Skip to main content

No scrubs? These gadgets that make cleaning a little easier

cleaning gadgets 2017 home and housewares show bathroom sink
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Spring cleaning isn’t just a chore; it’s more like a super chore. It’s the time when you’re supposed to flip your mattress, wash your window screens, and do a dozen other things on Martha Stewart’s list. That’s why we couldn’t help but notice some of the gadgets at the 2017 International Home and Housewares Show that promise to make cleaning a wee bit easier.

Check out our roundup below, even if none of them will help you muck out the gutters.

Chi Easy Steam (TBD)

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If a vacuum company can make a hair dryer, why can’t a hair-care company make an iron? Chi is best known for its straigheners and other hair-focused products, but at the housewares show, its motto was “from hair to wear.” In addition to its new line of clothes irons, there was a garment bag on display. The bag has a built-in steamer to get wrinkles out of your clothes. Just pour water in the cup, put one or two items inside, zip it up, and wait 10 minutes. You then leave the collapsible bag open to dry. There are other hands-free steamers, but this is one of the more storable options we’ve seen. Price and availability are to be determined.

Bruno Smart Trash Can ($249)

Jenny McGrath / Digital Trends
Jenny McGrath / Digital Trends

Still in its pre-order phase after a successful 2015 Kickstarter, the Bruno Smart Trash Can promises to let you live a dustpan-free life. It has a little door that pops open and sucks in the debris as you sweep towards it. It then carries the dust and gunk to the bag via a tube. It also reminds you when it’s time to get more garbage bags and when it’s trash day. The pre-orders on this very expensive trash can will start shipping in July.

GeniCan ($149)

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another device available for pre-order is the GeniCan, which isn’t a smart trash can but more of a smart add-on. It doesn’t actually have a lot to do with trash; it’s more of a shopping-list builder. If you’re about to toss an empty package of chicken stock, you can hold it in front of the device, and it will add it to your list in the app or reorder it via Amazon Dash Replenishment. You can also hold any object in front — even if it doesn’t have a barcode — and the GeniCan will ask what it should add to the list. It’s very similar to Hiku but placed inside your smelly garbage can instead of on your fridge. Hopefully, it’s easy to clean.

Flint Retractable Lint Roller ($7)

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Jenny McGrath / Digital Trends

There’s nothing digital about the Flint –we just thought it was cool. It’s a reusable lint roller that retracts, so it doesn’t continue to gather more dust and cat hair when you’re not using it. It comes in a rainbow of colors and is pretty portable.

HygeaPro Makeup Brush Cleaner ($149)

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Jenny McGrath / Digital Trends

Tao Clean already makes toothbrushes and facial brushes that have UV lights and drying systems built into their charging stations. (The company argues that killing 99 percent of germs via UV is futile if the brush is still damp afterwards.) In January 2018, it will bring the same technology to makeup brushes. It sanitizes and dries them quickly, helping reduce the number of bacteria that build up on brushes. Regular cleaning can help keep beauty tools in better shape, so you should be doing so, even without a fancy gadget.

Editors' Recommendations

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
This Wi-Fi robot vacuum is discounted from $199 to $79
The iHome AutoVac Juno robot vacuum cleaning the floor.

Robot vacuum deals are consistently getting cheaper it seems, with it now possible to buy a robot vacuum for just $79. That’s the case at Walmart with the iHome AutoVac Juno Robot Vacuum down to $79 for a limited time. It usually costs $199 so you’re saving a huge $120 off the regular price making now the perfect time to upgrade to all the convenience that comes from having a robot vacuum. Keen to learn more? Let’s take a look.

Why you should buy the iHome AutoVac Juno Robot Vacuum
You won’t see iHome feature in our look at the best robot vacuums but that’s not to say that there aren’t benefits to buying such a cheap robot vacuum today. With the iHome AutoVac Juno Robot Vacuum, you get up to 2,000pa of strong suction power with up to 100 minutes of runtime ensuring that plenty can be accomplished.

Read more
The Narwal Freo X Plus is an entry-level robot vacuum loaded with premium features
The Freo X Plus vacuuming pet hair.

Narwal launched the Freo X Ultra earlier this year, and we found it to be an exceptional robot vacuum and mop combo -- though its $1,400 price tag made it a luxury item for most shoppers. Thankfully, many of the Freo X Ultra's best features can be found on the newly launched Narwal Freo X Plus, which offers an affordable alternative to the flagship vacuum and mop combo.

The Freo X Plus should be much more appealing to frugal shoppers, as it clocks in at just $400. That's a full $1,000 cheaper than the Ultra, yet it still holds up to seven weeks of dust, can lift its mopping plate when traveling on carpet, and produces up to 7,800 Pa of suction to pull out dirt and debris from your carpets. It can even apply 6 Newton units of downward pressure while mopping, allowing it to tackle tough stains with ease.

Read more
Samsung’s new Smart Refrigerators are already discounted
samsung smart refrigerator deal may 2022 last chance bespoke 4 door french feature

For great refrigerator deals, go straight to the source and buy Samsung’s latest Smart Refrigerators for a great discount. As part of its Spring Black Friday sale, Samsung has discounted six different smart refrigerators with up to $1,200 off some of them. If you’ve been waiting to buy a new refrigerator and you want to invest in a high-end smart refrigerator, this is your chance to do so while saving substantial sums of money. The best thing to do is click the button below to see for yourself what’s on sale. Alternatively, read on and we’ll take you through what we know.

What to shop for in the Samsung smart refrigerator sale
Samsung easily makes some of the best smart refrigerators around so you simply can’t go wrong with whatever you buy. One immediately tempting option is the . It usually costs $4,214 but it’s down to $3,199 as part of this sale. It has changeable door panels which feature the Beverage Zone with two temperature settings which are perfect for drinks and desserts. There’s a choice of an internal dispenser or a built-in AutoFill Water Pitcher. The fridge has a modern design which blends into any kitchen while its automatically opening doors work through a simple, light touch of the sensor, saving you from needing to juggle too much at once. You can also customize the lower-right storage space to be a refrigerator or freezer with five adjustable temperature settings.

Read more