
Simplify Your Household Cleaning Routine With These 53 Super Effective Products
Because (basically) no one has said they'd like to spend more time cleaning.
1. A tub of heavy-duty cleaning wipes because nine times out of ten, it'll be easier to reach for a super-effective wipe than figure out which bottle of cleaning solution is best suited for today's mess.
These work on almost any surface: leather, fabric, furniture, hardwood, pans, metal, WHEREVER. And! They'll clean up grease, oil, tar, dirt, ink, lipstick, nail polish, food, and a whole lot more.
Promising review: "Only within a couple seconds of using these wipes, I get a clean result. I am a busy mom of three, and need something quick that ACTUALLY works. This product is amazing. I would highly recommend. Renting an apartment, it's hard to clean the walls without removing the paint. This gets the job done 100%." — Sirena
Get a pack of 90 from Amazon for $14.98 (available in nine sizes/packs).
2. A reusable pet fur remover might just have you tossing your old sticky roller after you see how much fur this reusable one (it has a sturdy brush system) picks up off your beloved couch. You don't wanna walk out the door with fur all over your behind, only to learn from your work nemesis.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four colors).
3. An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator for erasing all the visual (and smelly) evidence of pet accidents on flooring and furniture. You don't need a new chair. You just need this.
Promising review:"I have a finished carpeted basement that my dog peed on… mix in that horrible smell and basement smell. I've tried so many products, and nothing worked. Then I tried this and it is the only thing to actually neutralize the smell. For the comments saying that the spray bottle sucks, I think they are using it wrong? Mine worked perfectly fine. Just turn it to a mist setting, and it was perfect for the carpet." — Damian velez
Get it from Amazon for $17.96.
4. A pumice cleaning stone to remove all sorts of stubborn rings that've been staring at you every time you're in the washroom. Nope, you do NOT need a new toilet. Your OG just requires some zhuzhing.
Promising review:"I have very hard water that leaves hard-water buildup and nasty stains. It's embarrassing to have guests over because the toilets are so gross! I have tried so many products and cleaning solutions — from natural essential oils to harsh chemicals so strong I was lightheaded for the rest of the day. Well, I tried out this pumice stone after reading about it in a BuzzFeed article, and honestly the hype is real! It does take some elbow grease, but the after picture is from only 20 minutes of scrubbing, light enough that I didn't break a sweat! The stone does get used up, but I think this one should last me a couple years at least. So if you have embarrassing toilets, try this!" — Stephanie Ray
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (also available in a pack of two and four).
5. A car-dedicated wet/dry vacuum (that plugs into the cigarette lighter!) because who has the time to go by the car wash and feed quarters into the vacuum?!
www.amazon.com
Has a 106w motor, strong metal turbine, 16-foot cord, elastic hose, nozzle, and a clear trash compartment so you can see when it's time to empty it.
Promising review:"This thing is awesome! I own a 2018 Dodge Durango that sadly does not have leather seats. I own three dogs and it is just a nightmare pulling out my extension cord to vacuum my truck. I can now just plug this little guy into my 12v car outlet and I'm good to go! The power in this vacuum is as good as it's going to get for a car vacuum so if you want extreme suction — buy a shop vac. Also the attachments are fantastic.
P.S. I own three dogs — it picks up hair. The spots with sand in the picture are not vacuumed over yet to compare." — Sally
Get it from Amazon for $24.72 (available in two colors).
6. A handheld steam cleaner (perfect even if you're in a small space and that's how you can afford to live solo) with a nearly 10-foot-long cord to help you get at all sorts of greasy, stuck-on messes sans chemicals.
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 $55.99.
7. Luigi's Sink and Drain Plunger — a mini plunger that'll find a spot under sinks around your home for when your double-cleansing (oil-based cleanser first!) nighttime skincare routine wreaks havoc on your bathroom sinks. Yes, I'm talking about myself.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Perfect plunger for sink. This plunger fit the bathroom sink with ease. Doesn't take much effort to plunge the sink. You have to plunge a few times but it is so effortless and definitely clears a clog. I would recommend this plunger." — C. Lorenzo
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven styles).
8. A drill brush cleaning kit that'll attach to your drill/driver for an informercial-like cleaning sesh at the flip of a switch that'll have you seeking out all the dirty surfaces you've been ignoring.
Includes three brushes that'll attached to a standard handheld drill. The white is a soft bristle, best for wheels, carpet, upholstery, glass, and leather; the yellow is a medium bristle, best for bathroom, bathtub, shower, tile, and porcelain; the green is a medium bristle, best for kitchen, stoves, cabinets, countertops, and linoleum; the blue is a medium bristle, best for boats, pools, canoe/kayaks, hot tubs, and plastics; the red is a stiff bristle, best for outdoors, siding, brick, garage, and gutter; and the black is a hard bristle, best for grills, loose paint, furnaces, ovens, and industrial use.
Drill Brush is a small business based in New York!
Promising review:"I'm in love with this. I manage many apartment properties and finding people to do the cleaning has been tricky business, so I end up having to get in and clean these horrendous filth pods tenants lived in and left me to deal with when they move out. The ovens and stove tops are usually the worst, and I absolutely hate cleaning. I came across this drill attachment set, and let me tell you, it helped me tremendously! I still had to get in with a putty knife on some of them but it really cut down my elbow-grease time. If it wasn't for this drill attachment, I think my arms would have just fallen off trying to clean it as good as I did! My only con would be that it doesn't have any extension of any sort, so I really had my drill all up in that oven, but well worth it." — alicia haats
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six bristle types).
9. A Cerama Bryte cooktop cleaning kit so you can finally get rid of the gunk that seemed like it would never come off of your stove.
www.amazon.com
The kit includes a 10-ounce bottle of Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner, one cleaning pad, and one scraper to make it a quick and easy job.
Promising review:"This really worked! I I had been using a soft scrub type of cleanser on my glass cooktop. I didn't think this stuff would do much better but I wanted to try it because of all the good reviews. It really works well. I was impressed at the improvement to the look of my cooktop and it definitely works better than just a abrasive cleanser soft scrub type of thing. Will buy again." — Krista Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $11.48+ (available in two styles).
10. A incredibly powerful grout cleaner can erase years of nasty buildup that you've just come to live with over the years.
Promising review:"We moved into our house a year ago and I've been on a quest to clean the grout next to the stove ever since then. As a last resort I got this and holy cow! I left it on for three minutes as a spot test at first and I could already see a huge difference. I then did two more rounds letting it sit for five minutes each. The scent's not bad, it was fine if I had the window open, it was just being down close to it that got me. Seriously, stop looking and buy this." — Britney Phillips
Get it from Amazon for $ 21.95
11. A bottle of Goo Gone foaming spray will help you win the good fight against greasy spills and messes. Your oven is about to get a makeover.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Wow! A degreaser that actually works! I love the foam, which starts to work immediately on my stove top as well as cookware and other kitchen surfaces." — P. Webb
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three sizes).
12. A wineglass-washing dishwasher attachment in case your dishwasher isn't equipped with a way to keep a wineglass upright and in place OR you don't have enough for your needs. After all, hand-washing stuff you don't absolutely have to is pretty annoying.
Wine Wash Co. is a woman-owned small biz that specializes in dishwasher attachments.
Promising review: "I had a hard time finding wine glass holders for my dishwasher. My previous dishwasher had built-in holders, but my current dishwasher does not. I got tired of having wine glasses break during dishwashing cycles. These holders are sturdy and fit the bill for standard glasses. They can fold up when not in use. I would not use them for expensive Waterford crystal wine glasses, but they are perfect for everyday glasses. A must-have for wine drinkers!" — Alicia
Get a set of four from Amazon for $15.
13. A plant-based stainless steel cleaner + a microfiber cleaning cloth will finally help you get rid of all the little paw and fingerprints that seem to magically appear out of thin air on your kitchen appliances.
Check it out in action on TikTok!
The plant-based, lavender-scented cleaner comes with a microfiber cloth for you to use on your appliances, and reviewers say you only have to use a little bit of the cleaner to clean your entire fridge or oven, which means one bottle will last you a really long time.
Promising review:"This stuff works great... and that's coming from a clean freak. This cleaner/polish works awesome on stainless steel and any other material that the appliance is made of. It comes with a high-quality microfiber cloth, and it smells good. A little goes a long way, so it lasts through daily use." — RMK
Get the set of cleanser and polish from Amazon for $19.95+ (also available in a larger size and two-pack).
14. Some wood polish and conditioner can help turn back time on some water stains because despite your constant reminders, you family can't seem to actually use the coasters and the coffee table for their water glasses.
Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.
Promising review:"Used this to attempt to clean up the 45-year-old solid wood couch that I inherited and reupholstered. Got the water stains off after one application! Perfect!" — Stacey A. Berkin
Get it from Amazon for $8.47.
15. An Angry Orange "Filth Cleaner" that'll pretty much sum it up because it gets at alllll kind of nastiness so you have to put in a whole lot less elbow grease. Really, you already spend so much time in the bathroom. You don't wanna clock that much more!
Amazon
Promising review: "Battling urine smells/stains was becoming a losing battle. I decided to try this due to the good reviews. This product has been excellent. I used it around my toilets and on the floor. The bathrooms have never smelled better. It worked well on the soap scum on the walls of my shower tile as well. The smell is strong, but it does dissipate, and then it's just fresh and clean." — Cornelia
Get it from Amazon for $17.75. Also check out the brand's beloved odor eliminator.
16. A powerful dishwashing spray that, honestly, if you buy anything from this list, this should be it — especially if your home *doesn't* include a dishwasher. You can spray down that casserole dish caked with enchilada sauce, let it sit, and you simply wipe and rinse away that saucy mess in a few minutes after you've conquered your meal.
www.amazon.com
I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout food instead of cooking. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well.
Get the starter pack from Amazon for $12.16.
17. A jar of The Pink Stuff — a cleaning paste made to handle all kinds of sticky, stuck-on, scribbled situations like Sharpie on this piece of furniture.
Reviewers also used it on outdoor furniture, a metal door, and white walls, just to name a few outdoor surfaces.
Promising review:"I tried numerous products to remove this Sharpie marker from my table, and nothing worked, not even to fade it. I got it off in less than five minutes with The Pink Stuff. It did take off a little of the 'shine' that it did have, but it's not too noticeable. I wouldn't use it on shiny wood furniture because of that reason. I also had to apply a lot of pressure to get it all the way off, but I was happy with the results." — Molly
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
18. Grandma's Secret, an under-the-radar solution with serious stain-removing prowess — like, cleaning pen from a white leather couch or all the grime from the shoes you hiked in last weekend.
www.amazon.com
It can remove oil, grease, ink, grass, and blood stains for all my vampires out there. Psst, a few months ago I recommended this to a friend who fell in a puddle of motor oil on a sidewalk, then accidentally wiped it on her camel coat. It got the stains out!
Promising review:"This stuff is so amazing. I'm a witness. My 2-year-old baby wrote all over my white leather couch. I tried multiple different things and nothing work but Grandma's Secret Spot Remover. I love this stuff." — L. Nix
Get two bottles from Amazon for $8.99.
19. Some bleach-free outdoor cleaner to spiff up your walkways and other surfaces you can likely tackle before you break out the pressure washer. Its foamy formula is totally safe around your precious plants
www.amazon.com
Reviewers have successfully used this on fences, mesh outdoor chairs, Sunbrella chair cushions, decks, vinyl siding, and cedar siding.
Promising review:"I first used this product about two years ago on the awning on my RV. That awning was so bad that I thought I was going to have to replace it. After using this Scott's product as directed, the mold and mildew completely disappeared. This product definitely works and it works GREAT! What more can I say — it saved me nearly $500." — R. Latreille
Get it from Amazon for $10.98.
20. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner you simply throw in your sink (the whole packet!), turn on the water, and watch fizz up as it does the tough work below on all the gunk that OTHER PEOPLE have let build up in your disposal.
Amazon
Promising review:"Saw on TikTok (don't judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you're left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica Hamilton
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.97.
21. A red-wine stain remover you should keep on hand because, well, accidents happen! But you can be prepared for (at least some of) them!
Promising review:"Spilled an entire glass of red wine on my couch last night. Of course I was about to load the entire couch off to the dump, but I remembered I had bought this product probably a year ago and hadn't tried it. The stain literally disappeared before my eyes…and after throwing the cover in the washer and dryer, the stain is 100% gone. I thought for sure there would be a purple cast of color on the cushion. NO. You would never know I spilled an entire glass of wine on this cushion. I wonder if it works best when used immediately? Curious if it would work on old stains. REGARDLESS: it is a miracle product." — Kelly Potter
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in several sizes and in individual wipes).
22. A specific ink remover for removing all sorts of pen accidents on that couch your niblings used as a sketch pad.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This was left on my sofa when some ink was smeared. I let it sit overnight and washed it in the washing machine on a warm cycle. I am very shocked at the results. My couch is like brand-new.." — Ayauna
Get it from Amazon for $15.
23. A leather stain remover spray can zhuzh up your leather couch, purse, boots, basically whatever that, despite leather usually withstanding most stains, is really showing its wear. This stuff is transformative!
www.amazon.com
This also works on Durablend, vinyl, compound, saffiano, faux leather, and other leather or leather-like surfaces.
Promising review:"Used the microfiber cloth to apply and after the first treatment noted only mild improvement, but after the second treatment (done just after the first treatment dried), the stain was not visible!! I then did the entire chair and the results are great. Advice: Do not scrub the area hard. This may roughen up the leather. Apply lightly and wipe off with another microfiber towel." — mich
Get it from Amazon for $15.98.
24. Bioclean, a hard water stain remover if you're tried at looking at all the streaks and soap scum on your shower doors, fixtures, grout, and basically everywhere else in your bathroom. One reviewer swears that you should, "Buy a lifetime supply immediately."
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm a clean freak with hard water, and this stuff took off the build-up like magic. I would recommend using a slightly damp scratch pad. It takes a little elbow grease, but I have tried a ton of products, and this one is the only one that worked!" — Lori
Get it from Amazon for $19.77.
25. A jar of the The Pink Stuff — a cleaning paste made to handle all kinds of gross, stuck-on situations like that bathroom floor grout you came to terms with being dirty gray forever.
Promising review:"I'm a bit of clean freak. This tool is an essential tool that scrubs hard to remove bunt-on food and stains. A real game changer. So glad someone introduced this to me." — Grade E
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
26. A bottle of nontoxic Folex Carpet Spot Remover to make all sorts of horrific stains disappear quickly. *And* there's no rinsing or vacuuming involved.
To use, apply to the stain, gently agitate with your fingers, and blot with an absorbent cloth. This is nontoxic and should be nonirritating on the skin!
Promising review:"I am on a cleaning high! My cat puked CANNED cat food on my carpet two days ago. I tried everything for two days to get this out. I looked up canned cat food puke on a carpet and someone on there said to try Folex. I sprayed this magical elixir on, followed the directions and oh my gosh it is gone! Gone! I've been flying through the house since I got home, putting it on old stains from years ago. All gone! It doesn't smell at all and it feels like water on your fingertips. What is this stuff? I am a clean freak and I am impressed." — GARY
Get it from Amazon for $6.53+ (available in various sizes and packs).
27. A no-scrub weekly shower cleaner you can simply just spray on after you shower, wait 8–12 hours while it tackles mold and mildew stains, soap scum, and just about any gross grime without YOU having to scrub. Talk about practical to the max.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I bought this so that I would not have to use energy to scrub my tub and shower. It may not seem like a lot of energy but for somebody who has a chronic illness and is a clean freak, it's a lifesaver!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.39 (available in two sizes, two scents, and a two-pack).
28. An ~intense~ grout cleaner — it'll bring blackened grout back from the disgusting brink because you shouldn't want to wear shoes in the bathroom.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am pregnant so I have a hard time scrubbing my floors but I am a clean freak. So I bought this to give it a try based on the reviews and this has been a lifesaver for me. Before this I used bleach, The Pink Stuff, etc, but flooring was still messy. Now I barely scrub and magic! Can't find the proper words to describe this beauty." — Lila
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in multipacks and with accessories).
29. A bottle of leather conditioner will revive your leather goods *even* as large as a leather couch! Welcome to your next project while you catch up on the latest ep of your fave true-crime podcast!
Reviewers note that using this may darken the leather, so keep that in mind!
Promising review:"I'm a clean freak! I have used a couple of other leather conditioners/cleaners for my leather couch and this by far is the best. The consistency is similar to honey (hence the name).... a little elbow grease is necessary to work it into the leather. I use this approximately every 6-8 weeks (3x) I have 1/2 the bottle left. After using this product, any scuffs or scratches were immediately less noticeable; it's very clean and conditioned (not dull). I plan on using this product so long the quality stays the same." — Rachell B.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
30. An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator that'll erase all the visual (and smelly) evidence of pet accidents on flooring and furniture. You don't need a new chair. You just need this.
Promising review:"I love this I am a clean freak!! And I have a new puppy who was peeing everywhere lol he went on my couch and I tried high dollar urine sprays, water and bleach and this got it! A little goes a loonngg way. I cant say how good this product is. I will buy again. Smells like fresh oranges great product." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $17.96 (also available in multipacks).
31. A jetted tub cleaner you simply run through in a bath cycle and just watch the filth (from previous tenants) EMERGE from the pipes. Then you simply wipe it away! It'll be equally horrifying and satisfying. Worth it.
You run your bath, add the cleaner, watch the gunk emerge, drain your bath, and then clean off the gunk!
Promising review:"I own a 400 gallon Rio jacuzzi and I purchased this product based on the favorable reviews. I am a clean freak and I thought I did a pretty good job of cleaning my Jacuzzi. I must say that I put 8 ounces into my jacuzzi, turned the jets on, and ran them for an hour. I was absolutely amazed of the crud and scum that was floating on the top of the water. I cleaned and drained the jacuzzi and repeated the process a second time. My spa is sparkling clean and I have already ordered another bottle. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT." — Dodger01
Get it from Amazon for $18.73+ (available in two sizes and a two-pack).
32. A holy grail soft cleanser can help you *easily* erase all those gray and rusty stains on household surfaces you came to terms with years ago. They aren't paying rent, so give 'em the boot!
www.amazon.com
FYI, this is the pre-mixed version (which saves you a bit of time). But you can also try the original powder version. To understand just *how* versatile this product is, check out our review of Bar Keepers Friend and prepare to be amazed!
Promising review:"This is the best cleaning product I have ever bought in my 40+ life...bar none. Coming from a clean freak, I recommend this product 111% (yes)!" — DA
Get two 13 oz. bottles from Amazon for $13.13 (also available individually and in a larger bottle size two-pack).
33. An upholstery cleaner to undo whatever it is your kids are doing to your backseat. (Please, I don't want to know.)
Promising review:" A clean freak must-have! This is the best fabric seat cleaner ever!!! I have a light creamy seat and it gets stained easily, i had it cleaned numerous times at a deep clean car wash and they always leave water spot stains whenever the seats are dried. The light color seats make it so easy to see the flaws. This product work like a charm, I was skeptical since I tried couple of things before but nothing really worked. I just need to spray it once and scrub with a brush and it just come right off. For a clean freak, this is truly my dream come true." — Jonathan Erickson
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in gallon refill size).
34. A makeup brush cleanser because you and I both know you're not washing your beauty tools as frequently as you should. (Same.)
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I'm not very good at makeup, but am practicing. I'm also a clean freak so I was able to use just a tiny bit of this cleaner and my brushes come out clean as new." — William M. Buttlicker
Get it from Amazon for $6.96.
35. Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner (you could spray in your mouth if you wanted?!) that'll be safe to use around kids and pets or anyone who's super sensitive to smells.
Amazon
Promising review:"Love this product. This is so easy to use. I cleaned my floors yesterday and am still admiring how good they look. I am a clean freak and highly recommend this product." — Jeann Topper
Get two bottles from Amazon for $12.94+ (available in unscented and sage and citrus and individually).
36. A bottle of Goo Gone foaming spray will help you win the good fight against greasy spills and messes. Your oven is about to get a makeover.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Wow! A degreaser that actually works! I love the foam, which starts to work immediately on my stovetop as well as cookware and other kitchen surfaces." — P. Webb
Get it from Amazon for $9.70+ (available in two sizes).
37. An MVP-worthy pet urine stain–removing spray to help turn back the clock on that ancient stain in the hallway outside your bedroom.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Rocco & Roxie Supply Company is a family-owned business established in 2013 that specializes in pet odor eliminators, pet toys, pet snacks, and pet accessories.
Promising review:"I don't know how I ever survived without this. There's tons of 'pet stain/odor remover' products out there, but this by far is the absolute best. I cringed paying the $20 for it when others are between $5–$10, but I have NO ISSUES paying now. I foster dogs, some puppies, some older, some not house broken and every room in my house is carpeted except the kitchen which means I have lots of accidents. I spray enough to saturate if it's a lot of urine, let it soak for 10 minutes then wipe it up with a hand towel. Then I put a larger towel on top of it if it's in a high-traffic area until it's completely dry. It's taken out every stain and more importantly the odor is gone! I will never stop buying this product. I recommend it to everyone who has dogs!" — Shelley
Get it from Amazon for $19.97.
38. A mold and mildew removal gel that'll transform your shower surround in a mere six hours. Sadly, I think this is the closest we're getting to hopping timelines and universes because the Tardis only exists in our hearts and on our TVs.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It's a little hard to squeeze but that totally makes up for the AMAZING results. I was embarrassed about our tubs because the people we bought our house from didn't caulk or seal them properly and this resulted in mildew buildup. I tried EVERYTHING until I saw this on TikTok, I believe — MIRACLE FREAKING WORKER. I will be buying more, the only complaint I will ever have is the shipping got mixed up but that is not a problem and was fixed very easily!" — Brooklyn Nguyen
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
39. An oil stain remover capable of annihilating that grease stain that you thought made your garage or driveway a goner.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Changed the oil on my girlfriend's car and some oil spilled on my NEW driveway...which I didn't notice 'til four days later. Four spots all about the size of a dollar bill baking in the Arizona sun for four days. Found this searching on Amazon and I thought, whatever. That's one less vodka soda tonight for dinner. Put the stuff on (sits on the stain like pancake batter — don't be afraid to pour liberally) and let it sit from 6 p.m. 'til about 9 a.m. the next day. It dried and the instructions said to just sweep the stuff up (right, like I am not going to need a scraper and wire scrub pad for an hour. HA). Well it broke apart with the broom and the stains were gone, just swept up the powder pieces — took about a minute. I WAS SHOCKED! Something that actually works on oil and it's easy." — AmazonBob
Get it from Amazon for $17.97.
40. A jewelry cleaning solution that reviewers say give them a professional-level on the stuff they wear on the reg like wedding bands.
www.amazon.com
It's formulated to safely clean gold, palladium, platinum, sterling silver, stainless steel, diamonds, pearls, beads, porous stones, soft stones, enamel, and treated gemstones.
Promising review: "Like a professional cleaning. I had months' worth of buildup on my wedding rings and this took it all off with one use! My diamond looks as good as it does when I take it to the jeweler. Very happy with this product." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
41. A powerful tire cleaner to clean off the road dust (and so much more) on all sorts of wheels.
Amazon
Promising review:"Wow! I spend a long time trying to clean my rims with car soap, dish soap, and other car products without any success. No matter how much I rub and scrub it felt like the the dirt and grime was a permanent part of my rims. I've been negligent and haven't touched my rims in about two years (I know... never again). I was desperate so I decided to do some research as a last attempt. I found this and thought maybe it's because I need something specifically for 'brake dusts.' Decided to give it a try and it actually worked! I had to scrub it with a brush and respray it about two to three times on each rim before it's 90% like new again but that's mainly because my rims are so heavily soiled that I don't blame the product. At the end of the day it did what I needed it to do so I'm happy." — Rvn101
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).
42. And a bug remover can clean the gore from your windshield, grille, and side mirrors.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This item was recommended by a stranger in the next RV lot at a campground hundreds of miles from home. This good Samaritan brought his bottle over, sprayed down the front of my bus, and then just wiped half an inch of smashed bugs off it! Just like magic. He then smiled, shook my hand, and left. When we got within two days of home, we ordered this, and it was delivered the day after we arrived. Again, it worked just like magic." — Hikes in Rain
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
43. An all-natural scour paste that'll really attack some layers and LAYERS of crud on all sorts of surfaces.
Danielle Healy / BuzzFeed
Humble Suds is a Denver-based Etsy shop creating plant-based cleaning solutions that are safe, effective, and come in cute packaging (Bonus!).
My colleague Danielle Healy is a big fan: "Shortly after moving in to my current apartment, my partner and I went to store something on the top of the kitchen cabinets only to find them caked in a thick layer of grime 🤢 After going at it with regular multipurpose cleaner (with little success) we broke out the scour paste as a last-ditch effort and OH BOY did this miracle product deliver (pics above). After handling all that grossness, it's had no problem with day-to-day messes like soap scum and burnt-on food. Plus, it smells delightful and comes in minimal, low-waste packaging!"
Get it from Humble Suds on Etsy for $14.95+ (available in two sizes).
44. A powerful toilet tank cleaner can remove rust and other mineral deposits. Sure, guests aren't looking in your tank every time you use it, BUT you know if it's looking gross or not.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "For six years I have tried to remove stains from my toilet. I used bleach, pumice stones, CLR, vinegar, baking soda. This has done the job with zero scrubbing on my part. I am so happy with this product. I put it in my toilet bowl overnight as well as the tank and the stains are going away." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.27.
45. A mold and mildew remover to work its magic on gross grout stains while you kick back and catch up on your stories.
www.amazon.com
I am literally describing my life. Yep, it even works on pesky pink grout stains! My mom turned me onto this stuff in college and I've used it since.
Promising review:"Nothing removes mold and mildew from my shower like Tilex. I'm not the best Suzy Homemaker, so my shower can get kinda gross looking. I used the Tilex and my shower was noticeably cleaner after just soaking in the spray for a few minutes. I then scrubbed a bit and even better! Now to get a smaller brush so that I can scrub the bottom better." — Mteren
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.49.
46. A bottle of mold and mildew remover spray with some "before" reviewer photos that look straight out of a haunted-house movie. Just spray it on a surface, wait 15 seconds, and then watch the mold disappear like a hat trick.
www.amazon.com
It works on wood, tile, fiberglass, showers, floors, counters, and grout!
RMR Brands is a small business specializing in professional grade cleaning solutions for your home.
Promising review:"I bought this RMR spray with low expectations, even with the good reviews. I sprayed a small patch in the evening and let it sit overnight. The next morning, the grout where I had sprayed was as white as if it were brand new. I decided to spray the entire wall and part of the roof. The next day everything I sprayed had no visible mold. By the third night, I was pretty much spraying everything left in the shower. This stuff is amazing." — John Werner
Get a 32-oz bottle on Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four sizes and multiple quantities).
47. A rust stain-removing gel to help the gross shower surround. Lots of folks have gotten clean in that rental bathroom but it that doesn't have to feel that way.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I cannot say enough great things about this product. We just purchased a home that has a well with very high iron content in the water. I tried everything to remove the stains from our three toilets but nothing worked. I found this product online and immediately went to Amazon. The results blew me away. I didn't have to scrub at all. I let it sit in the tank for several hours and the results floored me!" — Toni Huitt
Get it from Amazon for $5.97 (also available in a six-pack).
48. A plant-based stain remover capable of erasing YEARS-old blood stains from a tenant's mattress, as this reviewer explains. I have questions. MANY questions. Oh and it works on clothes too.
www.amazon.com
Also check out our full review of Puracy Natural Laundry Stain Remover.
Promising review:"A tenant left some blood stains on this mattress and a heating pad about 20 years ago. They were totally dry when we found them. Not knowing what to do, we put the mattress aside for 20 years until we found this product. Tested on the pad first. I sprayed a whole bottle on the pad, left it in a bathtub all night. Then washed the pad in the tub. The pad looks new after it is dried, even cleaner than when it was new! Wow! Then the real challenge, the mattress. With experience from cleaning the pad, I decided to use the solution much more efficiently. Here is the improved process: 1) Spray a little solution on the stained area. Make sure the stained area is soaked, but not too deeply. 2) Cover the soaked area with a piece of paper towel. I found it absorbs the stain very well. 3) Spray a little more solution onto the paper towel. This is for keeping the stain moisturized. These enzymes do not work under dry environments. 4) Cover the stained area and the paper towel on it with a piece of plastic film, which is normally for preserving food. Again, I did this to keep the stained area wet. The second morning, I removed everything from the mattress, used more paper towels to absorb the mess. And then, I used a clean car washing towel and cold water to clean up the remaining mess. I washed the towel and cleaned up again. Repeated three to four times, the mattress became very clean! No blood stain remains! Never imagined it could remove 20-year-old bloodstains." — nusaco888
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in three sizes).
49. A carpet cleaning solution with results so impressive (just cast your eyes below this text!) that you may have to bleep out your own reaction. Get ready to break up with your carpet cleaner rental spot. Remember when your carpet was beige instead of greige?
www.amazon.com
It's from a family-run business that specializes in cleaning products, especially ones for homes with pets!
Promising review:"After reading the reviews I thought I could at least try it, and holy smokes, this is a miracle cleaner!!! I think I have tried every cleaner on the market for pet stains and nothing ever really works on my carpets. Even if I get it off the top, it somehow comes back up. My crazy dogs hate the rain and they have one spot that they always go on when they decide they are not going outside. I have cleaned the spot probably 100 times. I cleaned this area one time with this cleaner and my spot steam cleaner and it is completely gone! The stain and smell are 100% gone, not just covered up like before, completely and absolutely gone. Miracle cleaner for sure!" — PLLane
Get it from Amazon for $16.97.
50. A natural, plant-based cleaner in case the reason you let things reach gas station–bathroom levels is because you can't stand the smell of bleach. This stuff will tackle grime, streaks, spilled foundation, soap scum, and basically whatever else ends up on your bathroom surfaces. AND it'll leave behind a eucalyptus and tea tree scent, a vast improvement from smelling like an indoor pool.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is amazing!! I was skeptical at first because I have these dark stains on my shower floor that I've never been able to get out and was thinking something 'natural' wouldn't be heavy-duty enough for it. I cleaned half the shower at first because I wanted to see how it looked compared to the dirty side and it did an amazing job with a little bit of elbow grease! You can see the difference." — Katherine Cheng
Get two bottles from Amazon for $12.34.
51. A bottle of Kaboom No-Drip Foam Mold & Mildew Stain Remover, which is bleach-based, can get down through mold and mildew JUST where you want it...without dripping all over other stuff. Then you can wipe away!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the Kaboom Mold & Mildew Stain Remover in action.
Promising review: "I love this cleaner! I used to spend hours with bathroom cleaners with bleach and a scrub brush in my white tile shower never getting the shower clean! I now spray this on the shower and walk away and in a short amount of time my shower tile is WHITE with ZERO scrubbing." — Suzanne
Get two bottles from Amazon for $19.99.
52. A sandalwood all-purpose cleaner concentrate can make your water closet smell like it belongs in a 5-star hotel penthouse suite.
Good Vibes
Good Vibes is a Black woman-owned small business run out of Philadelphia, PA, that makes an array of plant-based cleaning products. The product itself is very soapy, so be sure to dilute it properly before going to town on all of your surfaces. You can also use it as a laundry booster or spot cleaner for clothes or carpet.
Promising review:"All the Good Vibes products work well, this is my favorite scent. I use it mostly for cleaning bathrooms and the floors throughout my home. It did an amazing job, however, cleaning the outside of a car that hadn't been washed in over a year. Two thumbs up!!" —my favorite
Get it from Good Vibes for $12.50.
53. Or an all-purpose cleaner concentrate to majorly save you on shelf space but also ensure you'll have all kinds of backups for cleaning. Also it just *looks* nice in case you need to leave it out in open storage.
Humble Suds / Etsy
Humble Suds is a Denver-based shop that sells plant- and mineral-derived cleaning products.
Promising review: "Great natural cleaner. Use it to clean the kitchen counter and cut through grease and other cooking mess." — Ron
Get it from Humble Suds on Etsy for $12.95 (available in three scent blends).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
What are the 4 major US cities? The internet can't decide. Vote for your picks.
There are thousands of cities in the United States, but according to the internet, four are more important than the rest. Which ones are they? That's up for discussion. Social media's latest debate revolves around the notion that the U.S. only has four "major" cities. The criteria and evaluation of which ones make the cut are up to each respective user, but many people seem to agree on at least two of them. Thousands of people, from content creators to professional athletes, have weighed in on the discourse across platforms like TikTok and X in recent weeks. What do you think? Take our survey at the bottom of this story. What are the four major US cities? Ranking one area as more "major" than another is obviously subjective, but many online commenters concur on two cities' inclusion in the list: New York City and Los Angeles. They are, after all, the most populous cities in the U.S. and each offer a lot in other criteria that netizens have used for evaluation. The third spot is where it gets dicey, as some users have staunchly advocated for Chicago to be included, while others argue against it. "I think we all need to come to a general consensus that the top three are locked in," content creator Eli Rallo said in an Aug. 3 TikTok, which has been viewed more than 625,000 times to date. "It's indisputably New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago." "Chicago just isn't top 3, NY and LA are the only for certains," one commenter said on the video. When it comes to other contenders, several cities have circulated in online discourse. "The real debate should be the fourth one," user @ said in a July 30 TikTok. "I've seen a lot of like, Miamis, or like, I've seen some people say D.C. 'cause it's the capital." "If we're being honest there is no big 4 or even big 3. It's just NYC and LA," one commenter wrote on the video. What makes a 'major' city? Factors like a city's size, sports teams or historical significance have all been used by social media users in weighing the four major U.S. cities. When it comes to population, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houstin are the top four largest cities in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, many have emphasized the importance of factors other than size. "Remember, it is not just the biggest cities, it's the major cities," user @hoodieguyspam said in a TikTok. "You have to factor in cultural impact." One cultural impact to note, at least to some, is where to develop a career. "Everyone goes to New York City or LA to follow their dreams, or industry there, there are just lots of opportunities," user @reagans_ratings said in a TikTok. International recognition has also played a factor in some rankings. "As a Brit I'd always say New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago. They're the most populous and noteworthy for us across the pond," one commenter said. What do you think the four major U.S. cities are? Vote in our survey Do you agree on New York, Los Angeles or Chicago? Is there a city you think should enter this debate? Take USA TODAY's survey and weigh in on what the four major U.S. cities are below. This survey includes the 50 most populated cities in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
People Are Holding Nothing Back When Describing Their Extremely Difficult In-Laws, And I Really, Really Feel For Them
Reddit user u/fuzzyloulou recently posed the question: "Married people of Reddit, what's something you just hate about your in-laws?" "Hate" is a pretty strong word, but most people responded with some genuine grievances they have with their in-laws' behavior. BuzzFeed Community members also chimed in with some gripes of their own. Here's what people shared: 1."We have more money than my MIL, and she is so jealous of my husband's success. She'll make fun of our vacations, say she'd never live in a 'snobby' place, wouldn't work as a corporate exec, or drive cars that weren't made in America. We don't put anything on Facebook or anywhere else. I guess his sister tells her? But she always posts about how her son thinks he is so great. You know what? He fucking is. Sorry, he came from broke ass, miserable people and made a success of himself. You'd think she'd be proud of him. It's all envy disguised as disdain. What mother gets mad when her kid does well in life?" —kestrelh 2."My MIL? I love her; she's great. My FIL? He cheated on my MIL with her sister, and still sees said sister every week while somehow still remaining married to my MIL. He bought himself and the sister a new car while my MIL drives a 20-year-old F-150. When he's home, all he does is drink Budweiser from 11:00 a.m. on and watch TV. And, he complains about everyone else in the family. He doesn't come to his grandkids' birthday parties, and instead just hands us cash to go buy something and to say it's from him. On several occasions, he's been at nice dinners and gotten drunk and belligerent to the point of embarrassing everyone with him." —u/Tiberius_Jim 3."The way they travel. They constantly need to overpack, shop for stuff to take home, etc.. It always results in half a dozen overweight suitcases and carry-ons that they then ALWAYS have to reorganize to handle the weight. They ALWAYS expect everyone in the group to pack light to accommodate in case they have to dump their stuff on you. I hate it, and it ticks me off every time." —u/Sorry-birthday1 4."When we go to my in-laws, we never leave the house. We sit in the den, watch TV 12 hours a day, and listen to my FIL crap on anything and everything he sees on the idiot box. We finally told them that the condition for our coming was to turn off Fox News. It's not just because he's 84 and a grumpy old man. He's been doing this for the past 30 years. Everybody and everything is 'stupid,' except for him. It's just this constant stream of negativity. My MIL isn't much better. She will sit there and talk about everybody else under the sun and how foolish those people are. I've started leaving for a couple of hours for a sanity break. I have to demand that my children go visit them once a year." —u/AnybodySeeMyKeys 5."My MIL treats her son like a baby. She also says things like, 'No one can love you like I love you,' and seems to assume I'm just using her son for money and childcare…because she was like that when raising her kids. Other than that, she's a super funny and charismatic person. I try to give her the benefit of the doubt, as she's just a protective mom, but I can say I will not be treating my children or in-laws like that." —u/oo0Lucidity0oo 6."My MIL asked my husband's whole family to wear crosses to our wedding so it wouldn't be 'godless and satanic.' Why? Because my mother was officiating. She stalks my 11-year-old stepdaughter, who is no contact with said MIL due to extreme panic attacks whenever she has to see her grandmother. gave me an individually wrapped dish sponge for Christmas last year." —elizabeth_pearl_1105 7."My MIL isn't too nice to the kids. Granted, she has 15 grandkids, but you can tell which ones she likes which she likes less. My kids are in the middle." —u/wclure 8."My in-laws are terrible with money. They filed for bankruptcy and then decided not to make some payments. So my husband and I took over their finances and put them on a budget to make ends meet. Are they grateful? Nope!! When we tell them they don't have money to go out to eat, we get told that we don't care about them. It got so bad that we've told them not to talk to us anymore. We manage the finances, but any communication to us has to go through one of my husband's siblings." —alley2024 9."Their concept of time. They're all always shamelessly late to everything. And, they act like it's a cardinal sin to be early. They think they're 'early' if they stroll in just in the nick of time. For example, I've told them, 'We have to be there at 7:00, and it's a 20-minute drive, so we should leave by 6:35 at the latest. So, you need to be at our house at 6:30 so we can load the car.' 'Why so early? I'll be at your house at 6:45.' Then, they show up at 6:55 and can't understand why I'm angry. And, we get to where we're supposed to be at 7:15, and they can't understand why everyone there is mad. At least my husband has gotten better about it. He still hates to be anywhere early, but he plans and takes steps to be on time, not late." —u/MrsPottyMouth 10."My former MIL was always on the selfish side and 100% had her favorites. She went out of her way to tell me she took a religious oath a long time ago to prevent her children from marrying people of MY religion, but she was okay with it since I'm not practicing. Fast forward many years, sadly, our only child passed away from childhood cancer, and my mother passed less than a year later. The upcoming Mother's Day was the first for me without either my child or my mother, so I was a wreck. I'm a motherless child and a childless mother, but she had to play it up that SHE was more distraught because of the loss of her grandchild than I was over both, so that she could get my husband's attention. She is a miserable woman who can't stand not being the center of attention." —mengram76 11."They have four kids, and the only boy is their favorite. They ignore their daughters, which includes my wife. The heartbreak she feels every time they blow her off to go spend more time with their son is gut-wrenching. They took him to Vegas on her birthday two years in a row." —u/korar67 12."The way they come over to my house unannounced. They just show up, then get mad at me for being in the shower or not at home because I'm running errands. I know I'm a stay-at-home mom, but dang, I still have to go run errands outside the house. I also don't like the way they insist they can have our baby whenever they please, without our permission." —u/LoveOfTheLee 13."My in-laws are racist, and I'm Mexican. They've never made comments directed towards me specifically, but they have made comments about Mexican immigrants. My parents are immigrants, and my in-laws know this. I stopped going to any event with them, and thankfully, they moved out of state. My partner spends holidays with them, and I stay and enjoy the holidays with my family. I haven't seen them in two years." —darlingcath 14."My FIL called my wife and her three sisters 'whores' all while standing in MY house. Reason, you ask? They all got married outside of the Catholic faith. We haven't spoken in six years. Best six years of my life." —u/Patrick2337 15."My MIL is the cheapest woman I have ever met. I have hundreds of stories and examples. Last Christmas, she gave me a can of nuts from Goodwill. She said she didn't feel comfortable getting us a wedding gift. She won a cruise to Alaska and took our son, which was very sweet, but she refused to pay for anything during the trip. They ate sandwiches in the room and spent most days walking around Juneau. He wanted to come home on day two. I have fixed things, helped her move, mowed her lawn, and done a dozen other things. She has never once bought dinner as a thank you or to celebrate a special event. Years ago, we had a bad time and asked if we could live in her house for two months. She insisted on charging us rent. She has missed funerals and weddings because she will not pay for travel or a hotel. I will stop now because I could go on forever." —u/brt309 16."I'm pretty sure my MIL has never heard the word 'no.' Apparently, I introduced it to her because she thinks she can just announce she wants to visit or say she wants this or that, and expects everyone to comply. Here I came along and was like, NOPE! Safe to say we don't have a great relationship and have moved away from her TWICE!" —lulu98 17."The gossiping about us to anyone who will listen. And, the guilt trips. Every single guilt trip tactic to get us to drag our family of four across the country to go see them. Also, they were absolute trash parents to my husband. They both allowed physical, mental, and verbal abuse to run rampant, and now have the audacity to expect a relationship with their adult child." —u/Ninjaher0 18."Where to start? They are racist bigots who, despite only being Christmas Christians who haven't been to church in 40 years, didn't like their son marrying a Jew. We bought their house over 20 years ago, and my MIL has not said anything nice about anything we've changed, as though it should have been kept a shrine to her style. They moved away years ago and have only visited their son maybe three times. They made a trip to the state once without telling him because they were visiting his uncle and didn't visit their son. And when we first bought the house, I, a Jew, did my best to host a festive Christmas for them, only to be told they wouldn't return for Christmas ever again because it 'wasn't what they were expecting.' I could go on for hours with examples." —jbdnco 19."My MIL still blames me for moving her daughter away and can't believe we moved for better economic opportunities 11 years ago. She will call my wife and cry almost every other night about how she doesn't know how much time she has left, and she refuses to visit, even when we offer to pay the travel expenses. She puts on this poor-me sob story every time we visit. My GOD, just STFU!" —u/Zantabar 20."How critical they are of my partner. He is loving, kind, smart, and unique. Nothing he ever does will ever be enough for them. As a result, he has major anxiety and perfectionist issues. He's hard on himself and constantly apologizes for minor things. I wish he knew how awesome he is. For this reason, I've chewed out both his dad and mom, but they were clueless. What issues? If things were different, I'd love to be close to them, but I see how dysfunctional they are and am totally okay with zero contact." —u/Spletzi 21."Mine used my wedding as their own personal photoshoot, often taking their son/my groom away to snap family pictures. They then posted all the pictures of themselves in the group chat, and only one of me, which was just of my back at the altar. They also managed to get a photo of just the groom cutting the cake alone, without me in the photo, though we were obviously standing close together. I don't think they were malicious; they're just very self-centered people with zero social awareness." —u/Charming_Foot_495 22."The number one thing is that they are drama vampires. They can't live without it. Everything is about them; if it isn't, it will be soon. They are cartoonishly childish, and it's as ridiculous as it is sad. I feel terrible for my spouse and her siblings. Every family get-together is a mess. Number two is that they can't make a plan without overcomplicating the ever-loving crap out of it, which my wife has inherited." —u/Studlum 23."I judge my step-MIL because she posts EVERYTHING on Facebook. I swear she can't take a poop without posting." —u/MalpracticeMatt 24."They are good people, but also the pickiest eaters I have ever met. It has to be genetic. Their entire diet consists of Rice-A-Roni, overcooked, baked chicken, and Ragu pasta. They will not venture out and try anything that they deem too 'exotic' or potentially mildly spicy. For example, chicken tacos sound too wild for them. It has to be Taco Bell-style ground beef." —u/Tbonejak 25."I get along great with my MIL and FIL as individual people and have close relationships with both, but good god, they have a horrible relationship. It's really awkward sometimes. I have no idea how or why they are still together. They literally hate each other. Early in our relationship, I attempted to gently inquire about what I had observed after getting to know my wife's parents a bit. Before I even finished asking, she casually said, 'Yeah, they should have divorced a long, long time ago. We (her siblings) all think they need to give it up.'" —u/chillin_trashpanda 26."How fake they are. They just care about their image and how they appear to others. Very little, if anything, is genuine about them." —u/Unhygienictree 27."I absolutely love my in-laws, but compared to my family, they are REALLY loud. Like, instead of taking turns talking, they just talk louder over each other until someone listens. I leave with a headache, including when I sneak to an empty room for peace." —u/kannakantplay 28."The constant criticism. I married their only son, and nothing I do is good enough. My house is never clean enough, my 1-year-old doesn't 'behave,' and my cooking sucks. The passive aggressiveness is so overwhelming." —u/BAM151822 29."My husband's mother and two sisters really went out of their way to make me feel unwanted and disliked early in our marriage. They judged me, gave me the cold shoulder, and criticized everything I did. Joke's on them. My husband and I have been married for 30 years. So, I learned a lesson: Screw the naysayers. Haters gonna hate." —u/heyjudemarie 30."They are terrible with money and have tried to drag my immediate family down with them. I've had to stop acting like an ATM for them, and they're resentful that we won't support their BS anymore." —u/Alternative_Let_1599 31."My MIL refuses to discuss anything that bothers her. She just goes dead silent for a moment, then pivots to a different subject." —u/LaComtesseGonflable 32."My step-MIL could definitely be represented here. She's a piece of work. She's a teacher but literally hates children; all she does is complain about her horrible students, who are kindergarten kids. And often she treats the grandkids like she would rather be anywhere else but with them. She also has some really bizarre hang-ups about my husband's mom. My FIL and MIL divorced almost 30 years ago, and yet, step-MIL felt it necessary to bring up during my recent baby shower that she and FIL had now been married longer than he and MIL. She did this out loud to other people while my saint of a MIL was no more than three feet away. Why would that even matter?! She's an odd bird." —SFoxy 33."My in-laws are very nice people, but they have two things that really bug me. They have never-ending visits, and they do this with their entire family. I don't want to have house guests for two weeks. Second, they don't help at all when they visit. You used a cup, and you just saw me load the dishwasher? Put the cup in the dishwasher, not the sink. My son is autistic and has been known to get out of the house. Just keep an eye on him if I step away for a minute. Don't tell me he left the house and just sit there. When he was a baby, no one ever offered to feed him, change a diaper, or even give me a break to nap and just play with him. It's exhausting." —yesitsmissa 34."My wife's dad is a very 'I'm right, you're wrong' kind of person. If he's not right, he refuses to admit it and will just leave and not speak to you for a long time. Then, he'll show back up and act like nothing happened." —u/SaiyanGodKing 35."I adore my FIL and step-MIL. They are supportive, welcoming, and fun. They are both really Type A and 'super planners,' which can sometimes be a little irritating, but we have a huge family, and their organization makes for seamless and enjoyable family gatherings. I love my MIL, but she is not the most pleasant person to be around. She is very passive-aggressive and is one of those people who always wants to be miserable. When we get together, she spends most of the time complaining about how her sons never want to see her. She also recruits them to do things for her (which they would happily do) by implying that they owe her because 'I gave birth to you!' It's just exhausting." "Everyone would probably make more of an effort to spend time with her if every time wasn't a passive-aggressive guilt trip. She is better one-on-one, so I try to find ways to hang out with her alone because we get along well. I just wish she would let everyone relax and enjoy the time together." —la0912 "There's nothing I really hate about my in-laws, but my MIL occasionally says some things that give me pause when she's in the room. For example, she wished me a happy birthday recently, to which I casually replied, 'Just another trip around the sun.' My comment resulted in a 20-minute lecture about how the sun actually orbits the Earth, based on her visual observation of it rising in the east and setting in the west every day. I often wonder how much of my partner's childhood trauma is a direct result of her mother's 'unusual' beliefs." —u/officehelpermonkey What's the most frustrating thing your in-laws do? Tell us in the comments or share anonymously using this form. Solve the daily Crossword


Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials
A school supply essentials box in case that back-to-school list is just too daunting. This case has pretty much everything you'll need for the school year and almost anything that'll be on the supply list so you can enjoy summer rather than fight Hunger Games-style with another adult over the last glue stick. Each bundle includes a plastic pencil box, a 10-pack of markers, a 24-pack of crayons, a 12-pack of colored pencils, three glue sticks, a pack of #2 pencils, five pencil top erasers, a rubber eraser, a pencil sharpener, a pair of blunt tip scissors, two pencil grips, a 12-inch ruler, a wide-rule spiral notebook, a wide ruled composition book, and two 2-pocket folder with metal review: "As a busy working mother, this was a lifesaver! The kit had everything my third grader needed to start his new school year, and I didn't have to fight the crowds at the stores!!! 5 stars!!!" —Carolyn JacksonGet it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two other sizes). A gentle alarm clock that'll hopefully bring you much cheerier wake-ups than jarring beeping sounds. I recently started using this sunrise clock and THE CHANGE to my mornings. Even if your little one is too young for an alarm clock, just having one for yourself can make waking up so much more pleasant. Promising review: "This clock is a lifesaver! I bought one each for my three kids so they can get up on time for school, and it works perfectly! They love the ease of use and customization — and they are actually excited about getting up on time!" —KavinaGet it from Amazon for $32.88+ (available in three colors). A cereal dispenser so they can get themselves breakfast without a gigantic pile of spilled cereal on the floor. The added excitement of making every breakfast feel like a hotel vacation breakfast is simply a bonus. Promising review: "These keep my cereal fresh, my 6-year-old can use them on her own! It's truly a lifesaver!" —Allison MarieGet it from Amazon for $31.22. A breakfast sandwich maker to get you a hot and delicious breakfast rather than scavenging off of leftover cereal and cold toaster pastries. This machine makes amazing breakfast sandwiches in minutes — plus you can embarrass your brood by singing H-O-T-T-O-G-O every time you pass them a sando. Promising review: "This thing is a lifesaver. I'm a mother of four young kids, so I have resorted to eating cereal, Pop-Tarts, anything FAST in the mornings because I have lots of little people to take care of, too. For as little as one minute of prep time and five minutes to cook, I have a delicious and much healthier breakfast. I bought the single, but I am considering ordering a double as well." — it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in five colors). A hard-boiled egg maker so efficient, it takes almost all of the time out of making hard-boiled eggs for your family. Quickly make up to six eggs at a time in about 10 minutes. Perfect for any family rushing through the breakfast chaos — or anyone who has found their batch of hard-boiled eggs sitting in a lukewarm pot of water six hours later. 🫠 Promising review: "Lifesaver! Quick eggs and do not need to be prepped that much. Helps a lot when you are getting kids ready to go to school." —DeepakGet it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). A programmable coffee maker that'll help you set your coffee up the night before and wake up to your favorite aroma. If you're like me and have had too many mornings where you realize you forgot to brew your coffee until it was too late, it's time to treat yourself to a better system. Promising review: "What was I waiting for? I drink a lot of coffee. Now I've always had a glass pot coffee maker and briefly went down the Keurig road (hated it.) After breaking my third glass pot in the past few years, I started looking into getting a stainless steel pot. I saw a few with a water reservoir, but I decided against it. Good fresh water makes for good coffee. This one seemed to get good reviews, so I ordered it. Boy, am I glad that I did! The pot is huge (a lot of stainless steel pots were only 10 cups, this one makes 12.) The design is sleek and matches my kitchen so well. The auto feature is nice when I remember to actually prep it at night. There is a bold feature (yaasss!) The display will tell you how many minutes, up to two hours, have passed since it brewed. The best part, however, is the pot. It keeps the coffee warm for hours and hours. I have four kids and run a home daycare, so I don't always get around to getting my second and third cups until hours after brewing. And I hate microwaved coffee! This coffee maker has been a lifesaver. I can have my early morning cup. Get through my morning schedule and go back for another cup, and it'll be just as hot! No reheating! My only complaint is that I wish the filter were cone-shaped instead of a basket. Just a personal preference of mine. (I think the chance of grounds getting into the brew increases with a basket filter, that's all.) But other than that, this has been the best coffee maker I have ever bought." —JasmineGet it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in three versions). A set of refrigerator storage bins to make getting lunches ready a much more streamlined process. Rather than digging through the fridge trying to find whatever snacks you have, keep them separated and at the ready. Promising review: "The bins were a lifesaver. Now I can reach things easily by pulling out bins. The entire family found that this works better than reaching in the back of the refrigerator for things that have fallen. Now it is simply pulling out a bin. Also, it avoids standing in front of the refrigerator looking for things. The bins have 'like' items in each. I also paired this with the rotating refrigerator carousel. My refrigerator is now very organized and maximizes space. The bins seem very durable and are made of sturdy material." —Gorbla2Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.76+ (available in two sizes). A pack of silicone dividers so foods in the lunch box stay separated and less soggy — because no one likes soggy crackers thanks to strawberry spillage. Promising review: "We love these! Every Sunday, we make homemade Lunchables. We put crackers in the rectangular cup, sliced cheese in the square, and salami or pepperoni on the round. They fit into an airtight container to go into the fridge until the kids pack their lunches each morning. It's been a life and time saver!!!" —Erin B. LeggGet a 36-pack of assorted shapes from Amazon for $9.99 (available in various shapes and sizes). A lunchbox with an option to send warm food for the kid who likes to mix up their lunch routine. The hot cup has a lid to keep food separate AND is removable — meaning you don't need two lunchboxes when your kiddo decides to take a cold lunch. So many more lunch opportunities are in your future. Promising review: "My daughter loves to bring a warm lunch to school every day. We have previously tried other bento lunchboxes, but none of them keep the food warm or fresh for very long. The OmieBox has been a lifesaver! This lunchbox has plenty of space and keeps the food warm and fresh all day. It is strong and has lasted despite all the times it has been bumped and banged up at school. It is easy to clean and does not leave food residue. I will be buying another one for my son this school year. Highly recommended!" —Jesus CastroGet it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in seven colors). An insulated Thermos for sending them with something hot along with their cold lunch items. Although some parents love sending pasta, many rave about the ability to send some dino nuggets that are still hot by lunch! Promising review: "My child doesn't like many cold lunch options for school. This has been a lifesaver! I've packed macaroni and cheese, chili and rice, soups, chicken and broccoli, and much more, all with success. The container keeps the food warm, doesn't leak, and seems to be enough food." —OH ReviewGet it from Amazon for $15.39+ (available in 30 designs). A freezable lunch bag with built-in ice packs to keep food fresh and at a safe eating temperature. Just toss it in the freezer the night before to keep food cool all day — because staying home with a kid with food poisoning should not be on your agenda. This is the brand I use for both of my kids, and I absolutely love these bags. They're so easy to store, and there's ice on both sides — ensuring safe food no matter when their lunchtime is. It's nice to be able to send a string cheese without remembering the room-temperature, rubbery-by-mid-day cheese stick of my youth. 🤢Promising review: "These are amazing. I was having to put ice packs in my kids' lunch and was looking for an alternative when I came across these. It has been over 100 for the last two weeks, not counting the heat index, and they have been a lifesaver. They go in the kids' backpacks in the am and come off the bus still cold. This never happened with an ice pack. It actually stays cold and helps my kids to have cold food during the day, I wish I had found these years ago!!!" —BryanGet it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in eight designs). A visual timer to help keep things calm if your kiddo struggles with transitions. With a visual timer, "five more minutes until you need to brush your teeth" actually has some meaning as they watch the rainbow count down. I use this with my oldest on school nights so she knows when to stop reading and go to sleep. Promising review: "The Yunbaoit Upgraded Black Visual Timer with Protective Case has been an absolute lifesaver for managing ADHD in our household. The visual countdown is intuitive and easy to understand, making it perfect for staying on task and managing transitions. The durable protective case adds peace of mind, ensuring it can withstand daily use. Whether it's for homework, chores, or screen time, this timer has helped create structure and minimize distractions. It's simple to use, highly effective, and has quickly become an essential tool in our routine. I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to improve time management!" —adudethatknowsGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors). A set of personalized labels so you can avoid the hassle of rummaging through the overflowing lost and found. I'm pretty sure my kids forget their lunchbox, water bottle, or sweater every day last school year — labels make things so much easier to find later. Promising review: "I've had these name labels for a while, and they're absolutely amazing. I can stick them on clothes, wash them, and they're still good. They've been an absolute lifesaver when it comes to school — teachers know when it's my child's, and it prevents it from being lost. I've stuck it on sippies, clothes, shoes, the outside of backpacks, it is RESILIENT and honestly, super underpriced for how high quality and the quantity you get. I'd only ever buy from this seller." — 130-pack from Amazon for $9.95 (available in 27 designs). An electric toothbrush that uses an app to keep your kid engaged and brushing for a full two minutes. Electric toothbrushes already keep teeth cleaner, but the addition of the app helps kids work through brushing without getting distracted or hurrying through the process. Honestly just being able to leave them to brushing without having to hover as the tarter police is worth it. Promising review: "We were having some struggles getting our 3.5-year-old to brush his teeth. This toothbrush and the app have been a lifesaver! He now looks forward to brushing his teeth and gets excited to see what 'present' he's going to get. Also, the app is actually way better than I expected." —Amanda P. Get it from Amazon for $29.96+ (available in two colors, two charging styles, and as a bundle). And a toothpaste dispenser and toothbrush holder to save you from trying to get out for the morning and hearing "CAN SOMEONE PASTE MY TOOTHBRUSH??" or the ever-dreaded "uh-oh" during teeth brushing. Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE this!! We previously had a different one similar to this, but did not have a toothpaste dispenser. I decided to try this one out because it matched and was more modern-looking. I am so happy with this! It fit on our wall exactly where the other one went, and we didn't even have to use the sticker. I love the four cops and how hidden and easy they are to access. The toothpaste comes out perfectly every time and does not make a mess!!! My kids love to make messes, so this is a lifesaver. I have already recommended this to all of my friends and family." —Lindsay SnackGet it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four colors). A day-of-the-week clothing organizer so that choosing clothes for school doesn't become a daily battle in your household. Just check the weather report and choose outfits over the weekend — suddenly a (mostly) stress-free morning! Promising review: "This has been an absolute lifesaver! My kids put all of their clothes for the week in their 'pockets' on Sunday and there's no digging in the mornings anymore!" —CrystalWGet it from Amazon for $25.99. A fan-favorite Skylight calendar for keeping all of your family appointments in plain sight. Not only does it automatically sync to your calendars, you can set up chore charts for your family members and keep lists all in one place — making the school year so much less hectic for you. Promising review: "If you have a busy household, this family calendar is a lifesaver. Now everyone can enter their appointments, work schedules, classes, etc, into their own Google calendar, and it syncs to the family calendar. Everyone is aware of what is happening, and it avoids double booking. App is easy to use, as is the actual device." —NH CustomerGet it from Amazon for $269.99. A shoe organizer to hopefully avoid the every morning battle to find a missing shoe. Not only can you keep everything in one place, you'll also free up your entryway from a sea of mismatched shoes. Promising review: "With three small kids and a husband with lots of shoes, this shoe cabinet has been a lifesaver. I built it on my own in just a few hours. I love it." —KatieGet it from Amazon for $125.99+ (available with two, three, four, or six drawers and 10 colors). A car seat unbuckling tool so they can unbuckle themselves at in the morning, ensuring that you're not burying your face at drop-off as you hold up the line to unbuckle your kid. The car seat buckle desperately needs to be one less thing you fight with. Promising review: "We purchased two of these, one for each car, and it has been great for dropping off our Kindergarten student at school. We are not allowed to get out of the car, so I was worried how to get him unbuckled from his car seat/harness, but this has been a lifesaver. It took him only two practices to get it, but he really picked it up quick and now he really enjoys unbuckling himself once we get in car line. We love this product!" —Alicia RosenbauerGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors). A rolling backpack because backpacks are just SO HEAVY. These are great for littles and bigs alike, especially if you walk to school. Nothing like saving them a few extra years before back pain sets in. Promising review: "My kids have quite a walk after they get off the bus. so this has been a lifesaver!" —C. it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in different colors). A wobble cushion if you have a kid who JUST. NEEDS. TO. WIGGLE. Desk seats were not made with wiggly kids in mind, so wobble cushions offer some much needed movement without leaving the seat and disrupting class. My ADHD kiddo pretty much lives on this cushion during the school year — LIFESAVER. Promising review: "My son has ADHD, and this was a lifesaver. Lucky for u,s the school approved it for use in the classroom. It's nice because it's lightweight and he can grab it and take it with him wherever he goes. The little nub-like fingers on it work wonders for him. It gives him something to keep his body busy and his little hands. Awesome find!" —LaKeishaGet it from Amazon for $23.74+ (available in six colors and in multipacks). A zipper binder to keep everything in place and zipped up so papers don't go flying. It even has a carrying strap in case their backpack is too small. Say good-bye to papers shoved down at the bottom of the backpack — they've finally thought of everything. Promising review: "This binder was a lifesaver for my middle schooler. The first binder we tried was NOT one of these. It was impossible to carry around, and papers were frequently lost. Then I found this. This binder changed everything and even eased my students' anxiety because it's so much easier to stay organized. The ring itself is sturdy and easy to open and close. There's room in here for work from different classes, and storage for pencils and pens, etc. There is a bonus section of accordion storage, which is excellent for take-home papers or other loose items. Then, it zips closed! This zipper is tough, and it seems to move with ease no matter what. And the icing on the cake is the handle on the spine. This makes it easy to grab the binder and stuff it in a backpack or walk between classes without having to cradle the binder in your arms. We never used the optional shoulder strap, but options are nice. This binder gets an A+." —Rachel WGet it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in 20 designs and in multipacks). A pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your sensory-sensitive kid. These headphones are powerful enough to dull ambient classroom noise, but still allow them to hear the teacher. Even kids without sensory sensitivities love wearing these! Every teacher my kids have had has a basket for communal use. As the parent of a kid with sensory challenges, these are an absolute school-year must-have. Promising review: "Purchased this back in 2021 when my child was 5 years of age. He's now 9 and they still fit perfectly on him. This has been a lifesaver for him and the bus driver, recently, since there are other kiddos on the bus that scream throughout the bus ride and it frustrates my child. So it's one less kiddo to be frustrated about." —NRDGet it from Amazon for $15.27+ (available in 19 colors and patterns). A set of clothing labels to help you find your kid's Bluey sweater in a veritable OCEAN of Bluey sweaters. These labels are machine washable and cost-effective — two of my favorite words. Promising review: "These are great. I use a regular Sharpie to write my kid's name on the label and put it on every article of clothing he can take off at school. I have washed them several times, and they still look brand new. These labels are a lifesaver for kids who cannot remember to bring home their jacket, hat, and gloves." —Kaitlyn SwoapeGet a pack of 54 Amazon for $5.99 (available in five sizes and various pack sizes). A pencil sharpener for at-home use because there's nothing quite as humbling as realizing you have absolutely zero tools to help them do their homework, you know, at home. Promising review: "I am 5-star satisfied with this pencil sharpener that is for different-sized pencils. We use this at home as I have a daughter in Kindergarten, so this has been a lifesaver. Sharpens a pencil easily and quickly within ten seconds. Love it." —Brittany AnnGet it from Amazon for $27.99. A saline spray because your kids are going to be bringing home literally all of the germs. All of them. EVERY LAST FORSAKEN GERM. Saline spray can help clear nasal passages, making colds pass a little quicker. Anything for some relief from the onslaught of fall viruses. Promising review: "Kids always fought me in spraying their noses (we live in the desert) and this spray is so healing, they actually ASK me for it in the morning!!! A lifesaver!" —D DGet it from Amazon for $6.99+ (also available in multipacks).