
Our home expert shares her top picks for Amazon Prime Day 2025
It's the most wonderful time of the year… for deals. Amazon Prime Day is here, and I've combed through the chaos to find the most worthwhile picks—items I actually use and love—that make cleaning, organizing, and daily life simpler. I've got kitchen heroes, car care must-haves, cleaning powerhouses, and smart home upgrades—all linked and ready to shop. Because the only thing better than a clean home is a great deal on the tools that help make it happen.
If you're not yet a Prime member, now's the perfect time to sign up and unlock exclusive access to these limited-time offers, plus enjoy fast, free shipping, streaming entertainment, and more.
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Professional-Level Car Care at Home
15% off
Chemical Guys Clean & Shine Car Wash Starter Kit
This set is everything you need to detail your car like a pro—minus the pro price. I featured this line on the show last year when we gave Carolyn's minivan a glow-up, and these are still my go-to car cleaning products I use at home. You get all the essentials: wash, shine, applicators, and even microfiber towels. If you're going to put in the effort to wash your car, don't use subpar soap from the kitchen or a basic brand. This 'prosumer' kit delivers the kind of results that'll make your neighbours jealous. $46.23 on amazon (was $54.39)
Leather Love That Goes Beyond the Car
15% off
Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner
This dynamic duo works just as well on your car seats as it does on your favourite leather tote. Use it on bike saddles, leather jackets, leather boots, office chairs, handbags, sofas—anything that needs a clean and a refresh. The cleaner gently lifts grime without drying, while the conditioner rehydrates and protects. I love the versatility of this product and this is a brand where quality is front and centre, so you know you can count on great results. $34.67 on amazon (was $40.79)
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The Battery-Powered Lawnmower That Covers ¼ Acre in One Charge
32% off
Greenworks 48V 17
This is the lawnmower that, for the average suburban home, provides the power, functionality, and versatility you need without gas or cords. What happened to vacuums is happening to lawnmowers and it's wonderful! This lightweight, easy-to-push mower makes yardwork manageable for all skill levels, and you can choose from 6 different cutting height options, so your yard can go from baseball outfield to golf course rough to lush – whatever you like. Use any Greenworks 24V battery that you have and enjoy up to a 40-minute charge and a charge time of 120 minutes; this machine comes with two batteries in the box. The highly efficient motor delivers more power and runtime, utilising Smart Cut technology to automatically adjust the blade speed, providing more or less power as needed for the lawn. The best part? It folds down for compact storage. $399 on Amazon (was $499)
Pressure Washing, But Make It Better
22% off
Greenworks 1700 PSI 1.2-Gallon-GPM 13 Amp Electric Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are always helpful around the house, and this isn't your average pressure washer; it's a cleaning powerhouse designed to make your life easier. With 1700 PSI and 1.2 GPM of cleaning power, it effortlessly tackles dirt and grime on cars, decks, and windows – all of this power comes inside a shockingly compact machine, making it easy to store away when not in use. The quiet 86 dB motor and a 35-foot power cord provide unparalleled convenience and safety, ensuring you can clean at any time, anywhere. Plus, the included soap bottle attachment means sparkling clean surfaces are just a spray away. This Cleaning Equipment Trade Association (CETA)-certified pressure washer is your reliable partner for a truly spotless home. $99.99 on amazon (was $129.00)
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The Indoor Camera That Gives You Eyes When You Need Them and Privacy When You Don't
50% off
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)
If you're looking for an indoor camera for the house, nursery, garage, home office, office office, hallway, etc. Get the ultimate peace of mind with the Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)! This little powerhouse delivers super sharp 1080p HD video, so you can see everything happening, even in the dark, thanks to Color Night Vision. Ever wonder what happened before a motion alert? With Advanced Pre-Roll, you'll catch a few extra seconds, giving you the full scoop. And when you want some private time, simply swivel the built-in cover to instantly turn off the camera and mic – easy peasy. This is a really great feature that gives you flexibility in balancing monitoring with privacy. You'll get smart alerts for just the movements that matter, and setting it up is a breeze with flexible mounting options and a convenient plug-in design. If you've got Alexa devices, you'll like how easily this integrates into Echo Dot and Echo Show, too. $39.99 on amazon (was $79.99)
The Smart Home Command Centre to Use Daily
35% off
Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
This little screen does a lot. I use mine in the kitchen as my command centre for cooking (recipe conversion calculations, food substitution requests, timers), kid-wrangling (Hey Alexa, set a get ready for acro timer for 10 minutes), music streaming, content streaming, weather updates, smart home management—you name it. The newest model has Spatial Audio (which means the speaker is even better for 'surround' sound), an 8' HD touchscreen, and a 13 MP camera for video calls and content streaming that actually look good. Whether you want to dim the lights, set a timer, or just ask Alexa to tell you a joke while you clean, this is the hub to have. $129.99 on amazon (was $199.99)
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A Pantry Upgrade That's Made in Canada
33% off
Starfrit LocknLock Plastic Pantry Container
This is an easy win for organizing your pantry (or your pet food). It has a flip-top lid that works well with scoops and measuring cups, and the silicone gasket makes it airtight to keep contents fresh. It's BPA-free, durable, and stackable—plus, it's made by Starfrit, a Canadian brand we can all rally behind supporting. Use it for grains, baking supplies, cereal, snacks… and enjoy opening your pantry without a mini avalanche and massive cleaning job. $11.99 on Amazon (was $16.99)
You may also like:
eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop – $699.99
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Google Nest Cam (Wired) – $80
Amazon Fire TV 55 Inch Omni QLED Series 4K UHD smart TV – $549
Ninja Foodi 10 QT 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer – $179.99
Electric Kitchen Composter – $249.99
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Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Globe and Mail
Time to buy a shiny new car? Used vehicle prices are rising
Canadians shopping for a brand new car may be surprised that prices have dropped compared with a year ago, while those looking for used vehicles could pay thousands of dollars more than last summer, according to a new report. That said, prices are expected to jump for both vehicle types in the second half of the year, says the AutoTrader report released last week. Used vehicle prices jumped 3.6 per cent year-over-year in June, hovering at an average of $37,664, the report shows. That's compared with a 12-per-cent dip in the used car market throughout 2024. On the other hand, new vehicle prices dipped about 3.5 per cent year-over-year in June, to $64,445. Amazon wants to sell you cars online. Here's what it could mean for shoppers and auto sellers in Canada 'It's not what we expected to see,' said Baris Akyurek, vice-president of insights and intelligence at AutoTrader, about both used and new cars. 'Usually, [used car] prices start on the higher side, and come down throughout the year,' he added, while new car prices usually go up slightly, commensurate with inflation. But that trend reversed in March as a result of fears of American tariff igniting Canadian demand and exacerbating inventory shortages in used vehicles, though demand is catching up in the new car market as well. The inventory of used cars has slumped 16.8 per cent year-over-year because of surging demand and a persisting supply gap created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2023, approximately 1.5 million fewer new cars were sold in Canada owing to production disruptions, Mr. Akyurek said. The decline in new car sales meant that fewer vehicles trickled down into the used car supply, and that is now showing up as a lingering inventory shortage. In contrast, new car inventory was high at the start of 2025, with about 87 days of supply available, significantly above the industry norm of 60, Mr. Akyurek said. This surplus was the result of production finally catching up post-COVID, combined with slightly softer demand earlier in the winter. 'Then obviously Trump comes to power, and these tariff conversations come about,' he said. 'Everybody was talking about doom and gloom scenarios, like 'Oh, within a week, there won't be any cars produced … that scared consumers off.' In a February AutoTrader survey, 47 per cent of respondents said tariffs would impact their purchases, and 31 per cent said they would switch from new to used vehicles. With shoppers fearing higher prices for any cars, many rushed toward the used market, where prices were generally cheaper but inventory was already constrained. 'New vehicles prices are decreasing as older inventory is being sold first in expectation that newer inventory will be impacted by tariffs,' said Daniel Ross, senior manager of industry insights and residual value strategy at Canadian Black Book. Buying a used car is harder than it used to be and it's likely to get worse At the same time, demand for both types of vehicles has been steadily eroding the higher inventory cushion in the new vehicle market. New vehicle inventory has now fallen 12 per cent year-over-year in June, according to AutoTrader. Regionally, Ontario stands out as the only province where used car prices declined slightly in June. 'That might be related to the inventory composition, might be related to where the demand is and the cars that are available in Ontario,' Mr. Akyurek said. Used vehicle prices in Canada have already risen for four consecutive months and now sit above 2024 levels, setting the stage for continued price increases through the second half of 2025 if demand continues. AutoTrader data also showed that prices for both new and used electric vehicles have been falling across the board, with demand slumping as governments cut incentives for zero-emission vehicles. ZEV sales dipped 45 per cent in March and close to 30 per cent in April. For car shoppers, Mr. Ross said it's a better time to buy a new vehicle, as financing incentives are attractive and certain brands are eager to reduce inventory. Average new car interest rates now hover around 5.4 per cent, down from 6.6 per cent in June, 2024, Mr. Akyurek said. However, it's not a great time for a used car purchase, Mr. Ross said: 'Prices have already gone up, and we could see them start to fall in the last quarter of the year.'

Globe and Mail
7 days ago
- Globe and Mail
Amazon wants to sell you cars online. Here's what it could mean for shoppers and auto sellers in Canada
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Global News
22-07-2025
- Global News
8 best shop vacs for heavy-duty messes
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Whether you're dealing with a flooded basement, post-reno dust, or just your average garage chaos, a good shop vac is a game-changer. Built for heavy-duty messes that would destroy your regular vacuum, these powerful machines don't mess around. But not all shop vacs are created equal—some are built for power, others for portability, and a few manage to do it all. Not sure where to start? From wet/dry vacs to compact clean-up kings, we've rounded up the best shop vacs to get the job done fast. DEWALT 9-Gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac With serious suction power and a 9-gallon tank, this beast can tackle everything from drywall dust to dirty water. Bonus: it comes with a built-in blower and ultra-durable hose. $151.16 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Shop-Vac 5-Gallon Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum Classic, compact, and ready for anything. This 5-gallon stainless steel pick is perfect for everyday jobs around the house, garage, or workshop. $196.64 on Amazon RIDGID 12-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vac Big jobs? No problem. This heavy-duty model boasts a powerful 5.0 peak HP motor and includes a full set of pro-grade accessories. It even doubles as a leaf blower. $262.65 on Amazon CRAFTSMAN 2.5-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac Small but mighty! This portable shop vac is great for quick cleanups in the car, tight spaces, or anywhere you don't want to lug a tank around. Don't underestimate it. $118.34 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum Specifically made for vehicle detailing, this compact vac has all the right attachments to clean every crevice of your car. Wet spills, dry dirt, floor mats—it's got you. $59.99 on Amazon More Recommendations 8 best giant versions of classic games to level up your summer BISSELL Garage Pro Wall-Mounted Wet/Dry Vac Running out of floor space? This wall-mounted model keeps things off the ground while offering strong suction and a 32-foot hose. Ideal for garages or dedicated workspaces. $279 on Amazon Stanley 10-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac A fan-favourite for a reason, this versatile vac handles big cleanups with ease, and the rear blower port adds to its functionality. It's your workshop's new MVP. $188.99 on Amazon (was $198) Story continues below advertisement Vacmaster Professional Beast Series 16-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac If you want raw power, look no further. This monster can handle the nastiest shop messes with ease—and the included accessories make it surprisingly user-friendly. $351 on Amazon You may also like: 3M WorkTunes Hearing Protection with Bluetooth – $78.96 For Milwaukee 48-22-8427 Fits PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box – $287.31 Kobalt XTR 24-Volt Max 1/2-in Brushless Cordless Drill – $92.00