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Cleaning our homes is an all-important task throughout the week. And just when you think there’s only one way to do it, new cleaning trends emerge that turn what you know on its head. While some trends are focused on sustainability and others rely on cutting-edge technology, at the end of the day, they are all about removing dust, dirt, and grime to make your home sparkle. Below, learn about the cleaning trends that experts say are picking up in popularity. From eco-friendly subscriptions to new routines found on TikTok, these cleaning trends can make this chore more efficient and maybe even a little more enjoyable, too.
Cleaning Refill Subscriptions
Refillable cleaning products are all the rage right now, and it’s easy to keep up with your cleaning refills if you use a subscription service like Blueland. The company offers starter kits for eco-friendly cleaning products like hand soap tablets or toilet bowl cleaners that come with a reusable glass bottle (or steel tin, or silicone bottle, depending on the product you’re purchasing). Then, you can get recurring refills every three months of just the cleaning agent, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles or containers, and keeping you well-stocked for all of your cleaning needs. Other companies that offer similar services include Green Llama, CleanCult, Frey, and Dropps.
Plant-Based and Natural Cleaning Agents
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Sustainability is always on trend, but more so in the past few years as those in the cleaning industry have noticed more customers asking for eco-friendly cleaning solutions for their homes. “Clients are increasingly asking for products that are not only effective but also have a minimal environmental impact,” said Michael Golubev, CEO of Mold Busters. “We’re using biodegradable, plant-based cleaning agents more often, which are just as effective as traditional chemicals but without the harsh environmental footprint.”
Professional housekeeper Sara San Angelo agrees, though notes that there are some cases where it’s not appropriate to use an all-natural cleaner, like vinegar, for instance. “When I go to homes, I am always greeted with a new product they saw trending on TikTok or made to sample a homemade vinegar cleaning recipe,” San Angelo says. “This is great news, but people must be aware of how to use these products. My clients want their whole houses cleaned with vinegar, but I try to tell them vinegar is not suitable for many surfaces, like natural stone or stainless steel.”
The “One-Hour” Method
For those who get overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning their entire house, a new trend has emerged on social media designed to help you focus on just one room (or area) at a time. The concept behind the “One-Hour” Method that’s gained traction on platforms like Instagram and TikTok is that you choose one targeted area of your home to clean for just one hour. The idea is to only clean what you can in the allotted amount of time, reducing feelings of being overwhelmed and allowing people to tackle cleaning projects more efficiently.
Waterless Cleaning Products
Waterless personal care products have been an up-and-coming trend—these days, it’s not hard to find shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets, for instance. Now, the waterless trend is making the jump to household cleaning, with waterless products like laundry detergent sheets, all-purpose cleaner tablets, and hand soap pods gaining traction. These products often come in highly concentrated doses since they aren’t already diluted with water, use little to no plastic packaging, are lighter to ship, and are often made with clean, biodegradable ingredients that are safer for you and the environment. All you have to do when you purchase these products is add water to them, and voila—you have a sustainable cleaning product that contributes less waste to the environment and works to gently clean everything from clothes to dishes.
UV-C Light Technology
The use of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light technology to kill germs is quite revolutionary in the cleaning industry. UV-C light uses a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light that is germicidal, meaning it helps to stop bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from multiplying. “UV-C light has been shown to effectively kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces,” says Angela Rubin from Hellamaid. “UV-C sanitizing devices are becoming more prevalent for disinfecting commonly touched objects like smartphones, keys, and countertops.”
Steam Mops
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A cleanser-free way to disinfect surfaces, steam mops use just water to clean and sanitize and have become quite trendy on social media as of late. But before you start steaming your floors, be mindful of the type of flooring you have so you don’t accidentally damage it. “Everyone is getting steam mops,” says San Angelo. “While these are great for your bathroom or kitchen tile, they are terrible for hardwood floors and will warp them with repeated use.”
The Core-4 Method
Have a space that is in serious need of organizing? Try the Core-4 Method currently circulating on TikTok. The technique is simple and is divided into four steps: clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. First, clear out the space you’re tackling—this means removing items from surfaces or inside cabinets. Then, as you’re clearing out, categorize each item and group it with similar items; it might help to grab some clear plastic bins for this part. Then, do an edit of each bin, cutting out things that are trash or can be donated. From there, contain your edited items neatly, continuing to group like items together (office supplies in one bin, for instance) in clear storage containers so that you can easily see what’s inside.