The best cleaning products, tried and tested by a Cleaning Editor

There are many things you may not have known you can clean with white vinegar, and this natural, non-toxic cleaning solution is ideal for gently breaking down dirt, grime, and even hard water deposits. However, I personally find the unscented version a little harsh on the nose. The lemon-scented alternative is so much nicer and leaves my home smelling fresh and clean.

I swear by all Scrub Daddy products, but the Damp Duster is by far my favourite. I stumbled across it while testing out the best blind cleaning tools, and now use it for dusting and cleaning every single room in my house as it collects and traps dust in one quick wipe. Then, you can simply wash it clean under a tap to use time and time again.

This stuff from Method not only does a brilliant job at cleaning your surfaces – from the kitchen to the bathroom – but it smells amazing, too. I personally love the Wild Rhubarb scent and this fragrance actually lingers! It’s also poured inside a bottle that’s made from recyclable bottles, is cruelty-free, and the formula is plant-based.

I’ve used this Miniml toilet cleaner for years now – mainly because the refreshing mint scent is heavenly. But it’s also a very effective toilet cleaner, leaving the bowl sparkling every time. A bonus is that it’s almost completely natural and non-toxic, and can be bought in refills so you don’t have to keep buying small bottles.

This bathroom spray is the ideal all-rounder, and can be used on everything from bathroom limescale to soap scum. I also think it’s extremely affordable for what it offers, as a little goes a long way. And the delicious scent lasts long after cleaning, too.

When I want to make my bathroom look, smell and feel like a luxury spa, I always use this Purdy & Figg Bathroom Bliss Starter Kit. All of the products are made from natural ingredients, and this kit comes with a 300ml recyclable glass spray bottle, 3 Lime & Lemongrass concentrate refills, a wiping cloth, and a funnel.

Although you’d think cleaning an induction hob would be easy, it can be harder than you think – especially if one of your pans overflows. But our Managing Editor, Thea, says that this Delphis Eco Ceramic and Induction Hob Non Scratch Cleaner is undoubtedly the best induction hob cleaner she’s ever used for getting burnt-on food off her hob, and she loves the fact that it’s also free from nasties. Plus, it won’t leave behind any scratches.

Popular and for good reason, Mrs Hinch’s beloved Elbow Grease is the cleaning spray to use on stubborn dirt. She uses this trusty solution to clean her UPVC windows, but it’s also a powerful degreaser. This means you can spray it in your oven for a sparkling result or even on your BBQ. Plus, it’s suitable for use on fabrics so that you can lift stains with ease. The best part? It leaves behind a lovely lemon scent. Just don’t use it on wood!

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that washing-up liquid is so much more than just washing-up liquid – especially the eco kind. I use this Ecover Washing-Up Liquid across my whole house, whether it’s for cleaning my windows in two minutes or making Nancy Birtwhistle’s ‘Pure Magic’ recipe. And while I’ve used other eco options in the past, none have quite offered the same soapy power as this one.

Often slipping under the radar, soda crystals are a versatile cleaning agent that can be used around the house. The naturally occurring minerals are gentle but effective, cleaning everything from burnt pans to toilets. I mostly use soda crystals to clean my washing machine, and have found it way more effective than alternative methods – including washing-machine-specific cleaners you can buy from the supermarket.

Bicarbonate of soda is one of my all-time favourite cleaning products to use, as there are so many ways to use it around the house. As the alkaline substance is mildly abrasive, it’s ideal for tougher stains and grease, as well as neutralising odours that threaten to take over your home. However, you can buy any brand of bicarbonate of soda and achieve the same results.

Citric acid is another natural cleaning product that’ll work quickly and efficiently. I use mine to make Nancy Birtwhistle’s popular ‘Pure Magic’ recipe, but citric acid can also be used in so many ways around the house. It’s a natural descaler, soap scum remover, and white brightener, so it can be used to descale kettles AND brighten laundry.

If you haven’t bought a tub of The Pink Stuff yet, I’d advise you to do so immediately. And while it may look like wallpaper paste, this cleaning paste is one of the best things you can use for an abrasive clean around the house. Our news writer Kez recently used it to clean the dirt and grime off her oven door, and the pictures really do speak for themselves. Plus, a little goes a long way, so the tub should last you ages.

Bar Keepers Friend deserves way more credit for its cleaning abilities, as the whole Ideal Home team is obsessed with using this oxalic acid-based cleaner to tackle mineral deposits, grease and even rust from our homes. In fact, our Editor-in-Chief, Heather, swears by using Bar Keepers Friend to not only clean her sink, but also give her patio a refresh for the summer months.

If you want a natural deep clean, this Method spray gets the job done – and smells good while doing it. It can be used on all surfaces, including glass, tile and stone, and will offer a deep clean to banish grime and engrained dirt. If you scan the QR code, you’ll also be able to a curated cleaning playlist, too!

Although cleaning grout in tiles can make a big difference to your bathroom, most methods are also incredibly time-consuming. But the Skylarlife Home Mould & Mildew Stain Remover is simple: apply the gel on the mould, leave for six hours, and then wipe it off! Our news writer, Kezia, tried this product in her own bathroom and was amazed by the results and would recommend it to anyone struggling with mould.

Mould spray is a must-have for any damp home. And if you want to get rid of damp and condensation, whether it’s your bathroom, kitchen or bedroom, a good spritz of this will kill spores immediately. It’s strong, so you’ll need to open windows and use it accordingly, but boy, does it work. And if you don’t believe me, just check out the 40,000+ positive reviews on Amazon about it.

Fully vegan and cruelty-free, Astonish’s removes mould and mildew without the need for any scrubbing – or nasty chemicals. You can use it on everything from walls to windows and grout, and it’ll wipe clean in minutes. I rate it myself, and it’s also one of the brand’s bestsellers.

In my opinion, every home should have a bottle of this stuff in their cleaning cupboard because it really is a miracle worker – especially if you don’t have the space to store one of the best carpet cleaners. The Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover is also one of the top-rated cleaning products on Amazon, and can help to remove all kinds of stains from a carpet, including red wine, chocolate, tea and more.

You know something is one of the best cleaning products when literally every member of the Ideal Home team uses it, and that’s the case for this Method Floor Cleaner. Everyone agrees that the Wild Rhubarb scent is the best of the best, and the fact that it can be used on all types of sealed floors makes it perfect for every home. It’s also made from naturally derived, biodegradable ingredients, which is a major bonus.

If you want to refresh your rugs or carpet, this cleaning product will get the job done quickly and efficiently. Simply shake over your carpets, leave it to neutralise any odours and capture any lingering hairs or dirt, and then vacuum up. Personally, my favourite scent is the Fresh Tropical Breeze – but there are so many to choose from that you can’t really go wrong.

I’m very much part of the no-need-to-iron club, and, in fact, I don’t even own an iron. But I still like my clothes and my bed to look wrinkle-free, and when our tester tried out this Lenor Crease Releaser Spray and recommended it to all of us, I knew I had to try it. Now, I’m completely obsessed and use it on everything – and it’s a major perk that it smells delicious, too.

Laundry stains are inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. As a messy eater myself, I’ve tried so many different laundry stain removers, but none have been quite as impressive as this one. The rubbing head makes it easy to disrupt even the toughest of dried-in stains, and it’s so easy to use.

I’ve tested laundry detergent at all price points, and I genuinely don’t regret paying a bit extra for this particular brand. Not only are the scents strong and long-lasting, but the cleaning power truly is unmatched. A major bonus is that it’s still eco-friendly, so you can limit your impact on the environment.

I’ve made the conscious choice to swap from microfibre cloths to bamboo ones recently, and these are undoubtedly the best you can buy. Unlike microfibre cloths, which I often find leave a trail of fluff behind them, these bamboo cloths offer a streak-free finish no matter what you’re cleaning. Plus, they last for months before you need to replace them! And even then, they’re fully compostable.

My husband is the designated washer-upper in our house, and he assures me that these are undoubtedly the best scourer sponges for washing-up (and he’s very fussy). They’re abrasive without being too harsh, and I’ve started to use them to clean everything from the hob to the bathroom, too.

My nan introduced me to this old-school cleaning tool, and I’ve come to love my feather duster more than I thought. It’s not quite a cloth or sponge, but it’s still ideal for wiping over surfaces to remove dust and other debris. Plus, it’ll help you reach into corners for any cobwebs.