AT Cleaning Awards 2024 Seal

The Cleaning Awards

We vacuumed, scrubbed, and tackled messes big and small to find the 30 best cleaning tools that truly shine and sweep away the competition. Here are the winners of the 2025 Apartment Therapy Cleaning Awards.

See last year's winners >
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.

Kitchen

1 /
Sponge

Say goodbye to the stinky, unappealing sponges of the past and hello to Skura Style Skrubby Sponges. These sponges are antimicrobial, odor-resistant, and made of polyurethane foam (instead of cellulose like traditional sponges). Lifestyle Director, Stephanie Nguyen, can't stop gushing about them: "These sponges have a design that fades away as you use it so you know exactly when to toss it out and use a new one. They're amazing!"

Read our full review of the Skura Style Skrubby Sponges.

2 /
Dish Brush

The Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Dishwand deserves a spot in your sink caddy, stat. It cleans up grease, grime, and stuck-on messes without leaving behind a scratch. The dishwand dispenses dish soap quickly and easily, and it can work with any Scotch-Brite sponge refill, so you can swap it out for another at any time.

Read our full review of the Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Dishwand.

3 /
Bottle Brush

Get your water bottles clean with this OXO Water Bottle Cleaning Set, which includes a long bottle brush, straw brush, and detail brush so you can get into every crevice of your bottle. The brushes store together on a ring so you can hang them up on a hook or hide them in a drawer.

Read our full review of the OXO Water Bottle Cleaning Set.

4 /
Dish Drying Rack

The simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack is superior to any ordinary dish drying rack. It's rustproof, spacious, and designed to drain water efficiently, thanks to the hydrophilic coated tray and swivel spout. Its large capacity lets you pile on the dishes, utensils, and glasses, but if you have a small countertop to work with, don't worry — you can get the compact version of this exact one.

Read our full review of the simplehuman Steel Frame Dishrack.

5 /
Trash Can

A kitchen trash can is usually a one-time purchase, so we recommend investing in the simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can. This dual trash can/recycler has a step pedal, soft-close lid, and a place to stash extra trash bags on the side (not on the bottom!). Coupled with the odorsorb pods and bags, you'll never have to deal with bad smells. It's 100% worth the price tag (plus it's regularly on sale for half-off!).

Read our full review of the simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can.

Bathroom

1 /
Toilet Brush

Experts say that silicone toilet brushes are far more sanitary than any other brush, and we found the Joseph Joseph Flex Toilet Brush to be among the best of them. It's flexible, so it can reach all parts of the toilet bowl, and super slim, which makes it ideal for small spaces.

Read our full review of the Joseph Joseph Flex Toilet Brush.

2 /
Toilet Plunger

Your plunger doesn't need to be a bathroom eyesore. The Clorox Toilet Plunger with Hideaway Caddy discretely hides away a flange cup plunger in a sleek white holder, but can be easily removed when messes happen.

Read our full review of the Clorox Toilet Plunger with Hideaway Caddy.

3 /
Electric Scrubber

Electric scrubbers make removing tough messes so much easier, and we love how the Sonic Power Electric Scrubber is able to deliver a mighty clean while also being lightweight, cordless, and rechargeable. Senior Shopping Editor, Britt Franklin, first tested it on her bathtub walls and sink, and was thoroughly impressed by how well it removed stains — plus, it cut her cleaning time in half.

Read our full review of the Sonic Power Electric Scrubber.

4 /
Shower Squeegee

A squeegee is a must-have shower tool, and the Hiware All-Purpose Shower Squeegee is our go-to pick. Not only does it work so well, but it also looks good. It doubles as modern decor in our Editor-in-Chief, Charli Penn's, bathroom and does a supremely great job at keeping her space squeaky clean.

Read our full review of the Hiware All-Purpose Shower Squeegee.

Floors

1 /
Carpet Cleaner

To deep-clean your carpets (and rugs!), you need the Tineco Carpet ONE Cruiser Smart Carpet Cleaner. Not only will it thoroughly clean your carpet, but it'll also dry it with heated air, which will prevent odors and mildew buildup. You'll be so satisfied with the results.

Read our full review of the Tineco Carpet ONE Cruiser Smart Carpet Cleaner.

2 /
Cordless Vacuum

The Dyson Gen5detect Vacuum is everything you want in a cordless vacuum. It has powerful suction, HEPA filtration, a run time of 70 minutes, and single-button power control. "Having a built-in dusting and crevice tool was an impressive feature," shares Lifestyle Director, Stephanie Nguyen. "It makes vacuuming an entirely one-tool experience, switching from a cordless vacuum to a handheld one in seconds, instead of having to walk back and forth to the closet to grab another attachment."

Read our full review of the Dyson Gen5detect Vacuum.

3 /
Upright Vacuum

To effortlessly clean carpets and hard surfaces in one fell swoop, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum is your pal. It has a strong suction and smart DuoClean Detect technology, which means it detects and adjusts based on the type of surface it's on. It also comes with an odor cartridge so that your home smells extra good.

Read our full review of the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum.

4 /
Self-Emptying Vacuum

This all-in-one vacuum cleans your floors and itself after every use. The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum with All-in-One Clean Station features a stick vacuum with AI capabilities and features to make vacuuming so much easier. Plus, it self-empties and auto-closes its dustbin.

Read our full review of the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum with All-in-One Clean Station.

5 /
Wet-Dry Vacuum

Clean, vacuum, and sanitize your floors in mere minutes with the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Wet Dry Vacuum. Our Editor-in-Chief, Charli Penn, gushed about how fast, quiet, and effective this wet-dry vacuum is: "If, like me, you’re tired of chasing down stains and want to clean your floors better and faster, I highly recommend you add the CrossWave HydroSteam Wet Dry Vacuum to your cart immediately. You’ll have zero regrets."

Read our full review of the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Wet Dry Vacuum.

6 /
Robot Vacuum

The Roborock Saros 10 is a robot vacuum with an ultra-thin design, so it can fit into even the tightest spaces. The LiDAR technology is impressive, along with its fast-charging capabilities, anti-tangle system, and next-level suction power.

Read our full review of the Roborock Saros 10.

7 /
Robot Vacuum and Mop

Narwal Freo Z Ultra is a standout robot vacuum and mop. It provides a deep mopping with dual mops that mimic hand-cleaning and downward pressure. It also vacuums right up to the wall and even gets to the baseboards with a baseboard rag attachment.

Read our full review of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra.

8 /
Spin Mop

A two-tank system that separates clean and dirty water ensures that you're always mopping with clean water when using the O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop System. Coupled with the built-in wringer, 360-rotation triangle mop head, and washable mop heads, this creation makes mopping a trouble-free experience.

Read our full review of the O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop System.

9 /
Spray Mop

The Swiffer PowerMop came out in 2023, and it's still our favorite spray mop pick in 2025. "The best part was seeing the Swiffer PowerMop glide under my kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanity, and up against the baseboards," shares our Lifestyle Director, Stephanie Nguyen. The mop head swivels 360 degrees, and the mop pad locks in debris. Both are now much larger than those in previous versions.

Read our full review of the Swiffer PowerMop.

10 /
Broom and Dustpan

Sweep with ease using this OXO Large Sweep Set with Extendable Broom. It’s a versatile set that includes a full-sized broom with soft-tipped bristles that catch dust and dirt, and an extra-large dustpan with teeth to comb out dirt and the ability to lock open.

Read our full review of the OXO Large Sweep Set with Extendable Broom.

Laundry

1 /
Fabric Shaver

Dealing with pilling on clothes and furniture can be frustrating — but not when you have the Steamery Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver. This gadget effectively removes lint and pilling gently with precision razor blades. You can use it on all sorts of clothing and home textiles and go back to enjoying your now-pill-free items.

Read our full review of the Steamery Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver.

2 /
Clothes Steamer Iron

The Nori Press will have you actually excited about wrinkles just so you can put it in action (seriously!). This two-in-one steamer/iron can smooth out creases effortlessly, thanks to its two aluminum iron plates that let you get both sides of your garment. Plus, you can choose between six fabric-specific heat settings. Get ready to toss your current iron and steamer and pick up a Nori instead.

Read our full review of the The Nori Press.

3 /
Lint Roller

"I never thought a lint roller could look this good — until I found this one by Staff," shares Lifestyle Director, Stephanie Nguyen. The Lint Roller by Staff features a colorful translucent acrylic handle adorned with the company’s signature smiley face. It’s also reusable — simply rinse it with warm water after use and then you can keep using it again and again.

Read our full review of Staff The Lint Roller.

Specialty Tools

1 /
Cleaning Cloth

It's far better to use microfiber cloths over paper towels — and the Scotch-Brite 3-in-1 Microfiber Cloth is among the best out there. It quickly absorbs spills, lifts dust, and dries quickly. You can use it all over your home for streak-free cleaning.

Read our full review of Scotch-Brite 3-in-1 Microfiber Cloth.

2 /
Duster

Take dusting to new heights with the Bona High Performance Dusting System Extendable Dusting Kit, which includes disposable and reusable dusters that trap more dust and pet hair than a traditional feather duster; a storage bag; and a handle that extends up to six feet, so you can clean up high (like ceiling fans and cabinets) and down low (such as baseboards) easily.

Read our full review of Bona High Performance Dusting System Extendable Dusting Kit.

3 /
Air Purifier

This is the most stylish air purifier you'll ever see. "The Windmill Air Purifier sets itself apart from traditional appliances by seamlessly blending performance and style," shares Senior Shopping Editor, Britt Franklin. It features a fluted panel design in three colors, has a three-in-one HEPA filter, and removes up to 99.97% of microscopic airborne pollutants, such as smoke, dust, pollen, mold, and more.

Read our full review of the Windmill Air Purifier.

4 /
Handheld Vacuum

Get into every corner of your home with the Black+Decker dustbuster Pivot Vac 20V Max Cordless Handheld Vacuum. We love that it can pivot up to 200 degrees, which allows you to get into any hard-to-reach spaces. It's also super compact — a major requirement for any handheld device.

Read our full review of the Black+Decker dustbuster Pivot Vac 20V Max Cordless Handheld Vacuum.

5 /
Upholstery Cleaner

We’re big fans of Bissell’s Little Green line, and the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro is no exception. It's pet-proven, which means that it delivers a professional-level clean on the toughest messes on carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Kick stains to the curb with the included tools: a spraying crevice tool, pet hair removal tool, and self-cleaning tough stain tool.

Read our full review of the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro.

6 /
Steam Cleaner

The best-selling Dupray Neat Plus Steam Cleaner allows you to harness the power of steam to clean, without chemicals. It just takes 90 seconds to get going, and Shopping Director, Jada Wong, absolutely loves to use it all over her home.

Read our full review of the Dupray Neat Plus Steam Cleaner.

7 /
Outdoor Power Cleaner

"[The Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless EZClean Power Cleaner] is incredibly adaptable and easy to use all over your yard, porch, or driveway," shares our Editor-in-Chief, Charli Penn. "It comes with a three-in-one nozzle that makes it seamless to quickly go between three convenient spray patterns — rinse, 15 inches, and turbo." It's also super-compact and can use any fresh water source.

Read our full review of the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless EZClean Power Cleaner.

8 /
Game-Changer

Whether you need to sanitize, refresh, and/or deodorize lightly worn clothes or tough-to-clean items, the LG Styler Steam Closet does it all. This appliance splurge is an innovative tool that eliminates allergens, wrinkles, and odors instantly using its TrueSteam technology and moving hangers (plus no chemicals!). It impressed us so much that we had to award it as a game-changer.

Read our full review of the LG Styler Steam Closet.

  • PROJECT LEAD

    Stephanie Nguyen, Lifestyle Director

  • EDITORIAL

    Charli Penn, Editor-in-Chief

    Terri Pous, Executive Editor

    Jada Wong, Director, Shopping Content

    Morgan Pryor, Lifestyle Shopping Writer

  • CREATIVE

    Melissa Polhamus, Creative Director

    Maria Fernandez-Davila, Associate Art Director

  • PHOTO

    Vicky Wasik, Studio Director

    Tom Hoerup, Senior Studio Producer

    Alex Lepe, Staff Photographer

    Maya Borrero, Studio Assistant

  • EDITORIAL OPERATIONS

    Tracey Gertler, Production Director

    Lilian Tanner, Senior Producer

    Quin Johnson, Photo Producer

    Lauren Kodiak, Copy Chief

  • AUDIENCE GROWTH

    Brian Wong, Social Media Manager, Commerce & Branded Content

    Hollis Miller, Senior Manager, Email & Acquisition

    Carolyn Moore, Email Editor

    Jamie Birdwell-Branson, SEO Strategist, Home

    Vixon John, Senior Video Producer

  • DEVELOPMENT

    Rachelle Janeczek, Principal Product Manager

    Stephen Sauceda, Senior Software Engineer

  • REVENUE

    Lauren Murphy, SVP, Marketing & Brand Strategy

    Kayla Stypulkoski, Senior Manager, Special Projects

    Yasmin Lashley, Executive Director, Shopping Strategy

    Emma Dangel, Marketing & Brand Partnerships Coordinator