Latest news with #CleanEverything
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
4 Laundry Detergents That Come in Plastic-Free Packaging (And What We Think of Them)
In this edition of Clean Everything, we're talking about laundry detergent that comes in plastic-free packaging — and why some options out there might not actually be a more sustainable choice. Let's talk detergent. Senior staff writer and laundry expert Andrea Barnes says that reducing plastic packaging is one area in which the laundry industry as a whole is taking steps to minimize waste. But it's complicated — just because a laundry detergent comes in plastic-free packaging doesn't mean it's automatically a more sustainable choice. Andrea anticipates that we're sure to see more and more somewhat experimental detergents enter the scene over the coming years. We'll continue to test them to find the best detergents that don't sacrifice convenience or cleaning power. And in the meantime, here are four laundry detergents that don't come in plastic we've tested so far — and what we think of them: A hyper-concentrated liquid detergent that comes in a metal bottle: In our testing, we've found that this liquid detergent is the best for the sustainability conscious. It's admittedly expensive, yes. But it's free of potentially irritating ingredients, comes in a recyclable aluminum bottle, and is highly effective at removing stains and odors. In our testing, we've found that this liquid detergent is the best for the sustainability conscious. It's admittedly expensive, yes. But it's free of potentially irritating ingredients, comes in a recyclable aluminum bottle, and is highly effective at removing stains and odors. Powder that comes in a cardboard box: This powerful powder detergent outperformed all the other powders we tested, removing some of the toughest stains and odors with ease. Plus, unlike other boxed detergents we've tested, it's easy to open and store long term. This powerful powder detergent outperformed all the other powders we tested, removing some of the toughest stains and odors with ease. Plus, unlike other boxed detergents we've tested, it's easy to open and store long term. Laundry detergent sheets: We're not a fan. Though they claim to cut down on excess packaging and weight, in our tests, we found that laundry detergent sheets are just, well, terrible at cleaning laundry. Says Andrea: 'Simply put: If you use laundry sheets, you're more likely to have to wash stained or smelly laundry multiple times and/or with hot water to get it even tolerably clean. That makes using laundry sheets inconvenient, and it likely negates any positive environmental impact.' We're not a fan. Though they claim to cut down on excess packaging and weight, in our tests, we found that laundry detergent sheets are just, well, terrible at cleaning laundry. Says Andrea: 'Simply put: If you use laundry sheets, you're more likely to have to wash stained or smelly laundry multiple times and/or with hot water to get it even tolerably clean. That makes using laundry sheets inconvenient, and it likely negates any positive environmental impact.' Solid laundry detergent tiles: These sponge-like laundry detergent tiles are easy to toss into the washing machine — and are far better cleaners than sheets. But they aren't perfect. They're not quite as effective on oily stains as traditional detergent is, and they're heavily fragranced (though Andrea is looking forward to testing the soon-to-be released fragrance-free version). The tiles show promise as a potential solid detergent of the future, but in order for them to gain popularity, the formula needs some tweaking. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Recently, the Trump administration proposed several plans to roll back federal regulation of energy- and water-saving home appliances — including shutting down Energy Star, a popular certification program for high-efficiency products that save more energy and water. This might impact your choices the next time you're shopping for a laundry machine and many other appliances. Here's what to know. A little motivation: There's a thriving ecosystem of dust mites, dead skin cells, and sweat in bed with you. They're nearly unanimously recommended by homeowners and our bug experts. New pressure washers are getting smaller and quieter, with plenty of satisfying scouring power for outdoor surfaces. It tries (and mostly fails) to pick stuff up for you, from socks to dog toys. Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter, AdobeStock Broadway dresser Michelina Evans comes to work equipped to fix just about any wardrobe malfunction: a stain, a rip, a snapped shoe strap, or a broken heel. One of her go-tos? To manage odors lingering on costumes backstage, she sprays some cheap vodka on them. Though the booze initially smells, it dries scent-free and leaves no discoloration on costumes.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
6 Things We Love That Bugs Hate
In this edition of Clean Everything, we dish on how our experts keep bugs out of their homes. Plus: our new favorite mosquito repellent. Nothing ruins an idyllic summer afternoon quite like an ant walking into the kitchen or a fly buzzing in the dining room. After years of testing — involving quite literally thousands of bugs — we're confident these are the best ways to banish summer's least welcome pests from your home and yard: mosquitoes, ants, flies, and the like. The very best fly swatter (and the best swatting technique): This basic fly swatter is the longest one we've tested, and it has just the right amount of flex in the handle to create a satisfying whip. (If you're willing to splurge for an heirloom-quality swatter, we love this swanky leather one, too.) Two tips to swat effectively: Be as invisible and as fast as possible, and get your swatter as close to the fly as you can before making your move. This basic fly swatter is the longest one we've tested, and it has just the right amount of flex in the handle to create a satisfying whip. (If you're willing to splurge for an heirloom-quality swatter, we love this swanky leather one, too.) Two tips to swat effectively: Be as invisible and as fast as possible, and get your swatter as close to the fly as you can before making your move. A tennis racket that kills big swarms of bugs: The Executioner looks like a tennis racket, but it has an electric current to zap any bugs that come in contact with it. It's not the most effective for hunting one single bug, but it shines when you're faced with a swarm: Just hold the button and take a swing, and you're sure to get at least one bug. And compared with a regular fly swatter, the mess is minimal: no blood, no guts, all the glory. The Executioner looks like a tennis racket, but it has an electric current to zap any bugs that come in contact with it. It's not the most effective for hunting one single bug, but it shines when you're faced with a swarm: Just hold the button and take a swing, and you're sure to get at least one bug. And compared with a regular fly swatter, the mess is minimal: no blood, no guts, all the glory. Our solve for fruit flies and fungus gnats: Don't let pests swarm around your glorious summer produce. These sticky fly traps are designed to attract and capture insects that land or crawl onto the surface — catching dozens of pesky bugs at a time. Don't let pests swarm around your glorious summer produce. These sticky fly traps are designed to attract and capture insects that land or crawl onto the surface — catching dozens of pesky bugs at a time. This is, by far, the best way to get rid of an ant problem in your house: These safe, easy-to-use bait traps lure ants with sweet, poisonous syrup. The ants then bring it back to the colony where it's shared, effectively eliminating the infestation at the source. Pro tip: Don't panic when you start seeing more ants for a bit. Word of the sweet syrup may travel … before it starts doing its job. These safe, easy-to-use bait traps lure ants with sweet, poisonous syrup. The ants then bring it back to the colony where it's shared, effectively eliminating the infestation at the source. Pro tip: Don't panic when you start seeing more ants for a bit. Word of the sweet syrup may travel … before it starts doing its job. And a few things to avoid: Bug zappers kill bugs by the thousands. But they kill the wrong bugs. They are ineffective against mosquitoes and other biting flies, and their otherwise indiscriminate killing can disrupt pollination and generally throw the environment out of balance. Also, ditch your citronella candles. In general, we don't recommend essential oils as a form of bug control — even the best one we tested still pales in comparison to what you can expect from a truly effective repellent.
New York Times
15-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Finally Dust Under Your Fridge — And More Home Cleaning Projects You've Been Putting Off
In this edition of Clean Everything, we share four affordable tools to help you tackle your most dreaded to-dos, including a fix for your wobbly towel bar and an organization hack for chaotic Tupperware lids. In life, there are plenty of messes that demand immediate attention: big spills, a sink full of dishes, trash ready to be taken out. But there are also those less pressing to-dos that tend to pile up: finally fixing that wiggly towel bar or dealing with the pile of dust you know is waiting for you under the fridge. Many of these messes are actually easier to sort out than you might think — with the right tools. Here are a few we swear by: For dusting under your fridge, washer, and other heavy appliances: This $20 tiny airbag can lift hundreds of pounds for hours at a time. It's great for leveling the legs on heavy pieces or sliding a duster underneath. Writes home-improvement expert Liam McCabe: 'It's like an extra set of hands that can slide into the tiniest gaps.' This $20 tiny airbag can lift hundreds of pounds for hours at a time. It's great for leveling the legs on heavy pieces or sliding a duster underneath. Writes home-improvement expert Liam McCabe: 'It's like an extra set of hands that can slide into the tiniest gaps.' For the wobbly towel bar or toilet paper holder: These $1 bolts are great for hanging stuff in hollow walls — and the butterfly design keeps things really secure. Liam says: 'When I dry my hands now, all I feel is terry cloth. No wobbling, no worrying about how and when I'll get around to fixing the bar when it inevitably comes loose.' These $1 bolts are great for hanging stuff in hollow walls — and the butterfly design keeps things really secure. Liam says: 'When I dry my hands now, all I feel is terry cloth. No wobbling, no worrying about how and when I'll get around to fixing the bar when it inevitably comes loose.' For the chaotic Tupperware shelf: If you've ever tried to pull just one food storage container lid out of your cabinet, only to have a whole avalanche come tumbling down around you, consider this lid organizer. It's ingeniously designed to keep wayward lids neat and easily accessible. If you've ever tried to pull just one food storage container lid out of your cabinet, only to have a whole avalanche come tumbling down around you, consider this lid organizer. It's ingeniously designed to keep wayward lids neat and easily accessible. For keeping grout glistening white: This teeny little cleaning brush is good for just about anything, but our cleaning expert Caroline Mullen especially likes it for scrubbing grout. Its angled shape also makes it good for getting into hard-to-clean nooks and crannies, the rim around the toilet bowl, and more.
New York Times
24-04-2025
- New York Times
Cleaning Gadgets You Probably Don't Need
In this edition of Clean Everything, we share our experience testing the world's most expensive robot vacuum cleaner. Plus: a viral scrubber you don't need, how to make your Swiffer less wasteful, and a robot vacuum we do like. Every so often on the cleaning beat, we come across an overengineered, overhyped gadget that claims it will solve all of your cleaning woes — even offering to take over your chores entirely. And though some robots can be extremely useful (more on that below), we've found when a cleaning gizmo seems like it's too good to be true, it probably is. Take, for example, this $1,400 robot vacuum. Its features list is a mile long: AI obstacle detection, a self-emptying dirt bin, a self-washing and self-drying mop, a tiny robot arm that reaches into corners to sweep up the last bits of dust, and on and on. And, sure, in our month of testing it, we've found that it's pretty good. Yet it's far from perfect, and it's still susceptible to the same limitations that robot cleaners have struggled with for decades. 'Counting on it to be a perfect robot servant, or to engineer the drudgery of cleaning out of your life, is just setting yourself up for disappointment,' said senior staff writer Liam McCabe.
New York Times
03-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
Hide Stuff Behind the Curtains—and More Storage Hacks from Our Experts
In this edition of Clean Everything, we talk about how to (creatively) hide bulky items around a small apartment. Plus: a portable kitchen island and a handsome caddy for your cleaning potions. Step into staff writer and organizing expert Caroline Mullen's 750-square-foot apartment, and you'd hardly suspect she's storing a workshop's worth of tools—including three power saws, a slew of DIY supplies, and gallons upon gallons of paint—around her abode. 'What's a city rat with a passion for DIY to do?' she writes. 'Well, I've had to get creative with how I store things.' Caroline swears by a few key storage solutions for stashing her bulky tools away so neatly. A few of her favorite tips? Using the furniture she already owns as hiding places, relying on cute baskets for her sewing supplies, and taking advantage of the treasure trove of space behind the couch. 'I may or may not get a secret thrill from knowing that guests don't realize there are gallons of paint and 7-foot boards hidden behind the living room curtains,' she writes.
