15 Cleaning Products Under $15 That Work Like Magic
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023Get ready to level up your cleaning with these game-changing items.
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There’s no denying the satisfaction of spreading, smearing or spraying a cleaning product onto a problem area and watching gunk and grime disappear before your eyes. Not all cleaning products are created equal, though, so it can sometimes take a few misses to find a hit. Lucky for you, we did the dirty work (literally) to find cleaning products that work like magic. In addition to these products surpassing crud-busting expectations, they’re all under $15, so they won’t break the bank. While you’re getting your home into tip-top shape, try these clever cleaning hacks from professional house cleaners.
SkylarLife Home Mold & Mildew Remover Gel
If you’re all about setting it and forgetting it, this is the product for you. SkylarLife’s ($13) mold and mildew buster is a potent gel that you apply to areas that are prone to developing mold, including the bathtub, shower, sink and windows. It even tackles nasty orange or black mold. Simply apply it to the area, let it sit for six to eight hours, then come back to witness a miraculous removal. Wipe it away, and you’re good to go! Here’s what you need to know if you have a moldy dishwasher.
Blue Magic Carpet Stain & Spot Lifter
Stains happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them forever. Blue Magic’s Carpet Stain & Spot Lifter ($10) is a real hero when it comes to nixing stubborn spots; it even lifts stains that you didn’t realize were there. Spray it liberally onto the affected area, let it sit for about 30 seconds, watch the stain rise to the surface and then press with a paper towel. It works like a charm on car upholstery, in-home carpet and even upholstered furniture.
Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray
Grease doesn’t stand a chance against this new product from Dawn ($5). The gentle foam formula may seem unassuming, but it’ll tackle the toughest grime throughout your home. Since it works five times faster than other products, it eliminates the need for soaking. Simply spray, wipe and rinse away. Try it on baked-on messes, grout stains and even boiler pans with who-knows-how-many layers of burnt-on gunk.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Of course Magic Erasers are on this list—it’s magic! If you’re unfamiliar with Magic Erasers ($7), it’s essentially chunks of melamine foam that act as ultra-gentle, super fine sandpaper on all types of surfaces. They safely buff away everything from soap scum on your tiles and food buildup on your stovetop to stubborn stains on your walls. That said, don’t clean these things with a Magic Eraser.
Microban 24 Hour Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant Spray
Bacteria is everywhere, and it can survive and thrive on surfaces anywhere from a few hours to several days. This can lead to illness, stubborn stains and gnarly odors. Powered by antimicrobial technology, Microban 24Â ($4) effectively sanitizes and protects surfaces for 24 hours by creating a germ-busting shield on any surface where it’s applied. Also, here are some spring cleaning tips to get it done faster.
Swiffer Sweeper Dry + Wet All-Purpose Starter Kit
Anyone who has hardwood or tile floors knows how quickly dust and assorted filth accrues. Swiffer Sweeper’s ($12) Dry Cloths work by attracting and locking in dust, dirt, hair and other small debris to make floors shine. The Wet Cloths trap and lock more dirt while mopping away stains, smudges and smears. The two-in-one system and low price tag make this one a no-brainer. If there’s pet hair everywhere in your house, you should also invest in one of the best vacuums for dog and cat hair.
Conair Fabric Defuzzer
Clothing, coats and upholstery that you use regularly are often susceptible to pilling and fuzzing. This can make the fabric look dingy and old, but it’s not a reason to throw the whole thing out. Conair’s Fabric Defuzzer ($12) essentially shaves these extra bits away, rescuing garments and furniture by restoring them to their glory days.
Easy-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner
Do you dread cleaning the oven? You’re not alone. While self-cleaning ovens sound like a dream, this feature leads to a hot, stinky kitchen that’s unusable for hours. Instead, opt for Easy-Off ($4). It’s one of the best oven cleaners out there, and for good reason. Just spray it, let it sit for two hours and wipe it up. After you’ve done a full cleaning, use it as a spot treatment. Here are some facts about ovens you probably didn’t know.
OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover
The commercials are true: OxiClean ($7) makes your whites whiter. This household staple belongs in everyone’s laundry room. It’ll get rid of grass, dirt, wine, makeup and ink stains on your favorite whites and it’ll even restore tired, yellow-tinted white clothes back to their original brightness. While we’re on the subject, avoid these laundry mistakes you didn’t know you were making.
Soft Scrub All Purpose Surface Cleanser
Glass oven tops are prone to accumulating burnt-on food debris and porous surfaces—including countertops, sinks and toilets—easily develop unsightly set-in stains. Soft Scrub ($4) tackles all of that with a gentle but aggressive formula that essentially buffs away lingering gunk. Apply it to the area with a sponge or brush, then wipe and rinse. It works on soap scum, food and drink stains, hard water and lime stains and grease. Cleaning regularly (and properly) ensures that you’re not accidentally shortening the life of your stovetop.
Brilliant Jewelry Cleaner
Over time, jewelry can become dull, spotted and otherwise lackluster. Like anything else, it needs to be cleaned periodically in order to restore its shine and sparkle. Brilliant ($8) is a top-rated, non-toxic jewelry cleaner—which comes with a cleaning basket for soaking and a brush for getting out the grime—works on gold, silver and platinum metals, as well as on diamonds, pearls, opals and other precious gemstones. Don’t miss these other tricks for cleaning hard-to-clean household objects.
Magic Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish
Stainless steel is a magnet for smudges, fingerprints and food debris, which makes it hard to keep clean. Even after cleaning a stainless steel surface, it may seem like all of the above makes a comeback right away. This Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish ($7) not only cleans the surface—but it also helps prevent future smudges and fingerprints from developing.
Pumie Toilet Bowl Ring Remover
The ring around your toilet bowl stands zero chance against Pumie ($11). This pumice stone works via gentle abrasion, nixing mineral deposits, rust, stains and limescale. And don’t worry—it’s completely safe for your porcelain. In addition to using it on your toilet, it’s great for sinks, tubs and showers.
Glisten Garbage Disposal Cleaner
Having a garbage disposal is a real blessing. However, as wonderful as this kitchen feature is, it can also be the source of stinky smells wafting through your home. This foaming Glisten Garbage Disposer Cleaner ($5) tackles stench and ensures that your garbage disposal runs as it should. Just drop the premeasured biodegradable packet into the disposal and turn it on while running water. It will foam up as it cleans blades, pipes and the intricate pieces of the disposal itself. These are the things you shouldn’t ever put down the garbage disposal.
Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover
Wine on your light-colored rug? The horror! If you’ve ever accidentally spilled a bit of the good stuff on your carpet, rug, couch or clothing, you’re familiar with the intense panic it can bring. Next time, don’t sweat the spill. This Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover ($7) will quickly tackle both old and new stains without the use of bleach. Next, find out how to remove wine stains out of almost anything.
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