15 Cleaning Products Our Parents Swore By
These 15 iconic cleaners — from classic scouring powders and multipurpose detergents to simple pantry staples — were the heart of household cleaning routines our parents trusted for powerful, reliable results.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Parents leaned on time-tested cleaning heroes like Arm & Hammer baking soda, Tide detergent, Windex, and homemade vinegar solutions to keep their homes sparkling. Many of these products combined simplicity with strength, delivering dependable results and creating unforgettable scents and rituals. Though today’s market overflows with choices, the nostalgic effectiveness of these classics still resonates as a testament to cleaning proven over generations.
1. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
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This versatile cleaning staple is used for scrubbing, deodorizing, and more. Parents relied on its gentle yet effective abrasive power, using it to brighten laundry, freshen carpets, and remove kitchen odors. Its bright yellow box was a familiar sight in pantries, and even today, it remains a go-to eco-friendly cleaning aid
2. Mrs. Stewart’s Liquid Bluing
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A tiny drop of blue liquid is added to the laundry to make whites appear brighter. Grandparents trusted it to restore dingy fabrics without bleach, subtly masking yellowing with a blue tint. It’s been around since 1883 and still finds nostalgic fans today.
3. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
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This gentle scouring powder is famed for cleaning without scratching surfaces. Its tagline, “Hasn’t scratched yet!” became a household assurance, used on everything from porcelain to cookware. Created in 1886, it remains a vintage classic still sold today.
4. Lysol Disinfectant
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This is a trusted germ-killing spray that parents use to sanitize surfaces and freshen bathrooms. It began life in 1889, combating epidemics, and found its way into homes by the mid-20th century. The familiar bottle and scent reassured generations that their homes were clean and safe.
5. Borax (20 Mule Team)
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This multipurpose powder is used in laundry, cleaning, and even crafting. Parents used Borax to boost detergent power, deodorize basements, and tackle grimy buildup around the home. Though still around in some regions, it drew controversy in others due to safety concerns.
6. Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap
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This soap bar was famous for pre-treating stubborn laundry stains like grease and makeup. Parents rubbed it directly on stains before washing, swearing by its stain-lifting ability. First sold in 1893, it remains a favorite among vintage cleaning devotees worldwide.
7. Vim Cleanser & Polisher
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This strong scouring powder, introduced in 1904, was effective on tough kitchen surfaces and pots. Its name hinted at power and scrubbing strength, making household cleaning feel energizing. Though availability has shifted by region, many still remember its trusty jar.
8. S.O.S Soap Pads
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Steel-wool pads were pre-soaped for scrubbing away burnt-on messes. Generations relied on them to clean pots, pans, and stove tops with minimal effort. Introduced in the early 20th century and still around today, their name (“Save Our Saucepans”) was as memorable as their abilities.
9. Bar Keepers Friend
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This powdered cleaner containing oxalic acid was known for tackling rust, stains, and tarnish. Parents used it on metal sinks, cookware, and porcelain with dazzling results. It’s been a staple since 1882 and continues to earn trust for tough-job cleaning.
10. Lestoil Heavy-Duty Cleanser
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This strong, multipurpose cleaner is suitable for removing grease, paint, and tough laundry stains. It originated in 1933 and became beloved for making even the stickiest messes disappear. Despite changes in ownership over decades, many still recall its oil-cutting power.
11. Tide Laundry Detergent
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This revolutionary heavy-duty powder changed laundry forever in 1946. Parents loved its powerful cleaning, bright packaging, and later enzyme-infused formulas that handled even dirty work clothes. Over the years, Tide expanded into liquids, pods, and eco-friendly versions, cementing its place in cleaning folklore.
12. Formula 409 All-Purpose Cleaner
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This potent degreaser and surface cleaner is named either for a birthday (April 9) or for being the 409th formula tested. It became a kitchen staple from the late 1950s, prized for cutting grime quickly. Clorox continues to sell it, and many still recall its punch-in-the-kitchen charm
13. Windex Glass Cleaner
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This blue-spray window cleaner was first introduced in 1933 for spotless, streak-free shine. Parents loved its fresh scent, easy spray bottle, and reliable glass clarity. Still ubiquitous today, Windex remains synonymous with clean windows everywhere.
14. Vinegar (Homemade Cleaner)
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Plain white vinegar mixed with water was a go-to DIY glass and surface cleaner. Parents used it to cut grease, eliminate odors, and create homemade kitchen solutions with natural zing. Its simplicity and effectiveness made it a timeless and eco-friendly favorite.
15. Lemon (Natural Cleaner)
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Pure lemon juice or slices were used to freshen, disinfect, and brighten. The acidity helped dissolve soap scum, whiten fabrics, and deodorize everything from cutting boards to microwaves. Its fresh scent and natural power made it a charming, effective trick passed down through generations.