Bathroom Tiles
Top tool: CLR Bathroom and Kitchen Cleaner from Jelmar ($5.99 for 26 ounces) whitens tile grout faster than anything we've tried, with less scrubbing. It also zaps hard-water film and stains. At idealtruevalue.com.
Our tip: After cleaning wall tiles, apply car wax to help repel soil.
Kitchen Floors
Top tool: Vileda's new UltraMax Mop ($19.99) comes with a removable, washable pad for wet cleaning and dry dusting. Ultra-absorbent and slim, it reaches where other mops can't go. At mass merchandisers and drug and grocery stores; 800-543-8105; vileda.com.
Our tip: Between moppings, clean scuff marks with a dab of baking soda paste; wipe with a damp towel.
Hard-to-Reach Windows
Top tool: Sunshine's X-Stream Clean Window Washer with Detachable Squeegee ($14.99) extends to 59 inches and has a squeegee, a cloth, and an onboard bottle of cleaner. 800-827-8669; sunshinebrands.com.
Our tip: To make your own glass cleaner, add 2 tablespoons clear ammonia to 1 quart water.
Toilets
Top tool: Replace drippy, germy brushes with Scotch-Brite's new Disposable Toilet Bowl Scrubbers ($4.99 for a handle and four scrubbers). The built-in cleanser activates when the scrubber hits the water. It reaches under the rim to zap stains. At mass merchandisers nationwide; 800-846-8887; scotchbrite.com.
Our tip: After cleaning, pour in a cup of bleach, brush, let stand for 10 minutes, then flush.
Ceiling Fans/Chandeliers
Top tool: Procter & Gamble's Swiffer Duster with Extendable Handle ($7.99) has a pivoting head that works like a dust magnet. It's soft on delicate fixtures, yet tough on grimy ceiling fan blades. At mass merchandisers and grocery stores; 800-214-8734; swiffer.com.
Our tip: To quickly clean chandelier crystals, go over each with a glass-cleaning wipe and dry with a cloth.
Carpet Stains
Top tool: Nothing we've tried zaps food stains like Spotless Carpet and Upholstery Dry Cleaning Towels ($12.95 for 40). They erased wine, coffee, and mustard without leaving residue or hurting the carpet's pile. 866-776-8253.
Our tip: After treating a spot, place paper towels and a heavy pot on it; leave overnight to absorb any stains that may be deep in the rug.
Dusting in Tight Spaces
Top tool: The tried-and-true Unger Total-Reach DusterPlus Kit ($29.99), with its slim head and four-foot handle, is still our favorite. Use the microfiber cloth along walls or the disposable sleeves under appliances. 800-833-6100; stacksandstacks.com.
Our tip: For the slats of louvered doors or air-conditioning vents, use your vacuum's soft-brush attachment.
