Hate cleaning? These dynamic duos will make quick work of your biggest messes
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There are certain cleaning products you should never mix — ammonia and bleach, for example. But there are others that make magic when paired together.
In my years as a home editor reviewing oodles of cleaning tools, I’ve discovered some amazing products that work beautifully in tandem. The key is knowing what works best for what, and choosing the ones that really shine...so to speak.
I’ve compiled my favorite cleaning combos — a handheld vac and a robot vac, a dry mop and a wet mop—to arm you with the best possible cleaning contingent.
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When it comes to making your home sparkle, two is better than one — find your perfect pair below:
Dyson Handheld Vac + Roomba Robot Vac = Best for Whole-House Suckage
When you need a quick clean — to get pet hair off the couch or cracker crumbs off the floor — grab a handheld vac. So wonderful to liberate yourself from clumsy upright-vac attachments! I love the Dyson because it’s super powerful (it kills me when a handheld loses steam), features a HEPA filter (great for allergy sufferers) and has a crevice tool that easily gets into all those nooks and crannies. I also like its clear receptacle so I can see all the dirt that's no longer befouling my living room. Satisfying.
But then there are those bigger jobs, like your messy floors. The good news? They don't have to mean more work for you. Today's golden age of robovacs means you'll never have to lug around a heavy vacuum again. This Roomba will scoot all over your home and has sensors to avoid stairs and other drop-offs. When done, it heads back to its docking station to juice up. Ahhh, 21st century living.
Shop it: Dyson V7 Trigger with HEPA Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, $550, walmart.com
Shop it: Roomba by iRobot 670 Robot Vacuum, $198 (was $330), walmart.com
PowerFoam + Power Scrubber Set = Best for Soap Scum and Mildew
Cleaning the shower is no picnic. (And cleaning up after a picnic is no shower, but that's another story.) But I found two products that make it, dare I say, a pleasure. The first one, Zep PowerFoam, I use about once a week. It’s the best spray I’ve found to cut through soap scum, mildew and hard-water stains with minimal effort. Just spray, leave on for a few minutes, and wipe clean.
For when you do get grime buildup that takes a little more elbow grease, you’ll want to bring out the big guns. Enter this triple-threat cleaner set. Talk about power: The stiff bristles on these power scrubbers (one small and one large flat brush, plus a large round-headed brush) attach to your cordless drill! The bristles are made of nylon, so they won’t scratch your tub or tiles. And just think of how much fun it’ll be to go at that grime. Vroom, vroom!
Shop it: ZEP INC Commercial Power Foam Tub & Tile Cleaner, $12 for 32 ounces, walmart.com
Shop it: 3-Pcs Tile Grout Power Scrubber Cleaning Brushes Cleaner Set for Electric Drills, $20, walmart.com
Ivory Snow Liquid Landry Detergent + The Laundress Delicate Spray = Best for Delicate Clothes
For dealing with delicates, you can’t beat Ivory Snow. Classic! You can use it in the machine and for hand-washing, and it’s one of the only detergents I’ve found that doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin or my sensitive skivvies.
And for when I can’t muster the strength to do the laundry, I love The Laundress Delicate Spray. I admit it: I don’t wash things every single time I wear them. So I use this non-toxic and allergen-free spray in between washes to freshen my stuff by adding scent and eliminating odors.
It’s ideal for non-washable items labeled dry-clean-only, from nylon hosiery and spandex leggings to silk bras, blouses, dresses and scarves. It’s also great for pieces you wash less often, like sweaters and scarves. Spray from six inches away and breathe in the yummy herbal/citrus scent.
Shop it: Ivory Snow Liquid Laundry Detergent, 25 oz, $13, walmart.com
Shop it: The Laundress Delicate Spray, 2 pack, 4 oz, $10, thelaundress.com
LavoHome Dust Mop + Ktaxon Spin Mop = Cleanest Floors Ever
I find that mopping without dusting the floor first becomes a big ‘ol mess. I have a cat, so fur mixed with dust and dirt gets all tangled in the mop and it’s just nasty. Giving the floor a swipe first with a microfiber dust mop like LavoHome's Noodle, catches all the errant stuff, paving the way for a nice smooth surface for your wet mop to attack.
And that mop should be the Top Knobs Microfiber Spin Floor Mop has a microfiber head which grabs everything, and is lightweight and colorful to boot. For the wet mop, I love this spinning mop. It rotates 360 degrees so you can swirl it into corners and around baseboards. The bucket wrings it out so no need to use your hands, and it comes with an extra washable mop head. It’s fun to use!
Shop it: LavoHome Microfiber Super Absorbent Noodle Dust Mop, $17, walmart.com
Shop it: Top Knobs Microfiber Spin Floor Mop, $33 (was $66), walmart.com
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