10 Little Cleaning Tools and Organizers That Changed Our Lives in 2019

One thing Kitchn staffers all seem to have in common? Aside from our love of food and all things kitchen-related? We actually like to clean. We’ll spend any amount of time necessary to make sure our cast iron skillets are in tip-top shape, we won’t go to bed with a messy counter, and we get excited about cleaning out a junk drawer.

Although there are plenty of people who don’t feel the same way, we know there are plenty of you out there who are nodding your heads along in agreement. No matter which group you happen to fall in, this list should be pretty helpful. See, we rounded up the very best cleaning tools and organizers that really made a difference for us in the past year. (We know lots of Kitchn readers who have fallen for these things, too.)

Here’s to a cleaner and neater 2020!

There are few things we love here at Kitchn more than our cast iron skillets. And this is one of the only brushes we trust when it comes to cleaning them. The bristles are firm but not too firm (anything too stiff can scratch or remove that nonstick patina that’s built up perfectly over time!), the handle is comfy to hold, and the top edge even features a scraper to loosen burnt-on pieces of food.

Buy: Full Circle Tenacious C Cast Iron Brush and Scraper, $8

This stuff is super popular on Amazon and has more than 1,700 five-star reviews. If you’re wondering why we don’t just suggest vinegar for cleaning and descaling a coffee maker, we do, but Amazon shoppers say this stuff works BETTER than vinegar.

Buy: Keurig Descaling Solution Brewer Cleaner, $8

Here’s one that’ll appeal to neat freaks and lazy cleaners alike: This kit works with a battery-powered drill and requires zero elbow grease while still getting into all the key nooks and crannies.

Buy: Drillbrush All Purpose Power Scrubber Cleaning Kit, $15

What’s better than a dish sponge? Well, basically everything. And especially this brush and soap dispenser set. The ceramic base holds soap and gets all sudsy when you push down on it. And the brush part won’t scratch dishes OR put up with any grief from stuck-on food.

Buy: Full Circle Bubble Up Ceramic Soap Dispenser & Bamboo Dish Brush, $13

Just imagining the grossness that happens inside pipes is enough to make a neat freak cringe. These drain strips can help! Just pop one into your sink’s opening once a month and it’ll eat away at grease and grime — and keep things smelling fresh.

Buy: Green Gobbler Bio-Flow Drain Strips, $10 for 24

A kitchen without a spoon rest is a kitchen with sauce on its countertops! That’s a saying, right? It should be. We love this one because it’s got room to hold up to four tools at a time.

Buy: Tomorrow’s Kitchen Silicone Utensil Rest, $9

Knives and cutlery can never be too clean (especially forks and spoons!). That’s why we love this smart BladeBrush. Utensils slip right through and the bristles wipe away any leftover pieces of food. And the whole thing is easy (if not cathartic!) to clean by hand at the end of a dish session.

Buy: Joseph Joseph BladeBrush Knife and Cutlery Cleaner, $4.50

This is the solution anyone with narrow kitchen drawers has been looking for. Skinny drawers are notoriously hard to organize, but this little insert will fit into the tightest of spaces and provide a neat home for flatware.

Buy: Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Organizer Tray, $10

Of all the things in the kitchen, cookware (and the various lids) could win the title for Toughest to Store. Unless you get this expandable organizer. It comes with 10 adjustable dividers and expands from 12 inches to 22 inches wide, depending on the size of your cabinet. And the whole thing is sturdy enough to hold large pans, lids, and even platters and cutting boards.

Buy: YouCopia StoreMore Expandable Cookware Organizer, $40

Fact: Your floors aren’t clean until your baseboards are also clean. This tool exists for anyone who’s ever had to deal with a sore back (or knees!) after dusting baseboards: It eliminates the need to bend down and still manages to get every last piece of dust and fuzz.

Buy: Baseboard Buddy, $17

Got anything else to add to this list? Leave your ideas in the comments below!