You know what messy people love? Being messy. You know what messy people hate? Being tidy and organized. But, there comes a time in every man’s (or woman’s) life when you have to put on your (freshly-laundered) pants and get serious about being so fresh and so clean (in the words of the immortal OutKast). I’m not going to lie: It’s not a lot of fun. Nobody grew up thinking, “I can’t wait until I have a house so I can scrub toilets, clean baseboards and organize and re-organize my closet with the seasons.” Yet, here we are.
This list is all about adulting — specifically the part of adulting that requires things like blind cleaners, storage boxes and bins and drain de-cloggers. (Ahhhh, adulthood.) I did round up some pretty cool stuff like pods that clean your Keurig for you, the tiniest vacuum you ever did see and the perfect storage solution for all of those baggies in your refrigerator. Cleaning and organizing have never been easier, I promise.
Think Inside the Box
You’ll never find faster, better-looking storage than these pre-made boxes that you can pop together quickly for fast storage and then collapse to hide away when not in use. These come in a set of three and feature cute patterns so you could even display them if you choose. Peep the mums, diamonds (pictured), pastel florals, and the uber-chic hand-drawn florals.
The Spice of Life
Even if you don’t like to clean, there’s a good chance you like to cook (or you at least like to eat). Don’t scrimp on spices because you don’t have room or don’t want to organize them. These magnetic gripper clips let you hang spices from anywhere with a magnetic surface. No nails or screws are needed to hold all of your favorite spices in one convenient place.
Power of the Purse
Purses are one of those things you can accumulate quickly and the next thing you know, your closet is overrun. (Don’t ask me how I know.) This over-the-door purse organizer gives you additional space for your favorite finds while making it convenient to grab the right handbag for the right outfit. Six deep pockets are perfect for handling bags of most sizes.
Top Drawer
I would never suggest that you cut down on the number of coffee supplies you buy. I will, however, suggest, you get them organized so that you know what you have. This storage drawer tray holds 45 Nespresso pods and has a tempered glass top that can withstand your coffee maker and a few extra items. You can also buy this in 30- and 70-count sizes.
Circle the Drain
If anybody in your home has long hair, listen up: You need these disposable hair catchers that sit nicely on your shower drain and eliminate clogs without obstructing the flow of water. Just replace these every two to four months and save yourself the time and expense of having to call a plumber on a Saturday night. This was originally seen on “Shark Tank,” which is pretty cool.
In a Vacuum
This! This is the teeny-tiny vacuum cleaner I warned you about in the opening paragraphs. It’s called a table vacuum cleaner and it’ll come in more handy than you realize for sucking up tiny items like crumbs, hairs, particles and more. (Personally, I use it to collect nail dust.) It’s honestly so fun to use, you’ll be cleaning and won’t even realize it.
Swipe Right (and Left)
Imagine cleaning your shower while you’re showering? Mind blown? This shower squeegee lets you clean tile, shower doors, mirrors, windows, car windows, tabletops, and more with a no-streak finish that cuts through soap scum, limescale, water spots, and more. The handle is stainless steel, which supports a silicone blade that won’t scratch your surfaces. Use the silicone hook to keep it within easy reach.
Blind Spot
Blinds are probably the worst thing you’ll ever have to clean (unless you have ceiling fans, which are almost just as bad). Imagine if you could clean multiple slats at once! You can with this handheld mini cleaner that comes with removable microfiber sleeves that slide easily between slates. When the sleeves become soiled, simple wash them off with soap and water, and you’re good to go again.
Potty Mouth
Keeping a tidy toilet is a necessity but I loathe having plungers and brushes sitting all around the throne. This toilet plunge/bowl brush combo is a genius two-in-one solution for keeping your toilet clean while saving space when not in use. Both the brush and the plunger sit inside a coordinating holder that easily goes with any decor. The brush bristles are strong and the plunger is heavy duty and, really, what more do you need?
A Close Shave
This might be the product that saves you from divorce because if there’s one thing that drives me absolutely insane, it’s tiny beard trimmings all over my bathroom vanity. The Beard King bib apron goes around their neck and then suctions to the mirror to trap all of those clippings while keeping your sink clean. The apron, built-in tray and replacement parts all fit neatly in an included travel pouch.
Clean Slate
I love coffee but I do not love cleaning a coffee maker, which is why these cleaning cups immediately caught my eye. Instead of manually cleaning your Keurig like a mortal, pop one of these pods into the tray, close it and run a cycle as though you were brewing a beverage. These pods will extend the life of your machine and improve the taste of your concoctions.
Claw Your Way Back
It’s only a matter of time before you have to retrieve a ring or a toy from a drain or toilet, and it’s usually someplace you can’t see and really don’t want to put your fingers. This flexible grabber pick-up tool lets you go where no man has gone before by snagging things out of narrow spaces. Four claws on the end securely grab a variety of small objects.
Keep From Drowning With This Bilge Pump
Ever feel like you’re drowning? I mean, literally sinking because your boat or kayak is inevitably filling up with water? Same. I use this handheld bilge pump to stay afloat. It has over 1,000 raving reviews and is known for its marine-grade quality. I also love that it’s lightweight, portable, and easy to use. This is a must for all water-loving humans who aren’t half mermaid or merman.
Get A Grip, Don’t Slip!
I’ll admit I don’t thoroughly clean spills the moment they hit my kitchen floor. Usually, it’s because I’m too busy, but sometimes it’s simply because I’m too lazy. But then I have to suffer the consequences because it’s much harder to remove stains after they’ve crusted and dried on my wooden floor. That’s why I keep these waterproof kneepads handy. I can scrub the stains without hurting my knees or slipping!
Mop Up
I don’t want to mop. You don’t want to mop. Nobody really wants. to. mop. But, eventually, you’re going to have to. This mop and bucket with a built-in wringer at least make it more convenient. It includes a hands-free mop and bucket and three washable (and reusable!) microfiber pads so you can at least feel good about helping the environment while you’re grumbling through a mopping session.
Make Things Gel
Just because you have to clean doesn’t mean it has to be boring. This cleaning gel says it’s for the car (and it’s true, it’s handy for your vehicle) but it’s also great for keyboards, cameras, door handles, and more. The gel itself is eco-friendly and is lightly scented while picking up dust, particles crumbs and more. (You can probably even convince the crumb crunchers in your house to help out with this gooey stuff.)
Bargain Bins
The great thing about organizing your refrigerator is that once you have a system set up, you can sort of place it and forget it. These stackable refrigerator organizer bins come in a set of six to give you plenty of space for your fruits, veggies and snacks. The portable handles make it easy to move things around and you’ll even get a free set of plastic bags to use.
Bag of Tricks
Speaking of plastic bags, this storage organizer is designed just for them, with slots for snack, sandwich, quart and gallon options. Make your kitchen drawers neat again with this bamboo box that everyone will ooh and aah over while being able to grab the right size for any need. This purchase includes 21 label stickers so you can specify which bags go where.
Oh, Zip It
Hey, you’re not into Tupperware and that’s OK. You can still make sense of a refrigerator full of plastic baggies with this Zip n Store bag organizer. This has a quick-access slide track that installs in two minutes and organizes up to 12 bags that contain your leftovers. No more rooting around in there for a midnight snack; this system lets you see everything up close and personal.
Baby Steps
Trust me when I say that keeping your little ones organized is a challenge but oh-so-important. This diaper change organizer sits right on top of a table or set of drawers to organize and hold diapers, wipes, ointments and more. Removable side bins give you plenty of space for goodies and an easy-access compartment holds more than 20 diapers in place.
Cut the Cords
I hate cords, hoses, cables, ropes, you name it. I can’t stand them. They just go wherever they want, making messes and they look just terrible. These Wrap-It storage straps cinch your cords and cables together so you can store them neatly away in a mudroom, laundry room, or garage. Choose from an assorted pack or individual packs of the same size for any need.
Long in the Tooth
A bathroom vanity is one of the easiest places to be overrun by stuff. Lotions, paste, toothbrushes, cups, bottles, jars and more — they cannot be contained. Unless, of course, you snag this toothbrush holder that’s so much more. There’s space for jars, bottles, razors and up to four toothbrushes, as well as two magnetic cups and a drawer that pulls out. For the ultimate in lazy mornings, it’ll even automatically dispense your toothpaste.
Throw in the Towel
You may never be able to convince the members of your household to neatly fold their towels and hang them over the appointed rods but maybe you can convince them to toss those towels onto an over-the-door towel rack. This slides right over a door frame and can hold towels, robes, coats, bags and more on its five included hooks.
Cabinet Appointment
The secret of storage and organization is to find places to store and organize where there really shouldn’t be space. This cabinet door storage organizer is designed specifically for bathroom cabinets with dedicated spots for styling tools like round brushes, curling irons, and hair dryers. These are equipped with foam padding to protect your cabinets from accidental scratches and dings.
Let Things Slide
I enjoy good under-cabinet storage and this two-tier sliding organizer has so many possibilities. It’s equipped with a fixed basket on the top, a sliding basket with a handle on the bottom and four side hooks for hanging small items. Since it’s designed to be used under the sink, it’s a perfect fit and can hold anything from toiletries to spices to office supplies.
Hit the Bottle
If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably noticed the uptick in water bottle and tumbler popularity. (I’m blaming you, Starbucks.) But, these things take up gobs of space. This water bottle organizer is the perfect pantry addition giving you space for up to 18 bottles and tumblers. (You can also step it down to six in case, you know, you’re not tumbler-addicted.)
Cut from the Same Cloth
Some of your cleaning is going to require the right cleaning cloths for the job … and I don’t want to go too far down the rabbit hole here but different cloths are required for different jobs. For now, you can get by with these streak-free microfiber cloths you can use on everything from windows and appliances to countertops and furniture.
Wipe Out
While it’s not the most eco-friendly option, sometimes you need “easy.” And, it doesn’t get much simpler than these disinfectant wipes from Lysol. This pack of six gives you a 480-count option for disinfecting and cleaning in a wipe that’s three times stronger than a paper towel. Use these in the bathroom (not while you’re doing your business, obviously) or kitchen and on a host of things like your remote, smartphone and more.
Your Bonus Mom
Aside from vacuuming, cleaning the microwave is probably the chore I hate the most. Since “Angry Mama” is already mad, you might as well reassign the microwave-cleaning duties to her. Simply fill the steam cleaner with vinegar and water, pop her in the microwave and turn it on for seven minutes. The steam comes out of mama’s head to soften dirt and stains so that you can easily wipe them away.
Clean Break
Please, please, please tell you that you wash your produce when you bring it home before you eat or cook with it? On second thought, don’t tell me. Just grab this capsule-shaped fruit and veggie “washing machine” and let it do the dirty work. Toss it in a bowl or sink with your fruits and veggies and five minutes later, voila! Truly fresh produce.
I Am Robot
This robot vacuum cleaner is the most expensive buy on this list but if you truly hate cleaning (or vacuuming), it’s going to be worth every penny. Slim and quiet with strong suction and automatic self-charging, it is wi-fi enabled and can be paired with a smartphone app or Alexa. And, really, isn’t that the ultimate in lazy cleaning goals?
One Liner
I buy a lot of stuff on Amazon but I’ve never purchased refrigerator liners and I wish I had. These are kind of one of those things, in my mind anyway, that need to be done the second you move into a new residence or buy a new refrigerator. (Then it will keep things sparkling new from the get-go!) This pack of nine is washable and could be color-coordinated with your fridge contents — if you’re feeling extra fancy, that is.
Scrub-a-Dub-Dub
I love the smart design of these gloves, which incorporate protecting your hands from water and gunk while giving you bristles to loosen dirt and debris. I mean, just look at the suds! Replace that dingy silicone scrubber you’ve been using with these pull-on gloves that clean and protect. These are great for everything from scrubbing potatoes to removing pet hair (just not at the same time).
Scrape the Barrel
Some of my favorite Amazon products are gadgets that have no specific purpose but instead can be used for a variety of things. These Scrigit scrapers definitely fall into that category with applications from removing price stickers and labels off of products to eliminating soap build-up in the shower to getting rid of dried food on a counter or high chair. Buy it in a two- or five-pack so you always have one handy.
On a Soapbox
There aren’t a ton of options when it comes to tidying up your shower. It’s not like you can put a chest of drawers in there. But, you can put one of these wall-mounted dispensers in there to handle shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and more. Transparent chambers help you see when it’s time for a refill and the top removes easily to allow you to do that, all while letting you toss those bulky bottles in the trash.
Hold the Phone
I think we’ve all become a lot more aware of germs over the past two years. Wouldn’t you agree? (Side note: Did you know that cell phones carry roughly 10 times the bacteria of toilet seats? Stew on that one for a while.) This light sanitizer box sterilizes your electronic gadgets, jewelry, watches, and glasses, and even has a built-in charger so you can clean and charge simultaneously.
Off the Rack
All of those cleaning gadgets are going to have to go somewhere, so you might as well invest in one of these wall-mounted holders that has five clamps for garden gadgets, cleaning tools, and other items. It holds handles of varying thicknesses with secure, adjustable grips and even has six individual hanging hooks for smaller items. Mount it in a pantry, closet or garage for easy access.
Clothes Horse
I do regular closet purges and if you don’t, you should. But, part of that purging process is making what I keep extra organized so I can get dressed at a moment’s notice. These wardrobe clothes organizers let you fold jeans, T-shirts, pants, leggings, and more in individual dividers for a truly simplified experience while getting dressed. You’ll never again say, “I don’t have anything to wear.”
Cereal Killer
Kitchen gadgets are some of my favorite buys and I thought I’d end the list on one product you’ll say, “That’s awesome!” about. (In the event you’re begrudgingly considering the others.) This dry food dispenser is ideal for holding cereal and other snacks and dispensing them with ease (even for kids). The dials actually dispense controlled portions of up to one ounce per twist.