Ten Taobao Buys To Help You Declutter and Clean This Spring

With the weather finally warming up, it's officially spring-cleaning season in Beijing. Whether you're doing a deep clean of your apartment's nooks and crannies or decluttering to reclaim precious space in your apartment, Taobao has no shortage of clever tools to make the process easier. 

Cleaning Products

Air Conditioner Cleaning Spray 

When was the last time you cleaned your Air Conditioner? If the answer is never, then this one is for you! An AC cleaning spray is an easy DIY solution. You can either opt for a heavy-duty foam spray, which reaches deep into the AC and then gets washed out, or simply get a disinfectant spray, which doesn't require as much cleanup. When purchasing one of the sprays on Taobao, most also have a video on the product page with instructions explaining how to use it, which are easy to follow even if you don't speak Chinese.

Search for: 空调清洁剂 (kōngtiáo qīngjié jì) 

Washing Machine Drum Cleaner 

Another appliance that you might have been neglecting is your washing machine. It's easy to forget that sometimes the thing doing the cleaning needs cleaning itself. 

Over time, washing machines can build up grime like mold and bacteria inside the drum and internal pipes, which you might never realise is there. Washing machine drum cleaner tablets or powder are designed to tackle this problem. Simply run an empty cycle with the cleaner inside and your washing machine and voila, you're done! 

Search for: 洗衣机槽清洁剂 (xǐyījī cáo qīngjié jì)

Foldable Mop 

A traditional bucket and mop can take up quite a lot of storage space and they're also not the most efficient for cleaning in corners or under furniture. A great alternative is a foldable mop; they collapse down so they can fit into small gaps or be hung on a wall hook. Most also have adjustable flat heads, which are perfect for getting into corners and under sofas and beds.

Search for: 折叠拖把 (zhédié tuōbǎ)

Extendable Dusters 

Spring cleaning is all about tackling those places you usually ignore, like the tops of cabinets, lampshades and high-up shelves. An extendable duster lets you reach high places without climbing onto precarious chairs or ladders and is great for getting rid of any winter dust that might have accumulated over the season.

Search for: 伸缩掸子 (shēnsuō dǎnzi)

Pet Hair Remover 

Anyone who has a pet can relate to this one. I looked after a friend's dog over a month ago and am still finding hair everywhere! If you find a normal paper lint roller to be wasteful or inefficient, then a reusable pet hair remover might just be the solution you're looking for. They are surprisingly effective, with furniture or clothes just needing a quick swipe. Many also come with a case that also removes the hair and stores it in a built-in compartment you can empty later. 

Search for: 除毛刷 (chú máo shuā)

Products for De-Cluttering

Vacuum Storage Bags 

With warmer weather finally arriving in Beijing, soon it'll be time to put your bulky winter coat and thick duvet into storage. Vacuum storage bags are perfect for shrinking them down to a fraction of their size, so they take up way less space. There are tons of cheap options on Taobao, and if you don't own a vacuum cleaner, many of them come with a free mini hand pump or electric pump to suck the air out.  

Search for: 真空压缩袋 (zhēnkōng yāsuō dài)

Under-Bed Storage Bags 

After vacuum-packing your winter clothes and bedding, you'll need somewhere to store them, and under the bed is ideal in a small apartment. Zippered under-bed storage bags are designed to slide into that space and keep items neatly tucked away. Many even come with handles so you can easily pull them out when needed.

Search for: 床底收纳袋 (chuáng dǐ shōunà dài)

Cable Organizers 

We live in a digital world nowadays with a whole slew of essential digital gadgets, inevitably meaning tons of cables. Why is it that they always seem to end up in a tangled mess? To help solve this problem we've got two solutions. For cables you use frequently, you can get cable separators or clip systems to keep them neatly organized. Then, if you've got any spare, rarely used, or old cables, you can get a cable organizer box to store them in. 

Search for: cable separators/clips数据线收纳 (shùjùxiàn shōunà); cable organizer box 数据线收纳盒 (shùjùxiàn shōunà hé) 

Wardrobe Divider Shelves 

Wardrobes in Beijing apartments are rarely generous, so maximizing vertical space is key. Shelf dividers or stackable wardrobe racks instantly create extra layers inside your closet. This makes it easier to organize your clothes and also provides space for smaller clothing that can be hung-up like underwear, or for clothing that needs to be folded. 

Search for: 衣柜分层架 (yīguì fēncéng jià)

Desk or Dressing Table Organizers 

If your desk or dressing table has slowly turned into a chaotic mess, a desktop organizer can help restore order. Taobao has everything from minimalist trays to multi-tier shelving units designed specifically for small spaces. It's an easy way to make your workspace or dressing table feel instantly tidier and also gives you the chance to throw away any old items you don't need anymore.  

Search for: 桌面收纳 (zhuōmiàn shōunà)

Ten Taobao Travel Essentials to Up Your Travel Game

Images: FreePik, Taobao