When I first walked into the cleaning aisle in an Israeli supermarket,
I was completely overwhelmed.
There were shelves full of brightly coloured bottles, most of them in Hebrew, and somehow, I was expected to know what each one was for.
Like many newlyweds, I bought far more cleaning products than I needed. Over time, I slowly got rid of most of them and kept only the ones I genuinely used.
So, instead of guessing, I asked women who actually live in Israel what they keep buying. One thing became clear almost immediately: you don’t need a cupboard full of products.
Here are the ones worth knowing about.
The Brand That Came Up Most
This wasn’t even planned, but almost everyone mentioned Sano at some point.
Whether it was kitchen or bathroom products, Sano was definitely the brand that came up most.
That doesn’t mean every product has to be Sano, but if you’re standing in the supermarket with no idea where to start, it’s a pretty safe choice.
The Window Cleaner Everyone Loves
If there was one product that kept on being mentioned, it was Sano Klir. It was described as “the best window cleaner in Israel.”
And it’s not just for windows. It also works well on:
- Mirrors
- Glass tables
- Stovetops
Another bonus is that Sano sells refill pouches, so you can simply refill your spray bottle instead of buying a new one every time.
Bathrooms
Sano’s Javel spray works well for bathrooms and toilets, especially when you’re dealing with stubborn stains.
Just be careful.
Because it contains bleach, it can stain clothing, towels and coloured fabrics. It’s also best not to leave the bottle sitting unused for too long, as the bleach can eventually damage the spray nozzle, making it difficult to spray.
For everyday cleaning, Cif was another favourite, especially for sinks and toilets. It’s a nice option for a regular clean rather than reaching for bleach.
Dettol antibacterial bathroom spray was also recommended for everyday bathroom cleaning.
Toilet Cleaning
For regular toilet cleaning, Sano Fresh Home toilet cleaner works great.
Simple and effective.
Limescale (One of Israel’s Biggest Cleaning Battles!)
If you’ve lived in Israel for any length of time, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Limescale seems to appear almost overnight.
For taps, shower screens and stainless steel, Sano Anti Kalk came highly recommended. It’s great for tackling the white marks that build up around taps and showers.
Astonish Lime Blast was another favourite.
Viakal Classic Bathroom Limescale Remover also got a mention, with one woman admitting she still brings it back from London because it’s her favourite. But Sano’s version is a great alternative if you don’t happen to have a suitcase coming!
Floors
The product that came up often was Sano Ritzpaz Fresh Home.
One woman laughed and admitted that she simply stands in the supermarket smelling the different bottles until she finds the scent she likes best.
Honestly… I think we’ve all done that!
If you have a floor-washing machine, Sano also makes a low-foaming Ritzpaz cleaner specifically for it.
Kitchen Cleaning
Interestingly, not everyone uses a special kitchen cleaner.
One favourite combination was simply dish soap and a good scrubby. It cleans everyday grease really well.
Another favourite was the Astonish kitchen degreaser for tougher jobs.
Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best.
Quick-Clean Shortcuts
One product I always keep in the house is floor wipes. They’re perfect when I don’t want to do a whole sponja. Just put one over your sponja/mop and quickly go over the floor.
Nofar Lavender cleaning wipes were another favourite for quick jobs. They’re handy for wiping down kitchen or bathroom surfaces without getting out a whole collection of sprays, and they leave behind a lovely smell.
Keep It Simple
The biggest thing I learned from asking around was that you don’t need every product on the shelf.
Start with a few good basics, and over time you’ll naturally discover the products you reach for again and again.
My Starter Shopping List
If I were setting up a home in Israel today, this is what I’d buy first:
- Sano Klir Window Cleaner
- Sano Anti Kalk
- Sano Javel Spray
- Sano Fresh Home toilet cleaner
- Sano Ritzpaz Floor Cleaner
- Cif Cream
- Dish soap
- A packet of scented cleaning wipes
I also got loads of great recommendations for laundry products, but there were so many that they really deserve an article of their own!
