🧽 Window washing 2.0: Cleaning high-rise windows is risky work, but a spider-like AI robot is about to change that. Named after those gravity-defying mountain goats, Ibex only needs a button press to get to work. It climbs buildings, using cameras and sensors to scan surfaces, dodge window frames and leave no spot untouched. The robots are already in Texas, so don’t be surprised if they pop up everywhere soon.
How to make your phone feel brand-new again
One of the best parts of getting a new phone is how fresh it feels inside and out. The screen is scratch-free, your storage is empty, and the phone is zippy, no matter what. And the battery life? Oh, buddy.
The clock starts ticking the moment you take your new phone out of its box. Let’s give yours that fresh-from-the-factory feel again.
🫧 Start with the outside
When it comes to cleaning off fingerprints and smudges, I’m a screen-wipe gal. I buy this box of 210 over and over. They don’t leave streaks, and they’re good for glasses, too. Now, the tricky bits:
Take off the case: So much grime. Use a toothbrush with soapy water for plastic, rubber or silicone. For leather, gently rub with a damp microfiber cloth and mild soap. Let your case dry fully before you put it back on.
Tackle the ports: Dust, lint and gunk cause issues with charging and sound. Toothpicks are too sharp and cotton swabs leave fuzz. Try the end of a plastic flosser — just be gentle. This $11 kit has brushes and antistatic tools that are safe for all your tech.
Go high-tech: Phone sanitizers use UV-C light to kill 99.9% of bacteria. Bonus: They also charge your phone while sanitizing it.
🛠️ Now, let’s look inside
Clear your cached data: Too much data stored on your phone slows it wa-a-a-y down.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. For apps, use Settings > General > iPhone Storage to offload or reinstall space-hogging apps.
- Android: In Settings > Storage > Other Apps, tap an app and hit Clear Cache.
Delete apps you never use: They drain resources, even in the background. On Android, uninstall apps under Settings > Apps. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select an app, and tap Delete App.
Update your software: This one’s a performance and security upgrade that’s easy to skip, but don’t! Check for updates on Android under Settings > Software Update or on iPhone under Settings > General > Software Update. Restart your phone afterward for the best results.
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What if I …
- Always make a mess draining pasta? Get this strainer that attaches to any pot.
- Have dry, crusty winter hands already? Slap on skin repair gloves (30% off, around $3). Wearing them for 10 minutes gets the job done, but overnight is better.
- Leave my jewelry in a tangled pile? Fix that with a nice travel-sized box (12% off) for guys and gals.
- Don’t want patio season to end? Light a tabletop fire pit for under $28. Click the coupon box for 10% off.
- Have Starbucks cups rolling around in the backseat? This hanging car trash can (16% off, around $6) comes in 15 different colors.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Give your printer some love: Soak a piece of paper with rubbing alcohol (not too much and leave the edges dry), and run that through your printer’s roller. It’ll clean it right up.
“God of management”: That’s what Japan calls Panasonic’s founder Kōnosuke Matsushita, who died in 1989 at the age of 94. Now, he’s been resurrected as an AI clone. The University of Tokyo trained the bot using his writings and over 3,000 voice recordings. Panasonic says they’re going to use the AI clone to make future business decisions. His life story is interesting; he was cleaning stores at just 9 years old. Here’s a link if you want to learn more about him.
Did you know Amazon wasn’t Jeff Bezos’ first rodeo? Was his first business a … A.) Summer camp, B.) Limeade stand, C.) Traveling bookstore or D.) Boat cleaning service?
Household helpers
🤗 I love finding little things to make life easier!
- Is the dishwasher clean or dirty? Mystery solved with this bestselling sliding sign ($6.99).
- So cool — erasable, reusable food labels so you don’t have to guess what’s in that container of leftovers in the fridge ($8.99).
- Did you feed the dog or cat? Never forget again with a little tracker that goes on the fridge ($7.95).
- Picture an electric toothbrush powerful enough to scrub the grout. It comes with a bunch of cleaning heads for different chores ($29.99).
- Keep loaves of bread from getting moldy and stale with a storage container that dispenses one slice at a time ($16.49).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🛁 Wash-ful thinking: Coming soon: A machine to wash and dry humans in just 15 minutes. It looks like a jet cockpit that opens from the back. Sensors check your vitals for the perfect temp, and AI analyzes your mood and projects custom scenes for max relaxation. I hope there’s no spin cycle!
🧽 No scrubs: Raise your hand if your air fryer is disgusting inside. Try this viral cleaning tip: Instead of scrubbing, squirt in some dish soap, add a little water and run it for about 3 minutes. Voila, all clean!
🧽 Clear view of where this is going: Cleaning high-rise windows is risky. Enter a spider-like AI robot named Ibex that can climb buildings and use cameras and sensors to scan surfaces, dodge window frames and leave no spot untouched. The robots are already in Texas, so don’t be surprised if you see one crawling around near you.
Refresh your home, hassle-free
🧼 Tackle tough messes with products that make cleaning faster, easier and a little more fun.
- Scrubbing the shower is such a pain. Spray on this cleaner once a week, let it sit overnight, then wash away soap scum, grime and oil (20% off, $19.19).
- The bristles of this cleaning pen ($9.48) get into every crevice of your rings and necklaces to make diamonds and other gems sparkle.
- Hairbrushes get gross over time. Buy this specialty comb once ($11.85) and you can make yours last so much longer.
- Genius — a powder you can sprinkle into cooking oil to make it solid and easy to throw out with the trash (10% off, $8.99).
- Make your wood furniture look bright and shiny again without gross chemical smells ($4.99).
- Stop straining your back by moving appliances to clean beneath them. This flexible microfiber duster ($16.99) easily slides under your washer, dryer, fridge and more to grab dust and hair.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
ICYMI: Top sellers of 2024, so far
This is a list of my newsletter readers’ most-loved products. If you didn’t pick ’em up, what are you waiting for?
- MiracleWipes (13% off, $12.97) get your electronics squeaky clean without streaks or fuzzies.
- USB data blockers (under $10 for a 4-pack!) let you safely charge your devices while traveling or in public.
- The Pink Stuff is a miracle cleaning paste you can use on just about anything.
- Wall charger, surge protector and extender with five outlets and four USB ports.
- Uniball pens (33% off a 4-pack) that won’t let anyone erase what you wrote on a check, helping to prevent check fraud.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Protect your expensive investments
🫰 It doesn’t take much, really.
- Too much dust in vents and ports can kill your TV. Clean the back with a vacuum (use the brush attachment so you don’t scrape anything) or use a high-powered air blower (27% off).
- For keyboard crumbs, go with a nice reusable brush or grab a container of inexpensive goop that grabs dust, dirt, lint and anything else.
- Get into all the little cracks and crevices with nonstatic brushes ($14) made for the job.
- The teeny-tiny desk vacuum (25% off) you didn’t know you needed.
- These screen wipes (11% off) are perfect for bigger TVs or wiping down all your smaller screens in one go.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
👍 Finds you’ll use time and time again
- 12-pack of streak-free cleaning cloths ($7): No home ever has too many microfiber cloths, just sayin’.
- Cable organizer bag (over 50% off): Tangled charging cables are the worst! A compact organizer keeps everything tidy.
- LED desk lamp with USB port ($16): Brighten up your workspace with a stylish lamp. This one has adjustable brightness levels and a USB port for charging. Sweet.
- Herb scissors with 5 blades ($10): Perfect for snipping parsley, basil, cilantro, mint — you name it.
- Self-adhesive cable clips ($8): Another easy way to keep your cord mess in check.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🧽 Scrub-a-dub-dub
By popular demand, the cleaning products that shortcut tasks you forget to do. Grab ‘em all, blast the music and have a cleaning party with yourself.
- Espresso machines need to be descaled. Don’t ignore this one or you’re in for a bad morning.
- Use a Keurig, Ninja or other coffee pod machine? These tabs clean out the gunk so your java is perfect every morning.
- When was the last time you cleaned your dishwasher? Pop in one of these tabs and run a cycle. Easy-peasy.
- Next up, the garbage disposal. I know you’ve been ignoring that one, and it stinks.
- While you’re at it, give the spa or hot tub a good cleaning, too.
- I’m over laundry pods. I switched to laundry sheets. So easy!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
More early Prime Big Deal Days scores
You don’t want to miss these deals!
- AirTags are 14% off. I have one on, well, everything. Really! I think I have 10, between me and Barry (and the dog).
- Super-sweet deal on a Pixel 8a — only $399. It’s one of the best midrange Android phones around right now.
- This portable charger is strong enough to power your computer on the go. Click the coupon box for an extra 20% off.
- Clothes are on sale, too, if you need some new threads. Score up to 60% off.
- The right gear makes cleaning up after your furry friends so much easier. Bissell’s SpotClean Pet Pro portable carpet cleaner is 29% off.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Calling all cat owners: There’s a line of self-cleaning litter boxes that could put your furry friend in danger. A sensor issue means cats can get stuck inside during the cleaning process. The litter boxes are sold under generic names and haven’t been officially recalled. More details and pics here.
So fresh and so clean, clean
I’m gonna wash that dirt right out of my life!
- Folex is the stain remover for carpets and a big bottle is only $7. There’s a reason it has almost 85,000 reviews on Amazon and is a No. 1 bestseller.
- For clothes (and messy kiddos), you want Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater.
- The Pink Stuff (11% off) works, period. I just used it to clean the splatters off the side of a pan and gunk off the faucets.
- These skinny cleaning brushes (under $10) are better than your old toothbrush for nooks and crannies.
- De-stink your garbage disposal the easy way — under $4 right now!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🛒 Add to cart
Sorry, pal, but you’re going to want all these.
- I love Amazon, but the box pile-up is real. Break them down faster with an injury-proof box cutter.
- Make all your shoes slip-ons with no-tie elastic laces.
- Cleaning goop (22% off) to get the crud out of your car’s nooks and crannies.
- A slim, portable phone power bank is perfect for when you forget to charge at home.
- A cord tamer sticks right to your appliances. Click the box for 20% off!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Great deals on tech upgrades
You’re gonna love these!
- Need a new mouse? This one from Logitech is 25% off.
- Charge all your tech with this genius combination wall charger surge protector. It’s 35% off!
- Turn your iPad into a laptop with the case I use and love. It’s from Apple and 28% off.
- These $5.95 cheat sheets for Excel are so helpful. Or pick up this bestselling book for more in-depth help.
- Keep all your tech like new with a handy 10-in-1 cleaning kit (20% off). Good for keyboard, earbud and speaker crud!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.