12 cleaning products everyone should own, according to professionals

Trish Duarte, franchise owner and cleaning expert of MaidPro Temecula, says her first choice for removing oil stains is free and clear dish soap, like this one from Ecos. "It's designed to lift grease and oils from dishes, and it works on many fabrics as well," she explains.

According to the brand, the dermatologist-tested formula is hypoallergenic and pH-balanced, making it not only gentle on materials, but skin, too.

Dawn Free & Clear is another of Duarte's dish soap picks, and this squeeze bottle makes it easy to distribute a targeted amount for less waste and no mess. "I always choose a clear soap when possible to make sure the stain doesn’t draw in the color of the product I’m using to treat it with," she says, particularly important with delicate fabrics.

FYI: Dawn Free & Clear Powerwash is another top pick among professional cleaners for getting stains and grease out of dishes and pans.

When it comes to laundry detergent, Zachary Pozniak, a fourth-generation dry cleaner and author of "The Laundry Book," says this tub from Tide takes the cake (and whatever else happens to be sticking to your clothes). "I've tested about 100 laundry detergents and Tide Hygienic consistently earns the No. 1 spot," he confirms. "No need to use more than two tablespoons though, even for large loads."

Pozniak considers oxygen bleach, which is color-safe and isn't made with chlorine, the best addition to a laundry room. "Oxygen bleach attacks the color-causing molecules of stains and corrects them slowly over time," he explains. "For best results, soak your garments in hot water (ideally above 140°F) overnight with some powdered oxygen bleach and rewash after. Oxygen bleach requires lots of heat and time to work, so patience is key."

Duarte considers this powder from OxiClean a stain-busting must-have, and she keeps it on hand at all times. "It's made of sodium percarbonate, which is the shelf-stable powder version of hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate (washing soda), and it includes surfactants and polymers to lift and capture stains," she says. "With OxiClean, you have a tried-and-true winning solution for white or dark fabrics."

Prefer a spray? Pozniak relies on the power of OxiClean Max Force: "Apply to the stain and let it sit for at least an hour before washing as recommended," he advises. Pro tip: Keep a bottle of this next to your hamper and treat stains before tossing clothes in. "The longer this sits on a stain the better it'll work," he says. Just don't wait longer than a week to wash.

"As much as I adore OxiClean, I had to ask it to step aside for berry- and tomato-based stains because I recently discovered a product with a funny name that I believe is a game changer for many stain-prone households," reveals Duarte. Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Remover "is a mouthful, but easily gobbles up berry stains before your eyes."

Pozniak also counts himself as a fan: "This acidic stain remover is a handy product to keep in your bag," he says. "Its use of citric acid means that it immediately neutralizes the color in tannin-based stains like red wine and berries. Just make sure to wash your garment after treating it with this." (See how he uses it to remove tough wine stains in this video.)

Duarte likes hypochlorous acid for its "powerful yet gentle" formula, ideal for sanitizing all surfaces, from mirrors and backsplashes to showers and sinks. "It eliminates germs effectively without harsh chemicals, works as a natural deodorizer and is non-corrosive, making it safe for your home’s surfaces."

This set includes a 1-gallon container, plus a spray bottle for easier, targeted application throughout the home.

For sticky messes, Michelle Spitzer, franchise owner and cleaning expert of MaidPro Naples, reaches for Goo Gone. The surface-safe solution is formulated to tackle glue, gum and other adhesives. It can even remove crayon marks. "If the residue is tough, a plastic or regular razor blade can help," she adds.

Goo Gone is sold in larger spray gel bottles for those who find spray nozzles more convenient or need to do a bit more damage control.

When it comes to cleaning tools, Ken Doty, COO and cleaning expert at The Maids, is a big fan of Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. "The secret behind the eraser is the melamine foam. The advanced composition creates a superb cleaner." 

He says it's good for "eliminating crayon marks and mold and mildew, as well as removing scuff marks from walls (and shoes!), dirt and grime from frequently touched surfaces and baked-in grease and grime on oven doors." 

You may also want to consider grabbing some Magic Erasers in Extra Durable, Ultra Thick or Ultra Bath form depending on your needs.

Doty likes to use hydrogen peroxide as a "safer, more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach and similar cleaning products." He adds, "The three-percent solution in your medicine cabinet is a natural whitener, cleaner and disinfectant — all the properties you want for cleaning bathrooms and other germ-y spaces.”

This version from Amazon is sold solo, as well as in multi-packs, for those looking to stock up for bigger bathrooms and homes.

For "an excellent whitener, carpet freshener, stain remover and scrubbing compound," don't skip baking soda, says Doty. "The mild abrasiveness makes baking soda safe for most surfaces to lift dirt, grease and grime."

These Arm & Hammer Shakers are easier to lift and pour around the bathtub and sinks. You can also stash a box of baking soda in the fridge to help neutralize unpleasant food odors, as well as in the laundry room — Pozniak uses it as a washing booster. 

"White vinegar is a natural anti-fungal, antibacterial, whitener and deodorizer, making it one of the most versatile ingredients in eco-friendly cleaning products," explains Doty. "Vinegar can be mixed with water, baking soda and other safe ingredients to create stain removers, degreasers and more."

Nab a 1-gallon jug, or, as Pozniak recommends, opt for a more concentrated solution like this from Calyptus. Though it's more expensive at the onset, when properly diluted, it can save you money down the road (as he notes in this explainer, just don't forget to wear gloves!).