7 gifts to take the stress out of stress-cleaning

We all cope with stress in different ways—especially in a pandemic, when many of us are spending more time cooped up inside than we’d like. I personally find solace in meticulously and vigorously cleaning up my living space. It keeps my hands busy, my home organized, and my mind off of the outside world. With these fun gadgets and must-have staples to gift yourself this winter, you’ll be a top-tier stress-cleaner in no time.

A nimble powerhouse

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I’m not exaggerating when I say that this product will change your life. Instead of lugging a heavy upright vacuum out of the closet, you just pop this one off its wall charger and go to town. And because it’s cordless, you can zip through your entire home in a flash. This one’s the better pickup over the similarly priced V7 since it comes with two extra attachments, a boost in suction power, and 10 extra minutes of run time. For extra stress-relief and satisfaction, use the crevice tool to remove the dust from your baseboards.

An essential pickup

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These cloths are super versatile. Since they’re microfiber, they attract dust like a magnet, and leave mirrors streak-free. They’re also the perfect size to attach to your Swiffer mop—you won’t have to worry about throwing away all of those wet pads over and over! The cherry on top is that after you run them through the wash, they’re easy to fold and they look neat and tidy in your cabinets.

For eco-friendly DIY-ers

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Sometimes, you can even relieve stress by simply preparing to clean. Mix any cleaning solution you like into these industrial spray bottles, and you’ll be ready to wash countertops, bathroom tile, and even fresh produce in no time. Personally, I went for three varying dilutions of vinegar for cleaning and one water-only bottle for misting plants. These come with peel-and-stick labels so you don’t mix up what’s what, and they have both jet and mister spray settings.

Cute microwave-cleaning ladies

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Cleaning your microwave by heating up a sponge works, but it can be dangerously hot to handle. This cute little angry mama is much safer ( and frankly much more fun). Fill her with vinegar and water and pop her in the microwave for five to seven minutes, watch as cleansing steam shoots out of her ears, and enjoy a squeaky clean appliance. Her arm is heat-safe, so you won’t have to worry about burning your fingers when you retrieve her. She also comes with a cleaning cloth to wipe down your device, in addition to a “Cool Mom” who you can fill with baking soda to deodorize your fridge. Bonus: these ladies are dishwasher-safe!

Hide that stench

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Do not underestimate the power of a big trash can with a solid lid—it’s crucial if you want to be able to make messes, clean them up, and never have to see (or smell) them again. This one has a nifty motion-activated lid, so you’ll never have to sully your hands with garbage juice.

For punishing grout grime

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There’s definitely something to be said for taking a toothbrush and some baking soda to dingey tile grout and scrubbing like hell. But to kick it up a notch, pick up a motorized, bristled device like this one from Rubbermaid. It’s water-resistant and scrubs 60 times per second. As one Amazon reviewer puts it, “Last night I was reborn. It was a defining moment in which everything I’d experienced up until that point suddenly was just ‘before.’ The present and future then seemed like a beautiful, promising ‘after.’ The world opened. The possibilities sprawled. Dread loosed its grip on my soul. In its place came a sense of purpose. Opportunity. Hope. What is the cause of this renewed zest for life, you might ask. It was the use of the Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber on my shower grout.”

For ultimate satisfaction

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If you frequent the r/PowerWashingPorn subreddit, you already know the exquisite satisfaction of seeing a freshly power-washed surface. I implore you to get even more satisfaction by taking charge and power washing your own home. This model is electric, making it slightly less intense but much more user friendly than gas-powered washers. Blast away grimy dirt and mildew from your patio, outdoor furniture, fences, driveways, and even cars and your stress will melt away.