
If You Get Slightly Obsessive When Cleaning, These 33 Products Will Give You Thorough, Immediate Results
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This has been a great addition to our cleaning regime. We wash cars, sidewalks, and backyard pool areas. Today I am cleaning my outdoor BBQ and can't wait to get started. It is easy to use and set up and cleans everything easily. The canister is easy to pull around and never tips over due to its unique wheel design. I highly recommend this product." — Caroline Leary
Get it from Amazon for $124.56+ (available in eight styles, from 2100–3400 Max PSI).
2. Some under-$7/bottle(!!) Purple Power Industrial Strength Degreaser because when you need to tackle a super big, tough cleaning job — like blasting through disgusting road grease on your car wheels or the thick oily buildup on your kitchen exhaust fan's filter — you want something that requires basically no scrubbing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Dilute it according to the instructions, apply to your surface, and wait for your jaw to drop. While it's excellent for the heavy duty problems, it is a tad harsh, so always test in a hidden area before using it on painted surfaces or fabrics.
Promising review: "This stuff is like magic. I had used another brand always before, and ended up trying this one out. I used to have to scrub with a metal brush. This seems to melt the oil stain off the driveway and I have to scrub way less. It doesn't leave any residue after washing off with water." — Clay H. Pinkerton
Get a gallon of concentrate from Amazon for $6.97. Also available in an already-diluted spray bottle for $6.49.
3. A fur (and faux-fur) de-matting brush to rewind the clock on that matted, tangled, dirty fuzz on your favorite throw, pillow, chair, Ugg boots, or teddy bear coat so it once more looks exactly like the day you got it. That stuff can be $$$$, so it's worth it to take care of it. Hey Parents: This will bring well-loved stuffed animals back to soft touchable life!
Promising review: "I got an expensive sheep hair chair from CB2. I thought I could just vacuum it but it wasn't removing the dust/dirt/lint bits and the seat was matting after six months of daily use. This cleaned and smoothed it out well. I got the suggestion from professional furniture restorers. It WILL remove some hairs, particularly if matted, but the hairs are often loose anyway. All dust/dirt/lint bits combed right out and it looks new again." — SH
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
4. An electric spin scrubber that scours on its own, so all you have to do is give it some soap to work with. Extendable handle to reach high and help prevent back pain from bending over? Check. Three speeds? Check. Rechargeable 90-minute battery life? Check. Four brush attachments and four scrubber attachments to tackle any task? Check.
You also get a mesh bag for all those brushes and a hook for storing the scrubber. A little screen shows you the speed and battery percentage!
Promising review: "This electric spin scrubber has completely transformed my cleaning routine! The cordless design makes it so convenient to use, and the three adjustable speeds provide the perfect amount of power for different surfaces. I love the eight replaceable brush heads — there's a perfect one for every cleaning task, from the shower to kitchen tiles. The adjustable long handle is a game-changer for reaching high or low spots without straining my back. It's durable, easy to use, and makes deep cleaning effortless. Highly recommend for anyone looking to save time and effort on household chores!" — ~Eddie~
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors).
5. A bottle of food-grade mineral oil so after you give your much-beloved wood cutting boards and kitchen tools a regular wash with soap, you can finish the job and restore them to their original rich luster too. Wipe it on, and ta-da! What a difference.
Promising reviews: "Best ever! Saw this in a BuzzFeed article and decided to give it a try and I do not regret it. My board looks beautiful, and my knives and scissors are back to their original condition." — ares
"We've been using Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil on all our hardwood cutting boards, and it's been fantastic! It keeps the wood nourished, prevents it from drying out, and gives the boards a beautiful, smooth finish. It's easy to apply and doesn't leave any greasy residue. This mineral oil has become a must-have for maintaining our kitchen tools!" — Perfect Cents
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
6. A shoe cleaner literally called Pink Miracle since that's just how well it works! If your spring shoes from 2024 are covered in dirt but otherwise still have hundreds of wears in them, skip spending $$$ on new shoes. Instead, make last year's look brand-new again in just five minutes with this stuff.
It works on polyester, mesh, nubuck, leather (including patent leather), and suede! Yes, use it on the laces, too. You get a bottle of soap and a cleaning brush.
Promising review: "Literal magic in a bottle!!! A must-have for pristine sneakers! It took just a couple of minutes per shoe to get them white again. The cleaner effectively removes dirt and stains, restoring my sneakers to their original glory. It's especially impressive on white shoes, leaving them looking fresh and new. The cleaner is also gentle, ensuring it doesn't damage the delicate materials like suede and nubuck. The brush is sturdy yet gentle enough to use on different fabrics without causing any damage. The combination of the cleaner and the brush makes the cleaning process quick and efficient." — brad1856
Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in three sizes).
7. An under-$5 window track cleaning brush specifically designed for getting deep down in those gross crevices thanks to narrow bristles on one end, an easy-hold middle handle, and a narrow scraper on the other end. Pair with your favorite all-purpose cleaner and some paper towels to wipe, and in less than five minutes, say "bye" to the eyesore!
Promising review: "This is fantastic for cleaning the narrow space between where the metal sliding door track meets the plastic edge of the shower. Normally I'd use an old toothbrush and cotton swab but this is way better. It is decent quality and comfortable to hold while digging into the corners and scrubbing. The pointy end is great for putting a paper towel into the deep corners to dry or get gunk out." — Bonzarelli
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $4.99 (available in 5 color combos).
8. A rechargeable air blaster so you can clear the thick layer of dust, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair from all those finnicky little buttons in your car's dash with a couple of quick button presses. It's better than putty or slime because air leaves no residue and it's better than canned air because it's reusable!
It has three settings (low, medium, and high) and, according to reviewers, can only run for a few minutes at the highest blast. BUT use it like you would canned air — in several short bursts for small areas — and literally a few seconds later, it'll look like your dashboard and laptop keyboard were detail cleaned! It's great for areas where you want to avoid moisture, like electronics.
The kit comes with three nozzle widths and a collection of 10 small brushes to use alongside the air.
Promising review: "The best word I can use to describe this tool is PO-WER-FUL!! This air duster packs so much power! I was able to dust my fans, keyboard, and hard-to reach areas in my car where the vacuum can't reach, and blew the dust away. If you have a dusty home INVEST IN THIS!!" — S.
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
9. An almond-scented wood polish and cleaner to both bust through the layers of dirt and hard water buildup on your most-used kitchen cabinets and condition the wood and finish so they gleam in one fell swoop. *mic drop*
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Therapy Clean is a small family-owned biz specializing in plant-based cleaning products that work.
Promising review:"I didn't realize how 'thirsty' my furniture was until I used this product. It made my dining table look great (and it is 20-years-old and used daily). Also, it applies easily and doesn't leave streaks. Highly recommend!" — Keri
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
10. A vinyl record cleaning kit — sure it's niche, but if you have a collection you use regularly, you know how dust can buildup on them and affect the audio quality. And if you're somewhat obsessive about cleaning, you're gonna want this specialty brush kit so your records, needle, and turntable all come out spick-and-span.
The kit includes the pictured velvet record brush, a spray bottle of record cleaner, a stylus brush for the needle, and a small bristled cleaning brush for cleaning the dust off the velvet brush.
Promising review: "I bought this kit immediately after getting some vinyls and a record player. I'm so impressed with how well it cleans! I should've taken pictures of what came off of the visibly dirty vinyls (a LOT of dust and a bit of cat hair). While you can make it harder for yourself and clean it on a flat surface, you can simply put your record on the player and hold the brush in one place! It's so quick and works so well!! This was the help my vinyls so desperately needed to boost their audio quality!" — Susie W
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
11. A solvent-based cleaner for any upholstery or fabric you have that has an "S" on its cleaning tag: "W" means you should use a water-based cleaner, so "S" means solvent cleaners are best! Quit staring despairingly at that pink strawberry milk stain that's graced your heirloom chair for over a year now...buy this to make it disappear like *abracadabra*.
Any marked with a "W/S" means you can use either, of course.
Promising review:"Extremely effective. I own a furniture store. We purposely spread some butter, french fry grease, and pomegranate juice on a Clean Code "S" fabric swatch, and let it sit for a day. Then we put on gloves, put some fluid on a small part of a rag, dabbed at the spill (didn't rub into it), which disintegrated the spill. Did this a few times, and lightly scraped sideways over the spill. You can't even see where the spills were. We keep this swatch on our desk when we write up our sales orders. Every one of our customers who buys a fabric sofa or chair, that has code S fabric, buys one of these or else we include it for free. I ordered a case for our stock." — J. Rasmussen
Get a bottle from Amazon for $9.50.
12. A jewelry cleaning kit because it comes complete with everything you need to get your entire collection clean in a single pass so you don't spend hours trying to get that sparkle back: a silver polishing cloth to rub away tarnish, a stone cleaner solution to dissolve gunk and grime, and a detail brush to make quick work of stubborn spots. Thank you, basic chemistry, for making it so, so easy.
www.amazon.com
It's effective and safe for all metals and stones, including costume jewelry. Just skip it for your pearls; those you should only clean with a damp soft cloth.
Promising review: "I didn't take care of my Pandora bracelet and it became very tarnished. I used this product one time and it literally worked like a magic eraser but for jewelry! The solution didn't have a smell, it was very easy to use. Everything shown came as described." — Josiphine Casarez
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
13. Or some silver polishing wipes if that's the majority of your jewelry collection, or you have some silver candlesticks, your grandmother's silver pitcher, or other antique or shiny valuables you want to revive. Simply rub one of these in circles to watch the tarnish disappear like whoa.
It's safe to use on silver, gold, brass, and silver-plated metals like aluminum!
Promising review: "Before, my jewelry was so dusty and crusty that my jewelry box was like a doom box where rings and necklaces went to die. It was SO satisfying to do. I recommend wearing gloves, though. I was so excited to try the wipes that I went at it bare-handed, and after one necklace, my fingers were uncomfortably dry. Slid on some gloves, and the rest was a breeze. 10/10 recommend." — Sarah
Get a pack of 20 wipes from Amazon for $9.98 (also available in a 40-pack).
14. An extra large MagicFiber microfiber cleaning cloth that's exactly like the tiny cleaning cloths that come with your laptop and phone, except HUGE. I'm talking 16 x 16 inches. It'll literally make fingerprints, smears, and dirt on your treasured TV vanish immediately, so you won't spend ten minutes looking at the screen from every possible angle to ensure no gunk remains.
www.amazon.com
A different type of microfiber than the towels you use for car and house cleaning, these have a super tight weave that's safe for more delicate surfaces like camera lenses, eye glasses, and modern flat screen TVs.
Promising review: "Woah, oh, oh, it's MAGIC! This cloth is amazing! We have tried all sorts of cleaners and they made our TV so much worse. Then, while searching Amazon to find yet another "good" cleaner, I came upon these. No cleaner necessary it says and they were so right! It was that instant gratification you get when you buff the wax off your car." — Lane
Get a three pack from Amazon for $14.99.
15. A set of reusable, extra-thick microfiber mop pads for nabbing entire neighborhoods of dust bunnies in a single swipe when used dry, and wiping up dried mud, pasta sauce, or whatever everyday gunk's gracing your wood, tile, and other hard floors when used wet. Designed to fit snugly on your Swiffer and wash effortlessly in the laundry, you'll cut down on single-use pad waste, especially if you dust-mop daily.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
You'll cut down on single-use pad waste while making everyday cleaning about ten billion times easier.
Promising review: "A truly great eco-friendly cleaning product! These clean like magic! So much better than the wasteful disposables. Another plus: they clean with just water so no unpleasant artificial cleaning smell." — Sarah D
Get a set of two from Amazon for $11.49.
16. Some Goo Gone because it gives you the power at your fingertips to quickly and painlessly remove mysterious sticky substances, pretty much wherever you find them. Duct tape gunk on the wall? So long. Sticker muck on your car or fridge or floor? Farewell. Cooked on grease at the bottom of a skillet? Auf wiedersehen. Chewed bubblegum on your couch cushion? Goodnight (to the stain).
I bought a bottle of this stuff when I moved in 2021 — it was super useful then, and since that point I've used it to clean stubborn grease off of kitchen cabinets and my stove's hood several times, and pulled it out for several other mystery sticky stains and messes. But the move story is the most compelling:
Back then, my partner had hung up these posters that used big foam adhesive squares (no, they were not Command Strips), and when we pulled them off the wall, they left a bunch of foam and sticky stuff behind. Goo Gone (plus a plastic scraper) came to the rescue! It took a little patience, but the stuff would never have come off without the Goo Gone. It helped break down both the foam stuff and the adhesive, which came off in little bits, leaving nothing behind. We did then wash off the paint with some dish soap and water — Goo Gone is super greasy — but by the end, you couldn't tell anything had been there at all, and the paint was undamaged.
Promising review: "This stuff is magic. I had previously bought some other adhesive remover which was so pungent. This stuff worked better than that at removing adhesive residue. The residue came off effortlessly by wiping with a cloth wetted with the fluid. AND: no discernible smell whatsoever. Just MAGIC." — AH
Get two bottles from Amazon for $15.97 (they also make a spray-on version for $19.98).
17. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets featuring citric acid to dissolve that gray-looking mineral buildup, wash away lingering grease, and leave behind nothing but a lovely lemony scent and shiny, new-looking stainless steel. Close the dishwasher door, run a cycle with a tablet, and voila!
www.amazon.com
Use one monthly to maintain the shine and avoid future buildup!
Promising reviews: "Finally bought these after struggling with a very smelly dishwasher. I followed the instructions and on the first round put 2 tablets in and WOW no more smell. And not only did it work immediately but now I've gone weeks with no return of the smell either! Can't recommend enough." — Madison Bean
"I thought our dishwasher was just old and didn't clean well due to the hard water. But, when I gave these a try, I immediately had clean dishes without spots." — Rebecca Park Totilo
Get a box of 24 from Amazon for $18.95.
18. A handheld steam cleaner that's the closest you can get to pointing to an object, exclaiming "clean thyself!" and watching the grime dissipate before your very eyes. Why? It does the job with JUST WATER, no solvents or surfactants. Sure, it may take a little more effort than using the nonwater chemicals, but if those irritate you, go with this for impressive results.
Anything that can benefit from (and withstand) heat and moisture = perfect for this. For example, dried-on stains in your car mats, sticky grease in the kitchen, and ground-in dirt in grout.
Promising review: "This handheld steam cleaner is awesome! Heats up fast, blasts out a good amount of steam, and tackles most clean-up jobs quickly. I used it in the bathroom for the shower, toilet, and sinks, and it made the job a lot easier. I also used it to clean the kitchen range under the grates. It's like brand new. The attachments are handy, and it's small enough to lug around easily. Plus, no chemicals needed, which I really like. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to freshen things up, this is it." — McGrvy
Get it from Amazon for $55.99.
19. A leather stain remover spray because even though leather's usually relatively stain resistant, years with kids, pets, spouses, or just our own messy selves eventually take their toll on car leather, leather furniture, and even leather purses. Nab this to zap away all those marker drawings, queso drip remnants, and built-up skin oils with a simple spritz and wipe.
www.amazon.com
This also works on durablend, vinyl, compound, saffiano, faux and other leather or leather-like surfaces.
Promising reviews:"Was skeptical using this product on my favorite Celine bag, so I tested it out on a stain on the bottom of my bag just in case something bad happened. It quickly removed that stain and I continued to use the spray on a stain I got from my black jeans. Like magic the stain was gone and my bag has been restored! Would definitely recommend!" — Sarah P.
Get it and a microfiber cloth from Amazon for $19.98.
20. A tub of The Pink Stuff cleaning paste so you can instantly shine or de-gunk dozens of different surfaces without having to scrub for hours *or* worry about scratching your chrome, marble, porcelain, wood, glass shower door or stove top, or stainless steel. No need to go over the same spot again and again and again when this gets it the first time!
Promising reviews:"I have very hard water in my apartment and the hard water stains and soap scum are so hard to clean in my bathroom. I've used Magic Erasers, several different types of soap scum cleaners, industrial bleach, etc. The instant I rubbed the pink stuff on the hard water stains in my tub, they came off immediately with hardly any elbow grease. It barely took any effort and soap scum and hard water stains just rubbed away instantly. I highly recommend it!!" — Seven
" I saw this in a BuzzFeed article and thought, no way it's THAT good....It's that good. It's better than good. My shower looks better than new. It took rust stains off tile. It took years of hard water scale buildup off in seconds. It is literally a miracle product." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
21. A soft cleanser that, with very little effort on your part, will banish years of built-up hard water stains on tile or glass, truly transforming your shower right before your eyes and satisfying your deep need to quickly but thoroughly melt away every last little calcium stain.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This cleaner works magic on our glass shower doors! Removes stubborn hard water stains like no other cleaner. I just rubbed it on with a damp sponge, let it sit a few minutes then rinsed with the shower head. I must say the price is a little inflated here but I'm just happy the product works as great as it does!" — FitDaddy
Get two bottles from Amazon for $13.
22. A Baseboard Buddy — it's designed specifically to pick up all the grime from the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies like baseboards, moldings, and grates in one quick wipe, zero bending over or crawling on your hands and knees required. Satisfy your week-long baseboard botheration: simply walk around your house holding this next to you, and *poof*! Dust is gone!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It includes three washable, reusable pads that you can use wet or dry. One reviewer who's over 65 swears by it because it's so difficult for them to get up and down!
Promising reviews: "Works like magic. Finally I don't have to crawl around the floor to clean the baseboards." — Kelly tomolonis
"Easy to use and care for! By far the best investment I've made as a professional cleaner. No more needing to bend over and hurt my back and knees! Washing the cleaning pads is also super easy and convenient!" — Y&M Rico
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
23. A tub of 90 oversize heavy-duty cleaning wipes perfect for tough jobs big and small. You know that grease and dust wasteland on the stove hood? This reviewer says these wiped that off "like it was nothing." And this reviewer says it "removed a level of grime that looked like had been there for years" on their outdoor table that had been hosed down already.
www.amazon.com
It only takes a few swipes to remove grease, oil, tar, ink, paint, permanent marker, food stains, and so much more from all kinds of surfaces like fabric, carpet, leather, and painted walls.
Promising review:"Magical. Look no further. These wipes got — no joke — 50 year-old tape goop off of the walls in our home's laundry room. I have a wall in my kitchen that my big dog likes to lay against and I have never been able to get it 100% clean. These wipes made it look like I put a fresh coat of paint on the wall. Get these for anything you need to clean that you thought was hopeless. You won't regret it!" — Joy
Get a tub from Amazon for $14.98.
24. A pumice stone to vanquish those built-up hard water stains without using up all your spare energy for the day. If your toilets look like the one below, this should 1,000% become a staple in your cleaning routine. Bleach and other typical cleaners won't make a dent on the dried minerals, but this will!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a 19-year-old master bathroom toilet that had accumulated some nasty stains over time which regular toilet brushes and cleaning products just would not remove. Pumice stone worked like a charm! Given the nature and severity of the stains, it required some elbow grease, but 10 minutes later I have a new-looking bowl, and I see no signs of scratching. Am very happy with this purchase...well worth the very low price!" — Happy Retiree
Get one from Amazon for $12.99.
25. A bottle of EcoTools makeup brush and sponge shampoo to vanish all the embedded layers of foundation, contour, concealer, powder, and eye makeup on your favorite applicator like it was never there. When the rest of the bathroom sparkles, you gotta get your makeup brushes sparkling, too.
www.amazon.com
And it could help with your acne, too, because washing your makeup tools cuts down the amount of dirt and bacteria that tend to accumulate on them over time. (Oh, and it's cruelty-free.)
Promising review:"Cleans like magic. My mind is blown at well this soap works. I have tried all kinds of soap (Beauty Blender soap, Ivory bar soap, MAC brush cleaner, Dawn dish soap, etc). I am very thorough but could never get my sponges or brushes completely clean. But a little soak in a small bowl with this EcoTools soap, and the makeup comes right out. A little rubbing and squeezing is all it takes. I'm a convert." — ss3745
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
26. A squeegee broom so you can extract years' worth of built-up, embedded pet hair from your carpet and rugs like you're The Queen of Cleaning Fairies herself. Can you believe the German Shepard owner who took this pic uses a Dyson pet vac — and THAT is how much hair the broom got that the vacuum didn't??
www.amazon.com
One of our readers owns this and loves it so much they commented about it:
"I bought the squeegee broom and it did wonders for getting hair (both mine and my cats) out of the carpet, carpet looks great now!" — socks1234, from this roundup of hall-of-fame products
It features rubber bristles along one edge, and if you flip it, a wide rubber squeegee on the other — some reviewers find the squeegee side is more effective on carpet than the bristles, so could be worth a try! Oh, and the handle telescopes 36–60 inches, so you can store it easily but also like, use it to squeegee off high windows if necessary.
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in compact and heavy duty versions).
27. A pack of Bottle Bright fizzing cleaning tablets — you simply drop one into almost any seemingly permanently stained travel mug or stainless water bottle to banish built-up stains without scrubbing even one little bit. Yes, even the mug you've entrusted with your black coffee to for two years now and only really rinsed out with water the whole time.
Promising reviews: "My Yeti tumblers are used for tea. Every day. I've been using them for years. And there is a disgusting build up that I can never scrub off, not even with a magic eraser (its tannins). These are magical little nuggets of cleaning. My Yeti that is 5+ years old and had 5+ years of tea tannins built up is now sparkling clean like it was brand new!! I put boiling hot water in each cup, dropped in the magical nugget, and let it sit over night. A good scrub and I could sell this as an unused Yeti tumbler!! Worth the money and time!!!" — B.J. Claywell
Get a box of 12 tablets from Amazon for $8.
28. And a brush spinner so you can get every last bit of makeup out of even the dirtiest brushes AND dry 'em — all in less than a minute. It's so quick, easy, and thorough, it'll instantly please your desire for perfection.
www.amazon.com
You charge up the wand with a USB, put your brush in the wand, and choose one of three different speeds to spin it clean in a pretty little glass bowl.
Promising Reviews:"Love this thing! It is amazing and works just as described. It cleans AND dries brushes in seconds!! Dense brushes take a little longer to dry, you just have to let them spin a little longer but it's far better then the day to two drying time I used to deal with. I can use them again immediately after because the brushes are spun completely dry! I used to completely dread cleaning my brushes. Now it's so easy that I do it frequently. Totally worth the investment for someone who hates cleaning their brushes like I did. I've recommended it to others and they love it too!" — A.Grant
"This is such a gem. I found this via BuzzFeed and quickly ordered it. It's cleans and instantly dries your brushes. It doesn't get more convenient than this!!" — Najmah H
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two colors).
29. A window screen and screen door cleaning brush because it's designed with hundreds of tiny little brushes that scrub-a-dub into each and every of those million little holes, disappearing all the grime so fast and efficiently, you won't find dirt left behind when you carefully inspect.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "This thing is the greatest invention since sliced bread! It actually works! and works great at cleaning all my screens, from the small motor home screens to our large patio screen. We live in southern Utah where the red dirt/dust is everywhere and this simple tool takes the work out of cleaning screens. My secret to using this tool is to have a bucket of sudsy water to dip the head into occasionally as you run it up and down and side by side. No streaks, no dirt, no fuss; plus it's gentle on the screen." — KarenLynn
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
30. A automatic scrubbing brush so you can just lazily move it back and forth over whatever stubborn, sticky, rubbed-in mess you're cleaning up this time while it scrubs up to *60 times each second* for you. It's like a giant electric toothbrush, but y'all, I own one, have used it consistently since 2018, and it REALLY works. You literally see the dirt come up and the grout lighten with just 30 seconds of use.
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Grout, tough mold, mystery sticky stuff, and stubborn dirt don't stand a chance. They make a specialty grout head you can buy for it, but TBH the default brush works just as well, unless you have incredibly narrow grout lines.
Promising review:"One of my favorite products of the year. Strongly recommended. Where has THIS been all my life? I have tried for years... literally years... To clean the grout of my bathroom floors, to no avail. I tell you it's simple and works like magic and the grout in my 10-year-old bathroom tile floors has been restored to as new condition. I could not possibly recommend this thing more highly." — Mr. helper
Get it from Amazon for $19.63.
If you want even more info, check out my full Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Review.
31. A microfiber duster to replace all other dusters in your life, because it attracts and holds onto dust like a *magnet* instead of brushing it into the air just to settle again later. Actually getting rid of the dust is THE key to a home that needs less dusting. Go ahead, dust every last little surface in your home, marveling at how it picks up every speck.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This one from Oxo is very thin so it can squeeze into tight crevices. To clean it you just run it through a gentle cycle in the washer and air-dry.
You can buy extra covers for $12.99 each and a long-handled version for $17.99.
Promising reviews: "My housekeeper loves this for dusting. Easy to toss in the wash." — PT
" I hate dusting. I normally would go through many paper towels or rags just to dust around the house. It was such a pain in the neck. After buying this, my dusting days have become much easier! I simply dust and then toss the microfiber part in the washer. It doesn't fall apart in the wash either. Works beautifully!" — PCamps
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
32. A stainless steel cleaner and polish that I suspect will work both *faster* and *better* than pretty much any other stainless steel cleaner you've tried — because it did for my mom AND the 13,000 other people who have left 5-star ratings. I used it myself to obsessively clean my stainless fridge yesterday, and it effortlessly erased finger prints, food drips, and a ton of stubborn mystery stuck-on black stuff from the last tenant.
www.amazon.com
My mom tried like, three or four different stainless cleaners before I showed her this one, and y'all: she swears by it because it's easier and faster to use than the others, and makes all of her stainless appliances SO SHINY!
Therapy Clean is a small family-owned biz specializing in plant-based cleaning products that work.
Promising review:" Where this cleans just as well as others, it streaks less thus taking less time to use. It does smell good, but even better, it actually protects your appliances from getting fingerprints again so quickly!
I have spent an hour cleaning all my appliances just to have prints again as soon as kids are home. This cleaner has kept my appliances smudge free for over a week! It's magical!" — JenniK
Get a bottle and a streak-free cloth from Amazon for $19.95.
33. A bottle of Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator, which you absolutely NEED if your cat, dog, or toddler causes 99% of your big problem SMELLY STAINS. Think pee, poop, and vomit funk specifically. Even if there's not a stain but there's still a lingering wet dog smell on your couch, this stuff will make it go *poof*.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Angry Orange, a small biz started in 2014, makes all kinds of supplies to clean up after your pets!
Promising reviews:"I decided to buy this product after reading the reviews. I bought it because we have four big, BIG, HAIRY dogs that think they are Chichuahuas and should be inside all the time, and I'm very self-conscious of their smell any time someone comes to our house. I vacuum everyday, and I use carpet deodorizers often, but still... there is always a faint dog "scent" that remains. Angry Orange smells very orangey (of course!) when you apply it, but the scent doesn't last long. When it fades, it takes with it the dog scent also.
It doesn't mask it, like other products, it takes it away!!! I have a couple of family members that have very good noses and who are very vocal and opinionated, and even they said that they could not smell dogs after using this magical concoction." — Miriam B
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three sizes).
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Buzz Feed
18 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
21 Products Reviewers Say They Used From College On
A shower curtain with pockets — a true space-saving legend you'll be glad you bought freshman year. In the dorms, it'll hold your endless shampoo bottles and face masks; in your first apartment, it might graduate to wine bottles, kids' bath toys, or even a waterproof speaker. Trust me, it's one of those 'why doesn't everyone own this?' items. Promising review: "This is by far one of the best inventions EVER! So, I started getting these in college instead of having shower caddies—all the girls got a big pocket and small pocket —GREAT IDEA! Way less bulk and soap scum around the ledges where normal caddies would get left. As there was an extra pocket, it was a great place to put your phone or even a speaker while in the shower (our phones having waterproof cases, of course). Much like other shower curtains, you can just wash them in the washer or by hand and they are like new! This super durable curtain can be useful if you have kids — you can put their toys! Dogs? Put a treat or tennis ball in the pocket to keep them occupied while bathing them. Need some personal time? The large pockets also easily fit a bottle of wine and can be reached while soaking in the tub. I mean the uses for this thing are endless!" —Ms. Mary Get it from Amazon for $ my colleague's Maytex Quick Dry Pockets Shower Curtain review for more deets! A set of blackout curtains designed to turn 'just five more minutes' into full-on hibernation. They'll help you snooze through your 8 a.m.s now (oops) and keep streetlights from ruining your REM cycles in your future city apartment. Extra perk: they also muffle noise and help control the temperature, which means they're pulling triple duty for years to come. If you don't want to drill into the wall to install curtains, we recommend going with either a tension rod, Command hooks or brackets that connect to existing review: "This is my third time buying these curtains, been using them since college apartments, and now bought them for our guest bedroom. Does a great job of blocking sunlight and more light. These pictures are of the grey curtains." —EdogGet them from Amazon for $15.93+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors). Some foam earplugs that'll be the unsung hero of your backpack. They'll save you from all-night parties in the room next door, rescue your sanity during red-eye flights, help you stay focused in the library, and provide sanctuary from any future partners who snore like chainsaws. Promising review: "I initially bought these to help during my college exams in a computer lab. The constant clacking of keys and clicks of everyone's mouse was distracting me. I only use one, and it completely drowned out the sound in that ear. I started using them when I sleep during the day (I work nights) and use them in both ears. It's silent. I can't hear anything. These are good. I highly recommend. I also have a child who doesn't like loud noises, and she used them during a fireworks show. They didn't fit all the way in her ear (I didn't force them either) and she said they worked well for her." —JASGet a bottle of 50 earplugs from Amazon for $16.49. A lap desk so your 'desk' can be wherever you want it to be. It's a lifesaver for Netflix-fueled paper writing in bed. After graduation, it's perfect for weekend emails, crafting sessions, or balancing your tablet while streaming a full season of your fave show in one sitting. Promising reviews: "I bought this for college. You don't always want to sit at a table or bar. It can be uncomfortable after a period of time. You can chill on your couch or recliner and use this. It works great. I should've bought this a lot earlier." —David"Going back to college has been a challenge for me working two jobs and having four kids. This has made it so much easier to sneak off in my room to do my school work!!!" —AshleyGet it from Amazon for $33.24+ (available in nine colors). A memory foam seat cushion that's basically an apology letter to your tailbone. You'll love it for marathon study sessions now, and it'll stick with you for remote work days, long gaming sessions, or anytime you're trapped in a chair longer than you planned. It's designed to relieve pressure on your tailbone, and reviewers say it's great for reducing lower back reviews: "I'm a college student, and I just moved not too long ago so a lot of my free time is spent sitting in my office chair (probably 10 hours a day). I have one of those gaming chairs that are really common, and in no time at all, the cushion decayed. This product has revolutionized my chair, making it feel brand new. I will probably continue to buy these over brand-new chairs every so often. This is cheaper and equally, if not more, effective than buying a new chair. 💯!" —cody"I broke my tailbone and was in excruciating pain for over 4 months. I got this cushion when I first broke it and was able to sit down, and it was AMAZING. Seriously!!! It allowed my tailbone to heal because it wasn't pressed down on when I sat down. It's been over 6 months (still in pain, but it's way less pain), and I use it every single day. It got me through some of my studies as a college student with mostly online classes. I now bring the cushion to the couch, dinner table, etc. I recommend this to people without injuries, too. It has helped improve my posture so much and takes away the strain of trying to maintain a good posture if you are injured or just too tired to sit up straight. Love this thing. Buy it, please." —Kel. C. Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in six colors). A power strip so you can keep every gadget, charger, and hair appliance plugged in at once. It'll be a dorm lifesaver when you're sharing two outlets with a roommate — and in your next apartment, it'll still be the reason your phone, laptop, lamp, and coffee maker can coexist. This power strip also doubles as a surge reviews: "This is an excellent option for a dorm room. Dorm rooms generally have limited outlets, and colleges often have restrictions on what types of extension cords are acceptable. This round power strip works well under a small desk, meets the residential hall guidelines, and includes ports for directly charging phones and other devices. Perfect." —bsaucoin"Y'all, I have had this thing since my freshman year of college (August of 2018) and I still have it!!!! It still works perfectly and I love it so so so so much! It's an essential for me, and it fits anywhere; it's great quality! They can be heavy, but I think that's a good thing because it isn't surprisingly heavy in weight. Great for the price, and the cord length has never been an issue for me from the bed or my desks in college! 5 stars all the way." —Gabrielle JamesGet it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available in black). A swivel desk chair which nails the sweet spot between comfort and style. It'll make late-night cram sessions feel less torturous, and when you've moved on to your first real home office, you'll be glad you didn't settle for the squeaky, lumpy alternative. Promising review: "Excellent product for a reasonable price! The product description/details were accurate. I am a 61-year old female, who put this together myself in approximately 45-minutes. It is lightweight, yet sturdy. I purchased this chair for my daughter, who is a college student and studies long hours at the table. She confirms that the chair is so helpful! It looks nice, too." —CherylGet it from Amazon for $129.99 (also available in white). A pair of blue light–blocking glasses to save your eyes from the endless hours of screen time that college life demands. They'll carry you through late-night essay edits, gaming breaks, and online lectures, then stick around for your first desk job when spreadsheets and Zoom calls are your new professors. Electronic devices emit a lot of blue light, which your eyes do a terrible job of blocking. Over time, blue light may strain your eyes and lead to macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss. Computer glasses that filter blue light can help reduce the amount of blue light you're exposed to, plus you don't need a prescription to wear them and they work even if you're already wearing review: "I work at a job that requires me to look at screens pretty much all day. I'm also a college student who takes my classes online and looks at my phone regularly. I began getting increasingly bad headaches and researched possible explanations. Constant blue light screen exposure was the most likely for my specific lifestyle. Since getting these glasses, my frequency and severity of headaches has gone completely down from before. Not only that, these glasses are adorable and can fit just about any face shape. Great quality and work wonderfully. Highly recommend." —MadisonGet them from Amazon for $11.19+ (available in 34 colors and styles). A cold brew maker here to single-handedly slash your coffee shop spending. Freshman year, it's your antidote to overpriced campus lattes; later, it's your secret weapon for Monday mornings when you'd rather roll out of bed than roll into a café line. It brews a quart (4 cups), so you should have enough java to get you through the day (and maybe some left over to share with your favorite coworker).Promising review: "Bought this several times. Originally recommended by a friend and now we can't live without it! So easy to use and no bitterness. Only problem is we go through the cold brew so fast I usually put it in a separate pitcher so I can start brewing the next batch so we never run out!. We ended up using it so much I had to buy my daughter her own to take to college. The pitcher is plastic and I was initially disappointed but it turns out it is so much better in plastic and easy to use and clean." —OCMomEsqGet it from Amazon for $24.14+ (available in two sizes and three colors). A white-noise machine for transforming chaotic dorm acoustics into a calming backdrop of rain, ocean waves, or gentle thunder. After graduation, it'll keep your sleep sacred in noisy apartment buildings, during hotel stays, or even in your own home when the neighbors get too chatty. It has six built-in sleep sounds — rain, brook, ocean, thunder, white noise, and summer night — as well as an auto-off timer that you set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Plus, it's lightweight and portable so you can bring good sleep with you reviews: "This product is amazing as I have just moved into my college apartment. It perfectly drowns out the noise as you can adjust the volume and change sounds depending on which in you like. Personally I enjoy the white noise feature and I leave it on all night. I also chose to plug it into an outlet since it comes with the plug and block but you may also decide to use batteries. If you use batteries I suggest you leave it on the timer setting which allows for a 15,30, or 60 minute timer and then it will automatically turn off. It's been a game changer for my sleep and I highly recommend!!!" —Gianna Moraci"I use this every night! My roommate in college got me hooked on a rain machine to help me sleep and even years later, I still have to have it to sleep! Great quality and awesome functionality." —amb0319Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in two colors). A truly ~egg-cellent~ rapid egg cooker you can count on to make a delicious breakfast happen in literal minutes. You'll rely on it for quick protein before class now, then keep it in rotation for speedy brunches, packed mornings, or lazy Sunday omelets well into adulthood. Promising review: "I got one as a gift in college, and my roommates and I ate so many eggs throughout the busy year, and I decided to get a second one for my mom. When we graduated, my former roommate said she also got one. Once you have one, you can't go back. It's so useful if you want a quick snack or addition to a meal, especially when you're busy with other things." —Joanne AhnGet it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).Check out our Dash Rapid Egg Cooker review for more deets! A heavy-duty alarm clock that can *shake* you awake when your willpower won't. Ideal for making sure you never miss an exam, and equally valuable years later when you have to catch an early flight or log in for a 7 a.m. meeting. Promising reviews: "I got this for my son, who is such a deep sleeper. He's at college now and there's no one to wake him up 10x every morning, just to fall back asleep. He texted me this morning and said that it was incredible! Said 5 units away from his apartment properly heard it, but it works!" —Katheryn Webster"This is the best alarm clock I have yet to own. I am a college student and there have been times when I would sleep through my alarms and would miss class. I tried different methods, like changing up my alarm and setting one far away. I even used an alarm app that made me solve math problems to turn it off, but that failed because I would just delete the app in my sleep to shut it up. This alarm clock has been a lifesaver in making sure I wake up in time for class. It always startles me awake and gets my heart racing, so I don't even feel like going back to sleep. I like how it has the option for you to choose the pitch of your alarm if you choose to use the you are a heavy sleeper, have trouble getting up in the morning, and have a risk of sleeping through your alarm, this is the alarm clock for you!" —Thomas RGet it from Amazon for $43.99 (available in six colors). A mug warmer here to rescue your coffee from the fate of going lukewarm mid-sip. In college, it'll be your desk mate during late-night cram sessions; later, it'll keep you caffeinated and happy through endless meetings or cozy weekends staying in and reading. This mug warmer does *not* have an auto-off feature, so we recommend also getting an auto-off outlet if you're prone to forgetting to unplug review: "I bought one of these before I went to college. It's been about 10 years and it's still going strong. I use it almost every day at work and have used it pretty consistently over the last decade. No issues whatsoever with overheating (even when I accidentally leave it on for longer than planned), and it keeps my drinks perfect. I also have one of those cute little iron teapots, and it keeps that thing perfectly warm for hours and hours. When (if?) mine dies, I will definitely buy another. I got my grandma a much more expensive one from Sharper Image, and it doesn't keep things nearly as warm, and it randomly shuts itself off every hour or so. This one isn't flashy, but it's definitely a great simple little gadget." —AlisonGet it from Amazon for $11.99. A three-tier rolling cart that turns 'where do I stash all my stuff?' into 'dang, I'm finally organized.' It'll corral your dorm toiletries, snacks, and mini-fridge essentials now, and later cruise beside your bedroom dresser, hold your kitchen gadgets, or even act as a mobile office triage station during those early WFH days. Featuring a sturdy metal frame, mesh-bottom bins, and smooth swivel wheels, it'll ~roll right along~ with your life as it changes. A microwave pasta cooker guaranteed to take you from hungry to carb-loaded without dirtying half the kitchen. It'll see you through dorm dinners *and* those nights when you just want comfort food without the whole boiling-water ordeal. Read our Fasta Pasta Microwave Cooker review for more!Promising review: "When I first bought these, I was in the position where I needed to cook all of my meals in a college dorm without a kitchen and with limitations on which types of appliances I could purchase. I had a microwave, a toaster oven, a coffee maker, and a to say, this microwavable pasta maker saved my life in college.I cooked pasta (and ravioli/tortellini!) for nearly all of my meals, and this little tool made that process SO easy for me, AND could hold a hefty few servings of pasta on top of that! I just filled it with as much pasta as I needed to prepare, filled with water, added a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking, and my pasta was done in minutes! No waiting for a pot to boil, no needing to set a timer to avoid forgetting about your pasta, no need for a separate pot and strainer, AND it was super easy to clean." —Brenda PelletierGet it from Amazon for $16.99. A memory foam mattress topper for transforming a dorm-issued slab into a bed you actually want to sleep in. And once you've moved, it'll follow you to your first apartment, guest room, or anywhere a little extra cloud-like comfort is needed. Promising reviews: "I was in search of a mattress topper when moving off to college and this one has satisfied all of my needs. It has just the right amount of firmness and softness allowing for a good nights sleep. After placing this mattress topper on top of my hard mattress, I no longer experienced restless nights of sleep. I would highly recommend this product if you are moving into a dorm or apartment." —Brynlee Urbantke"AMAZING! It slides around a little bit and that's the only con. I got it for college and it's so amazing I'm getting one for my bed at home while I'm there in the summer too. Very comfortable and soft, I was worried but I'm glad it worked out exactly how I wanted it." —Liz a two-inch topper from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes twin–California king as well as a three-inch-thick version). A velvety soft microfiber duvet ready to earn permanent status in your bedding lineup. You'll love it for movie nights in your dorm now (and using it to make your bed for years to come). Promising reviews: "I bought this comforter for my son for college and it is perfect! It's medium warmth, very soft and fluffy. Exactly what I was looking for. The square stitching keeps the stuffing perfectly in place. My favorite feature is the loops on the corners that tie to a duvet cover to keep the comforter from shifting. I loved this comforter so much, I ordered one for my other son and am going to order one for every other bed in the house. An amazing find! Love everything about it!" —Sonja M. Ocker"Bought it for my daughter's college apartment. She absolutely loves it! Super comfortable! Not too warm. Perfect!! She wants to buy another for her bed at home for when she visits! :)" —Shannon D. Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes twin–California king and six colors). A combination oil diffuser and humidifier for when your dorm smells… lived in. It'll make your air fresher, your room calmer, and your sleep better — and you'll keep it for every future home that needs a little mood and moisture boost. Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my teenage daughter, and she loves it! I also purchased a set of essential oils. The scent is very light, not too strong and very spa like. I like to borrow it whenever I take a hot bath. The colors are beautiful and makes it extremely pleasing to the eye. I now want to purchase one for myself, especially since I know she will be taking it with her when she leaves for college!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors). A Brita water dispenser proving staying hydrated doesn't have to mean hauling 24-packs of plastic bottles up three flights of stairs. You'll appreciate it in the dorms, and even more in your own kitchen years later when cold, clean water is just a fridge-door pull away. A huge backpack laundry bag that lets you transport a week's (or two's) worth of clothes without breaking your back. Great for laundry room treks in college, and just as handy for trips to the laundromat or packing up linens as a grown-up. A pair of hybrid over-ear headphones here to turn any noisy dorm hall into a personal study bubble. With up to 60 hours of juice (40 with noise cancelling on) and fast-charging that gives you four hours of playback from just five minutes plugged in, they're a nonnegotiable for late-night cramming (and they're not going anywhere when you start making caffeine-fueled commutes). Promising review: "I bought my college-age son a pair of these, and he liked them so much, I bought myself a pair and I'm glad I did. I use them mostly at the gym and the sound quality is very good. They are comfortable to wear and have a very good battery life. The noise cancelling mode is great, knocking out most of the background noise you hear, so I'm not blasting them so loud. They are also well-made and sturdy. Would recommend!" —Gregory MGet them from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).


Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
27 Life Hack Products For College Freshmen
A plastic bedside shelf that turns the edge of your bed into prime real estate for your phone, glasses, late-night snacks, or an emergency bowl of soup when you're under the weather. Promising review: "This is a must-have for a dorm room. I thought the price was a little expensive for such a simple bedside shelf, but my daughter said it was one of the best things we bought her for her dorm room." —AmberGet it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three styles and two colors). A roll of double-sided heavy-duty mounting tape so ridiculously strong, you'll start looking around your dorm, wondering what else you could stick to the wall — no nails, no drama. Promising review: "Whatever amount of this tape you're about to use, it's too much — unless it's something you never want to come off for the rest of eternity. If you've got a mummy's tomb to seal, this is the tape you want for the job. This stuff is so strong, it transcends the physical realm." —SeanGet it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes). A colorful wireless keyboard and mouse set to add a little clickety-clack joy to long nights of paper-writing. Bonus: It makes your desk look like it belongs to someone who has their life together. A Rocketbook smart reusable notebook for the analog note-taker who still loves a good cloud backup. Scribble by hand, scan it into the ether, wipe the page, and start again. An electric mug warmer to keep your coffee at peak drinkability — perfect for the chronic 'takes one sip and then forgets about it until it's cold' crowd. A lightweight canvas backpack that manages to pull off stylish and functional *without* the Fjällräven price tag — and yes, it holds a laptop with room to spare. A keyboard cover to shield your laptop from coffee splashes, snack crumbs, and the occasional mid-essay existential crisis tears. A portable, microwaveable Rapid Ramen Cooker that gets you from 'I'm starving' to 'mmm, ramen' in record time, no stove top required. And a microwave pasta cooker with its own strainer, because cooking in a dorm shouldn't require juggling boiling water and awkward sink angles. A wearable blanket, because there's no better way to study than cocooned up by yourself, pretending the outside world doesn't exist. A no-frills daily planner to help you map out your classes, assignments, and laundry schedule in one tidy place. A popular set of waterproof under-$30 wireless Bluetooth earbuds that can survive showers, block out your roommate's Netflix habit, and still have battery left for the walk to class. A slim laptop stand to lift your screen to a spine-approved height and sneakily add storage space underneath for textbooks and notebooks. A set of popular fine-tip pens to make even the driest lecture notes feel like a craft project. Color-coded midterms? Absolutely. A simple-to-use cold brew coffee maker so you can skip the Starbucks line, save money, and still have icy caffeine ready to go before your 8 a.m. A sunrise alarm clock that wakes you with gradually brightening light and nature sounds instead of the aggressive iPhone bleep bleep. Or a heavy-duty alarm clock for anyone who treats the snooze button like a competitive sport. It comes complete with mattress-shaking power and can't-ignore volume. A pair of blue light-blocking glasses to give your eyeballs a break after hours of screens, study sessions, and that 'just one more episode' spiral. A pair of quick-drying shower sandals so you can walk into the communal bathroom without also walking away with a mystery fungus. A wall charger with room for six plugs and two USB ports, so you can keep every gadget charged without a tangle of extension cords. A two-pack of Downy Wrinkle Releaser fabric spray for when you pull a shirt out of your laundry bag and it looks like it's been through a spin cycle in another dimension. A Maybelline concealer that erases the evidence of your 'I stayed up until 3 a.m. watching TikToks instead of sleeping' choices. A Simple Modern tumbler that keeps drinks at the perfect temp alllllll day. (A more affordable alternative to a Stanley!) A pair of wireless sleep headphones so you can drift off to white noise or podcasts without hard plastic earbuds stabbing your ears at 2 a.m. A productivity timer to split your day into bite-size work-and-break chunks, making giant tasks feel a lot less terrifying. A memory foam seat cushion and lumbar pillow that transforms even the worst dorm desk chair into something your back will actually thank you for. And finally, a hanging laundry bag to get your dirty clothes off the floor and out of the way, especially in a dorm room where 'floor space' is a generous term.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The Genius Kitchen Sponge Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner
The Genius Kitchen Sponge Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner originally appeared on Parade. As a mom of four young kids, I'm always out of ice packs. They go off in lunch boxes and just don't come back, or my house somehow swallows them after they were used to treat a minor injury. As the ice packs mysteriously disappear (maybe they're with all of the lost socks?), I'm left regularly buying new ones and feeling seriously grumpy about it. And that's why I was very excited when I stumbled across a DIY ice pack hack on social media. (It's the little things, folks!) All you need is a kitchen sponge, some water and a zip-top bag. I was instantly sold—and my monthly Amazon bill is about to go down as a result. Here's what you need to know to try this trick at your house. Related: 😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. 🍳🍔 What Is the Kitchen Sponge Ice Pack Trick? TikTok is packed with these sponge ice packs. Some people (like @ cut them into small pieces, get them wet and freeze them, like the ones here. Others simply take a regular full-size kitchen sponge, get it wet, freeze it and use it the next day. Like this version shared by the @moms account. What Makes the Kitchen Sponge Hack So Great? There are so many reasons to love the kitchen sponge hack. For starters, it's cheap. Ice packs can run you about $9 for a set, while a set of kitchen sponges costs a fraction of that. Ice packs also tend to have unspecified ingredients that inevitably leak out at some point, whether from rough use or time. That makes me nervous when they're used next to food, skin and faces. But a baggie-covered sponge is a pretty harmless product. A big complaint with my kids is that ice packs are too cold or too hard, but a sponge is soft—even when it's frozen and thanks to its air pockets, it's not as cold as a standard ice pack. As it thaws, the sponge-pack also conforms to the shape of what it's touching, making it more comfortable for my kiddos. Finally, because my house (and kids) are a black hole for ice packs, I'm less annoyed when one of these gets lost because it ultimately ends up costing me less. Related: How to Turn Your Kitchen Sponges Into Ice Packs The kitchen sponge hack is pretty easy to pull off. Just take a sponge, wet it well and toss it in the freezer. When you need an ice pack for a lunchbox or an injury, pull it out, put it in a zip-top bag and use it. They're also super easy to reuse: Just wet them and put them back in the freezer. If you prefer to use smaller pieces, cut up your sponge with scissors, wet the pieces, and freeze them in a baggie. You can either redistribute those pieces in another baggie when you're ready to use them, or pull out the whole thing. Up Next: The Genius Kitchen Sponge Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner first appeared on Parade on Aug 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword