Cleaning our houses is the worst. Between dust, pet hair and plates from last night’s dinner, it just doesn’t stop there — and we’re the only ones to blame. There’s nothing yet to make it all go away (even robot vacuums have their flaws), but at least the right products can make these chores easier and maybe even enjoyable. Good news! Some of our favorite cleaning products are now on sale.
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Eco-friendly cleaning offers
Check out our comprehensive eco-friendly cleaning guide for more options, including reusable paper towels and laundry room ideas.
Supernatural starter pack
Photo: Supernatural
Supernatural is our top choice for cleaning solutions. It’s pricey to begin with, but you can find it at a discount a few times a year. With this kit you get four hefty glass bottles plus four concentrates, each made for cleaning different areas: windows and mirrors, counters and granite, bath and tile, and wood and floors. WIRED writer Louryn Strampe says these essential oil blends smell great, like fresh botanicals instead of the chemically artificial scents usually found in cleaning products. When you’re done, save the glass bottles and order refills. Already have a package? Subscriptions are currently 25 percent off for new customers with code SUB25.
You’ll need to buy at least three rags to get the 15 percent discount, but we think they’re already pretty good value at $7 each. Three Bluebirds dishcloths are biodegradable, made from cellulose and cotton, and they don’t smell or mold. They also come in fun prints. They last about 200 washes in the washing machine or in the top rack of your dishwasher.
Deals for floor cleaners
Read our guide to the best carpet cleaners for your specific needs and budget.
Hoover Power Dash
Photo: Hoover
The Hoover PowerDash is often discounted around this price point, but it’s a solid machine that I like to use when my cats have turned my house into a hairball disaster. It also briefly dropped to $60 on Amazon, though the price has risen again. The compact part of the name is not an exaggeration; it feels akin to a toy vacuum in the best possible way. And it’s easy to maneuver around furniture or even stairs. The trigger on the handle allows you to accurately spray the solution before vacuuming an area.
The price on the SmartWash often drops to $270 – and we saw it drop to $185 on Prime Day with the addition of a storage mat. But this is still a lot. This carpet cleaner is larger and slightly more capable than the PowerDash above. In automatic mode, the cleaning solution is released by pushing it forward and by pulling it back, the area begins to dry. You can also switch on the drying mode continuously if more passes are needed. The handle of this cleaner can be removed and used as a stain treatment, and there is a hose and pet tool for cleaning stairs.
Rug Doctor
Photo: Back doctor
The previous two carpet cleaners were made for smaller jobs, and their size and price reflect that. If you have a house full of carpets that need professional cleaning, you have to pay a professional price. WIRED contributor Simon Hill says the Rug Doctor’s results are the best he’s seen as long as you go slow, and the suction is strong enough to pick up clumps and leave carpets relatively dry afterwards. If you don’t think you’ll be using this more than once or you just don’t have the space to store it, consider renting it for $35.
For cleaning hard floors, Shark’s Steam Mop uses steam to remove stubborn stains. No detergent needed. It works especially well on tile and laminate, but WIRED contributor Simon Hill says you need to be careful when using it on wood; test it on the lowest heat setting first. You get two cleaning pads, and they’re machine washable, so there’s less waste than a Swiffer.
Deals on air purifiers
Your air should be clean too! A bunch of WIRED Gear writers have used air purifiers in our pet-filled homes to find the best options for you, regardless of budgets and sizes.
Blueair Pure 411 Auto
Photo: Amazon
Air purifiers are unfortunately an expensive category. This is one of the most affordable air purifiers you will find, especially at this retail price. And it is remarkably quiet. In a space of 190 square meters, it can clean the air in just under 13 minutes.
I love the Bissell Air320. My cat allergies have spiraled out of control and the nights are particularly difficult. By bringing this into my bedroom, I can finally breathe and sleep more easily. It also looks cool with its little wooden feet. It circulates 4.8 times per hour in a 327 square meter room, or once per hour in a 1,582 square meter room. There is also an app to control it. All Bissell purchases help homeless pets find forever homes through the Bissell Pet Foundation
Blueair Pure Fan Car
Photo: Amazon
Most of the air purifiers on our favorites list have really great designs so they won’t look ugly in the middle of your living room. This one is just beautiful. It circulates air five times an hour in a 326-square-foot room and also adds cool air, though it’s not powerful enough to completely cool a sweltering room. Night mode sets the fan to the lowest setting and turns off the air quality indicator light.
The Airmega 150 is best for small rooms as it can clean up to 214 square feet. It’s quiet and the touch controls are intuitive, as is the color-coded light indicating air quality. There is also a light that comes on when it is time to replace the HEPA filter.