One of the most common questions we get from clients — and from people who follow our work — is about products. What do professional cleaners actually use? Is it just a stronger version of what's under your kitchen sink, or is there something meaningfully different about commercial-grade cleaning products? The short answer is: yes, there's a meaningful difference, but it's not always about industrial strength. It's about using the right product for the specific job. This post walks through the products we actually use at LCA Cleaning, why we chose them, and what that means for the results we deliver in homes, Airbnb properties, offices, and post-construction sites across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Waikato.
The Principle We Work By: Right Product, Right Surface, Right Dilution
Professional cleaners get better results not simply by using stronger products, but by using chemically appropriate products at the correct dilution for the specific surface and type of contamination. Using a caustic degreaser on a stainless steel benchtop, for example, will streak and damage the finish — even though it will remove grease. The right product is a stainless steel-specific cleaner applied with a microfibre cloth in the direction of the grain.
This principle is what separates professional cleaning from enthusiastic DIY cleaning. It's not magic — it's chemistry and process.
What We Use in the Kitchen
Heavy-Duty Oven Cleaner
For oven cleaning — one of the most demanding tasks in any home clean or end of tenancy clean — we use alkaline-based oven degreasers that are formulated specifically for baked-on carbon and polymerised grease. These products work through a dwell time process: the chemical is applied, left to penetrate and break down the grease over a set period, then wiped away. Trying to scrub baked-on grease immediately without a proper dwell-time product means significantly more physical effort for a worse result.
We avoid aerosol oven cleaners for most professional jobs — they're convenient for occasional home use but not efficient or effective enough for a thorough professional clean.
Degreaser for Surfaces and Rangehoods
For kitchen surfaces, rangehoods, splashbacks, and general grease, we use a dilutable commercial degreaser. The dilution ratio matters enormously here: a product designed to be diluted at 1:20 with water will produce a very different result than the same product used at full strength. Knowing the correct dilution for the surface and soil level is part of professional training.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
Stainless steel appliances and sinks are everywhere in modern NZ kitchens. A purpose-made stainless steel cleaner and polish — applied with a microfibre cloth in the direction of the grain — removes fingerprints, water marks, and smearing while leaving a streak-free finish. Baby oil works in a pinch at home, but a commercial stainless polish gives a cleaner, longer-lasting result.
What We Use in the Bathroom
Limescale Remover
New Zealand water — particularly in Auckland and Hamilton — is relatively hard in some areas, which accelerates limescale build-up on taps, showerheads, and toilet bowls. We use acid-based limescale removers that dissolve calcium deposits without requiring heavy scrubbing. These should never be used on natural stone (marble, travertine, granite) because the acid will etch the surface — a lesson we take seriously when working in high-end Auckland properties.
Mould and Mildew Treatment
For bathroom grout and silicone mould — a near-universal problem in New Zealand bathrooms due to humidity — we use chlorine-based mould treatment products applied directly to affected grout lines and silicone beads. Mould in grout is a penetrating biological contamination, not surface dirt, and it requires a product that kills the mould spores rather than simply bleaching the visible marks. We always ensure adequate ventilation when using these products.
Sanitising Cleaner for Toilets and Surfaces
For toilet bowls, under the rim, and toilet surrounds, we use an antibacterial, disinfecting cleaner. For high-touch surfaces like toilet flush handles, door handles, and light switches, we use an appropriate disinfectant spray — particularly important in commercial and short-term rental properties where multiple people use the space.
What We Use on Floors
Microfibre Mop Systems
We use commercial microfibre flat mop systems rather than traditional string mops. Microfibre captures and holds dirt and bacteria mechanically, rather than just pushing it around. Commercial microfibre mops can be laundered at high temperatures between uses, maintaining hygiene standards across multiple client properties — something a reused string mop simply cannot do.
pH-Neutral Floor Cleaner
For most hard floor surfaces — timber, LVT, vinyl, tile — we use pH-neutral floor cleaners that clean effectively without leaving a residue or stripping floor finishes. Using a high-alkaline cleaner repeatedly on a timber or LVT floor will eventually damage the finish. In commercial settings, we select floor chemicals that match the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific floor type.
Carpet Spotting Products
For carpet spot treatment ahead of or following steam cleaning, we use enzyme-based spotting products for biological stains (food, pet) and solvent-based products for oil-based stains. Using water and general-purpose cleaner on a grease stain, for example, will typically spread the stain and make professional removal harder.
What We Use for General Surfaces and Glass
Microfibre Cloths — Always
This is non-negotiable in professional cleaning: microfibre cloths, colour-coded to avoid cross-contamination between areas (red for toilets and bathrooms, blue for general surfaces, yellow for kitchens, for example). Cotton cloths and paper towels are significantly less effective at capturing and holding fine dust and bacteria.
Glass and Window Cleaner
For windows, mirrors, and glass shower screens, we use a professional glass cleaner applied with a squeegee and microfibre cloth combination. The squeegee technique — professional window cleaners have been using it for decades — produces a streak-free result that spray-and-wipe techniques struggle to match on larger glass surfaces.
A Note on Eco-Friendly Products
We're increasingly using environmentally preferable cleaning products across our residential and commercial work where formulations allow effective results. New Zealand has seen a significant improvement in the quality of eco-friendly commercial cleaning products over the past several years, and we're committed to using them where they genuinely deliver the same standard of clean as conventional products.
Want a Professional Result in Your Home or Property?
LCA Cleaning brings the right products and the right process to every clean — whether it's an Airbnb turnaround in Tauranga, an end of tenancy clean in Hamilton, a builders clean in Auckland, or regular commercial cleaning in Waikato. We don't cut corners on products because the products are part of what makes the result professional.
[Get in touch with LCA Cleaning](https://lcacleaning.com/contact) to discuss your cleaning requirements and get a quote.