Let’s talk cleaning. Last week I tackled our guest house to prep for Chris’s parents visiting, and it was a full-day, but also so cathartic! That space had been a holding place for a lot of our renovation materials, and it was time to clear it all out. Cleaning can be very tiring, but afterwards I always feel better. With back-to-school and fall on the horizon, it also seems like a good time of year to balance out the spring cleaning with some fall house cleaning. Let’s lean into clean!
Steam Mop | Laundry Room Sources
I do tidy up a lot at home (and remind my girls to tidy up as well), but I have started collecting my favorite tools and tricks that make every day feel more fresh, clean, and organized. If you also love that “freshly cleaned house feeling,” then this list is for you!
What I Use to Clean the Kitchen
Dishwasher Tablets
This honestly made my dishwashers seem new again (and smell better than they had in awhile)—for under $20 for a year’s supply!
Garbage Disposal Tablets
There’s the old trick of dropping a lemon into your disposal, and then there’s these, which is so much easier with less chance of any jam!
Scrub Daddy Sponges
Sure, they have the neon orange sponges, but when I saw these neutral ones, I was sold. The Scrub Daddy sponges have a cult following because they really can do wonders to your pots and pans.
Clorox Scentiva Wipes
The non-scented wipes still have a bit of a chemical smell to me, so I like to go with the Clorox Scentiva in Coconut & Waterlily. We have them at home and in the office—we do wipe-downs whenever we feel there are sicknesses coming on!
Pot Lid Holder
This is more preventative than it is reactive, but goodness has it made a difference. Chris is always cooking up a storm, and if he’s using a lid to steam a stir fry or speed up a sauce, inevitably the lid ends up on the counter, making a mess. This nifty holder changed the game!
What I Use to Clean the Floors
Steam Mop
The winner of our steam mop test, this hard-working machine gives me that “kills-all-the-germs” feeling. We wear our shoes in the house (controversial, but it’s our preference), and I like to deep clean our higher-traffic areas like the mudroom and bathrooms once a week with this high-performer. You can also use the attachments to clean your grout and other hard-to-reach areas!
Dyson V8 Vacuum
The powerful suction on our Dyson vacuum is a total game-changer. The cordless, lightweight design makes it so easy to grab for quick clean-ups, especially all Cricket’s dog hair that seems to magically appear. It’s a complete lifesaver for keeping our home looking its best without a ton of effort.
Bissell Little Green Machine
Technically, this little “monster” can take on upholstery too, but I’m usually using it for our Chris Loves Julia x Loloi rugs (any that aren’t jute, that is!). There are always going to be spills—we live in this house after all! The Bissell is small enough to tote around, and powerful enough to deep clean those stains.
More care tips at Rug Care 101: All the Tips & Tricks You Should Know
Folex Carpet Spot Remover
I swear by Folex: It’s as easy as saturating any spots and dabbing it up with a paper towel. If it’s a tougher or older spot, I’ll usually spray a stain with Folex first, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then run the Bissell overtop to thoroughly rinse out the area.
What I Use to Clean the Pool
Pool Cleaning Robot
This robot is practically a member of the family: His name is George. We set him loose in the pool once each week between our pool cleaning service treatments, and he clears all of the debris and clarifies the water. During the off-season, we’ll send him diving about once a month.
What I Use to Clean the Car
Handheld Car Vacuum
This is a very sleek-looking car vacuum that gets the job done in no time, without having to drag your oversized home vacuum out to the car. If you have little kids in your life, this is a must-have to get those Cheerios off the floor.
Cleaning Wipes
When I saw that these ArmorAll Cleaning Wipes have 4,000+ reviews and a 4.6 star rating, I knew they were going to be good. They get any grease and grime off your car surfaces, which we knew will accumulate during the summer months of sunscreen, bug spray, and outdoor play.
Thank you for this great list of items! Can you also tell us the product and device you (and/or your cleaning service) use to clean your hardwood floors?
I had the Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner and thought it was good until I updated to the Dyson V15. Game changer! This is brilliant and you will see a lot more dust and hair on floor and have really clean floors.