7 Appliances and Gadgets to Reimagine Spring Cleaning
Curated by Andrew Villagomez. Written by Matthew Wexler.
It's been a year of sanitizing, and while our hands may be raw from so much washing, there's a new crop of products for tech-savvy consumers who would appreciate a nudge from modern technology to keep their houses in order. Here's a look at some of our favorite recent finds.
Perhaps our favorite obsession of them all, KeySmart's UV sterilization case claims to kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria within five minutes. We've packed it with a smartphone, mask and keys, and stood back to watch that magic blue light do its work. With a projected 10,000-hour lifespan (twice as long as other UV cases), you'll hopefully be able to weather the pandemic without replacing it, and it's light enough to toss in your weekender bag when you're ready to travel. Bonus: a small absorbent pad is ideal for aromatherapy; just a tiny drop of peppermint, lavender or eucalyptus essential oil will add a soothing sense to your mask wardrobe. $99
No amount of energy shots can rev you up fast enough to scrub your floor 3,000 times per minute. Fortunately, Roborock's newest model, the S7, comes to the rescue. The 300ml electric water tank, combined with sonic mapping technology, intelligent mop-lifting, ultrasonic carpet recognition and a new rubber brush, comes with a hefty price tag. Still, if you're ready to sit back and let a robot do the work, it's well worth it. $649
Clean air is just a click away with this portable device, perfect for the car or cubicle when you head back to the office. Features include a four-color smart display that identifies air quality, dual inverter motor and Bluetooth app smart control that monitors everything from filter information to real-time ambient air condition and pollution history. $176
For home air purification, you might want to rethink that clunky model from the big box store. The soon-to-launch, German-designed air purifier is also eco-friendly, eliminating the traditional replaceable filter with a permanent plasma design and constructing the product from bamboo and recycled plastic. $500-$700, available for pre-order April 1
Depending on where you live (Miami, New Orleans, we're thinking of you!), it may be time to pull some of that moisture out of the air as temperatures get hot and heavy. The high-efficiency products can extract up to 30 oz. of water per day in a humid environment of 86 degrees. The thermoelectric cooling technology operates without a compressor for quiet functionality, and the intelligent shut-off automatically turns off when the tank reaches maximum capacity. $29.99-$67.99
Crowdfunded innovations continue to intrigue buyers who want the latest and greatest. Dokiy is no exception, already raising $93,000 to bring their cordless car vacuum to market. Featuring 16,000PA suction, stainless steel and HEPA dual filters and three nozzle options, the Hong Kong-designed product hopes to suck out the competition.
ChillX AutoEgg Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Numerous reports have indicated a peak in pet adoptions, but for those who aren't used to have a four-legged feline around, the litter box may prove to be a nuisance. Enter the Chillx AutoEgg, which efficiently sweeps away your kitty's dirty business within five minutes of every bathroom trip. The litter box also self-cleans twice per day, using a 70-degree cleaning rake and zig-zag motion to ensure every clump is captured. $399.99