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    I Used To Be A Cleaner – Here's 28 Products I Swear By (And Two I Never Use)

    Spoiler alert: very few of my faves are over £5.

    Amy Glover
    by Amy Glover

    BuzzFeed Staff

    🧹Hi! I'm Amy, and as you might have guessed, I was a cleaner before I started working for BuzzFeed. While I haven't had to tackle any *dubious* hotel rooms for a couple of years, I'm still obsessed with finding the best products for the job – here are 28 of my faves (and two items I'd never buy!).🧹

    1. You can't go wrong with some classic baking powder. It's perfect for cleaning everything from ovens to shower units, and you can use it as a deodoriser in your fridge too (hello, ~adventurous~ cheeses).

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    This extra-large bottle will last you for ages (I've had mine for about six months, and there's still loads left). My favourite hack is to make a paste from baking soda and water, apply it to hard-to-clean spots like baking trays or oven racks, and cover it in clingfilm for a few hours – it makes grime run off your surfaces in an oh-so-satisfying ooze. 

    Price: £1.80 for 500g.

    2. You can sub out a lot of cleaning products for one another (I use washing-up liquid for my glass surfaces all the time), but I refuse to use anything other than Elbow Grease as a degreaser.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    It's the most effective and fast-acting product I've ever tried on sticky surfaces, it costs less than a quid, and it's solvent-free too – what's not to love?

    Price: £0.90.

    3. I just don't think I would have been able to do my job without this roll of 40 cleaning cloths.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    I love these cloths because of how versatile they are (you'll always see these blue ones in a cleaner's caddy). Their lint-free material makes them perfect for dusting, wiping down surfaces, and polishing – I find that this brand is more absorbent and long-lasting than other options I've tried, so you'll get more than your money's worth IMO.

    Price: £2.84 for 40 cloths.

    4. If I had to clean a house with only one product, I reckon it'd probably be this ridiculously useful concentrated disinfectant from Fabulosa.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    You can either use this stuff undiluted on small surfaces or dilute it for an endlessly effective solution (I use it diluted on everything from my loo to my floors). You can get up to ten litres of cleaning fluid from a single bottle, so it's probably the most cost-effective go-to in my cleaning cupboard! 

    Price: £1.50.

    5. If you rely on your dishwasher, you'll probably want to keep it clean so it can run as smoothly as possible. This handy powder is a great way to remove buildup and grime!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    Limescale can build up quickly in your dishwasher, especially if you live in a hard water area! Even if you don't, soap scum and product buildup is a problem for lots of dishwashers. These cleaning tablets help to clear that stuff out completely – just put the powder in your dishwasher and let it run a cycle.

    Price: £2.07.

    6. This double-sided toilet brush will get right under the rim of your loo!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    It's got a narrow brush on one side that'll really help you ~get into~ those hard-to reach spots on your toilet, and the larger brush on the other side is perfect for regular scrubbing.

    Price: £4.24.

    7. If you love your pet but hate how much hair they leave behind, this reusable fur-removing roller is ideal.

    Jasmin Nahar / BuzzFeed

    It's specifically designed to remove animal hair from your surfaces, and it'll pick up really delicate strands and bits of dust too. It's easy to clean as well – just press a button to open its compartment at the back, and all the collected hair will fall out into the bin!

    Price: £12.49.

    8. A ~professional~ finish is in the details, which is where this mini dustpan and brush set comes in.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    To be honest, I thought this was a bit gimmicky when I first saw it in my colleague's kit – but having used it for everything from windowsills to blind slats, I'm completely converted. It reaches hard-to-get-at spots pretty much instantly, and yes, scooping up the dirt with that mini scoop is incredibly fun.

     Price: £2.29.

    9. You know those multi-product toilet-cleaning TikToks? Yeah, this fast-acting fluid from Duck proves that you only really need one solution to get the job done.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    Speed is key when you're cleaning people's homes, so it makes sense that I grew to love this fast-but-effective product. It cuts through hard water, limescale, and dirt instantly (though you can leave it to soak if you're dealing with a very challenging loo) – no wonder it's so ridiculously highly-rated.

    Price: £1.00.

    10. A few years into using Dr. Beckmann's carpet-cleaning solution, I'm still amazed by how well (and quickly) it works.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    I always used to tell my clients there was no way I could tackle the stains on their carpets, because I thought the only thing that'd actually budge the dirt was a pro device. After I got asked to try Dr Beckmann's though, I was amazed by how well it removed small stains (and I didn't even need to vacuum over it) – just run its handy brush over the affected area, wait 20 minutes, and you're done. Game-changing.

    Price: £2.79.

    11. Speaking of fast-acting solutions to long-standing problems, this bargain mould remover gets to work in three minutes.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    Mould is a really common problem in colder, wetter climates, so something as cheap and effective as this remover naturally became a staple in my caddy. I'm always surprised by how well it works, and there's nothing more satisfying than wiping away those marks to reveal a good-as-new surface underneath.

    Price: £1.00.

    12. Believe it or not, these pumice stones are the best solution for that truly tough-to-budge limescale at the base of your loo.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    You can chuck all the chemicals you like at the mark of shame in your toilet bowl, but it won't wear the worked-in discolouration away because it's a hard water issue instead of plain dirt. Enter: these amazingly effective pumice stones that grind away at hard water stains without damaging the ceramic underneath! I used them on my own flat's loo when I first moved in – it was the only thing I could do to ensure I wasn't too embarrassed to have people over.

    Price: £8.99 for two.

    13. This squeegee makes the difference between squeakily wiping your entire shower screen down in tiny circles or sweeping away the grime in super-satisfying wipes.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    I love its soft-but-effective blade, and its 20cm length makes cleaning as speedy as it is easy (yes, please).

    Price: £2.39.

    14. Most of the UK is in a hard water area, so this descaler spray is basically priceless.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    You know that scummy 'grimy-but-I'm-not-sure how' look your shower, loo, and sinks get after a while, no matter how clean you are? Yeah, that's more than likely hard water buildup (which looks bad on its own AND makes soap and grime easier to stick to your surfaces). This descaler spray gets to work in about 20 minutes, and it's a great way to make your shower head, ceramic surfaces, and more look as good as new again.

    Price: £3.39.

    15. My flat's grouting has gotten fairly grubby over time, and scrubbing in between the tiles doesn't always solve the problem. This grouting pen is a low-effort solution – I liked how smoothly the product went onto my walls!

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    Run its nib along any discoloured grouting for an instant colour refresh! The formula is antifungal, helping to prevent the new coating from getting covered in mould.

    Price: £4.22.

    16. Anyone who likes to cook will know that hobs can get icky REALLY quickly. My favourite ring burner seemed impossible to clean, but these magic eraser sponges did a pretty good job!

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    These reusable sponges are designed to cut through grease, grime, and marks without damaging the surface underneath! Just add water to these before using them on stubborn marks – they're a great way to tackle those stains you probably thought were beyond help!

    Price: £5.96 for ten.

    17. The Pink Stuff paste is a cult-status product for a reason – it'll clean everything from metal to tiles! I was amazed by how quickly and effectively it got rid of the hard-to-budge rust under my shower.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    This stuff is made up of gritty cleaning beads suspended in a gel, so it grinds away at tough stains without scratching up whatever's underneath. It's suitable for use on most hard surfaces (think ceramic tiles, barbecues, pots and pans, and more!)

    Price: £4.70 for two 500g tubs.

    18. I share my flat with a few other people, so it's no wonder that our shower drain sometimes gets clogged up with hair. This powerful unblocker got our water running freely again!

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    Pour both parts of its two-component formula down the affected drain one after the other, wait for about an hour, and then simply rinse the blockage away! BTW, it's really important to protect your skin while you're handling this stuff, so don't forget to whip out your favourite pair of extra-thick gloves.

    Price: £6.84.

    19. When it comes to smooth, reflective surfaces (like glass, ceramic, and stainless steel), regular sprays and cloths just don't cut it. You know what does, though? These simple but effective microfibre cloths!

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    These cloths will clean and polish smooth surfaces like glass, chrome, and stainless steel, and they're fab for dusting too. The soft fabric will distribute pressure really evenly, so you won't have to worry about streaks!

    Price: £8.69 for ten.

    20. The floor in our kitchen is painted white, which means any spills and stains show up immediately. We always keep these Dettol wipes on-hand in case we spot a mark – I like their lemon scent, and the fabric is really tough.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    They cut through grease and grime in literal seconds, and I don't have to wait for ages for the floor to dry after using these either!

    Price: £7.90 for three packs of 110 wipes.

    21. Remove soap scum, light limescale, and grease from your shower and sink with this specially-designed spray.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    It'll clean marble, glass, plastic, granite, and plenty of other hard surfaces! Simply spray the formula onto any affected areas and then leave it to work for a minute or two before rinsing it away.

    Price: £3.78.

    22. This double-sided scourer will clean your pots and pans using only water.

    Jasmin Nahar / BuzzFeed

    It's designed to scrub your cookware and crockery without scratching them up! Just chuck it in your washing machine when it's looking a bit grimy and it'll be good to go again.

    Price: £2.99.

    23. Transform your grimiest appliance with this deep-cleaning Oven Brite kit.

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    Place your racks into the large bag included in the pack and then pour up to three-quarters of the cleaning fluid into it. After that, you can wipe your oven down with the remainder of the liquid! Leave it to work its magic for about four hours – you'll be able to wipe away the dissolved grease and grime without the need for scrubbing. FYI, the solution is very strong, so be sure to wear the gloves that this set comes with whenever you come into contact with it.

    Price: £4.00.

    24. Transform your extremely well-used cups with this deep-cleaning powder.

    Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

    You know those cups you've abandoned in the back of the cupboard because their stains are so bad? Yeah, I had one of those and was about to throw it out before trying this powder as a last resort. I was amazed by the results – the product wears away the stains and marks from buildup without damaging the mug's surface underneath, and it doesn't leave a bad taste or odour behind either!

    Price: £4.41.

    25. If your wooden surfaces are always covered in mugs, chances are that they're looking a little worse for wear by now. This specially-designed furniture restorer will get rid of the ring marks and water stains that your cups can leave behind!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    Apply this restorer to the affected areas with straight strokes and then wait for about eight to ten hours for the product to absorb! After that, your wooden furniture will look smooth, uniform in colour, and shiny.

    Price: £7.40.

    26. This flexible brush will help you to tackle everything from your drains to that grimy hole near the bottom of your fridge!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    The stiff brush will ~thoroughly~ clean any area it comes into contact with without damaging the surface underneath. You can shape and reshape its flexible wire as many times as you need to in order to clean those tricky spots! Some customers have used it to unblock the opening above their crisper drawer and say it helped to stop that annoying puddle from forming at the base of their fridge.

    Price: £3.99.

    27. I'm absolutely not the type to choose a brand name for the sake of it, but the trusty Henry Hoover has truly never let me down. It packs the most suction per pound I've found so far!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    When I worked in a hotel, there was some serious competition in the morning for the best vacuum cleaner – it's the difference between achieving a truly immaculate room in minutes and spending the best part of half an hour pointlessly running over a carpet that'll still look dusty afterwards. The most fought-over vacuums were always Henry Hoovers! Sure, you can get ones with fancier features and cordless motors, but when it comes to actually *cleaning* the most important thing is suction power – and this bad boy wins out every time.

    Price: £149.00.

    28. And last but not least, can we take a moment to appreciate these trusty Marigold gloves? I've had mine for a couple of months now – they're really thick and durable!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    The reinforced material at the top of these gloves has really stood the test of time, and I've never chipped a nail while using these! No wonder they've earned a such stellar reviews.

    Price: £2.15 for a small pair.

    Now for the products I wouldn't recommend. Let's start with handheld electric carpet cleaners (the ones where the engine and the brush are all in one small unit). IMO – and I hope this isn't dramatic – they're the worst of both worlds.

    Amazon

    They're way dearer than my low-budget fave (as you know, I love Dr. Beckmann's), and can cost as much as the actually effective plug-in Bissell cleaners and other brands that pack a much more serious punch. 

    I've also never seen any real point in buying single-function window cleaners (diluted washing-up liquid or white vinegar do the job brilliantly, and they're multipurpose too).

    Amazon

    Why settle for one product when you can choose one that doubles (and triples, and quadruples) up as a million other cleaners too? Not worth the cupboard space, if you ask me.