12 Cleaning Products Your Mom Swore By That Don’t Exist Anymore
Take a nostalgic look at beloved household cleaners your mom trusted that have since vanished from store shelves.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Long before today’s chemical cocktails, moms across America had their own go-to products for tackling grime. These cleaners didn’t just get the job done, they carried signature scents and old-school charm. Though discontinued, their reputation still lingers in memory and family stories.
1. Spic and Span Powder (Original Formula)
carloscappaticci on Flickr
This citrus-scented miracle worked on everything from linoleum to bathtubs. Just mix it with water and mop away the mess. It had serious grit for scrubbing but left a clean, fresh aroma.
2. Glass Wax
Roadsidepictures on Flickr
Before Windex took over, this pink liquid polish was the go-to for windows and mirrors. It dried to a hazy coat and buffed off for a streak-free shine.
3. Dutch Cleanser
Roadsidepictures on Flickr
Packaged in a metal can with a red-headed maid on the label, Dutch Cleanser was a gritty, all-purpose powder. It was perfect for scrubbing sinks, tubs, and even walls.
4. Bab-O
Rusty Blazenhoff on Flickr
A rival to Comet and Ajax, Bab-O’s bleach-boosted formula tackled grime fast. It was especially loved for whitening porcelain and tile.
5. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (Original Strong Formula)
jill, jellidonut… whatever on Flickr
The very first versions had a toughness that modern ones can’t match. They’d erase everything from crayon marks to scuffs without breaking apart. Moms swore by them for walls, shoes, and appliances.
6. Old Dutch Bleach Powder
شہاب on Wikimedia Commons
This bleach-based powder cleaner was known for its strength and speed. A single sprinkle could zap stains from grout or tubs. It had a biting, clean scent that signaled serious sanitation.
7. Lestoil (Heavy-Duty Original)
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
This dark liquid degreaser was unmatched on tough messes. Greasy floors, engine parts, or laundry stains — Lestoil could do it all. It had a distinctive pine smell and real cleaning bite.
8. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate)
John Pittman on Flickr
Used before painting, this heavy-duty powder cleaned walls like nothing else. It stripped grime, smoke, and grease effortlessly. It wasn’t safe for every surface, but it got the job done.
9. Amway Zoom
cottonbro studio on Pexels
This industrial-strength spray cut through kitchen grease and soap scum in seconds. Moms loved how it blasted through buildup without needing to scrub hard.
10. White King Bleach
Alpha on Flickr
This lemon-scented bleach stood out for its strong disinfecting power. It was a must-have for laundry day and cleaning bathrooms. The scent wasn’t subtle, but it screamed “clean.”
11. Lysol Disinfectant in Brown Bottle
Kurman Communications LLC on Flickr
This dark amber bottle housed a thick, pine-scented disinfectant concentrate. Just a few drops of water killed germs on contact. It had a medicinal smell, but moms trusted it for everything.
12. Janitor in a Drum
cottonbro studio on Pexels
The name said it all — this industrial-strength liquid was like a whole custodial crew in one container. It handled garage spills, greasy floors, and commercial grime with ease.