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62 Problem-Solving Products That Require Minimal Effort

62 Problem-Solving Products That Require Minimal Effort

Buzz Feed04-03-2025
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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Stop sighing heavily and just try one of these efficient problem-solvers already.
1. A pet hair-removing roller with a patented brush design (and *no* adhesive strips) to rid your lovely black sofa of all your furry friend's shedding in a quick roll — so you can get back to cuddling together.
Promising review:"I don't usually write reviews, but if I could buy stock in the ChomChom I would! This is incredible. I immediately started using it on blankets, cat tree, towels that the cats lay on, bed skirt, every cloth or soft surface that the cats touch and TONS of fur started coming off! It's simple and easy, no sticky paper that barely does anything. The design is ingenious! It's a roller that goes back and forth about a one-quarter turn, so you have to go one direction, then back, and that simple motion not only picks up ALL the hair, but then removes it from the outer part of the roller and deposits it in the interior. When you open the back to reveal the interior, there's all the hair all bunched up! Like freakin' magic! I cannot wait to start cleaning every surface again once I finally cleaned it once. Allergies were going nuts and after picking up all this dust and fur I'm hopeful that will go a long way to feel better. Best product I've bought in years, I cannot believe that the reviews were so darn accurate! Get! This! Product!" — Joshua A. Flanders
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors).
2. FryAway, a plant-based solidifying powder capable of turning leftover cooking oil into an easily disposable solid, so you *don't* end up pouring grease down the sink and dealing with clogged pipes later on. And it hardens completely, meaning no leaking in the trash!
Amazon
Just sprinkle a packet of the power into your *hot* oil, wait for it to cool down...and toss! FryAway is available in three sizes: Pan Fry (which comes with four packets, each capable of solidifying two cups of oil each), Deep Fry (which comes with two packets, each capable of solidifying eight cups of oil each), and Super Fry (which is just a large packet with a scoop you can portion out as needed — in total it solidifies up to 20 cups of oil).
Promising review:"Honestly I didn't know if this would work, waiting for it to cool down made me nervous, but once it was at room temperature it was solid. It popped out of the fryer so nicely. Worth every penny." — Emma
Get the Deep Fry size from Amazon for $9.97.
FryAway is a woman-owned and Latina-owned small business, and they donate 1% of revenue to nonprofits focused on water conservation.
3. An exfoliating First Aid Beauty Bump eraser body scrub reviewers with KP (aka keratosis pilaris) swear by to get rid of those tiny red bumps, without slathering on any additional creams or products — just use in the shower instead of your regular soap.
It contains 10% glycolic and lactic acids and has tiny pumice exfoliants to buff away dead skin for smooooooooooth arms.
Promising review:"Amazing product! I've suffered with KP on my arms for 15 years and nothing helped. This product didn't just help, it completely cleared it away! I noticed a big difference after just one use and a month later of using it 2 times a week my arms are smooth and I'm no longer embarrassed of them. I'm so excited! This product has changed my life!" — Sherrie Ruiz
Get it from Amazon for $10+ (available in five sizes).
4. A pack of AirPod cleaners, because how often do you put your headphones riiiight in your ear without even looking at them 👀? These remove any dirt, earwax, or other gunk that's accumulated on your AirPods — and can even improve the sound and how quickly your phone pairs with them!
www.amazon.com
Did YOU know that wax can block the pairing sensors?? Neither did I! And btw, these work great on any hard-to-clean small spaces.
Promising review:"Great stuff that absolutely works! I had been using plugin headphones because my old iPhone 6S was getting old and I was having difficulty hearing from the speakers. I heard about this from a friend and it's like I have a new phone! Worked immediately. Sound and clarity like before. I can't believe how easy it was to use and the great difference it makes. Thanks!" — Bridget S
Get 24 from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in a 12-pack).
5. A sleek mini travel umbrella that not only is perfectly compact for everyday use *and* travel, but also comes with a handy carrying case, so you can pop it right in your bag when the showers are (finally!) over without getting the rest of your stuff wet.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Bought this cheap, lightweight umbrella for an autumn trip to Edinburgh. It worked perfectly!! It was really windy there, and it did pop inside-out a few times, but I just pushed it back into place. The pod holder is really great for folding it up when wet and keeping your bag safe from it!" — Lynn Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 20 colors).
6. Stank Stix, athletic gear inserts (they were on Shark Tank, y'all!) that absorb moisture, eliminate odors (they're also lightly scented with essential oils), and can help reduce odor-causing bacteria growth.
Amazon
And yes, Lauri did invest in this small, woman-owned biz! You can use 'em in shoes, gym bags, gloves and more — and you can simply replace the insert ($10.99 for a two-pack) every couple of months!
Promising review: "We purchased these for our son's soccer cleats that smelled like cat pee and a dead buffalo that has been eaten, puked up and eaten again and then that animal died and a buzzard ate it and then pooped it out...THEY WERE HORRIBLE!!! The ninja ShoeStix's worked GREAT!!! WILL BE BUYING MORE for our daughters dance shoes!!!" — Matthew Parker
Promising review: "These ShoeStix have been amazing. I didn't think anything could help with the awful cat urine like smell emanating from my son's soccer cleats, but these inserts have done the trick. Now if you put your nose in the shoe, yes, it will still still smell pretty bad. But they no longer make the entire house smell like cleats and I can now leave the shoes in the house or in the car and not feel the urge to puke. We also use them for my daughter's volleyball shoes and kneepads. If you've ever experienced the stench that exists once a volleyball player removes the kneepads, then you know the pain I experience multiple times a week. Just put the ShoeStix inside the kneepads and put them inside a closed plastic bag and let the Stix do their magic. Definitely worth the money." — K Terry
Get a set (you can detach the handle to separate the two) from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors).
7. A Neutrogena makeup-removing gel pen so you can easily remove errant eyeliner or mascara marks (even waterproof!) so you can perfect your everyday cat eye or experimental graphic liner look and STILL get out the door on time.
Promising review:"Why didn't someone think of this sooner? For years, I've been using Q-tips dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. A must-buy product!!" — Katherine
Get it from Amazon for $6.03 (also available in a two-pack).
8. A hair bonding treatment you can leave on for as little as 15 minutes (or as much as overnight if you wish) to help strengthen and condition hair in just one use. Reviewers swear by it to help the look of their split ends and dry, damaged hair.
Like Olaplex, it's a rebonding treatment to help repair heat or chemical damage.
Promising review:"I love this stuff! I was initially looking for Olaplex and came across this so I thought I would give it a try. I have been trying to grow out my hair but the ends become dry and easily damaged, so every time it grows I just need to cut it again. I was about to cut it when I got this in the mail and tried it. It was amazing! Gave my hair that fresh cut look and feel, added tons of shine back in and made it feel so healthy. This is a game changer for me!" — mmsmco
Promising review: "This stuff is amazing ! I believe the last bleaching on my 4C hair I fried it. But after using this tonight, my hair feels so smooth and my curl pattern is back ! **5 stars**!" — j. kindred
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
9. A pair of fillable paint touch-up pens for a quick way to fix any marks, scratches, or scuffs on your walls or furniture without buying extra cans or breaking out a paintbrush or roller.
Slobproof
Some reviewers have reported having trouble refilling the pen, but this reviewer has a helpful explanation of how to refill them. Reviewers also say these are *great* for ensuring crisp lines when working with stencils!
Promising review:"How did I ever live without these?! I had these in my cart forever but the price seemed a bit high for what they are. Finally on an impulse I pulled the trigger and bought them. I'm now kicking myself for not doing it sooner. These are fantastic!!! They make small fixes a breeze, especially when two paint colors butt up next to each other at a corner. The brush fibers are great are great and smoothly put the paint in the exact spot. I had even tried buying artists brushes for touchups in the past but they never worked well and I no longer need to pull out the whole can to do one tiny touch up. I have these locked and loaded with every paint color in my house and am ready to go." — AAG338
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in a five-pack).
10. A SockDock, aka a useful tool you can clip dirty socks to (in pairs!), toss the *whole thing* in the washer and dryer, and remove together so NO SOCK gets lost. And you're not stuck searching for a pair when you're already running late.
Amazon
Promising review:"Totally obsessed with this! I've been using it a few weeks now and have zero complaints! I haven't lost a single sock since! They always come out paired and completely dried (which was one of my concerns, I wasn't sure if they were going to dry properly) I would defiantly recommend this! It's amazing and makes life so much easier! Specially with a toddler and baby on the way!" — Sarah Elizabeth
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).
11. A razor protector (it fits all standard men's and women's razors) to prevent rust and corrosion and keep your blades sharper for longer, so you don't have to waste money on replacements again and again and again.
Amazon
It helps your razor dry between uses, stretches to fit, and protects the blade when you're traveling — making your razor last up to THREE TIMES longer. Each SteelBee lasts for up to two years!
Promising review:"This was a great find! I wanted to test this for myself, so I put two razors in the shower with one having the Steelbee. I shaved every other with each razor and within weeks I could tell a big difference. The razor without the Steelbee has rust spots and is much duller. All of the razors in the house will now be using this. I even used this on my most recent business trip last week and it doubled as a great travel protector." — Rob May
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
SteelBee is a small business entirely focused on this product — and btw, it fits all standard razors!
12. A hair-smoothing gel cream stick (it's like a mascara wand!) to control any pesky flyaways for a sleeker updo — without making your roots look dirty or greasy.
Promising review:"I was skeptical of products like this, but I figured it was cheap enough to try. I'm SO glad I did! I always have what I call "fluh fluhs" coming out of the part on my head and no matter how many times I wet them down they stick straight up again. This product sticks them down and they stay down! The only caution I would give is that there's a little learning curve of how hard to press the wand to your hair. I find that I need a very light touch or I get too much of the product in my hair, which then looks a little greasy. If you wipe the brush as you pull it out you should be ok — just like mascara! Great buy!" — tinytuff
Get it from Amazon for $6.79.
13. Or an edge control gel to style your baby hairs *without* flaking or annoying residue. It's even formulated with argan and castor oils!
www.amazon.com
BUT we want to add that no one should feel pressure to lay their edges, unless they way want to! Check out, " Just A Friendly PSA That You Don't HAVE To Lay Your Edges Down If You Don't Wanna."
Promising review:"Hands down! The best edge control I have ever used and I have used a lot of them. Stayed all day! No flakes and non greasy! And this one is not even the strongest in the line. Love this product!" — Seabea2013
Get it from Amazon for $4.60+ (available in seven sizes).
14. Naturium's 2% BHA leave-on liquid exfoliant, which works to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, so your skin *glows*, with reduced breakouts and less visible pores with one easy swipe. And you'll save money on the cult-fave Paula's Choice liquid exfoliant, which does the same thing but for almost two times the price!
Amazon
Promising review:"The key to clear skin! This is the best thing I've ever bought for my face on Amazon. Trust me when I say YOU NEED THIS in your face routine. I've tried so, so many things, and nothing has worked. I tried Paula's Choice BHA, and it does not compare to how much better this is. This dries on without any greasy feeling. It literally cleared my face overnight. I was starting to get acne and this literally cleared my complexion. I've had acne due to stress lately and this has been my savior! My face is unbelievably smooth and clear of acne. Even my dark spots are fading and I've only been using it for one week. My face literally glows! If you have any doubts like I did, just buy it. You will not regret it:)" — Diana V
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
15. A Revlon one-step drying brush (now with an upgraded motor) with a unique oval-shaped barrel so you can get super close to your scalp for smooth hair and majorly boosted volume at the roots without having to juggle a brush and blow-dryer.
It's designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2b–4c hair mentioned it working for them.
Promising review: "I never write product reviews, but this brush is amazing! I have curly/wavy hair that is past my shoulders, but very fine. If I don't blow dry and straighten it right away it gets very curly and frizzy and has always been a pain to blow-dry and flat iron. I have never been very good at blow-drying with a round brush and have always relied on the flat iron to get my hair smooth after drying. With this brush, I can let my hair air dry for a bit, and then use this, and I don't need to use the flat iron at all. My hair looks so full and bouncy that several people have asked me if I just got my hair done. Honestly, with this brush, it looks better than when my hairdresser blow dries! It is so easy to use and takes way less time to do than blow drying. I haven't tried from wet wet, but today I only let it dry a bit and then used the brush and it was still fast. My only complaint is that the handle is a little big and hard to hold on to, but that is fairly minor. Also, I was worried about it getting tangled in my hair, but so far I have been able to wrap my hair around the brush and not have any issues getting the brush out. I love it!" — Bostonchick
Get it from Amazon for $39.88 (available in eight colors).
16. A wad preventer, because balled-up sheets that NEVER seem to actually get dry?? Not on my watch! Who has the time?! This genius invention will keep the corners from getting bunched up to increase your tumble and decrease your dry time.
Amazon
Just tuck the corners of your flat or fitted sheet into the holes to prevent tangling and twisting aaaand (according to the manufacturer...and backed up by reviewers) improve dry time by 75%!!!!!!!!
Promising review: "Best purchase! You wouldn't think a small product like this could make a difference, but it makes a world of difference! I am amazed and so glad I found these. Gone are the days of wet clothes being wrapped up in sheets, or having to continuously check the dryer to untangle sheets. I will be purchasing more of these for myself and buying some as gifts!" — Becca
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a four-pack).
Wad-Free is a small biz, and their products are made in the USA.
17. And for non-sheet loads, a pair of extra large wool dryer balls that'll ensure your laundry dries quicker and gets softer than ever — *25%* faster. Those towels that take FOR-E-VER (The Sandlot voice) to dry? No more.
Promising review: "I was excited but skeptical about this product but I just used them for 4 loads of laundry and they are awesome! I would normally have used about 20 dryer sheets but I just used the dryer balls instead. My clothing, towels and sheets came out of the dryer wrinkle free, soft and no static cling. I am buying the lavender essential oil to try. I used to spend quite a bit of money on fabric softeners and fragrance boosters. I am thrilled not to have to add a bunch of chemicals. The scent is lovely and clean even without adding the oil. Best purchase of the year." — mskrippers
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six styles).
Woolzies is a small business, and these dryer balls are made in New Zealand from 100% wool, and they're hypoallergenic and safe for people with wool allergies! For an extra boost of scent, you can add your favorite essential oil to the balls too!
18. A double-ended extension cord for your hardest-to-solve plug-in quandaries. It lets you plug in a total of six items, three on each cord, up to six feet in each direction! If you live in an older building with limited outlets, this is perfect.
Cords are 6 feet long and have three plugs each.
Promising review:"This was such an awesome and unique idea! I have four front windows on my home that I like to hang Christmas lights in. Instead of having to plug in multiple extension cords, this looked more nicely and worked more efficiently and safely. It was a perfect reach for both sets of lighted images that I put in my windows! This is such a clever idea. Worked great!" — Mad megz
Get it from Amazon for $13.88+ (available in black and white).
19. The Crop Top Band, a why-didn't-I-think-of-that elastic band so you can shorten any sweater, tee, or blouse to the perfect length — without having to get it permanently tailored.
Promising review: "The Crop Top Band is a helpful accessory to many outfits! It stays in place better than I imagined it would and it kept my shirt tucked all day!" —Alexi B
Get it from The Crop Top Band for $19.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL).
The Crop Top Band is a woman-owned small biz btw!
20. A leakproof, portable dog water bottle to help keep your pup hydrated and refreshed on long walks — without having to bring along a dog bowl or make a huge mess. Just dispense some water into the handy dandy built-in bowl, and your dog can lap it up with ease. And leftover water? Goes right back in the bottle for the next time they get parched.
Promising review: "Best item I have purchased for the dog all year. I saw this on a TikTok video and checked on Amazon and ordered it. My toy poodle loves it and drank out it with no hesitation. With the heat wave we are having in California right now I want to be sure she is well hydrated. Before I leave the house I fill the holder with ice and water and I am set. Easy to clean and no spilled water in the car. Easy to throw in my purse and have it when we are out walking around. I know what people with dogs are getting for Christmas this year." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
21. A pack of duster sponges, because the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster seems to be constantly sold out, and these are totally similar, for less! Just dampen and wipe whatever surface needs dusting — all the dust (and even pet hair!) will accumulate on the ridged surface. Just rinse clean, and you're done!
www.amazon.com
I bought a pack of these and love dusting with them! All the dust sticks right on, so you don't end up breathing in all the dust you just tried removing. It's great for baseboards, too!
Promising review: "I rarely review products, but this little sponge literally changed my life! It picks up EVERYthing in one swipe! Hard water marks on your bathroom mirror, no problem! Hair clippings on your sink and counter, one swipe and they are gone! Dusty blinds? Swoosh, swoosh, swipe! And ala-presto ka-bam, like magic they are perfect and dust free! I just need one of these for my floors! I love, love, love how the sponge picks up everything and with a little running water, all the dust, hair, muck and guck just rinsed away! This will not disappoint! Thank you!" — DayDreamer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in six color packs).
22. Bioclean, a hard water stain remover for everyone who is just tired of trying to clean those cloudy glass shower doors, spot-covered fixtures, tile and grout, and more. It even works on pools! If you're not convinced, just hear from one reviewer: "Step one: Look at the pictures. Step two: Buy a lifetime supply immediately."
Promising review: "Wow. Don't waste your time with any other formulation that you found online. I've literally tried EVERYTHING! The soap / vinegar / baking soda, the expensive store bought 'hard water cleaners.' I've scrubbed for HOURS! But this…. This product is like magic. It's kind of like a paste that you can rub on with a microfiber towel and the hard water stains literally just RUB OFF. Like butter! Seriously the easiest option I have tried yet. I stopped within the first five minutes of cleaning to do this review because I'm in shock lol. Coming from someone who never writes reviews! Take that as a sign to buy this immediately. What a game changer, I'm mad I'm just now finding this stuff lol!" — _kayla_carter
Get it from Amazon for $19.77.
23. A handy prefilled notepad so you can create a curated packing list even before you take a single item out. Using this as a guide can be helpful so you don't panic the morning you leave and try to shove in 25 pairs of extra undies and three sweatshirts at the last minute (is this just me??).
Amazon
Promising review:"I just used this for a recent trip to Florida from California. It made it easier to remember things. I used to have a list, that I made, on my computer to remind me, my husband, and child what to pack. My daughter is out on her own now and my husband passed away recently. So, I just need a list for me. This helped me think of things I NEVER thought to put on my list. It has extra lines for you to add anything extra like crochet project, handicapped parking plaque, etc. It's not too big, but can easily be read. There are boxes to check off as you go and room to add quantity to clothing items. I hope these are ALWAYS available!" — Connie Woods
Get this handy notepad from Amazon for $7 (available in two colors, plus a road trip–specific list).
24. Dawn Powerwash, a borderline magical spray-on dish soap that BLASTS through tough grease and baked-on messes with ease. But it's not just for dishes — if you have a greasy range hood or backsplash, or you want to deep clean your cooktop or grill, this is *perfect* for that, too, cutting through the toughest messes!
Amazon
Just spray on (don't add water until you rinse!) and wipe. I'm not joking when I say that the first time I used Dawn Powerwash on a lasagna pan, I almost cried. I will never be without it!
Promising review: "This stuff is the bomb! I can't say enough good about this product. I got my stove top as clean as it was when new — the area around the burners had been impossible for me to get clean before. I also cleaned the inside glass window of the oven with minimal effort. Seriously, this stuff is amazing IMO." — Kim M.
Promising review: " The only dish soap allowed in my household 😅 jk I have used other different types, and this is the only one that has worked amazing in all my cleaning. Not only do I use it on my dishes but to clean my bathroom, husband's grill, and everything else that needs a good cleaning." — Lizbeth LF
Get the starter kit (with one reusable spray bottle and one refill) from Amazon for $8.44 (available in five scents and other sizes/refills).
25. A pack of silicone pouch lids if your kid LOVES to squeeze pouches all over themselves (and the furniture). What a mess! But no more: this smart lid has a flow-control valve to prevent spills (and a cap to save leftovers).
Check out why a mom calls this pouch topper the "coolest thing" in this TikTok.
Promising review:"( can only find them in one place in my small upstate New York town and while traveling I accidentally threw one away in the airport. My kid refuses to let anyone feed him with a spoon and won't take the pouch without the nipple. It's the best creation ever and I can't believe it's not in every store in the world. They truly are the best. I can give my son a pouch or food with these on them in his car seat and not worry. He carries pouches around the living room and I don't have to freak out. I can't say enough good things about them." — Erica
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five color combos).
ChooMee is a small biz based in Northern California, owned by a mom, that specializes in innovative products that solve everyday feeding challenges.
26. A "Cup Claw" because if you've ever had to deal with folded up or falling out bra inserts in tank tops, sports bras, or bathing suits, you KNOW why this was invented. Save yourself a scream of frustration every laundry day, and just break out this lil' guy instead.
Promising review: "After so many lost bra pads, this has been a lifesaver. Instead of feeling immense amounts of frustration, trying to get the pads back into place, this works like a breeze. It is simple to use, effective, and takes a lot of stress out of life. If you are tired of fighting with pads to get them smoothed out and back into place I highly recommend this." — Wesley I.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Cup Claw is a US-based, family-owned small business, btw.
27. A handy dandy car seat buckle release tool (that was featured on Shark Tank!) so you can easily unlatch your kid's car seat buckle with a little extra leverage (and less thumb pain). If you have long nails you're tired of breaking, have arthritis or limited hand strength, or have an older sibling helper, this product is for you.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"Life saver! I bought this for my son to be able to unbuckle himself, and it's worked perfectly! When he went to visit extended family, it was a godsend for the arthritic hands trying to help unbuckle him. I can't say enough good about this product! Will be buying more in the future." — Jason
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in seven colors).
UnbuckleMe is a woman-owned small business run by Becca Davison and her mother Barbara Heilman, an occupational therapist and grandmother of four.
28. The Baseboard Buddy, an As-Seen-On-TV gadget that'll come through for you if you're TIRED of all the dust that accumulates on your trim and baseboard every. single. day. This guy is lightweight and has an extendable telescoping handle and 360 degrees swivel so you can wipe surfaces clean with the contoured microfiber head *without* having to bend over or get down on your hands and knees.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The kit comes with one Baseboard Buddy and three reusable pads which can be used wet or dry. And when the microfiber pad is dirty, just rinse and reuse!
Promising review: " Buy it NOW. Honestly, I had huge reservations for this thing. Yet another miracle cleaning tool that will break or bend or something. I was so wrong. It was easy to put together and I sprayed it with Mean Green and went to the baseboards. No more kneeling and no broken back. This thing is amazing. It is durable and the pad is super absorbent. I am so happy. I can't wait to do the rest of the house!" — artgirl
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
29. A popcorn kernel sifting bowl anyone who has unknowingly bitten down hard on an unpopped kernel (ouch!) will truly find genius. It has a handy dandy straining bottom — just pour in your popcorn, pop the lid on, and shake! All those annoying unpopped pieces will fall through the holes into the removable bottom section.
Amazon
It fits a full bag of microwave popcorn (or about four quarts if you pop your own!). Plus you can use this as a regular strainer for rinsing produce on other occasions! And it's dishwasher safe.
Promising review: "My husband loves popcorn. However, unlike me, he HATES any unpopped kernels. So after a lot of searching, we found this and ordered it. OMG......he loves this thing. And I love that I no longer have to hear him complain about how many kernels are in the bottom of his bowl! So if you want to eat popcorn without having a bunch of kernels in the bottom, DEFINITELY order this one........" — R. Harris
Get it from Amazon for $24.98.
30. A rapid mac 'n' cheese cooker for those days that you want to have one of your fave comfort foods but really don't feel like turning on your stove or dealing with a strainer. This handy kitchen gadget has your back — you just need five minutes and a microwave (vs 20 minutes the old-fashioned way).
www.amazon.com
Here's how it works: Pour in the macaroni and add enough water to the fill line. Then microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Remove, stir, and microwave two more minutes, then add the other ingredients per the mac 'n' cheese instructions. Check out a TikTok of the rapid mac cooker in action. PS — people also use this to rapid cook their ramen!
Promising review: "There is nothing I dislike about this. I don't like milk so didn't add it but it's surprisingly as good or better than stove top. The texture and flavor is on point and it's not soggy like easymac. I laughed when I got this and was like wow it's no different than any container. It's harder material so idk what it's made of but the directions inside the container are on point for good mac and cheese except I drained the water. T he days of scrubbing a big pot are over for me. I can't believe this actually worked. Especially bc the texture of the noodles and the taste is so on point. I got no discount and wasn't paid for this review. I just really am shocked it worked and worked so well. They got this down to a science with this container and directions. I am amazed." — me
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three colors and a two-pack).
Rapid Brands is a California-based small business that specializes in dishwasher-safe, microwaveable, BPA-free kitchen products.
31. A *self-cleaning* grooming brush to easily and effectively remove excess hair from your pet (so it doesn't end up all over you and your home). What makes it self-cleaning, you ask? Simply push a button on the side, and the bristles retract so you can just sweep away all the pet hair you just accumulated right into the trash.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Lots of reviewer pets love being brushed by it too!
Promising review: "I've spent hundreds of dollars on toys, treats, houses, scratchers, etc for my cats. This is hands down not even close, the best money I've ever spent! I got so much fur off them, and they loved it! They are looking so sleek and shiny, and they are rolling around like kittens they feel so fresh and happy. My cats are still young (all ages 4 and under) so they were pretty well groomed to begin with. I couldn't believe how many knots and snags were hiding in their fur. The whole time I was brushing them, they were purring and rubbing all over me trying to get more. The self cleaning feature is so easy!! A click of a button and all the hair falls off. The brush itself is bigger than what I anticipated. I thought my cats would be afraid of it but once they figured out what was happening, they weren't at all. I got the original brush which I thought would probably feel good (like a good back scratch!) And I was right. They loved it." — Samantha
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 + (available in two colors, two sizes, and one for sensitive skin).
32. NYX Brow Glue, an extreme hold eyebrow gel (up to 16 hours!) to keep your brow hairs in place alllll day long, especially if you like that "laminated" look — all in just a few strokes. Reviewers agree the hold is great, the formula doesn't flake off, and that it also washes off easily!
www.amazon.com
Reviewers note it's a great alternative to products like Glossier Boy Brow, Benefit Gimme Brow, and ABH Brow Freeze.
Promising review: "I would use hair spray to hold my eyebrows and throughout the day I would sweat through it and it wouldn't last. I tried this because the price was great and I'm glad i did. This product is awesome. I've had it on my brows for a nine-hour shift and they are still in place! It doesn't dry and get flakey, nor does it feel uncomfortable on the skin. Lastly, I use brow powder and this does NOT affect the look of the powder nor does it smudge it. I will FOREVER buy this product." — Shelby
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in clear, plus eight tinted shades).
33. A 🙌 no-scrub, no-wipe 🙌 Wet & Forget cleaner so you can keep your shower clean and mildew-free by spraying just *once a week*. You'll feel more ready to take on the day when you wash your hair in a shower that's...actually clean all the time.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Best invention ever? Possibly.
Promising review:"This stuff is excellent. It performs as promised, it has a very nice scent, no fumes, and leaves shower clean with no scrubbing actually necessary. It is very easy to apply and rinse off. It is designed very well, with squirting spout separate from the large container and attached by a longish tube, so you don't have to hold the heavy container while applying the product. I've been using it for quite a while now, and I love it. I highly recommend it." — Stephanie Martin
Get it from Amazon for $19.39 (available in two scents, two sizes, and a two-pack).
34. A set of three scrubbing attachments you can simply add to any power drill to make cleaning your tub, floor, appliances, or even the wheels of your car ridiculously fast and easy.
www.amazon.com
If you don't *already* have a drill, you can also get a cordless drill set with brushes just like the above and drill bits from Amazon for $32.99.
Promising review:"I constantly have to pester the hubby to help with cleaning the bathroom. Then I bought this and he's like Tim 'the tool man' Taylor. I guess he just needed more power??? He cleans the bathroom without even being asked because he likes the drill brushes. They work well. The grout lines are clean. It doesn't take him long. Best money I've ever spent! LOL." — Heather N
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six brush types/stiffness levels for different cleaning jobs).
Drill Brush is a small business based in New York. It was started in 2007 by a former electrician with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome who needed a way to clean without causing him harm.
35. Borderline genius nail clippers that *catch* the nail clippings so they don't go flying all over the place (somehow never into the trashcan as intended). They're called "No Splash" which is both gross and hilarious, and the brand claims they'll stay sharp for a full decade.
Amazon
Promising review:"Best nail clipper I've ever owned. All my life I've had stainless-steel nail clippers that slip from my fingers whenever I have to cut my nails, which bends the nail and adds pressure onto my nail bed. With these clippers, the groove lets my thumb sit comfortably. It cuts very well, and there's no need to put too much pressure when cutting a tough nail. The nail catcher is a good bonus. It prevents your nail debris from flying all over the place so you don't need to hover over the trash can. I use the built-in nail file to shape those sharp edges and it does the job very well. It eliminates the use of switching over to an individual nail file. I also like the little case that it comes in. It keeps me from losing my nail clippers." — Jasmine
Get them from Amazon for $13.95.
36. A dozen Bottle Bright tablets for deep cleaning your thermoses and on-the-go bottles — no scrubbing required. These'll get into all those hard-to-reach spaces and remove *all* the gunk.
www.amazon.com
Just plop one tablet in and let it sit overnight. The foaming action will power away gross stuff, residue, and seemingly permanent odors while you get some beauty sleep.
Promising review:"Magic tablets! These little tablets were amazing! By far the best item I've bought all year. I have been using the same few Contigo mugs every day for coffee for years and the insides were quite stained. This did the trick and they look like new. Amazing!!!" — Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $7.90 (available in larger packs).
37. A foot filing rasp designed to undo years of callus buildup in mere MINUTES. No waiting for intense creams to do their work, no getting pedicure after pedicure — if you want to see results ASAP, you'll think it's ~grate~.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have BAD feet. Like genetically bad. I have tried EVERYTHING. I've spent an excessive amount of money on foot masks, foot scrubs, pedicures, pumice stones, foot files, etc. Nothing worked. This fixed my feet in five minutes. I was actually in shock. I haven't had 'soft' feet in years. I literally feel like I have new feet. Best $10 I ever spent." — Hdb
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
38. And to speed things up more, a bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel that can dissolve that pesky hard, dead skin in just a few minutes — for real, don't leave it on for more than that. Then just rinse, sand with a pumice stone or rasp, and enjoy those silky-smooth feet! If you love Baby Foot but hate waiting, this is a great option.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I already had a rasp which I keep in my shower and use right when I'm getting out and it worked well. However, with this product, it's a game-changer. My heels would be smooth with just the rasp, but with the combination, they are as smooth as any salon has ever gotten them, and it is so easy to use. I simply take my normal shower, dry off and apply this callus remover to the bottom of my feet where I need it. I waited 8 minutes and then let the rasp get all of the dry skin off, rinsed my feet well and they looked amazing. I highly recommend this, especially in sandal season!" — The Momager
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in original, peppermint, and tea tree formulations, and also available in a two-pack).
39. A pair of arch supports with compression to help relieve foot pain, whether you have fallen arches, plantar fasciitis, or just spend all day on your feet. Just slide 'em on your foot — it's that simple.
www.amazon.com
Read more about how a lack of arch support can aggravate plantar fasciitis at the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Promising review:"Love, love, love, love, love! I have plantar fasciitis and high arches and suffered with pain and uncomfort. I was looking for supportive shoes and stumbled upon Copper Compression bands and decided to give them a try. Best purchase ever! They immediately give support, stretch the foot and relieve pain. I recommend the gel ones with the pad at the bottom for cushion on your arches but both provide the same effectiveness. I wear them to bed every night, when driving and around the house. I have given them as gifts to several family members and friends, all of whom love them! They are a family run, American company and have outstanding customer service. I couldn't say better things. 6/5 stars! You won't regret this purchase." — nicole keuster
Get them from Amazon for $15.95 (available in six colors).
40. A pack of eucalyptus mint shower steamers to help open up your sinuses (those allergies...amirite?!) and make your shower feel like a spa. Relaxation isn't just for bath-takers, you know.
www.amazon.com
Learn more about eucalyptus oil (plus other suggestions for home remedies) to help with sinus congestion and pressure at the Cleveland Clinic.
Just place one on your shower floor (not directly under the water), and it'll activate when splashed, releasing a delicious scent.
Promising review:"As a long time sufferer of congestion, these help me so much. A friend told me about these while my husband and I were both sick at the beginning of the year (IYKYK). The congestion that came on with this virus was TERRIBLE. While Afrin works wonders, you can't use it every day. These helped clear up most of the congestion and they smell amazing. I have chronic allergies and have used these since being sick anytime my allergies get the best of me. I wouldn't say my congestion is completely relieved (like when you use a medicated nasal spray) when I use these, but they help so much and did give me relief. I pop one in the shower, and it smells like I'm at a MedSpa. My entire bathroom and bedroom smell so good whenever I use these. These are nice to use even if you're not congested and want a relaxing shower after a long day. The smell of these is calming + relaxing especially right before bed." — Karis
Get a 15-pack from Amazon for $24.99 (available in clarity and relief bundles).
Body Restore is a small biz btw! They make other shower steamers in a variety of scents, too, like energizing citrus and calming lavender right before bed, etc.
41. Ethylene gas-absorbing apples for anyone tired of fresh produce spoiling before they can use it — the company claims these'll save the average household up to $600 per year when you just keep one in your drawer.
Amazon
They can keep produce fresher for two to three times longer. Each packet inside the Bluapple lasts three months, and you can order replacement packets as needed.
Promising review:"Lettuce was going bad in my refrigerator produce bin while lettuce in my outdoor compost bin seemed to stay green much longer. Then I bought these, and now my lettuce stays fresh for a very long time. This product pays for itself many times over." — Amazon Customer
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $17.99.
42. A pack of sound-dampening bumpers you can stick right on noisy cabinets to keep you from being jarred awake with the BANG that indicates someone else's late-night or early-morning bowl of cereal.
Amazon
Promising review:" Best thing I have ever bought for my kitchen. Say goodbye to the heinous noise of slamming cabinets. My mother is notorious for just letting go of the cabinets and letting them slam shut so before she came to visit I installed these and I couldn't have been happier. They keep the noise to a minimum and likely help to improve the longevity of the cabinet doors by reducing the impact. They are easy to install (although time consuming for all the cabinets in the kitchen) and mine have not fallen off after 5 months of use. When installing, I pressed them onto the cabinet hard for a 30 count before letting go. I think this is required to make them long lasting. My father installed these at his home after he visited and his fell off because he just placed them on the cabinets like a sticker. After installing a second with the same method I used, he has not had any fall off." — Dave Carlson
Get a sheet of 100 from Amazon for $8.58.
43. A pillowcase designed specifically for sleeping with wet hair (or sleeping in a hair mask) with one side with a microfiber terrycloth exterior and waterproof lining so you can go to bed with freshly washed hair without ruining your pillowcase — and so you can sleep comfortably. AND *satin* on the other side to help your hair retain moisture, stay tangle-free, and have less breakage.
Amazon
Promising review:"This company is absolutely amazing and the pillowcase is genius! First off, they have the best customer service. There was a problem with my order so I reached out to them. They responded to my email quickly and resolved the problem. Very friendly people to work with. Second, t he pillowcase is hands down, the best I have ever used! I always take night showers and go to bed with wet hair. I've used a towel over my old pillowcases for years and I always wake up with a damp pillow and the towel on the bed. With this pillowcase, I don't have that problem! The microfiber side absorbs the moisture from my hair and the other side is a nice soft satin for those nights I don't go to bed with wet hair. I will never go back to a normal pillowcase again! I never write product reviews, but I just had to with this product. It was that good! Basically, BUY THIS PILLOWCASE!!!!" — Kristen Chorney
Get it from Amazon for $35.95+ (available in five colors, plus versions made of all towel or standard cotton or polyester).
Btw, DryZzz is a woman-owned small business.
44. A TikTok-approved, compact Levoit air purifier with a true HEPA filter because dust, pollen, and pet dander can get you DOWN (and sneezy) — and make it look like you haven't cleaned in ages, when you totally dusted yesterday. This'll suck so much out of the air, you just might find yourself dusting (and sneezing) less often! And it can help your home smell fresher, too.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "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 2 of the smaller version of this same purifier for the 2 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 3 purifiers going 24/7 for 4 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
Promising review: "Stop looking, buy this! I bought a higher-end unit for my office and this one for my home. Literally no difference! Buy the cheaper one!" — Keith
Get a purifier that can cover up to 1095 st. ft spaces from Amazon for $99+ (available in black and white, plus a WiFi-enabled version). You can also get a mini size for up to 240 sq ft. for $39.97.
45. A reusable Revlon oil-absorbing roller stick with a ball made of volcanic stone that sucks the excess shine right off your face. Just pop it out and give it a wash once in a while and you can reuse it over and over and over again!
Amazon
Promising reviews:"This... this! I don't know what sort of sorcery this is, but this thing totally works, and it's freaking me out! I tested it by standing outside for a few mins (I live in the south, very humid) and then came back inside and rolled it along my nose. Sucked that oil right up!! I cannot believe I have been wasting money on blotting paper when this was out there (and reusable)! Totally buying some for my sister and friends. If you're on the fence about it, JUST BUY IT!" — Stellar
Get it from Amazon for $8.18.
Btw, now the roller comes in a rose quartz version you can store in the fridge for a soothing face massage!
46. An under-the-sink water filtration system to help you kiss your Brita goodbye and pour a glass of the good stuff straight from the tap. And fun fact: It's designed to be installed in under three minutes.
www.amazon.com
It has a two-step filter that removes 99.99% of contaminants, and it comes with direct connect hoses to hook right up to the standard 3/8-inch valves in US kitchen sinks.
Promising review:"We have town water and it seems they are putting more and more chlorine in it every year. We should be getting used to it and tasting it less and less, not more! The refrigerator filters are super expensive and weren't cutting it. Every time I put a glass to my mouth it smelled like a swimming pool. I searched the internet and decided to give this a try due to the positive reviews and affordability. Wow! easy install (I'm an avid DIYer). And the taste! The chlorine taste is just gone! No more overpriced fridge filters for us. I love that the filter replacement procedure is basically the same as a fridge. Just twist and remove. We love it so much I teed off the fridge line and put a dispenser at our sink as well. The flow on this thing is just amazing! And the water tastes great! Don't waste your money on the expensive, complicated ones. My parents have a three-chambered, name brand filter at their house. It was expensive, the replacement filters are expensive, it is a pain in the petunias to replace the filters, and the flow rate is pathetic! But guess what! Our water from this filter tastes just as good as theirs at a fraction of the price, plus it's way more convenient, plus the flow rate is way better. I just can't say enough. Love, Love it! You will too!" — BJ
Get it from Amazon for $59.49+ (available in two styles).
47. A super-speedy wine stain remover so you can quickly undo Sandra's sloshing all over your pristine white couch and carpet, without losing your ~temper-nillo~. Now you can get back to enjoying the party.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Totally impressed! The unassuming generic packaging and label left me a bit skeptical but this stuff is almost as exciting as the wine I spilled! This cabernet stain sat on my ivory faux fur blanket for over a month before I tried this product. Completely gone in one try! Get this. Seriously. You won't be disappointed." — Persian Tess
Get it from Amazon for $11.88.
48. A drain-clearing tool with a rotating handle and five replacement snakes with 4,000 micro hooks and a slim design to shimmy down any drain (you don't even need to remove the cover) and snag all the hairs and goop that's clogging the system — in one quick pull.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I don't write many reviews, but when something blows my mind like this, I have to! Not only did this remove an enormous amount of hair from my drain, it took less than 30 seconds to do so! I didn't really read the instructions, but it's pretty straightforward. Stuck it in the drain, cranked the handle, pulled it out. Voila, no more hair! Buy it! You won't be disappointed." — Linsey Barbieri
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
49. A bottle of Fanola purple shampoo that'll neutralize yellow tones and brassiness for platinum locks — all in one to three minutes and *without* a trip to the salon.
www.amazon.com
Just don't leave it on for too long, or you might end up with a slight purple tint — but some reviewers love that!
Promising review: "I'm not one to leave reviews, but this product deserves it! Holy cow! I was going to go into the salon to brighten my hair up, but after discovering this product I cancelled my appointment. I'm totally in love! This shampoo is not drying at all and just after two washes I achieved my desired results! I can't recommend it enough!" — Rachael
Get it from Amazon for $12.25+ (available in two sizes).
50. A bottle of Downy wrinkle release spray you can just spritz on and magically reveal crease-free clothing when you can't bear to even wait the 90 seconds for your steamer to heat up. There are other things to be done!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"HOLY SMOKES. I wasn't expecting this product to work so well. Literally 10 seconds after spraying and gently stretching as the directions suggested, this was the difference! I let it hang for another 15 mins with a subtle improvement, but the first few seconds after were mind-blowing. Highly suggest this product if wrinkled garments are planning your closet." — Desiree
Get two full-size bottles, plus a travel-size bottle, from Amazon for $16.99 (available in other sizes/bundles).
51. A Muller veggie chopper to turn your onion-cutting tears into tears of joy when you realize the whole dang thing is diced with one press of the lever. Because your need for fresh salsa can't wait.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
It comes with the chopper itself, a whopping EIGHT blades (three different size choppers, plus blades for julienning, slicing, grating, and regular and fine shredding), and a cleaning brush.
Promising review:"This has made my life soooooo much easier. Arthritis and getting old sucks. But this little jewel makes my kitchen fun again. Love the holding box, the choppers, and the mandolin, and a greater. This is a complete tool. I have been buying this brand [ Mueller ] for at least 10 years now and have liked every product I have gotten. The hand-held mixer is the best I have EVER used (and I've had a few )!!!!!!" — Lisa R.
Get it from Amazon for $24.86+ (available in two styles).
52. A pack of Avarelle pimple patches formulated with tea tree oil and calendula oil (to heal and shrink zits faster overnight). And they come in the classic circular shape PLUS large, square patches so you can easily treat and shrink clusters of pimples all at once.
www.amazon.com
A lot of reviewers who have also tried Cosrx and Nexcare patches prefer these!
Promising review:"I've tried so many brands of pimple spots, and these are hands-down the best on the market. I'm a performer at Walt Disney World, and a clear complexion is required. Last night, I put these on a few acne problems (a small cyst, a Whitehead, and a pimple I shouldn't have picked and has been a bump for about three weeks now.) I just woke up and am writing this review in disbelief. THEY'RE FLAT! Gone! All of them! I could cry I'm so happy. The packaging is also ideal, because it allows you to conveniently and easily peel the stickers off without stretching them out or folding them back on themselves. Do yourself and your complexion a huge favor! Have these on hand for a stubborn zit when you really need help. Make sure you apply them to completely clean and dry skin." — Caitlyn
Get them from Amazon: the box of 40 round patches for $8.49 and the pack of eight large square patches for $8.99.
53. A mold and mildew removing gel, because you don't need to get your whole shower redone once this is in your life. Just squeeze out and let this non-drip gel work its magic overnight — NO s c r u b b i n g.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Didn't think it would work, but it DID with no scrubbing!! My husband didn't think our grout was originally white, but I knew better. I put this on before bed on a section of grout in the shower, and woke up to gorgeous and bright white, no scrubbing at all the next morning. Just rinse it off. Absolutely buying another bottle. It wasn't quite enough for my entire shower, but to be fair, we have a lot of small tiles. I think 2 bottles will get the whole shower floor. Bravo on a great product." — thekuan
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
54. A handy-dandy silicone paw cleaner designed to fully (but gently) remove dirt, mud, sand, ice melt, and whatever else from your furry friend's feet pronto — and without the hassle of scrubbing.
www.amazon.com
You'll *both* be happier.
Promising review:" UPDATE: I've been using this for a few weeks, and I love it. It cleans the salt off my dogs' paws so easily. When it's super dirty and the streets are covered in salt, I'll refresh the water supply. I add a few drops of their doggie shampoo, and it works great. Don't believe the negative reviews. I don't see how they can possibly not know how to use this gadget. It is so easy to use. And the pictures of the German Shepherds and their mess, I find it impossible that this gadget could possibly create that mess. I guess if they are covered in thick mud, then they have to be hosed down, and this product is not a replacement for a bath. I have four dogs in NYC. I have to wash their feet after every walk because the streets are so filthy. It would take me about 10-15 min to clean their paws with a spray bottle and towel. Now, it takes about five minutes. And the towel doesn't end up filthy. The dirt gets caught in the cup. Plus the dogs seem to like it. The silicone bristles must feel good. A huge thumbs-up!" — Sandra
Get it from Amazon for $15.60+ (available in three sizes and eight colors).
55. A clever little PVC spiral to make rings up to 1.5 sizes smaller without permanent alterations required. Easy peasy!
Amazon
Promising review:"I lost weight during my pregnancy (and after) and my wedding rings kept falling off. I didn't want to get them resized, have a little ball welded in or wear one of those guards that slide around. I pretty much gave up on wearing them. I saw these in one of those silly BuzzFeed lists about Amazon products. I usually just read those things for a good laugh (really who needs a hedgehog shaped planter) I immediately put this item in my cart and I couldn't be happier! It comes with four sizes. I used the smallest size for my engagement ring. It was super easy to wrap around." — DMA
Get a set of four from Amazon for $5.94.
56. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray, which spritzes right on your face whenever your skin needs a little de-stressing. The three simple ingredients are designed to trigger your skin's immune response to tone down redness, calm irritation, and reduce inflammation.
Tower 28
Promising reviews:"It really works. I found this product on Instagram, read the reviews, and decided to give it a try. My skin looks transformed after 10 days. My maskne is greatly improved, redness is gone, and my skin feels great. I have aging, oily skin that's still acne-prone, and this product not only had not broken me out, but has eliminated the small breakout I was having. I'm in love." —Bonnie
*Another* promising review:" I give 12/10. Holy grail. Undupeable. This tastes like salt and smells like a pool BUT it has calmed my rosacea and healed my cystic acne in a day or two (would normally take weeks). I'm spraying it in my mask to keep maskne away. It's everything. Only downside is I'm going through it so fast that it's going to be an expensive habit. But so far it's worth it." — EssJay
Get it from Tower 28 or from Sephora for $28 (also available in a smaller size).
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned business that was founded by Amy Liu and is designed for sensitive skin. Their products are free of any sensitivity-causing ingredients, and are vegan and cruelty free.
57. A single-handed tape dispenser to make wrapping gifts, sealing envelopes, etc., way, way easier — and keep those wrapping jobs TIGHT. Just pull the lever to cut the tape!
www.youtube.com
Am I the only one who ends up with a weirdly baggy gift?
Promising review:"My last tape dispenser that was awful. Threading the tape through the mechanism was a PITA. The gears and springs would fall out when you opened the damn thing. Eventually, the tape started to cling to the roller and would rip the paper I was trying to tape. This design is great; the tape self threads itself when you put it on the rubber bands, the tape stays on the inside of the device until you press the trigger to release it, the tape self cuts when you let go of the trigger. Everything can be done with one hand. Wonderful!" — Billster
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in seven colors).
58. A pocket-sized, safer-to-use cutting tool for making small jobs (cutting tape, opening boxes) quicker and easier and tough jobs (that clamshell packaging) less frustrating.
Amazon
Promising review:"I have a medical disorder that causes my fingers to lose dexterity in cold, and in my job, I have to go into a freezer and open taped up boxes every day. I was having way too much trouble getting the tape off, and didn't want to use a bulky box cutter. So I found this, put them on my keys, and it is ready to go immediately. It hasn't cut me, and I grab my keys over and over a day (I'm a delivery driver) and have yet to be injured. I love this thing! The blade is tiny, but strong. It does not retract, but it's still safe." — Rachel C.
Get it from Amazon for $5.12+ (available in 10 colors and in multipacks).
59. A roll of screen repairing tape to quickly patch up a hole or tear in your window screen so you can enjoy all the goooorgeous spring breezes (coming soon!) — without inviting any...unwanted guests.
www.amazon.com
It may not blend in perfectly but hey, it's cheaper than replacing a whole screen!
Promising review:"I live in an old home and we are at the point in life where we have done all the big repairs we are going to do. We have holes in quite a few screens which my spouse promised to fix with his mystical screen hole patching prowess. That was years ago and I'm tired of getting eaten alive. I bought a roll of this and in 10 minutes every screen was patched. This product cuts cleanly even with mediocre scissors. It adheres to the existing screen neatly and without a lot of pressure or fuss. I'd say not to worry too much about which color you choose as this product is quite obvious in use. It is really not going to blend. However I don't care; my screens no longer are mosquito boulevards and the product stays put. I'm thrilled, one more job off the list." — Quickbeam
Get a roll of 15 feet from Amazon for $8.29 (available in four sizes and two colors).
60. A pepper corer that'll quickly remove the stem, seeds, and core in a jiffy so you can get to slicing, stir-frying, stuffing, or just chomping on a sweet slice of raw bell pepp (a go-to snack of mine). And if you're prepping spicy peppers, they won't irritate your hands!
Amazon
Promising review:"I love eating raw bell peppers and this handy gadget has been a real time-saver. Removes the core to make slicing up peppers much more efficient. Two thumbs-up for this ingenious kitchen gadget." — I love Amazon
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
61. A few sheets of LED-dimming stickers to finally keep those pesky router, TV, clock, and other electronic lights from ruining your ~room of complete darkness~.
www.amazon.com
They dim 50-80% of the light, so you can still tell that your devices are still actually *on* and functioning. You can always double them up to completely block out the light source if you'd like (many reviewers do this) or buy the stronger **full black-out** edition!
Promising review:"This is the best thing you never knew you needed. I own a digital clock with the numbers displayed in red LED light, and every night I've blocked the light with a cover so it doesn't shine in my eyes as I sleep. Silly I know, but I like my room pitch black and cave-like. On a whim I bought this product. OH MY GOD! Game-changer!! For the first night EVER I didn't have to cover the clock display before I went to bed!! I had no idea how big a difference this little dimmer could make, but I'm more than pleased with the result. I can still see the time display just fine, but now my room is a happy cave! Some commenters argue you could get the same effect using electrical tape, regular tape covered in Sharpie, etc., but true to the name of these products if you're looking for something to DIM, then this is for you. Also the product is easy to remove and doesn't leave a sticky residue at all, which can't be said for most tapes. I did notice a slight lag in response when I covered my TV LED sensor, so if you're trying to block something that actually senses inputs I would maybe not suggest this. Other than that, excellent product!" — Amazon Customer
Get a sheet of over 100 dimming stickers (in multiple sizes and shapes) from Amazon for $3.99.
62. An odor-eliminating candle that'll truly knock out the worst pet stinks and leave your home smelling ahhh-mazing — without you know, actually having to clean every five seconds.
Amazon
They're made with soy wax that burns for up to 70 hours, plus the scents are allergy friendly!
Promising review:"I have multiple dogs in the house and am always concerned that it smells like that to visitors even cleaning everyday. I have use other candles and melts that add a pleasant smell to the underlying odor, but these do better. I have been able to leave the house for hours and when I first open the door, on my return, I don't smell dog. We recently had a house full of people (many of them pet parents) over for Christmas dinner and it was actually commented 'Your house smells really nice. How do you keep the dog smell out?' I laughed and told them I was just wondering if the candles were working. I guess I got the BEST answer." — LLLTexas
Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in three scents and in multipacks).
Check out our Pet House Candle review for more info.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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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.

Toxic Spill at China-Owned Zambian Mine 30 Times Worse Than Estimated
Toxic Spill at China-Owned Zambian Mine 30 Times Worse Than Estimated

Bloomberg

timea day ago

  • Bloomberg

Toxic Spill at China-Owned Zambian Mine 30 Times Worse Than Estimated

The partial collapse of a waste dam at a Chinese state-owned copper mine in Zambia may have released 30 times more toxic sludge into the environment than previously reported, according to an independent evaluation of the disaster. At least 1.5 million tons of the poisonous substance escaped when a reservoir failed at the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Ltd. mine near the northern city of Kitwe, findings from the company hired to assess the environmental damage showed. That would fill more than 400 Olympic-sized pools and rank the incident among the mining industry's worst catastrophes globally.

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

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