16 Essential Cleaning Products for Expats in Berlin (2025)

You’ve just settled into your Berlin flat, and already the grout is questionable, the oven looks... “well-loved,” and you’re wondering which cleaning products are worth the shelf space. German aisles are packed with “bio” labels, sprays that smell like bleach, powders with weird names, and exotic stones.

For most expats, the smart move is balance: eco-friendly for daily upkeep, stronger stuff for emergencies. To help you stock up fast, this guide gives you 16 products (a mix of bio / eco-friendly + regular power picks), what each is for, where to find them, and how much they cost on average.

Also useful: before you get too invested, check out A4ord’s Cleaning Services Guide for Expats in Germany — it helps with pricing, what to expect from pros, and how cleaning culture works in different German cities.

Top 16 Cleaning Products– Eco-friendly vs. Chemical Players

1. Marcel’s Green Soap Colour Detergent (Peach & Jasmine, 1 L) — Eco-Friendly

A plant-based laundry soap with gentle scents, biodegradable, and great for soft or colored clothes. Handy when you don’t want your laundry room smelling like chemicals.

• Best for: everyday laundry with eco performance
• Where to Buy: dm, organic shops, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€5–7

2. Meister Proper All-Purpose Cleaner

German classic: cheap, easy to get, does a lot. Great when you're doing quick cleans or your cleaning budget is tight.

• Best for: quick household cleaning
• Where to Buy: dm, REWE, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€1.30–2

3. Frosch pH-Neutral Cleaner — Eco-Friendly

Low-­smell, kind to surfaces and your lungs. Frosch’s eco cred is solid; this is a good mop or wipe-down product.

• Best for: gentle surface and floor care
• Where to Buy: dm, Rossmann, supermarkets
• Price: ~€1.80–3

4. Sagrotan Multi-Purpose Cleaner

When you need germ kill + clean, this does both. Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or anytime you want serious cleaning.

• Best for: disinfection plus cleaning
• Where to Buy: dm, Rossmann, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€6–7

5. Ecover All-Purpose Cleaner (Lemongrass & Ginger) — Eco-Friendly

Smells fresh (not like a lab), works well on counters, tiles, etc. A nice upgrade from basic all-purpose cleaners.

• Best for: eco-friendly all-purpose use
• Where to Buy: dm, organic shops, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€2.50–4

6. Oranex HT Universal Cleaner

Heavy-duty citrus concentrate. If you’ve got grease, pet stains, odours — this one fights back. You’ll use less if you dilute properly.

• Best for: pet messes, stains, odour removal
• Where to Buy: Amazon.de, specialty shops
• Price: ~€20–25

7. Almawin Orange Oil Cleaner — Eco-Friendly

Natural citrus power. Cuts through grease without strong chemical fog. Good for kitchen surfaces, stove hoods, etc.

• Best for: kitchen grease and tough spots
• Where to Buy: organic shops, dm, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€20–25

8. Mellerud Mould Killer Plus (Active Chlorine Spray)

When mould or mildew gets out of hand (common in damp bathrooms, older buildings), this one’s your emergency weapon.

• Best for: mould and mildew
• Where to Buy: Bauhaus, OBI, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€6–8

9. Poliboy Organic Soil Care Paste — Eco-Friendly

Gentle shine for stone, marble, natural surfaces. If your flat has these, this paste protects without damage.

• Best for: delicate natural surface cleaning
• Where to Buy: organic shops, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€11–13

10. Heitmann Pure – Reine Soda

Washing soda = Swiss Army knife of cleaning. Laundry stains, oven grime, some tile cleaning. Cheap. Loved.

• Best for: oven cleaning, laundry stains
• Where to Buy: dm, Rossmann, REWE
• Price: ~€2–4

11. PRINOX® Green Cleaning Stone (950 g) — Eco-Friendly

Solid cleaning paste that replaces many sprays. Great for sinks, ceramics, pans, tiles.

• Best for: multi-surface scrubbing
• Where to Buy: Amazon.de, Bauhaus, organic shops
• Price: ~€9–12

12. VitaFeel Hydrogen Peroxide 3% (1000 ml)

Disinfectant, whitener, safer than bleach (in terms of fumes). Good for whites, bathroom corners, etc.

• Best for: bathroom disinfection and whitening
• Where to Buy: Amazon.de, pharmacies
• Price: ~€8–12

13. BiOHY Washing-Up Liquid (10 L Canister) — Eco-Friendly

Big canister = fewer trips to the store, less plastic waste. Perfect for households with lots of dishes.

• Best for: dishwashing in busy homes
• Where to Buy: Amazon.de, Metro, BiOHY shop
• Price: ~€25–35

14. Dr. Beckmann Universal Cleaning Stone (550 g)

One of the go-to pastes in Germany. Scrubs sinks, pans, ovens, sometimes outdoor items. Strong without being wildly expensive.

• Best for: all-around scrubbing
• Where to Buy: dm, Rossmann, Müller, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€4–6

15. HAKA Neutral Soap Paste — Eco-Friendly

Traditional soap paste. Multi-use (wood, floors, delicate fabrics). Useful when you want something mild.

• Best for: multi-purpose eco cleaning
• Where to Buy: HAKA shop, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€8–10

16. Pandoo Bamboo Kitchen Roll — Eco-Friendly

Ditch single-use paper. These bamboo cloths are washable and last through many washes — more sustainable, less waste.

• Best for: everyday sustainable wiping
• Where to Buy: dm eco aisle, Amazon.de
• Price: ~€10–12

Regular vs. Eco Cleaning Products: Head-to-Head

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best eco cleaner for limescale?
Citric acid or vinegar-based sprays are cheap and surprisingly effective against Kalk (that crusty white stuff on taps).

Is soda safe on all surfaces?
Not all. Avoid using it on aluminum or delicate plastics. Otherwise it's awesome for ovens, tiles, sinks, laundry.

Can eco cleaners kill mould?
They can slow mould down and help with mild cases—but when mould’s deep or long-standing, you’ll need something with more punch (like chlorine sprays or peroxide).

Do eco cleaners cost more?
Typically yes in the short term. But many eco products are highly concentrated or built to last (stones, soap pastes, bamboo tools), so cost per use drops.

Where do Germans shop for cleaners?
Main-chains like dm, Rossmann, Müller carry a ton. For speciality or organic versions: Reformhäuser, some supermarkets, Amazon.de. For mould/paint hardware type stuff: Bauhaus, OBI.

More Cleaning Resources for Newbie Expats

If you’re just getting started in Germany, a few extra resources can save you a lot of trial and error.

Our Cleaning Services in Germany guide explains what cleaners expect, how pricing works, and how standards vary by city.

For those leaning toward greener living, the Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products in Germany article digs deeper into bio detergents and refill-friendly options, while the Best Home Cleaning Products in Germany gives a broader overview across all categories. Struggling with a mouldy shower or hard water stains? The Best Bathroom Cleaning Products in Germany guide is a lifesaver.

For furniture care, from wood polish to upholstery cleaners, check out Best Furniture Cleaning Products in Germany. And if DIY just isn’t your thing, you can always explore the Best Cleaning Companies in Berlin to find professionals who know exactly what local landlords look for.

Smart Cleaning Strategy for Berliners

Here’s what most Berlin flats actually do:

• Use eco-friendly stuff every day (Frosch, Marcel’s, bamboo cloths) to clean surfaces, mop floors, do laundry.
• Keep a couple of heavy-hitters in the cupboard for emergencies — mould battles, pet accidents, and deep grime.

That blend keeps things tidy without overspending, aggressive smells, or a chaotic cupboard of half-used bottles.

👉 No need to buy everything at once — start with 4–5 basics, test what you like (scent, feel, efficiency), then build up.

In the meantime, you can get started with A4ord Cleaning Services that connects expats with English-speaking cleaners who know the German cleaning market — so you get quality while learning some useful tips. Book now.