5 Cleaning Products You Don’t Actually Need, According to Professional Cleaners

Sometimes, less is best.

Keeping a clean house isn’t easy, even with all of the cleaning products that are available to choose from these days. While you might think you need an arsenal of sprays, powders, and concentrates, it turns out many of the things you think you need to buy aren’t truly essential for a clean home. Less can be more. Here are six cleaning products you really don’t need, according to the pros we asked.

Related: I’m a Cleaning Editor—Here’s How I Fake a Spotless House

Furniture Polish

Robin Murphy of ChirpChirp House Cleaning in White Plains, NY says there’s no reason to buy furniture polish. She explains, “These days, most wood furniture has a sealed, protective coating over the bare wood. Therefore, the surface can easily be dusted or wiped clean with a damp cloth.”

These products may even have the opposite effect. According to Murphy, “Some polishes, oils, and waxes are completely unnecessary and end up leaving a residue that dulls the surface — or even worse, gets sticky—instead of enhancing the finish.”

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

It’s fair to say the toilet bowl is one of the dirtiest spots in most of our homes. However, that still doesn’t mean it needs its own cleaning product. Instead, Murphy suggests using baking soda or Barkeeper’s Friend, which is fantastic at cleaning a variety of surfaces throughout the home. “Barkeeper’s Friend is very effective at cleaning and deodorizing toilets without the unnecessary chemicals,” she says.

Meanwhile, Nicola Davies of Tranquil Home Cleaning Services in San Diego, CA says your preferred all-purpose cleaner and some elbow grease can get the job done just as well as toilet bowl cleaner does.

Oven Cleaner

Unless your oven is decades old or doesn’t have a self-clean feature, there’s no good reason to keep oven cleaner on hand. “For most ovens, there isn’t any need for commercial oven cleaners with harsh chemicals and fumes," says Murphy. She recommends making a paste with baking soda or Barkeepers Friend and water. Slather the grimy areas of the oven and let it sit for five to ten minutes and then scrub with a scouring pad or scrub brush.

Glass Cleaner

Sure, it’s nice when windows, mirrors, and furniture have a streak-free shine, but according to Davies, you don’t really need glass cleaner to get this effect. “While I prefer using an eco-friendly, store-bought glass cleaner, it's not imperative. A simple mixture of vinegar and water is a viable alternative for achieving comparable results," she says. She adds that for minor blemishes like fingerprints or minor water splashes on bathroom mirrors, a modest amount of plain water may be enough.

Related: 7 Cleaning Mistakes That Always Lead to Streaky Mirrors

Disposable Wipes

There’s a time and a place for cleaning wipes, such as when you travel, but for the most part, they are a waste of money. Because they're disposable, they're also not the best choice for the environment. Regular cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth can get the job done even better for less money in the long run.

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