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Hi! I’m Amy, and I was a cleaner for a couple of years before I started writing about all things shopping — and where possible, I like to combine those two skillsets.
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So, with spring cleaning season nearly upon us, now feels like the perfect time to share the products and methods I swear by for doing a deep clean that leaves your home sparkling like never before. Because is there truly anything more fulfilling than a pristine pad?
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First of all, make some time to clear any rubbish and empties away into some bin bags
If you're anything like me, then before you can get started scrubbing and wiping down your surfaces, you'll need to clear any rubbish that's built up since your last deep-clean (looking at you, empty shampoo bottles). I swear by this bloody massive roll of fifty sustainably-sourced bin bags! When I was a cleaner, none of our bin liner rolls had fewer than 50 bags – this pack of extra-thick ones is the best I've found since.
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Move any stuff that's in the way into these three IKEA bags while you clean
It can be tempting to chuck the entire contents of your wardrobe on your bed while you're cleaning out your wardrobe, but I can pretty much guarantee it'll just lead to more chaos down the line – especially if you're deep-cleaning your entire house. These massive bags are big enough to hold almost anything, they work as a makeshift organiser while you're cleaning, AND they can be easily moved if you need to tackle the corner they've spent most of the day in.
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Kick off your cleaning by tackling the spot you usually ignore, like the dreaded oven
This kit is handy because it tackles everything from your oven's racks to the inside of the machine itself. You can use the extra-strong bags to soak the racks (we'd always leave them on the sink's draining board while we went about the rest of our work), and you can wipe the inside of your cooker with the rest of the formula. I'm not sure exactly what makes this stuff so powerful, but I do know that it makes wiping off grime, grease, and burnt-on food incredibly easy after a couple of hours.
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Then use a multipurpose long duster to tackle hard-to-reach cobwebs and dirt
Its adjustable telescopic handle means it can reach everything from ceiling corners to mantlepieces, and its machine-washable head is fluffy enough to tackle even the hardest-to-reach dirt.
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It's not truly a deep clean if you don't tackle any damp or mould, so make sure you've got this highly-rated spray
Almost every home I cleaned had some degree of mould – it's just part of living in a colder, wetter country. This fast-acting spray from cleaner-approved brand HG is seriously effective, and it's super easy to use too! Just spray it onto any affected surfaces, wait for about half an hour, and wipe it away to reveal a mildew-free surface underneath (ugh, so satisfying).
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Magic erasers will address any smudges or stains – even crayon marks on the walls
NGL, the first time I saw these in our storeroom I thought they were a little gimmicky – but having used them for everything from soap-encrusted sinks to doors and walls with worked-in grime, I've been forced to take it all back. They only need a little water to work their magic, and you get ten in a pack.
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And tackle gunky grouting and rusty taps with this amazing cream cleaning paste
Got stains on your tiles? Cream cleaner. Grout generally a bit manky? Cream cleaner. Taps a lil' rusty? Cream (and I MEAN this) cleaner. This stuff is a must-have for any pro. Made up of gritty cleaning beads suspended in a gel, so it grinds away at tough stains without damaging the surface beneath. It's suitable for use on most hard surfaces (think ceramic tiles, barbecues, pots and pans, and more.)
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And get scrubbing with this bestselling grout brush
With its comfy, non-slip handle, this brush is perfect for cleaning grout, shower door tracks, fixtures and other small spaces. Its tough bristles will easily scrub away mildew, grime, and soap scum, and leave your shower sparkling.
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Got a spot on your sofa or carpet you need gone ASAP? I've tried so many stain removers, but this is my go-to for soft furnishings
I've always been amazed by how quickly this stuff gets to work (it does what I need it to in about 20 minutes). Just dampen the spot you want to clean to loosen the stain, run the handy brush of this cleaner over it, and wait for it to dry – you won't even need to vacuum over it, which is especially useful amid the chaos of spring cleaning.
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Speaking of stain removal, this mattress cleaner will make your mattress look as good as new
I'm a huge fan of how easy this stuff is to use – you can just spray it onto any stains and then leave it to dry (sorry, but that's EXACTLY the amount of effort I'd like to expend on every cleaning task). It'll banish any odours and discolouration, even if the stain is really tough – check out the reviews section to see some seriously satisfying before-and-afters.
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Tackle everything from glass to your microwave with some white vinegar
I used to have to stock my trolley with supplies before work, which meant space was at a premium. White vinegar was always really handy, because it does so many jobs from just one product. I particularly love it for cleaning glass (it gives the perfect streak-free finish), and it's great for removing hard water stains from toilets, washing machines, and showers too. This one smells of lemon, so you won't even have to deal with that vinegar-y scent. (Side note: you can add a dash of this to a bowl of water, pop it in your microwave, and turn it on for a couple of minutes before letting the steam loosen any dirt for a super-simple wipe-down).
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Banish stubborn limescale stains from your loo with this clever pumice stone
You can scrub and scrub at those ~ominous~ stains in your toilet bowl all you like, but the truth is a regular brush just isn't going to cut it with old, worked-in hard water stains. I heard about using a pumice stone to get rid of it from a coworker, and I haven't looked back since – I used it on my own loo when I first moved in as the previous tenants hadn't tackled it, and it made having guests over *much* less embarrassing.
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And for a more general deep clean, Dr. Beckmann's foaming toilet cleaner is ideal
Not only is the foaming element of this cleaner kind of fun, it's also a great way to ensure your loo is being ~thoroughly~ cleaned. I love that this toilet reaches below the surface of your toilet and tackles light limescale buildup and grime. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it cuts down on your scrubbing time.
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Of course, you're going to need a good all-purpose spray for wiping down your surfaces
When you're doing a *truly* deep clean, the smell of chemicals can overwhelm your home. Aside from helping to break down dirt, grease, and grime, this plant-based, nontoxic spray smells really refreshing and light.
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Going over all your floors with a good vacuum cleaner is good vacuum cleaner is clearly an essential step in any deep cleaning session
I usually couldn't care less about brand names, but when it comes to actually *cleaning* the most important thing is suction power – and Henry hoovers win out every time. This Turbo one packs a seriously powerful motor and comes with various heads to tackle everything from your carpet to your car.
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And mopping your floors until they're sparkling is the perfect way to finish up the main bulk of your cleaning
I'm genuinely not sure how I lived without this genius spinning-drain mop. Not only does it dry your mop head out faster so it won't fester in the bucket afterwards, but it *also* gets your floors dry more quickly (which is crucial if you're 1) in a rush, 2) dealing with sensitive flooring like hardwood or marble, or 3) both). I love that the drain is pedal-operated, because plunging a mop down into the push-down kinds can be surprisingly tiring! Oh, and that wide microfibre mop head is no joke either – I find it covers a *way* bigger surface area and picks up much more dirt than the regular string kinds.
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Now the big jobs are done, it's time to tackle a couple of fiddly little bits. Like making your reflective surfaces shiny
My favourite part of deep-cleaning is sorting out those final fiddly bits that truly make your home look *immaculate*. These cloths will clean and polish smooth surfaces like door handles, oven knobs, and more, and they're fab for dusting too. The soft fabric will distribute pressure really evenly, so you won't have to worry about streaks. Plus, you get ten in a pack.
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And finally, cover up those nasty chemical smells with this gorgeous air freshener
I know this one is a little boujie, but I swear it's worth it to have a genuinely fresh scent in your home after all those harsh-smelling chemicals. Customers swear by its light lemongrass and linen scent, with many saying it's super long-lasting.
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But also put processes in place to help you keep up the cleanliness — like this antibacterial fridge liner
You can cut this liner to fit your crisper drawer exactly! Its washable material allows air to circulate around your fresh produce, ensuring it doesn't go off any sooner than it should. People say it's eliminated rotting veg odours, kept their fridge clean, and reduced their food waste – what's not to like?!
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Prevent any future build-up of limescale with this genius descaler ball
Mineral deposits will collect in between its mesh wires rather than building up in your kettle. You'll be able to remove and rinse it quickly and easily whenever you need to.
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And apply rim blocks to your loo to keep it fresh between scrubs
When you apply one of these to the rim of your toilet bowl, it'll release a fresh smell and some helpful cleaning liquid into your loo every time you flush. Each rim block will last you for up to 240 flushes.
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This shower shield solution will protect your unit from hard water buildup and soap scum
It works on ceramic, glass, and metal! Apply the solution to the desired area twice and wait for it to dry before buffing the surface with a dry cloth — it'll repel dirt and water for up to three months.
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Use some clever liners if you want to avoid having to deep clean the oven for as long as possible
They can withstand temperatures of up to 260°C, and you can just remove them and clean them with washing-up liquid when they get a bit grimy. They're dishwasher-safe too, so there's basically no excuse to let your oven reach chip shop levels of grease again.
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And use these handy silicone strips to keep that awkward crack between your oven and countertops clean
You can trim these strips to fit the width of your countertops, and because they're heat-resistant up to 230°C, you won't have to worry about them getting burned either. The material is waterproof and stain-resistant – you can wipe these down when those inevitable spills happen.
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Finally, use these drop-in drain sticks to stop any gunk or hair from building up
Drains are really annoying to clean, so once you've tackled yours, you'll want to put off doing so again for as long as possible. These enzyme-packed sticks slowly dissolve, breaking down whatever's in your drain with them, and leave a nice smell behind 'em too.