What cleaning products work best for STR turnovers?

Category: Operations & Cleaning

By: James Wu

Posted: 2026-01-09T09:02:33.267Z

I've been buying whatever cleaning products are cheapest at Walmart and I'm not happy with the results. Bathroom grout still looks dingy, stainless steel always has streaks, and the "fresh" smell fades quickly. What specific cleaning products do professional STR cleaners swear by? Looking for product recommendations for bathroom, kitchen, and general.

Reply by Tyler Jackson:

After 5 years and testing dozens of products, here's my "STR cleaning starter kit": **Bathroom:** - **Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer** — spray, wait 5 minutes, rinse. Handles soap scum effortlessly. - **Bar Keepers Friend powder** — nothing beats it for grout, tub stains, and hard water buildup. This is the secret weapon most hosts don't know about. - **Clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach** — standard but effective - **Microfiber cloths** (not paper towels!) for mirrors and glass — streak-free every time **Kitchen:** - **Weiman Stainless Steel cleaner** — the ONLY product I've found that actually prevents streaks on stainless - **Method Daily Granite cleaner** — safe for all countertops, leaves no residue - **Dawn Powerwash spray** — dissolves grease on contact, incredible for stovetops - **Baking soda + vinegar** for garbage disposal freshening **General:** - **Fabuloso lavender** — the "smells clean" agent. Mop floors with it and the whole place smells fresh - **Lysol disinfecting wipes** for high-touch surfaces (door handles, light switches, remotes) - **Angry Orange pet odor eliminator** — if you're pet-friendly, this removes odors other products can't - **Febreze Fabric Freshener** — for curtains, couches, and any soft surface between deep cleans **Linen care:** - **OxiClean White Revive** — keeps white sheets brilliantly white, load after load - **White vinegar in the rinse cycle** — natural fabric softener, removes any remaining detergent Pro tip: buy everything in bulk on Amazon Subscribe & Save. Set up recurring deliveries and you'll never run out mid-turnover.

Reply by Michael Thompson:

+1 for Bar Keepers Friend. That stuff is magic on bathroom grout and stainless steel sinks. My cleaner thought I was crazy when I first gave it to her, now she uses it on every property. One addition: **Zep Grout Cleaner** for tile floors. Apply, wait 3 minutes, scrub with a stiff brush, mop up. Makes 5-year-old grout look new. I do this quarterly during deep cleans and it keeps the bathrooms looking immaculate.