Spring cleaning starter kit: 12 products that'll make it easy to keep things pristine year-round

If you have pets, kids, or frequent guests having appetizers or wine, stains on a rug or furniture are kind of inevitable — but spiraling over how to clean them doesn't have to be. The Shark StainForce is a cordless handheld carpet and upholstery wand that uses strong suction power, special bristles, and a proprietary odor-neutralizing spot formula to target new spills and old stains.

The lightweight device (2.38 pounds) and pre-mixed spray bottle are carried and stored in a caddy that isn't a pain to lug out of storage. In total, the whole setup is more than three pounds lighter than the Bissell Little Green.

To use, first spray the area with the cleaning solution. Hold the wand parallel to the surface and scrub back and forth to physically agitate the stain, then tilt the wand at an angle and scrape backwards only to suck the stain out. Fill the caddy compartment with water and press the wand's on button to enact self-rinsing, then empty dirty water into the sink.

I don't really get the science behind Scrub Daddy's PowerPaste, or how it cleans so well without any harsh chemicals (and next to no elbow grease). All I know is that I watched the burnt stains on my glass stovetop disappear within a minute — stains that hadn't budged for years, even when scrubbed with a cleaning spray. It has a similar effect on burnt grease on pots and pans, grout grime between tiles, and soap scum in the bathroom. It also happens to smell like summer.

To use, just smooth a layer of the paste across the targeted area and wipe with a sponge or cloth. And pro tip: Wipe your glass stovetop down every time you use it, even if there are no obvious splatters. The cakey buildup you're scrubbing off is likely a combination of old cooking spray mist or spattered frypan grease that's been burning onto the surface each time it gets hot.

Read my review of the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones.

Most cordless stick vacuums are known for their ability to transform into a handheld vacuum, often geared toward cleaning furniture. But the Dyson PencilVac is a weapon against dirty baseboards, cobwebby ceilings, and other hard-to-reach spots that no one pays attention to.

With the extender nozzle attachment on instead of the main cleaning head, the PencilVac weighs less than four pounds and has a diameter of just 1.5 inches the whole way down. It's easy to hold in the air with one hand and slips into tight crevices that even my other compact Dyson, the V12 Detect Slim, couldn't reach. Recently, I had to pull my dresser away from the wall for the first time in three years to situate a new bedroom TV. The size of dust bunnies I saw back there was pure nightmare fuel, but sticking the PencilVac back there was a piece of cake. (If you're always sneezing at home, consider how long the layer of dust has been building up in any of these spots.)

The PencilVac in upright mode is also amazing for dust and pet hair on hard floors. The unique Fluffycones cleaning head features four super soft rollers that feel like they're floating across hardwood and tile. The head can rotate in a full circle to clean in any direction and lie as flat as 3.7 inches. But for me, the star of the show is the double-headed laser. One shines forward, and one shines backward to show you where you've already cleaned and illuminate microscopic debris still hanging around.

Stenches coming from the trash or the toilet are annoying but understandable. But a stinky dishwasher or washing machine — an appliance whose sole purpose is to be a clean space for items you eat off of and put on your body — is especially unsettling.

You can (and should) wipe down the inside of these appliances on a regular basis. But if the mildewy smell is still taking over, a cleaning pod from Affresh can offer a more wholesome interior clean. These specially-formulated tablets eat away at the mineral deposits and bacteria lurking in damp appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, and garbage disposals. Six packs typically run for less than $10, so one box could last a year.

To use, just pop an Affresh pod in and run the cycle as you normally would. (More specific instructions will be on each box depending on the appliance, but that's the general idea.)

I won't make you say out loud the last time you cleaned the inside of your microwave. Just know that there's a world in which you aren't continuously heating up your food under the aftermath of last month's exploded spaghetti.

A microwave steamer like the Angry Mama (a tribute to every mother who religiously uses a microwave spatter cover) is a less strenuous, less chemical-y alternative to scrubbing the interior with a Clorox wipe. This cone-shaped plastic tool shoots hot steam out of the top to soften dried gunk and stains for an easy wipe down. I do recommend brushing large pieces of crud out before steaming. From personal experience, a handheld vacuum is the lazy person's hack for this.

To use, pop Mama's head off, fill her up with vinegar, and then top off with water. (A drop of lemon juice or another preferred essence will help tackle a lingering odor like burnt popcorn.) Put her in the microwave for seven minutes, let it cool off for a minute or two, and wipe the walls with a towel or cloth.

Free up some time for the more niche cleaning tasks on this checklist by outsourcing vacuuming to a robot vacuum. Better yet, grab a robot vacuum and mop combo — the option to fully automate the time-consuming task of floor care will make you more likely to keep up with it year-round, even after that spring cleaning dopamine hit wears off.

Most robot vacuums were more trouble than they were worth five years ago. But in 2026, the best robot vacuums are impressively powerful and rarely get stuck. The most self-sufficient ones can wash and dry their own mopping pads and avoid tricky obstacles like cords, laundry, and pet waste.

Need a robovac recommendation? Check out my running list of the best robot vacuums of 2026. I test new robot vacuums in my own home every month and update it accordingly with proven, solid options for every home and budget.

Don't underestimate the power that decluttering your laundry-doing process has on your laundry-doing motivation. One of our favorite ways to do this is by switching from liquid detergent to detergent sheets. They avoid the sticky mess of measuring liquid detergent as well as that sticky plastic jug altogether — a win for landfills and for your home's overflowing recycling bin.

Not all laundry detergent sheets are as aromatic as traditional detergents. So, if you prefer detergent sheets that really scream "clean," then Kind Laundry's Ocean Breeze scented ones won't disappoint. The delightfully fresh scent is made up of musk, apple, rose, and amber, and no chemicals like dyes, parabens, phosphates, or chlorine are involved.

To use, just toss one pre-cut rectangle directly into the washing machine with your laundry — no messing around with measuring liquid detergent required.

To be human is to put off dusting for...ever? Adding Barnakl purifier pads to your ceiling fan could make the chore less daunting by reducing the amount of dust that settles in the first place. These filters silently "sweep" the air by trapping dust, pollen and other allergens, and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) emitted from everyday products like air fresheners and office equipment.

There are a few different Barnakls: the classic activated coconut shell ones, a pet-specific option made from zeolite (a volcanic mineral that's good at capturing particulate matter), and an Ultra version that combines both. Any pack of three costs less than $30 at Amazon. They're not quite as effective as a true HEPA device, but it's a more affordable route than buying an air purifier for every room.

Blind reliance on Lysol and Clorox has been ingrained in most of us since someone first taught us how to clean. But between the toxic fumes that end up in your lungs and the empty bottles that end up in landfills, there are better ways to keep your surfaces sparkling.

Natural cleaning sprays in reusable bottles, like these ones from Blueland, solve both problems. These plant-based cleaners arrive in the form of a tablet that gets dissolved into a reusable bottle. Blueland uses ingredients that are free of nasties like ammonia, bleach, chlorine, and VOCs, which makes them safe for us and our pets, and without giving up fresh scents like lemon and mint. Since the bottles get refilled rather than tossed when they're empty, you're avoiding a ton of single-use plastic compared to the old disposable bottles and pumps.

To use, fill your bottle with water and then drop in the tablet that corresponds with that bottle's color. You can subscribe to save on automatic refills or order them on your own whenever you need them. This starter kit comes with a multi-surface cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, and a glass and mirror cleaner, plus foaming hand soap.

If you'd prefer a cleaner that you can just buy at the store, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day scents should be available at your local Target or grocery store. Choose from dewdrop, rose, lilac, or mint — each smells divine, and most importantly, not like chemicals. They're also available in hand soap, dish soap, laundry mist, and room freshener form.

Read our full Ruggable review.

A stain-free, odor-free rug is the baseline way to keep a busy area feeling fresh year-round. But dry vacuuming and spot cleaning sprays can only go so far — that's where a machine-washable rug comes in.

Ruggable has a huge selection of washable rugs that come in multiple sizes, including runners, multiple textures from flatwoven to shag, and seemingly endless pattern and color options, making the decision to put a pretty rug in a high-traffic room much less stressful. You can customize the squishiness of the rug pad, and even buy multiple rug covers for the same pad to swap based on the season. As of September 2025, there are now all-in-one Ruggables with built-in cushions that won't require re-smoothing corner flaps on a regular basis.

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to Ruggable, Tumble, or Revival Rugs, Rugs USA washable rugs receive overwhelmingly positive reviews online. Depending on the style, you could save several hundred dollars vs. Ruggable. (A 5 x 7 washable plush rug from Rugs USA costs $174.99 at full price, while a 5 x 7 Ruggable washable plush rug costs $439 at full price.)

Deep cleaning shower walls or the bathtub is a way more physically draining task than it looks, which quickly turns into an excuse for skipping it altogether. Pushing the job onto an electric scrubber will not only be less sweat on your part, but will likely be way more effective on soap scum than elbow grease was, anyway.

Motorized spin brushes make constant appearances on CleanTok, beloved for their efficiency on those stubborn layers of grime that build up on shower and bathtub walls. They're particularly handy for mildewy glass doors that don't seem to respond to sponges or rags.

This one comes with an extender rod to scrub hard-to-reach areas without destroying your back, but can also switch to a handheld for up close detailing around faucets or in corners. The six brush heads include a dome brush for the bathtub, a sponge brush for mirrors, and various pointed brushes for small areas.

Spring cleaning isn't strictly about disinfecting and dusting. The unwanted stuff overtaking your home can turn into mental clutter, which is just as pressing of a matter as any.

Let's take that pile of clothes in your closet that you don't know what to do with, for example. Maybe you already know that the Goodwills of the world are typically overflowing with old clothes, often making the next step sending donations to the landfill. Instead, consider doing a Give Back Box: This non-profit partners with a ton of small charities from which you can choose to send your items, depending on what they need (i.e., gently used women's clothes). Then, pack your items in any random box you were going to recycle anyway, and send it off. You'll just need $20 to cover the shipping label and weight of the box.

Alternatively, internet-favorite activewear brand Girlfriend Collective offers a recycling program for all clothing brands. Send back up to 10 unwanted (clean) clothing items in any condition (per shipment) and get credit toward new Girlfriend purchases in the future.