HGTV Editors' Clean Home Awards 2024

At minimum, a toilet bowl cleaner should tackle stains, remove hard water and rust, and neutralize odors, which our top pick certainly does, but what makes a toilet bowl cleaner stand out is how easy and effective this version from Clorox is. You simply drop the tablet into the toilet bowl and let it dissolve, and we found the foaming process to be both satisfying and satisfactory. In testing, we used this cleaner with a standard scrub brush, and it removed residue with ease.

When cleaning your bathroom, avoid exposure to harsh chemicals with our top pick for plant-based bathroom cleaner. This Common Good Bathroom Cleaner is free from ammonia, chlorine, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Plus, the formula is fully biodegradable, septic and greywater system-safe, and cruelty-free. While those qualifications are important, what gave this product a top spot on our list is how effective and pleasant it was to use. When cleaning their bathroom, our tester found that their eyes and nose were not watering, which can happen with other harsh cleaners. They also found the bergamot smell to be pleasant but not bothersome.

If you like the formula in Mr. Clean Magic Eraser products but find some to be too thin and brittle, the Ultra Bath pads will be your go-to for handling tougher projects like baths, stovetops, walls, and tile grout. In testing, we found that the cleaning product in the scrubber took so many steps out of the cleaning process — no sprays needed. Plus, our tester found it left their tub wonderfully cleaned after just one pass. One note to keep in mind is that this product should be kept upright with the cleaner dots facing outward when not in use.

Magic erasers are meant to be your go-to for any tough mess, and we found the Ultra Foamy version to hold up to the product’s promise. This all-purpose cleaner is infused with Dawn cleaning power to cut through grease and grime on the first swipe, and we found it routinely gets the job done. We used it across our kitchen and bathroom to remove stuck on dirt and buildup, and we think it would do a great job outside on patio furniture or a grill.

While a scrubber that can clean grime and buildup in your bathroom is impressive, we were even more in awe of this product once we saw how well it tackled caked-on bacon grease and oil in the kitchen. The Scotch-Brite Swift Scrub cleaner is a soft-feeling scrubber that is surprisingly tough, and as an added bonus it dries quickly, too, giving it our top spot for a bathroom scrubber that can do so much more in your home.

Out-of-reach surfaces still need to be cleaned, and this tile and tub scrubber makes it beyond easy to tackle every part of your bathroom. In testing, we found that the sturdy extender and attached scrubbing pad was large enough to wipe down even large surfaces quickly, and the pad is abrasive enough to tackle grime and get in between tiles. The distinguishing factor of this scrubber, though, is the pivoting head that allows you to clean around the curves of your tub and shower without hurting your wrists.

When testing hand soaps, we trusted the brand’s claims of killing 99.9% of bacteria and rather paid attention to how our hands felt after using the soap and whether or not the product included added fragrance and exfoliators (and then determined whether those felt frivolous or effective.) Dial Antibacterial + Sensitive Hand Soap with Aloe offered a nice and light scent that didn’t smell too flowery, we found our hands felt both clean and supple after use. We also found that our hands were left without any sticky residue or dryness, making it our go-to everyday hand soap.

Keep your bathroom items stored neatly with this shower organizer from Command. The caddy has a capacity of 6.5 pounds, and testers found the command-strip application so easy and sturdy that they felt fully confident storing heavy bottles of shampoo and conditioner on the holder. The hanging process was both intuitive and simple, though our tester does recommend pairing off the strips into two pairs (rather than four separate strips), so the matching process is easier when hanging. The caddy is meant to hang on painted walls, wood, finder blocks, tile, metal, glass, and laminates, but it should not be used on wallpaper, fabrics, brick or textured walls. The Command Shower Caddy comes in a black metal finish, and our tester added that it looks gorgeous against their bathroom tile.

A small trash can is an essential item to have in your bathroom, kitchen, or office space, and we found this Simplehuman Slim Step Can be the ideal option for both size and function. One tester found the five-liter capacity big enough to hold about a week’s worth of small bathroom garbage, including tissues, empty toilet paper rolls, and a can of hairspray, making it a good pick for a tight space. The gentle pedal push was virtually silent when opened and closed, making it a solid option for anyone trying to avoid a clanging noise in the morning or late at night. But the best stand-out feature of this product is the storage container which holds and dispenses fresh liners for your trash. While testers didn’t find reaching into the trashcan to always be the most sanitary process, the added convenience of always having a new trash bag on deck gave this product our top spot.

You've likely seen these spin scrubbers on social media and in testing, we found the Casabella Power Spin Scrubber tackles mold effectively. Our tester used it to remove mold from the corners of his shower, which he wiped with a paper towel to fully remove. The extendable handle could be useful for anyone on the shorter side or with back issues, however, the scrubber requires some strength to control due to it's high power.

While we couldn’t confirm how clean the drain, hose, and blade in the garbage disposal were after using these tablets, the fresh smell and activated foam gave the sink a clean feel that made us confident in their power. They are easy to use and only require around one minute per month to give your drain a deep clean, making it well worth it in our book.

Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs use Dawn soap, which we know cuts through grease better than any other soap, and enzymes to break down stuck-on food. We put these pods to the ultimate test by inserting dishes with caked-on food in our dishwasher. Stuck-on rice, oily salad dressing, and a fruit-coated smoothie blade all came clean without any additional rinsing required.

If you’d rather avoid dishwasher pods, we also tested to find the best dishwasher powder, and this fragrance-free, ultra-concentrated formula from Dirty Labs was our top pick. This formula is biodegradable, septic-safe, natural, nontoxic, and free from dues, parabens, synthetic preservatives, SLS, SLES, and CA Prop 65 chemicals. Add this powder directly to your dishwasher just as you would a pod. Dishes come out free from grease and stuck-on residue. You should note that this detergent is not recommended for sterling silver or silver-plated dishes or flatware.

This dish soap dispenser makes it easy to pick up your squeeze bottle, easily squirt soap onto dirty dishes, and scrub your pans without fumbling with your dish soap dispenser. In testing, we found it to be easier to use compared to the standard dish soap dispenser. The upside-down bottle might make you assume the dish soap would leak out the bottom of the bottle, but we actually found that the “no mess” claim held up.

Say goodbye to soaking pans overnight to ensure an easy clean. Dawn’s Platinum Plus Powerwash Dish Spray made it easy to clean greasy pans just a couple minutes after spraying. The spray bottle has a wide-casting nozzle to tackle large and small dishes, and you can buy replacement containers once you finish the bottle.

Get your kitchen equipped with sustainable housewares with this starter kit that includes three double-layer loofah dish sponges, one multi-purpose cleaning brush, a scrub brush, kitchen brush, three reusable cotton mesh produce bags, and a reusable cotton mesh market bag. Not only will this set make cleaning dishes more sustainable, but the produce bags will transform your grocery shopping habits. In testing, we liked how well the sponges and brushed tackled pots, trays, dishes, and the stovetop.

If you’ve been avoiding cleaning your water bottles because you don’t have the right tools, consider this your sign to add the OXO Bottle Brush to your cleaning arsenal. In testing, we found the bristles to be firm enough to scrub the interior surface of the bottles well, but the flexible handle and skinny design aided in the brushes ability to navigate small, narrow bottles, too. For just $8, this brush will be a versatile and essential workhorse in cleaning products like vases and tall glasses in addition to water bottles.

This ceramic crock keeps the bar of soap firm, but once the brush is swirled over it, we found the soap suds up quickly. The brush picked up a decent amount of soap, and we found that it scrubbed off greasy, dried-on food residue easily. While this duo leans on the more expensive side the stylish design and high-quality product make it worth the price tag.

We loved the sleek design and impressive features on this automatic hand soap dispenser. Not only did it function as intended, but we were impressed with the accuracy of the feature that dispenses a little soap when your hand is close to the spout and dispenses a lot of soap if your hand is farther away. The only drawback to this dispenser is it is unclear whether you must use the accompanying soap, since consistency seems to play an important role. As for design, it looks great in any bathroom or kitchen and comes in five finishes, including white, black, brass, and brushed and polished silver.

Clean your kitchen surfaces with ease thanks to this paper towel holder that doubles as a multi-purpose cleaner pump. The otherwise hollow center of the holder is replaced with a thin spray bottle that stores discreetly and pops out easily when needed. Other features of this holder that we liked include the tension spring that keeps the paper towel in place and it is wide enough to hold a double-sized paper towel roll.

Organization is key to making any home feel truly clean, and these organizers make the task of keeping your pantry and kitchen cabinets tidy a breeze. Shop the organizers in a variety of styles in this pantry bundle, which includes a lazy susan, spice shelf, packet organizer, and storage bins. Not only will they keep your space organized, but they are great for transporting low-weight items in and out of your cabinets.

If you’re looking for more storage space to hold spices, kitchen gadgets, or cleaning tools, the area on the side of your fridge might be your answer. This kitchen organizer secures to the outer surface of your fridge via magnets, which we found to be super sturdy and strong, and it has space to hold a roll of paper towels, a hook rack to hold oven mitts, kitchen tools, and more, and a shelf for storing bottles or spices. Set-up was easy, and we liked the convenience of having essential items at arm’s reach in the kitchen.

If you’ve ever been caught with raw meat residue on both hands with the inability to get your trash open, this dual-capacity can, which opens via both voice and motion command, should be on your list. It has separate containers for both trash and recycling, and we found that the command features, which include OPEN CAN, STAY OPEN, and CLOSE CAN work well. If you are using the motion sensor to open and close, it’s important to note that even walking by the trash will set it off, so it’s best kept in a low-traffic area.

When comparing laundry detergent, we stain tested coffee, red wine, orange juice, and red lipstick on a white towel to see how well these detergents remove residue. All stains were significantly lifted without the use of a stronger stain remover. Plus, Seventh Generation’s cleaner is also hypoallergenic and free from fragrances or dyes.

This concentrated laundry detergent from Common Good doesn't require much to remove stains from clothes and leave them feeling clean. Our tester found that this detergent removed more stains from white towels on a cold cycle than most others they tried and left the laundry smelling clean without a super strong scent.

Hard-to-tackle stains were beyond easy to remove thanks to this multi-purpose stain remover. It lifted red wine, orange juice, and red lipstick in testing, and we found it brightened colors and whitened without the use of harsh scrubbing. Simply add Oxo-Brite into your machine before loading your clothes with the amount depending on whether you’re looking to brighten or deep-clean your clothing. You’ll be left with surprisingly clean clothing every time.

Our fabrics were left soft and had no sign of crispiness after using this Snuggle Blue Sparkle Fabric Softener. Plus, the fresh and clean smell was detectable without seeming overpowering.

A good steamer can be used to smooth out your everyday clothes, dresses and suits for formal events, linens, and more. While the function itself is simple, there are certain features that can make a good steamer stand out. In testing, this one in particular heated up quickly and removed wrinkles in just a few minutes. Plus, this version is compact, making it great for traveling. The only con we found was that the small size might mean it will take longer to tackle larger shirts or dresses.

The large water tank capacity and strong steam function earned this sturdy steamer a spot on our list. At most, shirts required two passes while most cotton items only needed a single steamer pass. Additional features that made this steamer stand out include the lock button, which proved helpful when setting down the steamer to adjust the garment we were steaming. Plus, the max steam button provided an impressive amount of additional power when needed.

Lint rollers have a specific and simple task, but this version from Scotch-Brite tackles so much more than pet hair. We found that the ultra-sticky sheets were great for picking up lint, dust, dirt, and hair from both clothes and furniture. Each roll comes with 100 sheets, and you can save the roller handle and replace the sheets with refills.

Storage space can be limited in any home, so finding additional ways to make the most of your closet is essential for keeping your clothes organized. These hangers fold back up when you are done using them, making them great for closets, dorm rooms, laundry rooms, and more. Both the setup and the function of these Command Folding Clothes Hangers earned this product a spot on our Clean Home Awards list. They are designed to hold up to 7.5 pounds, and the use of the command strips makes setup beyond easy. In testing, we hung heavy jeans and jackets on the hanger, filling up each hanger rung, and found the hook held up nicely without bending.

If the most daunting part of doing laundry is separating your whites from your darks, this hamper will ease that burden. It has multiple compartments for keeping items separated based on your preference, and each compartment can be removed from the hamper individually, so you can just grab one and carry it to the laundry room. In testing, we liked how structured, functional, and aesthetically pleasing this hamper is.

Dyson is known for its high-quality vacuums in all styles and features, and the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is no exception. This vacuum promises to handle dirt, debris, pet hair, and food and can wash hard floors and clean up liquid messes. In testing, we found it handled dry messes in both solid and crushed-up forms nicely, typically requiring just one pass to get the bulk of the debris. When testing the wet roller head, we found that a few passes were needed to clean up all the liquid, but it took care of most of the mess (including large pieces like Cheerios in milk) on the first pass. This upright stick vacuum is on the pricier side of options, but if you’re in the market for a luxury cleaner, it’s a great pick.

For a stick vacuum that gets the job done without any added bells and whistles, we recommend this LVAC Cordless Vacuum. While it did take a few extra passes to pick up dirt and debris compared to more expensive options, the reasonable price point and effectiveness makes this a great budget pick.

A robot vacuum can save you ample time by doing all the work for you. And while that fact alone could make any version a great pick, we tested for suction, efficiency, and special features including wet mop capabilities. The iRobot Roomba Combo, which can tackle dry and wet messes, stood out in testing by picking up most spills in just one pass. While we found the suctioning sufficient, this robot vacuum stood out because it was able to navigate our testers home without needing to take the lengthy process of mapping out their home. We found this to be the most efficient and, ultimately, most effective way of getting the job done. It avoided most roadblocks but didn’t cause harm when it bumped into furniture, doors, and decor.

When we saw the manufacturer thought of everything when designing this robot vacuum, we mean it. Even the slightly larger space between the wheels and the vacuum aided in the function of this device, and we found it to be a workhorse for all types of messes. The docking station is a little larger than other vacuums, it is on the more expensive side, and it maps out your home when cleaning (which can add time to the cleaning process), but the impressive functionality makes it worth it for handling so many messes in your home.

This machine makes it much easier to tackle large messes like kitchen spills, pet accidents, and more since it can vacuum both solids and liquids. In testing, we found that both functions held up well, quickly suctioning up crushed and whole Cheerios as well as Cheerios mixed with milk. Compared to similar versions, we found the Shark MessMaster to be effective but slightly labor-intensive, since it requires more of a target clean compared to a vacuum. But when it comes to tackling large messes with ease, it earned top marks. Plus, the inner tank has a self-cleaning feature and is dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to spend too much time cleaning your vacuum.

For tough messes, bring in a heavy-duty machine to clean them. That’s where this all-in-one cleaner comes in handy. It can vacuum, mop, and steam, and it even features voice-commands to help guide you through the cleaning process. The steam can get up to 284 degrees F, and the dual steam modes expel steam directly onto your floor below the washer or you can spray steam in front for a more targeted clean. For a high-tech gadget that will tackle any mess, we recommend the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Floor Washer.

While having a product to clean messes from hard floors is helpful, a carpet cleaner is a must-have product if you have kids, pets, or find yourself accidentally tracking mud or debris into your home. The Shark StainStriker performed well against our test spills of peanut butter and red wine, removing both on even shag carpet. The stains required a bit of elbow grease to remove, but this portable cleaner did a solid job getting the carpet back into presentable shape. In addition to functionality, we also liked the compact size of this cleaner both for storage purposes and for carrying around the home.

Sticky spills, caked-on messes, and tracked-in dirt and mud are easily cleaned up with the Swiffer PowerMop. It promises the same clean as a bucket and mop without any added work. Each multi-surface mopping pad has over 300 scrubbing strips designed to clean grout, textured tiles, and hard floors. In testing, we found that this powerful cleaner got the job done each time.

The Swiffer Sweeper is a kitchen staple for good reason. It is reliable, affordable, and can handle dust and debris or wet spills with the change of a pad. Rather than tackling large messes (there are better products on this list for that), this tool is ideal for everyday maintenance to pick up pet hair and dust throughout your home, which is just as important.

For a manual fix of allergens in the air, opt for this duster that we found did an excellent job at pulling up dust in a single pass and holding onto it. The flexible head makes it a great option for getting into small nooks and crannies around your home, and the fluffy fibers on the duster heads picked up and trapped dust better than other options in testing.

We tested this multi-purpose cleaner on a variety of surfaces, tackling spills and stains, and in addition to effectively cleaning our floors, we found it left a pleasing scent that wasn’t too overpowering. This product arrives as a concentrate and should be diluted in a spray bottle, making it a more sustainable option compared to cleaners that come in their own bottle each time. Plus, the clean formula doesn’t include parabens, phthalates, phosphates and dyes.

For a cleaner that can handle everything from sticky fingerprints to dried-on food spills, this Sevenths Generation Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate got high ratings in testing. In addition to cleaning tile flooring, we also tested this product on stainless steel appliances. We found that it was effective in smudges, scraps and fingerprints wonderfully.

Purifying your air means so much more than eliminating lingering smells (though that is extremely important, too.) Other important functions include removing dust, pollen, and other allergens from your air to result in easier breathing and lessened allergy symptoms. This air purifier from Clorox hits both marks. In testing, we found that normal allergy symptoms lessened with continued use of this product, and kitchen smells were quickly eliminated from the home.

Testers called this air purifier a wall against strong kitchen odors, making it an ideal pick for anyone who doesn’t love waking up to their home smelling like dinner from the night before. In addition to functioning well, this purifier comes with “Alexa” capabilities, so you can control the device with your voice or via the app.

If you want some strong facts regarding your air purifiers efficacy, this version from GermGuardian tracks air quality index for granular results. Once you know your air quality you can use the included instruction manual to guide you through the right fan speeds for your current air quality level. In addition to those added features, we also found this air purifier to be one of the quieter ones we tested.

Both the scent and the slow-melting rate earned this candle a top spot on our list. While the tester doesn’t normally love a fruity scent, they found that this candle gave off a sweet, nostalgic smell that resembled that of grape soda. The scent didn’t emit too strongly during burning, so we recommend this candle for smaller spaces to take full advantage of the smell.

Scents are typically subjective, but it is hard to disagree on a good clean scent. The best one we found in testing is the Yankee Clean Cotton Candle, which gave off a light but not overpowering smell that almost leaned toward smelling like a cleaning product. For spaces that you don’t want to infuse with a candle that smells like food, we recommend this option from Yankee.

Infuse a delicious scent into any room in your home without fire or heat thanks to these scent stick diffusers. Once you’ve selected a scent you like, place the sticks into the full container. The sticks absorb and distribute the smell, and they add a nice scent to a smaller room or bathroom.

This Jurlique Aromatherapy Diffuser is both beautiful and functional. It's an ultrasonic diffuser which means it uses water to diffuse the essential oil into the air. In testing, we found the scent to be strong without overpowering. The setup was simple and the auto-off function based on your setting of choice worked as promised.