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32 Products To Help You Clean And Organize Your Pantry In Honor Of Spring Cleaning Season

32 Products To Help You Clean And Organize Your Pantry In Honor Of Spring Cleaning Season

Buzz Feed31-03-2025
1. A Scrub Daddy cleaning bundle with everything you need to tackle that cracked molasses bottle that has now adhered itself to your pantry shelf. Sure, you noticed it a few weeks ago, but you weren't mentally prepared to address it quite yet — and you didn't have a Scrub Mommy on your side.
What's included: Three Scrub Mommy sponges, PowerPaste, Tangerine Clean, and PowErase Gel.
Promising review: "First of all this was a really great deal, three sponges and three cleaners. Each sponge is a different color so that you can use them for separate things. Blue for bathroom, pink for dishes, etc. The gel cleanser stuff is my absolute favorite! A little goes a long way, but I have used it to remove stains from my kids clothes, wash the counters, windows, mirrors. It's like a miracle all-in-one cleaner, and best of all it's non-toxic. There's no bleach or nasty chemicals that hurt my nose or hands when cleaning. I really love this stuff!" — Arielle Stewart
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
2. An over-the-door organizer so you can make the most of dead space. Your husband might have laughed when you came back from Costco with 24 boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese, but little did he know you had the perfect storage spot in mind...
Promising review: "This organizer is just what I needed for my small pantry! The nine tiers provide ample space for everything I need, and it's super easy to install. I love being able to see all my items at a glance, which has saved me so much time when cooking. It's also very sturdy and well-made. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to declutter their pantry!" — puooch
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in two colors).
3. Some pantry moth traps that use pheromones to attract the little demons that have been ravaging your supply of grains, cereals, flours, and pet food. Goodbye once and for all!!!!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I had never even heard of moths in the pantry! Once I figured out where they were coming from, I did some research. Turns out they had been feeding off of granola and almonds for a while. I went online and this is what I ended up doing. These traps worked a charm, but it doesn't happen overnight so be patient. Victory!" — Ms. B
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $9.88 (also available in a set of 12).
4. A set of adjustable mug organizers so you can confidently open your cupboard knowing an avalanche of mugs isn't about to fall on you.
www.amazon.com
Elypro — the creator of this nifty gadget — is a small biz!
Promising review: "I came across these in an Amazon review on TikTok and I just had to have them for my mugs. I have a lot of mugs, but no space. I didn't want a hanging mechanism for the mugs I just needed a way to stack them. This is such a great product to help stack mugs. They're easily adjustable for any size mug. They don't topple over, they're very sturdy. One of the best space savers I have in the kitchen!" — Magdalynn Tibbetts
Get a set of six (to organize 12 mugs) from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors).
5. An expandable, two-tier organizer because every time you put a cleaning product back in the cabinet in the closet, you have approx. one millisecond to slam the door shut before everything tumbles out.
The shelving unit is suitable for most cabinets as you can adjust the height to four different levels (2, 5, 9, and 13 inches tall) and expand the rail anywhere between 15–25 inches. Since the dimensions aren't one-size-fits-all, it also comes with three large panels and four small panels so you can adjust the shelves.
Promising review: "I held back on buying an under-sink shelf because of the price, but this is so worth it because of how adjustable it is! This thing has made that mini-cave of an under-sink area way more organized, with stuff easier to get to or move out of the way. The two widths of shelf pieces are a smart touch; they accommodate a wide variety of drains under kitchen sinks. I didn't use all the shelf pieces because of the extra-wide and deep drain in my apartment. I think the only thing that would make this perfect for me is a cosmetic thing — a chrome version or a matte black. But since it's under the sink, the color is fine and close enough." — Kevin M.
Get it from Amazon for $24.47 (available in three finishes).
6. A nonskid three-tier pantry organizer ready to save you from buying yet another thing of paprika because yours is seemingly off exploring Narnia.
I have the 15-inch one and it fits in my standard-sized cabinet ~perfectly~ and allows me to see all of my spices so I don't have to rifle through them and make a mess every time I'm cooking. Ofc if spices are only part of your issue, it can also be used to hold extracts, canned veggies, sauces, etc.!
Promising review: "I'm so glad I finally committed to buying this. As a vegetarian, I've found that I have to add double the spice just to get a real kick in the dishes I prepare. Not to mention, making sure that I have all the spices that I'm going to need while being quarantining/ social distancing. With that said, my spice cabinet was atrocious before I got these racks. And I am so happy to finally be able to grab my spices without knocking over the other ones and making even more of a mess. I didn't know something so small and plain could bring me so much joy. Buy it now! You will not be disappointed." — Arie M.
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 colors).
7. Or a 30-spice door rack if there's simply no getting around the fact that your collection has outgrown its designated cabinet.
Each strip has five clips which fit most standard spice bottles (1.5–1.75 inches in diameter). The strips also come with pre-applied tape so all you have to do is peel and stick.
Promising review: "Love, love, love this! I have old narrow cabinets and not nearly enough of them so I desperately needed a new way to organize all my herbs and spices. Took a chance based on a list of cool new things and couldn't be more happy with this product! It came with 30 grippers for only $10. I didn't even have to screw them into my cabinets. If you follow the directions and let them cure 24 hours, the self-adhesive works great! I plan on buying a few sets for gifts!" — Brandi Y.
Get it from Amazon for $13.97 (available in three colors).
8. A shelving unit designed specifically for your water bottle and travel mug collection. First, TikTok got you to buy a Stanley and then it got you to buy an Owala, and honestly, you know you'll get whatever's next, too.
PS: YouCopia is a woman-owned small business that specializes in home storage solutions.
Promising review:"I have a bad habit of buying reusable water bottles. This one is cute, this one has this feature, this one has that. What resulted was a cluttered cabinet, a ton of water bottles falling on me every time I went to get one, and I was only using the handful right at the front. This is a great solution! It keeps the cupboard organized, and I can see what I have and quickly grab the bottle I need. As a bonus, it also creates a built-in limitation on how many water bottles I can have at any given time. Really recommend." — Miki
Get it on Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three sizes).
9. A handheld steam cleaner that uses high-pressure, high-temperature steam (no chemicals!) to blast away nastiness from hard-to-clean areas like the metal shelving in your pantry.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Cleaned stove top and the hood vents. Then, I had to clean the sticky grease from the sink. Worked very easily and without chemicals. Easy to use and to refill. The attachments make various jobs easy to clean." — Lori
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
10. Some aesthetic airtight containers that would make Khloe Kardashian proud.
Promising review: "They're so nice and they look great on your kitchen counter. I use them for cereal and cookies and they definitely add a nice touch to my kitchen." — BananaJo
Get a set of five from Amazon for $26.99.
11. Annnnnd some waterproof pantry labels so you always know what you're reaching for.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Work really well, stick firmly, and sleek matte black look. To be honest, they make me want to clean more now that I feel so chic using them! I'd buy stickers from this company again if they added more options — for now I'm grateful for these cute labels!" — Katrina
Get it them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 4 sizes and 11 different sets).
12. Or, if aesthetics aren't the most important thing on your list of priorities, some airtight food storage containers (they're BPA-free!) with reusable labels so you can switch things out with ease. And even better, despite the fact that the set comes with containers in four different sizes, all of the lids are the same so you'll never have to go on a wild goose chase looking for one that fits!!!
Promising review:"I ordered a few different sets from this company and all seem really airtight so far. I like how they stack and am loving the label options. My pantry is looking really organized. Yay!" — Jackie
Get them from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in three colors).
13. A pack of six cord bundlers so you can organize unruly Instant Pot, toaster, and panini press cords instead of having to bat them out of your way every time you look through your pantry.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The bundlers work like any other Command product — with damage-free adhesive.
Promising review: "I have one of these attached to almost every cord-having thing I own, and for maybe $30 in total, I feel like my whole life got a facelift. My stand mixer looks better on the counter, and it stays clean even when everything else is a mess. My space heaters store so neatly in the linen closet. I have an HDMI cord bundled to the back of each TV. There's a bundler stuck between my car's dash and console, which holds two phone chargers. Truly, especially for the price, I could not recommend something more highly." — Amber Stewart
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
14. A two-tier lazy Susan strong enough to store your reserve of soup cans or spices. Plus, since it's nonskid, nothing will come flying out at you even if your rental's shelves are majorly uneven.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This turned a mess of a cabinet into an organized cabinet. We use A LOT of spices and it was always a nightmare to find the right one. Now, I just spin to find what I want. It's a nice height, too, and allows for different sized bottles to be placed on the racks. Overall, this is a good purchase to help with organization." — vegmom
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 10 colors).
15. A set of two cabinet shelf organizers so you can elevate your mug collection and make room for more because look, you *will* be buying at least one next time you go to Target.
Promising review:"I absolutely LOVE my new organizational wooden stands. They arrived today, as soon as I easily put them together I was surprised how great they looked. The texture is better than expected, very sturdy, looks great on my kitchen counter, and turned my messy counter into a nice display of items I use daily. I'm so in love with these I'm going to buy more for other areas if the house and my adult kids think they're great,t so thinking about getting them as stocking stuffers!!!!" — Kristen
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four finishes and two sizes).
16. A set of clear plastic organizers where you can store your bounty of fresh produce and — in the back — the processed snacks that you absolutely love but aren't as eager to show off.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I love that the bins are clear so you can see what you need instead of having to rummage through the whole bin. I used one bin for corralling Hydro Flask and Stanley lids and straws. The other I use for corralling my resealable container lids. Aaahhhh no more mess!" — Knitter
Get them from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in sets of two, four, six, or eight).
17. A chrome can rack where you can store all 36 of the Campbell's tomato soups you picked up because your grocery store was having a really good sale.
Promising review: "This is a terribly useful product because no canned good companies have the decency to make their cans the same size with interlocking lids which means you either have to stack your vegetables one high, or play a precarious game of Jenga every time you reach for cream of chicken. Enter this thing. It uses the same footprint as the same amount of cans would, EXCEPT there is none of that precarious stacking so you don't get buried in an avalanche of pantry staples every time you make dinner. Plus, it really cleans up your pantry. Pretty inexpensive solution to a messy problem I had." — Mr.andMrs.Moreno
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
18. A cabinet door organizer with room for cutting boards, plastic wrap, baking sheets, and whatever else plagues your pantry.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
You can hang the steel rack over a cabinet door via a set of included hooks or you can mount it directly to a door or wall with the included hardware. It can support roughly five standard-sized cutting boards.
Promising review: " This organizer is so useful! I recently moved and ended up with a much smaller kitchen, so I've been doing everything I can to make sure there's no wasted space. Luckily, I have pretty wide cabinets, so this works out perfectly. I have one holding my cutting boards and another holding my foil, cling wrap, and parchment paper boxes. The organizer is super easy to assemble and it's completely versatile — hang it over the cabinet door or attach it to the wall/cabinet door, which means it's great for renters and owners." — Kerry
Get it from Amazon for $14.87+ (available in packs of one or two).
19. A 24-pocket shoe organizer that doesn't have to be used for shoes at all! Some reviewers use them for water bottles and I'm thinking they'd work just as well for seasonal Starbucks cups...
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:" I have many uses for these other than shoes. I have one in the pantry on the door for cleaning towels, brushes, spray cleaners, etc. Saves space under the kitchen counter and no bending! Have one in the bathroom for makeup, etc." — Charleegirl
"I use this for my water bottles. I put them on the back of my walk-in closet door. It saves storage space from my kitchen, and also prevents my kids from 'borrowing' them. Perfect hack idea!" — Nessa Probert
Get it from Amazon fo r $8.47+ (available in seven colors).
20. A custom mount for KitchenAid attachments so you don't have to store them in the bowl of your mixer and then temporarily relocate them every time you're ready to bake.
Superhero DIY is a Broomfield, Colorado-based shop with 3D-printed storage solutions as well as cosplay props, costume accessories, collectibles, and more.
Promising review: "These are so amazing! I had no idea they existed. I've been storing my attachments in the bowl, which has not only caused scratches in the stainless bowl over time, but the extra attachments would also be loose and taking up valuable space on my counter when I was baking and only using one attachment. It was annoying! This keeps them handy, but put away and I can select the attachment I need while the others stay put. So handy. Absolutely recommend!" — Marissa
Get a set of four from Superhero DIY for $9.55+ (available in nine colors).
21. A three-tier metal utility cart with four wheels so you can zip it around the kitchen as you cook. Use it as extra pantry storage or for your mis en place if there's simply no more room on your counters.
Amazon
Promising review: "I like the sturdiness of this product. It is just what I needed for my small kitchen. I use it for my spices, condiments and paper products." — Rosalind L.
Get it from Amazon for $32.71+ (available in three colors).
22. A macramé fruit hammock so your bananas, apples, and oranges can enjoy their last days on Earth in comfort. Little do they know they're about to be devoured. 😈
Knapps Knots / Etsy
KnappsKnots is a San Diego–based small business from Anastasia Knapp.
Promising reviews:"Absolutely loved it! Perfect if you have little counter space." — Jessi
"Love it. Might get another for bread and buns. The clearance between our counter and upper cabinets is weirdly short — can't fit most countertop items — so this was the perfect solution" — pogtotes
Get it from KnappsKnots on Etsy for $28.90+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors).
23. A slide-out pantry to utilize the dead space between your fridge and wall (or any appliance, really).
www.amazon.com
The four-tier cupboard slides around on four wheels so you can easy pull it out and push it back in.
Promising review: "I needed a skinny shelf that could hold canned food so I could make the most of my limited pantry space. This was inexpensive and fit in the space between the refrigerator and the wall but, best of all, it held a TON of cans and now I have a bunch of extra room." — Annette Bright
Get it from Amazon for $24.97.
24. A cabinet- or drawer-friendly lid organizer so you don't have to go through 27 Tupperware lids next time you're being responsible and trying to put away leftovers.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The YouCopia organizer has five adjustable dividers so you can even sort lids by size or color.
Promising review: "This product does exactly what it is supposed to and does it well. In under 15 minutes, I took my nightmare lid drawer and turned it into a functional, convenient storage space. The dividers were simple to install and provided flexibility. Slowly but surely I am getting my tiny, chaotic kitchen under control, and this got me a huge leap closer." — S. Hawthorn
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes).
25. A wooden sandwich bag holder you can slip in a drawer or leave propped up on a pantry shelf for ultimate convenience. It has slots for snack-, sandwich-, quart-, and gallon-sized food storage bags and the lid is held on with magnets so it's easy to refill when necessary.
Each unit is made of solid birch wood. If you order the unassembled version, the seller recommends using wood glue to put it together.
Southern Miss Design is a small business based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that specializes in handmade wooden signs and custom vinyl monograms.
Promising review:"I love organization and this is one of the most brilliant, space-saving, organizational items I have in my kitchen! I sent pictures to my family and friends because everyone needs one of these!" — Jesse
Get it from Southern Miss Design on Etsy for $43.50 (available in three finishes).
26. And a similar plastic, wax paper, and foil organizer that can be wall-mounted or simply plopped on a shelf. That way, you don't have to deal with cardboard boxes and only being able to find your tinfoil when it's wax paper you need.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It's really nice having all three of our wrappings in one place. There's still room in our drawer with this in it, too. I love being able to cleanly cut plastic wrap... I will no longer waste plastic wrap or get it stuck to where it pulls off in pieces. This is also a great time saver. It's very easy to clean also. I highly recommend this particular unit. I like that it came with stickers too, that say 'Plastic,' 'Aluminum,' and 'Wax.' I was delighted at the price as well." — Cav Trooper 19D
Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
27. A double-sided tea organizer because you're sick of spending five minutes every day freeing the box of tea that gets stuck in the narrow drawer you've shoved it in.
www.amazon.com
This is also from YouCopia!
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes).
28. A pack of duster sponges that — once dampened — collect ALL the dust, dirt, and pet hair that's accumulated on your shelves and around your baseboards. Tis' the time for their once-yearly clean!
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "These are exactly like the Scrub Daddy's. Only hella cheaper." — kr425
"I had low expectations for this. But I'm really happy to find that they do work really well for a much better price than the name brand. It's pretty much the same as the name-brand damp duster, except that the grooves are slightly wider. Dusted tops and fronts of my cabinets in about five minutes, but I'm most impressed with how well it removes pet hair from my couch and clothes even better than sticky rollers. I have Pomeranians blowing out their winter undercoats, so it's my new fav thing." — onon
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in packs of two, four, and eight and in five colors).
29. A wall-mounted pot hanger where you can suspend your entire collection in plain view. If cabinet space is scarce, this is an easy way to add extra storage.
The wall-mounted unit includes a six-track wooden shelf (so you can place lids vertically) and six swiveling hooks for hanging pots and pans. Once securely attached to the wall, the organizer can hold up to 30 pounds.
Promising review: "Easily my favorite kitchen item. I have a tiny kitchen that only has two cabinets for storage, so my oven was my storage for pots and pans until I bought this. Now I don't have to pull eight items out of my oven just to preheat and bake something. Installation was easy, took about 10 minutes. It's easy to pull the hooks up and move them when you decide you want them somewhere else and you can store lids or stock pots or other items on the shelf above the pots. Love, love, love this pot rack." — Patricia R.
Get it from Amazon for $67.95.
30. A pull-out hidden spice shelf attachment to help you use up dead space under fixed shelves.
www.amazon.com
Psst — some reviewers also use this for easy access to pill bottles!
Promising review: "I am very happy with this purchase. It couldn't have been any easier to install. I am looking forward to being able to gain more space inside my cabinets once I fully get my spices transferred into these (I bought two)." — SA Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
32. And a nifty pair of Mason jar holders you can mount to floating shelves or in your pantry so you can save some space but still keep in-demand ingredients at an arm's reach.
Tidy Jars / Etsy
Tidy Jars is a Wisconsin-based small biz that specializes in organization products to maximize space.
Promising review: "This was the perfect solution for my kitchen spices that come in oversized containers. I had the jars and these brackets help me save space in my open cabinets. They were a breeze to install!" — Courtney
Get it from Tidy Jars on Etsy for $15.99+ (available in two lengths and two jar mouth sizes).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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50 Products That Know Just What To Do When You Don't

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Unlike our old dummy mops, this robot has a separate tank that stores the dirty water, and it retains 90% of the stuff, so your floors will be clean and dry in just minutes. A microwave cleaner — it's gonna save your microwave from your messiest leftovers. With this, you won't have to use any elbow grease to scrub off those stubborn stains. Just fill this with vinegar and water, turn the microwave on high for seven minutes, and let the steam from this mad critter break up all that sticky gunk! Bring it on, chili. A crack weeder tool, because the first thing you seem to see ~springing~ up in your yard each year This tool is designed to get those basically immortal weeds that practically grow THROUGH your concrete sans plant-killing chemicals. It fits into tiny, tight spaces and snatches up that unsightly stuff! A pack of two Downy fabric sprays — with this, you're *finally* gonna rid your caftans and pants of those stubborn crinkles and creases. Simply spray, tug, and smooth... that's it. A stainless steel cleaner to wipe up grease, stains, and fingerprints you've just accepted as part of the atmosphere at this point. Now that you've noticed those grubby little splotches, snag this and make them disappear faster than you're able to say "cleaning the kitchen sucks." Turns out, it doesn't have to with this stuff. A non-toxic tennis shoe cleaner formulated with saddle soap and gentle conditioners that'll bring leather, vinyl, nubuck, suede, and canvas shoes back to life. If your longest-lasting relationship is with your high school sneakers, give them some tender, loving care. A bottle of Bring It On — a cleaning solution that your bathroom mirror is practically begging you to buy. If all the toothpaste, water spots, runaway hairspray, and splotchy skincare gunk that's stuck to your mirror has you feeling unsettled, this all-natural cleaner is gonna clear that up in seconds. A WD-40 pen with the rust-preventing powers your cringey hinges need, placed in an applicator your less-than-handy hands can use without making a mess. Bless. An almond-scented wood polish and cleaner kit (with an included microfiber cloth) formulated with a grime-busting and wood-safe mineral oil that'll easily wipe away buildup on wood surfaces and restore their finish. Other natural cleaners often include beeswax or orange oil, which can leave surfaces sticky and require a second cleaning after use — this natural option is a one-stop shop! Sweet. A handy portable car vacuum so you can clean your car without the extra effort of bringing your vacuum outside. (Because honestly, when do we ever actually do that?) A Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaning stamp that's easy peasy to put on *and* makes cleaning your toilet simpler than it's ever been! Mostly because, with this, you won't be the one cleaning your toilet. An air fryer (from the makers of the Instant Pot) so you can avoid cooking with hot oil and still make all your favorite fried foods. This even has a rotisserie feature so you can cook an ENTIRE chicken in one go! Or a counter space-friendly toaster oven/air fryer combo for folks who would gladly give up their fast food habit as long as they can still get their fry fix at home. This includes a fry basket, oven rack, and baking pan. Reviewers have made pizza, bread, cinnamon rolls, meatloaf, an entire chicken... the delicious list goes on. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner with a formula that clings to grime and buildup inside your pipes, preventing hidden smells from escaping through your sink and removing bacteria that may be lurking just out of reach. Use this so you can clean out your rental's sink before your landlord decides to dispose of your deposit. An adjustable duster brush that'll spruce up your window shades so well you just might notice you actually did have a view through those dust bunnies. A cooktop-cleaning kit for times when your kitchen is so messy you're worried it'd be a fire hazard to make anything fancier than toast. A watermark remover cloth, because no matter how many coasters you purchase your friends still seem to think your coffee table looks better with a polka-dot design. They are incorrect. A customizable set of plastic storage cubes that'll snap together and create a perfect storage masterpiece, no matter where you place them. If finding a matching pair of shoes on the floor of your closet is currently like playing an endless "find the match" card game IRL, finally setting up a system this crisp'll have you sighing in satisfaction every time you put your shoes away. A bag of protein coffee for people who are *great* about drinking their morning coffee and terrible about getting in 1) breakfast and 2) enough protein. Now you can cross both off your list without changing your morning ritual. Protein coffee is going so viral, I'm surprised it's ever in stock. And it makes sense, because this is the 2-in-1 we've all been waiting for. And finally, a daily planner to let you *literally* cross off your to-do list, if that's your favorite part of finishing chores. This is here to help you track school schedules, chores, and even your water intake. Thanks, A-types, for finding a way to keep us organized *and* stay a planner.

21 Products Reviewers Say They Used From College On
21 Products Reviewers Say They Used From College On

Buzz Feed

time7 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

21 Products Reviewers Say They Used From College On

A shower curtain with pockets — a true space-saving legend you'll be glad you bought freshman year. In the dorms, it'll hold your endless shampoo bottles and face masks; in your first apartment, it might graduate to wine bottles, kids' bath toys, or even a waterproof speaker. Trust me, it's one of those 'why doesn't everyone own this?' items. Promising review: "This is by far one of the best inventions EVER! So, I started getting these in college instead of having shower caddies—all the girls got a big pocket and small pocket —GREAT IDEA! Way less bulk and soap scum around the ledges where normal caddies would get left. As there was an extra pocket, it was a great place to put your phone or even a speaker while in the shower (our phones having waterproof cases, of course). Much like other shower curtains, you can just wash them in the washer or by hand and they are like new! This super durable curtain can be useful if you have kids — you can put their toys! Dogs? Put a treat or tennis ball in the pocket to keep them occupied while bathing them. Need some personal time? The large pockets also easily fit a bottle of wine and can be reached while soaking in the tub. I mean the uses for this thing are endless!" —Ms. Mary Get it from Amazon for $ my colleague's Maytex Quick Dry Pockets Shower Curtain review for more deets! A set of blackout curtains designed to turn 'just five more minutes' into full-on hibernation. They'll help you snooze through your 8 a.m.s now (oops) and keep streetlights from ruining your REM cycles in your future city apartment. Extra perk: they also muffle noise and help control the temperature, which means they're pulling triple duty for years to come. If you don't want to drill into the wall to install curtains, we recommend going with either a tension rod, Command hooks or brackets that connect to existing review: "This is my third time buying these curtains, been using them since college apartments, and now bought them for our guest bedroom. Does a great job of blocking sunlight and more light. These pictures are of the grey curtains." —EdogGet them from Amazon for $15.93+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors). Some foam earplugs that'll be the unsung hero of your backpack. They'll save you from all-night parties in the room next door, rescue your sanity during red-eye flights, help you stay focused in the library, and provide sanctuary from any future partners who snore like chainsaws. Promising review: "I initially bought these to help during my college exams in a computer lab. The constant clacking of keys and clicks of everyone's mouse was distracting me. I only use one, and it completely drowned out the sound in that ear. I started using them when I sleep during the day (I work nights) and use them in both ears. It's silent. I can't hear anything. These are good. I highly recommend. I also have a child who doesn't like loud noises, and she used them during a fireworks show. They didn't fit all the way in her ear (I didn't force them either) and she said they worked well for her." —JASGet a bottle of 50 earplugs from Amazon for $16.49. A lap desk so your 'desk' can be wherever you want it to be. It's a lifesaver for Netflix-fueled paper writing in bed. After graduation, it's perfect for weekend emails, crafting sessions, or balancing your tablet while streaming a full season of your fave show in one sitting. Promising reviews: "I bought this for college. You don't always want to sit at a table or bar. It can be uncomfortable after a period of time. You can chill on your couch or recliner and use this. It works great. I should've bought this a lot earlier." —David"Going back to college has been a challenge for me working two jobs and having four kids. This has made it so much easier to sneak off in my room to do my school work!!!" —AshleyGet it from Amazon for $33.24+ (available in nine colors). A memory foam seat cushion that's basically an apology letter to your tailbone. You'll love it for marathon study sessions now, and it'll stick with you for remote work days, long gaming sessions, or anytime you're trapped in a chair longer than you planned. It's designed to relieve pressure on your tailbone, and reviewers say it's great for reducing lower back reviews: "I'm a college student, and I just moved not too long ago so a lot of my free time is spent sitting in my office chair (probably 10 hours a day). I have one of those gaming chairs that are really common, and in no time at all, the cushion decayed. This product has revolutionized my chair, making it feel brand new. I will probably continue to buy these over brand-new chairs every so often. This is cheaper and equally, if not more, effective than buying a new chair. 💯!" —cody"I broke my tailbone and was in excruciating pain for over 4 months. I got this cushion when I first broke it and was able to sit down, and it was AMAZING. Seriously!!! It allowed my tailbone to heal because it wasn't pressed down on when I sat down. It's been over 6 months (still in pain, but it's way less pain), and I use it every single day. It got me through some of my studies as a college student with mostly online classes. I now bring the cushion to the couch, dinner table, etc. I recommend this to people without injuries, too. It has helped improve my posture so much and takes away the strain of trying to maintain a good posture if you are injured or just too tired to sit up straight. Love this thing. Buy it, please." —Kel. C. Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in six colors). A power strip so you can keep every gadget, charger, and hair appliance plugged in at once. It'll be a dorm lifesaver when you're sharing two outlets with a roommate — and in your next apartment, it'll still be the reason your phone, laptop, lamp, and coffee maker can coexist. This power strip also doubles as a surge reviews: "This is an excellent option for a dorm room. Dorm rooms generally have limited outlets, and colleges often have restrictions on what types of extension cords are acceptable. This round power strip works well under a small desk, meets the residential hall guidelines, and includes ports for directly charging phones and other devices. Perfect." —bsaucoin"Y'all, I have had this thing since my freshman year of college (August of 2018) and I still have it!!!! It still works perfectly and I love it so so so so much! It's an essential for me, and it fits anywhere; it's great quality! They can be heavy, but I think that's a good thing because it isn't surprisingly heavy in weight. Great for the price, and the cord length has never been an issue for me from the bed or my desks in college! 5 stars all the way." —Gabrielle JamesGet it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available in black). A swivel desk chair which nails the sweet spot between comfort and style. It'll make late-night cram sessions feel less torturous, and when you've moved on to your first real home office, you'll be glad you didn't settle for the squeaky, lumpy alternative. Promising review: "Excellent product for a reasonable price! The product description/details were accurate. I am a 61-year old female, who put this together myself in approximately 45-minutes. It is lightweight, yet sturdy. I purchased this chair for my daughter, who is a college student and studies long hours at the table. She confirms that the chair is so helpful! It looks nice, too." —CherylGet it from Amazon for $129.99 (also available in white). A pair of blue light–blocking glasses to save your eyes from the endless hours of screen time that college life demands. They'll carry you through late-night essay edits, gaming breaks, and online lectures, then stick around for your first desk job when spreadsheets and Zoom calls are your new professors. 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 review: "I work at a job that requires me to look at screens pretty much all day. I'm also a college student who takes my classes online and looks at my phone regularly. I began getting increasingly bad headaches and researched possible explanations. Constant blue light screen exposure was the most likely for my specific lifestyle. Since getting these glasses, my frequency and severity of headaches has gone completely down from before. Not only that, these glasses are adorable and can fit just about any face shape. Great quality and work wonderfully. Highly recommend." —MadisonGet them from Amazon for $11.19+ (available in 34 colors and styles). A cold brew maker here to single-handedly slash your coffee shop spending. Freshman year, it's your antidote to overpriced campus lattes; later, it's your secret weapon for Monday mornings when you'd rather roll out of bed than roll into a café line. It brews a quart (4 cups), so you should have enough java to get you through the day (and maybe some left over to share with your favorite coworker).Promising review: "Bought this several times. Originally recommended by a friend and now we can't live without it! So easy to use and no bitterness. Only problem is we go through the cold brew so fast I usually put it in a separate pitcher so I can start brewing the next batch so we never run out!. We ended up using it so much I had to buy my daughter her own to take to college. The pitcher is plastic and I was initially disappointed but it turns out it is so much better in plastic and easy to use and clean." —OCMomEsqGet it from Amazon for $24.14+ (available in two sizes and three colors). A white-noise machine for transforming chaotic dorm acoustics into a calming backdrop of rain, ocean waves, or gentle thunder. After graduation, it'll keep your sleep sacred in noisy apartment buildings, during hotel stays, or even in your own home when the neighbors get too chatty. It has six built-in sleep sounds — rain, brook, ocean, thunder, white noise, and summer night — as well as an auto-off timer that you set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Plus, it's lightweight and portable so you can bring good sleep with you reviews: "This product is amazing as I have just moved into my college apartment. It perfectly drowns out the noise as you can adjust the volume and change sounds depending on which in you like. Personally I enjoy the white noise feature and I leave it on all night. I also chose to plug it into an outlet since it comes with the plug and block but you may also decide to use batteries. If you use batteries I suggest you leave it on the timer setting which allows for a 15,30, or 60 minute timer and then it will automatically turn off. It's been a game changer for my sleep and I highly recommend!!!" —Gianna Moraci"I use this every night! My roommate in college got me hooked on a rain machine to help me sleep and even years later, I still have to have it to sleep! Great quality and awesome functionality." —amb0319Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in two colors). A truly ~egg-cellent~ rapid egg cooker you can count on to make a delicious breakfast happen in literal minutes. You'll rely on it for quick protein before class now, then keep it in rotation for speedy brunches, packed mornings, or lazy Sunday omelets well into adulthood. Promising review: "I got one as a gift in college, and my roommates and I ate so many eggs throughout the busy year, and I decided to get a second one for my mom. When we graduated, my former roommate said she also got one. Once you have one, you can't go back. It's so useful if you want a quick snack or addition to a meal, especially when you're busy with other things." —Joanne AhnGet it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).Check out our Dash Rapid Egg Cooker review for more deets! A heavy-duty alarm clock that can *shake* you awake when your willpower won't. Ideal for making sure you never miss an exam, and equally valuable years later when you have to catch an early flight or log in for a 7 a.m. meeting. Promising reviews: "I got this for my son, who is such a deep sleeper. He's at college now and there's no one to wake him up 10x every morning, just to fall back asleep. He texted me this morning and said that it was incredible! Said 5 units away from his apartment properly heard it, but it works!" —Katheryn Webster"This is the best alarm clock I have yet to own. I am a college student and there have been times when I would sleep through my alarms and would miss class. I tried different methods, like changing up my alarm and setting one far away. I even used an alarm app that made me solve math problems to turn it off, but that failed because I would just delete the app in my sleep to shut it up. This alarm clock has been a lifesaver in making sure I wake up in time for class. It always startles me awake and gets my heart racing, so I don't even feel like going back to sleep. I like how it has the option for you to choose the pitch of your alarm if you choose to use the you are a heavy sleeper, have trouble getting up in the morning, and have a risk of sleeping through your alarm, this is the alarm clock for you!" —Thomas RGet it from Amazon for $43.99 (available in six colors). A mug warmer here to rescue your coffee from the fate of going lukewarm mid-sip. In college, it'll be your desk mate during late-night cram sessions; later, it'll keep you caffeinated and happy through endless meetings or cozy weekends staying in and reading. This mug warmer does *not* have an auto-off feature, so we recommend also getting an auto-off outlet if you're prone to forgetting to unplug review: "I bought one of these before I went to college. It's been about 10 years and it's still going strong. I use it almost every day at work and have used it pretty consistently over the last decade. No issues whatsoever with overheating (even when I accidentally leave it on for longer than planned), and it keeps my drinks perfect. I also have one of those cute little iron teapots, and it keeps that thing perfectly warm for hours and hours. When (if?) mine dies, I will definitely buy another. I got my grandma a much more expensive one from Sharper Image, and it doesn't keep things nearly as warm, and it randomly shuts itself off every hour or so. This one isn't flashy, but it's definitely a great simple little gadget." —AlisonGet it from Amazon for $11.99. A three-tier rolling cart that turns 'where do I stash all my stuff?' into 'dang, I'm finally organized.' It'll corral your dorm toiletries, snacks, and mini-fridge essentials now, and later cruise beside your bedroom dresser, hold your kitchen gadgets, or even act as a mobile office triage station during those early WFH days. Featuring a sturdy metal frame, mesh-bottom bins, and smooth swivel wheels, it'll ~roll right along~ with your life as it changes. A microwave pasta cooker guaranteed to take you from hungry to carb-loaded without dirtying half the kitchen. It'll see you through dorm dinners *and* those nights when you just want comfort food without the whole boiling-water ordeal. Read our Fasta Pasta Microwave Cooker review for more!Promising review: "When I first bought these, I was in the position where I needed to cook all of my meals in a college dorm without a kitchen and with limitations on which types of appliances I could purchase. I had a microwave, a toaster oven, a coffee maker, and a to say, this microwavable pasta maker saved my life in college.I cooked pasta (and ravioli/tortellini!) for nearly all of my meals, and this little tool made that process SO easy for me, AND could hold a hefty few servings of pasta on top of that! I just filled it with as much pasta as I needed to prepare, filled with water, added a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking, and my pasta was done in minutes! No waiting for a pot to boil, no needing to set a timer to avoid forgetting about your pasta, no need for a separate pot and strainer, AND it was super easy to clean." —Brenda PelletierGet it from Amazon for $16.99. A memory foam mattress topper for transforming a dorm-issued slab into a bed you actually want to sleep in. And once you've moved, it'll follow you to your first apartment, guest room, or anywhere a little extra cloud-like comfort is needed. Promising reviews: "I was in search of a mattress topper when moving off to college and this one has satisfied all of my needs. It has just the right amount of firmness and softness allowing for a good nights sleep. After placing this mattress topper on top of my hard mattress, I no longer experienced restless nights of sleep. I would highly recommend this product if you are moving into a dorm or apartment." —Brynlee Urbantke"AMAZING! It slides around a little bit and that's the only con. I got it for college and it's so amazing I'm getting one for my bed at home while I'm there in the summer too. Very comfortable and soft, I was worried but I'm glad it worked out exactly how I wanted it." —Liz a two-inch topper from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes twin–California king as well as a three-inch-thick version). A velvety soft microfiber duvet ready to earn permanent status in your bedding lineup. You'll love it for movie nights in your dorm now (and using it to make your bed for years to come). Promising reviews: "I bought this comforter for my son for college and it is perfect! It's medium warmth, very soft and fluffy. Exactly what I was looking for. The square stitching keeps the stuffing perfectly in place. My favorite feature is the loops on the corners that tie to a duvet cover to keep the comforter from shifting. I loved this comforter so much, I ordered one for my other son and am going to order one for every other bed in the house. An amazing find! Love everything about it!" —Sonja M. Ocker"Bought it for my daughter's college apartment. She absolutely loves it! Super comfortable! Not too warm. Perfect!! She wants to buy another for her bed at home for when she visits! :)" —Shannon D. Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes twin–California king and six colors). A combination oil diffuser and humidifier for when your dorm smells… lived in. It'll make your air fresher, your room calmer, and your sleep better — and you'll keep it for every future home that needs a little mood and moisture boost. Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my teenage daughter, and she loves it! I also purchased a set of essential oils. The scent is very light, not too strong and very spa like. I like to borrow it whenever I take a hot bath. The colors are beautiful and makes it extremely pleasing to the eye. I now want to purchase one for myself, especially since I know she will be taking it with her when she leaves for college!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors). A Brita water dispenser proving staying hydrated doesn't have to mean hauling 24-packs of plastic bottles up three flights of stairs. You'll appreciate it in the dorms, and even more in your own kitchen years later when cold, clean water is just a fridge-door pull away. A huge backpack laundry bag that lets you transport a week's (or two's) worth of clothes without breaking your back. Great for laundry room treks in college, and just as handy for trips to the laundromat or packing up linens as a grown-up. A pair of hybrid over-ear headphones here to turn any noisy dorm hall into a personal study bubble. With up to 60 hours of juice (40 with noise cancelling on) and fast-charging that gives you four hours of playback from just five minutes plugged in, they're a nonnegotiable for late-night cramming (and they're not going anywhere when you start making caffeine-fueled commutes). Promising review: "I bought my college-age son a pair of these, and he liked them so much, I bought myself a pair and I'm glad I did. I use them mostly at the gym and the sound quality is very good. They are comfortable to wear and have a very good battery life. The noise cancelling mode is great, knocking out most of the background noise you hear, so I'm not blasting them so loud. They are also well-made and sturdy. Would recommend!" —Gregory MGet them from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).

My students don't have a local newspaper. Making their own changed everything.
My students don't have a local newspaper. Making their own changed everything.

Boston Globe

time8 hours ago

  • Boston Globe

My students don't have a local newspaper. Making their own changed everything.

As a pre-teen, I explored features neighboring the comics: horoscopes and advice columns. (For the record, dear readers, I never agreed with Ann Landers on how to hang toilet paper.) Later came movie listings to set up dates and classified ads to find summer jobs. As an English major, I eagerly awaited the book and movie reviews as much as I once had anticipated the arrival of the Sunday comics. By college, I had graduated from sitting cross-legged on the floor with the funnies to sitting at the kitchen table, legs crossed, with the arts section and a cup of coffee. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up On occasion, I thrilled to see my name published as part of my high school's graduating class or my college's Dean's List. Sometimes, there were candid shots of me or friends at a public event we had attended. Such mentions were small but significant gestures on our newspaper's part to show its readers, not only that we were seen, but that our existence mattered. Advertisement In time, my reading habits expanded to include the front-page news, and I was so hooked on print that I became a reporter. The job was not glamorous: I mostly attended government meetings and listened to police scanners, but I provided a service by recording daily small-town history. The more I spoke to residents, the more I came to care for them, and I hoped that, through my coverage, my readers would know that they mattered to me. Advertisement I kept each of my bylined stories and placed them neatly in a binder. To me, they were gold. That was the old way. Little of it proved sustainable when news readership declined and many small newspapers were bought out by hedge funds and media conglomerates. For subscribers today, news usually arrives on a screen instead of at a doorstep. I now teach high school English in Sharon, and it pains me that there's often no household print edition for students to grow up with. The news they read, if they read the news, largely comes from social media and shared memes. Recently, I started teaching journalism and advising the school newspaper club. I didn't expect my old reporter instincts to kick in. Soon, the school became my 'beat.' I suddenly made time for varied conversations with colleagues and students. I began to ask more questions. Who is that student — the table tennis champion? What's that new teacher working on? Tell me all about that School Committee proposal to institute club fees. Even better, my journalism students are asking such questions. They're even watching local government meetings. Their town became a news desert in recent years, and my students are jumping in to fill the void, with stories about the arrival of a nearby Costco and the building of a new library and the opening of new restaurants. Advertisement Although we regularly publish stories digitally, my newspaper club students longed to create a full print edition; they wanted something tangible: something to herald their presence and relevance to the community. Our first print edition came out this spring, and when I distributed copies to my sophomore English classes, students completely hushed, absorbed in the stories and the photographs, intrigued by the crossword puzzle that was created by a graduating senior. After about 20 minutes, I could hear them whispering to each other. One student had read a restaurant review and concurred, 'The pad Thai is so good.' Another read a story about the local history of nearby Lake Massapoag and cried out, 'There was an ice house there?' And another exclaimed, 'There are book reviews!' Some asked how to join the newspaper staff. One girl said that reading the paper made her feel 'professional.' For a few minutes, I was transported to the old days, when printed local news was something we could physically hold onto and when readers felt that their hometown lives had been documented. They had been seen. Lori Ayotte is a Massachusetts public school English teacher and a freelance writer. Send comments to magazine@

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