Here Are 10 Classic Cleaning Products That Still Live Up To The Hype

A household staple for over 100 years, Fels-Naptha is technically a "laundry soap," but legions of devoted fans insist it can be used for cleaning almost anything. In a post titled "The Many Uses of Fels-Naptha," the Facebook page "Back to Basics: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst" explains:

"Fels-Naptha is definitely one of the most practical soaps on the market. For those trying to save a little money, it is also a fraction of the cost of regular laundry detergent. You might not be able to use Fels-Naptha to wash dishes, or as a body soap, but it can be used for just about everything else."

The bars can apparently be used as a stain remover, grout cleaner, poison ivy prevention, deer repellent, paint brush cleaner... the list never ends.

"Goo Gone has been in the cupboards of clean freaks since its inception," which happened to be in 1983, according to Hunker. So your little stinker stuck a whole bunch of stickers to your counter top. Goo Gone can help remove even the most stuck-on gunk from your surfaces while cleaning them as well. For example, it can remove glue, grease, ink, wax, oil, and other adhesives easily and effectively.

"All natural since 1891," there's a use for Borax in every room of the house: Use it to clean refrigerator shelves, moldy bathroom tiles, counter tops, walls, clothes... you can even use it to unclog drains with a bit of boiling water, reported Real Simple.

Bleach has come a long way since the discovery of chlorine in 1774 by Swedish chemist Karl Wilhelm Scheele (per Encyclopedia Britannica), and there's a reason (or many) why the stuff is still around. When you clean with bleach, you're pulling out the big guns. That's why it's "used in hospitals, laboratories, and other settings where sanitization against potentially infectious microorganisms is critical." Here’s the thing, though: bleach is actually a disinfectant (which means that it kills germs), but isn’t considered a cleaner, according to The Spruce. So you can spray surfaces with it (think your bathtub and bathroom sink), but you’ll still need to clean the dirt from the surface afterwards. This version of Clorox comes in a no-splash version to ensure that the black shirt you’re wearing doesn’t get drops of bleach splashed all over it.

White vinegar is truly a marvel. From cooking to cleaning, you can do just about anything with it. As Today reported, you can use vinegar to clean windows, microwaves, shower doors, remove wine stains — or make a delish salad dressing. The choice is really up to you. Plus, it's all natural and non-toxic (edible, even), so you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals hurting your kids or pets. Just make sure to Google how much vinegar should be in the solution for whatever you’re planning to clean.

Not technically a cleaner, the humble spray bottle is nonetheless an essential cleaning tool when you're using classic products (which often come in large containers without spray tops and/or need to be diluted). Not only can you mix solutions (i.e. like a white vinegar/warm water combo for mopping floors), but you can also pour a smaller amount of liquid (like bleach) into the bottles for easier transport. This one from Room Essentials holds up to 16 oz. of cleaning solution or water — or both.

There’s really not a whole lot that Bar Keepers Friend can’t do. The powdered cleanser, which has been around since 1882, can be used to remove burnt food from cookware, grease that’s on oven door glass, or even remove hard water spots and soap scum.

"This unassuming product doesn’t offer any outrageous claims or fancy packaging, but what it lacks in pizzazz, it makes up in cleaning power," reported Taste of Home. "Perfect for nonporous surfaces, like stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic and more, this cleanser can help make nearly every inch of your home sparkle."

It'll become your friend, too.

If you love that newborn smell, chalk it up to Dreft. Originally introduced by Procter and Gamble in 1933 as a gentle detergent for fine fabrics," according to The Spruce, "since the 1950s, the marketing focus has been toward new mothers choosing Dreft for baby's laundry." The classic baby detergent is hypoallergenic and features a special formula that is tough on spit ups and blowouts but not your sweetie’s skin.

Fighting grease since 1973, last night’s dinner dishes are no match for Dawn dish liquid. Initially hailed for its ability to get rid of stuck-on food and grease without scratching your dishes, Dawn is so effective at cutting through greasy messes that it's been used to help rescue over 75,000 wild animals affected by oil pollution.