19 Effective, Low-Effort Cleaning Products for the Days When You’re Not in the Mood

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We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely mood cleaners. Meaning, when we’re really in the headspace to do it, we’re locked in, and when we’re really putting it off but need to, we’re desperate to cut a couple of corners to get us through. Thankfully our editors have tested countless cleaning products over the years, so these are the ones that will keep your space sparkling with minimal effort.

Some laundry pods that don’t irritate our skin…

Yes, we do still use a laundry pod. Many of our editors actually prefer them because they won’t make your clothes too sudsy. These ones from Dropps deposit the perfect amount of detergent, and because they’re made for sensitive skin, they’re dye- and fragrance-free.

The only sponge we swear by…

The Scrub Daddy really is worth its endless hype. Depending on the temperature of water you use, it’ll make the sponge stiffer or softer, so you can clean effectively and efficiently. We’re eyeing this bundle, which comes with a special holder for the inside of your sink. We use it for cleaning dishes, sinks, and other surfaces that need a deep clean.

A silicone drying mat…

Whether you have a dishwasher or not, these always come in handy. On top of being inexpensive, we love this one for its well-ventilated design. It has waves and groves that’ll collect excess water and help your dishes dry faster.

A one-step way to keep your dog smelling fresh…

Whether you groom your dog yourself or try to keep them clean in between appointments, we love this 3-in-1 from Mrs. Meyers. It’s a shampoo that’ll cleanse, deodorize, and condition their fur, so you can bathe them quickly.

Some luxe dryer sheets with a clean laundry scent…

These dryer sheets from DedCool are definitely a luxury, but we’ve found that they elevate pretty much every load of laundry by making it smell clean and cozy. Our editor has sensitive skin and she finds that using a fragrance-free detergent then finishing with these sheets is the perfect combination that doesn’t irritate her skin.

A kitchen towel/dish cloth hybrid that’s significantly improving our cleaning experience…

Our editor recently discovered these hand towels from Geometry. They’re made of an ultra-absorbent woven fabric that dries quickly and washes easily. Our editor uses them for drying her hands and dishes, or as a makeshift drying rack. She also raves that they’re a noteworthy swap for paper towels.

A tablet to keep your garbage disposal odor-free…

We recently discovered Affresh makes garbage disposal tablets, too, so we bought them immediately. Just run your garbage disposal with water and drop in a tablet. It’ll clean out odor, bacteria, and other leftover grime.

Washing machine tablets for cleaner laundry…

When was the last time you cleaned your washing machine? These tablets make it easy — just throw one in the machine and run the cleaning cycle. It’ll wash away odor, bacteria, and grime you didn’t even know was there.

The best way to keep your dishwasher clean…

Yep, you also need to keep your dishwasher clean to keep your dishes even cleaner. These tablets get rid of limescale and mineral buildup, leaving your machine sparkling and ready to perform like a champ. They also eliminate that dreaded dishwasher odor.

A self-activating toilet bowl cleaner…

Drop one of these rhubarb-scented tablets into your toilet bowl and walk away. It’ll foam and cling to your toilet bowl so you can do minimal scrubbing or simply flush. It’s safe for all types of toilets, from porcelain to ceramic.

The TikTok-viral cleaning paste you can use everywhere…

The Pink Stuff is a powerful multipurpose paste you can use on any hard-to-clean areas — from grout and ovens to pots and bathroom sinks. It’s safe enough to use on most surfaces since its formula is non-abrasive. To use, apply just a little bit of the product with a microfiber cloth or sponge, and rinse.

Cleaning pods to keep your shoes clean…

These SneakERASERS are an easy way to keep your sneakers dirt-free. They have a built-in cleaning formula, so you just need to add water to activate them. Start by using the white side to scrub along the soles or any areas that could use some sparkle. Then, once the white side has disintegrated, use the orange side to buff out any remaining marks.

A powdered cleaner that takes the hard work out of scrubbing…

Bar Keepers Friend is a cleaning must-have. It can be used in the bathroom, in the kitchen, and on cookware to remove stains and restore shine. It’ll also work its magic on stainless steel, porcelain, brass, copper, glass, ceramic, chrome, and aluminum. (So literally everything.) Just sprinkle it onto a wet surface, rub to activate, and let it sit for a minute or so. Then wash off.

A refillable cleaning kit that uses mess-free tablets…

Blueland offers hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and more sans single-use plastics. Just add one of their tablets to your reusable container, combine with water, and get cleaning. If you’re new to the brand, you can buy one-off products to test, but we love their Clean Suite Kit. You’ll get foaming hand soap, bathroom cleaner, multipurpose cleaner, dishwasher tablets, laundry detergent, toilet bowl cleaner, dish soap, and glass and mirror cleaner, along with their corresponding, refillable packaging.

A kitchen soap with a distinct formula…

This Naomi soap isn’t just any average hand soap. It was formulated by Michelin-star restaurant cooks who know how much care goes into taking care of your skin pre- and post-cooking. It has a two-stage odor control formula to both break down odors and then scrub them away (ahem, seafood and garlic). Not to mention, fragrances like cardamom and iris and bergamot and black pepper make it smell luxurious.

A cleaning spray that’s a classic for a reason…

No-frills Lysol is always where it’s at. We love it for general surface cleaning and quick peace-of-mind disinfection. Our editors like to keep it on hand for cold and flu season, but it’s also great if you’re cooking meat and want to disinfect surfaces afterwards. Plus, the fresh lemon scent and cheap price are unbeatable.

A pear candle you’ll want to stock up on before it sells out…

Our editor swear by P.F. Candle Co. for its luxurious, yet affordable fragrances. In honor of the spring, the brand just launched a Pear Branch candle, which we’re deeming as the perfect kitchen candle. It’s fresh with notes of green cardamom, fig leaf, and crisp. It’s also limited-edition, so buy a few while you can.

An easy way to keep your water bottles clean…

No need to scrub thanks to these Bottle Bright tablets. Just fill your bottle with hot water and drop one of these in. It’ll remove any residue or scum left behind, so you’ll have a clean water bottle in minutes.