I firmly believe that all cleaning products can be separated into two categories: there are those products that are exciting and those that are very, very boring. You know what I mean. The exciting cleaning products are those you desperately want. Think of highly coveted Dyson vacuums and super-specific brushes for, say, detailing the dashboard of your car. In the other category — the boring category — is pretty much everything else. Basically, the unsexy cleaning products. Those that look like they belong on the shelves of your local hardware store. The thing is, much like the nice guy in the rom-com that our hero doesn’t notice until it’s almost too late, these boring cleaning products are the true heroes of home-keeping. They will save us, if only we can take the time to pay attention. I’m talking about steam cleaners, drain snakes and dryer vent cleaners. Stay with me! Scroll for the best utilitarian cleaners you can grab on Amazon right now. You can thank me later.
Bissell
Aching to get the deep dirt out of your floors? Almost 30,000 Amazon shoppers are obsessed with this non-toxic steam cleaner that uses, well, steam to naturally clean any and every surface.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the SteamShot Deluxe heats up and is ready to use,” writes a five-star Amazon reviewer. “The trigger mechanism for dispensing steam is easy to control, so I can adjust the steam output to suit different cleaning needs. Plus, the continuous steam feature is handy for larger cleaning jobs.”
Affresh
Not-so-fun fact: Your dishwasher doesn’t actually get clean every time you run it. These little tablets, according to the manufacturer, prevent limescale and mineral buildup. Yup, they clean your dishwasher. And a cleaner dishwasher means cleaner plates!
“This is the only thing in the world that helps my dishes look clean,” shares one Amazon shopper. “They were foggy and gross-looking with food flecks even after washes, but after using two or three tablets on an empty dishwasher, it’ll change the way your dishes look. The only downside is the effect will go away if you don’t buy the product every month or two.”
Affresh
Oh, you didn’t know you’re supposed to be cleaning your washing machine? Like the dishwasher cleaner, this washing machine cleaner requires no effort. Pop one in and run the machine to remove odor-causing residue and grime. The result? Cleaner, fresher clothes. With nearly 300,000 reviews on Amazon — and 4.6 out of 5 stars — this product is a fan favorite.
“Been using this for years,” explains an Amazon customer. “My front-loading LG washing machine gets smelly especially if I forget to keep the door open, but this thing is magic. It takes away the smell completely, and I notice less gunk by the door seal.”
Holikme
Speaking of laundry, did you know the lint tray is only the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to keeping your dryer vent clear? There’s more going on in there. This brush (the set comes with two) goes super deep to corral and remove all excess lint. It keeps your dryer running smoothly and also reduces the risk of fires!
“I can’t believe how much dryer lint was trapped in my dryer, even though I ALWAYS empty my lint trap after every load,” shares a happy customer. “I admit it took me a good 15 minutes to remove all the entrapped lint. You really have to dig and be persistent because the tool is not super sturdy, but it is very effective. Now my lint trap slides effortlessly in and out of the dryer vet space. This is a great tool, and I’m glad I bought it!”
Bissell
This compact carpet cleaner went viral on TikTok a few years ago — and it’s still one of the most popular TikTok gadgets around. It’s also a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, with more than 50,000 five-star reviews. Watching it suck up the dirt and gunk from your couch, rug or car upholstery is so satisfying. Because of its powerful suction, it can scrub, spray and lift out virtually any spot or stain, no matter how old.
“I should’ve bought this a long time ago!” writes an Amazon customer. “It’s honestly one of the best appliance purchases I’ve made for the house. I have used it to clean the couch and car seat, and I am blown away by how well this vacuum cleans.”
Joymoop
Joymoop is basically the fairy godmother of mopping. It’s a mop, bucket and wringer set that lets you wet, squeeze and clean your mop without all the messy splashing. Perfect of one of your 2024 resolutions is to be more eco-friendly (we’re trying!) and you’re working to minimize your use of disposable mop pads. With nearly 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s community approved.
“I love this mop,” says one Amazon shopper. “It is the perfect size to fit it tight places for storage. It cleans off the dirty water from the pad in a different [compartment], so your clean water never gets dirty and it cleans so well. I have two dogs, one a German shepherd and the other a husky and we all know they love to get dirty. I have white flooring, so I need a great mop that is fast and easy to use. This is just that.”
FlexiSnake
The last thing you want to think about is that horrifically gross tangled hairball in the depths of your shower drain, but you know it’s the reason the tub is draining so slowly. Eventually you’re going to have to reckon with it, right? Instead of pouring chemicals down there repeatedly and crossing your fingers, why not solve the problem in a couple of minutes with this Amazon bestseller? This drain snake is armed with patented micro hooks to grab onto the hairy clog and lift it up and out.
“I have used a bunch of the cheap long plastic sharp rods to snake shower drains and sinks, and this is far better,” writes an Amazon customer. “Super easy to use and picks up a ton of hair. The only thing that isn’t great is they are pretty much good for one use, and depending on how much hair gets picked up you may need to use two. Still love it and will for sure keep buying these.”
Lazynice
If you actually knew how much dirt is left behind every time you “dust” (read: lightly flutter over) your blinds, you’d be shook. This little tool helps you get a purchase on blinds, so you can really swipe them clean.
“Prior to getting this blind cleaner, I have been cleaning my blinds one slat at a time. It takes FOREVER because I have a lot of them,” shares an Amazon shopper. “This contraption fits very snugly in between several slats at once and cleans all of the dust off very easily. Wish I had found it years ago.”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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Olivia Martin celebrates the art of living well in her lifestyle articles. She explores topics ranging from travel and fashion to home decor and culinary delights, offering inspiration for readers seeking a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle.
