10 Low-Cost Problem-Solving Products That Get *A Lot* of Use
Avoid clicking if you like having your countertops wet from washing the dishes or if you enjoy having to run the dryer five times because the sheets keep getting tangled up.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A flexible, silicone kitchen sink organizer that'll neatly hold your sponge, dish soap, hand soap, and more. (I can't be the only one who gets annoyed when my roommate leaves a wet sponge just sitting on the counter!) And it wipes clean since it's made of silicone so you don't have to worry about yucky mold and mildew.
Promising review: "My wife and I both like to keep the kitchen counter clean and clutter-free. Unfortunately, you need a convenient spot for those extra 'crucial' items that you frequently use like a scrubber, drain plug, hand soap, etc. One night she handed me her phone and told me she bought this item for our counter. I thought it would be a flimsy piece of crap. But it’s not flimsy. More like pliable and sturdy. It works great, blends in with the counter, and cleans up nice. My wife was right...again." —AbiNormal
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors)
2. An easily washable drip catcher because the counter space between the back of your faucet and the wall is a puddle of water after you wash the dishes. This absorbent mat sits snugly around your faucet so the back section of your sink area stays dry.
Two Lilacs Studio is a small shop based in Saint Helens, Oregon.
Promising review: "LOVE these splash catchers! They save me from having to chase the puddles that form around the base of our faucet before they start creeping over the counter. So reasonably priced, made well with neatly finished edges, and packaged with gift-ready care." —Alina
Get it from Two Lilacs Studio on Etsy for $12+ (available in four sizes and six colors).
3. A grooming rake so you can loosen fur and lighten your dog's undercoat and prevent future mats. This brush is specifically designed for pooches with thick, dense fur or double coats.
Promising review: "I have a German shepherd affectionately known as a German 'Shedder.' All I do is chase this dog around the house with my Dyson, especially the two times a year she blows her coat. I had no expectations when I ordered the undercoat rake as nothing else has worked besides a spring shave, which looks ridiculous. By reading the other reviews I utilized short strokes, one area at a time and literally the fur was flying. It's the first time I really felt like I could successfully get to and eliminate the undercoat shedding. So much was coming off of her a neighbor walking by expressed her displeasure with the flying fur! I've used it several days in a row now and despite the fact she's not a fan of standing still that long I think it is fantastic." —MollsMav
Get it from Amazon for $14.97.
4. An electrical outlet cover with a power strip if you're tired of cluttered cords being an eyesore. It's also pretty great if you want to push your furniture right up against the wall but can't because your phone charger adapter is in the way.
Promising review: "Very very nice. I am a renter so putting a huge hole in the wall to hide my wires was not going to happen. After searching for something that can help with the look of the wires in my living room, I am glad to have come across this socket! I love love it. I just installed it last night. I’m extremely happy with the look and the adhesive works really good. I highly recommend." —Nlizr
5. A Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaning stamp to polish your toilet with each flush, which means you don't have to spend 15 minutes this weekend scrubbing and scrubbing...and scrubbing. The stamp releases the cleaning gel, which foams and cleans your toilet.
Promising review: "It was easy to use and it has kept my toilet smelling fresh. And it keeps the bathroom smelling better as well (no stale/hard water smell). It’s also kept the bowl cleaner with no effort." —Shanna
6. A moisturizing hair treatment because in just eight seconds — eight! — it starts working to leave your mane feeling silkier, softer, and smoother after washing.
Promising review: "It really works! My hair is brittle and dry, breaking frequently. I also live in an extremely humid area (South Florida). I never could get that shiny healthy polished hair look in the summer. Until now. I didn’t even need conditioner and it’s so sleek and silky looking and feeling. No longer dry and easily tangled. So smooth, moisturized without being weighed down. It did feel a bit warm when applying. I took care to avoid getting it on my scalp and just on the hair about an inch away from the root to the bottom. I have a shoulder-length bob." —Bonnie
7. A dryer lint brush so you can clean out your lint trap — I mean really clean it — since your fingers won't do the trick. It's also great for dislodging lint that's in the dryer vent pipe, which is a fire hazard.
Promising review: "Works perfectly for scrubbing the stuck lint out of the insides of your dryer. Everyone who owns a dryer should have these, they're basic safety equipment. Clean that lint, and reduce fire hazard and make the machine more efficient. They're long enough, strong enough, and just flexible enough without being too flexible." —Winged Wolf
8. A pack of bottle-cleaning tablets for anyone whose devotion to caffeine doesn't outweigh their laziness. It's OK — these bad boys will do all the heavy lifting for you so your beloved thermos is crystal clean quicker than it took you to make those stains.
Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING!!!!!! It is completely worth the price. You will be AMAZED at how fast it works and how efficiently too. I admit, I was a little skeptical, even with other users posting pictures. For me, it was a try it to believe it. I did and I totally do. It works so well that it has made one of my tea tumblers look better than when I bought it. I would highly recommend this product!" —T. V. Henson
9. A pair of blue light–blocking glasses to help reduce eye strain after hours of staring at your computer, phone, and TV screens. These are for all those people with 20/20 vision who've always wanted a reason to wear glasses (and they're fine to wear with contacts, too)!
Electronic devices emit a lot of blue light, which your eyes do a terrible job of blocking. Over time, blue light may strain your eyes and lead to macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss. Computer glasses that filter blue light can help reduce the amount of blue light you're exposed to, plus you don't need a prescription to wear them and they work even if you're already wearing contacts.
Promising review: "I work on a computer all day, and when I'm not on my computer I'm on my phone. Blue light is a very real threat to my eyeballs, which are already sensitive just by nature of belonging to me. I've long suffered headaches, migraines, and general ocular strain. I always prefer to wear my contacts during the day, so I didn't want to throw down some mad skrilla on a pair of prescription blue light–filtering specs... They work great, though it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the amber hues... My eyes are definitely happier, as is my head." —Christen Moynihan
10. A pack of solar-powered waterproof deck lights that'll illuminate all the dark areas outside your home. Attach them to deck railings, on the side of your stairs, to your fence, and wherever else it's a little dark and spooky at night.
Promising review: "These lights were easy to install and look great in on our deck. We just had a pool built and needed some light on the steps of the deck so we could see walking up the steps at night. They're beautiful without too much light." —BJ
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