6 Basic Cleaning Products You Should Always Have On Hand, According To Experts

Sarah Lyon
·3 min read

Keep your home clean with these essential products.

If you’re starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cleaning products currently living under your sink, you’re not alone. Which items do you actually need, and which aren’t so essential? To find out, we spoke with three cleaning experts and asked them to weigh in with the main cleaning products that everyone should always keep accessible and why. Read on for their picks below.



Meet The Expert

  • Steve Evans is the owner of house cleaning service Memphis Maids.

  • Kenzie Harkey is a professional organizer and the founder of Simply Dare in Charlotte, North Carolina.

  • Katherine Picott is the founder and CEO of Tidy Milso in Columbia, Maryland.



White Vinegar

Steve Evans, owner of house cleaning service Memphis Maids, is constantly cleaning with white vinegar, which is often mixed with water or dish soap to clean pots and pans, microwaves, cutting boards, and more. “I think it makes more sense to have a gallon or two stored in your house and then a spray bottle for everyday use,” he shares. But white vinegar can be used for other purposes, too—professional organizer Kenzie Harkey, the founder of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Simply Dare, uses a vinegar and water solution to soak her fruit. “The fruit lasts so much longer and tastes better,” she says.

Mrs. Meyer’s Everyday Cleaner

If you’re looking for a premixed everyday cleaner, Katherine Picott, founder and CEO of Tidy Milso in Columbia, Maryland, recommends Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner. “I use this product to clean all sinks and surfaces,” she says. “The thing that I love most is that you don’t have to use much of it for this solution for it to do its job.”

<p>CAITLIN BENSEL</p>

CAITLIN BENSEL

Baking Soda

Grab some baking soda and use it to remove stains with ease. “Mix it with water or other liquids to create a stain remover mixture that to soak things like Tupperware, laundry, and other dishes,” Harkey suggests. She notes that baking soda mixed with vinegar is also useful for cleaning sink drains and garbage disposals. “I'll usually sprinkle some in the drain with vinegar and some lemon or orange slices to create a fresh, clean scent in my kitchen.”

Microfiber Cloths

You’ll want to ensure you’re all stocked up on reliable microfiber cloths, which are sometimes as cheap as 30 cents each if you purchase a large pack, Evans says. He suggests opting for premium microfiber cloths if possible, as these are thicker and will last for longer periods of time.

Sprayway Glass Cleaner

If you’re in need of a reliable glass cleaner, try Sprayway Glass Cleaner Foaming Aerosol Spray, which Picott relies upon all throughout the home. “This product has replaced Windex in my house,” she says. “I use it primarily as a glass cleaner but I also use it for our toilet bowls.”

All-Purpose Liquid Detergent

“I like formulas that are eco-friendly because they’re usually non-toxic and safe for all surfaces,” Evans explains. He suggests picking up a gallon of castile soap, which will last for quite a while.

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