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. Aka, the smarter way to clean.
A pack of traps to get rid of pesky ants crawling around your counters…
These traps attract ants fast. Just snap off the tab and place them where you need them. Aka where the annoying trail of ants is most concentrated. They’re prefilled, so you won’t get anything on your hands. When the liquid bait is gone, you can toss the entire thing. ($10.37, 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)
Dryer sheets that save you a trip to the dry cleaners…
When your dry-cleaner-only clothes need a little refresh, throw them in the dryer with one of these sheets to gently lift stains and remove odors. They’re safe to use with delicate fabrics like cashmere, silk, and wool and take only 20 minutes to complete. So fresh, so clean. ($15.95, Amazon)
A microwave cleaner to help remove even the stubbornest 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. ($11.99, 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. ($10.48, Amazon)
And toilet bombs so you don’t actually have to touch the toilet…
These are all-natural, but don’t skimp on cleaning power. Baking soda and essential oils will leave a lovely scent behind, while soap and citric acid go to town on germs. You can even leave one in overnight for a deeper clean. ($12+, GreenerCleanDesigns via Etsy)
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. ($8.99, 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)
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)
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. ($14.99, 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)
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. ($218, 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. ($19.52, 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)
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)
Lens wipes to keep all your screens fingerprint-free…
These premoistened wipes will not only sanitize your electronics, but also leave them streak-free. Use them on everything from your phone to laptop screen to blue-light glasses. Customers say these are far more effective than using an eyeglass cloth. ($13.99, Amazon)
A mat to keep cat litter in the box…
Our kitties tend to forget to wipe their paws before coming out of the litter box. To keep them from tracking litter everywhere, this mat has extra-large holes that trap particles as they walk away. To clean, just vacuum or empty the trapped pieces back into the box. No more constant sweeping. ($34.99+, 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)
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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