15 Cleaning Products Our Parents Swore By
This article looks back at the tried-and-true cleaning products our parents relied on to keep the house spotless.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
These bottles, bars, and powders carried a reputation for getting rid of stains, scrubbing away grime, and leaving everything smelling fresh. They might not have had today’s fancy packaging, but they were effective and often multipurpose. Here are the cleaning products that once ruled the cupboards and still bring back memories.
1. Ajax Powder Cleanser
Colgate-Palmolive Company Uploaded by Vargklo at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
That green-and-white can of Ajax sat under nearly every sink. Parents trusted its gritty texture to scrub sinks, tubs, and countertops until they sparkled. It had a reputation for being tough on stains yet affordable enough to stock up on.
2. Murphy Oil Soap
Colgate-Palmolive Company on Wikimedia Commons
Wooden furniture got its shine back after a wipe-down with Murphy Oil Soap. Its lemony scent lingered as proof that the job was done right. Parents swore it brought dull wood back to life without damaging the finish.
3. Comet Cleaner
Kenneth Allen on Wikimedia Commons
A yellow can of Comet was a familiar sight on bathroom shelves. The powder’s scrubbing power worked wonders on stubborn stains in the sink and toilet. Its distinct smell meant the bathroom was freshly cleaned.
4. Pine-Sol
The Clorox Company on Wikimedia Commons
The sharp pine scent of Pine-Sol filled the house after a good mop. It was the go-to for floors and tough messes that called for heavy-duty disinfecting. That smell alone told kids the weekend cleaning routine had begun.
5. Windex Blue Spray
Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA on Wikimedia Commons
Mirrors and windows got their streak-free shine thanks to the blue Windex spray. Parents trusted that familiar trigger bottle to make the glass crystal clear. It was also pulled out for any random surface that needed a quick shine.
6. Bon Ami Powder
Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) on Wikimedia Commons
Bon Ami was the gentle option for scrubbing without scratching. Parents liked it for delicate cookware and surfaces where harsher powders were too rough. Its slogan “Hasn’t scratched yet!” became a reason it stayed in many homes.
7. Lysol Disinfectant Spray
ajay_suresh on Wikimedia Commons
A silver can of Lysol spray was practically a security blanket for parents worried about germs. It was sprayed on bathroom surfaces, doorknobs, and even fabric. The strong scent always announced that germs were under attack.
8. 409 All-Purpose Cleaner
Andyha0933 on Wikimedia Commons
Formula 409 was the spray that claimed to clean it all. Parents used it on counters, tables, and any mystery mess left behind. Its bright red label stood out in the cleaning cabinet as a reliable everyday cleaner.
9. Bar Keepers Friend
Beefyt on Wikimedia Commons
For tough metal stains and cookware cleanup, Bar Keepers Friend was the trusted powder. Parents appreciated how it revived pots and pans that looked beyond saving. It gave stainless steel and porcelain a new life after just one scrub.
10. Spic and Span
Alf van Beem on Wikimedia Commons
Before multipurpose sprays ruled the market, Spic and Span came as a powdered cleaner. Parents mixed it with water for mopping floors and scrubbing walls. It carried a no-nonsense reputation for being dependable and affordable.
11. Mop & Glo
Aaron Mello on Wikimedia Commons
Mop & Glo promised shiny floors with half the effort. Parents loved how it gave linoleum a polished look that impressed guests. Its name alone stuck in memory as part of the weekend chore routine.
12. Clorox Bleach
Adina Firestone on Wikimedia Commons
No cleaning arsenal was complete without a jug of Clorox bleach. Parents used it for whitening clothes, disinfecting bathrooms, and even freshening up tile grout. Its strong smell warned kids to keep their distance while it worked.
13. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (Early Version)
Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels
Parents were amazed when the first versions of the Magic Eraser hit the market. Those little white blocks seemed to wipe away scuffs, crayon marks, and stains like magic. It quickly became a go-to tool for quick fixes around the house.
14. Scrubbing Bubbles
Dow Chemical Company on Wikimedia Commons
The animated bubbles in commercials were almost as memorable as the product itself. Parents loved how Scrubbing Bubbles clung to bathroom surfaces and promised to clean without much scrubbing. It turned Saturday bathroom duty into a slightly easier chore.
15. Brasso Metal Polish
Ellywa on Wikimedia Commons
Whenever brass fixtures or decorative items lost their shine, Brasso was the fix. Parents patiently rubbed it into metal until it gleamed like new. The smell might have been strong, but the results kept Brasso in every supply cabinet.