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 marvelous sink cleaner to polish all sorts of sink surfaces, from porcelain to acrylic to granite, and help eliminate stains and scuffs you had been getting the ~sinking~ feeling you were just gonna have to live with. Not only will the wow-worthy results be super satisfying, but this'll create a water-repellant barrier so you won't start staining your sink again the moment you finish cleaning.
It also creates a shiny, water-repellent surface so water will just bead off.
Promising review: "If you suck at cleaning (like me), buy this. I am very, very lazy, and am always looking for things that help me maintain a clean(er, ish) house while also minimizing the necessary elbow grease. My brushed stainless kitchen sink is one thing that I don't get around to cleaning nearly as often as I probably should, just for the amount of effort it requires, so it's usually somewhere on the grimy scale. I found this stuff recently and it's amazing! Super easy to use, doesn't really require much elbow grease beyond what's required for wiping down a counter, and the end result is shiny and fresh. This will be a mainstay in my supply closet from now on." —K.M.G.
Get it from Amazon for $8.90.
2. An Angry Microwave Mama who'll blow her top (in a productive way!) when you fill her with vinegar and water and microwave her for seven minutes. She'll use all that steam to loosen all the yuck that's coated your microwave for...let's not talk about how long...so you can easily wipe it away.
Promising review: "LOVE this purchase!! I wish I had taken a before picture; my disgusting roommates destroyed our microwave, it was filthy. They would’ve never cleaned it since they’re slobs but this purchase saved me SO much time. All the food came off very easily and it looked brand-new after! Amazing, wish I could give it 10 stars." —Marissa
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four colors).
3. A countertop dishwasher that's a dream come true for anyone who thought the size of their kitchen and their budget meant they were going to have to live with hand washing dishes for the rest of their days.
It's got six different wash cycles and the assembly doesn't even require tools! It comes with an adapter to hook the included hose up to your sink.
Promising review: "My place did not have a dishwasher. I begged the landlord to install one (as most of the units have one), but he's too cheap. I loathe washing dishes by hand. There were always dirty dishes in the sink. I've had this for a couple of months now, and it is one of my best purchases in the past decade. I ran it the night it arrived and have run it virtually every night since. If you follow the directions, you can fit a decent amount inside, but it is what it is: a very compact dishwasher that comfortably fits on the countertop next to the sink, where the dish strainer used to live. It will fit underneath cabinets if they are to code. It's pretty quiet, except when it expels water into the sink, but that's only a few seconds a few times during the wash. I have never had to wash anything a second time. Ever. I rinse a little but do not believe in washing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I named it ('Dishy,' because I am not that creative) and it is now a member of my family. My daughter doesn't quite grasp why I love it so much, but then again, she is 7 and has never had to do dishes. Personally, I think she's just jealous that I give it so much attention. If one were to ask me to decide between this and a PS4, I would choose this every time (and I am an avid COD player)." —HoopdySF
Get it from Amazon for $289.99+ (available in two colors).
4. A strong scraper with the right ~skills~ to ~let~ you get every last piece of caked-on grease and grub off your beloved cast-iron skillet (and other cookware too).
They've got over 18,000 5-star ratings!!!
Promising review: "I have been told I cackle wildly when using these. Where there used to be frustration and curse words, there is now glee and sweet satisfaction. Scraping pans, tins, and tray sheets has become a breeze since I bought these. Originally bought for my cast-irons, but the other cookware wanted in on that nonscratch, sweet sweet scrape action." —Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $4.79.
5. A hands-free wringer mop that makes the whole process of mopping less of a pain in the tush thanks to the foot-operated, oh-so-satisfying wringing feature. Plus, the microfiber heads help eliminate bacteria and are machine washable, so deep cleans of your sticky kitchen floors can be easier, more efficient, and...maybe more fun?
Plus it comes with two extra microfiber head refills.
Promising review: "Ashamed to say, but I barely ever mop the floors. I purchased this O-Cedar mop and bucket based upon the great reviews. I am here to add a 5 star review of my own. This mop and bucket not only cleaned my floors, but it made the entire process easy (and dare I say fun?). I did the entire first floor of my house both tile and wood. Then wanted more fun, so I scooped up the handy handle and carried it upstairs where I continued on to the bedrooms and bathrooms. I don't want to go on and on, but this mop picked up lots of dirt and grime, then popped easily into the washer. It came out great. The swirly thing makes all the difference. It wrings out all of the excess water, so it's easy to mop without using too much muscle, which I do not have. And the mop heads are short, rather than long mop heads, which only make for heavier mops. If you're on the fence, go for it, you'll agree." —LauraP320
Get it from Amazon for $44.63.
6. A squeeworthy set of bird sponges complete with a suction! cup! perch! so they can hang out on the side of your sink when not in use. Yes, they're cute decor and they make cleaning chores less boring, but they also ensure you'll never forget to let your sponge drain again. Perchfection.
Promising review: "Adorable and functional. Yes, these absolutely are as cute as you hope they're going to be. These four little birds and their perch come packaged in a slim cardboard box. The sponges themselves are surprisingly thick and sturdy — very well made for a novelty item. They have a typical spongey part in the middle and a scrubby part on the outside. All of them fit perfectly on the plastic perch, which has a great little suction cup to attach to your sink. These would make a great gift as well as a fun addition to your own kitchen!" —CMD
Get a set of four and a perch from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in four other quirky designs).
7. Or some cute fruit-shaped nonscratch dish scrubbers that definitely combine form and function. They're dishwasher and washing machine safe, and reviewers say they stay stink-free for a remarkably long time. I'm talking one of these can last for months on end — berry impressive.
Promising review: "HOW DO THESE NOT EVER SMELL?!?? Seriously, it takes MONTHS for one of these to start smelling a little bit. I do not understand the magic here. I have new roommates that never hang it up to dry, so this thing is just constantly wet and never fully dry, and IT STILL DOESN'T SMELL! Also, it's super comfortable and soft to use, and the cute designs are hard to beat!! It washes super well; I'll never go back to the archaic sponges. I will say that once it does start smelling (again, like after maybe 6 months of continual use), there is no saving it (I've tried vinegar and alcohol washes), so it's best to toss it and get a new one. But I can't complain because normal sponges last only a few weeks before getting a horrendous smell. Also, when these DO start to smell, the smell doesn't transfer to your hands like it does with the old sponges (YUCK!). I've been using these for 4.5 years, and I've only had to buy two five-packs, and I'm still not done with the second pack. So I get over two years with each set of these sponges. Amazing!!" —Bonnie
Get a set of three from Amazon for $13.99 (available in six styles) or a five-pack for $17.99.
8. A 100% natural oven scrub made with eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, and tea tree essential oils that's ready to work cleaning miracles on baked-on messes, to make the chore of cleaning your oven easy *and* satisfying.
It's from a small cleaning product biz based in Fairfield, Connecticut and it comes with a scrubber!
Promising review: "I couldn't believe how clean it got our oven in just a few scrubs with this stuff! It looks brand-new!" —Philip Romanowski
Get it from Everneat on Etsy for $19.99 (available in three scents).
9. Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, an awesome grease-buster that'll save you scrubbing and change the dishwashing game for good — by making it actually kinda...fun?!?
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly loves this stuff! She says: "I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout instead of cooking. But as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas in, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well."
Promising review: "Is it wrong that I wish this came with a holster for the spray gun? Seriously, I see a dirty dish and I want to pull it out, twirl the gun around my finger, and spray, just like in the wild, wild West. The soap is superior to any other; I even use it as a pre-wash for stains on my clothes. There's nothing it hasn't removed. The power wash sprayer is superior. It's easy to use, easy to whip out, soap stays soapy, and rinses clean. I don't feel like I'm wasting any or need to spray more. You can get in close and spray a cup; spray a little further back and you can hit a whole plate. I know it's sad to be this happy over something so simple, but it really does make a task that much easier, and that is appreciated. I will have a Power Wash spray bottle in the bathroom, laundry, kitchen, and pet area, because those are all the places I've carried it. Great product. The soap never fails, cuts through everything, gets rid of any greasy feeling on any material — pans, plastic, walls, and counters — and the spray is fun." —Sssshhhh
Get a spray bottle and a refill bottle from Amazon for $8.44 (or $8.02 with the Subscribe & Save option).
10. A hand-sized dish squeegee so clever and cheap, you're honestly gonna be mad at yourself for all of the times you actually touched icky, wet food that was left on your plate (or wasted paper towels on countertop spills).
It's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe! Plus, one side is curved so it works on bowls as well as plates. I have this and particularly like it for scraping off things that get stuck to the side of a pot after boiling and melted cheese from plates.
Promising review: "This product is AMAZING. We live in a studio apartment, with a small kitchenette. Our sink likes to spray everywhere, and we don't have a garbage disposal. This product is not only is fantastic at scraping food off of our plates (so it doesn't go down the drain), but it helps to squeegee the countertop when water has sprayed everywhere!!" —Elizabeth
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
11. A tub of The Pink Stuff, aka an all-purpose paste you can use to scrub anything from cookware to cooktops (and things outside the kitchen, like bathroom fixtures and rubber shoes) shiny clean and free of stains. Just ~pink~ of all the icky things in your kitchen you can finally clean with this stuff!
Promising review: "I recently discovered The Pink Stuff and it has quickly become a staple in my cleaning routine. This product is amazing — it can clean just about anything! I've used it to clean my kitchen sink, stove, shower, and even my car's wheels, and it has tackled every task with ease. The texture is slightly gritty, which makes it perfect for scrubbing away tough stains and grime. But despite its strength, it's gentle enough to use on delicate surfaces, like my glass stove top. One of the best things about The Pink Stuff is that it's versatile. It can be used on a variety of surfaces, including stainless steel, ceramic, and plastic. Plus, a little goes a long way, so one container lasts a long time." —shilopa
Get it from Amazon for $5.97 (or $5.67 with the Subscribe & Save option).
12. A cutie patootie drain protector featuring a whimsical animal friend here to collect all the chunks of stuff you really don't want going down your drain (and really don't want to clean up by hand, either).
13. A very helpful soap-dispensing dish brush to keep your hands far away from all the gunk and spare you from ever touching an icky sponge again. Forget reaching for multiple products — just grab this wonder and get all your plates, pots, and pans clean in a flash.
I actually put this in my dad's stocking last Christmas, but it was a gift for the whole household. The handle is the perfect length and thickness to give you lots of control while keeping your hands clean, and the soap-dispensing button is so easy and satisfying. It does need frequent refills, but those are easy — just unscrew the handle! I also didn't even realize it has a built-in scraper on the end till just now, so I can't wait to try it out and potentially fall in love with this thing even more than I already have.
Promising review: "The best dish brush! Bristles are tough but soft. They don’t break down over time easily. And they don’t scratch my dishes. Soap dispenser has a button to squirt out dish soap easily. Works well, every time. Biggest con for me is how little dish soap it holds. But then again, I’m known for using A LOT of dish soap so it’s partly my fault for using it all up so quickly. It’s a small con for me since this is easily my favorite dish brush I’ve had. I bought a second one and filled I with Dawn and white vinegar and keep it in my shower to clean as I shower. Super easy and doesn’t feel like a chore. Highly recommend!" —SMH1106
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two styles).
14. A roll-up dish rack you'll want whether you usually do dishes by machine or by hand, because it's so much more than a dish rack. It'll save you a ridiculous amount of counter space during both cooking and cleanup, since you can use it to dry dishes, thaw meat, and strain veggies, or even as just another place to put cutting boards and dishes during meal prep. And when you're done, you can just roll it up and put it under the sink!
Promising review: "Wow! What can I say? Now my counter is available, I end up washing the dishes when I use them bc I can just rest them in this fantastic drainer that even folds partly away so I can rinse the dishes. It can so easily fold completely up if we need both sinks, you can set hot things on it, and dishes dry faster bc there’s so much more air space underneath! I’m so glad I didn’t get the drainers that sit in the sink. This is the bomb!" —David K.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four sizes).
15. Dishwasher cleaning tablets to get the machine you rely on the most for kitchen cleanup actually working its best. This'll get rid of the residue that's lurking in your washer and interfering with your dishes getting *truly* clean. Just pop one in for a full cycle and let it work its magic.
Plus, you only need to use it once a month, so a single six-pack will last you a while!
Promising review: "Saved me from buying a new dishwasher!I have to admit that I was skeptical that this product was actually going to do anything. I’ve noticed my dishwasher wasn’t cleaning dishes very well lately, and I did everything I could to get it working properly again, but was ready to finally give up and buy a new dishwasher. I bought these tablets thinking they were designed to eliminate odors, but I was willing to give them a shot before buying a whole new dishwasher. I put one in the bottom of the dishwasher last night per the instructions and woke up to completely clean dishes for the first time in weeks. They look perfect. I don’t know why these tablets work but they absolutely did and I am a happy customer!" —B. Turner
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $6.99 (or $6.64 with the Subscribe & Save option).
16. An OMG-worthy sponge holder that'll turn your dishwashing buddy into the famous fellow who lives in a pineapple under the sea — yes, by giving it square pants. The holder is open on the bottom to allow for drainage and is soooo much better than letting said sponge fester at the (Bikini) bottom of your sink.
It's from a New York-based Etsy shop.
Promising review: "I love my little SpongeBob! It’s super high quality and makes doing the dishes a little more fun. Came with a cute thank you note :). I’m definitely buying another one." —fangirlphoebe
Get it from OctoShopCo on Etsy for $8.
17. A grill-cleaning stone made from recycled glass that can also work wonders for cooked-on messes on other surfaces, like pans and enamel cooktops. And if a reviewer is calling cleaning their grill "fun"? We're listening...
One stone lasts about two deep clean uses or six to eight maintenance uses.
Promising review: "Wow. Where have you been my whole life!?!? Works great. I use it on my stainless steel grill grates and front lip. For many years the front lip was always dirty. I tried and tried to get it clean but the grease would not come off. I bought the Scrubbin Stone to use on the grates, as I’ve had too many times where I’ve seen the wire bristles from the wire brush fall off onto the grill grate waiting to be picked up by some unsuspecting chicken or burgers, or even worse, steak. With the stone I don’t have to worry about wire brushes getting into the food ever again. Then I tried it on my front grill lip. I couldn’t believe how easy it was, and how much dirt and grime it took off. It was so easy, amazing, fast, and fun, I just couldn’t stop. I had to clean the whole thing. Cleaning the stone is easy too. When it gets full of dirt and grime, just rinse in the water and it’s ready for more abuse." —Matt M. Foster
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (or $6.29 with the Subscribe & Save option).
18. A Cerama Bryte cooktop cleaning kit, which has everything you need to ensure that even the most stubborn stains on your smooth-top range will be ~cooked~. No more wasting time with products that get your burners only mostly clean.
It comes with a bottle of cleaner, a scraper, and a cleaning pad.
Promising review: "I rarely write reviews unless something blows me away. I bought my house almost two years ago, and the cooktop has always been a bit dirty looking and it bugged me, but nothing I bought worked that well. I am so upset it took me so long to buy this product. My cooktop hasn’t looked this good, ever. I never thought I’d get it this clean and shiny, ever. I’ll admit it took a lot of elbow grease and time with the scraper to get the rings around the burners off. When I was done with that alone I was happy, and figured that was probably as good as it would get. Then I used the scrubber with the Cerama Bryte and it did wonders. When it got to the point of polishing with the paper towel, I was blown away. Check out the photos, it is night and day. I would recommend this product to anyone." —Lauren Langer
Get it from Amazon for $13.27.
19. A possibly magical powder that solidifies cooking oil waste into one very satisfying and easily disposable blob. No more wreaking havoc on your sink (or avoiding making yummy fried foods because you fear the cleanup)!
FryAway is an as-seen-on-Shark Tank small business.
Promising review: "Honestly I didn’t know if this would work, waiting for it to cool down made me nervous, but once it was at room temperature it was solid. It popped out of the fryer so nicely. Worth every penny." —Emma
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (or $11.69 with the Subscribe & Save option).
20. Glisten Disposal Care foaming cleaner, which'll not only stop your garbage disposal from smelling like something died down there, but also look dang cool doing it.
All you gotta do is run some hot water, pop one of the packets in your disposer, let it foam, then wait for the foam to fully disappear. Then, kiss all the ickiness that's been living down there goodbye!
Promising review: "WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE???! Holy cow, I didn't realize how easy and quick it was to clean a garbage disposal until I bought this product! Typically, I'd just use vinegar and baking soda down the drain and call it good. I didn't know that there was an actual disposal cleaning product available until I stumbled across it through a BuzzFeed article. I had to try it. The instructions are very simple. It literally takes five minutes and some hot water and VOILA! you have a clean, no-longer-stinky garbage disposal. Any time I got a whiff of an odor, all I did was drop one of these packs in the disposal and the smell was GONE! Plus, the blue foam bubbling in the sink was amusing to watch. Worth every penny!!" —VadersGirl
Get two bags of four packets each from Amazon for $10.50.
21. A special "bib" for your splashy faucet, because *everyone* drips water at least a bit when they wash their hands or dishes — you're not doing it wrong. But if you're like me and make *more* of a mess when you're trying to clean up after dinner, this thing can help.
It's from an Oregon-based small business, and you can also message the seller for a custom design.
Promising review: "LOVE these splash catchers! They save me from having to chase the puddles that form around the base of our faucet before they start creeping over the counter. So reasonably priced, made well with neatly finished edges, and packaged with gift-ready care. Highly recommended!" —Alina
Get it from HustleSewShop on Etsy for $13.50+ (available in four sizes and six colors).
22. Bar Keepers Friend, an all-purpose cleaner that looks seemingly "permanent" stains on your stove, sink, fridge, or even cookware in the eye and laughs in their faces.
Just look at the difference it made on one former BuzzFeeder's stove! Check out her full Bar Keepers Friend review.
Promising review: "I was introduced to Barkeepers Friend Soft Cleanser by a friend who was helping me clean my new place. She swore by it. All I had to do was use it for a few minutes to be completely sold. A drop on a sponge removed the grime from the kitchen cabinets — you know: the kind that isn't exactly dirty but builds up with a lot of use. I've since discovered it is BRILLIANT for cleaning burns from stainless steel pans. I'm hooked!" —Ruth
Get it from Amazon for $7.55.
23. An amazing stainless-steel bar, because cleaning your hands is as key to post-meal cleanup as washing the dishes. Use this just like you would a bar of real soap, and odor molecules bind with the steel molecules to leave your hands stink-free! No more having to scrub your fingers raw after cooking, but *still* having them smell as onion-y as the scraps in the trash can.
It never needs to be replaced, and some people even say it works under their arms for busting B.O.! Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on the Amco stainless-steel bar.
Promising review: "Nobody likes smelly hands from working in the kitchen, and I have a volunteer job that involves working with animals that eat mouse and quail. There is nothing like the smell of mouse on your hand when you're trying to eat lunch. I originally got one of these because it's safe to use in a zoo facility since it's just steel, not something involving harsh chemicals that could harm the animals. It's been working very well. Once I had success, I bought more for people who often cook with garlic, onions, meat, etc. I highly recommend this product!" —CamilleElise
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three shapes).
24. A wow-worthy stainless steel polishing spray that won't literally leave sparkle emojis on your abused kitchen surfaces, but might come pretty darn close.
Promising review: "Friends, I'm writing this review because I wish someone would have told me about this before, and I hope it will change someone's life like mine has been changed. We have stainless steel appliances and they get dirty and spotty and bad looking real quick. I scratched our microwave that hangs above the stove by trying to get the gunk off of it with a green scour pad. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm ashamed. But I decided to try this organic cleaner with coconut oil and lavender essential oil, and friends, my life will never be the same. This is not a joke; the cleaner made it so easy I could hardly believe it. And so I pass this wisdom along to you. Go and make the world a better place." —BHodges
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (or $18.95 with the Subscribe & Save option).
25. An oh-so-helpful plastic bag holder, because neatly putting away leftovers is one of the most annoying parts of post-dinner cleanup, IMHO. This is perf for those moments when you feel like you'd need one or two additional limbs to stop the transfer of food from your pot or plate to a Ziploc bag from being such a mess.
Promising reviews: "I prep my meals a month at a time and these make it much more convenient. These are especially helpful with raw meat, as I can use two hands while prepping the food and don't have to worry about keeping one clean to open the bag. I've also used them to portion out servings and ounces of meat when placed on a scale. They're not made of anything incredibly strong, but they're sturdy enough for full Ziploc bags of food." —Julie M
"I bought these to prepare some freezer meals. I was having major surgery and I was going to be down for a couple of weeks. So I had to pre-make several different meals to freeze up. It was so easy; I didn’t have to worry about the liquid coming out of the bag or trying to prop it open in a pot and then having the pot get dirty or putting things in the pot and then emptying it in the bag and having to clean up afterwards. There was zero cleanup outside of the knives and such for prepping the recipes. It was so easy and a lifesaver." —Debi Tunson
Get a set of two from Amazon for $11.99.
26. A clean/dirty dishwasher magnet that's so simple yet game-changing, because apparently shouting, "HEY, ARE THESE DISHES CLEAN OR DIRTY," doesn't need to be a constant (and constantly obnoxious) refrain in your home. And gone are the days when you'll put away dishes that looked clean but...ugh...definitely weren't.
27. And the cult-fave Instant Pot Duo, because cutting down on the number of pots and pans you use = also majorly cutting down on cleanup (and you can pop the inner pot of this baby right in the dishwasher). This programmable wonder that can serve as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, sauté pan, steamer, and rice cooker — all you have to do is toss in your ingredients and hit a button, and it'll take it from there.
Check out BuzzFeed's full Instant Pot review.
Promising reviews: "This pressure cooker is my new best friend. Gone are the frantic mornings trying to throw things in the crock pot and gone are the 'I'm too tired to make dinner — let's eat out' evenings. Even after a long day, we are able to throw some frozen chicken and a sauce in the Instant Pot and have dinner in hardly any time at all. We use this to make pulled pork, chili colorado, chicken verde in a flash. My favorite use is for cooking dry beans. No soaking overnight and then simmering all day. I can cook perfectly tender and delicious beans in about an hour and meanwhile prepare other ingredients, or surf the internet, or do whatever. I love that you don't have to babysit the pressure cooker and the presets are a huge help. The cooker lets you know with a chime when it is properly closed and when the lid is opened. This made me feel better about cooking with pressure — it won't let you start it if the lid isn't secured correctly. The safety features are good and have some built in redundancy, which is not a bad thing. I know I haven't even begun to use it to it's full potential, but given we use this 2–3 times a week, I'm sure we'll be trying a lot of new recipes." —phantomdeity
"I only use it for making bone broth, but it has many other functions others will find useful. Instructions were clear and it's very easy to clean. The cooking pot is dishwasher safe. Doesn't take up much space on my counter/cabinet." —S. Arsenis
Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes).
When someone tells you how fab your kitchen looks:
