21 best cleaning tools and gadgets to use in 2023
Beloved by TikTok, this nifty cleaning tool has been a lifesaver for shoppers who say it “gets the job done perfectly”.
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While many of us are thrilled by the idea of a squeaky clean home, it can take a huge deal of willpower to actually do the scrubbing, wiping and polishing required.
Luckily for those among us who are at the messy end of the spectrum, there are some incredibly useful (and dare we say, fun) cleaning tools and gadgets out there that will make the process a great deal easier.
From smiley-faced sponges that have become TikTok famous to the ceiling fan cleaner 5.8m love, you’re guaranteed to find something that will make your home sparkle.
Keep scrolling to see a roundup of the very best cleaning tools and gadgets, or jump straight to a specific category below if you’re looking for something to help you clean a particular room in your home.
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Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST CLEANING TOOLS AND GADGETS
Blade Maid Ceiling Fan Cleaner, $39.95 at Global Shop Direct
What You Need To Know:
Living in Australia, a ceiling fan is an essential in any house. But as we all know, they are prone to collecting dust. And cleaning said dust is arguably one of the worst chores in the house. Enter: the blade maid. This nifty tool has been specifically designed to do away with the dusty mess of cleaning your ceiling.
It comes with two pads made from high quality, dust trapping microfibre that perfectly collect all debris. Featuring hundreds of tiny little fingers, the pads easily attract and trap all dust. Plus, you can remove the top and it transforms into a duster. Two for one! The microfibre pads are also machine washable and reusable too.
The four-sided sleeve means that all dust stays inside the cleaning tool and none will fall onto the floor, or most importantly onto you. It can fit most ceiling fan blades up to 18.5cm wide. The handle itself is 91cm long to help you reach the highest of ceilings with no ladder needed. There is also a deluxe version that extends 182cms and comes with a bonus dusting brush.
It’s also loved on TikTok. The #blademaid has over 5.8 million views. TikToker @jackleonardbirt says it is “easy to use” and “gets the job done perfectly”.
Chux Magic Eraser Extra Thick Cleaning Pad (Pack of 8), $4.65 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
If you’re looking for a magic product to solve all your cleaning routine problems, we recommend getting your hands on the Chux Magic Eraser.
One five-star reviewer on Amazon said it “cleans areas that I had given up on … will never be without this product in the house again”.
As the name suggests, this cleaning tool is a thick eraser-style sponge. It lasts longer than traditional sponges and works with just water – there’s no need to use any sort of cleaning agent, which ends up saving you cash in the long run.
The Magic Eraser promises to get rid of built-up dirt and grime that’s been layered over and over again on any sort of surface in your home.
ECOVACS DEEBOT N8 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $429 (down from $999) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
We all know vacuuming isn’t the easiest of jobs to do around the home – especially if you’re cleaning the entire house. Allow us to introduce you to a robot vacuum cleaner.
That’s right, a robot is going to travel all over your home and vacuum dirt, crumbs, dust and other debris messing up your space.
This model from ECOVACS is a fan-favourite and it’s been described by five-star reviewers as being “easy to operate” and an “absolute delight for pet owners”.
It offers a powerful suction system – and yes, it even picks up pet hair – mopping that cleverly detects hard floors over carpet and the ability to create no-go zones if you want to block off a certain room of the house.
Universal Cleaning Gel, $9.99 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
Yes, your next favourite cleaning tool is some slime. While this may sound like a joke, this universal cleaning gel from Amazon is designed to pick up dust from those hard-to-clean areas around your home and is incredibly effective. Think your computer keyboard, TV remote and airconditioning vents. As long as there’s no water present, this slime is going to stick and get rid of the dust for you.
It’s also reusable so you can use it over and over again until the colour of the gel turns dark – that means it’s time to throw it away.
Shark Steam Mop, $99 at Target
What You Need To Know:
Another cleaning product that only needs water, the Shark Steam Mop uses the power of steam to cut through dirt and grime. No chemicals need to be used, meaning there’s no residue left behind.
Online reviewers have said it’s “simply the best steam mop I’ve used at home and for my work as domestic cleaner.”
Turns out you can even use it on carpets, with one person saying “it not only cleans a hard floor you can use it for a stain on your carpet”.
The appliance itself is super lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around your home. The swivel head means you can get into every nook and cranny. We also love the handy addition of the large water tank, so you don’t have to stop halfway through cleaning to refill the water.
BEST CLEANING TOOLS FOR YOUR KITCHEN
Scrub Daddy Flex Texture Cleaning Sponge, $8.61 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
With hundreds of five-star ratings on Amazon and countless reviews describing it as “cute” and the “best sponge ever”, it’s safe to say you need to try the uniquely named Scrub Daddy.
Not only does Amazon’s top-selling sponge add a cute little smile to your kitchen but turns out it’s pretty powerful, too. The Scrub Daddy sponge changes colour based on the temperature of the water. When it’s in cold water, it becomes firm which is ideal for tough scrubbing. Put it in warm water and it will soften up for easy cleaning.
It doesn’t scratch surfaces, doesn’t smell (that’s right, a sponge that resists odours does exist) and can be used with water alone. This unassuming sponge’s appeal has cascaded onto TikTok, where the brand has amassed over three million cleaning obsessed followers.
What You Need To Know:
If there’s one thing you need in your kitchen – apart from a sponge of course – it’s a multipurpose cleaning agent. These ones from Koala Eco are super popular as they offer a natural alternative to common cleaning products filled with chemicals.
This is made from 100 per cent pure lemon myrtle and mandarin essential oils, which, despite being natural, is incredibly powerful for cleaning. You can use it on refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, benches and more. Unlike many pungent cleaning sprays, Senior Manager eCommerce Content and Strategy Edwina Carr Barraclough attests this product makes your kitchen smell delicious.
Drain Dropper 12pk, $14.40 (down from $16) at Woolworths
What You Need To Know:
How does one learn to clean a drain properly? It’s certainly one of those tasks that gets ignored because it’s so difficult to tackle but now we have a brilliant solution. Get your hands on this Drain Dropper. As the name suggests, drop it down your drain and the powerful enzymes will work their magic to break down food and dirt – leaving you with a clean drain that doesn’t smell. Voila.
Wrapables Animal Mini Tabletop Vacuum, $41.10 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
Who wouldn’t want a cute little cow to clean up after them? This cordless cleaning gadget is designed to act as a mini vacuum and pick up dust, dirt and crumbs. It’s so convenient and can be used pretty much anywhere around your home, especially your kitchen countertop.
Boon Forb Mini Soap Dispensing Silicone Dish Brush, $6.50 (down from $16.77) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
It might look delicate and pretty but this silicone brush has the power to clean even the toughest of stains without scraping your best pots and pans. The petals of the flower act like bristles but won’t scratch any of your dishes. Simply unscrew the top of the flower, fill it up with dishwashing liquid and scrub with ease.
BEST CLEANING TOOLS FOR YOUR LAUNDRY
Sard Wonder Pre Treater Stain Stick, $6 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
Say goodbye to stubborn stains with the Sard Wonder Stick. Yes, we’re talking about the red wine stain on your favourite white shirt or the beetroot stain on your favourite dress.
It works as a pre-treat for those stubborn stains, so you can use it up to seven days before you actually wash the item. We also love that it’s suitable for cold and hot washes, so you can use it on any piece of clothing and any spin cycle.
Comfort Perfume Booster Beads, $14 at Woolworths
What You Need To Know:
There’s no simple luxury quite like the scent of crisp, clean, laundered clothes. Now, your clothes can hold that fresh scent for up to 12 weeks thanks to the genius product that is Comfort’s Perfume Booster Beads. Packed full of 100 per cent pure botanical extracts that – you guessed it – smell delicious, you simply pop two-thirds of a cap directly into the machine drum and let the product’s scent lock technology infuse your washing with a tantalising fragrance that’ll comfort you through your day and beyond.
Deluxe 360° Spin Clean Scrubber, $34.81 at Catch
What You Need To Know:
If you’re looking for a powerful cleaning tool that’s going to do all the hard work for you, give the Deluxe Spin Clean Scrubber a go. It offers a 300 RPM motor and a brush head that spins, ensuring all stains and debris is removed from burnt stove tops, car tyres and more.
The Deluxe Spin Clean Scrubber also comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, an extension pole, a flat brush and a corner brush.
BEST CLEANING TOOLS FOR YOUR BATHROOM
Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber, $26.29 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
With over a whopping 14,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.5 out of five, this Rubbermaid scrubber could quite possibly be the best tool in your bathroom cleaning arsenal.
Great for filth on grout, tiles, showers and bathtubs, the oscillating head promises to scrub 60 times per second, so you don’t have to exhaust any manual labour in getting your bathroom sparkling.
It also offers pulse and continuous scrubbing settings for ease of use and convenience.
IMEEA Shower Squeegee, $18.90 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
Keep your shower doors, windows and mirrors crystal clear with this shower squeegee. Made from a durable and mould-proof silicone, it’s easy to use and has a flexible hook so you can hang it on the door, towel bars and more. With a 4.7 out of five star rating and over 400 positive reviews, one reviewer wrote: “This is really a very beautiful product, it feels amazing, looks great and does the job. I love that it hangs over the shower so that I can move it for cleaning, rather than a suction cap which causes more cleaning! I’m very impressed.”
BEST CLEANING TOOLS FOR YOUR BEDROOM
Hiware Window Blind Cleaner Duster Brush, $9.95 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
Another annoying cleaning job? Getting rid of dreaded dust on blinds. Introducing this uniquely designed blind duster – simply run it through your blinds and watch the dust disappear, no fiddling required. It can clean the tops and bottoms of two blinds simultaneously, plus the microfibre cloth sleeves can be washed so you can use it again and again.
OXO Good Grips Microfiber Delicate Duster, $11 (down from $19.95) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
A great alternative to wiping away dust with a microfibre cloth is adding to cart a duster like this. It’s perfect for those more delicate areas, where you want to simply dust and nothing more. Perfect to use in between those times where you deep-clean the space, this delicate duster can be used daily. It’s light, soft, fluffy and easy to use.
DELOMO Pet Hair Remover Roller, $49.09 (down from $59.87) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know:
If you’re tired of seeing your furry friends’ hair all over your carpet and furniture, then this product is the one for you. It’s just like a lint roller but better – it’s reusable and no peeling of paper is necessary. All you need to do is simply roll it back and forth on any piece of fur-coated furniture, open the lid and you will find the dustbin full of pet hair that you collected, which you can then empty out and reuse.
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