
Can't Stand Dirt And Grime? These 28 Products Will Make It Magically Vanish
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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.
2. Some under-$10(!!) 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 a potion so powerful, it seems brewed by the Sanderson Sisters themselves.
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 from Amazon for $6.97.
3. A shoe cleaner literally called Pink Magic 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).
4. A carpet and upholstery stain remover so you can extract all kinds of dirt, rust, grease, food, and other stains that you haven't been able to get out using literally anything else. It's the closest you'll get to Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover (yes that's a Harry Potter books deep cut) IRL.
It might take a couple of rounds to fully work, but it's worth it because this spray doesn't bleach, doesn't need to be vacuumed up or rinsed, and doesn't attract new dirt to the area. It works well on stains like grease and oil, pet stains, wine, coffee, rust, food, makeup, and dirt, and on upholstery safe to clean with water. And can of course it doubles as a laundry stain remover.
I took the pictures on the right, when I melted a chocolate chip into my favorite couch pillow. As you can see, this spray got every bit of it out! So much so that I took pictures of both sides of the pillow because I couldn't find where the original stain had been! You can read more about that experience in my Folex stain remover review.
Promising review: " I used it on a mattress stain, and it worked like magic. The stain disappeared instantly, without any scrubbing or harsh chemicals. It's gentle yet effective, and I love that it's safe for use on fabric. The 32oz bottle will last a long time, and it's easy to use—just spray, blot, and the stain is gone. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a quick and efficient way to clean their mattress or other upholstery!" — Britney B.
Get a bottle from Amazon for $6.65.
Editor's Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here.
5. Or 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:"This cleaner works great on my code S couch! I've had to use it 3 times: chocolate stain, milk spill and cat vomit. It has magically taken all the stains out. The cat vomit was such a dark color and was really smeared into the fabric. I was sure the cleaner wouldn't get the stains out but it did! I added a mist cap on the bottle and I spray the areas thoroughly then I take a clean cloth and gently scrub. 10/10 recommend." — Amazon Customer
Get a bottle from Amazon for $9.50.
6. A rechargeable air blaster so you can feel like a genuine air bender, wielding the powers of the wind to clear the thick layer of dust, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair from all those finnicky little buttons in your car's dash. 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.
7. A jewelry cleaning kit because it comes complete with everything you need to clean your entire collection: a silver polishing cloth, a stone cleaner, and a detail brush. It's basic chemistry, but it's so easy, it'll feel like something out of a fairy tale.
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.
8. A set of reusable, extra-thick microfiber mop pads for transforming your everyday Swiffer into what might be called a wizard staff equipped with the power to nab entire neighborhoods of dust bunnies in a single swipe, and to, when wetted, wipe up the layers of everyday gunk gracing your wood, tile, and other hard floors. Even more magical? It's designed to fit snugly on your Swiffer and wash clean effortlessly in the laundry.
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.
9. Some Goo Gone because 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).
10. 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 like it's a magician's secret box, run a cycle with a tablet, click your heels three times, and voila!
www.amazon.com
Use one monthly to maintain the shine and avoid future buildup!
Promising reviews: " Worked like magic! Our dishwasher had so much hard water mineral buildup. The inside was almost covered in a white coating. We used the two tablets initially as the directions suggested and the dishwasher looks brand-new." — KB
Get a box of 24 from Amazon for $18.95.
11. 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: "The product works like magic. It cleans walls, appliances, rugs, and just about anything you can think of. Take the steamer to an area that you think "looks" clean and you will be shocked. 5 stars!" — MS
Get it from Amazon for $55.99.
12. 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. TBH idk why they call it "Pink Stuff" when they could have accurately and aptly called it "Pink Potion!"
Promising reviews:"Wow. Gave it a try on our shower glass... it was fantastic. Tried it on our porcelain sink... fantastic! Tried it in our oven, and worked very well, with no fumes. Used it on some coffee cups that had coffee stains in them, and it worked like magic. Used it on my son's shoes to clean off some streaks and stains... came off like magic. I used it on some of my BBQ tools that were greasy and the stainless steel is super shiny now. It is a great paste to have around, and once you see how well it works, you start looking for more stuff to clean and use it on!" — Toothsquatch
" 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.
13. 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. Tinkerbell herself, with all her infinite pixie dust, couldn't do a faster, more thorough job than this stuff.
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.
14. 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. You literally just 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.
15. A bottle of makeup brush and sponge shampoo that will vanish all the embedded layers of foundation, contour, concealer, powder, and eye makeup on your favorite applicator like it was never there, à la a vampire's reflection in the mirror. And it'll do it so quickly and easily you'll hate washing brushes a little (just a little) less than before. At least enough that you'll be willing to do it regularly!
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 Eco 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.
16. 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. Think of it like your mini brush-cleaning witch's cauldron. All the bubble bubble, none of the toil and trouble.
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 Review:"Took me a hot minute to get the hang of sticking the rubber piece just right on the machine as well as the makeup brush, but once I did... magic ensued! I love this. Some of my brushes have white tips that hadn't seen the light of day in a very long time! Love it. I was a little skeptical of the price, but with it being rechargeable it's TOTALLY worth it!" — Tylor Wiltgen
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two colors).
17. 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 like you're waving a magic wand.
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.
18. A pack of Bottle Bright fizzing cleaning tablets — they're like a spell in lozenge form. 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.
19. A automatic scrubbing brush that's ready to transform you into the valiant Knight of Cleaning, becoming your enchanted sword that you simply move back and forth over whatever stubborn, sticky, rubbed-in mess you're cleaning up this time. Like a giant electric toothbrush, it scrubs up to *sixty times each second* for you. Y'all, I 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.
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.
20. A tub of 90 oversize heavy-duty cleaning wipes perfect for making tough jobs look as effortless as a Penn and Teller trick. You know that grease and dust wasteland that's the top of your stove's hood? This reviewer says these wiped that off "like it was nothing." Genuinely jaw-dropping.
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. They're GREAT for cleaning dusty outdoor furniture in preparation for warm weather, too!
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.
21. 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. If that's not magic, idk what is.
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.
22. A bottle of Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator, which you absolutely NEED if your witchy familiar (aka your cat or dog) or wizard's apprentice (aka your 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).
23.
An automatic pool cleaner that, speaking of witchy familiars, crawls around the bottom and sides of your pool and picks up dirt, bugs, leaves, sand, and pebbles while you just chill out with your latest poolside fantasy read. Okay, sure, you're not using your pool right now, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared for next season!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Yes it's a splurge but like, it beats manual scrubbing with that big broom! Some reviewers mention it even helps keep algae down after rains. The scuff-resistant hoses are also included.
Promising reviews: "I'm simply blown away by the amazing and creative engineering design. I was concerned at first by how it operated and the lack of wheels; thinking there was no way it could work after submerging. Boy was I wrong! It started jerking backwards in a rhythmic motion, cleaning the pool in a magical fashion like that of a creature designed for sucking up the dirt and debris of the ocean." — Matt Murdock, Avocado at Law
Get it from Amazon for $324.
24. An oil stain remover because with the magic of science, it'll banish that olive oil stain that's tormented your stone countertop for the last two years once and for all. Who knew one leaky EVOO bottle could cause such chaos? Any kind of stone can benefit from its wonders, whether it's untreated *or* sealed and polished.
www.amazon.com
If you're dealing with a particularly nasty situation like the reviewer below, it make take a few rounds because this soaks up the oil on the surface while also pulling up oil below the surface, causing the stain to seemingly reappear. Nope, it's just that oil from below coming up now. Thus, you need a new round of product to soak up the new surface oil, and pull up more of the oil below.
If one bottle leaked for a few days, it'll work much faster.
Promising review: "This thing worked like magic. Several cans of vegetable oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili oil, vinegar, etc. were on a granite counter and regularly used for cooking, and the fluids leaked for 6 months continuously. I applied this repeatedly as instructed on the container. It looked as good as new after about 2 weeks." — programmer dude
Get it from Amazon for $23.80.
25. Some citric acid, which will work a legit miracle on your disgusting toilet tank when you simply pour in half a cup, top with water, and walk away for a few hours. Yes, that's all you do!
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "Worked magic on our brown toilet bowl. After having tried everything, including pumice stone, we decided to google what we needed to remove old brown water stains from our toilet. Someone recommended this so we went for it. It did the trick! Two applications and a little brushing and our toilet looks good as new! Amazing!" — Jasper Eliot
"After reading online, I decided to purchase citric acid in hopes to clean the rust from our toilet tank caused by mineral deposits in our hard water. I emptied the toilet, filled with a bucket of hot water and one cup of citric acid, then left alone for three hours. Here's the results after flushing. I could not believe how well this worked!" — Kay Rich
Get a bag from Amazon for $14.99.
26. 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. Less time spent + easy results = magic!
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!
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.
27. 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.
You, working your cleaning magic as powerfully as Cinderella's fairy godmother:
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Place an artificial landscaping rock over pool pumps and other monstrosities obstructing your view. If you've tried just about everything else to hide the eyesore, this might be the solution. It's designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, and reviewers agree that it's quite durable! It also comes with two stakes so you can anchor it into the ground!Promising review: "We had an eyesore in our front yard. The new sprinkler system was ugly. I saw this on Amazon and snapped it up. It is sturdy and large enough to fit right over the ugliness and blends in with our other large rocks in our yard. I love it!" —Julie CohenGet it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in 10 sizes and six colors). Treat your yard with a lawn repair formula so you revive your dead grass and finally take pride in your yard again! This helps regrow the grass and reverse scorch marks caused by pet urine, digging, and general wear in high-traffic areas. Promising review: "I have used EZ Seed for years because I have dogs and they can be a little hard on grass! EZ Seed never fails us! Starts growing in about one and a half weeks. Nothing compares. It's pricey but worth it." —NanciGet it from Amazon for $16.99. Dress up your AC with a lovely wood privacy screen and planter box. This will elevate your outdoor area while also concealing the unit that you hate to look at. Plus, adding some colorful flowers to the planter boxes will only further distract from the eyesore! Promising review: "Love the idea to hide the utility box in my backyard with a planter box to plant colorful flowers. Exactly what I was looking for. Beautiful. Love it!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $124.99+ (available with two or three panels). Or keep it simple and hide outdoor blemishes with a basic privacy screen. Think pool equipment, garbage cans, air-conditioning units, and anything else that diminishes your curb appeal. Promising review: "Super easy to install and took less than 30 minutes to put together, level out, and hammer in the stakes. My HOA doesn't allow the trash bins to be visible from the street so this fixed that issue plus it matches my house trim." —Joseph and Anne SawyerGet it from Amazon for $160.02 (also available in additional styles/sizes). Pull pesky weeds with a long-handled standing weeder because bending over (and over...) just to pull pesky weeds should be illegal. Not only will you save yourself time *and* lots of pain, but you'll spruce up the yard with minimal effort. It's made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding Gardenware Co. is a small, family-owned small business based in Oregon making tools for review: "Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." —JGGet it from Amazon for $39.97. And for tricky areas, use a crack weeder tool to help obliterate those ever-resilient weeds that manage to grow through the cracks in concrete! This sturdy tool can get into those suuuper tight spaces and get rid of weeds, moss, and thistles in no time. Promising review: "I've been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I've been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn't help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort but the end result was so worth it!" —Shelley ArakakiGet it from Amazon for $19.95. Hit the dirty surfaces outside of your home with an electric pressure washer, like those filthy decks, fences, and driveways you're always pouting at. It comes with a garden hose adapter and *five* nozzles for tackling different jobs, so you can start cleaning up your outdoor area ASAP! The five quick-connect nozzles range from intense jet to gentle spray, so you can tackle all kinds of messes such as mildew, tar, rust, grease, mud, etc. The pressure washer also comes with two detergent tanks, a garden hose adapter, a 20-foot high-pressure hose, and a 35-foot power cord. The Total Stop System trigger will automatically shut off the pump when the trigger is not engaged, which can help save energy and prolong pump review: "Power washer was delivered Monday, it's Wednesday and I have washed two cars, cleaned driveway and sidewalks, cleaned back fence and the work keeps piling up, everything I see now needs to be cleaned! This little dude does not back down, plenty of power and it's surprisingly not too loud. Soap dispensers work great, and the tips are easy to change." —MARGet it from Amazon for $169. And to make your hard work last, use a semi-transparent deck and stain stealer so you don't have to clean it over.. and over.. and over again. It'll keep your wood surfaces protected from the elements so it stays looking pristine for *much* longer. Promising review: "This was recommended to me by a guy who sold us redwood boards from his mill. It went on easily and it looks gorgeous! I stained a fence and two decks in the last three years and this product is far superior right off the bat. Love the richness of the color and the wood is soaking it up consistently." —I Know JackGet a 1-gallon can from Amazon for $32.99 (available in six colors). OR simplify the process with this all-in-one wood stain and sealer because transforming your deck is a lot easier than you might think. The company literally calls it a "goof-proof" application, so don't you dare doubt your DIY abilities for one minute!! Use it on decks, benches, sheds, fences, and more. Be sure to give it around 14 days to settle into its true color — it'll look darker shortly after review: "Applied two coats to a pressure-treated deck. Goes on effortlessly with a brush or roller. Spilled drops and brush strokes blend together. Absorbs into wood. Dark Walnut color goes on darker and lightens some. Repels water well. Nothing here that is going to peel up and flake off like some products that claim to last for 5+ years but only hold up a year or two." —JrickyGet it from Amazon for $42.70+ (available in two sizes and 10 shades). Lay down an outdoor rug — it'll tie your space together and make it more inviting. More importantly, it'll conceal the stained patio you have no intention of dealing with in the near future. It's weather- and UV-resistant, which makes it perf for outdoor spaces! Promising review: "A beautiful rug that polishes our cozy outdoor space. Great quality and very easy to clean. This is important, especially with two big dogs." —MeghanGet it from Amazon for $60.12+ (available in seven sizes, nine colors, and in packs of two). Install a faux-ivy privacy screen for the outdoor eyesores you have little control over, like your neighbor's messy backyard. Put this up to beautify your space *and* hide the chaos ruining your view. It's great for both fences in the yard and for balcony railings! You can also line the top of a pergola with these vines for some shade, letting a bit of dappled sunlight pass through for a gorgeous effect!Promising review: "This was exactly what we needed for the backyard. It definitely provides enough privacy, and it gives the backyard a very nice ambiance! The leaves completely blend in with the other trees and plants we have in the backyard, and it looks like we made a huge upgrade in our gardening game. I'm now just hoping it can withstand the AZ summer and not fade with the sun (product description does state fade resistant). Don't be hesitant with purchasing; it's totally worth it!!" —Amazon CustomerGet a roll from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three sizes). You'll need some green zip ties to secure them, too. OR hang a waterproof outdoor curtain if you're dealing with some next-level eyesores you want to block out entirely. Not to mention you'll have some protection from the heat (and cold!) when you need it. Pick up a sturdy, rust-resistant curtain rod while you're at it! Promising review: "These curtains are AMAZING! Beautiful and elegant. Hangs beautiful, very light blocking, keeps rain out of our tiki bar, we can sit out there in the rain, and keeps the heat in on a cool fall evening when we have the fireplace on!" —Sara BushendorfGet it from Amazon for $32.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 14 colors). Refresh the stained driveway or walkway you've spent far too much time grimacing at with this magical oil stain remover. You'll bring the pavement back to its original glory days! Simply apply the formula, allow it to dry, then brush it away to reveal a stain-free surface. It works on both concrete and stone surfaces!Promising review: "Changed the oil on my girlfriend's car and some oil spilled on my NEW I didn't notice 'til four days later. Four spots all about the size of a dollar bill baking in the Arizona sun for four days. Put the stuff on (sits on the stain like pancake batter — don't be afraid to pour liberally) and let it sit from 6 p.m. 'til about 9 a.m. the next day. It dried and the instructions said to just sweep the stuff up. It broke apart with the broom and the stains were gone, just swept up the powder pieces — took about a minute. I WAS SHOCKED! Something that actually works on oil and it's easy. Absolutely NO sign of anything that was there. My driveway is smooth concrete so I can't vouch for what would happen with a rougher surface but whoever makes this stuff is a genius. If they tried to take on World Peace, Earth would be a better place." —AmazonBobGet it from Amazon for $17.97 (also available in a larger size) Use an instant mold and mildew stain remover spray on the stubborn mold that's currently coating your patio furniture. Spray, wait 15 seconds, and watch the mold vanish! Bonus: It can also be used in the bathroom and kitchen. RMR Brands is a small business specializing in professional-grade cleaning solutions for your review: "It rains almost every day during the Summer in Florida. By the end of Summer, my cool deck was green with mold around the perimeter. I was about to pay to have someone power wash my deck but found RMR-86 on Amazon. I purchased a bottle and sprayed all the areas that had mold and mildew. RMR-86 started working within minutes right before my eyes. It was like magic! I'm definitely getting more." —Marie MooreGet it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three sizes and multipacks). Install some interlocking teak tiles when you wanna *truly* transform your dull space and give it a total makeover. The outdoor oasis of your dreams is calling! All your guests are gonna swoon over this upgrade. Promising review: "Living in Hawaii, you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt-proof, etc. In total, I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few leftovers to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —AdeliaGet 10 sq. feet of tiles from Amazon for $77.99 Mask high-traffic areas with stepping stones, which will create a beautiful walkway for you and your guests to enjoy. Pouring concrete can be a big undertaking but this is a quick, easy, and affordable alternative! If you want to recreate the look above, don't forget to purchase a bag of red lava rock as well!Promising reviews: "It's a great product, exactly what I needed and the price was right. Purchased 40 so far for a path that my dogs use so they don't destroy the grass chasing squirrels." —xaqeria"Home Depot rarely lets me down. These stepping stones made a beautiful walkway from my driveway to the main walkway in the front yard." —CherokeeSmilesGet it from Home Depot for $1.78/each (available in four sizes and various finishes). Zhuzh up certain areas with a roll of perma-mulch, like pathways and flower beds — especially if they're looking a bit rough. This faux mulch border is made from recycled rubber tires to help deter weeds while still allowing water, air, and nutrients to pass through and reach the soil! It stays put without scattering and can stand up to tough weather. Promising review: "This faux-mulch border was just what I was looking for. I wanted something simple (not elaborate) to keep my bark in place. It looks good and now I need to order more : )" —EvaGet a 1'' H X 120'' W X 4.5'' D roll from Wayfair for $34.95 (originally $39.95; also available in tree ring or pathway styles). Stash outdoor essentials in a storage bench so they're not constantly scattered across the lawn. Think seat cushions, kids' toys, and pool supplies. It's made of weather-resistant material, so it's durable enough to withstand the elements and big enough to hide yard clutter! Promising review: "We bought one of these to store towels and pool stuff a couple of years ago and it's been great – assembled easily by my 12-year-old son and keeps everything dry while providing a place to sit. So we bought a second one for our front porch since we wanted a bench there — made sense to add some storage at the same time!" —bluegrassgrl03Get it from Amazon for $159.99 (available in graphite and brown). Slather wood surfaces in some wood polish and conditioner to bring 'em back to life. It's made with beeswax to help renew tired furniture, doors, and other surfaces that are in desperate need of a refresh. Promising review: "I bought this after reading about a million BuzzFeed articles recommending it. I wish I hadn't waited so long because this stuff works! It's amazing. I have a mid-century hand-me-down dresser that is a beautiful piece of furniture, but it was covered in water stains and other marks from decades of use. One coat of this stuff on a clean rag, and it's totally refreshed! Now, it's not going to fix places where the finish is completely worn off (you have to sand for that), but it will significantly improve the appearance of the wood. And it makes watermarks disappear. I'm glad I didn't spend the time and money to have this refinished when a coat of this stuff has done the job just fine." —Maureen FoleyGet it from Amazon for $10.98 (also available in multipacks). Banish filth from your outdoor accents with a set of drill brushes that'll really get in there and make your space brand new again. Attach the brush to your drill and go to town on stubborn grime — just in time for backyard season too! Check out this TikTok of the drill brush kit in action. Keep in mind the drill is NOT included. This is a set of three brushes that attach to your existing drill. If you need one, check out this different color attachment heads serve different purposes. The white is a soft bristle that's best for wheels, carpet, upholstery, glass, and leather; the yellow is a medium bristle that's best for bathroom, bathtub, shower, tile, and porcelain; the green is a medium bristle that's best for kitchen, stoves, cabinets, countertops, and linoleum; the blue is a medium bristle that's best for boats, pools, canoe/kayaks, hot tubs, and plastics; the red is a stiff bristle that's best for outdoors, siding, brick, garage, and gutter; and the black is a hard bristle that's best for grills, loose paint, furnaces, and industrial Brush is a small business based in New York State that makes cleaning brushes that attach to drills. It was started in 2007 by a former electrician who suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome and needed a way to clean without causing him review: "I used to have to scrub my bird bath fountain using brushes. Then I discovered these! It's still a difficult job but these do make it SO much easier. I've attached before and after photos. Pretty amazing! I bought the red ones, and they work really well on this concrete fountain but I'm going to get some of the black ones, which are a bit stiffer, to compare." —George ScottGet them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors). Redo your dull porch with a can of porch and patio floor paint so you no longer have to scowl at those stains and footprints that have bothered you for years. It dries in an hour and is resistant to mildew, fading, and cracking. No need to pay a pricey contractor when you can do it yourself! Promising review: "So easy to use and only needed one coat! Covered all stains and made the space look brand new! Didn't cover cracks but looks amazing!" —Beth PriceGet a gallon from Amazon for $36.57+ (available in slate gray or silver gray). Or get yourself some versatile anti-skid acrylic paint, which seamlessly adheres to most surfaces, meaning you can upgrade everything from stained brick paths to worn-down concrete walkways. FYI, this is the type of paint used on playgrounds, outdoor basketball courts, bike paths, etc. so the anti-skid factor is no joke! Promising review: "I tried several paints on my mom's deck stairs, and they all peeled within a year. This paint solved the problem. Heat, sun, rain, snow, no problem. And it really adds a nice grip to the surface. Definitely worth the investment for me." —DL Get it from Amazon for $42.50+ (available in three sizes and six colors). Tidy up your garden tools with a set of organizers because storing them in a cluttered corner of the yard is probably causing you more stress than you realize. Bonus: They're predrilled and come with the necessary hardware for mounting! Hang This Up is a small biz based in New Jersey that specializes in creative organization review: "We had a new shed constructed from scratch, and knowing it was always going to be used as a true 'shed' (not a she shed), we wanted yard tools to be organized and nice looking. We bought these tool organizers and absolutely love them. Great quality and easy to install (the included drill bit worked fine for us). We couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend." —Joan KilgoreGet a set of five (10 total pieces) from Hang This Up on Etsy for $47.25 (originally $52.50; other styles available in their shop!). Clean grimy surfaces with a stain-blasting Wet & Forget exterior spray when you wanna demolish mold, mildew, moss, and algae from outdoor surfaces. Simply mix it with water and spray it on problem areas, such as walkways, decks, and siding! Rain and wind will do the rest over time, gently washing away stains without any wiping, scrubbing, or rinsing. Promising review: "Love the fact that you just spray and let it do its thing. No rinse-off or anything. My outdoor rugs were a little drab after the winter, and this brought them back to life. No scrubbing either. Worked well." —Chasing FirefliesGet it from Amazon for $18.98. Hide your hose in a functional *and* decorative storage pot so you can stop tripping over it, and then subsequently cursing at it. There's a side hole to ensure you can hook it up to a faucet. Want to really hide it? Stick a potted plant on top! Promising review: "Nice modern look. Doesn't look like an eyesore in my backyard. Planning to purchase a second for my porch! Fits a large hose, too!" —Jessica YanosikGet it from Amazon for $74.99 (available in four styles). Store outdoor garbage in an unassuming hideaway trash can — you didn't work so hard on your patio's aesthetic for it to be ruined by a giant bulky trash can that sticks out like a sore thumb. Promising review: "Perfect when set up next to the grill. Slim enough that it's not an eyesore. Super easy to assemble. Material seems durable to last for years to come." —bjp2789Get it from Amazon for $54.32 (available in three colors and multipacks). Organize your logs in a sleek firewood rack rather than having 'em strewn about your yard, giving you yet another thing to roll your eyes at. The protective cover will help protect them from the elements too! This 40-inch powder-coated steel rack also comes with a protective is a small biz that specializes in outdoor home review: "Perfect size for our needs. The hoop holds about two to three days' worth of wood for our wood stove so we don't have to refill it all the time. The cover is awesome – it is large enough to fit over bulky or oversized logs, and keeps them all dry and protects the hoop from the weather too. Very happy with this hoop and cover!" —CMishGet it from Amazon for $93.95 (available in three sizes). Keep random odds and ends in a handy deck storage box so they no longer stand out. It's waterproof, weatherproof, and can easily conceal seat cushions, gardening supplies, and other random stuff you don't know what to do with. Promising review: "Put together in less than five minutes by myself and no tools needed. This is a nice little box, holds the lumbar pillows along with other things I need for my backyard on a regular basis. The box fits nicely on my small patio." —ALM329Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in six sizes, two styles, and seven colors). Spread some coconut husk mulch if your flowerbeds have seen better days. This will freshen 'em right up! The vibrant rust color will make it look much more lively *and* it'll stand up to water so it doesn't become one giant puddle when it rains. This mulch comes in a dehydrated brick that expands to cover an area of roughly two cubic feet after hydrating with four gallons of review: "I love that I can carry the mulch brick easily to where I am going to spread the mulch, hydrate it in my garden cart or drug right there, and spread it easily. Beautiful color holds up well. Great in my raised bed garden; not a weed in sight. Wish it were possible to buy bulk quantities at a discount, as it's quite pricey if you want to do larger areas at 3-inch depth. Still, beautiful mulch that I will keep buying." —Sybilann WilliamsGet a two-pack from Amazon for $39.99. Conceal your tacky but useful tank of gas with a weather-proof and rust-proof propane tank hideaway table because does anyone actually enjoy looking at them? No one will guess what you're hiding *and* it serves as a side table for drinks and snacks! Note: The propane tank is not included! This hideaway measures 16.1" x 16.1" x 20" and is designed for 20-pound propane review: "This is perfect for concealing your standard grill tank outside. It's also a side table. Love it!" —Happy customerGet it from Amazon for $84.99 (available in black or carbon gray). Invest in a new junction box, especially if yours is starting to look like an ancient artifact that attracts eyeballs — and not in a good way. It comes with a mounting plate, wall brackets, and a weatherproof hinged cover. Promising reviews: "Mounted this box on the outside of our home to clean up and hold coax cable from an internet provider we are not currently using. It is a great box for the $ and was better than anything at HD or Lowe's. I drilled the holes I needed in the back and then sealed them with an exterior epoxy." —Tuff Products it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in various sizes and with a grey or clear cover).


Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
This Australian Household Cleaner Will Be Your New BFF
Often in my research (and daily life), I come across cleaning products that claim to be multipurpose but really only work efficiently for one or two kinds of messes and stains — so I am used to approaching such declarations with skepticism. But every once in a while I stumble upon a truly effective, versatile product that warrants high praise, as is the case with Gumption cleaning paste. I first encountered this Australian household cleaning staple a few years ago when I first started dating my (Aussie) partner, Veronica, who would whip it out from under her sink to tackle everything from dirty, stained dishes to scrubbing the bathtub. There is really nothing this amazing product can't clean, and luckily for those of us who live stateside, it's available on Amazon for only $22. This cleaning wunderkind couldn't be easier to use. It comes as a concentrated powder that you apply to a damp cloth or sponge to quickly and efficiently wipe away stains and filth. It's formulated with natural abrasive particles that somehow are able to clean even the most intense of messes without causing scratches or damage. Like most Australians, Veronica swears by it for just about everything but is particularly enthusiastic about Gumption's dish-cleaning prowess. She says, 'It works like magic, there is nothing it cannot remove. It makes stainless steel shiny and removes all food that might be very tough to clean and stuck. It essentially exfoliates everything away — your pots and pans will be sparkling clean.' She does not, however, recommend using it on items with non-stick coating, as it is slightly abrasive. This international cleaning product has flown under the radar in the U.S., but it's long overdue for its moment in the sun. Those who have tried it have instantly fallen under its spell, myself included, and I have a good feeling it'll make a convert out of you posthaste if you give it a chance. Your house will be gleaming before you know it. Get it from Amazon for $22.70.