Cleaning Tools

Spoiler: It actually works!

Microfiber cloths are popular for a reason, but they have a real dark side. Here's why cleaning experts think you should quit microfiber and reach for a diaper instead.

One of the easiest ways to cut back on single-use paper is realizing that some areas at home are best left untouched by the controversial paper towel.

Salt on a paper towel works great. But sometimes I need something more powerful and forceful—without removing the seasoning I’ve worked so hard to coat my pan in.

Spoiler alert: You're about to save a lot of money!

In no time — and with no effort — my countertops were sparkling clean.

This easy-to-use robot vac cleans all my floors and never misses a spot.

Here's how to find out if you're using the wrong towels for the wrong kitchen chores.

It has a wealth of thought-out features I didn't know I needed until I saw them.

Beloved by reviewers, this brush is said to be just as functional as it is cute. Honestly, I get major Big Bird vibes.

We asked a cleaning expert and a sustainability expert to compare microfiber vs. organic cotton vs. sponge cloths, and one clear winner came out on top.

When space is at a premium, it pays to pare down to a set of cleaning essentials that can get the job (and most jobs) done.

And I haven't looked back!

It can also be used on sinks, toilets, showers, faucets, ovens, and even dishes.

Steel wool scrubbers have nothing on the mighty Tenacious C!

Here’s my train of thought: Wouldn’t it be easier if laundry baskets were just big, solid plastic tubs so we could also use them to pre-treat or pre-wash dirty stuff? Here's the answer.

You may have the most questions about the mopping portion of the unit, like I did. Here's how it works.

Regular vacuuming never seems to be enough to keep pet hair in check. So I figured I'd try this Instagram lint roller, for me and for all of you.

It has more than 11,000 five-star reviews, and customers swear it's a miracle worker.

You'll never go back to a traditional lint roller, promise.

"It's a lifesaver and it’s such a great price!”

"The best cleaning product I have bought in ages!”

The best part, for me, is how convenient this thing is. Now I'm smitten too.

Dirt and grime in those pesky corners and crevices don't stand a chance.

It's the only vacuum I have ever owned that gets every last clump of fur without clogging.

My fiancé and I have literally argued over who gets to vacuum each week since we got this.

It's worth some consideration, especially if you're in the market for a new one, which (warning) is where you might find yourself after reading this!

Here are three somewhat unusual tools that make it easier to accomplish a really deep clean. Plus, they'll give the kind of instant morale booster that motivates you to keep going.

Thank you, mom, for introducing me to these!

Cleaning just got interesting.

Bonus: It'll save you money, space, and plastic waste.

Without extra tools or wasted storage space, you'll get the clean floors you dream of.

Not all cloths are created equal. Which one you grab from your stock ultimately depends on what you’re cleaning.

You might think it's time to invest in a new one. But not so fast!

Here are 5 reasons I think this might be the best microfiber mop you can buy.

No spray paint allowed.

I got it at Target as a stocking stuffer last year and I love everything about it.

It lets you wipe off anything your fingers can touch—a sort of spotless-making Midas touch.

Keeping things simple is one way to preserve your limited resources. And the principle is just as relevant to your cleaning arsenal as it is to anything else.

Here are some tried and true ways to expand your use of OxiClean beyond the laundry stain soak you've come to know and love.

And not one of them is a Dyson.

This trusty cleaning tool helped me tackle cushions stained with spit up, shower doors littered with hard water marks, and hardwood floors caked with tomato sauce.

Before you spring for a new machine, check through this list of common vacuuming mistakes that could be sabotaging your attempts.

Its fans include one editor's mom *and* grandma.

I recently started keeping one of these by the sink, and right away it came in handy for even more chores than expected.

Parenthood is definitely full of surprises, but “Yes, I’d leave my 6-year-old alone with a Sharpie” is truly something I never thought I’d say.

Looking for help remembering to clean those “forgotten” areas of the home that have a huge impact on your space looking and feeling clean? Well we’ve got today’s assignment to tackle: Blinds! They’re a common element in many homes that we tend to leave off of our regular cleaning to-do lists. Take an hour (or less!) of time to tackle today.

"Newer" doesn't necessarily mean "better."

What if you could have one stain-fighting solution to cover all your bases? And, better yet, what if it was even more effective than the alternatives?

Even the deepest, darkest, toughest stains don't stand a chance against this miracle in a bottle!

Plus, what you should use instead.

You can breathe new life into your vacuum cleaner in one weekend afternoon.

Picture this: Inspired by the window-cleaning marathon you completed while getting a jump start on spring cleaning, you’re cleaning all the glass in your house. You’ve done all the doors, the glass that protects every photo that’s hung on the wall or displayed on a bookshelf, and the mirrored tray on your oversized tufted ottoman. In your zeal, you’ve finished a spray bottle of glass cleaner.

It's like magic.

To truly master all the skills of maintaining a home is an exhaustive list and frankly, out of reach for many people. But even if knowing everything about home repair and DIY is not on your list of life goals, there are still a few skills worth knowing. This year, consider finally mastering a few from this list of ten — they’re skills that will come in handy in just about any home and not that difficult to learn!

Sturdy and stiff enough to thoroughly clean, yet gentle enough to not strip away that seasoning.

Let's get introspective.

It can be used to store liquid soaps, too.

Step away from the smelly sponge, I've got just the solution for you!

Spotless floors in a jiffy, and you're not even touching the grossest part of the mop!

IKEA's new collection is meant to tidy up your home in no time.

These eight quick tests will tell you if a used vacuum works well, and if it had a rough past life.

For hundreds of Amazon's 5-star reviewers, there’s one stain treatment that stands out from the rest.

It’s no secret that probiotics are one secret weapon for healthier digestion and overall wellness. But this popular wellness remedy is now making its way into the world of cleaning products, too.

From a scrub brush to a hand duster, here are the seven things you need to clean every inch of your space.

It works like magic!

Because a wet towel under the door can only do so much.

We put the cheaper, generic brand to the test against mighty Mr. Clean, and one came out on top.

Those of us who survive and thrive in this world of letting strangers tell the internet how tidy we are have learned some mad skills when it comes to cleaning and laundry.

If it feels like your home is literally covered in hair — whether it's yours or your pet's — you're not alone.

It's true: Dusting seems futile. But that's no reason to let it go. Here are two ways you might be dusting wrong.