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10 genius cleaning tools for your home's secret dirty spots, starting at $4
Go from grime to shine with affordable helpers that degunk garbage disposals, ceiling fans and everything in between.
You do your best to stay on top of regular household chores such as laundry and dishes, and you do a regular deep clean each week, but the dust just keeps accumulating. Infuriating, isn't it? Sadly, the truth is you're likely neglecting some major spots in your home — join the club! We'd wager that you've never cleaned your garbage disposal or clothes dryer. You've probably avoided cleaning the dishwasher too. (Same, and same.) It seems downright unfair that you're supposed to clean a machine meant for, well, cleaning, doesn't it?
But the payoff is big: When you tackle these gnarly, awkward-to-reach places, your home feels fresher. As a former home editor at Real Simple, cleaning was one of my beats, so I was always trying out the latest broom or sponge. (What can I say, it was a glamorous job.) And now that I'm a mom of two messy kids, I've really put these products to use and want to share my wisdom about everything under the sun — even weird cleaning products!
We've "scoured" the market to find the best, easiest-to-use tools to tackle the jobs that may not have even crossed your mind. From a microfiber ceiling fan duster to an ergonomic brush for window and door tracks, these gizmos will inspire you to dole out some serious elbow grease and give a new meaning to the term "deep clean."
Sure, you can toss in some lemon slices to freshen up the garage disposal. But to really sanitize the pipes, you'll want something stronger. These biodegradable lemon-scented foaming packets eradicate grime and odors from all parts of the unit — sidewalls, blades and under the splashguard — and leave behind a nice fresh scent.
If you clean your sliding glass door tracks regularly, feel free to skip ahead. If you're like the rest of us, get this brush immediately! Use it to sweep away debris from door and window tracks; the scraper on the handle dislodges stubborn crud. Then grab a wet paper towel or hand vac to get your door back on track for good.
If you thought picking out random hairs was enough to clean your hairbrushes, we have bad news: It's not. This mini rake-like gizmo gets every last strand. And if you want to thoroughly sanitize your brush, follow up with a hot, soapy rinse.
Sometimes your morning sanity-saver (aka Keurig brewer) starts turning out odd-tasting joe or inconsistent pours. When that happens, run it with one of these schmutz-busting pods and then again with just water, and you'll be back to that yummy coffee you depend on in no time. They're nontoxic and biodegradable.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you scrub the toilet, stains just won’t budge. That’s because the spots are actually lime buildup or rust. This pumice stone on a stick works insanely well, but it's gentle, so it won't scratch your beloved bowl.
Super-stiff nylon bristles and an easy-to-grab handle make light work of pesky grout gunk (think tubs, backsplashes, floors, anywhere tricky tile presents itself). The bright brush is designed to handle heavy-duty cleaners without bending or damaging the bristles. So go hard or go home.
Your water bottle needs more than a mere rinse-and-go (yes, even Stanleys). This antibacterial long-handled silicone brush will get in hard-to-reach crevices while repelling mold and mildew, unlike standard sponges.
Like a cozy mitten for your ceiling fan, this microfiber sleeve slides right over its blades, trapping dust so it doesn’t drop down onto your floor — or head! It's machine washable too.
Bathroom sink clogged? No need to remove the stopper or call the plumber — just finagle this guy down the drain and give it a spin. The micro hooks on this literal pipe-cleaner-like gadget will dislodge all that nastiness.
Scary but true: Lint buildup in your dryer can cause fires. Eliminate the risk by cleaning those ducts with this tool that extends up to 12 feet. You can turn it manually or, for longer ductwork, attach it to a drill. And prepare to be shocked at the amount of gunk that comes out.
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