We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A fume-free oven cleaner so you can breathe a bit easier while you're doing everyone's least favorite job (which the last tenant clearly had zero interest in). This NSF-certified product doesn't contain lye or harsh fumes, and reviewers say it works like a dream on caked-on messes and grease stains if left on overnight. If using this doesn't cut your rent in half, I'm not sure what will.
Promising review: "Couldn’t even use my oven in my apartment because it was so caked in god knows what from the previous tenants and years of use. I used another oven cleaner and scrubbed SO much and it did nothing but spread grease around. This stuff though...I sprayed it on, left it overnight and the next morning it wiped right off. No grease. No scrubbing." —Zoe
Another promising review: "I love this stuff. I typically do not use oven cleaner due to the toxic fumes. This is great! I sprayed the super gross oven that came with my new rental home, let it sit over night, wiped it clean in the morning. My family didn't even know I was cleaning the oven!! That's how LITTLE this product smells. But it works great! I wiped off all that old crud like nothing. Wonderful!" —Rebecca Short
Get it from Amazon for $19.12.
2. And a powerful glass cooktop cleaner kit that'll actually conquer those burnt stains you had zero hope for — very little elbow grease required. Take that, caked-on tomato sauce from inhabitants of yore!
In addition to a heavy-duty cleaning solution and polish, this set includes a non-abrasive cooktop scrubber as well as a cooktop scraper that reviewers say is the *game-changing* element of this kit (and won't scratch your stove's surface).
Promising review: "Miracle! I moved into an apartment where the previous tenants left the cooktop full of gunk. The owners thought it was permanently destroyed, but this stuff helped me scrape it all off!" —Cashelle
Another promising review: "I really didn’t think that there was much hope for my stovetop to look good again. It had years of burnt-on grime that no other cleaner could touch. I read the reviews for this product and decided to give it a try. Well, I am blown away! It does everything it says in a matter of minutes, and with minimal effort! My stove top is gleaming, just like in the product picture. Note what others have said, unscrew and turn the blade around if you use the scraper. It did not scratch the surface at all. I couldn’t be happier!" —Wisegirl
Get it from Amazon for $18.98.
3. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets, because their subtle, crisp scent is a vast improvement over those rancid odors you were greeted with on move-in day (how thoughtful!). Oh, and in terms of your dishwasher's appearance, I think the photos say it all.
Just pop them into the tray where you'd normally put detergent (or on the bottom of your dishwasher if you're washing dishes at the same time), and run as usual!
Promising review: "Honestly love these things! I am renting and our dishwasher was not cleaned super well between tenants. I popped one of these in and could already see a huge difference; after using two, my dishes have come out looking so much cleaner! I have the same brand for washing machine cleaner and love those, too." —M
Another promising review: "I have had a film on my dishwasher for quite some time now, I am embarrassed to say. We did not realize that it was necessary to clean the dishwasher from time to time. The buildup had been accumulating for over four years now. I tried several other cleaners to get the buildup off, but failed. I bought this product and figured it was worth a try. We added the product into the dishwasher and ran a normal cycle without dishes. When we opened it back up, it looked like new. Highly recommend this product!" —Phillip and Katherine
Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99.
4. A heavy-duty grout cleaner that'll have you doing a double-take when you see how much dirt it removes from the cruddy tile crevices that were so generously left behind. Even your landlord won't recognize the apartment when they see your new and improved floors!
Clean-Eez is an Indiana-based small biz selling cleaning products that'll make tackling even the toughest jobs a lot easier.
Promising review: "Simply the best product! I rent and unfortunately not everyone takes good care of a rental property. I just moved and was disgusted by the flooring (regular white tiles with disgustingly dark grout). Used the product as directed and the results really impressed me! Definitely recommend this product!" —Maria Alejandra Hinojosa
Another promising review: "After trying to get my grout clean with everything I could think of and not having any success, I stumbled upon a TikTok using Grout-Eez so i thought I would try it. This stuff is legit. I’m confident a professional cleaner couldn’t get my grout cleaner. There is literally no dirt left. Very little scrubbing required and little to no odor. It’s amazing! The scrub brush included attached to my paint handle and I didn’t even have to bend over. I cleaned it twice because my grout was really dirty, then I sealed the grout in hopes it won’t get dirty again so fast. I can’t wait to do the rest of my house!" —Kathy
Get two bottles and a brush from Amazon for $42.95.
5. An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator to spray over those gross, smelly spots the previous renters didn't bother cleaning up before moving out. Its strong citrus scent is derived from orange oil and sure beats the stench of old dog vomit. 😬
Promising review: "I moved into a rental that the previous tenants had allowed their dog to defecate in for over two years. The smell and stains were beyond imagination. I used this product and you would never know that had occurred. Absolutely worth the money!" —Stacy Creed
Another promising review: "This product is amazing!!!! We have a Rottweiler pup and a bichon pup and our house was feeling the PAIN! I tried everything and used to tell my wife, 'with all the science and technology in the world we still can’t come up with something that gets rid of the dog mark smell!' This product does everything and more. Just ordered another round. We were about to throw away some furniture due to the smell and now after use we can keep it. Saved me hundreds. Well worth the money." —clayton s tonkin
Get it from Amazon for $19.97 (also available in a larger size and multipack).
6. Or a nontoxic carpet deodorizing solution you use with your vacuum so it can cover large areas in need of a miracle. Those unsightly messes on your rug are no match for its stain-fighting powers, and its refreshingly minty scent will provide some much-needed relief from...~whatever~ was going on in there before you showed up.
This solution works great with Bissell, Hoover, McCulloch, Rug Doctor, Kenmore, and Carpet Express vacuum cleaners.
Sunny & Honey is a family-run small business making cleaning products designed for pet owners who want keep their homes stain- and odor-free.
Promising review: "This carpet cleaner is AMAZING. I live in a rental house, and the previous tenants had a dog that left a lot of stains throughout the house. A friend of mine suggested I give this a try, and it has worked wonders on very old stains, as well as newer stains my children have left behind. I mixed this solution right into my Bissell carpet cleaner (half solution, half water) and ran it across my living room. The smell isn't overbearing and is actually quite pleasant...not too much like chemicals. It was able to remove a large dark brown pet stain, as well as a purple grape juice stain. I will happily recommend this product to anyone and everyone!" —Kat
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes).
7. A gently abrasive toilet bowl ring remover made of pumice, because if there's one thing you don't wanna be staring at, it's an old mess someone else made in your porcelain throne. And even though the stains might not be caused by caca itself, this will scrub away icky signs of mineral deposits, lime, and rust as well.
Promising review: "This works so quickly and efficiently. I live in an apartment and the previous tenant never seemed to clean the toilet, so there was a dark, un-cleanable ring. Literally took me five minutes with this magical Pumie!" —Elisia M
Another promising review: "I never thought I'd be this excited about a clean toilet. I had largely given up on our first floor toilet. Nothing would take out the ring along the waterline. But I saw this product in a BuzzFeed roundup and figured it was worth a shot. Tried it this morning and oh. my. goodness. It easily took out the ring and with some harder scrubbing, the rest of the stains/buildup/whatever the term is for the stuff that made the bowl look gross. It looks just about brand new! Definitely worth the purchase." —Courtney
Get it from Amazon for $12.50 (also available in multipacks).
8. A bottle of instant mold and mildew stain remover that'll probably make you believe in miracles once you see how quickly and effectively it makes the gross black shower spots you inherited disappear. And you can use it on your outdoor patio, too!
FYI: Reviewers say this stuff is pretty heavy-duty and has a very strong smell, so be sure to cover your face and open a window if possible when using. They also suggest wearing clothes you don't mind getting bleached!
Promising review: "Some background — we rent an apartment that is inside of a renovated 100-year-old home. The bathroom is very small with one tiny window and a fan. Since we moved in, we've been battling mold on the ceiling. After I got pneumonia, I finally decided we needed to go after this mold once and for all. Now, we've tried scrubbing it with bleach on a ladder in this tiny space and it lasts for a bit before growing back. Almost the entire ceiling was covered in spotted grey mold. This stuff is straight up sorcery. Every part of the ceiling I sprayed, the mold quite literally melted off. It's strong, so you'll need a mask and goggles. It took me a few times in and out of the bathroom to finish sections of the ceiling at a time. But, after letting the solution do its thing with no scrubbing, the ceiling is pristine. Like, this is the cleanest I've ever seen our bathroom ceiling and we've lived here for a few years. It even got all of the mold out of the caulk on the side of the bathtub. This stuff is well worth the money. Fair warning — it does have bleach in it and it will drip from the ceiling if you spray a lot (we needed to). So, be sure to take anything out of the bathroom that might react to bleach before you start and wear old clothes. 100% recommend this product.
"Edit: Over a year later and the mold on our ceiling has never come back. I bought another bottle of this to easily remove any mold that pops up on our tile grout now in the tub. I recommend it to everyone!" —frugal athlete
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in larger sizes and multipacks).
9. A handy FlexiSnake drain cleaner so you won't be responsible for a hefty plumber bill just because the previous renter never cleaned their hair out of the tub. All you do is insert the wand into your clogged drain, rotate it, lift it up, and try not gagging when you see how much nastiness it pulls out. 🤢
This pack includes five wand refills!
Promising review: "This is a lifesaver. I don't want to use acid/liquids in my sink because I rent and I'm not sure how old the pipes are, but one attempt with this sink cleaner and all the stuck hair came out. Sink now works as new." —Reach For The Sky
Another promising review: "This snake was very easy to assemble and use, and man, it works well! We're renting our home and a prior tenant/tenants with long, brunette hair apparently loved to rinse their hair down the sink and not use a hair catcher in the tub, so we were welcomed to clogs everywhere very early in our lease. Drain clearing chemicals were not helping, so I broke down and ordered this snake and bam! Drains are clear! The length may seem long, but if your clog is far down the pipe, this might not catch it." —Allie
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $19.99.
10. Plus a bottle of Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver to pour into your sink (or toilet) when the water is taking FOR.EV.ER. to go down. Leave it overnight, flush it out, and ta-da! If the last occupant was *kind* enough to leave you a bunch of gunk-filled pipes, you'll want this in your cabinet.
Promising review: "I hardly ever write a review, but I really had to for this one. This product literally blew my mind because I had doubts that it would work. I live an apartment and the previous renters left the bathroom sink clogged up completely. I tried using baking soda and vinegar, baking soda and hot water, and nothing worked. So I saw this had pretty good reviews and I tried it. I left mine overnight and then poured boiling hot water in the sink the next day and I literally saw when the plug cleared up and all the water in the sink drained out at once. Do try it." —Galia lulley
Another promising review: "OK... So I have to do a little review on this product BECAUSE I have had a stopped-up kitchen sink and have LITERALLY tried EVERYTHING down to the industrial products with NO luck. I decided to go on Amazon and read a few reviews. This is the one I decided to go with. I only used one chamber, let it sit for an hour, and then used boiling water. My sink is NO LONGER stopped up!!! I saved a plumber bill. HUGE win for this woman!!" —Tabpeach
Get it from Amazon for $11.84.
11. A gentle, restorative sink cleaner so effective, it'll hide any evidence of the previous renter's hair dye obsession. Now the very spots where you wash your hands will actually look (and feel) clean themselves!
It also creates a slick, water-repellent barrier that water will just bead off of.
Promising review: "I have used many products to maintain my kitchen sinks, but now know this product is my last, as I'll never us anything else. I moved into an apartment where the stainless sink was a dark BLACK due to former tenants not taking care of the sink, and it resulted in what appeared to be permanent staining. It took a few applications and a couple of weeks of using this product but the sink ended up shining like brand-new real soon. I was amazed." —Brian Jay
Another promising review: "Like magic. Bought this for the cheap price and great reviews. Seemed too good to be true…but it’s true! Our landlord installed a stupid white sink in the kitchen, and I cook a lot. Bleach and vinegar did nothing. I had given up, until…this cleaner. My mouth dropped open as the stains began lifting instantly! Very limited effort required to remove the stains and return it to a viewable state! It will be easy to maintain with wiping down once a week. Highly recommend!" —Kimberly S.
Get it from Amazon for $9.87 (also available in multipacks).
12. A tub of *iconic* cleaning paste The Pink Stuff, because once you realize how much stain-lifting power this absolute miracle in a jar has, you'll wonder how you would've conquered your new place's old messes without it. Not only does it get stains out, it does it so quickly and with minimal effort on your part, whether you're tackling former occupants' bathtub buildup or crayon catastrophes.
Check out yours truly using it three ways on TikTok!
After seeing countless videos on cleaning TikTok that raved about The Pink Stuff, I knew I had to try it out on my stained, grime-coated sheet tray. I mean, if it could make a dent in that, I'd probably believe in magic. Well, I started scrubbing one corner as a test, and lo and behold, the difference was nothing short of DRAMATIC (check out my TikTok for proof!). And I didn't even have to scrub very hard, though as someone with ~minimal~ upper body strength, I doubt any force I could physically apply would even constitute as heavy scrubbing. At any rate, it worked so well that I tried it on a pair of dirty tennis shoes and a blue stain that had been singed onto my toaster oven for months, and, yup, it worked. Consider me a FAN.
Promising review: "YOU GUYS!!! My daughter decided the world is her canvas, her medium: crayons. Almost every door and wall in my rented home is covered. I've tried everything, and my arms are super buff from scrubbing, all for nothing. I saw the Pink Stuff on a Pinterest post, and thought I would check it out here on Amazon. I thought, 'Well, it looks like it'll work, and if not, it's not expensive and it can't damage my walls anymore than they already are.' I am NOT disappointed! I used a damp microfiber cloth, scooped it up, and wiped it on the walls. I kid you not when I say it just wiped off!! My husband's mouth fell open and I happily did my entire hall. 🤣 Seriously, get it." —Sarah B.
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
13. A pack of Weiman stainless steel wipes if you instantly regretted moving into your place upon realizing your fridge looked like it was used for a background check. Not today, mystery fingerprints! Just give your streaky appliances a once over with these bad boys and they'll shine like new.
Promising review: "Just moved into a rental and the stainless steel fridge, oven, and dishwasher were covered with smudges and fingerprints. Couldn’t get them off with just water or glass cleaner. But these wipes worked immediately and easily. Soooo happy to have my kitchen appliances sparkle, be clean, and look new. So rarely things work as advertised but this product is true blue!" —Darlene
Another promising review: "OMG!!! I can’t believe I didn’t know about this product! I was starting to hate my stainless appliances because they looked so streaked and nasty! My niece gave me some to try and I can’t believe how good my appliances look now! They are beautiful and shining with my minimal effort!!" —Claudia Davis
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $17.95.
14. A NonScents refrigerator deodorizer, because baking soda alone probably isn't enough to cover up the aromas left behind from the last person's stinky food. This helps get rid of odors on a molecular level rather than simply masking them, and each one lasts up to six months!
Oh, and it'll also keep produce fresh for up to twice as long!
Promising review: "Works great! I rent in an apartment and the fridge has gone through multiple tenants before me. I spent a lot of time cleaning the inside of the fridge and although it was clean, there was still a very rotten smell in it. Purchased this product due to the overwhelming amount or reviews and after a few days, the smell is completely gone. I've tried vinegar, detergent, and baking soda, none of which worked. Definitely would recommend this product!" —S
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (also available in multipacks).
15. And for the rest of your home, a scent-free, biodegradable odor eliminator you can spray anywhere in need of a refresh, be it the smelly b-room you were gifted or the musty basement that never saw so much as a broom before you got there. The patented formula bonds and reacts with odor molecules, destroying them permanently!
Reviewers say they've used it to combat odors from dead mice, run-ins with skunks, pet messes, years of cigarette smoke — it does it all!
Promising review: "I moved into a rental and the previous tenants left a horrible stench behind. The most offensive area was in the kitchen cabinets, though it was everywhere. The smell was so bad it was nauseating. This was made even worse because the landlord tried to cover it up with a putrid, strong-smelling air freshener. These two disgusting odors permeated the entire place. I tried airing the place out but to no avail. The smell just lingered with the same intensity. I literally felt sick every time I set foot in the place. How could I possibly deal with this for 12 long months? I then remembered that I had about half a bottle of Zero Odor somewhere in the mess of all my moving boxes. So I found it and I sprayed the kitchen. When I returned the next day, the smell was still there, though not as strong. As I continued to spray, the bad odors finally went away — and the ONLY reason they did is because Zero Odor got rid of them. You might not think it's doing anything at first but give it some time to work and continue to spray if necessary. This stuff is amazing and can knock out the worst smells. I highly recommend this product — it's one of those things I'll never be without." —Louie3514
Get a pack of three bottle sizes from Amazon for $29.95.
16. A powerful drill brush kit, which attaches to your drill and effortlessly sends even the toughest stains packing their bags when you don't feel like spending an afternoon scouring a crusty tub. Why should you exert a ton of energy cleaning up someone else's mess?! This set includes three types of brushes in different shapes and sizes to suit corners, flat surfaces, and everywhere in between.
Here's a drill if you need one!
This brush comes in different colors and bristle textures: white is a soft bristle, best for wheels, carpets, upholstery, glass, and leather; yellow is a medium bristle, best for bathrooms, bathtubs, shower, tiles, and porcelain; green is a medium bristle, best for kitchens, stoves, cabinets, countertops, and linoleum; blue is a medium bristle, best for boats, pools, canoes/kayaks, hot tubs, and plastics; red is a stiff bristle, best for outdoors, siding, brick, garages, and gutters; and black is a hard bristle, best for grills, loose paint, furnaces, ovens, and industrial use.
Drill Brush is a small business that was founded by Anthony LaPolla, a former electrician with carpal tunnel syndrome who developed this tool as a way to clean while avoiding painful scrubbing.
Promising review: "I've been eyeing these for a few months and finally caved. Man do I regret not picking them up as soon as I saw them! They work GREAT! We rent an apartment that has a 30+ year old shower/tub. I've used everything and nothing really got the grime out. These WORK and they work fast. 10 minutes with my handy drill and the shower has never been cleaner. I love that I don't have to throw money out on cleaning products anymore and that I can be a little more environmentally friendly with no waste and no chemical cleaners! Just a little dish soap, baking soda, and a spin of the brush. If you're on the fence, just buy them!" —Becky Adie
Another promising review: "Worked like a charm. The tenants before us must have never cleaned the tub. After several tries at scrubbing by hand, I ordered these brushes. The results are so satisfying." —Basil W. Berry
Get a set of three brush heads from Amazon for $17.99 (available with soft, medium, stiff, and ultra-stiff bristles in several colors).
17. An eco-friendly hard-water stain remover for removing the scummy film the last people who used your b-room clearly had no issues with. 🙃 Yes, you can have the crystal-clear shower doors you've always wanted!
Promising review: "I used this on the glass shower doors of my rental. Tenant apparently never cleaned the doors. They looked terrible! I used everything I could possibly think of to scrub the hard water stains with little results. I purchased this product as a last resort and am so glad I did. It left the doors like new with very little scrubbing. This is my second purchase of the product. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it." —De Anda
Another promising review: "We have really hard water and we rent, so we were looking for a cheap solution to treat stubborn bathtub stains before bringing it up to our landlord. So glad I tried this, it was a miracle. It took two rounds to get everything out but it worked like a charm. Since using it the tub doesn't stain nearly as easily either. The scent is a bit strong when you're cleaning it, but once you take a shower or bath it goes away." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in several bundles).
18. And a rust stain-removing gel that'll get rid of the orange grime covering your seemingly forgotten shower and sink so you'll actually, you know, feel clean while you're taking a bath and washing your hands. These photos are giving me so much drama I think I need some popcorn.
Promising review: "The water where I rent has such high iron content that you can smell it as soon as the water turns on, and as a result the shower, toilet, and sinks have become terribly stained. This is the only product I’ve ever had actually get all of the stains out (and I’ve tried just about everything). I will never buy another type of rust remover. I didn’t even have to scrub!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.47.
19. An Oxo deep-clean brush set in case the prior inhabitants thought running a broom over the floor counted as doing the "deep-cleaning" mandated by their lease upon moving out. If you're a real stickler for cleanliness, reviewers say these will get into even the teeniest cracks, and their stiff bristles make them much more durable than an old toothbrush.
The set includes two brushes: a larger one for things like grout and stove tops and a smaller one with a brush side and wiper blade side.
Promising review: "Shocking! I got this at the request of a friend who was helping with cleaning. They weren't expensive, so I decided to get them. I thought they were kind of silly, I use toothbrushes if I need a small cleaning brush. No more toothbrushes for cleaning for me! These really do let you get into cracks and corners, and the bristles are stiff enough to get packed in dirt out. And the silly squeegee on the end? Awesome. I rent, and have places in my apartment I've never been able to get clean. With these brushes and the squeegee tip, I think the apartment is finally clean of old tenant's dirt." —Laura Gail
Another promising review: "I ordered these when they popped up in my recommended section on a whim. I thought I could use them somewhere, but didn’t have any particular place at the time. I’m an impulse buyer. Anyway, IF YOU HAVEN'T ORDERED THESE YET, DO IT. I have used them on anything and everything since. I’m a clean freak. My life is changed. Never going back." —T
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a bundle pack).
20. A bottle of Oh Yuk jetted tub cleaner so you can actually enjoy a luxurious soak in your Jacuzzi rather than sitting in a bath full of a stranger's dirt. 🤢 Many people don't realize the jets require regular cleanings, but with this you'll be looking at a sparkling tub in as little as 15 minutes!
Just run the water, pour the cleaner in, and turn the jets on!
Oh Yuk is a family-owned small business based in Minnesota that specializes in PhD chemist-formulated cleaning products for home appliances, from dishwashers and washing machines to hot tubs and jetted bathtubs.
Promising review: "Two things: It works, and DO NOT eat before you start cleaning the tub. Trust me on that one. We'd just moved into a new house, and as it wasn't very well maintained by the previous tenant. I spent a lot of time scrubbing things to make them acceptably clean (and my standards are high to begin with). I thought I was done with the tub, but came across this cleaner on BuzzFeed and figured, heck, why not? Let's just say that I was not done, and the amount of nasty that came out of the pipes would be enough to make a grown person's stomach turn." —Victoria Johnson
Another promising review: "Moved into a rental and wanted to clean the jetted tub. So glad I did, because it was gross. This took care of the dirty gunk in the nozzles. Easy to use and it works. I highly recommend!" —TLM
Get it from Amazon for $17.84.
21. A versatile pack of melamine sponges, which are fantastic for tackling the seemingly never-ending wall smudges, dirt, and grime without the need for chemical sprays. Seriously, what was going *on* in there before you showed up?! Just wet the sponges with water, wipe the dirty spot, and lift your jaw off the floor when you see how well it makes those ancient Cheeto dust fingerprints all over your house disappear.
Reviewers say they're an excellent dupe for the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, and much more affordable!
Promising review: "My husband and I recently moved to a new apartment and the previous renter was a slob. (Seriously, I'm thinking that there may have even been a demon possession involved. We're talking food on the CEILING kind of 'slob'). Upon moving in, I noticed some sort of unidentifiable grossness all over the back of my bathroom door! After donning a hazmat suit, I grabbed one of these erasers and in no time flat the possible dried projectile demon vomit was off of my door. Thank goodness!" —Beckaroosy
Another promising review: "As good as Mr. Clean Magic Erasers but half the price. They clean so many surfaces better than anything. We use them at the bar and clean our chalkboards, metal sinks and ice wells, beer coolers, FRP backsplash walls, and even graffiti in the bathrooms comes off more easily with these than other cleaning products. I took one home and cleaned my shower faster and more easily than with bottles of shower cleaner. Highly recommended." —Stephen Brandau
Get a 20-pack from Amazon for $13.95.
22. A pack of Affresh washing machine tablets, because if the appliance hasn't received a proper cleaning in the past, it's gonna take more than a simple load of laundry to remove all of the funk trapped in there. You'll be amazed by how much grime you wipe out, and with these, you can rest assured your linens aren't mingling with odor-causing residue while they're being "cleaned."
The tablets are safe to use with pretty much any type of washer: HE or regular, top-loading and front-loading. Simply place one tablet in your empty washing machine and run a normal wash cycle, then wipe away the residue — easy breezy!
Promising review: "Finally, something that cleans my front load washer and actually works. For context, I live in a rental, and this was someone else's washing machine before mine...and likely before them. It smells. I tried baking soda, vinegar, and other recommendations. I used two tablets and did back to back cycles, and the smell is finally gone." —GODOJ13
Another promising review: "I have used these tablets monthly since I purchased my top load washer about 10 years ago. I have no doubt that this product is responsible for keeping my washer drum looking new and odor-free. There is a slight scent when you run the tablets on a cycle, but it's pretty unoffensive. This package is a great value as compared to buying the smaller packages, which are usually available in major retailers. My best advice — mark it on your calendar and use once a month!" —Karen
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.95 (also available in packs of three or five).
23. A box of OxiClean stain remover which, yes, is great for laundry, but also combats stubborn messes left on practically any surface in your house. We're talking neglected sinks, dirty grout, and even mildewy outdoor furniture!
To clean surfaces in your home, reviewers suggest mixing some of the powder with water to form a paste and then going to town. You could also sprinkle the powder over the stain, top with water, let it sit overnight, and wipe!
Promising review: "We moved into a rental house that had a 20-year-old fiberglass shower/tub insert, which was filthy with ground-in stains. I tried cleaning it with everything I could think of, but nothing worked to make it clean. So I mixed OxiClean with a bit of water to form a paste and scrubbed....like magic! The tub looks amazing. I wish I had before/after pictures to show. I also use it on clothing stains and it works great. I have a sensitivity to smells, and OxiClean has no smell at all. Doesn't give me a headache or make me feel sick when I use it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND OxiClean." —Dana
Get it from Amazon for $5.98+ (available in three sizes).
24. A natural scour paste you can slather over pretty much any surface that's seen better days — namely, the days before the most recent tenant in your apartment moved in. If the top of your fridge has a 1-inch coating of filth they never did anything about, consider this your new bestie.
Humble Suds is a small biz based in Denver, Colorado, making plant-based cleaning products that you can actually feel good about using.
My BuzzFeed Shopping colleague Danielle Healy had a lot of success with this stuff: "Shortly after moving into my current apartment, my partner and I went to store something on the top of the kitchen cabinets only to find them caked in a thick layer of grime left from previous tenants. After going at it with regular multipurpose cleaner (with little success) we broke out the scour paste as a last-ditch effort and OH BOY did this miracle product deliver (pics above). After handling all that grossness, it's had no problem with day-to-day messes like soap scum and burnt-on food. Plus, it smells delightful and comes in minimal, low-waste packaging!"
Get it from Humble Suds on Etsy for $14.95+ (available in two sizes/packaging options).
25. An extendable wall cleaning mop for those hard-to-reach corners and crevices the dwellers before you likely didn't even bother with before moving out. It extends as far as 5 feet and its teardrop-shaped microfiber head is great for getting into those itty-bitty spaces in your baseboards.
Promising review: "If I could give this product 10 stars I would! It’s amazing. We moved into a rental that was absolutely disgusting, walls had built-up dirt and just gross 'things.' I had tried to clean with my normal spin mop, and while it helped, I needed something that cleaned deeper. This has changed the way I will clean walls moving forward! Buy the cleaner, it’s worth it — and also extra cleaning heads, because if you are like me, once you try one wall you’ll clean the whole dang house!!" —Trolls4u
Get it from Amazon for $39.97 (refill mop heads are also available).
26. And finally, a bottle of seemingly magical Wine Away red wine stain remover, because why should you have to stare at the aftermath of a party you weren't even invited to? The nerve! Seriously though, this stuff works wonders on everything from white couches to beige carpets.
Wine Away is a woman-owned brand based in the US!
For best results, absorb the excess liquid, then saturate the spot with the stain remover. Let it sit for one to five minutes, then blot it out. This product can also be used on hard surfaces to remove latex paint and grease.
Promising review: "Worked on a completely dry carpet stain in our new apartment! I'm so happy! We were devastated when our big ol' dog knocked over our coffee table trying to get on the couch the other night because one of our freshly poured glasses of red wine went tumbling over! We figured, 'there goes our deposit' on this new apartment after several attempts to clean it out of our super light beige carpet. After thinking we did an okay job we went to bed, but the next morning the spot was bright purple and dry!!! I can't tell you how relieved I am that the purple is pretty much completely gone after treating the area twice. Brilliant!!!" —Kira
Another promising review: "Wow! Amazingggg product! This worked incredibly well on a month-old wine stain I had on my carpet. Yes I know, but I was waiting for the right product to come along and I am blown away! Not only did it work FAST (I left it on for five minutes before rubbing it away), but the scent is fabulous! Smells citrusy like oranges :) Love that! Only thing I would say is that it says to saturate the area, and honestly it was kind of hard to do with the spray nozzle it provided, it came out more like a 'mist' than actual spray, so in my impatience I just took the top off and poured lol. Either way, highly recommend for avid red wine drinkers like myself, 5/5 stars!" —K H
Get it from Amazon for $10.70.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.