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CNN
29-05-2025
- General
- CNN
Best compost bins, according to real composters
Compost bin quick picks A small compost bin to get started: Oxo Good Grips Easy-Clean Bin A large compost bin for busy kitchens: Exaco Eco 2000-NP 2.4-Gallon Pail Certified compostable liner bags: BioBag The Original Compostable BagComposting at home is a fantastic way to reduce your impact on the planet, and with the best compost bins, you can start turning your food scraps into compost and reduce your waste. Whether you have a backyard composter or participate in your city's curbside program, composting is an easy habit to start. Once you figure out how to start a compost pile or research your town's rules, you might be looking for a countertop compost bin to collect all your food scraps. But before you buy a fancy bin for your kitchen, take a look around your house. 'As an environmental organization, we encourage people to use what they already have available,' said Lia Lucero, community engagement manager at the Lower East Side Ecology Center. 'Just about anything can be turned into a container, and we've seen a lot of creativity from participants dropping off at the Union Square Greenmarket. Items like yogurt tubs, takeout containers and salad boxes can all be repurposed for collecting food scraps.' Although a compost bin is an eco-friendly product, the more sustainable option is to use what you already have. If you don't have a container at home or like the idea of a separate bin to help you collect food scraps, we've listed some of the best on the market to get you started. EconoHome 5-Gallon Bucket Pail Container With Lid "My expertise is mostly in compost production, so I am in favor of any bin of organics that is clean (contamination-free)," said Rutger Myers, director of compost and carbon farming at Eco-Cycle. "I'm not particularly picky about my organic receptacle bin. At home, I use a 5-gallon bucket with a lid." Simplehuman Compost Caddy This compost bin can attach to existing Simplehuman trash cans, making it a great modular option. It has a sleek design but is on the smaller side compared to other bins. Oxo Good Grips Easy-Clean 0.75-Gallon Compost Bin This small compost bin from Oxo is made from plastic, so it's easy to clean. It won't be as durable as any stainless steel option, though. Red Factor Premium 1.3-Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Bin This stainless steel compost bin can hold 1.3 gallons of food waste and keep your kitchen from stinking with a charcoal filter. It's very similar to a bin I've had and used for over four years. Compost bins aren't typically dishwasher-safe, but stainless steel is easy to clean in the sink. Epica 1.3-Gallon Stainless Steel Countertop Compost Bin This stainless steel bin also has a charcoal filter to help reduce odors. I've found I like bins with 1.3 gallons of capacity, as it gets full in about one to two weeks. I've had issues in the past with discoloration of painted and enameled containers, which is why I prefer plain stainless steel. Kibaga Kitchen Compost Bin With Smell Proof Lid This cute can is made from stainless steel but has a wooden handle and knob. If you keep your bin on your counter and care about aesthetics, this could be a good option. Tiyafuro 2.4-Gallon Kitchen Compost Bin If you'd rather keep your compost bin under the sink, this nifty hanging bin is a great option. It holds 2.4 gallons, so unless you create a lot of food waste, you'll probably want to empty it even before it gets full. Exaco ECO 2000-NP 2.4-Gallon Kitchen Compost Pail Another large, budget option for kitchens that produce a lot of scraps, this pail has a carbon filter and is built from sturdy plastic. BioBag The Original Compostable Bag If you want to line your bin to make clean up a little easier, make sure to research if your collection facility can accept bags. These from BioBag are certified compostable in industrial composters only, so you might want to line your bin with paper bags to be extra safe. Elena Lopez, senior outreach and communications manager at LA Compost, also encourages collecting scraps with whatever you already have at home, such as a bowl or food container. Even if it's a bin you're about to throw in the recycling, it could be used to collect scraps. However, she also said, 'If a stylish compost bin inspires you to stick with the habit, go for it. Just consider choosing one made from durable, sustainable materials like aluminum.' Stainless steel and aluminum are the best materials to look for in a compost bin. Some bins have an enamel coating to make them more aesthetically pleasing, but that coating can come off after years of use. When deciding which bin to choose, there are a few factors to consider. 'When choosing a container size, it depends on how often curbside collection is scheduled in their area and how much food waste they generate between pickups,' Lucero said. 'In NYC, curbside composting is typically once a week, though some residents also have access to local drop-off sites, including Smart Compost bins.' Besides the dimensions of your bucket, location is also an important factor to consider when collecting your food waste. 'We recommend keeping the container in the freezer to prevent fruit flies and odors,' Lucero said. 'For those storing their container under the sink or on the countertop, troubleshooting with shredded newspaper or baking soda can help. Some people use a two-step system: collecting daily scraps in a small container and then transferring them to a larger container stored in the freezer.' Especially if you're storing your container under the sink or on your countertop, look for a bin with either an airtight lid or one with a charcoal filter to help reduce odors. The following FAQs were answered by composting experts Elena Lopez and Lia Lucero, and include reporting done by Kai Burkhardt, CNN Underscored's outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor. What are the best types of food waste to put in a compost bin? What are the best types of food waste to put in a compost bin? 'The types of food waste accepted vary by program,' Lucero said. 'NYC Curbside Composting and Smart Bins accept a wide range of scraps, including meat and dairy. However, community food-scrap drop-off sites usually don't accept those items, as they're processed through smaller composting systems.' As a reminder, when you're tossing your onion and banana peels along with other scraps, make sure to look for and remove any stickers, as they won't break down. How often should you empty a compost bin? How often should you empty a compost bin? You should empty your compost bin about once a week or whenever it gets full. This is easy when you have curbside pickup, but if you're dumping your scraps somewhere, remember to stick to a frequent schedule. If you leave food scraps in the bin for too long, it can start to smell bad, grow bacteria or attract pests. What types of bag liners are the best for compost bins? What types of bag liners are the best for compost bins? 'If you prefer to line your bin, brown paper bags or newspaper are compost-friendly options,' Lopez said. 'We recommend avoiding plastic liners, which can cause issues in the composting process and often aren't accepted.' Some liners are certified compostable, however, such as BioBags, which are recommended by Lucero and can be broken down in industrial composters. For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Elena Lopez, senior outreach and communications manager at LA Compost Lia Lucero, community engagement manager at the Lower East Side Ecology Center Rutger Myers, director of compost and carbon farming at Eco-Cycle CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, CNN Underscored's outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Kai Burkhardt spoke to a number of compost experts from across the country. He also has been collecting his own food scraps for compost for over four years.
Buzz Feed
20-04-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
30 Super Smart Cleaning Tools That'll Make Cleaning Your Home Way Less Intimidating
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. A little effort, a lot of payoff. 1. A broom and dustpan set so you can finally retire your sad old broom with the bent bristles and dustpan that leaves behind a trail of crumbs. This one's got sturdy bristles, a clip-on design for easy storage, and — best of all — built-in teeth on the dustpan so you can clean the gunk of the broom without using your hands. When I say this is the most used cleaning tool in my house I mean it. We have two small children, and one's a toddler who's still learning how to feed himself. Meals get MESSY. Several times a day we need to clean around our dining table, and this is our go-to tool for sweeping up all the crumbs and other grossness that ends up on the floor. The teeth on the dustpan mean the broom bristles stay super clean, which means even the smallest piece of dirt (a good example is hair) still gets picked up and pushed into the dustpan. I LOVE this set! Promising review: "This is hands-down the best broom and dustpan set in my house. I've gone through so many cheap plastic ones over the years — most of them crack, bend, or just don't hold up when it's time to really get into some heavy-duty cleaning. This one? It's built to last. The dustpan sits flush with the floor and actually works, especially with the built-in comb to pull out hair and debris from the broom. It's a small feature, but it makes cleanup so much faster. If you're tired of replacing broom sets every few months, this is absolutely worth the extra couple of bucks. Strong, effective, and built to last. Highly recommend!" — Super Reviewer American Patriot Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in six colors). 2. A Chomp wall cleaner that comes with a baseboard duster, dry dust and wet mop cleaning pads. You will feel like such a superhero when you use this, wiping away years of dust, grime, and weird handprints you didn't even realize were that high up. Promising review:"This is a game changer, y'all! I'm awestruck! I have arthritis all over, and a limited income and this helped me clean every single wall in my bedroom in one day. I just rinsed out the yellow head in the sink every few square feet. I'm so excited and telling all my friends!" — Lou DeJesus Get it from Amazon for $39.97. 3. An Oxo Good Grips brush set because sometimes your sponge just isn't cutting it. The large brush handles grout, stove tops, and shower door tracks, while the smaller one gets into tight corners and around faucets. It even has a built-in wiper blade for clearing out gunk. The set includes two brushes: a larger one for things like grout and stovetops and a smaller one with a brush side and wiper blade side. Promising review:"Shocking! I got this at the request of a friend who was helping with cleaning. They weren't expensive, so I decided to get them. I thought they were kind of silly, I use toothbrushes if I need a small cleaning brush. No more toothbrushes for cleaning for me! These really do let you get into cracks and corners, and the bristles are stiff enough to get packed-in dirt out. And the silly squeegee on the end? Awesome. I rent, and have places in my apartment I've never been able to get clean. With these brushes and the squeegee tip, I think the apartment is finally clean of old tenants' dirt." — Laura Gail Get it from Amazon for $8.69 (also available in a grout brush). 4. A reusable roller dog hair remover that works just as well as the single-use sheet kind, but without the guilt (and cost) of having to buy new rolls all the time. And it works in mere seconds! Promising review:"I have a golden retriever, and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair, and I finally decided to try it after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie; this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout, and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in white or black). 5. Or a pet hair removal tool to use on more durable materials, like rugs and tough fabrics. This works especially well when you're trying to pull up deeply embedded pet hair. Uproot Clean is a small business that makes tools for removing pet fur and hair from households. Promising review: "Cleaning up cat hair during spring shedding season has become a yearly ritual at our house. With an 18 pound Maine Coon cat it's practically a full-time job. This is one of the most effective hair removers we've tried, and we've tried many." — Gracie Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 6. A set of drill brush attachments perfect for taking on the toughest stains on your home's tile, glass, grout, and fiberglass. You'll save so much time and energy thanks to these attachments, and can instead focus on doing what you do best: zoning out on the couch while watching the latest Netflix show. The white is a soft bristle, best for wheels, carpet, upholstery, glass, and leather; the yellow is a medium bristle, best for bathroom, bathtub, shower, tile, and porcelain; the green is a medium bristle, best for kitchen, stoves, cabinets, countertops, and linoleum; the blue is a medium bristle, best for boats, pools, canoe/kayaks, hot tubs, and plastics; the red is a stiff bristle, best for outdoors, siding, brick, garage, and gutter; and the black is a hard bristle, best for grills, loose paint, furnaces, ovens, and industrial use. Drill 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 harm. Promising review:"These brushes worked flawlessly. I have a 24-year-old home that has not been remodeled yet. The master bath shower tile and fiberglass shower pan were in pretty bad shape. We tried many types of cleaners to remove residual soap and hard water stains with little success. As a last-ditch effort, I purchased these brushes. They worked amazingly well. Using Krud Kutter and these brushes removed every bit of the dirt and polished those tiles so that they shine brilliantly like they did when they were new. I am completely satisfied with my purchase of these brushes. They are well made and held up beautifully to the forces I applied while using them." — Tom S4TX Get the set of three from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors). 7. A set of Swiffer-compatible reusable microfiber mop pads that are way better for the environment (and your conscience) than the single-use ones. Plus, they work wet or dry. When they need to be cleaned, throw them in the washing machine and they'll be good as new. They can be used wet or dry and on basically every type of flooring and even drywall if you're so inclined. Since they can be thrown in the wash, one microfiber pad can replace up 100 single-use pads. These are only compatible with the Swiffer Sweeper and WetJet models. Promising review: "Just used these for the first time with my Swiffer WetJet and I gotta say I am impressed! Went on easily and cleaned the floors easily! I always hated the one-time use pads and never felt like they got my floor clean. This review is NOT sponsored, I bought these with my own money because I'm sick of single-use products. Seriously, buy these now!!!" — AKGross Get a set of two from Amazon for $10.95. 8. A Bissell multipurpose portable cleaner capable of tackling the most aggressive messes and stains, all without the annoyance of a cord. Like the tens of thousands of positive reviewers, I, too use this to take on heavy-duty cleaning. Everything from deep cleaning my rugs to taking care of major messes on my kids' carseats. It's truly a lifesaver! Promising review:"This vacuum is amazing. I first heard of it on TikTok, where people were using it to clean their stairs, mattresses, car seats, etc., and from the videos, it already looked amazing. But considering how dirty my dining chair cushions were, I was a little bit apprehensive and skeptical. I purchased the item and used it on my chairs for the first time, and the results were SO AMAZING. Best vacuum I've ever used. I even bought a second one!" — Davina Get it from Amazon for $99.99. 9. A sink plunger that'll unblock all the grossness that's been building up in your drain for who knows how long. If you live in a home where the water drains reeeeaaaallllllly slow, this product can probably dislodge all the blockage in just a few pumps. Promising review: "I needed it for my bathroom sink. I doubted it would work as easy and fast as advertised but it did. I thought I'd really have to work it for it to work. Super impressed. Took like, a minute, if that. Piece of advice though, if your sink has that overflow drain, put a sponge or something over it. Water and gunk will plunge out of the hole, and if you aren't expecting,g it will have a mess." — A Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in small and large sizes). 10. Or a drain clog remover to *literally* pull months of gunk out of your drain(s). It's long, flexible, and covered in little barbs that grab hair and gunk so you don't have to. Just poke, twist, and enjoy not standing in ankle-deep mystery water anymore. Promising review:"When I pulled the orange plastic spiked strip from the package, I was immediately skeptical and felt like all those 5-star reviews were from people who exist in an alternate universe. I was tempted to initiate a return on Amazon but decided that I might as well gamble on a piece of $9 plastic before gambling $200 on a plumber. I slipped the plastic strip down my shower drain and literally FIVE SECONDS LATER I was pulling up gobs and gobs and gobs of hair. HOLY COW!!!!!!!! OHMYGOSH. I can't believe I still have any hair left on my head. SO MUCH REPULSIVE GUNK!!!! I saved my prize hairball on the shower floor to show my husband because I knew he would be as skeptical as I was. We both agree it looks like a small raccoon or a large squirrel lying helplessly on my shower floor. It's a grisly, messy, smelly, and oh-so-rewarding job." — Chocolate and Chips Get a six-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two styles and different packs). 11. A no-scratch scraper tool so you can finally take on the daunting task of removing all the sticky stuff that's stuck on everything from appliances to glassware. And because it's so narrow, it can fit into really tight places — people even use it for car detailing! Tap to play GIF Reviewers say this works when Goo Gone won't cut it on its own, *or* use it *with* a little Goo Gone if the sticky stuff seems impossible to get off. Promising review: "This item is so handy, I wish I had found it sooner. I bought it to scrape off labels but I have used it for many other things. It scrapes well and does not scratch the item. It's sturdy, so it doesn't bend or break with effort. For the stickier labels, I heat them with my blowdryer, then use this to scrape them off. It works like a charm. I initially wondered what I would do with several of these, but I have them stashed in several rooms since I've found them so useful." — Katmandont Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99. 12. A robot mop and vacuum combo that's basically the GOAT of cleaning. It vacuums, it mops, it empties itself, and it even scrubs its own mop pads. Yes, it's a splurge, but if you want floors that stay clean without constant effort, this little machine gets it done. This robot vacuum and mop can even be controlled by Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri! My colleague Samar Hadri has this and swears by it: " I love this mop/vacuum combo! I despise chores (as most people do), and as a busy mom of an infant who also works full-time, keeping on top of cleaning is a lot harder than it seems. Between washing and sterilizing bottles, whipping up meals, and tidying up, I literally find I don't have enough hours in the day for vacuuming or mopping. And then I got this baby. All I have to do is click a single button on the app or activate it via my Google Assistant (I named my robot Squidward, so I can say, "Squidward, start mopping"). The first thing it did was map my home (pictured above), and then it started out the clean cycle. It moped my tile, and once it sensed a rug, it switched to a vacuum, so my precious carpet was spared! I was amazedddd to see how well it cleaned up my floors! Plus, it totally did not crash into any furniture (and with an infant, trust me, there's a lotttt of furniture and gadgets strewn all over the place)!! It's a bit loud when it's emptying itself out, but otherwise, the actual cleaning portion of it is fairly quiet. Altogether, Squidward has proven himself to be an absolute time save for me. I highly recommend!" Get it from Amazon for $699.99 (also available in white). 13. A toilet bowl ring remover if you haven't cleaned your toilet bowl in a reaaalllllly long time. That permanent dark ring? It's no match for this pumice stone on a stick! Promising review:"We bought a house that had been empty for about 15 months, and the primary bathroom toilet had a very bad water ring. I had tried about four different things to get it off of the bowl, and nothing worked. I was recently searching the internet for some new ideas, and the pumice stone came up. I used it today, and it worked great. The water ring is finally gone. It did not scratch the porcelain at all." — momof2 Get it from Amazon for $9.29+ (also available in packs of two and four). 14. A touchless vacuum because dustpans are annoying and you deserve better. Just sweep debris toward its base, and the infrared sensors kick in to suck it all up. It's especially great in high-traffic areas where the floor somehow gets dirty five minutes after you clean it. Promising review:" 10/10, would recommend. Got this initially for cleaning up the hair in my salon. It works perfectly! I love it. It's so easy. This is AMAZING!!" — Alyssa Get it from Amazon for $199 (available in five colors). 15. An innovative toilet plunger that's way more effective (and way less gross) than the old-fashioned kind. Instead of just swirling stuff around and hoping for the best, this flexible silicone tool actually clears the clog with minimal drama (or effort). It's compact, easy to clean, and according to reviewers, weirdly satisfying to use. ToiletShroom is a small business that makes innovative products for residential bathrooms. Promising review: "When I opened the box and saw this in real time I was like, 'I probably wasted my money.' Well, despite having used a standard plunger numerous times to no avail, I tried this plunger, and it worked in literally two minutes. To be clear — this is a different beast from the typical straightforward plunger, and you do not use it the same way. That being said, it was not hard to figure out, and after maybe a minute or two of figuring it out, it was a cinch. Great innovative bathroom tool. I will eventually purchase one for each of my bathrooms." — Christopher D Aquila Get it from Amazon for $16.99. 16. A pack of sweeper slippers so you can rid your floors of dirt, hair, and grime while keeping your toes nice and warm. Prepare to be swept away by how much time you'll save. Promising review:"I absolutely love these! I kind of bought them as a joke. I hate wearing socks, shoes, or slippers, but I also HATE dirty feet. These were the answer I was looking for! They are lightweight on my notice I'm wearing them, and by golly they pick up the dust and dirt that our dog leaves behind! They also wash very nicely. We always wash in Tide, and these looked brand-new after being washed. I'm very pleased with my purchase!" — Tim S. Get five pairs from Amazon for $15.99. 17. A sponge handle that'll finally let your Scrub Daddy live its best hands-free life. It grips the sponge for you, so you can scrub without your fingers getting all pruney or gross. Amazon Smilyeez is a small business that makes sponge holders. Promising review: "I am someone who hates touching the sponge or dish cloth; I like to keep my hands as dry as I can while washing dishes. This helps so much and cleans so well, and dispenses the soap well after I push the button on the handle." — Mariah Siler Get it from Amazon for $12.95+ (available in six colors). 18. A dryer lint brush because you'd be shocked at how much lint is residing in your dryer gap and exhaust port. Using this will speed up clothing drying time and help prevent lint buildup. Promising review:"Works perfectly for scrubbing the stuck lint out of the insides of your dryer. Everyone who owns a dryer should have these, they're basic safety equipment. Clean that lint, and reduce fire hazard and make the machine more efficient. They're long enough, strong enough, and just flexible enough without being too flexible." — Winged Wolf Get a two-pack from Amazon for $7.99. 19. A Swiffer PowerMop to make scrubbing floors feel less like a punishment and more like a mildly satisfying chore. The pre-mixed cleaning solution cuts through grime, the absorbent pads trap gunk, and the power spray gives you that "I'm in a cleaning commercial" moment. Promising review: "Great mop when you need the job done fast. Liquid refills are easy to pop in, and you can slap on replacement mop pads in a hurry (you'll know when they need to be replaced). This mop is ideal when you get one of those 'I'll see you in 10 minutes' phone calls. Just press the release button on the handle, and a spray will shoot out at the center of the path. Tip: I run the mop head under warm water first and squeeze it out before I start, as a damp mop works better. The floor is clean in no time and I like that I don't need to store a separate bottle of cleaner. My mom loves that it's lightweight, so she can carry it upstairs and mop the hall floors and bathroom tiles. Gladly recommend." — A. Mitchell Get it from Amazon for $24.94. 20. Or a flat mop that basically cleans itself, so you don't have to touch the grimy mop head (bless). The compact design makes it great for tight spaces, and the reusable microfiber pads mean you can keep your floors and walls sparkling without hauling out a giant mop setup every time. Amazon, Promising review: "This mop is freaking awesome! My bathroom was being renovated so I bought this to wash the walls when it was done. Works awesome! I've used it on the floor as well. I love that you can wash the microfiber cloth. I would definitely recommend this product!!!" — Layla Get it from Amazon for $31.57+ (available in two sizes and many pad options). 21. A squeegee to mount directly to your shower's tile or glass. Avoid spending an afternoon scrubbing away at water stains on your shower's surfaces by quickly using this to remove access water whenever you're done showering. Promising review: "Great, amazing product. Saw this on TikTok and I had to get it because it was so viral. And I'm so glad that I did, best purchase for my shower." — Brittany Zepeda Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four metal finishes and three sizes). 22. An automatic bleach toilet cleaning system, because cleaning your toilet bowl is never fun. Once installed (reviewers say it's a breeze), the bleach automatically dispenses, cleans, and deodorizes with every flush. It's super quick to install, and one cartridge can last up to three months! Promising review:"I originally got these because my college roommate never cleaned the bathroom, and I was hoping to find something that would help me not have to clean the toilet as often. Let me tell you, this works so much better than I hoped. These keep the toilet COMPLETELY CLEAN for three months! When I moved out of the apartment, I took this with me and hooked it up to the toilet back home. When I move out, I will certainly be taking it with me again. Can't recommend this enough." — Dave M. Get it from Amazon for $10.77. 23. A grooming glove that'll turn shedding season into a bonding experience instead of a fur-covered fever dream. With soft silicone tips, it gently removes loose hair while giving your pet a soothing massage — like a spa day they didn't even know they needed. From Buzzfeed contributor AnaMaria Glavan: "The glove is super comfortable and using it couldn't be more foolproof: just put it on and run your hands through your pet's fur. That's it! The silicone grooves pick up so much fur with ease. Like, my dog looks close to hairless. HOW is he shedding so much!?!? After a few runs, I found that I would have to remove fur from the glove before continuing (you can pick up the fur with your other hand or run the glove under some water — either works) but it's no biggie. The silicone actually makes it really easy to keep this clean. We got Rockie when he was five and he'd been riddled with skin issues and allergies, so I was pretty nervous to use anything that could potentially aggravate his conditions. However! Not only does this *not* bother his skin, but he…loves this. A lot. He starts snoring after exactly two run-throughs on his back. Also, his coat looks SO shiny after each use! TL;DR: this is one of those inexpensive add-ons that any pet owner should have on hand." Get it from Amazon for $7.97. 24. A super-affordable, game-changing power scrubber for deep cleaning your bathroom — especially grout! — in a major way. Tap to play GIF Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed BuzzFeed shopping editor Natalie Brown put this baby to the test, and here's what she had to say: "This thing works small miracles: I cleaned about half of my bathroom's grout to its original sparkling-clean cream color in 40 minutes, and it took honestly no effort at all. I literally sat on the floor, dipped the bristles in a Castile soap dilution (2–3 drops of soap + 1/2 cup of water; but you could use almost any cleaner of your choice), then lazily ran the scrubber back and forth over a 6-inch section of grimy, dark-gray grout — and it only took about 30 seconds for that grout to go from dingy to bright. I started by using the specialty grout brush, but then I decided to try it with the default brush and that seemed to work just as well, IMHO!" Check out her full power scrubber review. Get it from Amazon for $17.95. 25. A microfiber spin mop so your mop isn't soaking wet before you use it, which will dramatically cut down on the time it takes to not only clean your floors but also let them dry. Plus, it's machine-washable, has an automatic wringer, and is designed in a shape that will reach into small spaces and corners. Truly, this mop does all the work for you — all you do is dunk into the water and push around the floor. Promising review:"Ashamed to say, but I barely ever mop the floors. I purchased this O-Cedar Mop and Bucket based on the great reviews. I am here to add a 5-star review of my own. This mop and bucket not only cleaned my floors, but it made the entire process easy (and dare I say fun?). I did the entire first floor of my house, both tile and wood. Then wanted more fun, so I scooped up the handy handle and carried it upstairs, where I continued on to the bedrooms and bathrooms. I don't want to go on and on, but this mop picked up lots of dirt and grime and then popped easily into the washing machine. It came out great. The swirly thing makes all the difference. It wrings out all of the excess water, so it's easy to mop without using too much muscle, which I do not have. And the mop heads are short, rather than long mop heads, which only make for heavier mops. If you're on the fence, go for it, you'll agree." — LauraP320 Get it from Amazon for $34.96. 26. A pressure washer for making grimy surfaces like new again, especially after an especially harsh winter. From mildew on fences to stained concrete and outdoor furniture, this will help tackle difficult cleaning tasks that you thought couldn't be remedied. Promising review: "This washer was easy to set up and operate. I bought it to pressure wash the railings on my back patio, but once I saw how well it worked, I ended up doing my patio furniture, stone patio, steps, a stone wall, garage doors, and one side of my house. It took several hours to do all that, but it was really satisfying. Some of it was seven years worth of grime and some was only two years. This machine handled it all. I plan to do it all once a year to keep it looking great." — nylon21 Get it from Amazon for $199. 27. A length-adjustable pet hair broom because it's that time of the year when dogs and cats are shedding more than usual, and you need something to rake it all up. Because the bristles are rubber, it picks up way more hair than a traditional broom. Want more info? Check out my coworker's FURemover Evrilholder broom review. You'll learn a thing or two AND enjoy some very satisfying hair removal photos! Promising review:" I saw this on TikTok and thought it was worth a shot. I have two dogs and a cat, and being one with a dust and dander allergy, I have to vacuum often, but the vacuum can't always get in deep enough. This actually works and I was shocked at how well it does. I brush the carpet a few times and vacuum it up and the carpet even looks better!! I highly recommend this to everyone — especially pet owners." — Theo A Get it from Amazon for $10.76+ (available in four styles). 28. A microfiber blinds duster with spaced-out fingers to tackle several blinds in one swipe. Never again will you need to clear your schedule when you just want to clean your window treatments. Promising review:"I love this product!! It works fantastic! I am a housekeeper for several private homes. My least favorite job is cleaning window blinds! I have used every method, but the job is still very time-consuming. The main reason it takes so long is you must clean each and every slat separately to do the job right. Not anymore! With this product, you can clean two slats at once, and it cleans them the first swipe! The microfiber is the key to getting all the dust, and the design of the product makes it super easy! PLUS, this tool can be used on different types of blinds because it is flexible! I have used it on wooden shutters, plastic vertical patio door blinds, and horizontal metal 'mini' blinds. Additionally, the microfiber 'sleeve' that fits on the tool is washable, and it comes with five of them, so it's a real value. Being reusable and with so many to use it should last a long time before they all completely wear out! This product deserves 10 stars!" — Sandy D Get the brush and five microfiber sleeves from Amazon for $6.99. 29. A pack of Magic Erasers for tackling the tough job of cleaning any stained surface in your home. This all-in-one product is a game changer and dissolves as it works, so the cleanup from the cleanup is minimal at best. These melamine eraser sponges are super tough on stains, but won't damage the surface underneath the stain. Promising review:"Learned about these online on cleaning blogs and tried them out — amazing! They make cleaning spots that don't improve or need seemingly hours of scrubbing clean instantly! I feel lazy using them. Some spots can't be cleaned with them, but those are rare and just too stubborn for anything and need some kind of special help." — Kindle Customer Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $12.77. 30. And a wall-mounted toilet brush with silicone bristles to clean your toilet way more efficiently once the dreaded ring is gone. It's also rust-proof, which means it won't inevitably turn orange like traditional brushes do. Promising review: "I purchased this item because of a TikTok review, and I absolutely love it! You can toss your old brushes that get nasty-looking and stop wasting money on disposable brushes. This brush does it all! It is well-made and very easy to clean. It hangs nicely, out of the way, on the side of the tank. I highly recommend this item!" — L. Crocitto Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in five colors).
