cleaning/cleanups Archives

Amazon Prime Day: 30 smart buys you don’t want to miss

Amazon.com

It’s Amazon Prime Day, so the super sale is on. I did the hard work for you. Not everything you see pitched on Amazon is a deal, but these are the best ones you definitely need to check out.

First things first: You need a Prime membership to get these discounts. Not a member? Click here to try it free for 30 days. Just don’t forget to cancel if it’s not your thing.

🏠 Home upgrades you’ll love

Breeze through summer: A quiet oscillating tower fan (15% off) sends chill air up to 25 feet.
Shut your garage door? Stop wondering with a smart garage door opener (20% off) that syncs with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.
Porch pirates, beware: The latest Ring Doorbell (47% off) lets you see, hear and speak to whoever’s lurking.
RIP dead zones: This Wi-Fi extender (64% off) covers up to 105 gadgets and 12,880 sq. ft. Neat.
High-pressure, low drama: Finally, a 50-foot garden hose (15% off) that won’t kink halfway through watering your garden.
Tool that rules: A 17-in-1 foldable multitool (30% off) can fix everything but your love life.

👩‍🍳 Get cookin’ with these must-haves

One appliance, nine tricks: Cook fast and evenly with a six-quart air fryer (25% off). No greasy mess.
Smoothies on the go: Ninja’s portable blender (36% off) is cordless, USB-C rechargeable and ready to roll.
DIY Starbucks: Small kitchen? No prob. This mini coffee maker (11% off) fits almost anywhere.
Slice that price: This 14-piece non-slip knife set (25% off) is dishwasher safe and comes with a built-in sharpener.
Splatter happens: Not anymore. A microwave cover (39% off) catches it all. Plus, it’ll steam your leftovers.
Smarter snacking: Track portions like a pro with a smart food scale (29% off). Connects with your fitness app.

⚡ Gadgets with that ‘wow’ factor

Color me impressed: Set the mood or the party with these smart bulbs (25% off, four-pack).
Double your screens: Plug this portable screen (43% off) into your laptop. Bonus: Built-in kickstand.
All juiced up: A smart power strip (39% off) with four built-in USB-C ports controls all your tech with a tap.
Hits the spot: The newest Amazon Echo Spot (44% off) will look perfect on your nightstand or desk.
Fire it up: Ultra 4K? Check. Live TV? You bet. All in the latest Amazon Fire TV Stick (50% off).
For the kiddos: Grab an Echo Dot Kids (47% off) and score a full year of Amazon Kids+ ($5.99/month after trial).

🤖 Team Apple or Android?

iPad magic: Still rocking a tablet from the 2010s? Snag the latest iPad (14% off) right now.
Tablet goals: Psst… Android crew. This is your sign to snag a Samsung Galaxy Tab FE (9% off).
Fresh fruit: The Apple Watch Series 10 (16% off) tracks your steps, heart rate and so much more.
AI on your wrist: A Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (30% off) is packed with smart features.

🧼 Clean up your act

Streak-free and shiny: Give your TVs and monitors a glow-up with a screen cleaner kit (20% off).
Bye-bye stains: Bissell’s mini deep cleaner (26% off) deep cleans carpets, car seats, you name it.
No wires = no drama: A Shark cordless vacuum (50% off) has 40 minutes of run time and gets into every crevice.
From ‘ew’ to ‘new’: Grime’s got nothing on this electric spin scrubber (40% off). Three speeds, eight heads, and one long handle.

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Quick tech cleanup: Do this every 3 months

When was the last time you cleaned up your digital life? It’s not fun, but just a few minutes of physical and digital decluttering can work wonders. It boosts productivity, clears mental clutter and leaves you feeling like you’ve done something great. Ready? Let’s do this!

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For your inner neat freak

✨ You bring the motivation, these gadgets bring the polish.

🌬️ “Alexa, clear the air”: Kick allergens and odors to the curb with a smart air purifier (48% off).

😌 Let’s face it: Your blackheads won’t clean themselves. This cleansing brush (33% off) massages them away.

🔥 Cooking catastrophe? Snag a cleaner kit (6% off) that won’t scratch glass cooktops. 4.6 stars & 23,000+ reviews.

👓 Bye-bye, smudges: Polish your eyeglasses with a lens cleaner combo (23% off). Works great on phones, too.

🧽 Floor it: This isn’t your grandma’s mop and bucket (21% off). It wrings itself and reaches over 5 feet. Neat.

🛒 Tidy up your cart: Click this secret link for more cleaning steals. Find the everyday things I actually use on my Amazon storefront.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Memory lane: Here’s a hot TikTok trend I told you about (checks watch) 10 years ago. Pop into old Street View photos on Google Maps for a hit of virtual nostalgia. Fun finds: One gal spotted her childhood dog in the yard, and another found herself in high school cleaning eggs off her car. Open Google Maps on a browser, type in an address and click the photo that pops up. Choose See more dates. Find something great? Let me know!

Tech how-to: Remove duplicate photos and declutter your digital library

play.google.com, app.microsoft.com, © Kaspars Grinvalds | Dreamstime.com

If your photo library feels out of control after the holidays, you’re not alone. Between taking multiple shots to get the perfect one and sharing images with friends and family, duplicate photos pile up quickly. Here’s a simple guide to declutter your digital photo collection.

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Boring? Nah, practical

🌟 Just because something’s not shiny doesn’t mean you don’t need it.

🧦 No show, no slip: These low-cut socks (20% off, eight pairs) are grippy to prevent slips and practically invisible.

💀 Silent but deadly: Pests eating your clothes? Hang some moth traps ($17.97) in your closet. No sweaters harmed.

🧼 Clean your cleaner: Don’t shell out for a new washer. Descaler tablets ($19.95, 24-pack) keep it running longer.

☀️ Summer-proofed: An under-door draft stopper (15% off) tells the blazing heat to “stay out.”

🔌 Velcro (but smarter): Untangle and label your cords with reusable cable straps (50% off, 16-pack).

🏠 Deck out your home: Hit this handy link to shop by room. Plus, find the essentials I use on my Amazon storefront.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Dirt stops here

🧽 Cleaning doesn’t have to suck (unless we’re talking about vacuums).

Tackle tight crevices with a three-pack of cleaning brushes ($5).
Stainless steel polish (20% off) makes your appliances shine like new.
Keep your leather from drying out with a handy care kit (31% off).
This electric air duster (43% off) is like a tiny leaf blower for your tech.
Suck all that lint from your dryer using a vent cleaner kit (38% off).

👠 Shoe, don’t bother me: Toss these deodorizer bags ($11) in your gym bag or sneakers to soak up any funky smells.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

They just work

Warning: You’re going to love each one.

Slice your kitchen clean-up time. Clip on a silicone strainer (35% off) that fits pots and pans of many sizes.
Give your pricey leather some love with a cleaner spray (17% off) so it won’t crack and fade
Bissell’s Little Green cleaner works on your car, carpets, furniture and anything else. Rare this thing is under $100!
Oops, forget your power brick? Plug in your USB cable directly into a power strip ($17).
Wake up without bags under your eyes with these overnight patches ($10).

👋 I’m never ironing again: A handheld steam iron ($119) is so much easier. Yeah, it’s a splurge but the cheapo ones don’t get the job done. Hit the coupon box for 20% off!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Drive down Deals Lane

🚘 Beep, beep! That’s your car saying, “Hey, check these out.”

A collapsible trunk organizer (11% off) puts clutter in the rearview mirror.
Don’t touch that dirty gas station squeegee. Snag this tool (15% off, plus click the coupon) to clean your windows.
No heated seats? No problem. This seat cover will keep you toasty.
Grab an air freshener for guys ($15) or gals for a fresh-smelling ride.
Be prepared for a flat tire with this portable air pump (33% off).

🚓 If you get pulled over: Pull out this registration and insurance holder (23% off, around $5). It comes in 27 different styles!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

I wish I’d thought of these …

This refrigerator deodorizer (21% off) lasts for 10 years, so you won’t be left wondering how old that box of baking soda is.
I use this smart coffee mug (16% off) for my evening cup of tea.
Dirty white sneakers make you look messy. Instead of buying a new pair, try this magical $12 cleaning sponge.
Grab a ball of Blu Tack and press it into your earbud speakers. Pull it away and see all the junk inside that comes out. Gross, I know.
Color-catcher sheets grab all the dye in the washing machine so your lights stay light. They look pretty gross when you pull ‘em out.

💋 It happens to all of us in the winter: Crusty lips are a no-go. I like Aquaphor’s repair balm with no smell or shine.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

No fuss, no muss

🪄 Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one.

Scrubbing the shower is such a pain. Spray on this cleaner once a week, let it sit overnight, then wash away soap scum, grime and oil (20% off, $19.19).
After a long day, put on Dr. Scholl’s warming foot booties. They’re like giving your tootsies an Epsom salt bath without filling the tub (3 pairs for 5% off, $12.35).
Gals and guys, no one wants stringy, dry hair. This hair mask is affordable and so easy to use (22% off, $7.40).
Wiring across the floor can be a tripping hazard. This floor cord-management kit is 24% off and hides everything nicely.
Forget bed sheets folded and sets all mixed up. I love these sheet organizers (18% off) and have them stacked in the laundry room and bedroom closets.

I just bought more: The Pink Stuff is a miracle cleaning paste you can use on just about anything. Grab some while it’s on sale.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Stuff I use a lot and like

Help! My cart is overflowing!

I wear this weighted vest (20% off) when walking to burn more calories and increase my bone density. Pro tip: Order one that’s 10% of your body weight.
I love to make a pot of soup and freeze it in this silicone container. I have lunch for the whole week.
This whitening toothpaste (20% off, $12) is my absolute favorite. Keeps me sparkly for the cameras.
I use these inexpensive blades to shape my eyebrows and get rid of the fuzz on my face, along with those hairs that pop up out of nowhere.
The bristles of this cleaning pen ($9.48) get into every crevice of your rings and necklaces to make diamonds and other gems sparkle.

🛌 I love sliding into fresh sheets. If yours have seen better days, these crazy-popular cooling sheets are extra soft and on sale right now (41% off, $30).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

You deserve a nice ride

🏁 Look inside your car. It needs a little TLC, right? Yeah, I thought so.

This tiny cordless car vacuum (38% off) charges by USB.
A nice dust brush (29% off) tackles the fuzz on your dashboard and vents.
Hang your bags instead of tossing them on the floor with these $5 headrest hooks.
These cupholder coasters can catch coffee or anything else that drips.
Washable cloth garbage bags for $8 keep trash off the floor.

⭐ Laundry sheets are the best. They’re 19% off, so now’s the time to see if you prefer them over the heavy jugs of liquid and pods, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Practical magic

Helpful little tools you won’t believe you lived this long without.

Make your tile floors look new again with a grout paint pen, available for thick ($12) or skinny lines ($9).
Quick knocking over the broom! Mount this rack (35% off, $9) to keep your cleaning tools neat and tidy.
Here’s a genius idea for when counter space is hard to come by: Put the coffeemaker (or anything else) on a slider (40% off).
Outlet concealers ($23) are so smart behind couches or other places where there’s not much space but you still need to plug in.
Tension shelves (10% off) give you more closet space without having to drill into the walls.

🥸 Because I care about you: If you’re a guy over 40, you need a nose and ear hair trimmer. Just trust me on this.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Before you get rid of your couch …

Try cleaning it first!

This portable carpet and upholstery cleaner ($115) saved my couch from that “wet pup” smell. (Abby loves the pool.)
Hitting stains immediately with a spot cleaner ($9) saves you a lot of scrubbing later.
Use a fabric shaver (41% off, $10) to get rid of any fabric pilling and snags. It’ll look brand-new again.
If you have a leather couch, use a leather conditioner (29% off, $20) to moisturize it and raise it from the dead.
This steam cleaner ($150) comes with 17 different attachments, so you can also use it on your floors, walls and even in your car.

💡 And remember: Amazon has daily coupons. I have the link bookmarked since they change every day.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Cleaning stuff that works under $10

Because you already spent enough money over the last two months.

Did you know when humidifiers start smelling funky, it’s because of a buildup of bacteria? This humidifier cleaner ($6) gets rid of all that gunk.
These garbage disposal cleaners smell so good. And they’re under $5.
The inventor of the Scrub Daddy ($9) should get a Nobel Peace Prize. And whoever invented this Scrub Daddy holder ($9) should get one, too.
Stamp a little dab of this toilet cleaning gel ($5) on the side of your toilet to banish rings.
I love these reusable dish scrubbers ($8). They’re cute and let you get a really good grip on dishes.

Don’t forget: Amazon Basics lets you stock up on essentials for uber cheap. It’s great for school supplies, like glue and pencil boxes.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Clean up your car

🚘🧽 A spotless car makes me wheel-y excited.

Ever get pulled over and have to dig through a messy glove box? Save yourself from future embarrassment with a glove box organizer ($12).
This car coin holder ($8) is genius. Plus, it’s 43% off right now.
I’ll admit it — I’ve absolutely tripped over a phone charging cord while getting out of my car. A retractable car charger ($20) probably would’ve prevented that.
Keep your leather seats clean and free of scratch marks with a backseat dog hammock.
A road trip isn’t a road trip until someone desperately needs a tissue. A sun visor tissue holder ($14) comes in handy for all snot-related emergencies.

Bonus find: This drink cover looks like a scrunchie you wear on your wrist but stretches to cover your glass so no one can spike it. Buying these for all the college kids in my life …

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Household helpers

There’s enough annoying stuff in the day-to-day. Let’s knock out a few little troubles so you can focus on what matters.

You scrub and scrub surfaces, and they’re still dirty. This drill brush attachment pack for under $20 does the hard work for you.
When twisting the lid off the pickle jar is a real struggle, try this grip jar opener (17% off) to win the battle. It mounts under a cabinet, so it takes up no space.
Does your dog get nervous or too excited in the car? This seatbelt tether (around $10) keeps your pooch safe so you can focus on the road.
Every time you need brown sugar for Grandma’s cookie recipe, it’s rock hard. Never again! This $5 fired clay bear will help maintain its moisture.
This handy-dandy vegetable chopper (9% off) is a no-tear solution to make soup, stew or anything else a lot faster.

🤑 Good deal alert: A bunch of home essentials (think cleaning products, toilet paper and batteries) are part of Amazon’s buy $50, get $15 in Amazon credit promo — a no-brainer if it’s stuff you already buy!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Light on the wallet, big on value

💰 These picks will upgrade your life for under $20.

Bottle-emptying caps ($16) are reusable and get every drop of liquid out of plastic bottles. No more wasted dish soap!
Got a new pair of boots for Christmas? Use a shoe-stretch spray ($10) and say bye-bye to blisters and sore toes.
The only thing able to ruin a cute black dress? Deodorant stains. Use these sponges ($9) to scrub them away.
These coffee filter pods ($16) let you use your own coffee in a Keurig instead of buying K-Cup pods.
Washing machine descaler pods ($18 off, $19) break down gunk and grime buildup that make your clothes smell funky. Bonus: Dishwasher version!

🪇 Amazon has a name for products going viral: Movers and Shakers. Hit this page to see what folks are loving. Neat, an emergency weather radio is tops in electronics.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Let me sweep you off your feet

🧽 Let’s face it, the holidays turned your house into a disaster zone.

Pop these cleaning pods ($10) into your Keurig to clean any gross residue and buildup.
A squeegee broom ($35)?! Genius. Pet hair doesn’t stand a chance.
Spray on this shower cleaner (12% off) today and rinse it off tomorrow. Boom — a clean shower.
Grandpa’s favorite chair is looking rough. Try a leather conditioner (29% off).

This window blind duster cleans the tops and bottom of blinds at the same time, and it’s only $7.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.