Cleaning Tools: How-Tos and Tips

The right cleaning tools make housekeeping less of a chore. We'll show you the basics, including how to vacuum the right way and how to use a steam cleaner.

hand holding dryer sheet in front of dryer
19 Unexpected Ways to Use Dryer Sheets Around the House
oven door partially open
Should You Scrub Your Oven with Aluminum Foil? Cleaning Experts Say Yes
Cleaning faucet head
Should You Try the Viral Cleaning Hack to Remove Hard Water Stains?
bottle of olive oil
6 Surprising Things You Can Clean with Olive Oil
bathroom with gray tile and wood vanity
How to Clean a Mirror for Streak-Free Shine
scrubbing bathroom floor with brush and baking soda cleaning solution
21 Things You Can Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide
How to clean marble - step 3
11 Things You Should Never Clean with Rubbing Alcohol
central vacuum system with automatic dustpan
What Is a Central Vacuum System?
hands scrubbing kitchen sink
7 Unexpected Things You Can Clean with Cornstarch
hands wearing gloves cleaning carpet
How to Get Paint Out of Carpet Like a Pro
scrubbing kitchen sink faucet with sponge
12 Things You Can Clean with Castile Soap
Cleaning a keyboard with a cotton swab
21 Things You Didn't Know You Could Clean with Rubbing Alcohol
silverware basket in dishwasher
Aluminum Foil Is the Secret to Sparkling Silverware—Here's How to Use It
oven door open in kitchen
Can You Clean Your Oven with Lemons? What to Know About This Non-Toxic Method
How to clean sterling silver jewelry
20 Household Items You Can Clean with a Toothbrush
silver sink faucet and white tile backsplash
This Genius TikTok Cleaning Hack Will Make Your Faucets Sparkle
kitchen sink with brass faucet and colorful dish towel
9 Things You Didn't Know You Could Clean with a Scouring Stick
person cleaning area rug with sponge and enzyme cleaner spray
What Is an Enzyme Cleaner?
baby shampoo in bathroom with bubbles
8 Things You Can Clean with Baby Shampoo
Target Vacuum Deals Tout
I Scoured the Internet for Vacuum Sales, and Target Actually Has the Best Deals Right Now
hand with rubber gloves and sponge cleaning wall
What Is TSP Cleaner? Plus How to Use It
stick vacuum cleaner on hardwood floors in living room
8 Ways to Fix a Vacuum with No Suction
white toothpaste on bamboo toothbrush with blue background
15 Things You Can Clean with Toothpaste
glass with toothpaste and bamboo toothbrushes in tiled bathroom
4 Things to Avoid Cleaning with Toothpaste
rinse aid used in a dishwasher
What Is Rinse Aid and Do You Actually Need It?
Bissell Air Purifier Deal Tout
According to Our Testing, This Is the Best Air Purifier for Smoke—and It’s Still 44% Off After Prime Day
Best Spray Mops
We Tested 59 Spray Mops—These 8 Are the Best Spray Mops for Stuck-On Messes
Amazon Prime Day Belife BVC12 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Tout
The Lightweight Stick Vacuum We Named ‘Best Budget’ Is $60 Off Ahead of Prime Day
hand vacuum cleaning sofa cushions
How Long Do Vacuums Last? 4 Signs It’s Time for a Replacement
A woman opens a built-in dishwasher. Clean dishes in the dishwasher.
Should You Put Silverware in Your Dishwasher’s Utensil Basket or Rack?
Swiffer PowerMop cleaning a spill on floor
The New Swiffer PowerMop Might Convince You to Finally Ditch Your Mop
Deal Roundup: Best Robot Vacuum Deals Tout
Get a Head Start on Your Prime Day Shopping with These Incredible Deals on Robot Vacuums
Three different Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair leaning against a couch
The 7 Best Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Afloia HEPA Air Purifier for Pets Tout
Shoppers Say This Purifier Leaves a Noticeable Difference in Air Quality—and It’s 44% Off Before Prime Day
Vinegar cleaning items
10 Things You Should Never Clean with Vinegar
L'Avant Collective new laundry collection product line
Eco-Luxe Cleaning Brand L’Avant Collective Launches Its First Laundry Line
Spring Cleaning Storefront Tout
Amazon’s Hidden Spring Cleaning Storefront Is Filled with Essentials for a Spotless Home
Bottle of Dawn dish soap on kitchen counter
9 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Dawn Dish Soap
Cleaning desk computer keyboard with coffee filter
Why Coffee Filters Are the Secret to Keeping Your Electronics Dust-Free
group shot of three Cordless Vacuums in a living room, in front of a sofa tout
The 8 Best Cordless Vacuums of 2024, According to Testing
An open countertop dishwasher with dishes inside over a tan patterned background.
The 9 Best Countertop Dishwashers of 2024
Drew Barrymore x Grove Collaborative Fresh Horizons collection launch
Drew Barrymore Just Launched a Collection with Grove Collaborative
person using carpet cleaner on dirty rug
How to Use a Carpet Cleaner for Good-as-New Floor Coverings
Cotton swabs on countertop
17 Ways to Clean Your Home with Cotton Swabs
Vacuuming glitter on hardwood floor
17 Things You Should Never Vacuum Up
basket of cleaning supplies
10 Essential Cleaning Tools to Keep Your Home Sparkling
Rubbermaid Reveal Cordless Battery Power Scrubber Home Kit
This Battery-Powered Rubbermaid Scrub Brush Makes Tile Look ‘Brand New’, According to Shoppers
Floorcare mop one-off
This Best-Selling Mop Set That Professional Cleaners Call 'Life Changing' Will Keep Your Floors Sparkling Clean
Bottles of recalled Fabuloso
Fabuloso Recalls 4.9 Million Bottles of Cleaner for Possible Bacteria Growth
Airrobo Robot Vacuum Cleaner with 2800Pa Suction Power
Shoppers Say This Robot Vacuum ‘Helps Tremendously’ With Pet Hair—and It’s Currently Half Off
Open dishwasher with clean dishes
Is It Better to Use the Air-Dry Setting on Your Dishwasher?
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier Tout
​​This Is the Best Budget Humidifier, According to Our Testing—and It’s on Sale
cleaning essentials
Washing Cutlery Has Never Been Easier Thanks to This $8 Tool—Plus 5 Other Essentials to Make Cleaning Simple
eufy by Anker HomeVac H11 tout
This Editor-Loved Handheld Vacuum Is ‘Perfect’ for Crumbs, Cat Litter, and Other Small Messes
2023 Clean House Awards winners displayed with bubbles front of a red backdrop
Here's Every Winner from Our 2023 Clean House Awards
Turbo Microfiber Mop Floor Cleaning System 18-inch Dust Mop tout
This Is the Best Microfiber Mop, According to Our Testing—and It’s on Sale
Zoker Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum That Shoppers Say Changed Their Life Is Now 84% Off at Amazon
Bissell SteamShot Hard Surface Steam Cleaner
Amazon Shoppers Are ‘Shocked’ at How Well This Bissell SteamShot Blasts Stuck-On Messes
steam cleaning a faucet
How to Use a Steam Cleaner—Plus What to Use One For
person shoveling snow orange shovel
How to Choose the Best Snow Shovel for Your Home
Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum
The Best Cyber Monday Deals on Robot Vacuums Include Discounts Up to $620—Here are 22 You Shouldn’t Miss
LEVOIT OasisMist Smart Cool and Warm Mist Humidifier
I Moved to a Dry Climate in Winter, and This Smart Humidifier Eased the Transition
Cyber Monday Vacuum Deals Roundup
Sale Alert! Amazon Slashed Vacuum Prices for Cyber Monday—and These Are the Best Ones to Shop