My husband and I run a cleaning crew for short-term rentals. We are always looking for effective, easy-to-use, durable cleaning products to get the job done.
If you saw my house right now, you wouldn’t believe that I frequently research cleaning products, but I do! And trust me, after I’ve made 16 beds and scrubbed 9 toilets in a single day, the last thing I want to do is clean my own home. That’s why I try to work smarter, not harder.
I compiled a list of five products that make my life so much easier, and they are all under $15! (Note: The following are not affiliate links, I am just sharing products I love!)
Easy-Off Fume-Free Oven Cleaner
Nobody likes to clean their oven, right? I discovered Easy-Off a couple of years ago, and cleaning the inside of my oven is no longer a chore that I despise. This product makes it so simple. I spray it on the inside of the door, and all over the interior of the oven, let it sit for a couple of hours, then take some hot water and a scrub brush and scrub it in a circular motion. Make sure to rinse it well before drying with paper towels!
You can find Easy-Off at Walmart.
Scraper Tool
As the mom of two messy eaters, this is essential! My scraper is double-sided: one side is plastic and the other is metal. I use the plastic for more delicate surfaces like the stove top, and the metal side to scrape food that is stuck to the floor or countertops. I get the most use out of mine in the kitchen but I’ve also found it handy for cleaning in other areas around the house.
I purchased my scraper tool on Amazon.
Vinegar
I use vinegar for almost everything. I have a mixture of water and vinegar (50/50) that I put in a spray bottle and use on my sink, countertops, showers, windows, mirrors, fridge, etc. It’s a natural disinfectant and it gets rid of smells. You can mix it with baking soda (it will fizz up) to add some extra pizzazz! It makes my sink sparkle and smells neutral. I usually buy my vinegar at Costco but it’s sold pretty much everywhere.
Dish Brushes
You can find these at the dollar store, Amazon, the grocery store…anywhere. They cost between $1 and $4. I have one for dishes, one for my sink, stove, shower, laundry stains, and even one for my car! These were a game-changer for me. If you have good cleaning products and then you scrub, it makes cleaning SO much easier. Last week I cleaned out my car and I even got the rubber mats sparkling clean using this method. Scrub brush. Add it to your grocery list immediately.
Collapsible Bucket
I initially bought one of these for my cleaning crew, but I now have a couple of my own. These are so helpful. I put hot water and use a rag to clean walls and baseboards, clean my showers, and last week I even filled one up with water, soap, and vinegar and washed all my windows! And the best part is, it collapses so you can store it easily.
I found my collapsible buckets on Amazon.
