Don't Be a Cleaning Product Hoarder! - How To Choose the Right Cleaning Tools

I'm a simple man. I use a 45in1 shampoo and wash my hair, lather my body, moisturize my face, brush my teeth, freshen my mouth, shave my beard, exfoliate, deodorize, cleanse, degrease, bleach my toilet, wash my clothes and oil my door hinges with it. You know the joke.

A man enjoys a relaxing hair wash at a salon, as a stylist carefully massages shampoo into his hair.

But as a cleaner, I can imagine how easy it can be to fall for all the marketing tricks and viral hacks in the “#CleanTok” parts of TikTok or cleaning subreddits on Reddit. I'm sure it's very easy to go from having one all-purpose spray to owning 28 cleaning products and having no shelf space.

Somewhere between trying to remove a wine stain from the carpet and descaling the kettle, your cleaning closet turns suddenly into a full-blown laboratory before you know it. You have window cleaners that will grease your elbows or turn your muscles into a man. You have dish soap that promises your fairytales of multiple plates washed with one drop. You have fabric conditioners able to awaken spring and ones that smell like Northern Solstice. Isn't it all just… Outdoorable? And don’t get me started on tools. Cleaner or not - you cannot convince me to buy a BATTERY-POWERED mop!

Let’s be honest: we are all suckers for cleaning aesthetic once in a while. Beautiful bottles, citrus scents, labels that say “ultra,” “deep-action,” or “with oxygen bubbles” - they speak to our deepest desire to get our proverbial "shit" together and these products make us feel prepared but if your mop has more attachements than your hoover - you may need to reevaluate!

The more products and chemicals you buy, the more problems you make for yourself. Products expire, dry out, or go unused, they take up space and cause decision fatigue while you waste time reading what surface you can use this on for the 5th time

The truth is, tools make the job but not every job needs a very niche chemical or a gadget that looks like it belongs in NASA. You don't need a heavy-duty, electric commercial floor scrubber for your studio flat in London, Sara. If you've been lured by clever marketing and Pinterest-perfect cleaning hauls, I see you. Let’s break down what tools and chemicals you actually need and how to ditch the rest with dignity.

HERE'S WHAT YOU REALLY NEED

1. Microfiber/cotton cloths

2. One high-quality all-purpose cleaner

3. A solid sponge/scrubber combo

4. A good mop that fits your space

1. Cloths

   

   A person wearing yellow gloves meticulously cleans a computer monitor with a blue microfiber cloth and cleaning spray, ensuring a spotless and hygienic workspace.

A simple square microfibre and/or a cotton duster cloth should get you most of the way there. Microfiber traps dust and bacteria and dries quickly. Cotton is soft and absorbent. You really don't need a tailor-made mitten made of chamois leather just to wipe your mirror.

2. High-quality cleaners

   

   A roll of paper towels and a bottle of blue cleaning solution stand ready for use, a simple yet essential duo for keeping surfaces spotless and hygienic.

Nowadays, a good quality all-purpose cleaner can go a long way. If you are in the UK, I would personally like to suggest one of these three: Flash, Method or Ecover.

• Ecover All Purpose Cleaner - biodegradable, septic-tank safe. Known for its eco-friendly ethos and effective cleaning on hard surfaces.

• Method Antibacterial Multi‑Surface All‑Purpose Cleaner - plant-based, antibacterial formula. Kills 99.9% of bacteria and supports refill options.

• Flash All Purpose Cleaner - trusted, affordable classic with wide availability. A reliable option for everyday cleaning.

3. Sponges, scourers and brushes

A stack of white and blue cleaning sponges arranged creatively against a matching blue background, showcasing their vibrant colors and neat organization

Type	Best For	Notes
Cellulose Sponge	General dishwashing, wiping counters	Absorbs a lot of water, inexpensive, not great for scrubbing tough messes
Abrasive Sponge	Pots, pans, baked-on food	Has a rough scrubbing side, avoid on delicate surfaces
Magic Eraser (Melamine Foam)	Removing scuffs, stains, soap scum	Acts like micro-sandpaper, can damage shiny or glossy finishes

Type	Best For	Notes
Nylon Scrubber	Non-stick cookware, plastics	Gentle but effective on grease
Stainless Steel Wool	Rust, grills, metal pans	Very abrasive — will scratch most non-metal surfaces
Copper Scourer	Pots, pans, delicate metals	Less harsh than steel wool, won’t rust
Heavy-Duty Green Scouring Pad	Ovens, grill grates, baked-on mess	Very abrasive — avoid on non-stick and delicate surfaces

Type	Best For	Notes
Dish Brush	Everyday dishwashing	Keeps hands out of dirty water, replaceable heads available
Bottle Brush	Cleaning bottles, jars, vases	Long handle, narrow head for deep cleaning
Grout Brush also known as "old toothbrush"	Bathroom/kitchen grout	Stiff bristles and narrow head for targeted scrubbing
Toilet Brush	Toilet cleaning	Curved head for under rim
Electric Scrubber	Large or stubborn messes	Powered scrubbing saves effort, but requires charging

4. A purpose-driven mop

A janitor wearing yellow gloves diligently cleans a light gray floor with a wide flat mop, demonstrating attention to detail and thoroughness in maintaining cleanliness.

Mop Type	Pros	Cons
Flat Mop	- Lightweight and easy to maneuver - Great for quick cleaning - Works well on smooth floors - Often machine-washable pads	- Not ideal for heavy scrubbing - Can miss dirt in deep grout or textured floors - Pads may wear out over time
String Mop	- Excellent for heavy duty cleaning - Good at reaching into corners and grout - Absorbs a lot of liquid	- Takes longer to dry floors - Heavier when wet - Harder to wring out without a special bucket - Heads can be harder to clean and can smell if not dried
Spray Mop	- Built-in spray for cleaning solution - Quick, convenient, and lightweight - No need for separate bucket - Dries floors fast	- Limited scrubbing power - Small water tank means frequent refills - Not ideal for big messes or deep cleaning
Steam Mop	- Cleans and sanitizes with just water (no chemicals) - Great for killing germs and dust mites - Effective on sealed hard floors - Cuts through grease and grime	- Needs electricity and warm-up time - Can damage unsealed wood or some delicate surfaces - Heavier than manual mops - More expensive

AND THESE WILL MAKE IT EASIER

• A disinfectant

• A squeegee for glass and a brush for grout

• An extendable duster for cobwebs

• Magic Eraser sponges for wall stains

• A scented product that makes you actually want to clean

WHAT I USE

At home I have two cats and when I clean, I like to use Flash Pet Multipurpose Cleaner Liquid Citrus for a lot of the surfaces including the floor and walls. It's pet-friendly and my flat actually smells amazing when I'm done. I use a regular string mop for my kitchen and my bathroom but I am a big fan of Vileda Turbo Spin Mop and will buy one eventually. I have a Roborock S6 taking care of my carpeted rooms, making sure I don't drown in cat fur.

For the surfaces, I use a mix of cotton and microfiber cloths, in my bathroom a bottle of Viakal together with a small hard brush for hard-to-reach spaces around my taps does very well and in my kitchen I use a CIF cream for my stainless steel sink and my glass stovetop.

Additional items that I use on bigger cleaning sessions is bicarbonate of soda, Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover, Simple Solution Stain & Odour Remover for all those coughed-up hairballs, a piece of steel wool or a steel scourer and a telescopic duster.

Stop chasing the next miracle product that will clean all surfaces and unless you’re running a cleaning TikTok, do not hoard twelve types of glass cleaners or degreasers. Simplify your toolkit!

A close-up of thick, frothy soap bubbles spreading across a smooth, light gray surface, creating an abstract pattern with flowing textures.