11 Cleaning Products You Didn’t Know You Needed

It’s safe to say that most of us don’t love cleaning. The time, effort, and dirt are enough as is, but as we get older all that swiping, sweeping, and scrubbing can leave us feeling extra achy and sore. We went beyond the standard cleaning accouterment — cleaning spray, mop, broom, you get the idea — to find the things that make the process more efficient and less painful. Here, our picks of the cleaning products you didn’t know you needed, but will be beyond thrilled to have.

_{Prices are accurate as of November 21, 2024. Subject to change.}

FryAway Cooking Oil Solidifier

When you don’t want to pour used cooking oil down your drain, but have no plastic bags to discard it in, this product takes care of the mess for you. Simply sprinkle a packet into the hot oil, let it cool, then watch it congeal into a Jell-O-like solid. Not only does it scoop right out so you can easily toss the no-longer-liquid goo into the trash, but it makes the pan so much easier to clean after too.

Poo-Pourri Potty Pods

You may know about Poo-Pourri’s potent spray — a spritz or two of the fragrant liquid in the toilet before you “go” helps counteract any other smells. But these scented pods take it a step further, doing double duty (no pun intended). Once dropped in the water, the pod’s essential oils create a barrier that traps odors below the surface while releasing a much more pleasant scent, and its malic and citric acids help break down and clean the inside of the bowl. And no worries about clogging, the pods are septic-safe.

Carbona Laundry Detergent Sheets

They don’t make the folding and putting away of laundry any easier, but these detergent sheets break down easily, are better for the environment, and won’t leave the goo or residue in your machine that liquid detergent or pods can, reducing the amount you’ll have to clean that too. The sheets dissolve in any water temperature and they’re fragrance-free — a huge plus for those of us with sensitive skin.

Gonzo Natural Magic Odor Air-Magnet

Lighting aromatic candles, plugging in fragrance diffusers, or spraying air fresheners helps to mask odors due to musty basements, pungent meals, or pet accidents. They don’t actually eliminate the bad smells, however, and they emit chemicals that your nose and skin can be sensitive to. What can help? An air magnet made with activated charcoal. Thanks to its volcanic minerals, activated charcoal acts like a sponge to absorb and neutralize odors so they disappear altogether. Just place the tub in a corner or on a shelf and let it do the work for you. For larger rooms, I found that I needed more than one, but with strategic placement, they did the job.

Zlumber Jack Mattress Lifter Tool

The older I get, the more I dread changing the bed sheets, especially on my king-size mattress. What was once a quick, easy lift in my 20s, is now a full cardio workout in my 50s, so the Zlumber jack piqued my interest. Like changing a tire, slip the jack under your mattress and push down. It lifts up the corners, making it easy to pull fitted and flat sheets right over them, no heavy lifting needed. The brand also sells locks for those of us who toss, turn, and tug off our sheets while we sleep so we don’t have to re-secure them in the morning!

Pulidiki Cleaning Putty

Eat at your desk like I do? You likely have a keyboard filled with crumbs. Add that to everyday dust and debris and the keys can get pretty gunky over time. But this cleaning putty is here to rescue you. Rather than using a small tool to pick out each and every piece — a time suck and a recipe for finger cramps — you simply press the thick slime over the keys, then pull it off slowly. It picks up anything it grabs onto, leaving a dirt-free surface. You can use it on practically any crevices where debris gets stuck, from your car dashboard to small fan vents. It’s reusable too, just keep it in a cool dry place and once it turns black or stops picking up debris, it’s time to toss it.

Abnaok Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner

There’s nothing more frustrating than having to clean the pasta sauce blowout left behind in your microwave by your hangry teen. Leave it to the Angry Mama steam cleaner to help dissolve the mess with little fanfare. Just add some water and vinegar and run the microwave for 7 minutes. The vinegary steam that comes out of her head loosens caked-on food while disinfecting the microwave. All you have do is wipe the excess away. Plus, the cute and colorful character adds a little whimsy to the task, leaving one less angry mama in my house!

Cosywell Microfiber Mop Slippers

Slip these over your shoes and you can dust, mop, or sweep the floors, no bending, kneeling, or brooming necessary. I wouldn’t recommend them for a deep clean, but the machine-washable slippers do a pretty good job of picking up dust and debris effortlessly while you walk around your house (especially if you spray them with a floor-cleaning solution). And, since we are a shoeless home, I’ve taken to handing these out when guests come over, allowing them to keep their shoes on and clean my floor at the same time! Win-win.

Hiware Window Blind Duster Brush

If you have window blinds, you know the struggle. It can take what feels like hours to clean them one by one, only to watch the dust diffuse into the air with every swipe. Three reasons why I love this microfiber-covered duster brush? It gets two slats at once, cutting down on cleaning time. The fabric grabs onto particles so you actually get the blinds clean without making the rest of the room dusty. And it can be used to clean the dusty air vents in your car and home air conditioners. DIY tip: If you don’t have these on hand, grab some tongs from your kitchen and slip a pair of socks over each arm for similar results.

Bissell Stomp ‘N Go Pet Stain Lifting Pads

My mini schnauzer pees in the house whenever she’s feeling anxious and my den carpet is her favorite spot. Rather than my old school method of getting down on my hands and knees to blot, spray, scrub, wait, then blot some more, I now just place one of these cleaning-solution-soaked pads on the spot, stomp on it, and remove it 30 minutes later. It lifts the pee and leaves a pleasant smell behind. Even better, it works on wine, coffee, and soda spills too.

Casabella Power Spin Scrubber

Scouring your sink, tiles, or shower can tire your arms out quickly making it difficult to finish the task. Good news! This motorized scrubber does the work for you with its rotating brush heads that remove anything from hard water stains and soap scum to mold and grime. Plus, its extendable arm ensures you don’t have to climb on a step stool or bend over uncomfortably to get to hard-to-reach spots. Your pain-free arms and sparkling bathroom will thank you.

Feature Image Credit: svetikd/ iStock