The very idea of spring cleaning can feel overwhelming. It’s not meant to be a quick, surface-level task, but a project that involves giving copious time and attention to all the nooks and crannies that got overlooked while you were hibernating during winter (in other words, bingeing series after series while curled up next to the fire). If you hosted over the holiday season, your home is likely in even greater need of some sudsy TLC.
The good news? With the right edit of products and a thoughtful, room-by-room approach, you can keep panic at bay. Today’s smartest cleansing solutions make refreshing and reorganizing easier than ever — and you can find them all in one place: Walmart. The go-to shop for most everything has an impressive array of essentials that make tackling and maintaining any spring-cleaning project astonishingly simple.
The Kitchen
The most hardworking room in the house always takes a beating, but perhaps never more than over the holidays. So when you consider deep-cleaning your appliances, countertops and such in the aftermath, fend off any preliminary feelings of dread, take a deep breath, and employ these powerful products that do much of the work for you.
Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, created to mimic the power of an overnight soak in minutes, is one sink-side must. It suds on contact without water, with three cleaning boosters that let it tackle grease and grime five times quicker than traditional dish soaps (vs. Dawn non-concentrated), according to the brand. It’s great for kitchen MVPs like casserole dishes and fry pans, and can also be used on stovetops, grills and countertops.
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are another smart buy to stock up on before you dive into cleaning mode. They remove a step in the cleaning process (no spraying product on paper towels before each swipe) and can kill 99.9% of lingering germs when used as directed. Less unwieldy than a sponge or scrub brush, each sheet is easy to twirl around your fingers to access tough-to-reach spots that need attention — and don’t forget the doorknobs and fridge and microwave handles. These germ-killers can be used on any nonporous surface (including finished wood, sealed granite and stainless steel) and are easy to swipe and toss.
While waist-level spots tend to grab your attention first, you definitely can’t overlook your kitchen floor. 2X Concentrated Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Floor Cleaner handily cuts through grease, grime, and dirt. Since it’s double-concentrated, you get twice as many uses out of a bottle (compared with non-concentrated Fabuloso Original), so you can maintain those squeaky-clean floors and that fresh scent alike all year long.
Finally, spring is the perfect time to restock your cabinet with a healthy pack of strong trash bags. Glad’s ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Drawstring bags are a top pick for accommodating anything and everything (including those oddly shaped trays of leftovers hiding at the back of the fridge, and the random items that ended up on the “toss” list during a decluttering spree). They have two layers of leak protection (no need to double bag!), odor protection and a Gain Lavender scent to help keep the whole space smelling fresh and clean.
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The Bathrooms
After a season featuring a revolving door of guests, there are likely places in your bathrooms that are looking … less than sparkling. Start by disinfecting surfaces with Soft Scrub with Bleach Cleanser. The micro-abrasive formula is effective at achieving the deepest clean possible without heaps of elbow grease (or leaving surface scratches). Just apply and let it sit for three minutes before rinsing away.
Another area of the bathroom that deserves to shine again? The mirror. Vanities are magnets for smudges from fingertips, splashes from the sink, and flecks of toothpaste. Get it back to pristine status with the new Windex Foaming Glass Cleanser (coming soon!). This fast-acting no-drip and streak-free option clings to vertical glass surfaces to help you efficiently wipe away grime. Let it do its thing on the shower door and chrome fixtures, too.
With its swivel head and disposable multisurface mopping pads, the savvy Swiffer Power Mop can produce the same clean as a classic mop-and-bucket in half the time. More than 300 scrubbing strips effortlessly grab at dirt, while the pre-mixed cleaning formula (another aspect that lets you speed through your chores) breaks down tough messes, doesn’t require rinsing and dries quickly. Plus, it leaves behind a fresh scent that can linger for up to two hours. For an even better-smelling powder room, finish your clean by activating a Febreze Bathroom Air Freshener, which can fight odors in small spaces for up to 45 days — no messy refills, outlets or batteries required.
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The Laundry Room
Sheets, towels, comforters, out-of-season clothing — when it comes to laundry, there are loads aplenty when you begin spring-cleaning in earnest. But rather than throwing in the proverbial towel before you throw any actual towels in the wash, restock your laundry routine with a hypoallergenic detergent that will work well for most everything in the hamper. all® free clear Original Liquid Laundry Detergent is 100% free of dyes and perfumes that can irritate sensitive skin — always a wise choice for towels and sheets future guests might use. If you prefer a subtle scent post-wash, try all® sensitive fresh™, which is also gentle on skin.
While this task is about looking ahead, it’s happening during the time of year when you’re also saying au revoir to winter clothes that will be folded away for months to come. Give your sweaters and coats a close look to make sure you catch any small stains first, and let the detergent pull double duty: Dab a small amount on as a pretreatment ahead of washing for extra cleaning power.
Another get-it-all-done-faster laundry trick to remember: The all® brand also offers a single Mighty Pac version, meaning you can skip the measuring cup and any potential dribbling. Toss one in (or two for a large load) before you add clothes and go — you still have lots more on your spring-cleaning list, after all.
Smart dryer sheets like all® Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets for Sensitive Skin are one final way to make sure the laundering process is as effective as it can possibly be. They fight wrinkles and add softness — two things you’ll be grateful for when unboxing these clothes next autumn.
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Leah Melby Clinton is a writer, editor, and serious shopper who loves discovering new labels, detailing the best ways to build a wardrobe, and interviewing interesting people.
