17 overrated cleaning gadgets, gadgets and cleaning products that are a total waste of money

Don’t fall for the hype

You may have seen a TikTok about a new cleaning gadget that seemed too good to be true. Guess what? It was. There are plenty of tools that seem great but turn out to be a waste of money. Skip them (if you haven’t already).

1. Wet Swiffer stream

Why it’s bad: A few Redditors didn’t like this, saying they left the floor with the foil on it and it just fell to pieces on the ground. “Oh my god I hate Swiffer WetJet,” one Redditor wrote. “It just doesn’t clean and it makes the floor sticky.

Try instead: A vacuum cleaner or mop that you probably already have will work fine.

2. Comet with bleach

Why is it bad: TikTok user Cleanwcarly says, “I really think this is over the top. There’s nothing special about it. This doesn’t lead anywhere. I just don’t understand it.”

Try instead: Recommends Barkeeper’s Friend as a better alternative.

3. Bissel’s steam shot

Why it’s bad: Minimal Mom was influenced by her purchase of Steam Shot, but when she tried to clean the oven with it, “I sprayed it and started scrubbing and scrubbing again, but nothing came off very easily, let’s put it that way. he felt a little discouraged about it.”

Try instead: Then she used a paste of baking soda and water, waited three hours, and the oven cleaned like a dream.

4. Up & Up cleaner + bleach

Why it’s bad: It was a decision that TikToker Cleanwcarly quickly regretted. “TikTok said it works on mold stains. No, it doesn’t work.”

Try instead: According to The New York Times, Clorox Free and Clear is the top cleaning product of choice based on a recent review that stated, “This fragrance-free spray cleans brilliantly, is streak-free and is third-party health and environmental certified.”

5. Zep Cleaner

Why it’s bad: TikTok user Cleanwcarly says, “I know, I know, I fell for the Zep hype too. For glass shower doors, it works fine, but that’s literally it.”

Try instead: According to Good Housekeeping, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner works best on a wide range of hard and soft surfaces.

6. Wool drying balls

Why they are bad: It turns out that these wool balls may be more trouble than they are worth. One Redditor wrote: “The wool dryer balls weren’t all that great and were kind of annoying when they flew out of the dryer when I opened it.”

Try instead: Roll up a few balls of aluminum foil and you may find they are just as effective and much cheaper.

7. Spray glass cleaner

Why it’s bad: It was a surprise, but TikToker Cleanwcarly says, “I can’t believe I’m saying this because I love Sprayway, but it stinks of shit and I literally can’t stand it.”

Try instead: She adds that she makes her own glass cleaner at home using water and white vinegar.

8. Reusable paper towel replacements

Why they are bad: Apparently it’s better to stick with paper towels. “They just keep the smell and stink away!” complained the Redditor. “Just like the papaya brand. I washed mine in the washing machine, soaked them in hot soapy water, soaked them, and nothing. In less than a month they became disgusting and I ended up throwing them away!”

Try instead: If you can’t go back to paper towels, try old cotton T-shirts.

9. Microfiber cloths

Why they are bad: According to the Redditor, these nubby clothes were apparently suitable for one reason, but it wasn’t enough. “They’re good for vacuuming, but that’s all. If I’m drying dishes or cleaning up a spill, I need a terry cloth towel.”

Try instead: Swedish dishcloths are also versatile and eco-friendly.

10. Scrub daddy

Why they are bad: These smiley-faced sponges have earned the ire of more than one Redditor. “I hate holes in my face. It’s just inconvenient. Besides, it’s just a sponge. Hard size causes scratches. The soft side is just a sponge. It’s not worth $4.

Try instead: The Redditor continued, “I’ll stick with my $1.25 for a pack of 10 yellow and green nasty sponges.”

11. Microwave steamer

Why it’s bad: A Redditor has a suggestion for a cheaper alternative to the Angry Mama Microwave Steamer. “(It) is to make it easier to clean the inside of the microwave.

Try instead: The Redditor had a cheaper alternative. “Just use a Pyrex measuring cup, a cup, or even a microwave-safe bowl, and boil the water to create steam. You don’t need a $10 “cute” product for that!”

12. Dyson vacuum cleaner

Why it’s bad: This Redditor wasn’t shy about hating his Dyson: “We bought one of the Dyson cordless vacuum cleaners when it was on sale and I hate the thing.

Try instead: Redditor praises another brand of vacuum cleaners. “I’m glad I told my wife we ​​should stick to Shark because that’s all I use when it’s time to vacuum the whole house.”

13. Robot vacuum cleaner

Why it’s bad: While some Redditors expressed love for their own, one simply wrote, “Nope.”

Try instead: A Redditor suggested: “Invest in a good vacuum with attachments.”

14. Fungus in the bathtub

Why it’s bad: One Redditor said her drain filter was deteriorating quickly. “TubShroom started out great, but quickly became unpleasant with dirt and stains that I couldn’t clean. I started avoiding dealing with it so that the tub would be more likely to become clogged with hair collecting on the TubShroom.

Try instead: Redditor believes that a cheap investment is better. “I would rather use a cheap plastic drain hose a few times a year than have to clean the TubShroom several times a week.”

15. Cross vacuum

Why it’s bad: While this multi-tasking cleaner from Bissel may seem great, but according to one Redditor, it doesn’t deliver the best. “It seemed like a good idea to me. As soon as I read the instructions it said not to use it on our floors but nothing else was said about it before purchasing. And all the effort it takes to prepare it, just forget about it!”

Try instead: Use a mop on hard surfaces and vacuum on soft surfaces. The combination tool is not worth it.

16. Blind cleaners

Why they are bad: These fluffy, finger-like dusters are not a hit with a few Redditors. “They fit over the blinds and you should be able to just slide and boom, dusty. But the yellow fuzz just goes EVERYWHERE, the dust doesn’t stick to it, and in the end there’s usually a lot of dust or accidental droplet stains left over that need to be wiped off, which is a much bigger problem than it seems,” one of them said.

Try instead: Real Simple suggests that the OXO Good Grips Handheld Microfiber Vacuum Cleaner does a good job of collecting dust and not releasing it, giving it the nod as the best microfiber vacuum cleaner in their survey.

17. OCedar spin mop

Why it’s bad: This mop is a bust for some Redditors. “I thought the mop head was very cheap and had a short handle. Overall, I thought it was effective.”

Try instead: While Southern Living praised OCedar in its spin mop rankings, the magazine named the best lightweight spin mop the Libman Tornado.

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This article was originally published on Cheapism

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