We tried four top-rated kitchen cleaning tools. Here’s our verdict

For those without the means to outsource the household clean, finding the right tools is a must. Just ask any pet owner with a Dyson or a robovac. It’s a non-negotiable that turns a menial, physically taxing task into one that brings a sense of achievement. A cleaning kit that gets the job done without blowing the budget (and lifting as few fingers as possible) is the goal here.

Ahead, we road-test four tools of varying price points.

Mr Siga soap dispensing dish brush storage set, Amazon, $19.99

After moving to a unit without a dishwasher I needed something to make washing up on the go quick and easy. Too many disappointing palm dish brushes that leaked detergent when not in use led me to a brush with a hefty price point at $19.99.

The Mr Siga soap dispensing brush has a long handle and comes with a stand that collects water dripping from the brush after use, so your bench won’t get wet. The stand also allows the brush to sit vertically with the brush section open to airflow like the palm brushes so it can dry quickly, making it more hygienic than sponges.

Washing up is easy, but beware the amount of detergent that comes out is more than necessary (enough to fill a sink). As a result, it’s slightly annoying that you have to angle the brush just right to avoid squirting the detergent anywhere but the dish you’re washing.

You will need to replace the brush heads every few months which is an additional cost, and means more plastic waste, but it’s a lot less than replacing sponge heads, which need changing much more often because they deteriorate so quickly.
Rachael Gavin

Tineco Floor One S9 Artist Steam, $1499

As a first-time user of a wet-dry vacuum, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated by this high-end household investment. But with a triple-coated four-legged family member and an almost-toddler exploring the art of throwing food, I was desperate for a solution that not only saved me time but left the floors looking and feeling clean without using harsh chemicals.

The S9 Artist Steam is the latest from the Tineco range and essentially serves as vacuum, mop and steam cleaner delivering steam to the floor at 99C. The result? Sanitised, grease-free floors in record time.

It’s an easy set-up and once assembled and charged, simply fill the water tank with cold tap water, and you’re ready to go. I’m taken aback by the power of the machine as a sensor detects dirt levels in real time and automatically adjusts suction as you move through the room. This feature really does make it feel like a “smart” device. The lay-flat design is handy for getting underneath furniture and my favourite part – the self-clean function – means the device is maintained with little effort. All you’re required to do is empty and clean the dirty water tank after the self-cleaning cycle is complete. A gratifying experience, indeed.

My only gripe? On one occasion, I forget to return the dirty water tank to the device after letting it air dry. I am not alerted to this misstep and proceed to do a quick vacuum of the kitchen floor. I notice little spots of dirty water on the floor, something that has never happened before, and quickly realise the dirty water tank hadn’t been replaced. A smart device, sure. But there’s always room for improvement.
Julia Naughton

Mini scrubber, Kmart, $15

The mini scrubber makes scrubbing and polishing my kitchen sink so much easier than doing it with an old toothbrush.

What I love about tools like this is that they remove the need for elbow grease, so you don’t have to use as much energy to clean. It comes with four different scrubbing heads, which means you can tackle both intricate and bigger surfaces. I like the tapered brush heads with nice long bristles for scrubbing hard to reach spots and crevices. My right hand and arm are noticeably less tired after polishing the kitchen sink.

On the downside, I did find getting the batteries in a bit tricky, but there is a button that makes releasing the bottom cover easier. It needs four AA batteries that are not sold with the brush. The power isn’t as strong as expected, but it still managed to scrub well enough especially for the price point.
Rachael Gavin

Roborock QRevo C, $1699

Having a professional cleaner in my home has never worked for me. In the past, I have spent hours sweeping, mopping and dusting before they arrive so that they don’t think poorly of me. Strangely, I don’t feel the same way about our robot vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning floors is not one of my strengths so when my husband brought home a Roborock vacuum and mop unit I immediately felt relief. Nestled in a cupboard, the vacuum (we call him Benson after an eighties’ sitcom character who was a butler) is effectively activated through an app on my phone, with the apartment divided into spaces carefully mapped by the unit.

The vacuum is surprisingly efficient at cleaning up hardwood floors in the kitchen after meal prepping on a Sunday and tackling hidden chip crumbs on the rug in the lounge after a marathon TV binge-watch.

My husband oversees changing the mop pads and water, while my job is making sure that charger cables and stray items that might impede the vacuum’s journey are removed. I also tackle the places behind doors that the vacuum can’t reach, but it’s a lot less time than preparing for a human cleaner. Over time, it’s also a lot less expensive.
Damien Woolnough