Odds Are, You’re Missing a Few of These Chef-Approved Kitchen Cleaning Tools (2024)

Highly absorbent thanks to their waffled texture, these Coyuchi organic kitchen towels are our best overall pick for kitchen towels. They come from an eco-conscious factory in a set of six, in which you can choose to be all one color or a variety. The material is 100% cotton, and the yarn is dyed rather than printed, keeping the color vibrant for longer. We love that it has a loop so you can hang it to dry quickly, as no one wants to wipe their hands on a damp towel. While they may appear delicate, these towels are machine washable and will hold up nicely to continued use.

Swedish dishcloths are reusable towels that bridge the gap between cloth and paper. With over 45,000 reviews, this editor-loved 10-pack will keep you going for some time. Each Swedish dishcloth is equivalent to about 15 paper towels, enabling you to lower your carbon footprint every time you wipe up a spill or stain. They can be reused up to 100 times, depending on how heavily you use them. Once wet, the texture of a Swedish dishcloth is soft and highly absorbent, but you can use them dry as scrubbers, too.

As someone who gets easily grossed out by sponges, this Scotch-Brite pot and pan brush is one that I buy in bulk. I use them for everything dish- and sink-related because they work perfectly for rinsing out a cereal bowl as they do for scrubbing a grimy pot. The handle is long enough to keep your hands away from scalding hot water and food bits, and the line of extra-firm bristle on the backside tackles any stuck-on grit. I also appreciate the ergonomic handle, which I find much more comfortable than most straight-handled scrub brushes.

Our editors love this brush set, noting that it has a clever design, sturdy bristles, and comes with a ceramic holder. The handle is bamboo and fits comfortably in one’s hand, making scrubbing a less arduous task. The spring system is unusual yet highly intuitive: To use the brush, fill the ceramic holder base with soap and press down with the brush. For additional suds, add the spring insert into the bowl before the brush, then press. The plastic bristles are made of recycled materials, and you can purchase new brushes as needed without replacing the spring or ceramic holder.

A top sink caddy pick that won our “best modern” category, it’s tough to say if its best feature is the brushed stainless steel or the four suction cups that create a slip-free grip to your sink. There’s also a wire ledge hanger that ensures you place it evenly and straight. Drainage holes at the bottom prevent mildew, mold, and any sort of icky slime from accumulating beneath your sponge and dish brush. Small dish brushes will fit as is, and the caddy features a pop out expansion to accommodate longer ones.

Dish drying racks aren’t always the most attractive countertop addition. Luckily, we found one that is equal parts functional and stylish, so you can feel good about leaving it out at all times. As our best overall pick, editors appreciate its lightweight coated steel and separate storage areas for assorted dishware.

Sure, you could put a towel down next to your sink, but that is a recipe for mold growth and not a good look overall. This rack has a deep draining tray and wood handles, so once your dishes are dry, you can easily pick up the tray and pour any water collected on the bottom into the sink. It has a convenient cutlery holder and can hold cups, bowls, plates, knives, cutting boards, and more.

Composting is becoming more and more popular for home cooks and gardeners. If the environmentally-friendly practice seems intimidating, we recommend starting with a small compost bin, like our top pick by Epica. Holding 1.3 gallons of kitchen waste, we like that it’s attractive enough for your countertop and has a charcoal filter to prevent odors from escaping. Plus, its stainless steel material is rust-free, leakproof, and quick to wipe clean. With such a moderate price point, anyone who has wanted to try composting will be motivated to give it a go — and thanks to this little can, you can do that without sacrificing style.

Cleaning a long knife blade can be daunting. Reduce your risk of injury by using this knife cleaner, which enables you to get into every groove, nook, and cranny without putting your hands too close to sharp edges. It has two sets of bristles and can also be used to clean cutlery. That’s particularly useful if you have forks or spoons with stuck-on food. It sits easily in your hand, protecting you from a blade while simultaneously washing both sides, and then can be hung over the sink or in a sponge holder to dry before its next use.

Our best overall choice for a kitchen trash can, the design of this Simplehuman receptacle, is why it’s such a standout. We appreciate that the lid is able to stay open for extended periods as needed and that it can be placed directly up against a wall with no space behind it, thanks to the lid’s internal hinge. If you’re concerned about keeping the stainless steel finish clean, rest assured — it’s smudge-free. It’s available in four sizes, ranging from 38 liters to 50, so whatever your ideal capacity is, you can have it with this trash can.

Prevent dirty floors by tackling them thoroughly with our favorite steam mop. It features three steam settings and a flip-down scrubber for extra-sticky spots. It’s ideal for any wet spills, and because it eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and germs, it’s a good tool to use even if you haven’t spilled recently. You can add a scented disc that will emanate as you use it, but this can be omitted for anyone sensitive to chemicals. It’s suitable for all hard floors, meaning you can use it in more rooms than the kitchen.

There’s nothing quite like cooking in cast iron, as the sear it can achieve is rivaled only by a grill. But caretaking is crucial to keep cast iron pans at their best. If you’ve been intimidated by the complex nature of cleaning a cast iron pan, this simple utensil will assuage your concerns. One of our editors was very impressed with it, from the fact that it doesn’t require any soap to its ability to clean other materials such as glass and carbon steel. Despite being metal, the stainless steel is rust-free, so you don’t have to worry about it lasting well. A piece of chainmail might not seem like an effective cleaning tool, but for your cast iron pans, it’s a must.

There’s no quicker way to clean your kitchen floors than with a broom, and our editors consider this one the best. You can use it on many different surfaces, and the dustpan is well-designed with a brush that prevents crumbs and other trash from migrating back onto the floor. The dustpan is also easier to store than most thanks to its swivel design, which enables it to be more compact when put away. The expandable handle means this broom will be comfortable for people of all heights.

A strong scouring pad is essential for removing stuck-on food on pots and pans. These “extreme scrub” scour pads work similarly to steel wool, but they have numerous benefits steel wool can’t offer. First, they have an antimicrobial surface that resists odor and prevents bacteria from growing. Additionally, they won’t rust and are twice as strong, making them even more powerful. You can use these pads on dirty pots without any presoaking if you’re lacking on time. As with any strong scouring pads, these aren’t safe for nonstick cookware or China dishes, so be sure to use them on suitable surfaces.

Clearing messy breadcrumbs from your dining table shouldn’t be limited to a fine dining experience: You can perform this restaurant-inspired step at home with this stainless steel crumb scraper. It’s the ideal shape for gathering crumbs into a pile and then scooping them up from the table, unlike some scrapers that require your hand to catch and toss the scraps. The blade is lightweight and easy to clean but not so sharp that you’re likely to hurt yourself. It’s portable enough to fit in a pocket, or you can use the clip to stick it to your clothing or tablecloth.

Mr. Clean has been a household name for ages, and these nonslip, heat-resistant kitchen gloves remind us there's a good reason for that. They’re highly resistant to slipping with texturing inside the rubber, meaning that even the soapiest dishes are safe in your hands. The lining is soft cotton, so you’ll avoid that odd, sticky feel of some kitchen gloves, and they’re more than long enough to prevent any water drips from seeping inside. Because they are made of latex, anyone with a latex allergy should avoid them.

Whether you use an old-fashioned mop or lug a large amount of water to and from your kitchen sink to scrub down windows, a quality bucket is a must-have in every household. This Rubbermaid bucket resists corrosion and has a wide pour spout to make removing the contents much easier than you likely remember. It holds more than two gallons of water, which should be sufficient for most cleaning work. Heavy duty and long-lasting, this is the type of purchase that only needs to be made on rare occasions, as it should last for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the most basic cleaning tool you should have in your kitchen?

  The most basic cleaning tool you should keep on hand is either a sponge or a dish brush. Cleaning your dishes is a simple culinary task, but it can’t be done well without something to help remove food particles. A sponge is less expensive but may grow bacteria, while a dish brush is slightly more expensive but will last longer.

• What type of cleaning tool is best for cleaning counters and tables?

  A Swedish dishcloth is an ideal choice for cleaning counters and tables. You can also use a regular dishcloth, and wash it once it’s grown dirty. With either tool, you’ll want to use a cleaning spray to disinfect your surfaces, as water alone will give the appearance of cleanliness but won’t actually remove germs and bacteria.