The Cleaning Awards

Cleaning with gloves makes the experience far better than cleaning without them, and these Casabella Premium Waterblock Reusable Gloves are our go-to. They’ll keep your hands free from germs as you tidy around the home and safe from hot water burns as you wash dishes. We love that this reusable option is sturdy, easy to take on and off, and prevents water from getting inside with its water-blocking cuffs.

We could go on and on about the iconic Scrub Daddy sponge. What makes it truly great is its versatility and that it doesn't hold onto odors. It alters its texture and function based on the water temperature, so if you need a soft and flexible sponge, use hot water on it; for a tougher scrubber, use cold water instead. And the smiling face? Use the eyes for grip to get into glasses and the mouth to clean utensils.

This OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Dish Brush is our pick to get your dirty plates and glasses sparkling clean. This game-changing tool allows you to comfortably dispense soap as you scrub away and features durable nylon bristles that are safe to use on nonstick surfaces. It also comes with a scraper on the back to remove any caked-on food.

If you're the proud owner of a reusable water bottle, you know just how important (and difficult!) it is to get every nook and cranny clean. Enter: the OXO Good Grips Bottle Brush, which will be the only bottle brush you need to get the job done. This one has a specially shaped head with dual-action bristles to give your bottles the heavy-duty clean they need. The comfortable handle is a major plus, too.

Meet the Rolls-Royce of dish racks: the simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack. We rave about this stunning dish rack and its large capacity to hold dishes, utensils, mugs, stemmed wine glasses, and more. The swivel spout allows for great water drainage (no matter how you place it), and the hydrophilic coated tray evaporates water quickly. Have a smaller counter to work with? No problem. This dish rack is also sold in a compact version.

Every kitchen needs a scraper, and this is the one to get. The Double Edged Plastic Razor Blade Scrapers can remove even the most stubborn messes without damaging surfaces, so you can go all out on your dirty stovetop or those stuck-on foods on your pots and pans. It’s inexpensive and a truly valuable tool.

We love a tool that pulls double duty in its function, and the simplehuman Paper Towel Pump takes the cake. Hidden inside the paper towel holder is a pump that can dispense a cleaning solution. So, see a mess? Tear a paper towel (or replace it with reusable ones!) and grab the pump to spray, wipe, and voila! Clean surfaces.

Say goodbye to stinky trash! The simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can is our definition of a high-end trash can, and it’ll make all the difference in your kitchen. This dual trash can/recycler has a step pedal, soft-close lid, and a place to stash extra trash bags. The fact that it can be optimized with odor-eliminating add-ons (like simplehuman’s odorsorb pods and custom fit liners) is the cherry on top.

The Voweek Electric Spin Scrubber is so good at cleaning the bathroom with its extendable handle and adjustable brushes that you'll wish you'd bought it sooner. “The convenience that using an electric scrubber offers for cleaning grime in tough-to-reach areas is apparent instantly,” says our Executive Lifestyle Director, Charli Penn. “I’ve seen many versions of these on the market, with different features offered, but this set met all my needs on the first try.”

This OXO Good Grips Extendable Tub and Tile Scrubber is another must-have tool for helping you reach hard places without having to crouch down to clean. It extends out from 26 to 46 inches and is great for the bathtub, tile floors, and walls.

“I never thought a squeegee could look good and work well too, until now,” our Executive Lifestyle Director, Charli Penn, said about the Hiware All-Purpose Shower Squeegee. The tool, with its ergonomic handle, is easy to use and does a supremely great job of removing excess water after use. Plus, it’s well-made, can be mounted in your shower, and doubles as modern bathroom decor.

Making the switch to silicone toilet brushes is more sanitary than switching to other brushes, according to experts, and this Joseph Joseph Flex Toilet Brush is the one to get. Its flexible D-shaped head makes it easy to reach all parts of the toilet bowl, plus it’s made of water-repellent materials.

For the bathroom you’ll need a flange plunger and if you don't already have one, then this heavy-duty SteadMax Rubber Toilet Plunger is our pick. It can unclog toilets and sink and tub drains and has a sleek anti-slip wooden handle.

The Scotch-Brite Dishwand is a brilliant bathroom find. Yes, this is technically a kitchen tool, but we’ve discovered just how incredible it is as a shower scrubber. It’s inexpensive and lightweight, and the handy soap dispensing button allows you to dole out just the right amount of cleaner when you need it. It’s a “time-saving trick” to keep it in the shower so you can work it into your everyday routine.

“Reliability is everything when it comes to household essentials, and this vacuum delivers reliability on all fronts, from immediate use to longevity and durability,” shares former Best List Writer Kendall Cornish. She’s had the Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum for years and it’s still going strong, but our favorite part is that it is just so affordable.

"The Dyson Gen5detect Vacuum is everything you want in a cordless vacuum," says our Senior Editor, Cleaning & Organizing, Stephanie Nguyen. It has powerful suction, HEPA filtration, a run time of 70 minutes, and single-button power control (that means no trigger!). The various tools allow you to clean across surfaces, from floors to carpets, and the handheld dusting and crevice tool is built into the vacuum, which means you can go from cordless to handheld in seconds.

Our Executive Lifestyle Director, Charli Penn, says that she’ll never use another wet-dry vacuum again after having the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Wet Dry Vacuum in her home. “This is the clear winner,” she gushes, adding that she was able to clean, vacuum, and sanitize her entire kitchen floor in exactly seven minutes.

“Cleaning is my most dreaded activity, but the LG CordZero makes it as stress-free as possible,” says our Deputy Commerce Editor, Alicia Kort, in her review. This vacuum really is an “all in one." You can vacuum and mop in one fell swoop — just return it to its self-emptying dock before switching to the mop attachment, and boom! You're done. It really does make cleaning stress-free.

The Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum has an incredibly powerful suction to help you deep clean your floors and carpets. The two brush rolls pick up all kinds of debris, including hair, and its odor-neutralizing technology prevents bad odors from staying inside of your vacuum.

For an affordable robot vacuum that’ll get the job done, look to eufy RoboVac 25C Vacuum. This slim model has WiFi connectivity and can be controlled via an app. It has a total runtime of 100 minutes and can be used for carpets and floors. This robot vacuum even made our 2022 Best List.

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is thoroughly impressive. It self-cleans, empties, washes, dries, and refills — which makes it a "self-sufficient powerhouse," says Senior Editor, Cleaning & Organizing, Stephanie Nguyen. Once it's set up and maps your home, it’ll take care of the cleaning: first vacuuming and mopping, then cleaning itself.

We’ve seen our share of spin mops, and the O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop is the best — full stop. The mop bucket is designed with a built-in wringer that you can use hands-free. The mop heads are reusable and machine-washable and the handle extends to 48 inches. Combined with the brand’s new cleaning pods, you can mop to your heart's desire.

The Swiffer PowerMop is the newest product Swiffer offers and it stands out among other spray mops. This is an all-in-one cleaning system that can be used across different surfaces. The 360 swivel head can glide under furniture and go up against baseboards effortlessly, plus the larger mop pad can lock in debris.

“The PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop is seriously a game-changer, and I only wish I had gotten it sooner,” shares Director of Commerce, Mark Marino, in his review. “I have been wowed by how useful it is and how it makes cleaning my apartment so much faster and easier.” This wonder tool even transforms into a handheld steamer that can be used for clothes, too.

The Dotti Best Broom & Dustpan swept the floor in the world of brooms and dustpans. “This broom isn’t just a looker in my home; it’s been a complete game-changer for my cleaning routine, all thanks to its unique silicone bristles,” shares SEO Commerce Writer, Haley Lyndes. After use, the silicone broom can be washed for the next round of sweeping.

The Gleener Fabric Shaver & Lint Brush is magical because it de-pills fabrics without batteries. “It’s small, easy to stash or travel with (it comes with a little on-the-go storage pouch), and a cinch to use,” says Executive Home Director, Danielle Blundell, in her review. It comes with three attachments to use on various fabrics, and it can pick up lint and pet hair with the integrated lint brush.

At first, you might think this is a hair straightener. But it's so much better than that. The Nori Press eliminates wrinkles and creases from clothes and gets them looking their best. It's a combination clothes steamer/iron, and Commerce SEO Editor, Sarah Vazquez, has been singing its praises for years. As someone who hates traditional ironing, Vazquez calls it “life-changing."

We cannot stress enough how important it is to clean your dryer vent yearly, and when it comes time to do it, you’ll want to have the Holikme 2 Pieces Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit. This tool makes the process so much easier with a flexible vacuum hose that can get behind the appliance and an extra-long lint brush to clean the trapped lint.

If you can only have one lint roller, it should be the Scotch-Brite Lint Roller. You can’t beat its value and price, and it picks up everything from lint and fuzz to hair and debris. Plus, you can hide it away almost anywhere: in a drawer by the door so you can do a quick lint check or even in the kitchen to catch some crumbs. The possibilities are endless.

The E-Cloth Home Cleaning Set has every cloth you need to clean your home. There’s a cloth for stainless steel, windows, glass, and more. But the best part about these premium microfiber cloths is that all you need to do is add water to use them (no additional cleaners required!).

The Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Extender Handle Starter Kit helps you banish dust high and low. Commerce SEO Editor Sarah Vazquez's home has high ceilings, and this extendable duster was just the thing to help her reach hard spots without pulling out a step stool. Plus, it firmly holds onto dust without kicking it up in the air.

MR.SIGA Professional Window Cleaning Combo works like a charm; it removes dust and pollen buildup from windows effortlessly. “The microfiber absorbs water like a champ and the squeegee’s rubber blade is sturdy, so it effortlessly made my windows look like new in minutes,” shares Executive Lifestyle Director, Charli Penn.

Apartment Therapy editors can’t get enough of the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty (it even ranked as the best overall air purifier on our 2024 Best List!). Senior Editor, Cleaning & Organizing, Stephanie Nguyen, even owns two — that's how good of an air purifier it is.

We love how the Black+Decker dustbuster Pivot Vac 20V Max Cordless Handheld Vacuum has a nozzle that can pivot up to 200 degrees, so that it gets into all the hard-to-reach parts of your home. Plus, Deputy Commerce Editor, Alicia Kort, says that the design and compactness of it are a couple of her favorite things about this handheld vacuum.

We're big fans of Bissell’s Little Green Machine, so let us introduce you to our new favorite: the Bissell Little Green Machine Cordless. "It has all the might of the original," shares Senior Editor, Cleaning & Organizing, Stephanie Nguyen. "But now you can bring it with you everywhere because it’s cordless!" Plus, it's so compact that it barely takes up room on your shelf.

The Black+Decker Pet Hair Remover is like a lint roller, but way better. The brush picks up fur and then secures it in a dustbin. Once full, simply empty it with the push of a button. “I’m always amazed by how much hair it sweeps up because it collects even what I can’t see (and I have a dark couch, so everything shows),” says Best List Editor, Britt Franklin.

Dremel collaborated with Scrub Daddy to deliver a small yet mighty power scrubber that’s become an instant hit. “After adding this device to my deep cleaning routine, I don’t think I’ll need to scrub at my counters and bathroom as frequently as I used to — it cuts through that much grime,” says Commerce Editorial Assistant, Morgan Pryor, in her review.

Best List Editor, Britt Franklin, and her family swear by the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush. The portable stain remover is lightweight, handheld, rechargeable, and cordless — so you can take it room to room as you need it to clean up messes and tackle stains with ease.

When it comes to cleaning your baseboards, you’re going to want the Baseboard Buddy. This smart tool features a cleaning head that adjusts neatly to your baseboard and a long handle so you don’t have to bend down to clean. The microfiber cloth pad that goes on it is washable and reusable.

The Bissell SteamShot Deluxe is the standout tool you need. You might have spotted this steam cleaner all over social media, with many people talking about how well it cleans and also how many things it can clean. It comes with 10 multi-surface tools that you can use to clean grout, appliances, windows, and more. That’s why we named it our product of the year.