While cleaning the house is never fun, it’s a task that has to get done. The good news is that there are many clever tools available that can make the whole process feel much less like a chore. I’m a huge fan of these, even if they aren’t the smart cleaning gadgets that get so much attention.
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Electric cleaning brush
I have used electric toothbrushes for many years; they’re a huge upgrade over manual brushes. A few years ago, I realized there are similar tools available for use around your home: electric cleaning brushes. These function as a tool for scrubbing purposes.
These provide excellent wrist and elbow relief when removing difficult stains. The small device operates with a rotating head to perform all the challenging work. Their movement works great for cleaning grout lines and removing soap scum from showers, along with tough stovetop grime. It’s a massive upgrade that allows you to clean your bathroom and kitchen surfaces in just a few minutes, rather than using a hand brush on your hands and knees for an extended period.
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Cordless handheld vacuum
I do not enjoy robot vacuums, but I find cordless handheld vacuums useful for my cleaning needs. These portable tools enable you to perform small cleaning tasks anywhere you go. A cordless handheld vacuum serves as the ideal option for quick cleaning tasks, such as cereal spills or removing pet hair from your sofa.
Their small and light designs make it a simple choice for cleaning all types of messes, so you can avoid breaking out your full-sized vacuum for every little spill.
These relatively inexpensive devices also function as a vital tool for cleaning car interiors, keyboards, and other tight spaces. Many offer multiple attachments, which enable you to handle different surfaces effectively throughout the home.
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Wet and dry vacuum cleaner
A wet/dry vacuum cleaner is another important option to have. These tools, which resemble traditional upright vacuum cleaners, serve multiple purposes since they can extract both solid debris and liquids from floors.
The combination of multiple functions and strong suction power enables these vacuums to handle various cleaning tasks, such as liquid spills, pet accidents, and regular floor maintenance. Because they combine vacuum and mopping functions into one unit, cleaning time is shortened and you don’t need as much storage space for two separate items.
My favorite wet/dry vacuum is the Roborock Dyad Pro Combo, which I’ve been using for several years. This combination machine features an upright wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a removable handset vacuum motor unit, and a charging dock and stand. Detachable accessories include a multi-surface brush, a motorized mini-brush, and a two-in-one cleaning tool that consists of a crevice tool and dusting brush.
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Spin mops
I used to tell my mom about the large amount of water that remained on the floor after I finished cleaning it. She showed me the spin mop, which became my new cleaning solution. A spin mop offers a hands-free wringer system that outperforms traditional mopping methods, resulting in better hygiene and superior cleaning.
One of the main reasons to use a spin mop is that it eliminates the need for hand contact with dirty mops. You can activate the spinning mechanism of a spin mop by using the foot pedal or handle push to remove excess water from the mop head, which is placed inside the built-in wringer of the bucket. The spinning mechanism uses centrifugal force to remove water while keeping your hands dry and preventing floor saturation.
The ability to control mop dampness with a spin mop proves essential for hardwood and laminate floors, since it allows for fast drying times.
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Reusable silicone dishwashing gloves
Dishwashing gloves aren’t technically gadgets in the plug-in or battery-operated sense. Nonetheless, I’ve added them here because I find them so helpful, especially to finish tough jobs that a dishwasher can’t handle.
Doing the dishes always feels like a chore, but reusable silicone dishwashing gloves make the task surprisingly easy. They have built-in bristles on the palms, so you can scrub anything from dishes to fruits and vegetables without needing a separate sponge. The silicone material is durable, heat-resistant, and easy to clean, making these a more hygienic and eco-friendly alternative to traditional sponges that can harbor bacteria.
Better still, these are inexpensive, with most well below $10.
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Razor blade scrapers
Picture this: no matter how hard you try, you’ve been unable to remove all the buildup from the top of your glass-top stove. It’s time for a simple but effective tool: the razor blade scraper. These are perfect for lifting stubborn, caked-on messes from surfaces like ovens, stovetops, or shower glass.
Typically available in packs of two, razor blade scrapers come in various sizes and usually include several replacement blades. To remove a pesky stain, just move the blade across it a few times to pick up the mess. Afterward, clean up the surface like you would typically do.
Before using razor blade scrapers, it’s always a good idea to lubricate the surface with a general cleaner to prevent scratching.
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Microfiber cloths
The practical microfiber cloth stands as another valuable non-gadget item for everyday use. They function as excellent dust and dirt catchers, which effectively clean glass surfaces, wood, and electronic displays. The cloths require only water for deep cleaning, which produces a streak-free shine that makes surfaces look better without using dangerous chemicals.
Microfiber cloths are highly durable and maintain their cleaning effectiveness through multiple washes, which helps to reduce waste. The average microfiber cloth maintains its cleaning ability for hundreds of uses before requiring replacement, thus providing both economic value and environmental sustainability.
You can usually buy microfiber clothes in packs of as few as two—although they’re also available in bulk, which lowers the price even further. It’s definitely worth picking a few up as part of a streak-free window cleaning solution.
There are so many home cleaning tools available that it’s hard to know which ones are worth investing in. While many of these options are relatively inexpensive, others should be considered a worthwhile investment. Regardless, they all make it much easier to do something most of us would rather not do: clean.
