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34 Cheap Cleaning Products Clean Freaks Will Wish They’d Known About Sooner

34 Cheap Cleaning Products Clean Freaks Will Wish They’d Known About Sooner

image1.A pack of cleaning tablets to clean your dishwasher for you, because it’s probably way dirtier than you imagine.These will break down lime and mineral build-up so your dishes come out looking as sparkly as they do in all those dish soap commercials.amazon.com 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 saw a product test review for Affresh in Good Housekeeping magazine.I was ordering some stuff from Amazon anyway, so I added that to my order.I did not expect the results I got! The glassware that I thought was permanently etched and ruined came out like new.

Same with cutlery.The difference is unbelievable.

I am amazed!” — Sheila

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $5.50 .

2.And a pumice cleaning stone to cut through hard water rings and calcium buildup, because your porcelain throne should always be clean and sparkly.

amazon.com Promising review: “I’m so embarrassed to show how disgusting my toilets have been, but it’s worth it for me to help anyone who has suffered as I have.We built our house and have lived in it 33 years.We dug a well and the water was beautiful, until air hit it.

The copper, iron, and lime are all so high the chart doesn’t even go that high.We have spent thousands on a huge filter that filters all the water coming into the house from the well.My toilets have been disgusting to me, though clean (as clean as I can get them).This pumice stone — HOLY MOLY — my toilets are clean I am totally amazed.It took about 30 minutes on each one.The stains are gone.THEY ARE GONE ” — Libby Nance

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a pack of two).

3.

A garbage disposal cleaner that foams up to help break down any food residue that’s been lingering in there for far too long.I’m starting to feel like adulthood is just learning about all the things you never realized you were supposed to be cleaning.Tap to play or pause GIF Tap to play or pause GIF Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: “Seeing is believing.Not only does it do a great job, but you can see it happening.It doesn’t just mask the smell and leave a lemon scent like some products, it cleans too and looks fun.Idk.Blue foam comes out and that’s good enough for me.” — sylvie yah

Get a two pack of four-count bags on Amazon for $11.29 .

4.

A stain remover in a squeezable gel formula that can cling onto awkward vertical and inclined surfaces and fit in tight spaces.Just squeeze, walk away, then give it a quick rinse in the morning to reveal some jaw-dropping results.

amazon.com

Promising review: “I hardly leave reviews, but I had to leave one for this product.I just received this yesterday, applied it last night and this morning it’s like I have a brand new bathroom.I’m embarrassed to show ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos cuz it was so nasty, no matter how hard we scrubbed the mildew wouldn’t go away.I almost cried when I saw my bathroom this mornings.Don’t hesitate, buy this now, you won’t regret it.” — Bianca Green

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 .

5.

A shower door cleaner that’ll remove any stubborn hard water spots and have your glass looking so clean you might accidentally walk into it.amazon.com

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 non abrasive sponge for glass, it turned out beautiful just like the first day the glass was installed.” — EJP

Get it from Amazon for $11.94 (also available in a pack of two).

6.

A broom for pet and human hair so you can rake up everything that your vacuum can’t reach.You’ll be shook when you see all the hair and dust that’s hiding out in your area rugs.

Emma Lord/BuzzFeed

Promising review: “I have two dogs — a terrier mix and a short-hair dachshund mix.I have a navy woven couch that LOVES my dachshund’s fur.I have tried pretty much everything to get the fur out — traditional lint roller, those blue fuzzy lint rollers, special vacuum attachments, etc.The terrier’s fur comes out great with all of those options.The dachshund’s fur, much like the dachshund herself, remains stubbornly on my couch.I got this product as the new ‘let’s see if it works’ item of the month with low expectations.

THE FUR ACTUALLY CAME OUT GUYS.It acts like a broom for my couch — sweeping the fur (with some elbow grease) basically onto the floor where I vacuum it up! Give this a try if my story sounds pretty similar to yours!” — JT

Get it from Amazon for $12.44 .

7.A pack of washing machine cleaner tablets to banish odors and break down residue so your clothes will come out feeling cleaner than ever.amazon.com

Promising review: “I never knew how tough it would be to clean my high-efficiency washer.It is a never-ending battle.Life is a little easier now that I can toss in a tab and have it do most of the work for me.

” — Maggie Dennis

Get the pack of six tablets from Amazon for $9.47 .

8.A reusable pad that fits on your Swiffer so you can quickly sweep or mop your floors when you have last-minute company.

Or if you’re just too lazy for an actual mop and bucket.PNW Busy Bobbin/Etsy Promising review: “Started my process of cutting my waste down this January and I have three cats so I use my Swiffer A LOT.I was spending so much on Swiffer pads because of it.They arrived and the quality was way better than expected! So easy to use with my floor cleaner and I’m in love! I’ll be placing another order soon for a different pattern!” — emmamiccicke

PNW Busy Bobbin is a small Etsy shop based in Nooksack, Washington.

Get it from PNW Busy Bobbin on Etsy for $12.99 (also available in a pack of two).

9.

A carpet cleaner to clean up everything from spaghetti mishaps to coffee spills in your car.If only Kevin had this on hand when he spilled his famous chili .amazon.com

Promising review: “It’s a miracle in a bottle.My German shepherd mix decided to pull a black fountain pen out of my purse and chew it to pieces on my beige carpet while I was sleeping — this cleaner lifted the stain and now it’s like the devastation my dog caused never happened! As soon as I saw it lifting the ink, I got back on Amazon and bought more bottles.

I will never let myself run out of this.I use it in my Bissell carpet cleaner for some crazy good cleaning power.I’ve become that weird lady who goes around singing the praises of a cleaning product.No regrets.” — L.Logan

Get it from Amazon for $11.69 (also available in a pack of two).

10.A set of cleaning K-Cups that’ll remove all of the built-up grime in your Keurig machine.

You’d be surprised how much coffee residue and old coffee grinds can get stuck in the dispenser.amazon.com , amazon.com Promising review: “I bought this product because the needle in my Keurig 2.0 keeps clogging, causing inconsistent brew and taste.These cleaning cups fixed both of my issues and I especially liked that it was really quick and easy to use… I put the cleaning pod in and ran one cycle, then took the pod out and ran a rinse cycle to clean out any leftover grinds.FAST, EASY, and GREAT results…VERY HAPPY!!” — Corey West

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95 .

11.A rust stain-removing powder for when you want to get rid of rust stains but don’t feel like scrubbing.

Simply apply it, wait a few minutes for the rust to dissolve and then lightly wipe it away.

amazon.com

Promising review: “I cannot say enough great things about this product.We just purchased a home that has a well with very high iron content in the water.I tried everything to remove the stains from our three toilets but nothing worked.I found this product online and immediately went to Amazon.

The results blew me away.I didn’t have to scrub at all.I let it sit in the tank for several hours and the results floored me! ” — Toni Huitt

Get it from Amazon for $10.35+ (available in two sizes).

12.A pair of fluffy slippers with microfiber mops on the soles so you can get some cleaning done while you make your way from the couch to the kitchen and back to couch again.

No one will know you haven’t touched your mop in weeks.Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: “So why do I like mopping slippers? I have a 2-year-old and they’re great for mopping up little splashes.Drops of water from doing dishes and the extra padding is nice.No paper towels wasted and it’s immediate.

Plus these are cute.You have to have a sense of whimsy for this functional novelty item.” — G.

Kim

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four sizes and 14 styles).

13.A flexible coil brush so you can finally reach all the dust in your dryer vent and crumbs that are hiding underneath your fridge and oven.I’m shuddering just thinking about what’s living under there.amazon.com

This is also great for cleaning your dryer’s vents!

Promising review : “I use one in the dryer filter area and one under the refrigerator.They get dust I can’t get any other way.I gave five stars for durability even though I’ve had them for only a short time.

They feel sturdy to last long enough for me.” — ASF

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.95 .

14.A tub of cooktop wipes so you can easily swipe up any mess before it has time to become caked-on grime.It also works on microwaves if that’s the only kind of oven you use on a regular basis.Amazon Promising review: “This product is amazing.I can’t stand when after I am cooking how I always have oil stains and grease on my cooktop! But with one wipe I am able to now get everything off the stove.It is very convenient to be able to just use one wipe for everything!” — Debra E.

Get a pack of 30 wipes and a large microfiber cloth from Amazon for $9.97 (also available in a pack of 60).

15.

A makeup brush-cleaning shampoo for all of you who can’t remember the last time you actually cleaned them.Your skin will thank you for washing away all the caked-up grime and bacteria lurking in those bristles.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

Promising review: “Best, most affordable brush and sponge shampoo on the market! No joke, I have tried everything; even homemade hacks like dish detergent mixed with olive oil.Nothing works like this brush shampoo.Don’t waste your money on the Beauty Blender soap and other big-name brands.” — Lily

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 .

16.A bathroom cleaner made with natural ingredients to leave your tiles shining and tub as sparkly as the day you moved in.

Plus, it’s free from fumes and synthetic dyes, so you won’t have to worry about any mid-chore headaches.amazon.com 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.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.” — Amber Erwin

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.34 (available in two sizes).

17.A bottle of Goo Gone foaming spray that’s specifically designed to win the fight against the greasy nastiness that’s been living on your oven door for far too long now.amazon.com

Promising review: “Wow! A degreaser that actually works! I love the foam which starts to work immediately on my stove top as well as cookware and other kitchen surfaces.” — P.

Webb

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in two sizes).

18.A 20-pack of cleaning erasers — they’re more affordable than name brands but still…um…magic , if you catch my drift.These little sponges use just water to lift away tough stains — and the results are downright soothing.amazon.com

Promising review: “These babies have transformed and reformed my slobby life.

My dog sitter thought I got a new sink and fridge.I have never had more fun cleaning in my life — wait, I have never had any fun cleaning.But these magical creatures make it so freaking satisfying.

No toxic stuff.No fumes.Just heavenly cleanliness.” — Jimmy Jim Ereeno

Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $9.45 .

19.A reusable and machine-washable duster that fits onto the Swiffer duster handle so you can stop wasting money on the flimsy disposable refills.

These will quickly get rid of the layer of dust that’s been accumulating since you moved in.

No judgment.TS Designs US/Etsy

Promising review: “LOVE the washable duster attachments.

These are SO soft and such great quality.The stitching is strong and I don’t worry about anything coming apart.We use ours with our swifter duster wand and it fits perfectly.

If you’re looking for a more sustainable item, this is one for you.” — Cassie Couch

TS Designs US is a small Etsy shop based in West Leroy, Michigan.

Get it from TS Designs US on Etsy for $5 (available in 10 colors).

20.A jar of the TikTok-famous Pink Stuff , which is basically the Powerpuff Girl of cleaning products: it looks cute but packs a serious punch.

Once you use it to tackle the grime in your oven, you can use it to spruce up your tiles or give your shower door a good scrub down.amazon.com Promising review: “I added before and after photos of my filthy oven so you all would know this stuff is the real deal and worth it.I like that it didn’t have a strong odor and it didn’t use much effort at all to clean my oven.You can really see it removing the burnt-on grease after a few circular motions.” — DNICEANDFAM

Get it from Amazon for $7.58 .

21.A microwave steam cleaner , because the mess in there doesn’t just disappear when you close the door and walk away.This little device uses the power of sheer anger (and steam) to eliminate dirt and stains from your microwave.amazon.com

Promising review: “This little device is great and it’s super simple.

Fill to the lines with vinegar and water, nuke for seven minutes, let it sit for two minutes, then wipe clean.My embarrassingly super gross microwave wiped completely clean with a couple of paper towels.I highly recommend this.” — UglyPetty

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors).

22.

A three-pronged duster to reach in between your blinds, because they are probably way dirtier than you think 😬.amazon.com , Amazon

The duster comes with five microfiber sleeves so you can take care of all your windows at once before giving the sleeves a good wash.

Promising review: “A super time saver.It legitimately used to take us hours to clean all the blinds.We can now do all the faux-wood Venetian blinds in the house in about one hour.

It’s really nice that it comes with some spare cloths for it, and it’s cheap enough to buy a whole additional set so we can make more than one kid do this chore at the same time.” — R.D.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors).

23.A pack of all-natural bottle cleaning tablets that’ll help remove stains and odors from any water bottles or coffee tumblers that you’ve left unwashed for an embarrassingly long time.

It happens.amazon.com

These are biodegradable and odor-free.

Promising review: “I seriously can’t believe how well these little tablets work.I had the most disgusting HydroFlask coffee mug — I tried everything.A bottle brush, different kinds of soap, vinegar, EVERYTHING, and there was still a seemingly impenetrable layer of black sludge inside.I let a tablet sit in each of my mugs for an hour or two, and the black sludge rinsed out COMPLETELY, without even scrubbing.They look brand-new.

What a magical product.No weird smell or taste afterward, either.I liked it so much I used it on another HydroFlask I use primarily to hold my Bloody Mary mix in the fridge.I couldn’t put anything else in it because it would always taste like spicy tomato juice.Bottle Bright to the rescue! No residual smell or taste anymore.AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING.” — Amazon Customer

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $8 .

24.

A pack of stainless steel wipes to tackle any pesky fingerprints and practically transform your refrigerator doors into shiny mirrors.amazon.com Promising review: “I love this product! It is so easy and convenient to use.I can get by using only one or two of the wipes for all the appliances and stainless steel items in my kitchen.It removes all smudges and leaves a nice even shine everywhere.” — Gloria S.

Get a two-pack of 30-count tubs on Amazon for $14.28 .

25.

A nonabrasive, bleach-free cleaning and polishing powder you can sprinkle on everything from cookware, sinks, stoves, bathtubs, and toilets.amazon.com

It’ll remove rust, tarnish, stains, and mineral deposits from stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, copper alloys, fiberglass, Corian, brass, bronze, chrome, and aluminum.

Promising review: “I bought this after seeing numerous recommendations, and after years of searing and occasionally burning things in my stainless pans, it was time to try to bring them to a better state.Not only did this easily scrub off the latest culinary leavings, it scrubbed off the years of buildup of oil, fat, cooking spray and whatever else that have been continually baked on in the oven, stove and dishwasher.A little powder, a dash of water, a quick, light scrub, and…it’s gone? How is that possible? What’s in this stuff? I do not know, I do not care.

After scrubbing my enamel stovetop in a fraction of the time with no scratches and better results, I became thoroughly convinced the contents of BKF is not of this realm.It’s magic.” — Bulb

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.40 (also available in a pack of three).

26.Or! A bottle of Bar Keepers Friend soft cleanser that can remove tarnish, soap scum, rust and hard water deposits with ease.The original formula comes in a powder, but this version is premixed and ready to use! amazon.com Read our review of the Bar Keepers Friend soft cleanser .

Promising review: “Bar Keepers Friend should really be called ‘Homeowner’s Magician’! I purchased this cleanser in an attempt to revive our stainless steel knife set, which is a great moderately-priced set that has seen better days, and I’m extremely happy that I did.

The cleanser not only took away the rust spots with minimal difficulty, but it returned them to their original luster! After cleaning our knives, I gave it a shot on our porcelain sink, which I typically have to douse in bleach cleaner to remove the stains from, causing the entire kitchen to be filled with noxious fumes…and it worked beautifully! The stains came clean, and it made the sink look pretty enough to eat off of.” — Kat Ferrari

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two sizes or a pack of two).

27.

A descaling solution that’ll break down all of the limescale buildup inside your electric kettle or coffee maker, because I regret to inform you that the interior also needs cleaning.If your coffee just isn’t hitting the spot like it used to, it’s probably time to run a cleaning cycle.

Amazon, amazon.com Promising review: “I had never even thought of descaling my 2-year-old Keurig before Amazon suggested it, but this stuff was cheap, I knew I was supposed to descale regularly, and I knew this kind of descaler wouldn’t be as hard to rinse out as the smell of vinegar.I honestly wasn’t expecting much, but the next morning it took much less time for the water to heat up and my coffee tasted twice as strong and rich as it did before descaling, which means the brewing temperature is higher now that the heating element isn’t caked with mineral deposits.Now I feel a little silly for drinking mediocre coffee for so long.” — Lenore

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.29 .

28.A two-in-one ultra-slim brush and scraper perfect for getting dust out of your bathroom’s vent and other little crevices your vacuum can’t reach.

Amazon

Promising review: “Perfect little brush to get in the hard to clean areas.Used it in the tracks of an old pet door stuffed with dog hair and dander.Shocked at how much gunk came out with this brush.I like how the bristles are longer and can really reach into the nooks and crannies.” — Island Girl

Get it from Amazon for $5.48+ (available in two colors).

29.

A granite and stone cleaner — not only will it have your countertops looking ready for the pages of Architectural Digest, but it also kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria.Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: “This is my go-to granite cleaner and I’ve tried a lot! Actually gets counters clean without a film or streak and not a lot of elbow grease.” — Lori

Get it from Amazon for $6.18 .

30.A chainmail scrubber so you can effectively clean all of the burned-on grime on your cast-iron skillets without removing the seasoning or causing damage.It’s also safe for use on waffle makers, griddles, and casserole dishes, so you basically have no excuse for having less-than-immaculate dishes.Amazon

Promising review: “Prior to purchasing this, our cast-iron cleaning routine consisted of rinsing followed by a quick scrub using coarse sea salt and a paper towel.This gadget is great for a more thorough cleaning, especially on stubborn areas.

It’s very effective and cleaning is quite easy, requiring nothing more than a quick rinse.The small ring attached to it is useful for hanging on a pot rack.Recommended.” — Cooking the Books

Get it from Amazon for $10.98 .

31.A handy brush that will scrub away at every nook and cranny of your utensils, because giving them a quick swipe with your sponge is really not cutting it.Amazon

Promising review: “I bought this brush to quickly and safely clean knives and it works great for them, but I also use it to clean the sealing ring from my Instant Pot! Fast and easy!” — PrimeShopper

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two colors and styles)

32.

A cleaning kit to make your ceramic cooktop look as shiny and flawless as the day you moved in.amazon.com The kit comes with a bottle of cleaner, a cleaning pad and a heavy-duty scraper that are all designed to break down burnt-on foods and tough stains.

Promising review: “As soon as I used this stuff, I couldn’t believe it! We had a new stove that I didn’t clean for months and assumed the burnt pea juice (my enemy) would just be a new stain forever.However, after one application, it was basically gone.I used the scraper that came with it and did one more small application on just that spot, and it was gone! Every time I use this it looks like my stove could be brand-new.” — Christi Lambertson

Get it from Amazon for $11.29 .

33.A tub of magical heavy-duty cleaning wipes so you can remove everything from grease to ink stains with zero water required.It’s also formulated with aloe and vitamin E so it’s gentle on your skin.Amazon These wipes are nonabrasive so they’re safe to use on smooth surfaces like car exteriors.

Promising review: “I have a small kitchen, and everything tends to get an oily, greasy film on it very quickly.

I don’t have a tile back splash or a range hood, and my fridge is right next to my stove, so the paint on the wall and the textured fridge get pretty disgusting.The tiniest little oil splatter seems to cover my whole kitchen.When these wipes arrived yesterday, I attacked my kitchen with them.They worked amazingly well! I didn’t realize how much grease was really sticking to everything until I saw how disgusting the wipes were getting .Luckily, they’re huge, so I was able to cover a lot before a needed a new one.I have very sensitive skin, and these didn’t dry my hands out at all.

I also get severe migraines, which are easily triggered by chemical smells, and these have a nice, lemony scent that didn’t trigger me at all.10 stars!” — Michele West

Get a 90-pack from Amazon for $13.94 (available in two sizes and multipacks).

34.And a washable, reusable sponge with scrubby mesh on one side and soft cotton terry cloth on the other.Plus, those prints are way more adorable than that green-and-yellow sponges you have in you sink right now.

PorterLees/Etsy Promising review: “So glad I finally found an environmentally friendly sponge THAT WORKS! I tried all the other kinds of eco-friendly sponges before these – silicon (don’t work on stuck stuff), vegetable fiber (got so mildew-y so fast), and even crocheted (felt so gross and didn’t work great).These do the job and then after a few days I just throw them in the wash! Hooray! And they’re cute!” — willowbe0416

PorterLees is a family-owned Etsy shop based in Portland, Oregon that specializes in homemade reusable goods.

Get it from PorterLees on Etsy for $9 .

Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides ! BuzzFeed.

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