buy: $9; weiman.com
Time-Saving Mop: Swiffer WetJet Mop Starter Kit
Say goodbye to unappealing mop buckets and hello to the low-effort alternative of mopping with the Swiffer WetJet Mop Starter Kit. It's perfect for getting floors looking and smelling great in no time.
- To buy: $28; lowes.com
Deep-Cleaning Brushes: Oxo Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
These brushes, with their strong bristles, are perfect for getting into tricky spots where a sponge can't reach. They're also toothbrush-free, so you don't have to worry about any oral nastiness!
- To buy: $9; oxo.com
Crystal-Clear Dishes: Cascade Platinum ActionPacs
No need to prerinse your dishes anymore! Just scrape them and load them into your dishwasher with one of these sodium-carbonate-filled pods. They make glassware look crystal clear and save a ton of water.
- To buy: $21; amazon.com
Stubborn-Stain Slayer: The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste
This mildly abrasive pink paste is beloved by CleanTok enthusiasts for conquering grout, grills, and glass. Food director Jenna Helwig raves about its effectiveness in the kitchen, especially on the inside of her oven door.
- To buy: $6; amazon.com
Bar Keeper's Friend: The Magic Cleaning Powder
Bar Keeper's Friend, our most nominated cleaner, removes rust, scuff marks, and about a billion other things from surfaces quickly and easily. It's a time-saver for those with cruddy stainless-steel pans they don't want to spend the day scrubbing.
- To buy: $2; walmart.com
Versatile Dish Soap: Dawn Original Dish Soap
When it comes to removing grime, there's no denying the power of Dawn Original Dish Soap. Lauren, our regular Clean This columnist, suggests using it for pans, clothing stains, and even eyeglasses under the faucet.
- To buy: $3; walmart.com
Gentle Laundry Detergent: Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent
Katie, who is sensitive to fragrances, appreciates the scent-free nature of this laundry detergent, which can also be a good choice for those with reactive skin.
- To buy: $16; target.com
Power Spin Scrubber: Casabella Power Spin Scrubber
Editor in chief Lauren Iannotti enjoys using this rechargeable cordless scrubber on TV, and Hannah praises its ability to clean grout and tiles with ease, making mopping a breeze.
- To buy: $50; target.com
Toilet Bomb for a Fresh, Germ-Free Bathroom: Clorox Foaming Toilet Bomb
Toss one of these into your toilet, wait a few minutes, and give the bowl a quick swipe to have a fresh, germ-free bathroom in no time.
- To buy: $5; walmart.com
Super-Effective Mop: O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop System
This mop system has a bucket with two separate water tanks, ensuring that you never have to mop with dirty water. The dirty side also has a built-in spinner.
- To buy: $50; target.com
Cleaning Solutions for Your Cleaner: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner
Like your dishwasher, your cleaning solutions need a deep clean every now and then. Degunking your dishwasher filter can only get you so far, explains Lauren. Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner helps eliminate minerals and odors for a cleaner dishwasher.
- To buy: $9; amazon.com
The Bottom Line
Who said cleaning had to be a thankless task? These favorite cleaning products will make your home shine and keep the unpleasantness at bay. So grab your favorite product, and let's get cleaning!
- By 2025, Samantha Saunion plans to have Scrubbing Bubbles in her home, as it is her go-to product for conquering bathroom surfaces like toilets and floors.
- If you have sensitive skin or care for young children, consider using the RMrsolutions cleaning solutions, endorsed by beauty director Heather Muir Maffei.
- Tara Cox finds the Windex Vinegar Glass Cleaner impressive due to its streak-free promise and lack of harsh chemicals, transforming your home's look with a minimal overpowering smell.
- Katie Holdefehr saves doorknobs, light switches, counters, and other nonporous surfaces from germs with the help of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, labeled as essential heroes during flu season.