12 Life Changing Tools for People Who Hate to Clean

I’m going to make a confession, I absolutely hate to clean my house. I honestly think the only reason I put in effort to keep it clean is because I like how it looks when I’m done, I want to be a good example for my kids, I feel guilty if I don’t and I feel better being in a clean, organized space.  I want to share 12 life changing lazy girl cleaning hacks, supplies and tools I use myself that has made cleaning such an easier task! 

I’m always on the look-out for products that make cleaning easier, shorter the amount of time to get the tasks done, make cleaning more enjoyable (is that a thing?) and simply make my life easier!

I also try to make cleaning as environmentally friendly as possible. No, I’m not perfect and I’m sure there are even healthier products on the market or that you can make yourself. I’ve tried many other options and the ones in this list are my particular favorites. My sister makes her own laundry detergent, but I’m probably too lazy to take time for that. 🙂

Many of these can easily be purchased at your local grocery store or Target, I’m personally an Amazon addict so like to do my monthly shopping from there. Even if I have to pay $5 to have basic supplies shipped to me through Prime Pantry, it still doesn’t cost more when you factor in gas prices, plus it saves me lots of time! Trust me, wanting to save myself time and money carries over into all aspects of life whether it be what cleaning products I buy and how I shop.

Here’s my round-up of the 12 cleaning tools and products I personally use that I’m in love with and hope it helps you too:

1. SWEDISH CLOTHS

If you aren’t familiar with Swedish cloths, they are an amazing substitute for paper towels. They are super absorbent, very cute and cut back on the waste of frequent paper towel use. They can be purchased in a very wide variety of patterns that are primarily Scandinavian design influenced. I personally have seasonal Swedish cloths to change things up the look on my counter.

Amazon has an AMAZING variety of Swedish cloths that my local store didn’t have. To clean my Swedish cloths, I just wash them in the dishwasher at night with the rest of the dishes.

2. MR CLEAN MAGIC ERASER

If I had to pick one true life-changing cleaning product, it would hands down be the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This product is a must if you ever have a problem with yucky bathtub or shower scum.

I try hard to not ever let it reach that point in the first place but occasionally miss a spot when cleaning, but this works amazing and literally removes off the scum residue in seconds.

I leave one in the shower at all times to make cleaning the shower easier. I personally try not to use cleaners with chemicals, this product is my one exception–it works that well.

3. ROOMBA ROBOT VACUUM

This vacuum has been a huge time-saving game changer dealing with the dog hair from our two shedding labs.  I start it in the morning after everyone leaves and I’ve had no problems with it running while I’m gone myself.  The newest version can be programmed from your phone, has wi-fi connectivity or you can tell Alexa to start your Roomba.

Roomba’s do not do a perfect vacuum job, probably again because of the dog hair. It does work very well and once per week I also clean with a regular vacuum to catch any little spots it missed. Daily uses works best with a Roomba and it truly has kept me from having to clean my floors every single day.

We LOVE our Roomba so much, we actually named her Rosie! The model included in the link is the one I WILL buy if our Rosie every wears out! We’ve had it 5 years and have had no issues so far. The one I attached includes wifi so you can even start your Roomba from your cell phone when you aren’t home-that sounds pretty

4. TIDE LAUNDRY PODS

Technically Tide Laundry Pods aren’t a cleaning tool, the reason I included them is that by not using liquid or powdered detergent, my washer and dryer stay so much cleaner! Does that mean I’m a slob? Possibly! But regardless, I’m absolutely in love with Tide Pods. I personally use the Free & Gentle because I’m one of those fragrance sensitive people that gets headaches when using scented products.

FYI, Tide Laundry Pods sell for less than the grocery store!! (or most stores!) This is one we always buy on Amazon!

You can get FREE TIDE POD SAMPLES here if you want to try them out! 

5. MICROFIBER CLEANING CLOTHS

If you don’t use microfiber cleaning cloths yet, these are a must-have item! Dusting is a breeze with a microfiber cloth, the dust sticks to the material and does not spread it around like a paper towel does. You also do not need to use cleaning products with a microfiber cloth! I only pull out a wood or glass cleaner if the surface is actually dirty, or I’ll alternate weeks between cleaning with my microfiber cloth by itself and the next week using an actual cleaner.

I also have a special microfiber cloth specifically for stainless steel appliances. I love it and just damp it slightly to do a quick wipe down of my appliances.

6. WHOLE HOUSE DUSTING KIT

This whole house dusting kit isn’t the exact brand I have at home, but this is the highest rated one on Amazon if you’re an Amazon shopper. Having a long-handled attachment works perfectly for reaching high places or for getting underneath furniture.

7. BONA HARDWOOD FLOOR CLEANING KIT

When we had our hardwood floors installed a few years ago, the installation company recommended Bona flooring cleaner since it maintains floor shine and doesn’t leave a dull finish. I have both the floor cleaning kit that acts as both a wet mop and has a microfiber attachment for dusting the floors. I also have the small squirt bottle of Bona cleaner to clean a small area that just needs a rag wipe.

I love the duster for times when I need to go over the floors quickly and don’t want to use the Roomba or a regular vacuum.

BONUS FREEBIES!

Get FREE SWIFFER Samples

Get FREE GLADE Samples

8. METHOD CLEANING PRODUCTS

I’m in love with Method cleaning products! They smell AMAZING, especially the almond-scented wood cleaner, they’re mostly environmentally friendly, mostly natural and don’t give me headaches like most cleaning products do.

Amazon either sells Method products in larger quantities if you’re Amazon Prime OR you can pay $5 for a Prime Pantry box and fill it up with cleaning products. I LOVE buying basic household goods through Prime Pantry to save me the time of driving across town to Target.

9. SHOWER SQUEEGEE

If you want to minimize and mostly prevent scum buildup on your shower walls, a shower squeegee is a must have item! It’s also a lifesaver for cleaning windows.

10. SHARK NAVIGATOR PROFESSIONAL LIFT-AWAY VACUUM

The Shark Navigator Professional is my other vacuum besides the Roomba. This is the one that does a fabulous and thorough job, especially on the carpet! It’s crazy how much dirt it sucks out of the carpet. I’ve always been a Hoover user until I needed a new one and tried a Shark based on my sister’s suggestion.

I’m a convert to Shark vacuums, love how lightweight it is, also love the attachments and how the canister detaches from the base to get up high or to vacuum stairs.

11. DOBIE CLEANING PADS

When I purchased our All-clad non-stick years ago, Scotch-Brite Dobie cleaning pads were the only cleaning pad they allowed on their pans that don’t void the warranty.  It does exactly what the label says by scouring without scratching.

12. BON AMI

I’m obsessed with Bon Ami Powder Cleanser and am slightly cranky that Target doesn’t carry it since that’s where I buy my household products when I don’t order them from Amazon. Bon Ami is the other product besides the Dobie pads my cook-wear requires to not void the warranty.

Bon Ami does not scratch surfaces and is an old-fashioned recipe with all natural ingredients. It’s been around since 1886, it’s that good! I also mix it with water to clean my Jenn-air glass stove top, use it to clean heavily soiled pans and use it to clean bathroom sinks.

 

Happy cleaning! Please post any other tips or products you have below! We’d love to hear about your favorite cleaning tips and products! 🙂

~ Jen and Madi