32 Products With Results That'll Inspire You
A powerful spray to break down stubborn mold and mildew stains almost instantly. Just leave it on for about 15 seconds, then wipe away to reveal what your shower is actually supposed to look like.
A cult-favorite foot file that'll grind away at calluses and have your heels and toes looking silky smooth and ready to slip into your go-to sandals. There are many foot files out there, but more than 86,000 Amazon reviewers say this one works like a charm.
The TikTok-famous Pink Stuff, which is basically the Alex Russo of cleaning products; it has tons of tricks up its sleeve. With the help of a little elbow grease, it'll completely revitalize your sink, bathtub, neglected stoves, and basically anything else that's in need of some scrubbing action.
A pack of multipurpose dermaplaning razors you can use to shape your eyebrows and remove fine hairs. You can also use it to remove any stubborn peach fuzz so your foundation will glide on more seamlessly than ever.
A pack of all-natural bottle-cleaning tablets that'll help remove stains and odors from any water bottles or coffee tumblers that you've left unwashed for an embarrassingly long time. It happens. Just fill your cup with warm water, drop the tablet in, and wait 15-30 minutes; rinse your cup, then get back to hydrating and/or caffeinating yourself.
A jar of super moisturizing O'Keeffe's cream — it's basically a magic potion for brand new hands. Its blend of beeswax and glycerin will add hydration and help get your skin back to normal if increased hand-washing has wreaked havoc on your hands.
A pack of cleaning erasers that only need water to remove stains — they're more affordable than name brands but still...um...magic, if you catch my drift. These little melamine sponges can quickly lift away tough stains, grease, soap scum, and anything else that simply won't budge with your normal multipurpose cleaner.
Promising review: "These babies have transformed and reformed my slobby life. My dog sitter thought I got a new sink and fridge. I have never had more fun cleaning in my life — wait, I have never had any fun cleaning. But these magical creatures make it so freaking satisfying. No toxic stuff. No fumes. Just heavenly cleanliness." —Jimmy Jim EreenoGet a pack of 20 from Amazon for $13.95.
Maybelline's Dark Circles Treatment Concealer — it proves you don't have to keep spending a lot of money for high-end results. The lightweight formula is infused with Haloxyl, a peptide complex that's meant to reduce dark circles and tighten skin. Many reviewers say it's easy to blend with just your fingers, so you can ditch the brush if you want to!
An all-purpose scrubber kit that'll magically transform your power drill into the ultimate cleaning tool you never knew you needed. The nylon bristles won't leave behind any scratches, so you can scrub away without worrying about ruining your tub, toilet, baseboards, or any other surface that needs an intense cleaning.
A descaling solution to break down all of the limescale buildup inside your electric kettle or coffee maker, because yes, the interior also needs cleaning 😩. If your coffee just isn't hitting the spot like it used to, it's probably time to run a cleaning cycle.
A L'Oréal repairing hair treatment, which takes just eight seconds — yes, eight seconds! — to repair damage and restore shine. Apply it after shampoo but before conditioner, and let the amino acids and "lamellar water technology" work their magic to smooth your hair without weighing it down.
A pack of cleaning tablets that'll clean your dishwasher for you, because it's probably way dirtier than you imagine. These tablets will break down lime and mineral buildup in the main compartment, internal pumps, and the pump and valve — so your dishes will come out looking as sparkly as they do in all those dish soap commercials.
A wildly popular anti-dandruff shampoo — it uses ketoconazole to help fight dandruff and relieve itchy scalps. Several of the 77,000 rave reviews mention seeing a reduction in scalp flakiness when consistently used at least twice a week.
An all-natural oven scrub made with gritty pumice stone, so you can really go to town on that pizza that exploded and left a mess everywhere. It'll even clean all the hard-to-reach spots on the racks — because, yes, those need cleaning, too.
A set of dividers so you can easily organize your sock drawer and keep it from becoming an endless black hole of mismatched pairs. They're also perfect for scarves, underwear, bras, and more, so planning your OOTD is about to become so much easier.
A cruelty-free lengthening Essence mascara with a whopping 265,000 5-star ratings and some seriously impressive before and after photos. Oh, did I mention it's UNDER $5?! Some reviewers even compare it to expensive brands like Tarte 👀. Unlike other mascaras at similar price points, reviewers say this one doesn't easily clump or smudge throughout the day and is suitable for sensitive eyes.
A pack of thin velvet hangers to basically double your closet space and provide a much better grip on your clothes. These hangers have more than 170,000 fans, with many reviewers saying they're perfect for tank tops, sweaters, slacks, and anything else that tends to easily slip off of plastic ones.
A pack of oil-absorbing sheets that will tackle the shiniest of foreheads and have you looking instantly matte without ruining your makeup. These are a must on the days when you need to touch up in a hurry and forgot to bring your setting powder with you.
A stainless-steel tongue cleaner so you can scrape away all the nastiness in your mouth that's been giving you a case of morning breath. It's gross and satisfying in equal measure.
A jetted tub cleaner for anyone who desperately needs a relaxing bath, but the thought of scrubbing your grimy bathtub is simply too much to handle. It'll remove all the gunk trapped in the places you can't even see, so your tub will be the cleanest it's ever been. You'll barely have to lift a finger — just gently wipe away any leftover grime once it's done doing its job!
A glass cleaner that'll remove any stubborn hard-water spots and have your shower doors looking so clean you might accidentally walk into them. It's designed to work in seconds; just apply with a damp cloth in circular motions and wipe away with a paper towel or cloth to reveal the shiny showroom-worthy shower doors of your dreams.
A grout ink pen — it'll take the space between your tiles from grimy to shiny in a few simple swipes. This won't clean your grout, but it'll make it look brand-new. It's like a more productive version of an adult coloring book!
A cleaning kit that'll make your ceramic cooktop look as shiny and flawless as the day you moved in. The kit comes with a bottle of cleaner, a cleaning pad, and a heavy-duty scraper that are all designed to break down burnt-on foods and tough stains.
Or! A gas range cleaning spray — it takes just seconds to cut through grime and grease and eliminate any evidence that your roommates are total slobs. Now, I'm just projecting. Just spray it on and wipe away — or leave it on for 30 minutes if you're dealing with caked-on nastiness.
A mold and mildew stain remover in a squeezable gel formula that can miraculously cling onto awkward vertical and inclined surfaces and fit in tight spaces. Just squeeze, walk away, then give it a quick rinse in the morning to reveal some jaw-dropping results.
A tub of magical heavy-duty all-purpose cleaning wipes — they can remove everything from grease to tomato sauce stains almost instantly and with zero water required. They're also formulated with aloe and vitamin E, so they're gentle on your skin but still tough enough to remove all the gunk that's accumulated on your oven range hood.
An argan oil hair mask to have your mane looking ridiculously glossy in just seven minutes. Yes, you read that right — seven 👏 minutes! The argan oil will provide a nice dose of vitamin E to your hair shaft, which is known to help prevent dryness and boost shine.
A toilet wand with disposable cleaning heads (the cleaning solution is built-in — just activate with water!) that makes scrubbing the porcelain throne feel like less of a chore. The kit comes with six refill heads (and a handy dandy storage stand for the wand and refills) to get you started, so you can immediately say goodbye to that dirty toilet brush and get to scrubbing in about 30 seconds!
A jewelry-cleaning stick so you can quickly and easily add some bling back to your rings and make them 🎵 shine bright like a diamond 🎵. You can use it on basically any of your accessories that need a good sprucing-up — just twist the pen to dispense some cleanser onto the brush, then gently swipe on your jewelry to let the microfine cleansers wipe away dirt and oil.
A food container lid organizer because only finding circular lids when you just put your leftovers in a square container is the worst. This will keep them upright and organized, and the dividers make it easy to sort them by size and shape.
The dividers are adjustable so you can customize your set depending on what size containers you have!Promising review: "I love, love, love this storage container. Sounds silly, but it changed my life. No longer do I have storage container Jenga! No more stuff falling out of the cabinet every time I open the cupboard. Now I can stack my lids in the organizer and my storage containers fit nicely on the shelf, and I have a lot of storage containers. I would definitely buy this again and again. Great product." —Laura H.Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four sizes).
A broom for pet and human hair so you can rake up everything that your vacuum can't reach. You'll be so shook when you see all the hair and dust that's hiding out in your area rugs that you might just add to the over 78,000 5-star reviews.
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The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
What are the 4 major US cities? The internet can't decide. Vote for your picks.
There are thousands of cities in the United States, but according to the internet, four are more important than the rest. Which ones are they? That's up for discussion. Social media's latest debate revolves around the notion that the U.S. only has four "major" cities. The criteria and evaluation of which ones make the cut are up to each respective user, but many people seem to agree on at least two of them. Thousands of people, from content creators to professional athletes, have weighed in on the discourse across platforms like TikTok and X in recent weeks. What do you think? Take our survey at the bottom of this story. What are the four major US cities? Ranking one area as more "major" than another is obviously subjective, but many online commenters concur on two cities' inclusion in the list: New York City and Los Angeles. They are, after all, the most populous cities in the U.S. and each offer a lot in other criteria that netizens have used for evaluation. The third spot is where it gets dicey, as some users have staunchly advocated for Chicago to be included, while others argue against it. "I think we all need to come to a general consensus that the top three are locked in," content creator Eli Rallo said in an Aug. 3 TikTok, which has been viewed more than 625,000 times to date. "It's indisputably New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago." "Chicago just isn't top 3, NY and LA are the only for certains," one commenter said on the video. When it comes to other contenders, several cities have circulated in online discourse. "The real debate should be the fourth one," user @ said in a July 30 TikTok. "I've seen a lot of like, Miamis, or like, I've seen some people say D.C. 'cause it's the capital." "If we're being honest there is no big 4 or even big 3. It's just NYC and LA," one commenter wrote on the video. What makes a 'major' city? Factors like a city's size, sports teams or historical significance have all been used by social media users in weighing the four major U.S. cities. When it comes to population, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houstin are the top four largest cities in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, many have emphasized the importance of factors other than size. "Remember, it is not just the biggest cities, it's the major cities," user @hoodieguyspam said in a TikTok. "You have to factor in cultural impact." One cultural impact to note, at least to some, is where to develop a career. "Everyone goes to New York City or LA to follow their dreams, or industry there, there are just lots of opportunities," user @reagans_ratings said in a TikTok. International recognition has also played a factor in some rankings. "As a Brit I'd always say New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago. They're the most populous and noteworthy for us across the pond," one commenter said. What do you think the four major U.S. cities are? Vote in our survey Do you agree on New York, Los Angeles or Chicago? Is there a city you think should enter this debate? Take USA TODAY's survey and weigh in on what the four major U.S. cities are below. This survey includes the 50 most populated cities in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials
A school supply essentials box in case that back-to-school list is just too daunting. This case has pretty much everything you'll need for the school year and almost anything that'll be on the supply list so you can enjoy summer rather than fight Hunger Games-style with another adult over the last glue stick. Each bundle includes a plastic pencil box, a 10-pack of markers, a 24-pack of crayons, a 12-pack of colored pencils, three glue sticks, a pack of #2 pencils, five pencil top erasers, a rubber eraser, a pencil sharpener, a pair of blunt tip scissors, two pencil grips, a 12-inch ruler, a wide-rule spiral notebook, a wide ruled composition book, and two 2-pocket folder with metal review: "As a busy working mother, this was a lifesaver! The kit had everything my third grader needed to start his new school year, and I didn't have to fight the crowds at the stores!!! 5 stars!!!" —Carolyn JacksonGet it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two other sizes). A gentle alarm clock that'll hopefully bring you much cheerier wake-ups than jarring beeping sounds. I recently started using this sunrise clock and THE CHANGE to my mornings. Even if your little one is too young for an alarm clock, just having one for yourself can make waking up so much more pleasant. Promising review: "This clock is a lifesaver! I bought one each for my three kids so they can get up on time for school, and it works perfectly! They love the ease of use and customization — and they are actually excited about getting up on time!" —KavinaGet it from Amazon for $32.88+ (available in three colors). A cereal dispenser so they can get themselves breakfast without a gigantic pile of spilled cereal on the floor. The added excitement of making every breakfast feel like a hotel vacation breakfast is simply a bonus. Promising review: "These keep my cereal fresh, my 6-year-old can use them on her own! It's truly a lifesaver!" —Allison MarieGet it from Amazon for $31.22. A breakfast sandwich maker to get you a hot and delicious breakfast rather than scavenging off of leftover cereal and cold toaster pastries. This machine makes amazing breakfast sandwiches in minutes — plus you can embarrass your brood by singing H-O-T-T-O-G-O every time you pass them a sando. Promising review: "This thing is a lifesaver. I'm a mother of four young kids, so I have resorted to eating cereal, Pop-Tarts, anything FAST in the mornings because I have lots of little people to take care of, too. For as little as one minute of prep time and five minutes to cook, I have a delicious and much healthier breakfast. I bought the single, but I am considering ordering a double as well." — it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in five colors). A hard-boiled egg maker so efficient, it takes almost all of the time out of making hard-boiled eggs for your family. Quickly make up to six eggs at a time in about 10 minutes. Perfect for any family rushing through the breakfast chaos — or anyone who has found their batch of hard-boiled eggs sitting in a lukewarm pot of water six hours later. 🫠 Promising review: "Lifesaver! Quick eggs and do not need to be prepped that much. Helps a lot when you are getting kids ready to go to school." —DeepakGet it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). A programmable coffee maker that'll help you set your coffee up the night before and wake up to your favorite aroma. If you're like me and have had too many mornings where you realize you forgot to brew your coffee until it was too late, it's time to treat yourself to a better system. Promising review: "What was I waiting for? I drink a lot of coffee. Now I've always had a glass pot coffee maker and briefly went down the Keurig road (hated it.) After breaking my third glass pot in the past few years, I started looking into getting a stainless steel pot. I saw a few with a water reservoir, but I decided against it. Good fresh water makes for good coffee. This one seemed to get good reviews, so I ordered it. Boy, am I glad that I did! The pot is huge (a lot of stainless steel pots were only 10 cups, this one makes 12.) The design is sleek and matches my kitchen so well. The auto feature is nice when I remember to actually prep it at night. There is a bold feature (yaasss!) The display will tell you how many minutes, up to two hours, have passed since it brewed. The best part, however, is the pot. It keeps the coffee warm for hours and hours. I have four kids and run a home daycare, so I don't always get around to getting my second and third cups until hours after brewing. And I hate microwaved coffee! This coffee maker has been a lifesaver. I can have my early morning cup. Get through my morning schedule and go back for another cup, and it'll be just as hot! No reheating! My only complaint is that I wish the filter were cone-shaped instead of a basket. Just a personal preference of mine. (I think the chance of grounds getting into the brew increases with a basket filter, that's all.) But other than that, this has been the best coffee maker I have ever bought." —JasmineGet it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in three versions). A set of refrigerator storage bins to make getting lunches ready a much more streamlined process. Rather than digging through the fridge trying to find whatever snacks you have, keep them separated and at the ready. Promising review: "The bins were a lifesaver. Now I can reach things easily by pulling out bins. The entire family found that this works better than reaching in the back of the refrigerator for things that have fallen. Now it is simply pulling out a bin. Also, it avoids standing in front of the refrigerator looking for things. The bins have 'like' items in each. I also paired this with the rotating refrigerator carousel. My refrigerator is now very organized and maximizes space. The bins seem very durable and are made of sturdy material." —Gorbla2Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.76+ (available in two sizes). A pack of silicone dividers so foods in the lunch box stay separated and less soggy — because no one likes soggy crackers thanks to strawberry spillage. Promising review: "We love these! Every Sunday, we make homemade Lunchables. We put crackers in the rectangular cup, sliced cheese in the square, and salami or pepperoni on the round. They fit into an airtight container to go into the fridge until the kids pack their lunches each morning. It's been a life and time saver!!!" —Erin B. LeggGet a 36-pack of assorted shapes from Amazon for $9.99 (available in various shapes and sizes). A lunchbox with an option to send warm food for the kid who likes to mix up their lunch routine. The hot cup has a lid to keep food separate AND is removable — meaning you don't need two lunchboxes when your kiddo decides to take a cold lunch. So many more lunch opportunities are in your future. Promising review: "My daughter loves to bring a warm lunch to school every day. We have previously tried other bento lunchboxes, but none of them keep the food warm or fresh for very long. The OmieBox has been a lifesaver! This lunchbox has plenty of space and keeps the food warm and fresh all day. It is strong and has lasted despite all the times it has been bumped and banged up at school. It is easy to clean and does not leave food residue. I will be buying another one for my son this school year. Highly recommended!" —Jesus CastroGet it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in seven colors). An insulated Thermos for sending them with something hot along with their cold lunch items. Although some parents love sending pasta, many rave about the ability to send some dino nuggets that are still hot by lunch! Promising review: "My child doesn't like many cold lunch options for school. This has been a lifesaver! I've packed macaroni and cheese, chili and rice, soups, chicken and broccoli, and much more, all with success. The container keeps the food warm, doesn't leak, and seems to be enough food." —OH ReviewGet it from Amazon for $15.39+ (available in 30 designs). A freezable lunch bag with built-in ice packs to keep food fresh and at a safe eating temperature. Just toss it in the freezer the night before to keep food cool all day — because staying home with a kid with food poisoning should not be on your agenda. This is the brand I use for both of my kids, and I absolutely love these bags. They're so easy to store, and there's ice on both sides — ensuring safe food no matter when their lunchtime is. It's nice to be able to send a string cheese without remembering the room-temperature, rubbery-by-mid-day cheese stick of my youth. 🤢Promising review: "These are amazing. I was having to put ice packs in my kids' lunch and was looking for an alternative when I came across these. It has been over 100 for the last two weeks, not counting the heat index, and they have been a lifesaver. They go in the kids' backpacks in the am and come off the bus still cold. This never happened with an ice pack. It actually stays cold and helps my kids to have cold food during the day, I wish I had found these years ago!!!" —BryanGet it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in eight designs). A visual timer to help keep things calm if your kiddo struggles with transitions. With a visual timer, "five more minutes until you need to brush your teeth" actually has some meaning as they watch the rainbow count down. I use this with my oldest on school nights so she knows when to stop reading and go to sleep. Promising review: "The Yunbaoit Upgraded Black Visual Timer with Protective Case has been an absolute lifesaver for managing ADHD in our household. The visual countdown is intuitive and easy to understand, making it perfect for staying on task and managing transitions. The durable protective case adds peace of mind, ensuring it can withstand daily use. Whether it's for homework, chores, or screen time, this timer has helped create structure and minimize distractions. It's simple to use, highly effective, and has quickly become an essential tool in our routine. I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to improve time management!" —adudethatknowsGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors). A set of personalized labels so you can avoid the hassle of rummaging through the overflowing lost and found. I'm pretty sure my kids forget their lunchbox, water bottle, or sweater every day last school year — labels make things so much easier to find later. Promising review: "I've had these name labels for a while, and they're absolutely amazing. I can stick them on clothes, wash them, and they're still good. They've been an absolute lifesaver when it comes to school — teachers know when it's my child's, and it prevents it from being lost. I've stuck it on sippies, clothes, shoes, the outside of backpacks, it is RESILIENT and honestly, super underpriced for how high quality and the quantity you get. I'd only ever buy from this seller." — 130-pack from Amazon for $9.95 (available in 27 designs). An electric toothbrush that uses an app to keep your kid engaged and brushing for a full two minutes. Electric toothbrushes already keep teeth cleaner, but the addition of the app helps kids work through brushing without getting distracted or hurrying through the process. Honestly just being able to leave them to brushing without having to hover as the tarter police is worth it. Promising review: "We were having some struggles getting our 3.5-year-old to brush his teeth. This toothbrush and the app have been a lifesaver! He now looks forward to brushing his teeth and gets excited to see what 'present' he's going to get. Also, the app is actually way better than I expected." —Amanda P. Get it from Amazon for $29.96+ (available in two colors, two charging styles, and as a bundle). And a toothpaste dispenser and toothbrush holder to save you from trying to get out for the morning and hearing "CAN SOMEONE PASTE MY TOOTHBRUSH??" or the ever-dreaded "uh-oh" during teeth brushing. Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE this!! We previously had a different one similar to this, but did not have a toothpaste dispenser. I decided to try this one out because it matched and was more modern-looking. I am so happy with this! It fit on our wall exactly where the other one went, and we didn't even have to use the sticker. I love the four cops and how hidden and easy they are to access. The toothpaste comes out perfectly every time and does not make a mess!!! My kids love to make messes, so this is a lifesaver. I have already recommended this to all of my friends and family." —Lindsay SnackGet it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four colors). A day-of-the-week clothing organizer so that choosing clothes for school doesn't become a daily battle in your household. Just check the weather report and choose outfits over the weekend — suddenly a (mostly) stress-free morning! Promising review: "This has been an absolute lifesaver! My kids put all of their clothes for the week in their 'pockets' on Sunday and there's no digging in the mornings anymore!" —CrystalWGet it from Amazon for $25.99. A fan-favorite Skylight calendar for keeping all of your family appointments in plain sight. Not only does it automatically sync to your calendars, you can set up chore charts for your family members and keep lists all in one place — making the school year so much less hectic for you. Promising review: "If you have a busy household, this family calendar is a lifesaver. Now everyone can enter their appointments, work schedules, classes, etc, into their own Google calendar, and it syncs to the family calendar. Everyone is aware of what is happening, and it avoids double booking. App is easy to use, as is the actual device." —NH CustomerGet it from Amazon for $269.99. A shoe organizer to hopefully avoid the every morning battle to find a missing shoe. Not only can you keep everything in one place, you'll also free up your entryway from a sea of mismatched shoes. Promising review: "With three small kids and a husband with lots of shoes, this shoe cabinet has been a lifesaver. I built it on my own in just a few hours. I love it." —KatieGet it from Amazon for $125.99+ (available with two, three, four, or six drawers and 10 colors). A car seat unbuckling tool so they can unbuckle themselves at in the morning, ensuring that you're not burying your face at drop-off as you hold up the line to unbuckle your kid. The car seat buckle desperately needs to be one less thing you fight with. Promising review: "We purchased two of these, one for each car, and it has been great for dropping off our Kindergarten student at school. We are not allowed to get out of the car, so I was worried how to get him unbuckled from his car seat/harness, but this has been a lifesaver. It took him only two practices to get it, but he really picked it up quick and now he really enjoys unbuckling himself once we get in car line. We love this product!" —Alicia RosenbauerGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors). A rolling backpack because backpacks are just SO HEAVY. These are great for littles and bigs alike, especially if you walk to school. Nothing like saving them a few extra years before back pain sets in. Promising review: "My kids have quite a walk after they get off the bus. so this has been a lifesaver!" —C. it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in different colors). A wobble cushion if you have a kid who JUST. NEEDS. TO. WIGGLE. Desk seats were not made with wiggly kids in mind, so wobble cushions offer some much needed movement without leaving the seat and disrupting class. My ADHD kiddo pretty much lives on this cushion during the school year — LIFESAVER. Promising review: "My son has ADHD, and this was a lifesaver. Lucky for u,s the school approved it for use in the classroom. It's nice because it's lightweight and he can grab it and take it with him wherever he goes. The little nub-like fingers on it work wonders for him. It gives him something to keep his body busy and his little hands. Awesome find!" —LaKeishaGet it from Amazon for $23.74+ (available in six colors and in multipacks). A zipper binder to keep everything in place and zipped up so papers don't go flying. It even has a carrying strap in case their backpack is too small. Say good-bye to papers shoved down at the bottom of the backpack — they've finally thought of everything. Promising review: "This binder was a lifesaver for my middle schooler. The first binder we tried was NOT one of these. It was impossible to carry around, and papers were frequently lost. Then I found this. This binder changed everything and even eased my students' anxiety because it's so much easier to stay organized. The ring itself is sturdy and easy to open and close. There's room in here for work from different classes, and storage for pencils and pens, etc. There is a bonus section of accordion storage, which is excellent for take-home papers or other loose items. Then, it zips closed! This zipper is tough, and it seems to move with ease no matter what. And the icing on the cake is the handle on the spine. This makes it easy to grab the binder and stuff it in a backpack or walk between classes without having to cradle the binder in your arms. We never used the optional shoulder strap, but options are nice. This binder gets an A+." —Rachel WGet it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in 20 designs and in multipacks). A pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your sensory-sensitive kid. These headphones are powerful enough to dull ambient classroom noise, but still allow them to hear the teacher. Even kids without sensory sensitivities love wearing these! Every teacher my kids have had has a basket for communal use. As the parent of a kid with sensory challenges, these are an absolute school-year must-have. Promising review: "Purchased this back in 2021 when my child was 5 years of age. He's now 9 and they still fit perfectly on him. This has been a lifesaver for him and the bus driver, recently, since there are other kiddos on the bus that scream throughout the bus ride and it frustrates my child. So it's one less kiddo to be frustrated about." —NRDGet it from Amazon for $15.27+ (available in 19 colors and patterns). A set of clothing labels to help you find your kid's Bluey sweater in a veritable OCEAN of Bluey sweaters. These labels are machine washable and cost-effective — two of my favorite words. Promising review: "These are great. I use a regular Sharpie to write my kid's name on the label and put it on every article of clothing he can take off at school. I have washed them several times, and they still look brand new. These labels are a lifesaver for kids who cannot remember to bring home their jacket, hat, and gloves." —Kaitlyn SwoapeGet a pack of 54 Amazon for $5.99 (available in five sizes and various pack sizes). A pencil sharpener for at-home use because there's nothing quite as humbling as realizing you have absolutely zero tools to help them do their homework, you know, at home. Promising review: "I am 5-star satisfied with this pencil sharpener that is for different-sized pencils. We use this at home as I have a daughter in Kindergarten, so this has been a lifesaver. Sharpens a pencil easily and quickly within ten seconds. Love it." —Brittany AnnGet it from Amazon for $27.99. A saline spray because your kids are going to be bringing home literally all of the germs. All of them. EVERY LAST FORSAKEN GERM. Saline spray can help clear nasal passages, making colds pass a little quicker. Anything for some relief from the onslaught of fall viruses. Promising review: "Kids always fought me in spraying their noses (we live in the desert) and this spray is so healing, they actually ASK me for it in the morning!!! A lifesaver!" —D DGet it from Amazon for $6.99+ (also available in multipacks).
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
I wasn't sure about 2-in-1 cleaners — until the Shark VacMop became my new go-to for quick and easy cleanups
When it comes to 2-in-1 cleaning, I've always been dubious. I worry that rather than mastering one objective, it becomes average at two (blame the experience I had with a washer/dryer). But, I'm relieved to say the Shark VacMop has proven me wrong. Armed with a cleaning solution, no-touch pads and effective suction for tackling debris, it's a slimline cleaning system that (almost) does it all. For anyone looking for a space-saving, multi-tasking vacuum cleaner for smaller spaces, it's an excellent choice. I've got two small kids, so having something to zip around, tackling the endless crumbs and spillages. has been a real timesaver. After two weeks of testing, it's become my go-to as opposed to hauling out my cord vacuum or spray mop in tandem to tackle all those messes. In the box, you get the Shark VacMop, 6 disposable VacMop pads and Shark's multi-surface cleaning solution (enough to fill your VacMop up once). So, after some rigorous testing the all-in-one starter kit, here's what you should know before you buy. The Shark VacMop is available through the Shark website for £99.99 in the UK and for $89.99 in the US. It's also available for $69.99 on Amazon, which is $20 cheaper. You can buy 30 replacement cleaning heads for $26 at Amazon, making the cost just under $1 per use. From the moment I pulled the Shark VacMop out of the box, it looked easy to assemble, and it was. There are three parts, which are already loosely attached after unboxing. All I had to do was click into place the handle, the body, and the head. If it seems like it's giving you resistance, flip it around the other way (or maybe that was just me). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The VacMop is fairly slimline and compact, considering it's also a vacuum. That means I can easily prop it behind a door and out of the way. Plus, it only weighs 1.5kg, so it's easy to maneuver around my home, without too many strenuous lunges and pivots. But, while I found it a breeze to zip around with the VacMop, alternating between vacuum and mop, I would say that when it came to more stubborn stains, that's when the physical work increased. Once the cleaning solution is applied (with a quick squirt from the button on the handle), it's actually quite sticky, which adds more resistance to movement. But if you're only using it for a small-to-medium area, this is less of an issue. Durability-wise, I'm a bit of a bulldozer when it comes to cleaning. I like to lock in and get it done, and I'll admit, sometimes that leads to me hitting into the sides a little too aggressively or getting caught up on corners. I put the VacMop to the test with my rigorous cleaning regime and it actually held up really well. Judging by how slimline it is, I would've thought it might suffer a little from my cleaning sessions (which I'll admit are usually timed), but the head rotated with ease, and it slid around the corners with a grace that I wish I myself could have. But the best thing (and worst thing… we'll come to this later) about the VacMop is the no-touch disposable pads. It's hard to imagine that you can mop up and vacuum up crumbs, hair, and dirt with the same flat pad. But, it was incredibly easy to click into place and even easier to press the button to release it all into the bin afterwards. A design aspect I cannot fault. The Shark VacMop is made for hard floor cleaning. So, I tested it over two weeks in my kitchen, hallway, and bathroom, and I was pleasantly surprised. Having previously used a quick mop with removable and washable pads, I found it pushed crumbs around in front of it, or made me drag the vacuum around first. So, having the ability to effectively vacuum up the dirt and debris before running the mop over is a genius move by Shark. There are two buttons on the handle: one for releasing cleaning solution and one for vacuuming, and I'll admit I got a bit confused about which was which. Once I got going, though, I weaved between them with ease. I was a little hesitant about the fact that a disposable pad was somehow going to act as a container for all the crumbs, but I found that they didn't escape and were easily removed as part of the pad afterwards. I was also impressed at the VacMop's power. I tried it on a range of debris around my home, from dust to crumbs, and I was pleased with how it suctioned them up. I would say here, though, that if you have larger debris, you shouldn't expect the VacMop to do it all. It's not going to pick up the leaves your kid dragged in on the bottom of their shoe – I tried. For testing, I wanted to make sure I had some stubborn stains to pit the VacMop against. I tried out a stubborn yogurt stain and coffee stain to see how it fared. I'm happy to report, it did the job. It took me a couple of sprays of the cleaning solution and some fairly aggressive mopping to tackle the yogurt, but it was one of the hardier stains in my home, and now it's gone. For quicker stains and any spillages, though, it tackles them quickly. At times, I felt like I was putting in a lot of the work with the mopping, but I wouldn't say this experience is any different to other mops I've used. After all, even when I vacuum, my smartwatch thinks I'm doing a HIIT workout. What the VacMop promises to do is clean your hard floors, and it does exactly that (with a little oomph). Battery-wise, I charged up the VacMop before my first use and while it did last a few hours of testing, it did require a charge before I was done, and that took a while. If you're planning on tackling a larger home or space, this may not do the trick. And while the disposable pads are incredibly efficient and absorbent, they left enough cleaning solution on the floor to cover quite a wide area before I needed to spray anymore. Which, I'd love to add, also smells really nice. What I will say about the disposable pads though, is that whilst I love them for their ease-of-use and how it only took a press of a button to remove them, I do worry about how environmentally-friendly they are. I'll grumble about washing up my mop heads and removable pads, but ultimately, I'd rather run them through the washer than throw them away. Not just for the environment, but for the cost, which I'll get into below. When it comes to my hard floors, I've always opted to use my Shark corded vacuum to tackle crumbs, dust, hair, and more. But, it is a lot of faff to plug it in and run around with the cord lassoing my kids' feet. I've found since testing out the VacMop, this is now what I go-to for quick and easy cleanups, but is it worth the price? The fact that it's a vacuum and mop is the biggest selling point, and it absolutely deserves praise for how well it accomplishes both for the price. The problem is, while I might be inclined to spend £99.99, I wouldn't want to pay out for the consumables. It's £14.99/$15.99 for 16 pads on the Shark website, which is $1 a clean. While that doesn't sound like a lot, I wouldn't leave the dirty pad on there after every spillage and stain because of the grime it holds onto. So, with every quick clean, I'm not overly happy with spending $1. The cleaning solution for a bottle is a similar price, but I haven't run out of a full container yet. In fact, over two weeks of quick use and a full kitchen rub down, I've only used around a quarter of the fluid container. The VacMop is a great solution for quick cleans when you want to tackle both vacuuming and mopping in one go – and it's a real timesaver. But, when it comes down to expense and sustainability, you'll need to weigh up whether it's worth the investment. While I don't love the additional cost of the VacMop pads and cleaning solution, I'm not using it to clean my whole house, so I'm hopeful a little expense will cover a lot of small cleans. And the investment is worth it considering those pads lock away debris, rather than push it around, and scrub the floor at the same time. I also like how lightweight it is, given there's a whole vacuum built-in, and the cordless cleaning power is incredibly convenient. I will say that pushing it around my home became a bit of a workout, especially when scrubbing in the cleaning solution, but ultimately it's not a robot vacuum, so I shouldn't expect it to do all the hard work for me. If you're looking for a dual-purpose cleaner that'll take on the work of both your vacuum and mop, it's a great piece of kit. I really enjoyed using it and I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a place for it in your home, too.
