Spring cleaning starter kit: 8 products to cover all your bases

First things first: Free up some time to take on the more obscure points on this list by outsourcing vacuuming, one of the more time-consuming chores, to a robot vacuum. Better yet, grab one that mops, too.

The Shark Matrix Plus is a super solid choice for both robot vacuum newbies and current robot vacuum owners looking to upgrade. Its best feature is Matrix Clean, which specializes in spot cleaning by going over the target area from multiple angles to suck up or scrub anything that may have been missed on the first pass. During regular vacuuming, Matrix mode cleans carpet 30 percent more thoroughly than the older RV Shark models, and during mopping, Matrix mode vibrates 1,000 times per minute to eat away at dried-on stains.

Our favorite spring cleaning products can be used year-round, but thanks to its impressive spot cleaning, this robovac is extra handy when it's time to deep clean.

Read our full review of the Shark Matrix 2-in-1.

This is the solution for stubborn crusty stovetops, and it happens to smell like summer.

I don't really get the science behind Scrub Daddy's tangerine-scented PowerPaste, or how it cleans so well without any harsh chemicals (and next to no elbow grease). All I know is that I watched the burnt stains on my glass stovetop disappear within a minute — stains that hadn't budged for years, even when scrubbed with a cleaning spray. It has a similar effect on burnt grease on pots and pans, grout grime between tiles, and soap scum in the bathroom.

To use, just smooth a layer of the paste across the targeted area and wipe with a sponge or cloth.

I won't make you say out loud the last time you cleaned the inside of your microwave. Just know that there's a world in which you aren't continuously heating up your food under the aftermath of last month's exploded spaghetti leftovers.

A microwave steamer like the Angry Mama (a tribute to every mother that religiously uses a microwave spatter cover) is a less strenuous, less chemical-y alternative to scrubbing the interior with a Clorox wipe. This cone-shaped plastic tool shoots hot steam out of the top to soften dried gunk and stains for an easy wipe down. I do recommend brushing large pieces of crud out before steaming. From personal experience, a handheld vacuum is the lazy person's hack for this.

To use, pop Mama's head off, fill her up with vinegar, and then top off with water. (A drop of lemon juice or another preferred essence will help tackle a lingering odor like burnt popcorn.) Put her in the microwave for seven minutes, let it cool off for a minute or two, and wipe the walls with a towel or cloth.

Cleaning TikTok and pet TikTok are both popular corners of the beloved app. Bissell's portable multipurpose upholstery cleaner has members of both crowds sold. The Little Green uses a dedicated spot formula, water, and a high-suction brush tool to lift stains from carpets and rugs, furniture, and car interiors. The fact that it weighs less than 10 pounds also makes it a little less tedious to drag a big cleaning device to those spots in the first place.

According to Haley Henschel, Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter, "The Bissell Little Green extended the lifespan of my old couch, a cheap blue velvet number from Wayfair that liked to collect coffee stains on its armrests, and it helped me get two upholstered accent chairs in shape for selling. I’ve also used it to spot-clean rugs, though it seems to take longer for them to dry."

To use, fill the tank to the fill line with water, as well as a cap full of Bissell spot cleaner. Click the tank back into the machine, unwrap the hose, pull the trigger, and put those bristles directly on the trouble spot.

Blind reliance on Lysol and Clorox has been ingrained in most of us since someone first taught us how to clean. But between the toxic fumes that end up in your lungs and the empty bottles that end up in landfills, you might want a better way to keep your surfaces sparkling.

Natural cleaning sprays in reusable bottles, like these ones from Blueland, solve both problems. These plant-based cleaners arrive in the form of a tablet that gets dissolved into a reusable bottle. Blueland uses ingredients that are free of nasties like ammonia, bleach, chlorine, and VOCs, which makes them safe for us and our pets, and without giving up fresh scents like lemon and mint. Since the bottles get refilled rather than tossed when they're empty, you're avoiding a ton of single-use plastic compared to the old disposable bottles and pumps.

To use, fill your bottle with water and then drop in the tablet that corresponds with that bottle's color. You can subscribe to save on automatic refills or order them on your own whenever you need them. This starter kit comes with a multi-surface cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, and a glass and mirror cleaner, plus foaming hand soap.

Stenches coming from the trash or the toilet are annoying but understandable. It's the nasty whiff that comes from a washing machine or dishwasher — an appliance whose sole purpose is to be a clean space — that's especially unsettling.

While you can scrub these appliances' moldy crevices by hand, you can give both a more wholesome spray down with a cleaning pod from Affresh. These specially-formulated tablets eat away at the mineral deposits and bacteria lurking in damp appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, and garbage disposals. Six packs typically run for less than $10, so you could be set for a year or so depending on how often you use the tablets.

To use, just pop an Affresh pod in and run the cycle as you normally would. (More specific instructions will be on each box depending on the appliance, but that's the general idea.)

Some people only trust themselves to vacuum up to their own standards, and honestly, they are so real for that. In this case, upgrade to a solid cordless vacuum. But not just any vacuum — I exclusively recommend a Dyson with a laser to anyone who wants to take their vacuuming to the next level.

The Mashable Choice-winning Dyson V12 Detect Slim is the best Dyson vacuum for most people because it's the cheapest, most lightweight model with Dyson's best feature: a green laser that illuminates the layer of dust on the floor that you wouldn't have seen otherwise. It's great for cleaning up after pets, whether that's dander, hair, or kitty litter, and it's a clutch sidekick in homes with a decent amount of hard flooring. For plush carpeting, a motorized cleaning head is also included.

A handful of attachments for converting this stick vacuum to a handheld vacuum are included as well. The most noteworthy one is easily the mini motorized hair screw tool, which is a game changer for vacuuming furniture, carpeted staircases, and car seats.

Read our full review of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim.

Don't underestimate the power that decluttering your laundry-doing process has on your laundry-doing motivation. One of our favorite ways to do this is by switching from liquid detergent to detergent sheets. They avoid the sticky mess of measuring liquid detergent as well as that sticky plastic jug all together — a win for landfills and for your home's overflowing recycling bin.

Not all laundry detergent sheets are as aromatic as traditional detergents. So, if you prefer detergent sheets that really scream "clean," then Kind Laundry's Ocean Breeze scented ones won't disappoint. The delightfully fresh scent is made up of musk, apple, rose, and amber, and no chemicals like dyes, parabens, phosphates, or chlorine are involved.

To use, just toss one pre-cut rectangle directly into the washing machine with your laundry — no messing around with measuring liquid detergent required.