16 Editor-Tested Products That Will Keep Your Kitchen Spotless — and Stop Messes Before They Start

published Aug 4, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
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Credit: Jessica Isaac

There’s nothing quite like starting fresh with a clean kitchen. Although, I think it’s safe to assume there’s not too many people out there who look forward to the cleanup process post-cooking (myself included). While nobody loves doing dishes or cleaning spills at the end of a long day, it’s a must — and future you will thank you. Luckily, we’ve tested and rounded up some of our favorite tools and products that can help tidy up your kitchen every day with ease.

We may not be able to eliminate the act of cleaning, but we can certainly find ways to make the process a bit more enjoyable. Besides, there’s no time to waste on products that only work half as well as they should. We’d much rather spend the extra time elsewhere — such as cooking up even more delicious treats. Read on to see our editors’ favorite picks that have become huge staples in our kitchen cleaning routine.

1 / 17
Branch Basics
$75.00

Branch Basics is a brand with a mission to replace current cleaning supplies with healthier non-toxic alternatives. These five pre-labeled reusable plastic spray bottles are already filled with a different specialty concentrate — all you have to do is fill them with water to begin use. According to SEO Commerce Editor Sarah Vazquez, the results of this starter kit will have you replacing your whole cabinet of cleaning supplies in no time. “These products cut through some messes better than my tried and true market staples!” she writes. If you think even your toughest grime and stains can’t be removed, think again.

2 / 17
Amazon
$219.49
was $257.49

There’s no need to buy a separate mop and vacuum when you have the Bissell Crosswave handy. This tool is perfect if you don’t have much space to spare and have several different floor types like hardwood, tile, or carpet. Editorial Assistant Morgan Pryor purchased it when she first moved to a new apartment and has loved the results. “The Bissell Crosswave Vacuum-Mop has been a total lifesaver and has made our apartment feel way more comfortable and clean as we got used to the new environment. I’m sure we’ll be using it for years to come," she writes. Plus, it’s super easy to assemble.

3 / 17
Amazon
$4.99
was $5.97

Who knew a $6 pink cleaning paste could cause such a positive uproar in the cleaning department? Viral on Tiktok — and super effective — we had to add this magical stuff to the list! All you have to do is place a dollop on a wet cloth in order to wipe down and clean the area. Contributor Lisa Freedman used The Pink Stuff to clean her oven, and by the time she was finished, she could see her reflection in it again. What’s even better is you can get more use out of this $6 tub than you can with a typical sponge and soap.

4 / 17
Amazon
$14.99

You’ll never not need a good duster in your cleaning supply arsenal. Contributor Shifrah Combiths has been using this one for over a decade. “It glides over objects smoothly, making dusting faster. It allows me to easily dust objects that aren’t flat, such as lamp bases and curved wood,” she writes. This duster easily slides over your hand and is double-sided for maximum dust-grabbing power. It’s also reusable, making it an affordable investment.

5 / 17
Amazon
$34.95

Did you have a large spill in the kitchen? Not to worry! This ultra-versatile broom snatches up a mess on hardwood, tile, and carpet like it’s nothing. It’s lightweight, durable, and has a silicone edge that will capture dirt, debris, and liquids for easy cleanup. It can also be used on other areas of the house, including your shower doors. Best of all, it’s super easy to clean, so it’s always ready to tackle the next mess.

6 / 17
Amazon
$39.99
was $45.99

Cut down cleaning time with an electric spin scrubber that literally does the work for you. Best for surfaces such as countertops, sinks and even bathtubs, this scrubber won’t make you put in the extra elbow grease to remove tough dirt and grime. It comes with four additional brush heads too, so it can squeeze into and clean seemingly tough areas that other scrubbers aren’t able to achieve. Combiths used hers all over the house. “As soon as I received the tool, I was impressed by how sturdy and well-made it was. Plus, it was compact, light, and easy to hold,” she explains. It even removed the blackened stains from the bottom of a pan.

7 / 17
Yamazaki Home
$22.50

Keep your stovetop organized with a lid and ladle stand. This item is perfect for when you have multiple pots going on the stove at once and need some extra counter space. It also helps prevent liquid droppings all over the place when contained in one area. “The Yamazaki stand does exactly what it’s supposed to, and does it well — I just place the lid on the stand in one fell swoop without taking a single step toward my sink,” Shopping Director Jada Wong writes.

8 / 17
Amazon
$89.00
was $123.59

Small yet mighty, this portable cleaner is perfect for moving around all over the house to remove tough carpet stains. If you have pets, this cleaner is a true lifesaver for the messes they can leave behind, and you can even use it in the car. Unboxing and setting up the cleaner is super easy and does not take up much room to store away with the rest of your cleaning supplies.

9 / 17
Amazon
$8.99

At only $9, this sink splash guard prevents water damage and additional cleanup time. Talk about a double win! The guard goes right over the faucet (measuring 14 inches long and 6 inches wide), so it doesn't take up any additional space. You can place your soap, sponges, and any other sink products on top, and they won’t slide. It’s truly a product we never thought we needed — but it makes dishwashing so much easier!

10 / 17
Williams Sonoma
$28.95

There’s nothing worse than sauce splatters everywhere after cooking, especially if it stains your clothes. Thankfully, this silicone splatter screen does the trick in protecting you and your countertops on just about every pan. “I much prefer my kitchen tools to be multitaskers, and with this device’s intuitive design, it’s hard to pass up,” writes SEO writer Nic Doobija-Nootens. The best part is if you need to stir your food, you only need to lift up half the screen, so the rest won’t splatter all over you or the counter.

11 / 17
Umbra
$11.00

Who would’ve thought using a squeegee in the kitchen would leave your sink and countertops spotless? Say goodbye to your dish towels and sponges, because this tool easily cleans without piling up in the laundry room or trash can. To wash, all you have to do is drop it in the dishwasher when you’re done using it. It also doubles as a great cleaner for removing toothpaste and other grime off your bathroom sink.

12 / 17
Amazon
$9.99

This small soap tray is stronger than it looks. It’s able to fit a bar, dish soap, and a dish scrubber. You can use it in the shower as well to hold your hair care products. With a self-draining design, you don’t have to worry about mildew building up around the edges of your products.

13 / 17
simplehuman
$80.00

This is no ordinary paper towel holder: It has a hidden spray bottle pump that can be used alongside the paper towels to wipe and disinfect messes. “Now, whenever I inevitably spill something on my countertop, I just grab a paper towel, pop out the hidden spray bottle, and take care of business,” writes Senior Commerce Editor Ian Burke. The base of the pump is also solid, so you won’t have to worry about it tipping over or causing any spills itself.

14 / 17
Amazon
$16.95

If you don’t have the luxury of a dishwasher, don't worry! This large silicone drying mat will do the trick for setting down dishes after you clean them to dry. The silicone material of the mat dries quickly itself, too, and is heat resistant, so you won’t have to worry about any mildew build-up in the kitchen or burning the mat. Once done use, easily store it away or use the removable hook to hang.

15 / 17
OXO
$22.99

When cooking anything on the stovetop, I’m always struggling to find a place to put my used spoons or saucy lids on my limited counter space. This two-in-one gadget does the trick by allowing you to place all your cooking tools and lids in one place without the hassle. The stainless-steel finish and heat-resistant silicone feet make the product durable and will ensure that it’s not slipping around anywhere.

16 / 17
QVC.com
$64.98
was $77.98

Never worry about scrubbing your floors again! Let this mop do the work for you. Compact, yet tough on stains, this dual head mop will leave your whole home spotless with just a push of a button. The motorized brushes on the end do the work to remove the dirt and grime. Best of all, it’s cordless, so you don’t have to worry about it getting caught on anything while it’s in use.

17 / 17
Amazon
$4.99
was $5.97

Technically, The Pink Stuff was created in 1938, so it’s not exactly a new product. However, it reached new levels of fame in 2021 thanks to TikToks advertising just how well it works in cleaning everything from glass, to barbecues, to boats.