The Top Winter Cleaning Essentials For a Clean, Healthy Home

As the temperatures drop, the germs start spreading. You might think cleaning your household surfaces regularly kills a majority of germs. But sponges and rags actually transfer bacteria between objects, potentially leading to a greater amount of contamination. Enter Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, which kill 99.9% of bacteria, cold and flu viruses, and allergies with a single swipe. The clean-drying wipes work on any nearly surface, including appliances, doorknobs, tiles, sealed granite, mirrors, window blinds, steering wheels, and more.

Microfiber cloths are comprised of millions of synthetic fibers, allowing them to pick up the tiniest dirt particles with water alone. In winter, microfiber cloths are ideal for quick cleanups or removing excess moisture, like melted snow, from your home to prevent damage. This Amazon Basics set of 24 microfiber cleaning cloths is made from absorbent fibers that leaves surfaces free of lint and streaks, and they can withstand hundreds of washes.

Road salt can wreak havoc on your floor during the winter — especially if you have people coming and going from your house all day. Salt can build up and cause permanent damage to your floors if not properly cleaned. A cleaner designed to remove road salt residue, like Zep Neutral PH Industrial Floor Cleaner, can remove every last grain of salt from any water-friendly flooring material (like vinyl, rubber, sealed concrete, marble, or granite), leaving it squeaky clean and restoring its natural shine.

A good-quality vacuum cleaner is a must-have in all seasons, but especially winter. The best vacuum cleaners can remove pet hair, mud, salt, and grime from your floor without causing damage. A great lightweight option is the Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It has a HEPA filter which traps allergens, and the powerful battery can run for up to 1 hour on a single charge.

Even if you’re a no-shoe household, your carpets can quickly become grimy during winter. A quality carpet cleaning machine like the Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine can help keep your carpet fresher throughout the year. In our tests, the Hoover removed stains in just a few passes, and our carpet dried quickly. We also liked that the machine was easy to maneuver and came with several handy attachments.

Beloved for its stain-fighting power, OxiClean works just as well on carpets and upholstery as it does on clothes. The versatile cleaner even promises to breaks down winter grime and dirt on tile grout and other household surfaces—good news for any homeowner who wants a simpler cleaning routine.

If you’ve never tried using a magic eraser, you’re missing out. This product has inspired a cult following of devoted fans who will testify to its cleaning power. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser removes three times more dirt and grime per swipe that the leading all-purpose bleach spray. To use, wet the sponge, then wipe away stains or spills on walls, countertops, cabinets, furniture, stovetops, refrigerators and more.

Cleaning brushes effectively banish grime, soap scum, and mildew from household surfaces, but they aren’t always comfortable to use. That’s why the OXO Good Grips Household Scrub Brush has a contoured non-slip handle to protect knuckles, allowing homeowners to scrub vigorously without sore hands. The brush combines soft and stiff bristles for optimal performance, and it’s equally effective wet or dry.

It may seem counterproductive, but cleaning with this strong-smelling substance will eliminate unpleasant odors from your home. To put its odor-busting power to the test, boil a mixture of water and vinegar (like Heinz All Natural Distilled White Vinegar) on the stove after a fish-frying session, or freshen a plastic food storage container by wiping it with a vinegar-soaked dishtowel. That’s not all vinegar can do. It is a good stand-in for window cleaning solution. Simply spray a little on the glass, then wipe dry with a microfiber cloth to get rid of that winter grime.

Few cleaning products are as gentle yet effective as baking soda. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this miracle substance can be put to use in myriad ways. Pour a little in the wash to whiten your whites, sprinkle some in the trash can or litter box to neutralize odors, or add water to form a slightly abrasive paste that can be used to clean stained grout, countertops, and more. A classic like Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda is easy to find, cheap, and can be used to keep your home clean and fresh all winter.

Winter is the ideal time to embrace the hearty casserole. But then, you’re faced with removing baked-on food and grease from crockery and pans. You can use regular scrubbers and soap to remove caked-on foodstuff, but nothing compares to the efficiency of a Brillo Steel Wool soap pad. These pads leave your dishes clean and, when used correctly, without a scratch.