Whether you want to spend a couple bucks or a couple hundred, there are products available to help you keep your home as clean and safe as possible. Experts offer their must-haves for fighting dust, soap scum and all those other pesky pests and pollutants.
Paint It On
Shanon Munn, owner of McLean-based Ambi Designs, likes to brush on paints from Benjamin Moore’s Aura line. “It is a little more expensive but goes on beautifully,” she says. Other pluses: The zero-VOC colors offer easy coverage, mildew resistance and low odor. // Benjamin Moore Aura Paint,$25.99 (quart), $69.99 (gallon)
Shower Sorcery
Tina Beauchain, owner of Beauchain Builders, has a nothing-fancy, down-and-dirty trick for cleaning her shower: She takes a swipe with the budget-friendly Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which truly lives up to its name. // Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber, $2.97 for two
Contain It
For a healthful, green thumbs-up, take care of indoor plants. Experts suggest pots of tropicals, such as dracaenas, pothos and spider plants, which work to remove pollutants from the air. // Sizes and prices vary at local garden centers; Merrifield Garden Center or Meadow Farms
Get FLOR-ed
Transform any floor from a dirty zone to a safe, clean spot. Design your own look thanks to FLOR’s extensive library of colors and textures. These eco-friendly, easy-to-clean 19.7-inch carpet tiles are made from recycled nylon. // FLOR Tiles $8-$16
From Room to iRoomba
Kick up your feet while cleaning the house? Why not? Deep-cleaning floors will still require a more hardcore vacuum cleaner, but let the free-range iRobot Roomba bump along, banishing dust bunnies and picking up pet hair. It’s equal parts space-agey and fun—and it actually works. // iRobot Roomba 960 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum, $699.99
This Paint Kills Superbugs
Roll on this high-powered germ-fighting paint to high-traffic areas; it effectively kills bacteria (MRSA, E.coli and staph) within two hours of exposure. It’s available in 500-plus colors, so germophobes won’t have to sacrifice style. // Sherwin-Williams Paint Shield Microbicidal Interior Latex Paint, $84.99 (gallon)
Quietly Dehumidifying
Today’s dehumidifiers are so quiet, you can hardly tell they’re running, says Beauchain. With this sleek model, you can set and forget your humidity settings; the built-in alarm will alert you when the tank is full. // Frigidaire 95-Pint 2-Speed Dehumidifier, $449.99
Vacuum—Packed
All vacuums are not created equal, says specialist Jay Bazensky at Ace Vacuums in Leesburg. An expert in uprights and canisters and their HEPA filters, he’s the go-to guy for what to buy. Makes by Sebo are workhorses, Miele is more of a looker, and Riccar is tried-and-true. These don’t come cheap, but they’ll suit your needs. // SEBO K2 Turbo Vacuum, $489, Miele Dynamic U1 Jazz, $549; Riccar Classic Vibrance R20SC, $429.95
