We tried nearly 60 cleaning products last month — here's what we'd buy again

I recently tested this gizmo, along with a bunch of other top-rated scrubbers, and it blew the competition out of the water (quite literally). Not only is the Hoto powerful, removing caked-on mud and toothpaste with ease, but it’s customizable: The upper portion detaches to double as a handheld scrubber, the pole can be adjusted to achieve the perfect length and there are three scrubbing speeds. 

Bonus: The entire device is waterproof, so you can clean your shower with abandon.

I purchased these reusable dishcloths to cut back on paper towel purchases, and I'm so glad I did. Not only are they wallet- and environment-friendly (according to the brand, one dishcloth is the equivalent of 17 paper towel rolls), but they're fast-drying and odorless. You can throw them right in the dishwasher when they need a good cleaning. 

I hang one by my kitchen sink and another on the wall of my shower. They're like mini, multitasking pieces of art — a welcome pop of color for spring. 

This formula from Better Life has become one of my shower-cleaning standbys for its ability to break down dirt and scum on tubs, plus tiled walls and floors, with ease. In my testing of the best grout cleaners for 2025, I found it particularly impressive, loosening and lifting sticky, stubborn messes — with added brightening effects. 

It's also made without harsh chemicals, and leaves behind a soothing tea tree and eucalyptus scent. 

I rely on Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day multipurpose sprays and dish soaps for maintenance cleaning, so I was excited to try the brand's new line of pet-geared products. This pet stain and odor fighter did not disappoint! My grandmom's cat left some regurgitated food (mixed with a hairball or two) on her carpet, and this formula had no problem clearing the residue. 

The orange blossom scent is fresh but not overpowering. FYI, you can use this spray on upholstery and clothing, too.

I was surprised when I heard about this new version of Windex's glass cleaner because, frankly, why fix something that isn't broken? But the foam is delightful to use, staying in place on windows, mirrors and patio doors without any dripping or splattering.

My dog, Frankie, loves to shove her face up against every window she can reach, so I'm constantly dealing with smudged, drool-covered glass. Armed with a microfiber cloth and a can of this cleaner, I was able to dissolve the mess in an instant. Just make sure to ventilate the room when you use the foam because, while the scent is pleasant, it's also very strong.

The fragrance of these wipes is so lovely, I actually thought it came from a beauty product! Let me explain: When I first opened the tub, I found the scent, which is called "lavender and cotton blossom" (but smells to me like green apple and fresh flowers) too strong. Dedicated tester that I am, I nevertheless used one to clean my bathroom. 

Twenty minutes later, I was at the sink washing my face wondering why my cleanser suddenly smelled so incredible. I sniffed around for a while before realizing that I had the wipes to thank. This new fragrance is available in an all-purpose spray and a few other products, and I'm planning to buy them all.

Like Kristin, I'm a fan of Better Life products, which are made without dyes, synthetic fragrances and sulfates. I tried this wood polish at the same time as the brand's all-purpose cleaner, and while the latter didn't blow me away, the polish sure did.

I find many traditional wood polishes leave behind a finish that's too oily or waxy. This one felt much lighter, yet it still made my end tables gleam. While it's not the old-school stuff you may be used to, for light cleaning it really gets the job done.

Imagine if a fancy scented candle could also scrub your toilet. That's a pretty good description of this new cleaner, which uses sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda) plus enzyme-producing probiotics to naturally attack stains and odors.

All you do is drop a scoop or two of the powder into the toilet bowl and let it fizz away — it's a very satisfying sound! After five to 10 minutes and a quick scrub with a toilet brush, the bowl should sparkle. But what really sold me on this stuff is the scent, which is less like a traditional cleaning product and more like a garden on a sunny day. It's definitely luxe ... which explains the price, but it really does eliminate the need for another scented product in the bathroom.

I realize this pick is roughly 100 times the cost of our other cleaning faves so apologies if it comes out of left field, but after testing it for our guide to the best robot vacuums, I'm obsessed. No exaggeration, I use this little gizmo every day, and it has upped the baseline cleanliness of my rugs and hardwood floors exponentially.

Though the PowerDetect's suction power isn't as strong as my trusty Bissell CleanView, it's perfect for maintenance and tackling those hard-to-reach dust bunnies that congregate under furniture. It also does an A+ job mopping, and it automatically empties/refills its water tank so you don't have to get your hands dirty. Setup is so simple, I'm getting one for my tech-averse parents. (For more details, here's my full Shark PowerDetect robot vacuum and mop review.)