Top Cleaning Products Used by Professional Cleaners
Have you ever walked into a hotel room, office, or freshly cleaned public bathroom and thought: How do they get it this clean? That spotless finish and fresh smell is no accident.
Professional cleaners use purpose-built cleaning products designed to cut through grime fast, leaving flawless results behind.
At Power Hygiene, we have spent years working with professionals who clean at scale, and we’ve seen firsthand the products they choose to achieve the best results.
In this blog, we will reveal the top cleaning products used by professional cleaners daily. Going through what they use, why they use it, and how you can too.
Why Professional Cleaners Use Specific Products
Professional cleaners don’t just guess what cleaning products to use; they use products that are built to perform. Unlike the average supermarket cleaners, professional-grade cleaners have been designed for quick, consistent, and safe cleaning results across all surfaces.
They break down grime faster, disinfectant more effectively, and reduce the need for constant scrubbing.
Time is money in commercial cleaning, so pros will always reach for commercial cleaning products that they know will deliver great results in fewer steps. Whether they’re cutting through kitchen grease, lifting limescale in a commercial bathroom, or cleaning floors in communal areas.
Professional cleaners are also required to work within legal and regulatory frameworks. Under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, cleaning operatives must use chemicals safely, follow correct dilution guidance, and have access to Safety Data Sheets for every product in use. Choosing the right products from the outset, ones with clear usage guidance and documented efficacy, makes compliance significantly easier.
Understanding why pros use what they do can completely transform how you clean, whether you’re managing multiple properties or just tired of poor results at home.
Top Cleaner Categories Professionals Trust
When it comes to professional cleaning, using the right product for each individual job makes all the difference. Professionals don’t use a single product for every surface; they use a mix of products built for specific cleaning tasks.
Below, we’ve broken down the top cleaner categories professionals use daily, along with why they work, when to use them, and how to get the most out of each product.
1. All-Purpose Cleaners
An all-purpose cleaner is a staple in a professional cleaner’s kit. It works across various surfaces, including countertops, door frames, light switches, and kitchen units. It’s one of the best options for lifting grime without damaging finishes, making them safe for daily use across both homes and commercial spaces.
Why the pros use it: It’s efficient, cost-effective, and eliminates the need to keep switching between products during a single cleaning job. In facilities management, where cleaning teams are often working to tight schedules across large buildings, an all-purpose cleaner reduces product complexity and speeds up turnaround time.
Pro tip: Look for a multi-surface cleaner that’s pH neutral and leaves no residue. For commercial use, a concentrated formula is almost always the better choice as it reduces packaging waste, lowers cost per litre, and allows dilution to be adjusted for different tasks. Always follow the manufacturer’s dilution guidance to maintain efficacy and avoid surface damage.
-
Clover / Christeyns Clean IT Multi Purpose Cleaner
Price range: £1.69 through £5.81 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
2. Disinfectants
In commercial spaces with high foot traffic, hospital-grade disinfectants have become a non-negotiable. These powerful cleaners kill 99.9% of germs fast. They are an essential product for sanitising high-touch areas like door handles, toilet flushers, kitchen tools, and shared spaces.
Why the pros use it: It’s about more than cleanliness; it’s about trust. Clients want safe, germ-free environments. For professional cleaning contracts and facilities management, look for disinfectants certified to EN 1276 (bactericidal efficacy) and EN 14476 (virucidal efficacy). These certifications confirm the product performs as claimed and provide the audit trail needed for compliance reporting, particularly in healthcare, education, and food service environments.
Pro tip: Use a professional disinfectant spray with a listed “dwell time” and follow it. Rushing it can make it ineffective, even with a strong product.
-
Greyland Spray & Wipe Ultra
Price range: £2.25 through £11.99 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
3. Degreasers
From extractor hoods to oven doors, grease builds up fast, especially in commercial kitchens. Standard sprays just won’t touch it. Heavy-duty degreasers will break down fats, oils, and carbon deposits in seconds.
Why the pros use it: It does the dirty work quickly, safely, and without scrubbing damage.
Pro tip: Always pre-spray, let it sit for a minute or two, and wipe with a microfibre cloth to avoid streaking or smearing. For commercial kitchens, always check that your degreaser is approved for use in food preparation areas and carries the appropriate food-safe certification. This is a requirement under food hygiene legislation and should be verified before use on any surface that comes into contact with food.
In facilities management, a heavy-duty degreaser is also essential for warehouse and industrial environments, cleaning machinery surrounds, workshop floors, and loading areas where oil and grease contamination are common.
4. Glass and Window Cleaners
Nothing is more disappointing than wiping down a mirror or window only to see streaks. Streak-free glass and window cleaners are alcohol- or ammonia-based. This ensures quick evaporation and zero residue, leaving a streak-free finish.
Why the pros use it: Clean, fingerprint-free glass makes an immediate visual impression. It signals a high standard of cleanliness even before anything else is noticed. In commercial environments such as offices, hotels, and retail spaces, glass surfaces are often the first thing visitors see, making streak-free results a priority.
Pro tip: Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth rather than paper towels for a truly clear, professional finish. For exterior windows on larger commercial buildings, a squeegee system significantly improves speed and consistency. For facilities managers overseeing regular window cleaning programmes, a concentrated glass cleaner decanted into trigger sprays offers much better value than buying ready-to-use bottles individually.
-
Teamwork 5 Glass Cleaner
Price range: £1.92 through £6.82 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
5. Toilet and Washroom Cleaners
Washrooms need more than fresh smells; they need proper deep cleaning. Professional toilet and washroom cleaners are often acidic, targeting limescale, soap residue, and mould in one hit.
Why the pros use it: They are faster and more effective than household alternatives, particularly in high-use or neglected commercial washrooms where build-up can accumulate quickly.
Facilities managers should ensure their washroom cleaner is suitable for the water hardness of their area. Much of England sits in a hard or very hard water zone, meaning limescale accumulates rapidly and a dedicated descaling formula, rather than a general cleaner, is needed to stay on top of mineral build-up.
Pro tip: For mould, apply a dedicated mould remover and allow it to dwell rather than scrubbing immediately. For urinals, pair your washroom cleaner with enzyme-based urinal blocks, which provide continuous passive hygiene between cleans, reducing odours and preventing the build-up that cleaning staff would otherwise need to address manually.
-
Selden React H018 Toilet Descaler & Renovator – Heavy Duty Limescale Remover
Price range: £2.35 through £7.99 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Teamwork 1 Toilet / Washroom Cleaner
Price range: £2.12 through £7.99 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
6. Floor Cleaners
Whether you’re cleaning the office floors or bathroom tiles at home, each surface needs the right cleaner. Professionals choose commercial floor cleaning solutions that dry quickly, leave no sticky residue, and preserve the finish of wood, tile, laminate, or vinyl.
Why the pros use it: Using the wrong product can dull or permanently damage expensive commercial flooring. Professional formulas clean without leaving streaks, residue, or a surface that attracts dirt more quickly after cleaning.
Pro tip: Always match your floor cleaner to your floor type. For large commercial spaces, a diluted concentrate used with a flat mop or spray mop system offers the best balance of speed, coverage, and cost control. In high-footfall environments, a quick-drying, low-odour formula is essential to minimise slip risk and disruption, particularly in settings that cannot be closed during cleaning.
Facilities managers overseeing multiple floor types across a single building should consider a colour-coded mopping system following BICSc guidance to prevent cross-contamination between washrooms, food areas, and general spaces.
7. Microfibre Cloths and Mops
No professional cleaning kit is complete without a quality supply of microfibre cloths and mop heads. Microfibre is the material of choice across professional cleaning for good reason. Its ultra-fine fibres trap dirt, bacteria, and moisture at a microscopic level, outperforming traditional cotton cloths in both hygiene and efficiency.
Why the pros use it: Microfibre cloths require fewer chemical products to achieve the same result, reducing chemical usage and cost. They are also more durable, washable, and longer-lasting than disposable alternatives. For facilities managers looking to reduce consumable costs and support a greener cleaning operation, microfibre is one of the most impactful switches available.
Pro tip: Follow a colour-coded microfibre system, matching cloth colours to specific zones, to prevent cross-contamination between washrooms, food preparation areas, and general office or classroom spaces. Replace cloths regularly and launder at a minimum of 60°C to maintain hygiene standards.
-
Microfibre Cloths – Heavyweight (Pack of 10)
£14.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Bonus: Eco-Friendly Professional Options
More than ever, professional cleaners and facilities managers are switching to eco-friendly products that deliver serious performance without compromising on safety or sustainability.
Whether it’s for schools, healthcare settings, offices, or eco-conscious commercial clients, the demand for cleaning solutions that are tough on dirt and gentle on the environment is growing, driven partly by corporate sustainability targets and partly by a genuine shift in procurement priorities.
That’s why we created the Teamwork ECO Range, a curated line of green cleaning products designed for everyday professional use. These formulas are biodegradable, non-toxic, and made to meet strict environmental standards without sacrificing cleaning power.
For facilities managers with green cleaning policies or ISO 14001 environmental management commitments, specifying eco-certified products is increasingly a procurement requirement rather than simply a preference.
Cleaners That Help You Work Smarter
Having the right cleaning products in your kit won’t just make the job easier; it will make it faster, safer, and more professional.
From multi-surface sprays and disinfectants to specialist degreasers and streak-free glass cleaners, using the right product in the right place is what sets professional cleaners apart.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but staying stocked with trusted, effective solutions is the best way to stay ahead of dirt, downtime, and disappointing results.
Looking to stock up on products the pros trust?
Apply for a Power Hygiene trade account today for exclusive discounts, quick delivery, and access to our full range of commercial and eco-friendly cleaners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What products do professional cleaners use?
Professional cleaners use high-performance commercial cleaning products that deliver fast and consistent results. These will typically include:
- Multi-surface cleaners – for general cleaning of countertops, desks, and fixtures
- Hospital-grade disinfectants – to eliminate bacteria and viruses from high-touch areas
- Heavy-duty degreasers – for kitchens, extractor fans, and ovens
- Glass and window cleaners – for streak-free results on mirrors and windows
- Toilet and washroom cleaners – often acidic to remove limescale and odours
- Floor cleaning solutions – matched to surface types like vinyl, tile, or wood
- Microfibre cloths and mops – for efficient, lint-free cleaning
All of these products are designed to be stronger, longer-lasting, and more efficient than standard household cleaners.
What do professional house cleaners use to make a house smell good?
Professional cleaners use a mix of odour-neutralising products and scented cleaners to keep homes smelling fresh. Common choices include:
- Disinfectants with light, fresh scents (e.g. citrus or linen)
- Fabric and upholstery deodorisers for sofas, curtains, and carpets
- Air freshener sprays or diffusers in key living areas
- Baking soda-based powders to neutralise odours in soft furnishings
- Essential oil sprays for a natural, lingering fragrance
Tip: Professionals often combine clean-smelling products with proper ventilation and deep cleaning for long-lasting freshness.
How many hours should it take to clean a house?
On average, it takes 2 to 5 hours to professionally clean a home, depending on its size, condition, and the level of service required. Here’s a quick guide:
- 1-bedroom flat: 2–3 hours
- 2–3 bedroom house: 3–4 hours
- 4+ bedroom house: 4–6 hours or more
A deep clean or move-out clean may take longer, especially if it includes carpet cleaning, inside appliances, or heavy build-up removal.
What disinfectant do professional cleaners use?
Professional cleaners use disinfectants certified to EN 1276 (bactericidal) and EN 14476 (virucidal) standards. These certifications confirm the product kills bacteria and viruses to a documented standard, which is essential for commercial contracts in healthcare, education, hospitality, and food service. Spray, concentrate, and wipe formats are all used depending on the surface and application.
Power Hygiene Expert Insights Team
Power Hygiene has been a trusted name in commercial cleaning and hygiene supply for over 40 years, supporting organisations across the UK with reliable products, expert advice, and sustainable solutions.
Our Expert Insights Team brings together industry knowledge from across cleaning, procurement, and facilities management to share practical, real-world guidance that helps businesses maintain safer, cleaner, and more efficient environments.
Share to Social
Related Articles
Explore our Partners
