Shopping·14 min read

23 Lazy Cleaning Products for When You Just Can't

lazy-cleaning
Design: the Skimm | Photo: Amazon, Dropps
April 1, 2024

This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated.

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

You probably love the idea of a squeaky-clean home. But do you really love to mop, sweep, and dust? If the answer is no, we feel you. Making sure your place stays spotless can be tiring...and pretty time-consuming. We’ve rounded up items meant for the lazy cleaner, so you can still enjoy a clean home without expending too much energy.

Amazon

A dishwasher-safe cleaning squeegee…

This multifunctional tool allows you to quickly remove leftovers from plates, collect crumbs off countertops, push food into garbage disposals, and even clear excess water in your kitchen or bathroom — instead of having to use your bare hands. It has a sturdy grip and a slightly flexible edge to really get into dish crevices. Plus, the curved edge makes it easy to clean pots and pans. Psst…peep our full review of this product and more from OXO. ($7.99, Amazon)

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Force of Nature

A toxin-free multipurpose cleaner that’s actually effective…

It’s easy to ignore the fact that a lot of cleaning products are actually bad for us. But this year, we decided to do something about that. Enter: our latest obsession from Force of Nature. In this starter kit, you’ll get five recyclable activator tablets that are filled with water, salt, and vinegar. To create and activate your multipurpose solution, you’ll fill the brand’s Electrolyzer (which is essentially just a mixer) with tap water and add one tablet. You can then pour the solution into the corresponding spray bottle. It’s a medical-grade disinfectant that’s 99.9% effective, EPA-approved, and cuts through dirt, grease, and grime. So…it’s a miracle. Psst…use code START40 for 40% off and free shipping on bundles. ($70, Force of Nature)

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Amazon

Lint-free wands for easy dish drying…

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to wedge a paper towel into vessels that are hard to reach, like water bottles and vases. These wands have a long handle and fabric end that’ll remove water spots and reduce the risk of breakage. The fabric ends can be reused or tossed depending on how intense the dry job is. ($24.99, Amazon)

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Amazon

A self-activating toilet bowl cleaner…

Drop one of these rhubarb-scented tablets into your toilet bowl and walk away. It’ll foam and cling to your toilet bowl so you can do minimal scrubbing or simply flush. It’s safe for all types of toilets from porcelain to ceramic. ($5.67/2-pack, Amazon)

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Amazon

A shoe cleaner that makes sneakers shine…

PSA: We’ve used this on white sneakers and absolutely love it. To use, just dilute a few drops in some water. (The brand doesn’t give specifics, so you can just eyeball it.) From there, you can use the scrubber to apply it onto your shoes and wipe them clean. It works on a variety of fabrics, including canvas, vinyl, and even washable leather. ($21.97, Amazon)

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Amazon

A portable cleaner that won’t break the bank…

Bissell’s Little Green is a bestseller for a reason. It works on most upholstery and carpeting and has serious spraying and suction power — all while targeting spots and stains. Its compact size means you can conveniently store it, too. Prep it with the included Bissell Spot & Stain Solution and water beforehand to save time cleaning spontaneous stains as soon as they happen. Plus, it has a self-cleaning hose tool to seamlessly clean the machine. ($122.69, Amazon)

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Dropps

Cruelty-free laundry detergent pods…

Detergent pods are necessary for the days that you can’t be bothered. These pods from Dropps are a favorite from the Ginny Weasley herself and smell amazing thanks to their notes of lavender and eucalyptus. They’re made of plant-based ingredients and natural enzymes to ensure that your stains disappear. An added bonus: The membranes easily dissolve in water and you just need one pod per load. ($26/64 pods, Dropps)

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Amazon

A screen cleaner that sticks to your phone…

Scrub Daddy hive, rise. The brand’s screen cleaners remove dust, grease, and grime from any of your device screens or lenses. They’re made of microfiber and you can run them under the tap any time they need a clean. You can keep them on hand at all times, because they’re even able to stick to your phone. So handy. ($16.45/3-pack, Amazon)

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Shoe covers
Amazon

Shoe covers that also clean your floors…

Who knew that the hack to clean floors was walking around in microfiber shoe cloths? Snag a pack of these washable, reusable slipper mops and keep dust, debris, and dirt out of your way. Slip these over your house shoes or just wear them barefoot as you let the plush microfiber do its job. ($13.89, Amazon)

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microwave cleaner for food spills
Amazon

A microwave cleaner to help remove even the most stubborn sauces…

This gadget will produce steam to soften caked-on spills so your cleaning time gets cut in half. No scrubbing necessary. Customers say it can leave a lingering vinegar smell, but you can add your own fragrance if you prefer. ($6.99, Amazon)

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dishwasher tablets to clean away detergent buildup
Amazon

A dishwasher cleaner to make streaks a thing of the past…

Drop in a tablet to power away leftover detergent and mineral buildup so your dishes and glasses will be streak-free. It’s especially useful on hard water buildup. ($8.95/6-pack, Amazon)

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Amazon

A pack of pads for when your pet has a little accident…

Lay one of these pads on the stain and press down with your foot. The formula will be released into the rug. Wait about 30 minutes, remove, and the stain will be gone. Magic. ($26.11, Amazon)

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oven liners to protect from spills
Amazon

A multiuse mat to catch your apple pie if it spills over…

You can trim this mat to fit your oven perfectly, and it can be easily removed for cleaning. It also doubles as a baking sheet. For endless cooking marathons, it can even withstand high temps. ($13.99/3-pack, Amazon)

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dust pan and broom
Amazon

An easy-clean broom to keep the dust bunnies away…

This dustpan has grooved teeth so you don’t have to manually clean the ends of the broom. It also has an extendable pole to adjust for different sweeper heights. No more bending over and touching what’s been hiding under the couch. ($24.99+, Amazon)

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container to easily clean muddy and sandy pet paws
Amazon

A portable cleaner for muddy paws…

Keep this on hand post-rainy day walk. Just fill the container with water, stick their paw in, and slowly twist. The soft silicone bristles will gently clean away dirt. It comes in three sizes for small, medium, and large dogs and it’s great for sandy or salty paws when it snows. ($12.77+, Amazon)

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tablet to clean washing machine buildup and eliminate odors
Amazon

A tablet so your clothes never smell musty…

When’s the last time you considered how clean your washing machine is? This tablet exists so you don’t have to think about it. Make sure your machine is empty before dropping in a tablet, then run a cycle normally. The tablet will dissolve and absorb odors and residue left over from past washes. ($10.70/5-pack, Amazon)

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roomba wireless electronic vacuum to clean on its own
Amazon

A robot vacuum that’ll do the work for you…

Run the Roomba via the mobile app or voice command. The sensors will help it maneuver around furniture to pick up dirt for a full 90 minutes before docking and recharging. And don’t worry, it has sensors that’ll keep it from falling down the stairs. ($219.99, Amazon)

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cleaning wipes for stainless steel surfaces
Amazon

A pack of wipes to get rid of smudges on the fridge…

No more grease or oil from grubby hands opening the door. Just a sparkling surface reflecting back at you. You can use these on stainless steel ovens, microwaves, and sinks, too. ($19.66, Amazon)

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shower cleaner for soap scum and grime
Amazon

A shower cleaner you can leave on and forget about…

This formula is designed to remove mold, mildew, soap scum, and grime, with no scrubbing or wiping required — just spray, rinse, and go. The best part? It’s bleach-free and doesn’t emit any harsh fumes. ($20.98, Amazon)

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toilet brush with disposable heads for easy toilet cleaning
Amazon

A toilet cleaner to make that old toilet brush obsolete…

Each head is prefilled with cleaner so you don’t have to reach for an extra bottle or have to deal with touching bleach. You can toss the head once you’re done. Our editor loves these because it makes a hated (but necessary) chore effortless. ($10.99, Amazon)

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brush-cleaning-wipes
Dermstore

A wipe to make cleaning your makeup brushes way easier…

Because you probably don’t clean them as often as you should. (Neither do we.) These convenient wipes will get rid of germs and product buildup with the help of quick-drying hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. They’re infused with essential oils, whichl leave behind a citrusy scent. Plus, you’ll be reviving your favorite old brushes instead of spending your hard-earned cash on new ones. ($14, Dermstore)

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air-fryer-pot
Amazon

A silicone pot so you never have to clean the air fryer again…

Air fryers for the win. This silicone pot eliminates the need for any parchment paper or foil, plus the need to clean your air fryer after every use. It’s large enough for most dishes, is BPA-free, and highly heat-resistant. As if this couldn’t get any more low effort, you can throw them in the dishwasher, too. ($19.99+, Amazon)

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diamond-dazzle-stik
Amazon

A stick that will make your diamonds extra sparkly…

Brush this solution onto any precious stones and metals and it’ll simultaneously polish and shine your most cherished pieces. It reduces the appearance of scratches and makes dull pieces shine again, all without stripping any delicate finishings. ($9.48, Amazon)

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