I like seeing unbiased reviews regarding peoples’ favorite household cleaning products.
Honest feedback from those whose opinions truly matter is hard to come by.
That’s why I’m grateful to House Beautiful for posting these interviews with 14 top designers. In addition to their favorite design styles and products, there’s also valuable information about their favorite cleaning supplies.
One thing’s for sure: an interior designer needs to make a great first impression. And high-end designers (like the 14 featured here) have access to some of the best products around.
To see which household cleaners they personally choose to get the job done is incredibly interesting to me!
Here’s a list of the household cleaning products interior designers like best…
Barbara Barry’s Favorites
Soap: Luxo sandalwood bar soap
Vacuum: Miele vacuum
Mario Buatta’s Favorites
Soap: Glycerine soap
Cleaning product: Simple Green
Vacuum: Electrolux vacuum
Eric Cohler’s Favorites
Soap: Molton brown soap
Cleaning product: Murphy Oil Soap
Barry Dixon’s Favorites
Soap: Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte soap
Peter Dunham’s Favorites
Soap: Santa Maria Novella soap
Cleaning product: Mrs. Meyers lavender
Steven Gambrel’s Favorites
Soap: L’Occitane lavender with wheat exfoliant soap
Cleaning product: Mrs. Meyer’s lemon verbena
Philip Gorrivan’s Favorites
Soap: Malin + Goetz rum bar soap
Cleaning product: Mrs. Meyer’s geranium
Vacuum: Miele Capricorn canister vacuum
Alexa Hampton’s Favorites
Soap: Ivory soap
Cleaning product: Method
Celerie Kemble’s Favorites
Soap: Jo Malone orange blossom shower gel
Cleaning product: Mustela baby wipes
Vacuum: Dyson vacuum
David Kleinberg’s Favorites
Christopher Maya’s Favorites
Soap: Dove white unscented
Cleaning product: Murphy Oil Soap
Windsor Smith’s Favorites
Soap: Ivory soap
Cleaning product: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths
Vacuum: Miele vacuum
Madeline Stuart’s Favorites
Soap: Annick Goutal’s Eau d’Hadrien fine soap
Cleaning product: Formula 409 and Simple Green
The most interesting things that I noticed from these interviews…
#1 – Most of these designers prefer really unique soaps — most of which I’ve never heard of (besides Ivory and Dove, of course). My favorite bar soap is Dove Regenerating Calming Night Bar.
#2 – Miele and Electrolux appear to be the most popular vacuum cleaners. And canisters no less! I’ve used an Oreck for nearly 20 years, and I’ve been very happy with it. But a friend who cleans houses for a living agrees with these designers that Miele is the best.
#3 – Mrs. Meyers was the common denominator when it comes to these interior designers’ favorite cleaning product. I’ve been meaning to try it, and now I’m more convinced than ever that it’s definitely worth a look. I’m glad at least one person gave a shout out to the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Those cleaning blocks really do work miracles!
Other Highly Recommended Cleaning Supplies
- Best Cleaning Products From A Professional House Cleaner
- Paying A Professional Carpet Cleaner vs Doing It Yourself
- Good Guide: Best & Worst Household Cleaners
- Bissell Pro-Heat Steam Cleaner Is The Best!
- Apartment Therapy: Best Strong Household Cleaners
- Best Soap Scum Remover
I like to help people find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Household Tips and Life Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I'm super-organized. And I LOVE to clean! I even enjoy doing laundry (but not ironing). I’m also a lifelong dog owner — so I often share my favorite tips for living with dogs inside your home (like smart home design choices and dog-friendly cleaning & decorating ideas). Career-wise, I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). Prior to that, I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I'm truly passionate about instead. For example, I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo — to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. When I’m not cleaning, organizing, decorating, or fixing something… you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
