With all the research and testing that typically goes into the cleaning supply manufacturing process, you'd be forgiven for thinking buying pretty much any cleaning supply is a fair spend. But not all items will be worth it, despite the heavy marketing and now, the intense viral push on social media platforms.
And while there are definitely some essential cleaning tools everyone needs to keep their home hygienic, there are four items our professional cleaners have pinpointed as regrettable purchases that are absolutely not worth the spend. Cheap vacuums and wipes might also surprisingly make your cleaning chore harder than it needs to be, they advise.
Our pros reveal the purchases they've regretted (and their peers often complain about, too), and what to spend your money on instead to optimize your home cleaning, rather than hindering it.
4 cleaning purchases the pros always regret
Stocking up on products from the ultimate cleaning supplies list is all well and good but if they do not suit your home or cleaning needs, you will find you spend more time cleaning than necessary. Heed these experts' warnings to swerve sub-par purchases and wasted time, cash and energy.
1. Budget vacuum cleaners
Choosing a vacuum cleaner is never easy, especially with so many varied options on the market. Even the experts get it wrong on occasion – something Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of Handy Cleaners came to learn the hard way.
Daniel says, ‘I massively regret buying a low-end vacuum cleaner. It ended in frustration about the lack of suction power, durability, and further costs. These machines can easily break down and often do not have the needed power, for example, to clean deep carpets.
‘Instead, I recommend investing in the best vacuum cleaner you can afford – either a mid-range or high-end vacuum cleaner will have good suction strength, along with variable, versatile attachments. Brands such as Dyson and Shark have reliable models offering excellent performance and longevity.'
Our home tech experts have compared Shark vs Dyson, arguably two of the best vacuum brands out there, as well as the pros and cons of cordless vs corded vacuums.
2. Clorox wipes
Disposable cleaning wipes are a great cleaning tip, helping to tackle spills or the occasional sticky mess. However, not all of them are made equally, as Jonathon Thigpen, professional cleaner and owner of Transparent Cleaning Co. came to realize.
He explains, ‘One of the simple and very common cleaning products that we used originally but came to regret was Clorox wipes. Many homeowners love and rely on Clorox wipes, but it didn't take us long to learn that they have some serious drawbacks.
'Our experience was that as soon as one of our cleaners opened up a canister, the clock started ticking on how long the wipes would stay wet and remain useful. Besides drying out quickly, we found that the harsh chemicals in them tend to dry out the skin if cleaning without gloves on, and sometimes left a residue on items after cleaning.'
Thigpen and his team swapped to another brand of wipes and much prefer it. He says, 'A product that we switched to and would recommend any homeowner keep on hand is Crocodile Cloth, available at Amazon. These bad boys are much more cost-effective, given that one of their cleaning cloths goes as far as several wipes from other brands, and they are shockingly durable.
'We keep a supply of these on hand in our work trucks which often get very warm in the summer, and we have yet to have a package get even close to drying out on us. Crocodile Cloth has become one of our favorite multi-purpose cleaning tools in our company, for everything from greasy stove tops to toddler vomit, window tracks and more.'
Our cleaning professional switched from Clorox wipes to these and his team hasn't looked back since, finding these do not dry out and are extremely good at cleaning everything from human mess to greasy tools. Available to buy in packs or multi-packs of 10, 50, 100, and 600 to suit every usage need.
3. A floor steamer
We love a brilliant steam cleaner and steam mop, but that doesn't mean they are without their drawbacks. Taylor Riley, cleaning expert and founder of Boom. Facility Service Advisors explains that while he can see the benefit for certain applications, they aren't always the best for deep cleaning floors without streaks.
‘When my wife and I decided to purchase the floor steamer, we didn't give it much thought beyond expecting it to keep our floors sanitized and provide a better overall clean,' Taylor details. 'However, this was not the reality. We ended up storing the floor steamer in the closet, where it now collects dust.
Taylor says looking back, the reason his purcahse didn't work out for him was that didn't deliver on the deep clean it promised. He says, 'The floor steamer can only remove what the mop head can hold. The mop head gets dirty quickly, and after a short time of cleaning, you end up leaving behind as much dirt as you’re picking up.
‘The other issue is regular steam cleaning is not ideal for cleaning tile floors. Steam can weaken grout over time and the excess moisture could lead to mold growth. Another issue with the grout is the dirt and grime are loosened by the steam, but the mop head doesn’t fully extract all of it, leaving it to settle back into the grout.
‘We ended up replacing the floor steamer with a vacuum mop. The one we chose is the Tineco Floor One S5, from Amazon. What's ideal about this piece of equipment is there’s no need to sweep or vacuum prior to cleaning, the vacuum mop does both. What we also like about this equipment is that it works like our professional floor scrubbing machines, which apply a cleaning solution to the floor, scrub it, and then remove the dirty solution.’
Dan Fauzi, Solved's home tech editor is currently testing the newer version of the Tineco Floor One and says, 'So far I'm impressed by just how easy it is to use. I can already tell that they've considered how to make the floor cleaner work effectively, with thoughtful features that will remove the need for any future mops.'
4. Multi-purpose cleaners
There is certainly a time and place for multi-purpose cleaners. They can be great for quickly wiping up a spill or helping with removing dust, but that doesn't mean that they should replace all of the specialized products in your cleaning cabinet. Thinking they can is a common cleaning myth that will damage your countertops, furniture, and more.
Daniel Brown, cleaning expert, says, ‘For some professional cleaners, all-purpose cleaners can be a disappointment. They promise to clean everything, but very often, they fail at certain tasks. All-purpose cleaners don't work well on all surfaces and may leave streaks or residues behind.
‘Instead, I suggest having specialized cleaners for each different type of surface. This way, there will be a glass cleaner on windows and mirrors, a wood cleaner on wooden surfaces, and a tile cleaner in bathrooms. Everything will be properly cleaned without damage.’
Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved at Homes & Gardens swears by her simple homemade solution for tackling sticky residues, grime, stains and dust across multiple surface types including stainless steel, wood, laminate and glass. She says, 'I use amber glass bottles like these from Amazon and fill with water, then add a drop of regular dish soap and 10-20 drops of my favorite essential oil. I use geranium but orange and lemon are good ones for deterring pests as well, since they hate the smell.'
Homemade solutions are economical and easy to customize so don't overlook DIY home cleaning solutions. You can also clean many things around the home with vinegar, lemon, and baking soda.
Rethinking your cleaning purchases is a good habit to spend less time cleaning overall. Pairing these experts’ advice with organizing purchases the pros always regret will result in a well-thought-out, clean and tidy home.
