The days are longer and dust and other messes are getting pretty noticeable. It’s time to get things brightened up and one expert at Consumer Reports is laser-focused on finding the products that work and the ones that don’t -- so you can spring clean without stress and on a budget.
As a Consumer Reports writer, Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested glass cleaners, DIY cleaning hacks, steam cleaners and more!
“You don’t need a ton of products to get your house clean, some basic things like a multi-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner, a bathroom cleaner and maybe something that’s a disinfectant,” she said.
Vinegar can be a great option if you don’t want to spend money on a dedicated glass cleaner, but Consumer Reports’ tests found Sprayway Glass cleaner earned top marks. And bonus, it’s also an economical choice because besides glass, it can clean chrome, tile, and porcelain.
Vinegar or dish detergent can also help remove mild mold and mildew buildup.
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Of course, there are tools you can buy to make some jobs easier and maybe even more fun, if that’s your thing. Consumer Reports recently tried the Bissell Steam Shot.
“The Bissell Steam Shot is so satisfying to use. It cleaned up my bathroom grout really, really well,” Rodriguez said.
Another place the Bissell Steam Shot cleaned really well was buildup from fabric softener used in a washing machine.
If you don’t need to deep clean, but you have lots of areas to cover, Rodriguez says you should consider a power scrubber to keep things moving, like the battery-powered Leebein Electric Spin Scrubber for $56.
To tackle the dust and cobwebs in all those hard-to-reach places, she says turn to your vacuum’s attachments for help: the crevice tool for tight spaces and the upholstery tool to deep clean your couch.
Speaking of vacuums, Rodriguez says the key is having one with adequate airflow. Consumer Reports tests for that and says the Kenmore Pet Friendly 31140, starting at $250, delivers.
Or consider a powerful hand vac like the Black+Decker Max+ DustBuster AdvancedClean+ HHVK515J00, for $90, which comes with different attachment tools for cleaning edges like stair steps and tight spaces.
To cut down on paper towel waste and save some money, Consumer Reports recommends microfiber cloths you can wash and reuse. And if you get them in different colors, you can assign each color to a specific room so you can keep bathroom germs away from kitchen germs.
And one last cleaning tip from Rodriguez: It’s much easier if you take it room by room. For example, you can clean the bathroom today, bedrooms tomorrow, and closets the day after that.