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34 Problem-Solving Items That'll *Always* Be Useful — No Matter The Season

34 Problem-Solving Items That'll *Always* Be Useful — No Matter The Season

Buzz Feed23-02-2025
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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*Sings* Winter, spring, summer, or fall...all the problems that you can solve...
1. The compact Levoit air purifier that effortlessly removes dander, dust, pollen, smoke, and daily odors from your home while barely making a peep! This is definitely a must-have for anyone who owns a pet or deals with allergies throughout the year.
Promising reviews: "We retired to the Southwest US, which is just a huge dust bowl. I didn't want to be breathing in the dust, and I absolutely hate to dust furniture. So I researched air purifiers and chose this model. In order to filter dust, it seems I needed a HEPA filter, which this purifier uses. While not washable, they are able to be vacuumed, which I do about once a week so they last longer. Overall, the price for the purifier and the filters was less for this model than others I researched. I bought the large model of this purifier for the main room of our 1200 sf Townhouse and it works really well. I only have to dust every 3-4 weeks, which suits me just fine. I think the purifier is about as loud as a white noise machine, so not very loud in my opinion. My husband, who wears hearing aids, finds it noisier than I do. I bought two of the smaller version of this same purifier for the two bedrooms. While they are just a smaller version of this machine, they don't work nearly as well. It gets dusty in those rooms within days. I wish I had purchased the larger version for those rooms too. I've had all three purifiers going 24/7 for four months now and the filters are nowhere near the point where they need changing, again noting that I vacuum them weekly. So all in all, these purifiers have been very economical to use." — SuesZoo
"I was skeptical any air purifier at this price could do much, but I tried it! I have a medium-sized music room for record collections and playing those records, etc. The room is about 18x18. I hate dealing with dust getting on the records and equipment. I took note of some dark items with dust on them first. Then, I cleaned those items to see if they would stay clean because it usually takes a few days to be covered again. I ran the Levoit at medium speed for two weeks solid, and those surfaces look just as clean as when I cleaned them. Does it work? Yes, it does! The lowest setting is pretty quiet, but the medium and high can be fairly loud. I turn it off during listening times." — Charles Tweedy
Get it from Amazon for $99.84+ (available in black and white, plus four styles, including a WiFi-enabled version).
2. The top-rated Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Protein Treatment, which helps restore and repair damaged hair that's been through... a lot (read: dye jobs, heat damage, and even sun damage). Bring your hair back to life and show off your silky and voluminous tresses that look like you just left the salon. Don't worry, your secret is safe with us!
This reparative mask is designed for heat-damaged hair of all types, but definitely beloved by reviewers with fine and wavy hair!
Promising reviews:" I've tried everything- expensive salon products, specialty products, natural remedies, etc. NOTHING HAS WORKED. I have ridiculously thick, coarse, curly, damaged, and dehydrated hair. It's down the middle of my back and just so much to deal with. I thought my hair was done for and it put me in a deep depression. I saw this on a Facebook ad and thought it was cheap enough to give it a try…. YALL, LIFE-CHANGING. I've used twice — once a week (when I wash my hair) and just two uses have provided me with enough shine, health, and calmness that I have hope for my hair. I have cried over this and am beyond happy with the results so far. I cannot believe this $8 product beat the $60 hair mask I purchased!!!!" — Amanda
" I have super fine, blonde hair. I've run through likely hundreds of different hair masks and leave-in conditioners over the years, only to have them cling to my hair like nothing else, often leaving it feeling waxy and heavy. After a few rounds of clarifying shampoo, I reached for this stuff and it legit brought my hair back from the grave. Even with my hair being extremely fine, it leaves it soft, glossy, and gorgeous! I know some people have said they're not a fan of the smell, but I find it to be super light and refreshing. Could not recommend this stuff enough!!" — Soph
Get it from Amazon for $8.32.
3. Some Lumify Eye Drops to help reduce redness and provide dry eye relief in record time. It didn't climb its way to being a number one seller for no reason — according to reviewers, you see results in just minutes!
www.amazon.com
Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief.
Promising review:"I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard
Get it from Amazon for $11.39.
4. A jar of the internet-beloved The Pink Stuff — it helps you tackle the most difficult messes that pop up in your home, like a one-of-a-kind permanent marker art piece on your wall or a scuff on your brand-new sneakers before even stepping outside. Plus, it'll do it all with the least amount of elbow grease you've had to use in a while.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
A lot of people compare it to the Magic Eraser in paste form, so even your weirdest, most stubborn stains will meet their match.
Promising review:"I need this in bulk!! I have tried so many cleaning solutions to get out hard cooking stains on my stovetop and nothing worked! This stuff took it right out without a problem!!" — Micaela Gunderson
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
5. A bottle of no-scrub, no-rinse, nontoxic Folex Carpet Spot Remover, which effectively removes stains like yellow mustard grease drippings from your favorite takeout, makeup after a hard nap, muddy paw prints, and sooooo much more from pretty much any fabric surface.
www.amazon.com
In order to use this no-scrub product, all you have to do is apply it to the stain, gently rub it in (it's safe for humans and pets), and then blot with a cloth. It may take a couple of rounds, but you'll definitely see the mess disappear in no time! Be sure to check out our full write-up on this Folex stain remover!
Promising review:"I've use this product often to get all kinds of stains out of fabrics. I recently spilled balsamic vinegar all over my shirt and I sprayed the Folex and the stain came right out. I've used it for carpet stains, red wine, blood stains, and ALL types of dog stains, including mud stains from boots and dogs. I love this product, and I recommend it to anyone. I even used it on our drapes. No foul smells either. The stains really do come out very easy. Unless you live in a museum, this is a MUST for any household." — FML
Get it from Amazon for $6.33+ (available in two sizes and multipacks).
6. A cable-concealing box for the tangle of cords currently ruining the carefully curated aesthetic of your living space. This will help make sure every wire is out of sight, while still keeping you connected as you play Animal Crossing to wind down after work.
See it in action on TikTok here.
Promising review: "I bought it because I saw a women on TikTok showcase something similar like this on her page (on how to keep a home tidy) and I was like I HAD to buy! It's wonderful! I have ALWAYS hated seeing all the clutter of cords stick out from cord extenders and having this makes my small place look cleaner and organized! I would recommend this for anyone!" — Chidi
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
7. A manual flossing toothbrush with several layers of soft bristles to reach between teeth, under the gums, and deep into hard-to-reach spaces that regular brushing can't get. Plus reviewers say it feels SUPER gentle even on sensitive teeth!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just FYI, this toothbrush is not a substitute for flossing, and if you have any concerns about using this make sure to talk to your dentist!
Mouthwatchers is a dentist-founded small business that specializes in creating toothbrushes to help patients get a truly deep clean.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord loves these, and here's her take:" I use an electric toothbrush usually, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively."
Promising review: " I absolutely love this toothbrush!! TikTok made me buy it and I will never own anything else again. My teeth feel clean all day long like I went to the dentist but better. I even have a sonic toothbrush and this blows it out of the water. Don't hesitate…buy this for your teeth!" — Amy
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99.
8. A memory-foam cushion to help relieve pressure on your tailbone and back while sitting. With over 88,000 5-star reviews, you won't have to buy a completely new office chair just to make it through the workday in comfort. Plus, you can even it use it in the car to upgrade your commute!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I bought this. I opened it. I sat on it and my butt feels so amazing and supported! Do yourself a favor buy this now! I held off because of the price. I am now kicking myself. I'm disabled and have terrible back problems. My back is now at peace. I've tried tons of these kinds of these. This is the best. Yee seriously. I haven't sat on it for more than a few minutes but I can tell you it is amazing. Do yourself a favor buy this right now!" — Disabledwoman27
Get it from Amazon for $43.99+ (available in five colors and three styles).
9. Some beeswax wood polish and conditioner that's designed for restoring furniture, keeping wood hydrated, *and* making the shine last! So, before you start saving up for a replacement, try out this polish first.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I used this to condition an old chair that had been neglected in a shed for years. It was easy to rub into the wood with a cloth and absorbed quickly. It brought out the color and grain of the wood. The old chair looks nicely restored. I plan to use it on some other wood furniture. It definitely conditions the wood so I gave it 5 stars." — KkRider
Get it from Amazon for $9.83.
10. Orrr some wood repair markers for smaller scratches and scuffs that don't require a full replacement or refinish — seriously, it'll take only a few minutes to make your furniture or floor look like new!
Promising review:"I can't believe how well these work! Much better than I was expecting. I just had my home interior painted and the painters damaged a fiberboard medicine cabinet when they removed the masking tape. It ripped off the fake wood veneer. These markers completely filled in the ugly spots and the colors blended well. I love that it appears to have some clear coat in it too as it dries with a slight shine that makes it look more like wood stain rather than marker. I also used them to stain wood filler in two spots in my maple kitchen cabinets where a previous home owner had hung a paper towel holder and I really struggle to see the hole! It looks fantastic. I highly recommend this set. It's a good value and works very well." — Shane
Get a set of 13 from Amazon for $8.99.
11. A ChomChom pet hair remover that features a patented brush design, so all you have to do is push back and forth to collect all the hair and lint into a chamber — whether it's attached to clothes, furniture, car seats, cat towers, and more. Over 140,000 reviewers have bestowed it with a 5-star rating, and we agree: If a member of your household happens to have four legs and a ton of hair, this is a must-buy.
Promising review: "Where has this been all my life!! We have one long-haired cat and three dogs — suffice it to say, shedding hair is a big problem on every cloth-like surface in our home. No more vacuuming the couches and chairs like wild when you have this around. This picks up hair quickly and easily when used correctly (fast back-and-forth motion). I will never not have this in our house!" — Shelby Cipolla
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in black and white).
12. A medication tracker because it conveniently sticks to the side of *any* pill bottle and has a sliding daily tracker to help make sure you don't miss a single dose of medication. I needed this yesterday, but better late than never!
www.amazon.com
The trackers are curved to fit pill bottles and designed with a reusable peel and stick adhesive, so you can use it on multiple bottles after they're empty!
Promising review:"I absolutely love this product! I have a couple of daily medications and oftentimes I forget whether I've taken them and/or whether I've taken the second dose. Recently, I inadvertently took a double dose because I couldn't remember whether I had taken the medication or not. This product solves the problem. There is even a satisfying feeling I get when I 'click' the tabs. Genius little invention." — Tiffany Maggard
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two colors).
13. Mighty Patch hydrocolloid stickers designed to practically disappear your pus-filled blemishes and pimples with barely any effort. Whether you wear them to sleep or throughout the day, these circular patches work their absorbent magic over the course of a few hours, aka right before your eyes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" Using this product has been a game-changer. It's as if the adhesion of it literally pulls all of the bad stuff from the spot and you'll know when it's time to remove when it turns up white on your sticker — so easy to remove and my spot has went drastically down. I'm on my fourth box, or maybe fifth? They're my go-to at the slightest spot I get to try to nip it in the bud. Might I add that my hormonal cystic acne spots have been majorly suppressed by these — as soon as I feel one coming on, I take a hot washcloth to the area and put a sticker on overnight for a couple of nights and the deep underneath feeling of that spot is gone. I love these so much, and you will too." — DebH
Get a pack of 36 stickers from Amazon for $12.99.
14. Angry Orange pet odor eliminator — a citrus-scented, enzyme-based cleaner for restoring pretty much *any* surface your pet decides is a great potty spot, including tile, carpet, non-leather furniture, and more. It's even designed to make sure your pet doesn't find their go-to spot after cleaning, so you can keep working on successfully potty training them.
www.amazon.com
Angry Orange is a small business specializing in cleaning products to tackle pet messes and stenches to help keep your home smelling fresh and clean!
Promising review:"This product is amazing!!!! We have a Rottweiler pup and a Bichon pup and our house was feeling the PAIN! I tried everything and use to tell my wife, 'with all the science and technology in the world we still can't come up with something that gets rid of the dog mark smell! This product does everything and more. Just ordered another round. We were about to throw away some furniture due to the smell and now after use we can keep it. Saved me hundreds. Well worth the money." — clayton s tonkin
Get it from Amazon for $17.96+ (available in two sizes and two scents).
15. A set of under-bed storage containers if you need a place to put that giant eyesore pile of off-season clothing and extra bedding looming in the corner of your closet. It's taking up a lot of room, so just pack it all up and slide this bag out of sight!
www.amazon.com
You can use these for clothing, bedding, artwork, toiletries, shoes, craft supplies, and more!
Promising review:" These storage bags are fantastic. I live in a small apartment where storage space is at a premium. I use these to store my Costco toilet paper and paper towels so I don't need to make as many trips to the store. It keeps them in pristine condition and out of sight. The handles make them easy to pull in and out, and they fold up nicely when not in use. I'm thinking about getting two more since four will fit under my queen bed." — Kimberly Dorn
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in three colors and assorted multipacks).
16. A front seat organizer designed to fit in the seat gap between the console and seats, effortlessly adding two more cup holders and a spare compartment that could hold your wallet, glasses, or phone. If you're a multiple beverage person — coffee, water, juice — this will really come in handy on the daily commute, and definitely during your next road trip!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Most awesome thing I bought all year! I have a small sports car, no cup holders. This thing looks awesome, is well-made, and is sturdy! It's everything I needed, and it looks fantastic in my car, even though I have a dark blue leather interior. Fabulous find!" — 2019
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors and two sizes).
17. A laundry-detergent drip catcher so you don't end up losing precious (and expensive) liquid detergent while doing load after load of laundry. Plus, it'll help keep your floors from getting all gooey!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The grip style (pictured left) is designed to go around the spout of the detergent, while the slide style (pictured right) is designed to go underneath the bottle.
Promising review:"Very easy to clip together. The size fits perfectly around my laundry detergent spout (Tide) & Fabric softener (Downy). The cup holder tray is big enough for all my laundry bottles. The quality of these is great for their value. I fill up the laundry cups on the trays and have never had an issue." — Lexi Bazzy
Get two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in grip or slide styles).
18. A set of satin pillowcases, which are great for your skin *and* hair because the material helps lessen friction, so you can worry less about tangles and bedhead and more about getting a good night's sleep. Plus, they'll always have a "cool" side of the pillow!
Amazon
Promising review:"I enjoy these pillowcases. They are soft and more gentle on my facial skin as I am a side sleeper. I feel like using these in the long run will result in less wrinkles and irritation for my face. I also noticed that my hair is growing out softer because of less rubbing. These are great to use if you love a cold feeling pillow... I just throw these in the wash and have yet to notice any pilling... I also like how they come in an assortment of colors." — Jeanine
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 35 colors and four sizes).
19. A water-resistant all-weather boot tray to make sure rain, snow, sleet, and mud stay *outside* — or at least off your floors — when everyone heads indoors. It's also a great option for collecting spilled food and water from your precious pet's food bowls!
Most reviewers say they can comfortably fit three pairs of adult shoes.
Promising review:"This has come in handy for both my front door and back door. Collects mud and wet shoes to keep my foyer dry and clean." — Celeste
Get a set of two from Wayfair for $32.99+ (originally $59.99; available in two sizes)
20. A Rub-A-Way odor remover, a stainless-steel "soap" bar helps remove those scents with or without water, so you don't have to practically scrub up like a surgeon after cooking. Now you don't have to deal with lingering smells on your hands just because you love to cook with smelly (but delicious) ingredients like garlic, onions, fish, curry, etc.
Amazon
And it's dishwasher-safe.
Promising Review:"Hate the smell of garlic and onions on your hands even after several washings? This bar takes them away in seconds. I like that is shaped like a bar of soap (very cute in my soap tray). It's simple to use and comfortable in your hands. A couple of $$ cheaper would be nice but it works so I guess it was worth it. Whenever guests see it, they have to try it. They always ask me how it works. I tell them it's magic." — Kat K
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
21. A powerful dishwashing spray designed to break down grease and food debris *in minutes*, which in turn saves you loads of time by eliminating the need to pre-soak your dishes. Just spray and wipe the mess away! 🥲
www.amazon.com
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly has to say:"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."
Promising review:"This Dawn is AMAZING! Spray, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe or spray clean. No elbow grease needed to get pot and pans squeaky clean!" — StaySea7
Get one spray and three refills from Amazon for $16.88.
22. Londontown's sheer, tinted nail concealer, which cleverly hides any stains or yellowing on your nails so they look healthy and manicured no matter how poorly your might have been taking care of them.
Londontown is a small business that offers a range of skincare and beauty products for your nails and body.
Promising reviews: "Highly impressed and satisfied with the purchase. I've been a nail-biter my entire life. I recently stopped biting a little over three months ago, and while I've been pleased overall with the growth, I've found that my natural nails have many imperfections. For instance, I have splinter hemorrhages, as well as white horizontal lines (aka Beau's lines) on every single nail on all 10 fingers, and the tips are transparent. But this polish literally disguises all of that. I'm so so grateful to have found it." — Kourtnee amos
Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in five shades).
Check out our Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer review for more deets!
23. Some tempered glass screen protectors for your iPhone because they're extremely easy to apply and won't have you panicking every time your phone slips from your grip and hits the floor.
www.amazon.com
This fits the iPhones 15 and 16, but you can find screen protectors designed for the other different iPhones or Androids in the Ailun storefront.
Promising review:"Absolutely love these screen protectors, has saved my phone numerous times last night dropped straight onto cement protector did its job! Highly recommended!" — Ayok222
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.89.
24. A set of Snug Plugs — these tiny problem solvers are designed to be tucked into a loosened outlet for a proper fit. Next time you plug in your mini diffuser, it'll actually stay put instead of falling out as soon as you walk away. Turns out, you don't need an electrician to rewire your outlets... just a snug fit!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
One reviewer marked their transparent snug plugs with a red sharpie (on the right) in order to tell which plugs had them installed!
Snug Plugs is a family-owned small business.
Promising review:"These are SUCH a game-changer. We rent, so I can't do much about the loose outlets around the house. These have made several outlets usable again!" — Minerva G.
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.99 (available in a pack of 25 and a glow-in-the-dark option).
25. A set of wool dryer balls that make a great reusable alternative to dryer sheets and help your clothes dry faster with fewer wrinkles. Pro-tip: add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the balls to scent your laundry!
Amazon
Promising review:"I have been using these for over year now and I absolutely love them. I only use four in my dryer and they have reduced the time it takes to dry clothes. I did not add a scent to the balls so I sometimes throw a dryer sheet in with the balls. They make a soft thud sound while drying. I have given them as gifts to all of my sisters-in-law and they love them." — P. King
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three pack sizes).
26. A WD-40 pen designed with a precision tip so you can effortlessly lubricate any squeaky door hinges without making a mess. Not to mention, it'll also help prevent the metal from rusting!
Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and the house toolbox." — BBP623
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $12.99.
27. A set of reusable silicone Nippies for anyone who likes to go braless — these will allow you to wear your favorite tops and dresses without worrying about stubborn bra straps showing *or* a sudden drop in temperature. Lots of reviewers love that these nipple covers look seamless underneath clothing and stay put the entire time!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Natalie Brown has tried these and raves: "I've worn them four or five times now, washing with hand soap and water afterward every time as directed, and they're exactly what I needed! It's simple: you stick 'em onto clean, dry, lotion-free skin, and they stay put and comfy for hours, even through moderate sweat. They've performed perfectly every time I've worn them: for day-long shopping excursions, outdoor parties, and for nights out dancing. They come in a small reusable storage box with two stiff plastic domes for them to sit on, so they'll stay perfectly intact and dust-free in your drawer and are easy to pack for travel. Oh and over 14,000 reviewers — like, five times the number of people in my high school graduating class — have rated them 5-stars on Amazon, so I know I'm not alone in my success with them!"
Promising review: " Saw these on TikTok and have not been disappointed! I've been wearing them four to five times a week all day since I got them in early July and they're still sticky. Just wash with warm water and soap then let them air dry overnight! I do notice that when I've forgotten to take them off and I get very sweaty from working out they start to lose adhesion, but that's expected. My boyfriend asked if I got new ones the other day and was shocked when I told him they were the same ones. The color was perfect for me and I will definitely be purchasing again!" — Hannah
Get it from Amazon for $26.50+ (available in two sizes, with or without lift, and five shades).
28. A set of bedsheet holders to keep your fitted sheet from creeping up during the night. Simply clip 'em to the edges of your bedding and slip them under the mattress to keep everything in place — no matter how much you might move around while you sleep. And with over 15,000 5-star ratings from customers, you better believe they work!
www.amazon.com
Each pack comes with four bands, which can stretch from 12 to 18 inches and hold adequate tension.
Promising review:"These have worked great! I like bamboo sheets, which are slippery and the corners always came up. Since I started using these my corners haven't come up and the sheet stays relatively wrinkle-free." — Beachyfun
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $14.99 (available in three colors, two sizes, and larger multipacks).
29. A retractable car charger that allows you to charge several devices simultaneously without creating a mess of cords and wires sprouting from your console like something out of a sci-fi movie. This one features two retractable lightning cables, a USB-C charging port and a classic USB charging port in case every passenger on the car has a battery below 50% — you'll never want to travel without it!
Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the car charger in action.
Promising review: "Didn't realize I had so many cables in my car until I put this in. Now, I just keep a few wrapped up in the glove box that fit older connections. Great that the cables retract out of the way. Only complaint could be that it is rather large, but it is to be expected with four connections. Little car voltage display is nice to have as well (everyone should have one of these, by the voltage amount, it shows if your alternator is working)." — Jaxmoto
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available with two Apple retractable chargers).
30. Some non-toxic and fragrance-free reusable shoe deodorizers you simply slip into your shoes, gym bag, or backpack, and the activated charcoal works hard to absorb and eliminate any putrid smells. Kevin Malone from The Office could have really used these before the hotel incinerated his dress shoes as a biohazard... 😭
Yi Yang / BuzzFeed
Each one can be reused for up to two years. To recharge the activated charcoal, let the deodorizers sit in the sun for at least an hour once a month. To learn more, check out our full Moso shoe odor eliminator review.
Moso Natural is a small business offering a range of air purification bags featuring moso bamboo-derived charcoal.
Promising review:"It took two days. Only two days. The shoes I've had for work for almost a decade, full of funk, sweat, and vague scents of past sprays that didn't work (lavender-scented foot odor is not a solution), I looked for something better. I found these, got them, and put them in my shoes. I noticed a change after the first day. After day two, it was completely odor-free. Couple this with some peppermint foot/shoe spray, and these 9-year-old shoes aren't an embarrassment anymore. Amazing product. I'm getting more." — Justin Bielak
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.95.
31. A set of room-darkening velvet curtains which block out *all* the natural light flooding in from outside when it's time to enjoy a movie marathon or hit snooze on your weekend alarm. They even help regulate the temperature of your home, and also look fantastic when not in use!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Purchased these for my studio, which is in an old mill. I wanted them for their insulating properties more than to block out the light because my studio loses a lot of heat at night due to its enormous windows. The curtains/drapes work great for both — I am especially pleased with how well they help keep the space from losing heat! Before having the curtains the space would lose about eight degrees in temperature overnight (which in the winter is a significant amount, especially in the Northeast). Now, with the curtains, the space no longer loses heat overnight! It is now so nice to go into my studio in the morning and find it still toasty warm!" — Placeholder
Get them from Amazon for $33.99+ a panel (available in five sizes and 13 colors).
32. A jewelry-cleaning stick designed with an easy-dispense cleansing solution and a brush to get in all the small, hard-to-reach places on your rings, bracelets, and necklaces, so they can return to their OG shine. A perfect tool to own or even carry with you in case your favorite family heirlooms or everyday pieces are begging for a little TLC!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I absolutely love this product. I saw it on TikTok and figured I would give it a try. My grandmother passed away almost eight years ago, and she left me her first engagement ring in her will. I have tried so many jewelry cleaners, toothpaste and toothbrush, you name it, tried everything except for sending it away to get cleaned. I ordered the Diamond Dazzle Stik on Thursday and it arrived the following Saturday, fast shipping! Today is Sunday and I cleaned my ring with the Diamond Dazzle Stik. My ring is just as shiny as it was when my grandfather bought it for my grandmother many many years ago. I will definitely use this Diamond Dazzle Stik on all my jewelry. Highly recommended!" — Heather
Get it from Amazon for $9.48+ (available in two sizes).
33. A magnetic laundry guard to keep clothes, soap caps, and dryer sheets from falling into the abyss that exists behind your washer/dryer. It's adjustable and attaches with magnets, so you don't have to do any heavy lifting to set it up!
Amazon
Promising review:"Oh, how I love this laundry guard! I have very little counter space in my laundry room and this allows me to use all that space on top of the washer and dryer for folding clothes. No more fishing socks and underwear from behind the machines! I love it, and so does everyone else who visits and sees it for the first time. The magnets hold it in place very well. There is not a lot of shifting unless I throw something large and heavy up there, but it's an easy adjustment to get it back in place. Good quality, not flimsy at all. I highly recommend this product." — Christa
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in two colors).
34. A very subtle door draft stopper that doubles as a sound-proofing strip, keeping drafts from creeping in *and* the sound of your neighbor putting on their own live-action musical of Wicked down the hall.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"So easy to set up! All you do is peel tape and adhere to a CLEAN and DRY door. Also looks great, I don't even notice it. I had a huge gap under my door. I could smell and hear everything from the hallway. Smells, drafts, and sound all are less of an issue now." — Brit Suavé
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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What It Means To Protect Black Communities At Work
What It Means To Protect Black Communities At Work

Buzz Feed

timea day ago

  • Buzz Feed

What It Means To Protect Black Communities At Work

With great power — in any workplace, institution, or community — comes great responsibility. Many of us think of our professional responsibility in concrete and easy-to-track terms, such as goals or outcomes. But just as important, and frequently overlooked, is the responsibility to protect and defend people, especially those who have been historically marginalized and are still fighting against existential discrimination, when our institutions cause harm. Being a minority in a large company sometimes feels like being on an island. No matter the workplace, you'll find that challenges are often similar: navigating predominantly white or privileged surroundings, seeing your own identity misrepresented or neglected, and being expected to be well-versed in white culture while others aren't always expected to know anything about your culture. Media and tech companies, like BuzzFeed, carry an especially hefty burden. They influence culture, amplify voices, and help shape trends. When that influence is misused, the harm can reverberate loudly. This mistake deeply hurt members of the Black community, both internally and in our audience. But instead of ignoring the issue or sweeping it under the rug, we want to use it as a case study of what any workplace or community must face when it falls short and show what it looks like to try, sincerely, to do better. When something like this happens, take time to listen to your audience and employees about how it impacted them. At BuzzFeed, we have employee resource groups, or ERGs for short. They're groups made as a safe space anyone can join, and the main purpose is to uplift and create community within the workplace for different underrepresented groups. We (the authors of this article, Karlton and Myke) are the leads for BIO: Black Identities and Opportunities. As leads, we have several different responsibilities, such as putting together events, fostering community, and addressing the small and large issues we feel impact our community. In this leadership role, we spoke privately, publicly, and candidly with the Black employees at BuzzFeed after the Love Island post went viral. Here are some of their words: Take responsibility and make genuine apologies. It's hard to get a corporate apology right —apologies are best when they come from a human person who can show empathy. But when a mistake happens at a structural or group level, it's impossible to put a single face to that sentiment. BuzzFeed hasn't always gotten it right, especially when we leaned too heavily on corporate speak that didn't align with the voice of our brands. The key is to know that the audience and employees can feel the hollowness of a corporate apology when it's not done well. On the flip side, we must also learn to accept genuine apologies. It's okay if you're not in a place to hear the apology at the moment, nobody is telling you to shut off your emotions like a robot. Feel your anger. Embrace your disappointment or disgust. But when you're ready, be willing to accept a honest apology and step into the healing process with the energy of forgiveness. However, this is completely dependent on whether or not the apology was in fact genuine. Double down on internal checks and balances. At BuzzFeed, we already have several checks and balances in place. For example, we have Culture Lead Editors, who work as a guiding light for the communities they represent. They encourage, write, and edit a wide range of culturally diverse posts. We have customized tools built into our content management system, or CMS, that flag questionable, insensitive, or confusing language. We have both copy and package editors: teams who work to make sure the titles, pictures, and text within posts fit our standards and values. These are teams that would be helpful (and in our opinion, necessary) at all mass media companies. It is important for us to double down on these checks and balances throughout our entire corporation. For those who work outside of the media, it's important to strengthen or create checks and balances that work to protect historically marginalized communities. Call out microaggressions and racism as they happen. This is a hard one. When you feel like your job may be on the line, or you may face some type of repercussion for speaking up, the stakes are infinitely higher. So proceed with caution, but do your best to call out microaggressions and racism in real time. Oftentimes, we may wait to address an issue, but by then, it's already hindsight, and you may feel pressured to stay silent because your concern no longer feels relevant to those in power. When you see something, say something (if you can. your own safety always comes first). In many cases, the person who committed the act may not even know what they did. Which is why staying silent is even scarier, because it creates an environment for the mistake to happen again and again. Never back down. Malcolm X said it best: "We want freedom by any means necessary. We want justice by any means necessary. We want equality by any means necessary," and if they don't exist yet, I say, create it is easier to get the ball rolling than to maintain the momentum. Many outside factors can serve as roadblocks, challenges, and discouragement when trying to hold yourself and others accountable, especially when dealing with injustices, inequality, or lack of equity. You might feel compelled to throw in the towel, whether it's government policies, company culture, fear of retaliation, or lack of resources. Don't. Keep it moving. As isolating as it might feel at times, you don't have to go at it alone. Our persistence when it came to the Love Island post led to conversations with more Black employees, eventually the company at large, and ultimately our top execs, which led toward seeking solutions. Work on covering Black people in a positive light. It's not solely the job of the Black employees to be the voice of all Black people. We're not monolithic. No identity is truly monolithic. In our situation, it could be possible that a lack of representation and education led to this mistake and the missteps that followed. This is why it's crucial to ensure you're mindful of the attention you give to that underrepresented group. If your Black employees are the only ones writing stories and creating videos centered around Black interests, entertainment, and culture, you have a problem. If the only content you're producing that includes Black people is centered around violence, criminality, and negativity, you have a problem. It's no secret that the media has struggled with the portrayal of Black people in a positive light, intentional or not, and there's no reason you should be part of the it's a poor excuse to blame it on your audience's interests and pop culture trends. If you're a media company, you lead the conversation in most instances, so take the reins and set the tone. If I can learn all the Taylor Swift lore in one day, you can take a few minutes to know the difference between Laurence Fishburne and Samuel L. Jackson. Each one, teach one. Pointing fingers solves little to nothing. We've all made mistakes. I think sometimes we're more willing to jump down each other's throats than to actually speak with one another. Instead speak with those responsible for the mistake. Listen to their reasoning (even if you don't agree with the reasoning at all). Gauge their level of sincerity. Educate them on how to do better. Or, if you're in a position where you feel like you're tired of educating, point them in the right direction. It can be exhausting being the person who always needs to educate others. However, I'm sure there is someone in your community who has accepted the role of educator. Simply point the offender in the right direction. What resources can they use? Who can they talk to? What books should they read? Which podcasts should they listen to? It's just too easy to tear each other down these days. Never think you can do no wrong. You know how the Hannah Montana song starts. "Everybody makes mistakes / Everybody has those days." It's true. Nobody's perfect, and that's not something to be seen as a curse. Oftentimes, it's individuals who believe they're not capable of being anti-Black, sexist, anti-LBGTQ+, etc., who have a harder time pinpointing when and where they screwed up. Today there's so much fear of being labeled a (insert word +ist) that we find ourselves making the situation worse with denial, gaslighting, or projecting our shame onto firmly believe everyone can learn from their mistakes; you just have to be willing to take accountability. The world's not over if you make a mistake, so own up to your crap and be okay sitting in it for a minute until you can work toward a can look like more than just a boilerplate apology or mandatory sensitivity training. Acknowledging wrongdoing and knowing there's an opportunity for improvement is where it's at. Create inclusive and safe spaces. What are you doing to create inclusive and safe spaces? What do they look like, and are they easily accessible to everyone? It shouldn't take a deep investigation to find someone working toward being inclusive to you as an employee. Dare I say the entire company should be working toward making the whole space inclusive — bigoted government policies and threats be have the ERGs at BuzzFeed, which cover groups like women, LGBTQ+, Latine, Parents, Black, AAPI, and more. It's encouraged that everyone participate in the activities and offerings that the ERGs produce because they allow you to either collaborate and bond with people who look like you, or get a chance to connect with people with entirely different experiences than your own. However, inclusive and safe spaces aren't always a diversity initiative. I found safe spaces by connecting with people who might've had a similar work trajectory or lived in a similar area. DMs and email threads are your friends when connecting with the right people to help foster communities. Most companies have remained remote or hybrid since 2020, and I think it's more important than ever to double down on creating spaces to ensure underrepresented groups feel heard and valued, especially in a world that's getting more creative at working to silence them. Work with your allies regularly. Look around you, you are not alone. There are allies willing to speak up. BuzzFeed held a company-wide meeting after our Love Island post went viral for all the wrong reasons, and some of the loudest and most potent voices in the room were people who were not Black. People who were very aware of the plight, and stuck their necks out to protect and defend another community. Work with these allies as much as possible. You may be in an environment at your company where someone else's voice may be the final key to unlock the solution. Seek out these allies. Meet up with or communicate with them outside of work. Build a multicultural coalition that cannot be denied. And last but not least, protect women. I don't think this needs any explanation. Protect women. Period. Our responsibility is to protect people, especially those who have been historically marginalized. The fight against existential discrimination is going to take more than 11 points on a BuzzFeed listicle. Calling out the issue and taking accountability is a move in the right direction and hopefully, this can be something we can call back to when we need to correct the next mistake, address new employee concerns, and ultimately stay true to our values in the workplace. Through these steps and our work we are aiming every day to promote Black joy, to protect Black women, and to help steer a much larger and whiter organization in a direction that's inclusive for us and all others.

People Are Holding Nothing Back When Describing Their Extremely Difficult In-Laws, And I Really, Really Feel For Them
People Are Holding Nothing Back When Describing Their Extremely Difficult In-Laws, And I Really, Really Feel For Them

Yahoo

timea day 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

26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials
26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials

Buzz Feed

timea day 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).

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