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No matter what the mess, here’s what you should have at the ready in your cleaning cupboard.
Standing in front of the cleaning aisle in a busy supermarket can be overwhelming at the best of times. There's so much choice, but which products can you rely on?
Verity Mann, Head of Testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute, reveals what her go-to cleaning products are, no matter what the mess!
For an effective and eco-friendly surface cleaner, we recommend Method. They are transparent about their ingredients and only use those that are safe around both humans and pets. They come in a variety of fragrances with my personal favourite being French Lavender.
Price: £3.00
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Finish All In One Max Lemon Dishwasher Tablets
We recommend these Finish dishwasher tablets. They fit neatly inside your dishwasher's dispenser and leave crockery and cutlery sparkling, time after time.
Price: £11.00
We recommend Aldi's Magnum washing up liquid. Available in a variety of scents, with my personal favourite being Aloe Vera and Cucumber. Provides a good amount of suds and a little goes a long way.
Price: £0.65
Dettol Surface Cleansing Wipes
For quick mop-ups and zapping of bacteria, we recommend Dettol Surface Cleansing Wipes. Can be used on things like highchairs, bins and spillages on the floor. Comes in a handy, resealable pack that doesn’t lose its stick and therefore moisture! Ensure you dispose of them responsibly, they should never be flushed down the toilet.
Price: £2.00
For giving stains on your garments the extra heave-ho before you wash them, use Vanish Gold Oxi Action. Roll directly onto stains and then wash as per the item’s care label.
Price: £3.50
So good for so many tasks, just dampen, no need for cleaning chemicals. We highly rate e-cloths. Colour code them by room to avoid cross contamination and then pop in the washing machine to sanitise them for use again.
Price: £4.50
The Addis Superdry Plus is a great multi-tasker as it cleans, absorbs and dries your floors at the same time thanks to its sponge cleaning head. Brilliant cleaning results across all three flooring types we tested on, and it has a telescopic handle to tailor to your height. This also makes it compact for storage.
Price: £12.99
The Marigold Cleaning Me Softly is a double-side wonder for removing burnt-on stains whilst not scratching surfaces.
Price: £3.35
For those irritating little marks on skirting boards or any washable surface, we recommend the Flash Magic Eraser. Simply add water and start erasing. Make sure you first test it on an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t dull surfaces.
Price: £4.57
De-Solv-it Sticky Stuff Remover
The De-Solv-it Sticky Stuff remover is brilliant for tackling everything from leftover adhesive marks to chewing gum residue. Suitable for use on most surfaces and handy for having around.
Price: £3.39
Our testers swear by this! HG Mould Spray is a real work-horse for removing mould in and around the bathroom. Can be used on grouting, sealant and so on.
Price: £4.97
The Oxy Stain Destroyer from Bissell is useful for tackling all manner of stains on your carpet or rug. Make sure you first test it on an inconspicuous area to ensure colour fastness.
Price: £9.99
For deep cleaning your oven, you’ll need a powerful cleaner such as Oven Mate. This gel formula is easy to apply using the supplied brush and gloves and then simply wipe away for a sparkling oven.
Price: £7.99
Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Dishwasher Clean
It’s important to clean your cleaners so they work efficiently and stand the test of time. Give your dishwasher some TLC with Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Dishwasher Clean. Use every few months to ensure your dishwasher is hygienic and working at its best. Also comes with a handy little wipe to clean around the edges of the machine and across the front.
Price: £10.80
Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner
The same goes for your washing machine. Use Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner to ensure the smooth running of your appliance and keep it smelling fresh.
Price: £7.37
Ecover Bio Concentrated Laundry Liquid
We were very impressed by Ecover Bio Concentrated Laundry Liquid’s stain removal results, particularly when considering it uses plant-based and mineral ingredients in its formulation. As well as picking up 89 per cent of curry sauce on average from cotton, it also removed 65 per cent of red wine and 95 per cent of baby food! The majority of coloured laundry also remained bright after continual washes, with only yellow and green fabrics showing slight signs of fading. Lastly, whites retained their whiteness almost perfectly, with close to top marks across the board on cotton, polycotton and nylon.
Price: £6.50
Our current bio detergent winner is Lidl’s Formil Bio Laundry Gel. It offers exceptional stain removal on both cotton and polycotton fabrics. It also scored near to full marks for colour fading, showing little change across the spectrum of colours tested. It provided brilliant white retention on cotton and nylon materials. Available in a 24 wash-sized bottle, this gel is also easy to dose, thanks to the provided measuring cap. Not to mention it is great value for money!
Price: £1.99
Buy in-store at Lidl
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