10 Products to Clean and Sanitize Items Big and Small

You’ve probably never cleaned or sanitized as much as you have been lately thanks to the pandemic. If you’re looking for ways to clean everything from your phone to your toothbrush, we’ve got you covered.

From groceries to mail, many of us are sanitizing and wiping down basically everything we come in contact with. We’re also doing more laundry and constantly scrubbing counters and doorknobs. Fortunately, there are some products that can help you keep everything clean with a lot less effort.

Even when we aren’t in the midst of a pandemic, it’s a good idea to keep the items we’ve listed below as clean as possible. Sterilizers and robot vacuums are small luxuries that can help you do that in record time.

Let’s look into how to get rid of all those germs (or at least most of them).

For Your Phone: Lexon OBLIO UV Sanitizing Wireless Charging Station

You probably already know your cell phone is disgusting. According to research, it’s 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat, which is terrifying, considering how often you touch it and hold it close to your face. You should wipe it down with a microfiber cloth a few times a day and, of course, wash your hands often. Sanitizing your phone regularly isn’t a bad idea, either—especially if you’re an essential employee.

We like the Lexon Oblio UV Sanitizing Wireless Charging Station. You just plop your phone in it for a 20-minute sanitizing treatment. It also charges your phone at the same time. It’s compact, easy to store, and easy to clean.

For Your Toothbrush: Avari UV Sterilizer

Reading this study that says you’re likely brushing your teeth with fecal matter that splashes on your toothbrush every time the toilet is flushed will probably be enough to make you get a new one immediately. We did, and make sure it only sees the light of day when it’s in use (the rest of the time, it’s in a drawer).

While it’s true toothpaste will kill most of the harmful stuff, wouldn’t you still rather have a nice, clean toothbrush to use? You can also stick it in the dishwasher sometimes, but that’s not exactly convenient and you’re not going to do it every time you brush. But this handy toothbrush caddy is convenient: you can hang up to five toothbrushes or a combination of toothbrushes and razors and simply close the door. Three minutes later, after a blast of UV light and heat, your toothbrushes and razors are clean.

For All the Little Stuff: 59S UV Ultraviolet LED Sterilizer Sanitization Box

You can sterilize basically anything that fits in the 59S UV LED Sterilizer Sanitization Box. From scissors and makeup brushes, to pacifiers and cell phones it can all be sterilized in here. It’s a bit pricey, but if you’re totally freaked out by germs or the pandemic, it’ll be worth it.

It takes only three minutes to sanitize your items, and it has a disinfection rate of up to 99.9 percent. It’s FCC certified, FDA approved, and very easy to use. It’s not small, but it’s also not overly large or heavy, so it’s easy to move around or take with you, if necessary.

If you’re looking for a more portable sterilizer for small items like your cell phone and keys, try the HoMedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer. It’s small and easy to carry because of its popup mechanism—you just push the button. It sanitizes without mercury or chemicals and kills up to 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria.

For Makeup Brushes: Mahli Cleaner

If you regularly use them, you should be cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a week. Not only does product build up on them, but so do bacteria and germs, which can give you acne or other skin issues.

Cleaning brushes is easy, but this Mahli Makeup Brush Cleaner makes it even easier. You just pop the brush onto the end of one piece, and then place it in the small container with warm water and a little soap. The innovative spin design gets the brushes super clean, really quickly, with barely any work on your part. It dries them quickly, as well—no more rubbing continuously with a towel

Not only does this keep your brushes clean, but it will also extend their lifespan.

For Floors: iRobot Roomba 960

Unless you clean your floors every single day, and no one wears shoes in your house, your floors are probably pretty filthy. Maybe dirtier than you’d like to think about! You could vacuum them daily, but who has time for that?

That’s exactly why the iRobot Roomba 960 is so worth it. Your floors will always be clean because it picks up everything. It also entertains cats and babies. The Roomba is easy to set up and use, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.

It maps out and cleans the entire level of your home to optimize coverage. It cleans dirt, but also pet hair and other allergens, and dust. The rubber brushes are great on both carpets and hard floors. It automatically recharges as needed, and you control it through an app.

For Water Bottles: OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set

Even though your water bottle only holds water, and you’re the only one who drinks out of it, it still collects bacteria and germs. It absolutely needs to be cleaned regularly. Water bottles are annoying to clean, though—especially if they have a built-in straw or you can’t throw them in the dishwasher.

The OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set makes all of this so much easier. It has everything you need. The larger cleaning brush is for the bottle, and it grabs everything to clean quickly. The skinny brush is perfect for built-in or reusable straws that are separate, and the smaller brush is for every other nook and cranny, like the top. They all hang on a hook for easy storage.

For Jewelry: iSonic Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner

Okay, so your jewelry probably isn’t covered in germ. Still, you wanna keep the pieces you love clean and sparkling and help them last longer.

The iSonic Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner is a safe, effective way to clean your favorite pieces of jewelry. The stainless-steel tank holds a few pieces and comes with a watch stand, as well. It uses a bunch of tiny little air bubbles to clean, and as the company explains, it “cleans like a brush but reaches places, such as crevices and holes, where a brush can’t reach.” It’s also great for cleaning eyeglasses.

For Microwaves: TOPIST Angry Mama Cleaner

How often do you actually clean your microwave? If you’re slightly embarrassed by the answer (as are we), then buy the Topist Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner. It’s not a 100-percent-necessary gadget, but it does make the task easier.

You just add vinegar and water to this, stick it in your microwave, and then turn it on for seven minutes. It uses steam to clean everything out—no dangerous chemicals or stain removers required. While it doesn’t make everything magically disappear, it does soften any dirt and stains, making it much easier to remove them.

For Screens: Well-Kept Cleansing Towelettes

Your cell phone, tablet, and laptop screens are all probably pretty gross—especially those you’re constantly touching. These Well-Kept Screen Cleansing Towelettes are great to have on hand to clean screens quickly and easily, and leave them clear.

Each packet contains 15 towelettes. The solution is smudge-free and low-lint. It removes oil and makeup from cell phones, keyboards, and other devices. The packets also close securely so they won’t dry out too fast.

For the Air: Levoit Purifier

An air purifier isn’t going to kill germs, but it will clear the air of allergens, pet hair, smoke, mold, odors, and dust particles so you can breathe a little easier. This Levoit Purifier has a three-stage filtration system that gets rid of 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants. It also has a lower noise level, so it won’t disrupt your sleep.

It circulates the air over four times each hour for rapid purification, and its size makes it ideal for small- or medium-size rooms. The built-in replacement indicator lets you know exactly when you need to replace the filter (typically every six to eight months). It also has a bonus nightlight with two brightness settings.