38 Cleaning Secrets People With Really Nice Homes Swear By

Keep your upholstered furniture, blankets, and curtains looking brand new with this oddly satisfying fabric shaver. The cordless, battery-powered device will remove all the pills, lint, and fuzz from any fabric with the press of a button, and the chamber can be emptied out when it becomes full. This cheap find has been awarded over 40,000 five-star reviews and ratings on Amazon, and it can be used on clothing, too.

There’s nowhere you can really hide a shower squeegee if you want to be reminded to actually use it. The solution? Buy a shower squeegee that you don’t mind leaving out. This one, with its sleek brass finish and decorative hook, fits the bill perfectly. Made with rust-resistant stainless steel and designed with a non-slip handle, it’ll look great in any bathroom — traditional or modern.

Trying to keep your sweaters and bags upright in your closet can be so annoying — and when they’re constantly topping over, it’s easy for your closet to start looking like a disaster zone. The solution? These sleek, acrylic shelf dividers, which will keep anything you stack on your shelves looking neat and tidy (that includes books and toys, too). Since they’re clear, they’re barely noticeable, and they’ll easily fit any shelf that’s 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch thick.

Here’s an easy hack to make sure your home always smells fresh and amazing: Fabric spray. But not all of them are created equal — most are packed with harsh, synthetic ingredients that can cause problems for people that are prone to allergies. This fabric spray from all-natural garment-care brand The Laundress is made with super-gentle ingredients, and the formula itself is biodegradable and completely free of allergens. But it still smells amazing — the brand describes the scent as “clean laundry.” You can use this on any fabric, from couches to curtains to clothes.

Tidy up one of the most notorious eyesores — tangled cords — with these clever, bamboo-covered boxes. The concept is simple, but it’ll make such a big difference: You just hide your power strip or wad of cords inside, et voila — no more unsightly mess of cords ruining your space. The two boxes come with cable ties, cable clips, and a fabric sleeve so you can create a configuration that works best for you. Choose between black or white boxes.

The Swedes’ best-kept cleaning secret is a secret no more, thanks to the newfound popularity of these Swedish dishcloths. Think of them as a tea towel and sponge in one: You can use them to clean just about anything — from surfaces to dishes — and since they’re washable and reusable, they’re much more environmentally friendly than paper towels. These dry super quickly, too, so you won’t have to wait around for them to dry before putting them away. And you get 10 per pack, each of which is reusable up to 50 times — just think about how much money you’ll be saving on sponges and paper towels.

If your bedside table is always cluttered, sneak one of these bedside caddies under your mattress. You can use this to hold your nightly essentials — your phone, a book or magazine, a water bottle — while making room for some flowers and a candle on your nightstand. Choose between six colors.

Add a decorative element to your space and keep clutter at bay with one of these pretty woven baskets. Use it to store anything that’s typically strewn across your furniture and floors: blankets, toys, books, knitting supplies... you name it. Of course, it makes a great laundry basket or hamper, as well. Choose between pink, light brown, and dark or light gray, all of which come with a thick white stripe on top.

The Angry Mama microwave cleaner is a bit kitschy, sure — but it really does work. You simply remove the head, fill it with water and vinegar, microwave it for seven minutes, and just like that, your microwave will be clean of odors, and any buildup or stains will be softened and ready to remove with a cloth. One Amazon reviewer commented, “This is one of the most amazing things I have ever bought. Easy to use and I got a sparkling clean microwave...and started off with one I was ready to replace because it was so grungy and smelled.”

Low on storage space? (Or simply have too many clothes...?) Then you need these ingenious hangers, which can be hung horizontally or vertically cascaded to maximize the space in your closet. Each hanger can hold five garments at a time, and since they’re sold in a 10 pack, that means you’ll have space for 50 extra garments in your closet. Choose between black or white hangers.

Tall, narrow glasses and water bottles can seem impossible to clean, which is why you need this cleverly designed sponge, which comes affixed to a long, bamboo handle. The plant-based sponge can get into any tight opening easily, since it’s so soft and flexible, and it’s replaceable, too, so you don’t need to buy an entirely new brush every time. (You can buy the replaceable sponge heads here.)

Wherever you’re dealing with scuffs, dirt, and marks around your house — on your walls or surfaces; in your bathroom; on a grill or stovetop — Magic Erasers will have everything sparkling clean in no time. These are a household staple, since they’re so versatile, which makes stocking up on this 20-pack a no-brainer. Hot tip: You can also use these to make white sneakers look brand new again.

So many storage solutions can look like eyesores themselves, but not these pretty woven baskets. Sold in a pack of four, you can use them to store literally anything — books, toys, clothes, art supplies — and since they fold down flat, you can tuck them away discreetly when they’re not in use. The water hyacinth material will look great in any space, too.

Hang these potpourri bags on any doorknob (or simply tuck them away in a closet or drawer). They’ll make the surrounding space, and any nearby fabric, smell so much better. These are pretty enough to function as decor, too, so you won’t mind them hanging out. Also handy for gym bags, cars, suitcases, and other stuffy spaces.

• Available scents: French Lavender, Fresh Nectarine, Jasmine, Rose, Vanilla, Sandalwood

Ever find yourself wondering, how does one clean a dishwasher? Well, here’s your answer. One tablet of Affresh dishwasher cleaner — which can be popped in your appliance just like a regular dishwashing tablet — will get rid of limescale and food/mineral buildup, and if used with glassware or dishes, it can help descale them so they’re sparkling clean, too. A worthy $12 purchase for sure.

Food storage container lids are undoubtedly the nemesis of many an organized kitchen. But finally, there’s a way to keep them under control. This expandable organizer can fit up to 40 lids at a time, and comes with six adjustable dividers so you can configure its design to suit your specific needs.

If you have a furry friend living in your home, you likely need this popular pet hair remover. Unlike a lot of similar models, which use annoying adhesive, this one can be used again and again without having to replace any tape. Simply empty the chamber when it’s full, and it’ll be ready to use again. “In my many many years of having housecats, I have tried numerous miracle brushes, lint rollers, tape, rinseable ever-sticky rollers, etc. THIS ONE WORKS LIKE A DREAM,” raved one Amazon reviewer.

Funnily enough, keeping your cleaning tools clean can be a struggle in and of itself. But this best-selling organizer offers a clever solution. Mount it on any door or wall, and it can hold five cleaning tools at a time (like mops, brooms, or a Swiffer), as well as six smaller tools (like gardening gloves or a dustpan) from the hooks. Impressively, this has been given over 20,000 five-star ratings from satisfied Amazon shoppers, while over 5,000 people went out of their way to leave it a glowing review.

Don’t know where to keep all your miscellaneous items stored? Then this over-the-door organizer is bound to come in handy. It has a cute, minimalist look that won’t clash with any space, while five pockets offer plenty of room for small items like pens, pencils, notebooks, glasses, charging cables, hand cream, and other cosmetics.

Keep your clothes and sheets smelling fresh with this roll of scented paper. Not only will it surround your garments and linens with a lovely scent, but it also looks really pretty. You can cut the roll to fit just about any drawer or shelf, and since it doesn’t have any adhesive backing, it won’t ruin your surfaces.

• Available scents: English Lavender, French Essence, Fresh Linen, Rose, Sandalwood

A number-one best-seller on Amazon, this coffee descaler will remove buildup from your coffee machine so it runs better, lasts longer, and so that your coffee tastes better. You can use this with any type of coffee or espresso machine, including Nespressos, and it’s sold in a two-pack, so you’ll be set for most of the year. Descale every two to three months to keep your machine at its best.

So many storage solutions can look unsightly, but this shoe organizer has an attractive, rustic-chic look. It functions as a shoe storage shelf and bench when kept in a foyer or hallway, but it also makes a great side table in a living room (with plenty of space for books). Choose from four sizes, all with a rustic wooden top and durable, metal frame.

An easy hack to keep your counters clean of messes: invest in this sleek YAMAZAKI Utensil Stand. The concept is simple, but it’s so genius. Use it to hold whatever utensil you’re cooking with, and a pot lid as well, to prevent stains and spills on your counter. Made of durable steel, it’s sold in both black and white.

Anyone with a nice home always has a candle burning in their kitchen. These Mrs. Meyer's candles are especially perfect for two reasons: one, they smell like basil, so they’ll remind guests of a fresh, herbal salad or summer garden; and two, they’re sold in a two-pack and cost less than $20, so they’re affordable enough to keep restocking on. When the wax burns out, you can reuse the containers for whatever you want — as storage for small items, or even to hold freshly made jam.

Keep a bottle of this stainless steel cleaner on hand so your appliances are always free of unsightly marks. It’s a simple cleaning hack that can go a long way, especially if you have a stainless steel fridge (which always ends up covered in fingerprints and grease stains).

Essential oil diffusers are an effective, discreet way to keep your house smelling amazing, and they also help restore moisture to the air, which is great for your skin. But a lot of essential oil diffusers look overly gadget-like or kitschy. If you prefer a sleek, minimalist vibe, pick up this Vitruvi diffuser, which looks like some sort of stone decor. It’ll add a spa-like touch — both aesthetically and tangibly — to any room you place it in. Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil(s) and some water to the tank, turn it on, and immerse yourself in aromatherapy.

Water spots and soap scum can be so difficult to remove — from your shower, tiles, and sink, for example — but Bring It On cleaner will get rid of them in a jiffy. It can also be used to clean rust stains, calcium deposits, and other forms of grime on all sorts of materials, including stone and bricks. “This stuff is a miracle,” wrote one Amazon reviewer, who said that it “removed years of hard water stains” effectively.

Microfiber cleaning cloths are so handy to have on hand. You can use them for anything you’d use a sponge or paper towel for, but they’re even more gentle. They’re also super absorbent, so they dry quickly, and won’t scratch any delicate surface. Get a pack of 12 for less than $15 with this multipack from Mr. Siga, which includes cloths in several bright, pretty colors.

You may be used to the marks on your screens, but that doesn’t mean other people don’t notice them. To keep your TV, computer, and phone free of prints and marks, pick up these electronic wipes, which come with 70 wipes in each container (so you’ll be set for a long while).

Get in between those impossible-to-clean tiles with this Rubbermaid power scrubber, which has an oscillating head, two scrubbing settings, and an ergonomic, rubber-coated handle. You can use this for any other hard-to-clean spots, too — the brand mentions sports equipment and car rims as just a few examples, while Amazon reviewers report using it to clean stoves, sinks, jewelry, silver serveware, and so much more. “It saves painful arthritic fingers from scrubbing,” one person noted.

Don’t underestimate this old-school dust mop: It’s a simple, affordable buy that’ll make it easy to keep your space (that includes your ceilings and upper walls) free of allergy-causing dust. You can use this on any type of floors, wet or dry, as well. And it comes with two reusable pads that are machine washable, for added convenience.

Washing the dishes has never been easier, thanks to this genius, soap-dispensing brush. You fill the chamber with your dish soap of choice, and with the press of a button, it’ll pump soap out as you do the dishes, so you don’t have to keep going back and forth between the bottle and your brush. A cheap and oh-so useful buy for any kitchen.

One of our editors who bought this steam mop called it a legitimate game-changer. It steams and vacuums your floors simultaneously, erasing stains and picking up pet hair on the way. You can use this on just about any type of floor — tile, wood, granite, linoleum — and it comes with both disposable and reusable pads to suit all your cleaning needs. An investment for sure, but it’ll revolutionize your floor-cleaning game.

One of the most effortless ways to keep your home free of odors and allergens, including dust, mold, pet dander, and smoke, is to invest in a quality air purifier. This one, from LEVOIT, is among the most popular out there — and undoubtedly the most popular on Amazon. Sold in both black and white, it’s a must-have for anyone who’s prone to allergies, has pets, or lives in a dusty home.

“This is the first air purifier that actually makes a marked difference in terms of dealing with the dust that plagues me so. Unlike my previous two purifiers, I can actually see the dust being sucked in through the device and into the filter, which is very satisfying,” reported one Amazon reviewer.

The easiest way to maintain always-clean floors is, by far, investing in a Roomba vaccum. The little robot whizzes around your house on its own, sucking up dirt, hair, and other debris in the process. It docks and charges itself automatically after 90 minutes, so you don’t even need to worry about putting it away. This model is particularly cool because you can control it with your phone, or with smart devices like Google Assistant and Alexa.

Though it’s made of just four gentle, hypoallergenic ingredients, this perfume-free laundry powder removes even the toughest of stains with ease. It’s especially ideal for people with sensitive skin, or for people with family members that have sensitive skin. And as an added bonus, it’s biodegradable as well. “This is hands down, the best laundry soap I have ever used,” commented one Amazon reviewer.

This tried-and-true hack for keeping your fridge fresh still holds up — no fancy product will do the job as well as a classic box of Arm & Hammer baking soda. Just keep a box in your fridge (and freezer, if you want) and it’ll help keep odors at bay. You should replace your box every month or so, and since this comes in a six-pack, you won’t have to worry about restocking anytime soon.

Just like that fabric spray from The Laundress that’s safe for allergy-prone people, this is its all-purpose equivalent. Made with gentle, plant-derived ingredients, Puracy cleaning spray is hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and biodegradable as well. It has a refreshing, lemongrass scent and is sold in a two-pack, and since each bottle contains 25 ounces of product, it’s an amazing value.