cleaning products

BEST FLOOR CLEANER Better Life Simply Floored! This nontoxic solution works on every type of floor (even marble). And the best part: It requires no rinsing, because it leaves behind zero residue. TO BUY: $7, cleanhappens. com.

BEST FABRIC SOFTENER Caldrea Rosewater Driftwood Fabric Softener It keeps delicates static-free and moonlights as a wrinkle releaser. (Mix 1 tablespoon with 2 cups hot water.) TO BUY: $15, caldrea.com.

BEST ERGONOMIC DUSTER Baseboard Buddy A must-have in RS cleaning stories since its 2011 introduction, this long-reach tool, shaped to fit the curves of molding, keeps you from having to stoop or stretch. TO BUY: $20, baseboardbuddy.com.

BEST MILD ABRASIVE POWDER Bar Keepers Friend Created 133 years ago, this rust remover and mineral-deposit eraser still outshines all the others. It’s the pros’ pick for keeping tile and faucets looking new. TO BUY: $5, williams-sonoma.com.

BEST MULTIPURPOSE CLEANER Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap There’s barely anything this biodegradable organic soap can’t do. Use it to clean counters and make floors sparkle. (Mix about a tablespoon in 1⁄2 gallon of warm water.) TO BUY: $18, drbronner.com.

REACHES THE TOPS OF DOORS AND WINDOW FRAMES, TOO.

BEST DISH SOAP Dawn Ultra Platinum Power Clean Dishwashing Liquid With unequaled grease- cutting power, just a drop or two can wash an entire sinkful of dishes. TO BUY: $2.70, walmart.com.

BEST LAUNDRY DETERGENT Tide Ultra Stain Release The much loved classic, with a new, genius twist: The cap has rubber grooves on top for working in pretreatments. TO BUY: $9, tide.com for stores.

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY SPRAY CLEANER CleanPath Antibacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner Flip the bottle, squeeze the cleanser pod, and fill with water. One pod makes three budget-friendly bottles’ worth. TO BUY: $3.60 for a starter kit, walmart.com.

BEST PAPER TOWELS Viva Vantage Towels Clothlike strength makes these the gold standard. A single sheet, rinsed and wrung out repeatedly, can clean an entire kitchen. TO BUY: $2, target.com.

BEST STORAGE CONTAINERS Our Shoe Box Stackable, with an easy-tolift (and lock) lid, this lowpriced (under $2!) shoe bin is also an ideal way to stash office supplies, lightbulbs, and hats and gloves. TO BUY: $1.90, container store.com.

BEST CLOSET ROD LED Closet Rod This light-up, screw-in design illuminates a closet’s dark corners better than overhead bulbs and stick-ons. It’s also energy-efficient; it turns itself off after a few minutes. TO BUY: $48, shoplacloset design.com.

TOSS THIS MICROFIBER COVER IN THE WASH. (BUT SKIP THE DRYER.)

BEST AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS Oxo Pop Container 10-Piece Set With push-button lids and curved corners for smooth pouring, these clear, stackable bins have been a kitchen and pantry staple since 2007—and have played a starring role in practically every RS organizing story. Use them to store dry goods, nail polish, small toys, and more. TO BUY: $100, oxo.com.

BEST SCUFF-MARK FIX Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Wet this melamine-foam sponge and swipe to remove grime. It’s a miracle worker on marked-up walls and dirty tubs and tile. TO BUY: $4 for two, soap.com.

BEST MICROFIBER CLOTHS e-cloth Home Cleaning Set This machine-washable set is the only one that offers eight color-coded cloths in various textures to give the best results on different surfaces. TO BUY: $40, ecloth.com.

BEST ADJUSTABLE DUSTER Casabella Quick Dust Extendable Duster The experts’ secret weapon for keeping ceiling fans and out-of-the-way spots debrisfree, this hinged-head duster extends to 36 inches. TO BUY: $10, casabella.com.