11 Genius Products That'll Clean Your House in No Time
From robot vacuums to self-cleaning litter boxes, these clever tools handle the dirty work so you don’t have to.
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Like it or not, chores like scrubbing toilets, vacuuming pet hair and wiping fingerprints off stainless steel are part of every household routine. But maintaining a cleaner home doesn't necessarily mean more elbow grease — it just takes smarter tools.
With the right products in your cleaning arsenal, you can stay ahead of the mess without constantly feeling like you're in cleanup mode. Sure, the occasional deep clean is still necessary, but time-saving tools — like self-emptying vacuums and surface protectants — can dramatically cut down on day-to-day effort.
Rather than chasing dirt and grime after it's already taken over, let these smart solutions do the heavy lifting by preventing messes before they begin.
Roborock Qrevo 2R3W Robot Vacuum and Mop
Robot vacuums, like our top overall pick from Roborock, can't handle stairs or pick up ground-in dirt and debris as well as a traditional vacuum, but they are great maintenance cleaners. They're also short enough to slip into places you can't readily reach, like under the bed or couch. Most also feature side brushes to help pluck dirt from corners, edges and crevices that your regular vacuum can’t reach.
Program it to do a quick sweep a few times a week, and it’ll grab dust and pet hair, as well as lint and surface dirt on your floors before it builds up or gets ground in.
RELATED: Best Robot Vacuums
Whisker Litter-Robot 4
Scooping litter is one of the least glamorous chores around, but a self-cleaning litter box can spare you the task of daily scooping. These high-tech devices detect when your cat has used it and then automatically whisk away waste into a sealed compartment. During evaluations, we found good models are rare and often pricey, but this one from Whisker was our top overall pick for its almost silent, automatic cleaning operation, odor control and customizable controls.
RELATED: Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
Scrubbing Bubbles Drop-Ins Toilet Cleaning Tablets
Drop-in cleaning products, like these dissolving tablets from Scrubbing Bubbles, are a hassle-free solution to constant scrubbing. Just pop one in the tank, and it'll automatically fill the bowl with cleaner after every flush for continuous freshness. Just note: These tablets don't serve as a substitute for regular deeper cleanings, but will help cut down on the number of cleanings your toilet needs.
Related: Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners
A simple swipe with a shower squeegee after every rinse can help reduce any buildup, including water spots, soap scum and even mold. In tests, this model from Casabella grabbed water in a single pass. We also like that it conveniently clips onto the showerhead or door handle, so there's no need for a separate wall hook.
Related: Best Shower Cleaners
Samsung BESPOKE Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Stick vacuums, which are lightweight and slimmer than traditional upright or canister vacuums, make quick work of everyday tasks like cleaning crumbs off the kitchen floor after a meal. But since bagless models can toss dust back into the air, we like the convenience of a self-emptying vacuum like Samsung's Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum. Once you're done, you set it back on its slim charging station and the dust bin automatically empties into a disposable bag inside the station.
Related: Best Stick Vacuums
Simplehuman Voice + Motion Dual Compartment Rectangular Sensor Can
Not only are motion-activated trash cans more hygienic, but they also help reduce mess. Just wave to open the lid to toss out scraps while cooking. This model is unique, because it's also equipped with three built-in mics for voice control — you can also open the trashcan by saying "open can."
RELATED: Best Kitchen Trash Cans
Coop Home Goods Premium Mattress Protector
A waterproof protector can extend the life of your mattresses and prolong time between deep cleans, because it covers five or six sides of your mattress to guard against liquids, sweat, grime and other messes. Some protectors can even block out bugs and allergens. Pillow protectors are similarly helpful to prevent premature wear and tear.
RELATED: Best Waterproof Mattress Protectors
Glass treatment shields, like the EnduroShield Glass Treatment Kit, help repel hard water, soap and grime from bathroom surfaces. To use, apply the pre-cleaner to prep the glass, then apply the treatment with the included soft, microfiber cloth. When you shower, water will more readily bead off instead of clinging to glass and tile.
If not properly maintained, leather furniture can crack, stain and fade over time. A leather protection cream, like this GH Seal holder, conditions the material and creates a barrier against spills and dirt, so you clean less often. In Lab tests, this two-in-one cleaning and conditioning product left our leather seats, recliner and test swatches supple and shiny. It also helped make ink marks we applied after easier to remove.
RELATED: Best Upholstery Cleaners
Scotchgard Fabric Water Shield
If spills and stains are a common occurrence at your house, treat upholstery and fabrics with a protective shield like Scotchgard to make stain removal easier in the future. You can even use the stain-repellent spray to help keep soil and spills from turning into stains on items like kids' backpacks.
Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes
Stainless steel may look crisp and clean in your kitchen, but the shiny surface is prone to smudges and fingerprints. Thankfully, a dedicated stainless steel cleaner, like these convenient cleaning wipes from Weiman, can help by not only wiping away those marks but also leaving a protective film in its wake to resist future smears.
RELATED: Best Stainless Steel Cleaners
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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