Latest news with #StephanieMartin
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Free Speech Union Submits On Phase 2 Of Covid-19 Inquiry: Speech Rights Undermined During Pandemic
Press Release – Free Speech Union Suppressing legitimate questions and professional judgments ultimately undermines public trust and weakens democratic institutions. The Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic compromised speech rights, especially in healthcare, academia, and education. The Free Speech Union has submitted to the Phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) into the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic as speech rights are cornerstone to ensuring transparency and trust in public institutions, says Stephanie Martin, the Free Speech Union's Stakeholder Relationship Manager. 'We submitted to ensure to ensure the Royal Commission recognises the significant chilling effect that aspects of the Government response had on open debate, professional dissent, and academic freedom in New Zealand. Our concerns include the suppression of dissent, mandates and speech, one-way communication, and behavioural messaging vs. informed dialogue. 'Our professional memberships, such as healthcare professionals, academics, and teachers, enabled us to highlight specific areas where speech rights were directly affected and collate feedback from members of our industry-specific members and Councils. Their stories provide evidence of the ways many professionals were silenced, and sometimes faced severe consequences, for expressing views that differed from the Government's. 'Members expressed the lasting effects this had on their trust and confidence in Government, professionals, and regulatory bodies such as the Medical Council. This is in line with cases where the Free Speech Union is currently defending the speech rights of healthcare professionals who are under fire from regulatory bodies for expressing certain views online about Covid-19, mandates, and vaccines. 'Suppressing legitimate questions and professional judgments ultimately undermines public trust and weakens democratic institutions.'
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Free Speech Union Submits On Phase 2 Of Covid-19 Inquiry: Speech Rights Undermined During Pandemic
The Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic compromised speech rights, especially in healthcare, academia, and education. The Free Speech Union has submitted to the Phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) into the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic as speech rights are cornerstone to ensuring transparency and trust in public institutions, says Stephanie Martin, the Free Speech Union's Stakeholder Relationship Manager. 'We submitted to ensure to ensure the Royal Commission recognises the significant chilling effect that aspects of the Government response had on open debate, professional dissent, and academic freedom in New Zealand. Our concerns include the suppression of dissent, mandates and speech, one-way communication, and behavioural messaging vs. informed dialogue. 'Our professional memberships, such as healthcare professionals, academics, and teachers, enabled us to highlight specific areas where speech rights were directly affected and collate feedback from members of our industry-specific members and Councils. Their stories provide evidence of the ways many professionals were silenced, and sometimes faced severe consequences, for expressing views that differed from the Government's. 'Members expressed the lasting effects this had on their trust and confidence in Government, professionals, and regulatory bodies such as the Medical Council. This is in line with cases where the Free Speech Union is currently defending the speech rights of healthcare professionals who are under fire from regulatory bodies for expressing certain views online about Covid-19, mandates, and vaccines. 'Suppressing legitimate questions and professional judgments ultimately undermines public trust and weakens democratic institutions.'
Ottawa Citizen
24-04-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Interior trends: Every home deserves good design
Article content The Stephanie Martin Interior Design team likes to get up close and personal with clients. It's part of their process for understanding how people live so they can craft interiors that reflect their individuality, and it often entails knowing who cooks, who cleans, what time they go to bed or where the kids drop their backpacks after school. Article content Article content 'We're not just there to make a space beautiful. We're there to make your home enjoyable and livable and functional,' said Stephanie Martin, founder and creative director of the Calgary-based firm. 'We are problem solving through design to improve lives and who doesn't want that in their home?' Article content Article content So when she hears people express concern that good design is out of reach financially, Martin is quick to point out why that isn't necessarily so. In fact, she prefers not to use wording like fees or charges in her practice, referring to design as an investment that adds value instead, and firmly believes there is a designer out there for any size home or renovation budget, even for a DIYer looking to keep costs down by doing the work themselves. Article content Article content 'A designer doesn't have to be a full meal deal all of the time. Sometimes a designer is an expert guide to steer you in the right direction,' said Martin. Article content Some clients prefer to work with their designer on an hourly consultation basis; others keep their designer in the loop from start to finish and are willing to spend $30,000 to $50,000 or more on design for a large-scale renovation project. Either way, they are accessing professionals who can help them to avoid costly mistakes, steer them in ways they may not have considered, and provide access to forward-thinking products that aren't always available through retailers. Article content Article content What's not often understood, added Martin, is that designers can actually help to maximize a budget by pointing out how to stretch dollars. For example, they may suggest switching a single sink vanity in a bathroom to a double sink to add value to the home, and then cover the additional cost by choosing a basic tile for the floor but applying it in a fun pattern to elevate the room. Article content Article content In a recent blog post, designer Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc. in the GTA points out how intentional design can save money by guarding against impulse buys and missteps that can be expensive to correct. Article content 'Working with an interior design doesn't mean extravagant spending – it means smart spending. It means having an expert who can guide you, maximize your budget and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely,' writes Soda.
Buzz Feed
22-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
33 Products With 'Woah'-Worthy Before And Afters You Should See If You Hate Living In Filth
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. If you're ready to make your living space shine like the top of the Chrysler building, then buy these products. 1. Wet & Forget, a super simple cleaner you just spray in your shower/tub once a week. The best part? You don't have to all. Just rinse it the next day and you're good to go. I know, I know, I'm crying tears of joy, too. Promising review:"This stuff is excellent. It performs as promised; it has a very nice scent, no fumes, and leaves the shower clean with no scrubbing actually necessary. It is very easy to apply and rinse off. It is designed very well, with a squirting spout separate from the large container and attached by a longish tube, so you don't have to hold the heavy container while applying the product. I've been using it for quite a while now, and I love it. I highly recommend it." — Stephanie Martin Get it from Amazon for $18.61 (available in two scents). 2. A wood polish to help restore your wooden furniture back to factory condition. Did you just get your entire house redone by an HGTV crew, or are you just super good at picking out cleaning products? Promising review:"I've been using this since the '80s. My mom made us spring clean every spring break. We had to go over all the doors, all the woodwork, all the furniture, banisters, and cabinets. We also had to clean every wall, every cabinet, every closet, and every drawer out, lol. It was hell, let me tell you, but boy, do I know how to clean now! I now use this in my house and love it. It covers scratches and knicks and makes everything look new and shiny." — LB Get it from Amazon for $5.97. 3. A cooktop cleaning kit because how many of us have attempted to "clean" our stoves by scratching burnt-on bits with our fingernails? Don't lie, you know you have. Let's be real, that's a silly idea for numerous reasons — because it's really not that effective and then you end up with dirty nails in need of a cleaning too. Now you'll have a ~proper~ way to clean without ruining your manicure in the process. Comes with a 10-ounce bottle of cooktop cleaner, a cleaning pad, a scraper, and a grip pad tool. It helps clean grease and stains and removes burnt and baked-on deposits. Promising review:"I've used this cleaning kit on glass top stoves for several years and highly recommend it. The cream removes most marks on the cooktop, and the accompanying razor and cleaning pad will remove any residue. If you clean this type of cooktop after every use, you'll avoid spending much time cleaning. It literally takes only a minute or two to get the stovetop completely clean and ready for its next use. A few drops will do a thorough job, so this size bottle will last a long while." — Cecilia P Get it from Amazon for $13.98. 4. And while you can use the cleaning kit above on both ceramic surfaces and gas ranges, reviewers with gas ranges really rave about this cleaning spray!!! We both know the last thing on your mind after cooking yourself a late-night omelet is scrubbing off remnants of melted cheese. It's OK — just give this stuff a quick spray, let it sit a few minutes, and then effortlessly wipe it away. My colleague Daniel Boan swears by this cleaning spray. Here's his review: "This stuff is THE TRUTH. My roommate is the best, but let's just say wiping down the stove after cooking is not one of her favorite activities. I'm not particularly fond of doing the dishes, so I guess we're even. Anyway, I spray this on a few times a week, let it sit for about five minutes, then wipe it with a cloth, and it removes EVERYTHING. Like, every little spot of caked-on grease and burnt crumbs come off with just one wipe." Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.98. 5. A divided drawer organizer because it shouldn't take having to go on a dresser scavenger hunt just to find your favorite fuzzy socks. It comes with four sets in different dimensions so they can hold different size garments. Promising review:"I hemmed and hawed over this while it spent months on my wish list. My top dresser drawer was full to the brim with bras, undies, socks, and tights, and I kept using the same few items that were always on top. I was afraid not all my undergarments would fi,t but finally, I had little choice and ordered this in pink. Oh my! I'm in LOVE! I feel like one of those uber-organized TikTok moms every time I pull the drawer open. Super easy to set up and fill. If you have too many socks, tights, or undies, each well can fit more than one on top of the other. The included pieces fit perfectly in a standard tall bureau, which I had been concerned about. Take the plunge, you'll be super glad you did!" — Chrissquasi Get it from Amazon for $13.87 (available in seven colors). 6. A pumice cleaning stone to scratch away at repulsive and stubborn hard water stains, grime, and mineral deposits without leaving horrid scratch marks in the bowl. Promising review:"I have a 19-year-old primary bathroom toilet that had accumulated some nasty stains over time, and regular toilet brushes and cleaning products just would not remove them. I decided to try this pumice stone, and it worked like a charm! Given the nature and severity of the stains, it required some elbow grease. But 10 minutes later, I have a new-looking bowl, and I see no signs of scratching." — Happy Retiree Get it from Amazon for $13.99. 7. A stainless-steel polishing spray with a microfiber cloth because as nice as your stainless-steel appliances looked when they were first delivered, years of fingerprints and kitchen messes have rendered them unrecognizable and made you regret upgrading to them in the first place. No need to worry! This lavender-scented solution is here to help! Therapy Clean is a family-owned small biz that sells cleaning products boasting safe and readable ingredient lists in the loveliest scents. This is good for use on stainless refrigerators, stoves, sinks, dishwashers, microwaves, grills, and other appliances! Promising review:"My appliances have never looked better. I was so frustrated trying to get my stainless steel refrigerator clean without streaks. This is the best thing I have found; easy to use and [leaves] no streaks! So glad I took a chance." — Nancy a Williams Get it from Amazon for $19.95. 8. A watermark remover cloth that'll get rid of those annoying ring-shaped stains on your furniture. You warned your family to use a coaster, but, of course, they didn't listen! Promising review:"This removed the most stubborn watermark on earth! My desk had three very obvious rings from where hot mugs had been left unattended, and despite trying everything that was recommended online, nothing worked to reduce their appearance. This cloth must have some miracle oil in it because it removed the rings when nothing else would, and they haven't come back. Be sure to really rub the cloth over the watermark (it may take some time, but it's worth it!), and save the plastic bag that it comes in just in case you need it again." — Trini Get them from Amazon for $7.84. 9. A hanger stacker so you can keep unused hangers in one organized spot. When you DO need a hanger, you won't have to spend a million and one minutes untangling them. Promising review:"Great functionality. I gather hangers as I gather dirty clothes. This stacker lives in my laundry room between the washer and dryer. It keeps my plastic hangers under control, and I no longer suffer 'clothes hanger rage' from them getting tangled and not cooperating with me." — msw Get it from Amazon for $30.42. 10. A pack of microfiber cloths because these handy towels combined with a little water serve a powerful (yet lint- and streak-free) clean on glassware and stainless steel. Promising review:"If you have any glass light fixtures in your home you absolutely need this product. I don't think the fixture was this clear even when I bought it, and the best part is it's just using water and the two rags." — Lisa Collins Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $15.98. 11. A carpet spot remover spray to clean stains so fast and easy, Stanley Steemer is going to start plugging YOUR phone number in their catchy jingles. It's good for removing spots and stains from colorfast carpet, rugs, upholstery, and clothing without leaving a sticky residue or needing to rinse or vacuum. Be sure to check out our full write-up on this Folex stain remover! Promising review:"Wow! I'm not one to write a product review, but I'm honestly so impressed with this stuff. There was a black ink spot on our white carpet when we moved in, and I've tried everything to get it out. My attempts usually just smeared the spot around and made it worse. Folex immediately took out the stain with barely any scrubbing. I can't believe how well it worked!" — Marlena Mayfield Get it from Amazon for $6.65 (also available in other sizes and pack styles). 12. A hard-water stain remover for cleaning stubborn bathroom messes and restoring a multitude of your surfaces (ahem, like the shower handle below) to brand-new condition. Promising review: "Wow. Don't waste your time with any other formulation that you found online. I've literally tried EVERYTHING! The soap/vinegar/baking soda, the expensive store-bought 'hard water cleaners.' I've scrubbed for HOURS! But this... this product is like magic. It's kind of like a paste that you can rub on with a microfiber towel, and the hard water stains literally just RUB OFF. Like butter! Seriously the easiest option I have tried yet. I stopped within the first five minutes of cleaning to do this review because I'm in shock, LOL. Coming from someone who never writes reviews! Take that as a sign to buy this immediately. What a game changer! I'm mad I'm just now finding this stuff, LOL!" — _kayla_carter Get it from Amazon for $17.77. 13. A pet hair remover you simply swipe over surfaces covered in hair from your furry bestie. It saves more time (and is a heck of a lot easier) than fussing around with a vacuum and lint rollers! ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers. Promising review: " I'm a fur mom of five cats and two dogs, so I know all about animal hair on everything. And I was very skeptical about this purchase, but I figured why not? Nothing else is working very well. Holy moly. I have a well-loved old cat tree that I've tried vacuuming and lint rollers, and had finally resolved myself to it being cat hair carpet. This sucker grabs hair so good that my cat trees almost look newish!" — spztckttn Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors). 14. A power scrubbing cleaning kit complete with three attachment heads — simply pick the head best suited to your cleaning needs, place it on your drill, and tackle built-up grime on tubs, sinks, baseboards, shower door tracks, porcelain, and more! Plus, getting to tell to your loved ones that you use a DRILL to clean your living space sounds like a really fun way to brag about your top-notch cleaning skills, right?! Useful Products is a small business based in New York. Its founder is a former technician living with carpal tunnel who started the company to create products that'll allow folks like him to clean pain-free. BTW the drill isn't included, but you can find a bunch of great ones on Amazon! Promising review:"I bought this on a whim because my walk-in shower is just a pain to clean. I'm 51, and I guess I've just been old school with how I clean, so I was hand scrubbing it for years. The FIRST time I used this to clean my shower, it only took five minutes, AND it scrubbed my shower to a point where it looked cleaner than it had been in years; in the corners, the floor, the glass door, everything came out squeaky clean. I'm NEVER cleaning my shower by hand again." — Terry Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in different brush stiffnesses). 15. A grout pen to get your floors shining like the top of the Chrysler building in no time at all. Did you hire a fancy schmancy service to clean your tiles? Nope, you used a PEN to cover it all up. The pen is ideal for use on floors and walls! Promising review:"These things are awesome! I cleaned my bathroom tile grout first because the lady who lived there before me really let it go. A few places stayed stained, and I was worried it wouldn't cover them, but all grout areas are bright white and look new after using this." — Donna K Cook Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes and other colors). 16. A jetted bathtub cleaner — just fill up your luxurious bath, add a quarter of the bottle, watch it work its magic by removing gross residue, and drain the tub to find it sparkly and clean. Each bottle cleans about four times, and it's septic-safe! Only takes about 15 minutes to clean! Oh Yuk is a family-owned small biz based in Minnesota that sells home cleaning products Promising review:"Love this stuff. I was skeptical at first. I am a huge germaphobe and this worked well enough for me to actually take a bath at my new place with the jets on!" — Ann Get it from Amazon for $18.73. 17. A Dawn Powerwash dish spray capable of cutting through grease five times faster than regular dish soap. Now you can spend less time doing the dishes and more time watching Gilmore Girls as you digest your dinner. Promising review:"Dawn is a soap that I think most people are familiar with. This is Dawn, but about 50x stronger! I used to dread cleaning pots and pans, but Dawn Platinum Powerwash makes that chore a lot quicker, and the pots and pans cleaner. Note: You get the original spray bottle plus three refills, so when you run out of the product in the bottle, it's no problem. I would highly recommend this cleaning powerhouse! I don't think there is anything else on the market even close to what this does." — Phoenix Tyler Get a spray bottle and three refills from Amazon for $16.88. 18. A pack of vacuum bags to store clothing items you're not planning on wearing in a given season so there's less clutter in your closet! These don't create the same amount of bulk other storage bags would, so they're good to store under your bed! These bags are made with antimicrobial materials, so you don't have to worry about mold, mildew, or bacteria building up. Plus, they come with a free travel pump! Check out my colleague's Spacesaver vacuum storage bags review for more details! Promising review:"I have a small house, so room is at a premium. Seasonal clothing and bedding have always been a chore. While downsizing and consolidating big comforters and heavy clothing, I researched these and thought they seemed to be of better quality than some others I viewed. I was NOT disappointed. They worked great and freed up a ton of room in my small closets — no more quilts falling down every time you open the door. Great quality and price. Highly recommend." — Arlene B. Grace Get a pack of six from Amazon for $22.99 (available in other pack sizes). 19. A shower door cleaner because, believe it or not, once upon a time, you used to actually be able to see through your glass shower door. Cool as it might seem to have frosted doors, it's actually quite dirty and we think you should give it the clean it deserves. Promising review:"This product works beautifully. I tried a lot of products to remove the hard water from my glass shower. I have to admit the first time I used it with a cloth, it was not very effective. The second time I used a nonabrasive sponge for glass, it turned out beautiful just like the first day the glass was installed." — EJP Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.20. 20. A chandelier cleaning spray for the easiest way to tend to that light fixture you know could use a refresh. Now, I know what you're thinking — there's now way spraying that thing can be considered "easy cleaning." Hear me out. You don't have to risk injury via ladder just to wipe it after spraying. No, really! Just let it drip dry. Yup, it's really that simple. Promising review: " This stuff is amazing. I am 80 years old and my days of getting on a ladder to clean this chandler are far behind me. Whatever is in this bottle is well worth the money." — Janice Hunt Get it from Amazon for $23.95. 21. A set of cleaning brushes designed to tackle dust and grime in all the little nooks and crannies of your life — from sliding door tracks to computer keyboards to car AC vents. You'll be so happy to have this kit at your disposal. This five-piece kit comes with a track cleaning brush, a tile lines brush, a window blind duster, a 2-in-1 windowsill sweeper, and a hand-held groove gap brush. Promising review:"We just moved, and the previous owners of our new house left us a wonderful amount of dust and dirt to clean. I was originally looking for just a vent cleaner and stumbled upon these multi-kits. The price point is amazing, and it really does seem like a do-it-all all kit." — Ty Loli Get it from Amazon for $9.99. 22. A stain and odor remover because those messes and unpleasant smells left behind by your fur babies are no match for its cleaning powers. An immaculately clean carpet AND a wonderful snuggle buddy? Yes, you can have both! Promising review:"I'm not going to lie. This stuff is significantly more expensive than most other available carpet sprays. You could probably buy four or five bottles of Febreze for the cost of this stuff, but the competition won't work nearly as well as Rocco & Roxie. This stuff is AMAZING." — Brian Get it from Amazon for $19.31. 23. A cutlery drawer organizer to help consolidate all of your forks, knives, and spoons into one fabulous little space-saving tool. Promising review:"I thought this would be handy and help with space management in a small apartment. It turned out to be absolutely perfect. It keeps the silverware clean and stores a lot in a very small space. I love it. I got two because I inherited my grandmother's silverware, so there are two types of forks and two types of spoons, and I wanted things separate and organized. Two organizers fit side-by-side in a standard apartment drawer. After getting these, I picked up the knife organizer, and it's just as handy and useful." — Magpie Get it from Amazon for $8.89. 24. A mold and mildew spray great for using on a plethora of surfaces both inside and outside your home because, let's be real, it's not exactly the most sightly thing to see on your shower walls and backyard fencing. This can also be used on mold and mildew stains outside of your home! Promising review:"We've been struggling with mold/mildew stains in our shower and front load washer for quite some time. Nothing bought at the grocery store or hardware store would work. We found this product and used it as directed, and wow, what a difference! This is the only product that has helped remove those stains. Highly recommended!" — David B. Neely Get a gallon from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in larger sizes and multi-packs). 25. The Pink Stuff, a reviewer-loved cleaning product so good, you'll be tempted to part ways with every other cleaning product you own. Seriously, this amazing stuff can be used on a plethora of household items and surfaces (both indoors and outdoors). Promising review:"Oh my gosh — this stuff is a life changer! Used it to get my fiberglass shower totally clean. Nothing else would get it done, and this stuff brought my shower back to near-new in one use. We've since cleaned a weird, chalky film off our garage door, removed wall markings, and cleaned my storm door. We'll never be without a jar (or three) of this stuff. Worth every penny." — Nancy F. Get it from Amazon for $5.49. 26. A carpet cleaning solution for those who have accidentally let Fido's puppyhood accident days, tiny coffee spills, and mud-tracked shoes accumulate, creating a messy carpet in need of some serious TLC. Before you pick up that phone and call an expensive service, buy this under-$20 product, mix it with water, pour it into your carpet-cleaning machine, and get ready to wow yourself! Sunny & Honey is a family-run small biz that sells home cleaning products. This stuff both cleans AND deodorizes carpets. It can be used in pretty much all machines — Hoover, Bissell, Rug Doctor, Kenmore, Carpet Express. The solution works on all water-safe surfaces like carpets, rugs, furniture, and automobiles. Plus, it's biodegradable and nontoxic. Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 27. Bar Keepers Friend soft cleanser that works on so many surfaces/items inside and outside of your home that trying to say them all would trigger my asthma, and trying to type them all would hurt my fingers. Here's what I will say: If you have rust, lime stains, or tarnish around your kitchen, bathroom, cookware, or that family heirloom decorative piece — GET THIS, PRONTO! You may be able to deal with Aunt Karen's comments about your bathroom sink, but so help you heavens above should she imply yet again that Grandma's old favorite vase belongs in her house and not yours. For those who are fans of the Bar Keepers Friend Classic Cleanser and Polish, this delivers the same results but in a pre-mixed formula to make for a quicker clean. It works well against rust stains, soap scum, and indoor and outdoor grime. Promising review:"I was so bummed when I scratched up my pretty white sink with pots and pans. I thought I'd need to have it replaced or try to sand it and refinish it, but I bought this stuff as a last-ditch effort to fix it myself. It takes some elbow grease to make them go away; the scratches don't just wipe off. But if you scrub at them for a few minutes, they melt away pretty quickly. After two rounds, my sink looks nearly brand-new again. It also worked on a few mineral stains in the bathtub that I thought were permanent after a soft scrub failed to remove them. Again, a little of this stuff, the scrubby side of a blue sponge, a little bit of effort, and they were gone!" — Dan Borden Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.99. 28. Dishwasher cleaning tablets so the machine you rely on to clean the things you use to eat isn't gunking them up even more. These tablets remove odor-causing residue and help eliminate lime and mineral build-up that naturally occurs inside dishwashers. The tablet is designed to last throughout the entire wash cycle and is recommended for use about once a month. These are safe to use in stainless-steel and plastic tub dishwashers. Promising review:"After using this product, I am happy to report that my $5 investment saved me over $500. I was ready to replace my dishwasher due to super cloudy glasses, residue, and just not getting clean. Then, I became aware that the water softener was no longer doing its job, so I had the rental company replace it. Dishwasher performance improved somewhat. I decided to do two more loads before deciding to purchase a new one. Then, I saw a product test review for Affresh in a magazine. I was ordering some stuff from Amazon anyway, so I added that to my order. When it came, I tossed one of the tablets into the bottom of the full machine and ran the regular cycle. I did not expect the results I got! My glassware, which I thought was permanently etched and ruined, came out like new. Same with cutlery. The difference is unbelievable. I will use this faithfully on a monthly basis, as recommended. I can even put it on my subscribe and save order, so I will get a new pack every six months. I am amazed!" — Sheila Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.99. 29. A set of Shoe Slotz space saving units that'll take your collection of shoes from an overwhelming messy pile of who knows what to basically resembling the aisles of a DSW. You'll *gasp* actually be able to see your shoes. Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed, Promising review: "These things are genius. I had my closet redone and asked for the back wall to have cubbies so I can easily display my shoes, but I either underestimated the number of shoes I have or overestimated the space that was in the closet and I couldn't display them all. I bought a few packs of these and now I have extra space. I guess I'll have to go out and buy more shoes now!" — Hercules Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $29.99 (also available in packs of 20 and 40). 30. A natural tub and tile cleaner to help dissolve soap scum, hard water stains, and mineral deposits from your shower/bath floors and walls with minimal effort required on your end. Plus, it's free of synthetic fragrances and smells like eucalyptus. Promising review: "I have an old shower/bathtub. I tried name-brand shower cleaners and bleach to try and clean the soap scum off the tiles and tub. I had no luck and I would cough and get sick because of how strong the smell was. I thought I would try this to save my lungs. I sprayed my entire shower and left it for about 15 minutes. I came back and rinsed off the walls and they were shiny! I've never had such a clean shower. The smell is amazing and subtle. All I smell is tea tree and it didn't affect me at all. The price is also a good deal since the bottle is pretty large. It came with the sprayer separate and the bottle sealed so it wouldn't leak in the box. I highly recommend this." — Amber Erwin Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.99. 31. A portable carpet and upholstery cleaner that boasts strong spray and suction so cleaning stubborn stains will feel effortless. Messes left behind by pets or small children shouldn't mean permanently ruined carpets, furniture, or car interiors. Promising review:"I wish I would have ordered this sooner. It has removed stains that I thought were permanent. When my son moved out, I discovered an old red wine stain under his bedside table that had likely been there for years. No trace of it remains. So easy to use!" — Kristi Rector Get it from Amazon for $98.59. 32. A rust stain remover spray you can think of as fairy pixie dust in a bottle. That rust stain that's been living rent-free on your shower wall since you moved in? The one you always have to cover with a shower curtain? Yeah, time to say goodbye to it for good. It comes in an easy-to-use trigger spray and is ideal for cleaning bathtubs, showers, toilets, colorfast fabrics, vertical surfaces, and hard-to-reach spots. Plus, it's non-abrasive and made with a non-hydrofluoric acid-based formula, which is safer than other similar liquid rust stain removers. Promising review:"Holy wizardry! Seriously, it was more work to clean the mirror over the vanity than to use this product. With almost no effort, this made my dark orange, iron-water shower stall white again. I definitely suggest wearing a mask or bandana and running the ventilation fan if spraying in an enclosed area. Great product!" — Jessica B Get it from Amazon for $11.36. 33. An Angry Mama microwave cleaner to get mad at you like a mother would, because how in the heck did you let your microwave get to this point? But hey, she's a mama, and in the end she's gonna clean up the mess you made because she loves you too much to let you do it all on your own.
Buzz Feed
29-01-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
If Your Home Needs A Deep Clean, Try These 24 Products
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. Shopping · Hi, there is accumulated lint in your dryer vent, time to deal with it. 1. A no-scrub Wet & Forget cleaner to make "cleaning" as easy as one, two, spritz. This no-rinse product should be used weekly to keep your shower free of mildew, which basically means it will take all of two seconds to feel like you've deep-cleaned the place in which you bathe. Promising review:"This stuff is excellent. It performs as promised, it has a very nice scent, no fumes, and leaves shower clean with no scrubbing actually necessary. It is very easy to apply and rinse off. It is designed very well, with squirting spout separate from the large container and attached by a longish tube, so you don't have to hold the heavy container while applying the product. I've been using it for quite a while now, and I love it. I highly recommend it." — Stephanie Martin Get it from Amazon for $20.97. 2. A dryer vent cleaning system if you've noticed clothes requiring an extra dry cycle. Accumulated lint might be the reason, and this removes that build-up in ducts up to 12 feet long. Promising review:"This thing worked AMAZING. I got a TON of lint out of my vent piping, my dryer works better now and runs cooler, and drying time has been reduced. I was amazed at how much lint build-up there was!" — Allen L Grooms Get it from Amazon for $29.99. 3. A pumice cleaning stone capable of removing calcium, lime, and hard water stains from your toilet bowl. The stone itself is also surprisingly gentle and won't scratch the surface of your porcelain throne. Promising review:"I have a 19-year-old master bathroom toilet that had accumulated some nasty stains over time, and regular toilet brushes and cleaning products just would not remove them. I decided to try this pumice stone, and it worked like a charm! Given the nature and severity of the stains, it required some elbow grease. But 10 minutes later, I have a new-looking bowl, and I see no signs of scratching." — Happy Retiree Get it from Amazon for $13.99. 4. A stainless-steel cleaner that will rid your large appliances (I'm looking at you, refrigerator) of all unsightly fingerprints and smudges. This blend of plant-based ingredients will even prevent future smudges from forming, and (HALLELUJAH) doesn't leave any streaks behind. Psst, this stainless-steel cleaning spray also comes with a handy dandy microfiber cloth. Promising review:"My appliances have never looked better. I was so frustrated trying to get my stainless steel refrigerator clean without streaks. This is the best thing I have found, easy to use and no streaks! So glad I took a chance." — Nancy a Williams Get it from Amazon for $19.95. 5. An Iron Out spray gel for anyone whose cleaning products have been a little ~rusty~ lately. This promises to get rid of hard water rust build-up like it's no one's business. 6. A garbage disposal brush so you can deep clean *without* having to brace the grossness that is plate dirt and smelly leftovers. So long forever, nasty odors building up in my kitchen sink. 7. A pack of washing machine cleaning tablets that remove built-up detergent scum and various gunk to keep your expensive washing machine in tip-top shape. Add a tablet, run a normal wash cycle, and your work here is done. Promising reviews: "I didn't think I would ever be so excited about such a thing as washing machine cleaning tablets. I also never realized how dirty my washing machine was. It now sparkles, doesn't smell musty, and has removed so much gunk from around the drum/gasket. You should get these." — AVDW Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.98 (also available in packs of three and five). 8. A tub of The Pink Stuff, an all-purpose paste capable of tackling your most pesky cleaning problems. Caked-on grease clinging to your oven will all but vanish, with no elbow grease required (an ideal cleaning situation). Promising review: "My oven door was disgusting! I've tried numerous products and nothing worked. I pasted this stuff on, and five minutes of scrubbing with a hard bristle brush, and it's just like new!!" — Adam F. Get it from Amazon for $5.97. 9. A multi-purpose OxiClean powder for getting grease off of range hood filters. It's even got the bandwidth to revitalize brickwork, bid adieu to makeup and oil stains on your favorite dress, or lift red wine stains from your living room accent chair. Promising review:"I use very hot water, add this stuff, and put the range hood filter in it. After about 30 minutes, there's already a lot of grease and dirt floating in the water by itself. If you shake it vigorously, even more grease comes off! The effect is really noticeable! I'm so excited; I can finally have a clean kitchen! And this isn't just for cleaning the kitchen; it can also wash clothes. It feels like it can do everything!!" — Nameless Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in two styles). 10. A long-handle wall cleaner with four extension poles so you can deep clean hard-to-reach areas and eradicate scuff marks and kid's sticky fingerprints. This kit comes with a ceiling cleaner, baseboard duster, dry duster, and wet cleaning mop. Promising review:"Do you envy your friends and the fact that their walls are always spotless? Do your kids use the walls as their personal napkins or jungle gym? Are you tired of spending hours a day cleaning? Fret no more - this really does the trick! Seriously though, I was tired of seeing spots and stains on our walls. I even changed our builder-grade flat paint to a nice eggshell grayish that everyone seems to love. But we still had issues with scuffs and marks. This 'wall mop' has been a life and time saver!!" — Savannah Wilson Get it from Amazon for $39.97. 11. A mattress vacuum equipped with a UV light to obliterate scary bacteria *and* a suction cup design that traps dust and mites. And if you think this is wildly unnecessary and ridiculous, I dare you to take a long hard look at your bare mattress. Go ahead. Tell me you don't want to sneeze just looking at it. Promising review: "So I brought this originally for my son, who gets really bad allergies to dust. At first, we didn't know what was causing this until someone told me to check our beds and furniture. Even though we change our bedsheets regularly, there will be dust left over. So I decided to give this a try and they were right! I couldn't believe how many mites and how much dust there was. I took my time cleaning everyone's bed and our sofa, which was easy to use and light. My son hasn't had a reaction in a while, which means this product works for my family!" — Lisa Get it from Amazon for $66.82. 12. A lint roller for a grossly satisfying gadget that's capable of picking up every speck of gunk plastered onto your furniture. This is excellent for collecting dog hair from both human furniture or pet beds *and* revitalizing cat trees to look good as new. Promising review: " I'm a fur-mom of five cats and two dogs, so I know all about animal hair on everything. And I was very skeptical about this purchase, but I figured why not? Nothing else is working very well. Holy moly. I have a well-loved old cat tree that I've tried vacuuming and lint rollers, and had finally resolved myself to it being cat hair carpet. This sucker grabs hair so good that my cat trees almost look newish!" — spztckttn Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors). 13. A cleaning brush kit to draw out the dust hidden in plain sight... right under your nose. Literally. A few passes with these compact, handheld brushes and woosh! Perhaps now you won't be inhaling allergy mites with every breath you take. This five-piece kit comes with a track cleaning brush, a tile lines brush, a window blind duster, a 2-in-1 windowsill sweeper, and a hand-held groove gap brush. Promising review:"We just moved and the previous owners of our new house left us a wonderful amount of dust and dirt to clean. I was originally looking for just a vent cleaner and stumbled upon these multi-kits. The price point is amazing, and it really does seem like a do-it-all all kit." — Ty Loli Get it from Amazon for $9.99. 14. A pack of microfiber cloths for a lint- and streak-free finish on glassware, windows, and yes, that includes light fixtures that have been permanently covered in a layer of dulling grime. The best part is you don't even need a cleaning solution! A bit of water combined with one of these cloths is all you'll need. Promising review: "If you have any glass light fixtures in your home you absolutely need this product. I don't think the fixture was this clear even when I bought it, and the best part is it's just using water and the two rags." — Lisa Collins Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $15.98. 15. A vacuum hose attachment in which multiple reviewers (multiple!) swear they pulled out whole socks from their lint traps. Clogged vents = longer drying times = higher utility bills = less money in your bank account to put toward, say, more Seamless takeout. Promising review:"This thing is seriously amazing. I figured out how to use it very quickly and it worked like a charm. I had a sock stuck wayy down in my vent and would've had no idea! I still can't believe how much lent and dust came out of my dryer. My husband is already talking about other uses for this unique tool, like getting into tight spaces in our cars." — J. Johnson Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in three colors). 16. A jug of CLR (calcium, lime, and rust remover) to finally rid sink faucets and showerheads of dreadful hard water build-up. TL;DR: Photos are worth a thousand words so I suggest taking a gander at the below. 17. Affresh cleaning tablets because how can you get clean, glistening dishes if the dishwasher itself is *gag* covered in grime? Answer: You can't. These babies are here to help. Simply pop one in, put on the rinse cycle, and continue watching your show. Easy peasy. Promising review:"I had tried lots of white vinegar for two cycles in my 20-year-old dishwasher for the cloudy and powdery dinginess it had started doing, and it only helped about 30%. We have very hard water. This zapped the buildup, and the glass is clear again, and colored plastics no longer have the powdery-like coating. So glad I took a chance on this!" — J. Holden Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.99. 18. A wood polish lauded by one reviewer as the ~best money they've ever spent~. Trying your hand at furniture restoration has never been so easy: a few drops of this formula is powerful enough to cover even the most unsightly scratches. Promising review:"I've been using this since the 80s. My mom made us spring clean every spring break. We had to go over all the doors, all the woodwork, all the furniture, banisters and cabinets. We also had to clean every wall, every cabinet out, every closet out and every drawer out lol. It was hell, let me tell you, but boy, do I know how to clean now! I now use this in my house and love it. It covers scratches and knicks and makes everything look new and shiny." — LB Get it from Amazon for $4.82. 19. A Glisten foaming cleaner to neutralize the funky odors coming from said garbage disposal (*yuck*). This lemon-scented stuff requires absolutely no effort and two simple steps: turn on hot water, add the cleanser. Promising review:"I went on a trip, and when I came back, there was this foul odor coming from my garbage disposal (even though we didn't leave any dishes on the sink), and I tried every home remedy I could think of to get rid of the smell, but nothing did. So I turned to the internet, and immediately, these seemed like the best choice for an okay price. I followed the instructions carefully, and within a minute, I saw the foam rise up and then go back down — awful smell FINALLY GONE!" — A.L. Get it from Amazon for $3.67+ (available in two sizes). 20. An adjustable duster brush because the amount of dust that can accumulate in narrow vents is *cough* genuinely disgusting. And don't worry, cleaning said crevices requires but a few minutes of your time and just a flick or two of the wrist. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF This handy dandy tool comes with five microfiber cloths, meaning you'll be able to clean your whole darn house in one sweep. Promising review:"This product is AMAZING! You can clean both sides of two blinds at once and grip them firmly to get ALL of the dust off. Plus, it comes with five covers so that no matter how dirty your blinds are, you'll be able to finish dusting your whole house! I also love that you can wash the covers and don't have to waste money on refills." — Sarah Get it from Amazon for $6.99. 21. A stain cleaner that clings to silicone sealants (so the thin area around your showerhead, in between your tiles, etc.) and effectively banishes mold and mildew to the pits of heck forever, which is where they rightfully belong. Someone contact Dante and let him know we've got another Inferno contender. Promising review:"You guys. I'm embarrassed to even show you this. The grout around our tub was DISGUSTING. It was never caulked right and it got gross very quickly. I would scrub. The cleaning lady would scrub. It would get worse. Well, I came across this in a BuzzFeed list, and this stuff made me curious. I don't know why it doesn't have 10,000 good reviews. Seriously. All I did was squeeze it on and walk away. I let it sit overnight. Check this out. Buy it. Like today." — KarynB Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 22. A non-abrasive Bar Keepers Friend cleansing and polishing powder that will destroy years of icky build-up on all of your porcelain, copper, glass, tile, stainless steel, plastic, and brass. Time to grab your cookware set, folks, because the after photos are about to get good. Promising review:"We've all seen products that claim to be the 'best' at whatever they are intended for. All too often, we are sadly disappointed by a product that falls far short of these audacious claims. Bar Keepers Friend is not one of these products. While I'm no barkeep, I can honestly state that I am impressed with the cleaning power of this product. I've used it on my glass-top stove, on metal pots and pans, and even some of those heavily stained aluminum baking pans that tend to turn brownish after use. This product cleaned them with very little effort on my part. I tend to sprinkle just a little on whatever I am going to clean, and then, using a clean paper towel or other nonabrasive cloth with a bit of moisture, I then wipe the area until the stains lift up and out. A few extra passes to remove any remaining cleaning powder/product and I'm off to other chores. I seldom have to use this, but when I do, it is quick and efficient." — Steven M. Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.50. 23. A water-based tile pen that'll transform the chore of grout cleaning into a fun activity reminiscent of filling in the pages of an adult coloring book. Consider mold banished after a few swipes of this nontoxic formula, which releases anti-bacterial agents with each pass. Promising review:"These things are awesome! I cleaned my bathroom tile grout first because the lady who lived there before me really let it go. A few places stayed stained, and I was worried it wouldn't cover them, but all grout areas are bright white and look new after using this." — Donna K Cook Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in a wide or narrow tip). 24. A FlexiSnake Drain Weasel not meant for the faint of heart. Use this to easily de-clog every drain in your home, but prepare for the horror you'll experience as you dig up about one million pounds of hair and built-up gunk. This FlexiSnake is great for sinks and showers in which the water takes forever to go down, plus it's reusable — just clean with hot water and soap after each use. Promising review:"My shower drain had been clogged and so before I called a plumber, I decided to give this baby a try. All I can say is that I wish I had stock in this company. This is a fantastic item that every single person who owns or rents a home should have. It was EASY to assemble the gadget. It was EASY TO USE. And best of all-it pulled out so much hair that it looked like a giant rat. I could not believe how QUICKLY I was able to do the job, and I can't tell you the deep satisfaction it gave me to know that all that crap was out of my drain. I'm telling you, it is worth every penny!" — 1Creeksidegal
