A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 06, 2024
Hate scrubbing, mopping and vacuuming? You’re in the right place. These genius inventions will cut cleaning time by doing the work for you!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
No matter how well you plan your cleaning schedule, there’s always so much to do. Mopping the floors, vacuuming the carpet, cleaning the baseboards—it all adds up, and before you know it, you’ve spent hours getting your house in tip-top shape. If you’re looking to cut down on cleaning time while still achieving great results, check out these cleaning devices that do the hard work for you. From window cleaners to robot vacuums, these products will make your life easier and your home cleaner. And while you’re on a cleaning kick, learn these other secrets of people who always have a clean house.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more cleaning, travel, tech, humor and fun facts all week long.
via merchant
If you’re in the market for a vacuum, why not choose one that goes above and beyond for you? The Tineco iFloor 3 is a wet/dry vacuum, which means it washes and vacuums your floors at the exact same time, cutting your cleaning time in half. It’s ideal for hard surfaces, in particular—including laminate, vinyl, tile, marble and sealed wood—and it delivers a streak-free shine. Sweeping first, then mopping is going to feel so archaic after you get this bad boy. Plus, with all the time you’ll save, you’ll finally be able to turn your attention to these spots you’re not vacuuming—but should be.
via merchant
Few things are as satisfying as watching stubborn slime magically disappear, especially when you’re basically wielding a power tool. The Homitt Electric Scrubber Power Brush is perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach spaces known for accumulating gross stuff in both the bathroom (like that pink gunk in the shower) and kitchen. This cordless device features a high-torque spinning mechanism and multiple brush heads, making it a lot faster and more efficient than elbow grease.
via merchant
Wiping down all the screens in your house doesn’t have to involve breaking out the cleaning spray and paper towels. And let’s be honest, many of us completely ignore this task simply because we’re not quite sure how to go about it. The iRoller Screen Cleaner is a wildly simple tool that gets the job done fast, whether you need to clean your TV screen, laptop screen or phone screen. Simply roll it down your screen, and watch fingerprints, smudges, smears and dust disappear.
via merchant
You can go ahead and put away your rickety ladder. Your world just became a better place thanks to the Hobot Window Cleaning Robot, which adheres to your window and does all the reaching and window cleaning work for you. It converts water into a 15-micrometer-dense mist, which means streak-free, dust-free windows. This is an especially worthwhile purchase for homes with very tall or very large windows.
via merchant
You should vacuum several times a week in order to eliminate dust, allergens, dirt and other gunk from your floors, but that’s easier said than done. Using an automated vacuum cleaner is one way to make sure this chore gets done as frequently as it ought to, and Roomba’s got the lockdown on these devices. The iRobot connects to Wi-Fi, is compatible with Alexa and works on both hard surfaces and carpets. It also recharges without your help. The only thing you’re responsible for is cleaning out the dust pan. One important note: Make sure you know the places you should (and shouldn’t) store your Roomba.
You can also explore vacuum deals to find a pocket-friendly vacuum cleaner suitable for yourself.
via merchant
Though you can’t really see it, the air in our homes often isn’t as clean as it could be. And now, more than ever, a HEPA air purifier is a necessary cleaning gadget to own. The best part is that it requires virtually zero work from you; just turn the dang thing on! The Levoit H13 is one of Amazon’s best-reviewed units, and it effectively tackles allergens, pet dander, smoke, dust, mold and pollen for a cleaner space and easier breathing.
via merchant
We know what you’re thinking: How is a bidet supposed to help me get my house clean? The Coway Bidetmega 400 isn’t just a regular bidet. In addition to helping you take care of your personal business, it features a triple-stage wash-care system that keeps the water path, nozzle and toilet free of contaminants so that your toilet always sparkles. It’s easy to install, and—bonus!—you might save yourself some money on toilet paper. Just make sure to check what style toilet you have before buying; this unit comes in both rounded and elongated styles.
via merchant
What if we told you it was possible to get a cleaner home—and especially a cleaner bathroom—simply by flipping on the lights? Brilli has utilized bacteria-busting light technology with this recessed light that can be used in the shower. When on, it kills 99% of bacteria, mold and fungi, and it is completely safe for humans, fur companions and even your plants.
via merchant
Aside from scrubbing toilets, cleaning grout is probably the most dreaded chore on your list (even if you’re using effective products like Zep Grout Cleaner). Believe it or not, you can forget the sore knees, headaches and the monotony of it all with this does-it-all steaming gadget. It technically requires a bit of effort on your part, but Dupray’s steam-powered cleaner drastically cuts your labor time. It is also multifunctional and can be used on carpets, ovens, appliances, mattresses and car upholstery. Steam is a safe, chemical-free way to clean your home.
via merchant
Steam-cleaning isn’t just for clothes. While this easy-to-wield, handheld device from Conair can certainly be used to smooth out wardrobe wrinkles, it’s also great for sanitizing curtains, couches, carpets, car upholstery and even delicate fabrics. Simply choose from one of five steam settings depending on your needs. It heats up in under a minute, uses only water and kills 99.9% of bacteria to tackle odors and provide peace of mind. You can also try out these homemade cleaners that will get your house sparkling.
via merchant
Grilling is all delicious fun and games until it’s time to clean up. The Grillbot is essentially a Roomba for your outdoor grill and works precisely as you think it would. Just place it on the grill and press Go, and the robot takes care of the gnarly scrubbing work for you. It also makes a great gift for dads or other grill aficionados in your life.
via merchant
Taking out the trash is arguably one of the worst chores, perhaps because it has to be done so frequently. Plus, there’s the stink. That’s why you’ll love this self-sealing, self-changing trash can—it does everything except physically take the trash outside. To change the bag, just press the touch button for three seconds and it’ll work its magic. Once you remove the sealed bag, the lid will automatically close and insert a new trash bag.
via merchant
Delta heard all those frustrated dishwashing grumbles around the globe and decided to do something about it. The Glass Rinser uses a high-pressure water jet to quickly de-gunk your cups, bottles and other annoying-to-clean drinkware. It can be installed on most sinks over a premade hole (like an unused soap dispenser or sink sprayer). To protect your more delicate glasses, you should be washing them by hand anyway, along with these things you should never put in the dishwasher.
via merchant
Trying to get all the pet fur off the couch, carpet and rug might seem like a futile effort. This handy tool from ChomChom not only works like a charm, but it also does so in a matter of seconds. Just roll it back and forth over the fabric, and then collect the astounding amount of pet hair from the receptacle on the back. One of our editors swears by it—check out her review!
via merchant
Cat owners know that their sweet fur companions don’t always smell the greatest, and that’s largely due to their litter box. Constant upkeep is a must if you want your home to smell fresh, but it’s a chore that sometimes gets overlooked. The Litter-Robot 3 is a self-cleaning litter box that automates this smelly task for you, scooping every time your cat uses it. Waste is deposited into a tray underneath that you empty on a regular basis. Bonus: It will notify you when the drawer is full. Oh, and if you’re thinking of upgrading, check out our Litter Robot 4 review.
via merchant
You didn’t think we’d leave toilet scrubbing off the list, did you? This handy bleaching system by Fluidmaster eliminates much of the hard—and, let’s be honest, very gross—work associated with cleaning your toilet. It is installed in your toilet’s tank and directly connected to the overflow tube, which means it won’t interfere with your flapper or fill valve.
