Things You Didn't Know You Should Clean — and How to Clean Them

You know how your clothes dryer has a lint trap? Well, that isn't the only place lint winds up; it can accumulate in the exterior vent tube, too. Not only does that reduce efficiency when you dry clothing, but it's also a fire hazard. Once a year, snap the LintEater Cleaning System ($33) onto a power drill, then be amazed when its rotating brush (set at the end of flexible rods) brings out a truly shocking amount of lint.

"Hi. It's me, Keury — you know, your coffee maker? I know things haven't been the same lately, but I'm crusty with calcium deposits from the water we use every morning. Don't feel bad; it happens to all of us. Anyway, that may explain why your morning brew hasn't been tasting as delicious as of late. Do you mind giving me a bath with Keurig Descaling Solution ($13)? It'll remove scale buildup easily without leaving any weird smells behind. I promise, we'll be back to where we were in no time."

Grout gets gunky — it's a fact. Get yours looking fresh again with some powder cleaner, elbow grease, and an OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set ($9). This ergonomically designed set is angled to make it easier to clean awkward spots like shower-door tracks, stovetops, and more.

A high-quality vacuum is a worthwhile investment, especially if it comes with a wand like this Dyson Ball Multifloor 2 Upright Vacuum ($400) does. Use it to clean dust bunnies from air vents, bathroom fans, curtains, and behind radiators — aka the spots you don't clean every week but really should deal with at some point.

For a potentially grody surface like the curves of a toilet bowl, paper towels are not enough. But these Simply Essential Scrubber Dish Cloths ($6) are more than up to the task. Not only do they have a mesh backing to help you scour away the yuck, but the set also has two colors of fabric so you can assign (for instance) gray cloths to bathroom cleaning and white to kitchen cleaning. Never the twain shall meet.

For slow drains, don't call a plumber. Instead, whip out a FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Hair Clog Tool ($10) and stick it into the drain. Rotate its handle, and it'll slide around the parts of the pipe you can't reach; lift it out, and be delighted/horrified by the hair clumps and general grossness that are no longer impeding your flow. (Pro tip: Multitask by filling a plastic bag with vinegar and securing it over your showerhead. While you tackle the toilet, the vinegar will eat away at soap scum and scale. A cleaner bathroom is closer than you think!)

It's not that your steel pans are dirty, per se — but when they're gleaming, your kitchen just looks that much cleaner. Let the All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Cleaner and Polish ($10) restore the luster and give you an Instagram-ready moment.

Same goes for your enameled cast-iron cookware. Since it's often on display, give it a seasonal clean and polish with the Le Creuset Cast Iron Cookware Cleaner and Protector ($25) to have it looking new again.

As the final part of your spring cleaning, think about cleaning your air. Indoor pollution is typically higher than outdoor pollution, and we're breathing indoor air for many hours a day — so a clean home should really have clean air. A HEPA air purifier, like the Coway Mighty Smarter HEPA Air Purifier ($199), removes airborne dust, pollen, and other irritants — so not only will your surfaces stay cleaner longer, but you'll also breathe more easily.