5 Essentials a Cleaning Expert Recommends To Take Spring Cleaning Beyond Decluttering

Start with the basics: This kit—which includes a four-foot pole, microfiber and multipurpose cloths, a grout brush, a triangle base and pad, bristle brush, mop base, and a three-gallon collapsible bucket—“is a sure way to get excited about cleaning,” Knapp says. “The interchangeable heads are so easy to navigate [and] the collapsible bucket is genius.” Plus, the kit is a great space-saver for smaller homes or tight closets. Once it arrives, take a page out of Knapp’s book and use the mop base for more than your floor—try it on your windows and glass sliding doors, too.

If you’re going to deep clean your house, you’ll need a reliable vacuum—and Knapp loves this one. “What’s so great about the Shark cordless vacuum is its versatility,” she says. “[It is] lightweight without compromising on power, with well-designed attachments to cover multiple spaces.” She loves the Clean Sense IQ technology, which ensures she doesn’t miss any dust, even in those hard-to-reach places like baseboards and crown moldings. Her expert tip? You can also use your Shark (and its attachments) to vacuum the car.

Level up your kitchen cleaning routine with this set of eight dual-sided sponges, a genius soap dispenser, and a convenient sponge caddy. For hard-to-clean dishes, run the sponge under cold water and it will remain firm (read: best for heavy-duty scrubbing). For a gentler clean, soaking the sponge in warm water will leave it soft and malleable. Beyond dishes, Knapp recommends using these scrubbers to tackle the pesky grease build-up on your oven or grill-top. And if you have a cleaning enthusiast in your life? This set makes a great gift, she says.

A hand steamer may not be the first tool that comes to mind when you think of cleaning, but Knapp swears by this chemical-free way to help disinfect. “The Bissell Steam Shot is easy to use with a wide range of attachments.” Pet accidents, stained furniture, and well-loved toys are just a few of the household inevitables it can help disinfect, she says—and it’s *so* satisfying to watch it steam clean your bathroom, from build-up in the grout and corners of your showers to water stains on your mirrors and windows.

To filter out pollen, dust, and other airborne annoyances, Knapp recommends a high-quality air purifier like the Bionaire 360. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to have clean, breathable air,” she says. Bonus: “It’s stylish and blends in quite nicely.” For optimal results, place the filter in an open area so your freshest air isn’t confined. Then kick your feet up as you bask in your tidied space, and breathe in as deeply as you just cleaned.