Spring officially kicks off tomorrow, March 20, which means it's time to emerge from hibernation and refresh our spaces for the season.
To help set us up for success, Vice President of Better Homes & Gardens, Lauren Phillips, stopped by Studio 1A to share award-winning picks for tidying up. For the 2026 Better Homes & Gardens Clean House Awards, the team's editors and experts tested nearly 200 cleaning products, both at home and in labs. These are some of the winners that they say really stood out for making everyday cleaning "faster, easier and more effective."
Read on to shop these problem-solving innovations — your home will be spick and span in no time.
Better Homes & Gardens Clean House Awards winners seen on TODAY
If you’ve seen The Pink Stuff go viral online, you might already be familiar with this crowd-pleasing multitasker. Phillips vouches that it cuts through grease, soap scum and everyday grime on almost anything — from stovetops and sinks to cookware and ceramic surfaces. But the new squeeze tube makes it even better, she says, allowing you to apply just a little exactly where you need it, so it’s less messy and easier to use.
Editor's note: Our pick is selling fast, but you can still shop the original version below.
"Our editors actually tried to stump this cleaner, and it handled everything we threw at it — even hardened melted cheese and sticky maple syrup," reports Phillips. "It’s plant-based with sugar-derived detergents, so it’s tough on messes but free of harsh chemicals, and the real lemon essential oil leaves a really fresh scent."
This clever two-in-one cleaning tool has one side to lift scuff marks and stains, while the other side is a sponge to wipe everything clean. Activating with just water, Phillips says it works for everyday marks on things like baseboards, switch plates and even shoes.
"If you bake bread or pizza at home, you know the biggest challenge isn’t making the dough — it’s cleaning it off everything afterward," Phillips laments. "Sticky dough and flour paste onto bowls and utensils and can even clog your sink or garbage disposal."
Dough Dissolve uses enzymes to break down sticky dough and starch, so instead of scraping bowls and utensils endlessly, the residue actually dissolves, leaving nothing behind to potentially get clogged in your drain.
From soap scum on tile or grease around the sink, some cleaning jobs just require a lot of scrubbing. Enter: this handheld scrubber from Casabella that has a two-hour runtime between charges, which Phillips says really makes tackling those tough jobs a lot easier.
"The brush spins quickly to cut through tough grime on things like stovetops, sinks and tile," Phillips says. "It’s rechargeable, waterproof and comes with interchangeable attachments, so you can use it throughout the kitchen and bathroom."
Time to deep clean the carpets? Skip the bulky machine rental and do it yourself with this cordless, lightweight and easy-to-use option from Ryobi. You simply push it forward to wash the carpet and pull it back to dry it. Phillips says it comes with removable, interchangeable brush rolls to tackle a range of messes and has a dual-tank system that keeps clean and dirty water separate.
More Cleaning Favorites
More Better Homes & Gardens Clean House Awards winners to shop
These dual-sided sponges solve a common cleaning problem. Per Skura, they're made with a highly absorbent polyurethane foam and a special agent to inhibit the gross stuff that creates odor. When it's time to change them out, the monogram on the scouring side will fade, taking the guesswork out of routine replacements.
Here’s a smart hack for the folks who insist on washing colors and whites together. This laundry add-on essentially “traps” dyes that are released in the wash before they transfer onto your clothes and ruin your lighter colors.
Large tumblers, tight bottles and stemmed glasses can be difficult to wash by hand with traditionally-shaped sponges. This thoughtfully designed brush makes scrubbing every nook and cranny easy, with foam bristles that won't scratch at delicate crystal and glass.
Scrubbing the toilet probably isn't your favorite chore. So why settle for a so-so toilet bowl cleaner that leaves you spending more time and elbow grease tackling the task? This option harnesses the power of vinegar, not harsh chemicals, to fight grime for you.
Say goodbye to streaks on mirrors, windows and showers. Not only does this spray melt away residue on glass surfaces, but it helps to repel water and protect future buildup from accumulating.
Swiffer's biggest upgrade in recent years allows you to sweep and mop with one handy piece of equipment. Our favorite feature is the genius collapsible handle, which allows you to save space in your utility closet when it's not in use.
You might not even see it, but a lot of trodden-down pet hair is probably buried in your carpet, rugs, car, stairs and more. This tool acts as a rake to pull pet fur up and out. This adjustable pet hair remover tool extends up to 64 inches, allowing you to reach further with each stroke.
Not only did this award-winning laundry detergent impress the crew at Better Homes & Gardens, but it also won over the Shop TODAY team. It checks off all of editor Vivien Moon's boxes.
"Easy to use, compact bottle, great scent and a favorite of multiple editors," Moon raves. She adds that it "works fantastic" and offers "a lot of bang for your buck, because the bottle can do up to 74 small loads."
You know those clothes you technically wore for a bit but that aren't quite ready for a trip through the washing machine? This spray will be your new favorite solution, since it tackles odors and refreshes fabrics with a pleasant lavender and eucalyptus scent. It's even safe to use on fabrics you'd normally have to lug to the dry cleaner, like silk, wool and cashmere.
You can't predict when the next spill or accident is going to happen, but you can be prepared for it by snagging this stain- and odor-buster while it's on sale. The cordless cleaning system boasts 30 times more stain-fighting power than previous options, per the brand.
How we chose
Lauren Phillips and her team curated a list of products that earned top ranks for their Cleaning Awards. Phillips then shared a select number of winners with the Shop TODAY team and TODAY, as well as tips for proper usage.
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Lauren Phillips.
- Lauren Phillips is the Vice President at Better Homes & Gardens.
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