If there’s one thing that COVID-19 has taught us (though there are plenty), it’s that maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and sanitizing everything and anything in sight is a must. It’s also turned most of us into homebodies -irrespective of whether we were originally one or not. Since we spend most of our time at home, our mind automatically hones in on maintaining and taking the best care of our home. At least it does for me, once I wrap up my work! And a couple of innovative and unique home appliances can really help us with this. If you’re in a mood to Marie Kondo your home, or simply want to complete your chores easily and efficiently, these handy appliances will perfectly assist you in doing so. From a space-saving vacuum cleaner that breaks down into 4 parts to a futuristic toilet cleaning robot – we have curated a whole range of nifty gadgets that promise to be the ultimate sidekick during your cleaning expeditions at home. Happy cleaning!

1. The Dayoo Kitchen Steam Cleaner & Dishwasher

With a nozzle inspired by a water-saving showerhead, the Dayoo Kitchen Steam Cleaner & Dishwasher permits you to use less water to clean more dishes in mere minutes.

Why is it noteworthy?

The contemporary dishwasher is a marvel of design and engineering… but it does have a few distinct flaws. For starters, it’s like a carwash for utensils. The nozzle within the dishwasher just senselessly sprays hot water in every possible direction, hoping to get food and grime off your utensils. It doesn’t necessarily target stains because it doesn’t ‘see’ them, and it wastes a massive amount of water trying to clean all your utensils regardless of their quantity and how they’ve been arranged on the trays. Washing utensils in your kitchen sink, however, is much more resource-efficient because you use an appropriate amount of water for a given set of utensils. The problem, though, is that it requires effort manually scrubbing grime off your utensils. Dayoo hybridizes both devices, combining them into one kitchen solution that relies on the best of both worlds.

What we like

• Make cleaning utensils faster, effective, and energy-efficient
• The heated steam does a more efficient job of getting grease and food off your plates and spoons

What we dislike

• Dayoo can heat water up to temperatures of 221°F, which obviously raises safety concerns, but the company behind the appliance says that as long as your hand is 4 inches away from the nozzle, you’re fine

2. The Sebastiano

A new concept design for what they say is the “only designer robot in the world” has caught my attention as it says it will be my “home pal” and it was designed to be by my side. The Sebastiano | cleaning robot actually looks like a weighing scale without the actual scale and is covered by a cute rug. But it’s actually a cleaning device that can vacuum, sweep, and brush any surface whether it’s wood floorings or marbled floors.

Why is it noteworthy?

Another thing that may appeal to those who dislike those noisy old-school vacuum cleaners is that it is designed to be basically noiseless. So even if you’re watching a show or listening to your podcast, the cleaning motion of the robot should not disturb you, at least sound-wise. But it will apparently suddenly speak when the dust bin is already full and inform you that you need to empty it. The bin itself is triangular shaped and detachable so you won’t have any trouble getting rid of all that collected dust.

What we like

• When it’s not in use, it is programmed to go back to its charging port so you won’t trip on it

What we dislike

• There’s no app to help control it when it’s moving around
• It’s still a concept

3. H5

H5 is a multifunctional vacuum cleaner designed for small spaces that can break down into four parts that fit into a compact charging bin for easy storage.

Why is it noteworthy?

While living tiny is all the rage nowadays, it takes some skill to keep small city spaces clean. Especially when you live in an old apartment building or with pets, vacuuming becomes a daily chore. While vacuuming small spaces goes by quickly, storing a bulky vacuum cleaner becomes a nuisance just as quickly. To keep small spaces clean without the pain of storing big cleaning appliances, industrial designer Yipeng Zhu ideated a space-saving multifunctional vacuum cleaner called H5 that shrinks down to almost a ⅓ of its height.

What we like

• H5 keeps an overall slim build when assembled and when disassembled so it doesn’t take up too much space in storage
• H5 comes with three different vacuum heads that can be switched out for various cleaning needs

What we dislike

• It’s still a concept

4. Giddel Toilet Cleaning Robot

There almost comes a time when family members or housemates fight over the Porcelain Throne, but none actually like to stick around to clean it. Considering everything that goes inside, it’s really no surprise that cleaning the toilet ranks the highest in chores that even grownups don’t like to do. Some even hire other people to do that, but why settle for a regular expense when you can just buy a robot that is only too happy to clean the toilet for you. And that’s exactly what this rather cute-looking little guy is made for, to make your life a little bit less stressful, at least once in a while.

Why is it noteworthy?

Considering what it’s designed to do, it’s almost a bit ironic that Giddel looks almost too cute to get dirty. Big blue eyes set on a black face almost look at you innocently while hovering in the middle of the toilet bowl. A push on one of those eyes, which are actually control buttons, sends Giddel methodically spinning and scrubbing that toilet clean, including the hard-to-reach places that you probably wouldn’t even dare touch.

What we like

• You can also use your choice of liquid cleaning solutions, so you won’t be locked into whatever the company sells, which is good because it doesn’t actually sell any
• Is critical for people with disabilities

What we dislike

• Giddel can itself get quite dirty and will require cleaning

5. The Leo’s Loo Too

Looking almost like a slick front-loaded washing machine, the Leo’s Loo Too by Smarty Pear uses a similar rotating chamber to automatically ‘flush’ out your cat’s poo, saving you the trouble of digging away at kitty excrement with a scoop.

Why is it noteworthy?

After your cat’s gone about its business, the Leo’s Loo Too waits for the waste to clump together before beginning its cleaning cycle. To clean out the cat’s waste, the entire inner chamber rotates a full 360, using gravity and a clever mesh design to sift out and separate the waste from the litter. At the end of one 360° spin, the waste gets sent into the Loo’s waste drawer where it’s collected in a plastic waste bag, while the upper chamber is cleaned and laid down with the litter once again. The entire process happens automatically and can be controlled/calibrated via a companion smartphone app

What we like

• Sports a modern enclosed design
• The enclosed space means your cat can go about its business with utmost privacy

What we dislike

• Occupies a substantial amount of space

6. The AIPER Seagull 3000

Like a Roomba for your pool, the AIPER Seagull 3000 submerges itself in water to clean dirt in a way that your regular vacuum cleaner never could. Uniquely designed to work underwater (thanks to its rather clever floating battery unit), the AIPER Seagull 3000 filters water through its system, catching dirt, leaves, twigs, algae, and even that difficult-to-catch scum that your average cordless cleaner can’t grab.

Why is it noteworthy?

In turn, the AIPER Seagull 3000’s fine filtration system captures debris as small as 180 µm preventing it from re-entering the water. You can operate it manually via a smartphone app or have it autonomously clean your pool’s floor, walls, and edges/corners efficiently with its 120W suction capability.

What we like

• The Seagull 3000 has an independent battery which just makes it a much stronger and more capable machine
• The floating battery makes the Seagull 3000 cordless, safe, and just as effective

What we dislike

• The wall-climbing feature doesn’t activate on critical battery levels, so you may need to gently pull the Seagull 3000 up using the battery line

7. BrushPro

BrushPro is extremely convenient to use compared to its forerunners. The extendable handle allows you to reach narrow spaces without having to perform advanced yoga poses on the floor and minimizes your direct contact with the dirty brush. The handle also has slits that give the brush head some flexibility while cleaning – a great universal design that takes into account the experience of the differently-abled demographic as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

The brush head includes rubber as well as fiber for more efficient cleaning. Another brilliant detail is the slot for the detergent bottle, so you can simply refill and reuse the detergent bottle instead of buying more plastic spray bottles – it also frees up your hand as it combines both cleaning products in one!

What we like

• A slot for the detergent bottle
• Combines two cleaning products in one

What we dislike

No complaints

8. AETHER

Imagine, after a long day, you walk into your home and pleasing music (you had preset) begins to play. The air purifier kicks in simultaneously to ensure, no matter how much pollution you have inhaled outside, the air at home is clean, fresh, and welcoming. Designed in form of a turntable, AETHER is a concept that makes this possible.

Why is it noteworthy?

Clean air is important for lungs and blood circulation. In fact, it is important for our well-being. And since the pandemic has pushed us all into the confines of our homes, we are spending approximately 90 percent of our time indoors. Researches prove that the concentration of certain pollutants is often up to five times more than the typical outdoor air. This means the air we breathe at home, in spite of believing it is the freshest, is not clean. This is where AETHER comes in!

What we like

• The speaker is controlled remotely by a smartphone or smart device to play any music you like, well before you set foot into the house

What we dislike

• There is a lot of work that needs to be done to make it a valuable air purification device we’d want to vouch for

9. The Narwal T10

There is a growing number of robots invading our homes, but not in the nefarious way that many sci-fi flicks would have us believe. These robots roam around our rooms, picking up dirt, dust, and hair and sometimes even wiping off stains. Robot vacuum cleaners now come in all shapes and sizes, and it has become a bit more difficult to pick one unless they have some special feature or gimmick. The Narwal T10, the company’s first stab at a robot cleaner, advertises one such special skill, and we set it loose on the floor to check if it makes the cut.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Narwal T10 will immediately strike one as something so different from your usual robot vac, even the ones with 2-in-1 mopping and vacuuming functions. For one, both its base and the robot itself are coated in white, a color that’s most often associated with cleanliness and sanitation. It also gives off a better minimalist vibe, though that may come at the expense of dirt and stains being more visible on the product’s surface.

What we like

• 2-in-1 mopping and vacuuming functions

What we dislike

• You will need to empty the dust bin more often than not because of its small capacity

10. Air Spa

You know that age-old trend of drying yourself with a towel after a shower? Boring, no? And pretty time-consuming too, if you ask me. I mean it’s 2021, we definitely need a cooler way of drying ourselves. I guess BDCI Design thought the same because they designed ‘Air Spa’…a body dryer! Yes, you read that right. The South Korean design consultancy created a dryer for your body, and defines it as a “refreshing bathroom experience”. The tall vertical appliance blows out air to dry your body after you take a shower.

Why is it noteworthy?

So, where does the spa bit of ‘Air Spa’ come into play? The appliance’s unique form and height support various little holes that blow out air. These ‘air holes’ feature multiple layers, and can be positioned vertically or horizontally, however you prefer. So, you have air blowing at you from different angles and positions, mimicking the experience of a massage or spa. It’s almost like a wind bath if you ask me. And, it could be the ultimate last step in unwinding after a long day at work.

What we like

• Air Spa’s interesting height makes it perfect for users of all ages. The vertical appliance can be used for children and adults alike
• Reduces our laundry load!

What we dislike

• Unsuitable for tiny bathrooms with space constraints