Which cleaning caddy is best?

Whether you’re looking for a way to make cleaning your home easier or you’re starting a residential or commercial cleaning business, a caddy is essential. It lets you organize and carry all of your basic supplies, including rags, cleaning solutions and gloves. The best cleaning caddy is the FifthStart Large Wearable Cleaning Caddy With Handle and Shoulder and Waist Straps.

This article was reviewed and approved by Ketia Daniel, the BestReviews Cleaning Expert.

What to know before you buy a cleaning caddy

Uses

The main purpose of a cleaning caddy is to organize cleaning supplies in an easily accessible container. With everything in one place, there’s a decreased chance that you’ll have to search the cupboards for specific cleaning solutions or tools. This makes common household tasks such as dusting, cleaning the sink or washing windows more convenient and cuts back on time.

A caddy is also designed to transport items. If, for example, you need to store supplies in a car’s trunk, the container can prevent them from moving around or spilling.

People often use their caddy to hold:

Cleaning sprays and solutions
Cloths or rags
Wet or dry wipes
Disposable or reusable gloves
Brushes, steel sponges and other cleaning equipment

You can also use them to carry other things, such as art supplies, toys, tools or small containers.

Storage and sections

Cleaning caddies come in a few designs.

Open caddies: These don’t have defined compartments. The benefit is that they can usually hold more cleaning supplies and fit oddly shaped tools or bottles. The downside is that the caddy may be disorganized. If you don’t fill it, the items inside can fall over easily.
Multi-sectioned: Many caddies have at least two predefined sections, usually circular, square or rectangular. When you get one of these, you can store a different kind of item, such as cleaning products or rags, in each section. The compartments also help keep things from falling or spilling.
Sections plus pockets: Some caddies have one or two main sections and smaller pockets on the outside. The main parts can hold larger items, such as dusters or cleaning solutions, while the pockets can hold smaller items, such as cleaning brushes or sponges.

Portability

Nearly every cleaning caddy comes with a handle in the center. If you distribute the weight evenly on either side of the container, this handle makes carrying it around hassle-free. But if you need something bigger or more portable, there are also ones with wheels.

Some caddies have shoulder straps so you can carry them over your shoulder. This can make basic cleaning or touch-ups easy, but it can be uncomfortable when used for regular or heavy cleaning tasks.

What to look for in a quality cleaning caddy

Material

Many basic cleaning caddies are made of hard plastic, which is durable and can last for months or years when used correctly. These containers often have a rubber base that helps grip items to keep them from sliding around.

Another common option is canvas, which is thick, water-resistant and capable of holding its shape for a long time. These are more likely to come with straps than other kinds of caddies.

Size and weight

There is no one-size-fits-all for cleaning caddies. Some are made from heavier materials, while others can become burdensome when filled. Those with high edges or multiple compartments typically weigh more than those with one or two sections.

Before choosing a caddy, consider what you want to put in it. Ask yourself how much space you need and try to find a container that can hold all of your supplies. If you’re unsure, opt for a slightly larger one with wheels for easy portability.

You can also check the caddy’s description for its dimension and capacity to better understand what it can hold. These measurements are usually given in liters or gallons.

Design

Most basic caddies come in solid colors, such as white, opaque or gray, though some have multiple colors.

Caddies are generally rectangular, with deep tray-like compartments. However, some look like carrying bags. Larger caddies often have more complex features, like mesh pockets or clips.

How much you can expect to spend on a cleaning caddy

A simple plastic one costs $10-$30. Larger or more complex ones with additional compartments or wheels cost $30-$50.

Cleaning caddy FAQ

How should I maintain my cleaning caddy?

A. Empty the container once a month or so and wipe it down with a cleaning solution and a rag or wipe. By performing routine maintenance, you can ensure no mold builds up along the bottom or inner sides from spills. Also, check for possible cracks or areas that could leak if a container spills. While you’re at it, wipe down any items inside the caddy, too.

Where’s the best place to store a cleaning caddy?

A. Since they aren’t usually that big, most can fit under the kitchen or bathroom sink or in a utility closet or pantry. If you have a large home and multiple caddies, consider storing them in different areas for easy access. Make sure the space is dry.

What’s the best cleaning caddy to buy?

Top cleaning caddy

FifthStart Large Wearable Cleaning Caddy With Handle and Shoulder and Waist Straps

What you need to know: This wearable caddy lets you neatly organize all the essential cleaning supplies, making it ideal for mobile cleaners.

What you’ll love: It has an adjustable shoulder strap and a waist strap that distributes the weight while carrying it around, making cleaning more hands-free. The main pockets are deep enough to keep bottles upright, while the outer pockets can store smaller supplies. It’s available in two sizes and seven colors and prints, including green, beige and blue floral.

What you should consider: When filled to capacity, it can become heavy even with the straps.

Top cleaning caddy for the money

Libman Maid Caddy

What you need to know: This compact caddy is perfect for anyone who wants something simple and lightweight for household cleaning.

What you’ll love: It’s made from durable plastic and has two large chambers that can hold an assortment of cleaning supplies, as well as three smaller compartments for rags and spray bottles.

What you should consider: It’s on the smaller side.

Worth checking out

Casabella Cleaning Handle Bucket Storage Caddy

What you need to know: This caddy has a single compartment and is great for anyone who prefers to keep all their cleaning supplies in one convenient location.

What you’ll love: It comes in three solid colors, is made of hard plastic with a durable central handle and can hold up to 4 gallons. It is lightweight and portable.

What you should consider: It’s not tall, so taller bottles might fall out when carried.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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WHAT IS THE BEST ONION CHOPPER?

Onions are a popular vegetable for spicing up meals and garnishing entrees — the average American eats 20 pounds of onions each year. But preparing onions can be messy, and as many people know, cutting them releases sulfuric compounds that cause our eyes to water. So slicing onions can be a tearful kitchen adventure. Onion choppers save the day by not only easily dicing onions but also trapping the eye-irritating odor in the machine.

What to know before you buy an onion chopper

Manual vs. electric onion choppers

Choppers are either manual or electric.

Manual choppers work by pushing the onion through the blade grid or pulling a string that rotates blades around the onion or other vegetables. They are usually less expensive, but the cutting can be inconsistent, which is a problem if the presentation is important.
Electric choppers have powerful motors that are more reliable and simply require pushing a button. They are more expensive but can handle larger quantities and offer different cutting styles.

Sizes

Many choppers are designed for slicing one onion, which typically meets the need of a single meal at home. If you need to chop a lot of onions at once for a party or larger meal, look at choppers that can cut multiple vegetables simultaneously.

Chopping options

The most basic choppers dice onions as they pass through the blade grid. If you need a thinner cut, you may need to manually cut the onion before putting it in the chopper, or put the first cut of onion through the chopper again.

Many choppers come with multiple blades that can be interchanged for different styles of cuts. These choppers cost a little more than basic ones that only dice.

What to look for in a quality onion chopper

Blades

All choppers have stainless steel blades for easy slicing. The blades in manual box choppers are not removable, so they dull over time. When that happens, it is usually time to purchase a new chopper. Other choppers feature blades that can be removed and sharpened, extending the chopper’s life. Consult a professional knife or blade sharpener to maintain your safety and ensure the blades are properly sharpened.

Base

Chopper bases are either plastic or stainless steel. The steel bases are naturally heavier and help hold the machine in place. Regardless of base material, look for choppers with rubberized bottoms that add an extra layer of grip when the chopper is in use.

Container

The container that comes with a chopper is usually plastic, although high-end units have glass bowls. The container size varies, so look for the size that fits your cooking needs. Some hold a small quantity of around 1 cup, while others are designed for larger meal preparations and hold over a quart of onions and vegetables.

Dishwasher-safe

Nearly all chopper components, including the blades, are dishwasher-safe, which makes for quick and easy tear-down and cleanup. Use caution when removing the blades, and always unplug the chopper beforehand. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for additional suggestions about proper cleaning techniques.

How much you can expect to spend on an onion chopper

For $15-$30, you will find basic manual choppers made of plastic with stainless steel blade grids. More powerful choppers with multiple cutting styles cost $30-$60, and for the serious chef who often chops large quantities of onions, commercial-grade choppers are $60-$120.

Onion chopper FAQ

Can the onion chopper be used with other vegetables?

A. Most onion choppers are advertised as vegetable choppers. Most vegetables will work with them, but check the manufacturer’s list of recommended vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, radishes and carrots. Also, consider whether you want to cut vegetables together or separate each kind of vegetable.

What is the best way to remove the onion smell from the container?

A. Even with regular cleaning, the container can take on a slight onion smell over time. Try soaking the bowl in vinegar and then rewashing it. This should help remove the onion odor.

Do all onions taste the same?

A. There are many varieties of onions. Popular Valencia, Spanish and yellow onions, for instance, each have a distinct flavor. Use your chopper to taste-test them and pick your favorite.

What’s the best onion chopper to buy?

Top onion chopper

Alligator Stainless Steel Chopper

What you need to know: This premium chopper is made from stylish, strong stainless steel and has a stellar reputation.

What you’ll love: The chopper has three interchangeable blades for different types of cutting, including a mincer. The blades are beveled for easy cutting, and the cleanup is easy with dishwasher-safe pieces.

What you should consider: You must turn the cup upside-down to get the onions out.

Top onion chopper for the money

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper

What you need to know: This affordable chopper has seven interchangeable blades for easily cutting onions and other vegetables.

What you’ll love: The 1.2-quart tray holds a lot of chopped onions. The chopper has a molded finger guard and a rubber base to prevent slipping. It is dishwasher-safe and can be completely taken apart.

What you should consider: The blades are extremely sharp, so you should be extra careful when using or cleaning it.

Worth checking out

Oxo Good Grips Vegetable and Onion Chopper

What you need to know: This chopper’s simple push-down design makes it easy to cut onions and pour them out without disassembling.

What you’ll love: The stainless steel blade pattern quickly cuts vegetables with one push. The 2.5-cup container pours easily without having to lift the lid. The bottom is rubberized to prevent slips, and the components are dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: Some consumers found it challenging to remove the blades for cleaning.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

East Davis Street in Luling is lined with low-slung brick mom-and-pop shops. One, a cafe, is actually called “Mom’s Front Porch”. But the road deviates from a classic Main Street feel with its centerpiece: a massive tin-roofed pavilion topped with an ornate green sculpture, marking it as the home of the Central Texas town’s longrunning “Watermelon Thump” festival. 

The pavilion is a permanent fixture; in fact, the nonprofit that runs the Thump owns a good portion of the street. The festival takes place the last full weekend of June, and the street becomes a beacon for watermelon lovers. Light poles, trash cans, storefront windows— anything that can be adorned with watermelons surely will be. Luling’s population is under 6,000, but the annual event—with carnival rides, contests, and live music—draws about 30,000 visitors.

It’s a lot for first-time attendees, or even casual melon enthusiasts, to take in. Nicole Smith, photographer and writer for thelocal weekly Luling Newsboy & Signal, offers to guide me through the weekend. “I will be here, needless to say, because this is the thing in town,” she tells me. “No other news can happen.”

Growers can rake in thousands of dollars for a single fruit during the high-energy melon auction. (Michelle Pitcher)

Industrial fans line the pavilion to beat back the 5-o’clock heat ahead of the opening ceremonies: the watermelon weigh-in and, of course, the Watermelon Thump Queen’s coronation. In front, this year’s entries in the growing competition line the stage. The imposing melons will be auctioned off the next day, proceeds going to the growers and scholarships for local high schoolers. I’m told the all-time auction record was around $35,000 for a single fruit. 

The official weight announcer—who’s been doing the job for 44 years—stands onstage behind a folding table, as growers hoist melons onto the scale. Pregnant seconds pass as the scale calibrates, then the official weight is announced. 

The second melon in line is a commanding fruit I feel compelled to call The Big One. It hasn’t hit the scale yet, but it’s clearly the largest of the bunch. As its grower lifts it to the scale, someone in the crowd shouts, “Don’t drop it!” The Thump has an established policy for dropped melons: If it makes it through the door, it’s entered into the contest; with witnesses, festival staff weigh the dropped melon’s remains, and the result goes into the record books. One grower suffered that fate this year: His knee gave out earlier that day, and he and his 105-pound watermelon hit the ground. 

The Big One, unscathed, weighs in at 125.1 pounds. It was grown by Paul Mikesh, co-owner of an eponymous fruit and vegetable company, over the course of 130 days. 

Sporting a well-worn Mikesh Produce hat, he says he learned the secret to growing super-sized watermelons from his late friend, who was tight-lipped about the technique with everyone but him. In the glow of his second Grand Championship win, Mikesh shares the secret: Prune all but one fruit off of each vine. This way, each vine can focus its resources on one melon. Even then, a lot can go wrong.

This year, only seven growers entered the contest. In years past, the Thump had so many growers they had to limit the auction to the top 15. You have a lot of enemies as a melon grower: wild hogs, deer, too much rain, too little rain. “Everything’s against you,” says Bubba Damon, a Watermelon Thump board member. Many local growers have turned to less-fickle crops or livestock. 

Bubba is a realist, but he’s also a devotee. He grew up working in watermelon patches. His wife and daughter, both former Watermelon Thump Queens, are bustling around the adjacent pavilion preparing for this year’s coronation as we talk. 

Part of the previous queen’s court carries this year’s queen’s crown before the results ceremony. (Michelle Pitcher)

Next door, more than 100 seats face a stage and flank an elevated runway. Bleachers line the perimeter, but even those overflow seats aren’t enough, and spectators spill into the adjacent pavilion, eager to see which Luling high schooler will be Queen. The title comes with a crown, a sash, and a time commitment: The winner will spend the next year traveling to various festivals around Texas. The 2023 queen reportedly traveled over 4,000 miles during her reign. 

Before this year’s winner—voted in by the 2,546 Luling residents who cast ballots—is announced, the outgoing queen speaks. She recalls talking with her grandfather after winning in 2023. He was brought to tears, she says, because when he immigrated to the United States, “He never would have imagined his granddaughter becoming queen to represent a whole town.”