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Professional cleaners not only know how to tackle the toughest and trickiest messes at home, but they also take that wisdom with them wherever they go. With that in mind, we polled pro cleaners on the must-have products they are always sure to pack when they’re on-the-go.
Not only are these smart picks carry-on friendly and easy to toss in your bag, but they’re also some of The Kitchn’s absolute favorite cleaning solutions. We can’t wait to add them to our packing lists, cars, and to-go bags.
1. Tide To-Go and Detergent Sheets
“When I travel, I love being able to do a little laundry, which cuts down the amount of clothes I need to bring. I always bring laundry detergent sheets and Tide To-Go pens — especially if I’m traveling for over a week,” says Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa in Arizona. “The Tide pens are great for a quick spot shot when the ketchup or mustard gets on the white shirt. If the shirt needs a bit more TLC, I’ll fill the sink and use the detergent sheets.”
2. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
“These can be really handy for cleaning a variety of surfaces and fit easily into my purse or bag. They can also be used to take scuffs off of shoes, so if you’re wearing white shoes you can use them to keep them nice and clean,” says Jessica Samson, cleaning expert at The Maids in Nebraska. “This is one of my favorite cleaning tools and products and I always have one on me just in case!”
“An odor eliminator spray can quickly freshen up rooms, fabrics, and upholstery,” says Carlos Garcia, group managing director at Total Clean in the U.K. “Look for natural scents like orange and lavender to leave an energizing scent once the odor has been neutralized.”
“These temperature-controlled scrubs are flexible, versatile tools,” says Toby Schulz, CEO & co-founder at Maid2Match. “Cool water firms them up for scrubbing tough dirt, while hot water leaves them soft and less abrasive. And you can use a Scrub Daddy pretty much anywhere!”
“Disinfecting wipes are handy for sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops,” says Garcia. “They’re also great if you need a quick fix for certain surfaces without using other fabrics that you’ll need to wash after. Just make sure that the wipes are plastic-free.”
6. Reusable Microfiber Cloths
“These are handy for cleaning just about anything. They’re more effective than cotton cloths or paper towels,” Schulz says. “Some great options are the MR.SIGA cleaning cloths, or the more budget-friendly Amazon Basics cloths.”