My mother-in-law is a spring cleaning pro — these are the 9 cleaners and tools she recommends year-round

Including Murphy oil soap, The Pink Stuff, and Arm & Hammer.

If you’re anything like me, you’re procrastinating on spring cleaning, and the only bunnies you’re seeing after Easter are the ones made of dust. Luckily, we have my mother-in-law, Wanda, to help us get a move on. She shared her top spring cleaning tips, including oil soap to return baseboards and cabinets to their original glow and dishwasher cleaning tablets to ensure every cycle is effective. She also suggested replacing cabinet liners, stocking up on grilling tools, and more to set you up for success in the warmer seasons.

My Mother-in-Law’s Best Spring Cleaning Tips Overall

• Reline Cabinet Shelves: Gorilla Grip DuraGuard Shelf Liner, $20, originally $26
• Wash Your Dishwasher: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Cleaning Packs, $13
• Make Baseboards Look New: Murphy Oil Soap Concentrated Original Wood Cleaner, $16
• Stock Grilling Essentials: Scrub Daddy Household Cleaning BBQ Bundle, $50
• Replace Worn-Down Towels: Homaxy Cotton Waffle-Weave Kitchen Towels, $9, originally $15

Murphy Oil Soap Concentrated Original Wood Cleaner

Despite its name, this rinse-free soap uses ingredients derived from plant oils (like many soaps do) to leave your floors spick and span. Plus, the inclusion of citronella oil makes the house smell super-clean. “I love to use Murphy oil soap to wash my baseboards, cabinets, and ceiling fans,” says Wanda.

Handcraft Blends Peppermint Essential Oil

Often used as a natural insect repellent in scent diffusers and citronella candles, peppermint oil also makes the house smell bright and clean. My mother-in-law likes adding a few drops to her Murphy Oil Soap cleaning solution, so the house smells fresh from top to bottom.

Homaxy Cotton Waffle-Weave Kitchen Towels

These kitchen towels feature a waffle-weave texture that not only quickly absorbs water from dishes but also gently lifts residue from surfaces when used for cleaning. They make for great cleaning towels that you can affordably replace when the texture wears down over time.

Gorilla Grip DuraGuard Shelf Liner

During what she calls a “big pantry cleanout,” Wanda discards expired foods and wipes the shelves, either cleaning or replacing shelf liners. Clear, waterproof ones like these from Gorilla Grips catch spices, grains, and debris; won’t ruin your cabinets with adhesives; and can be reused for years.

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Cleaning Packs

Yes, your dishwasher washes dishes, but it also needs a good cleaning for itself every month or so. Wanda likes to stock up on dishwasher cleaner around this time of year, if she needs it, and makes a point of running a cleaning cycle.

Stardrops The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste

Another task on Wanda’s spring cleaning list is cleaning the oven, and The Pink Stuff has over 150,000 five-star ratings from shoppers praising its ability to clean ovens, cookware, and more “without scratching surfaces.”

Scrub Daddy Household Cleaning BBQ Bundle

Always looking ahead, Wanda also suggests that folks “stock up on summer staples for grilling season.” One such staple is this grill cleaning tool set, which includes a steam-powdered, bristle-free grill brush that aced our tests, and the rags, sponge, and multi-purpose cleaner you’ll need for every part of the outdoor grill.

Arm & Hammer Refrigerator Air Filter

In addition to clearing out expired foods and wiping down all surfaces, Wanda replaces her baking soda refrigerator fresheners. These stick to the wall and use just enough baking soda to fight fridge odors for 30 days, so you don’t have to use up an entire box of the good stuff.

Beauty Cottage Stackable Organizer Bins, Set of 6

Wanda says she loves clear plastic storage bins for organizing. Split this set of six in your pantry, cabinets, and refrigerator to keep your condiments, produce, towels, and more organized and easy to grab when you need them.

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