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28 Things To Make Your Home Look Like Mr. Clean Had A Field Day In It

28 Things To Make Your Home Look Like Mr. Clean Had A Field Day In It

Buzz Feed26-04-2025

1. Starting off with the obvious, a box of Magic Erasers so you can truly embrace your inner Mr. Clean and tackle all those annoying stains, scuff marks, and messes around the house. Reviewers love how easy these are to use and appreciate how they can get a good clean without having to use harsh chemicals.
Promising review:" Everyone needs to have these in their home. They are a must-have staple in every home. Why? Because they remove SO many stains! Just add a little water and you can clean the toughest stains on countertops, stovetop, walls, shoes, just about anything with a hard surface! It's magic!" — Product Review Expert
Get a box of 10 from Amazon for $12.77.
2. Bioclean, a hard water stain remover, to bring your glass doors, faucets, and shower heads back to their "what once was" state of clean. Now, with no more hard water stains or gross tile, you can go back to 🎶 singing in the shower 🎶 without a big ol' yikes in between the chorus and the verse.
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 was in shock. 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 $18.86.
3. A bottle of Wet & Forget cleaner that will turn your shower and tub from grimy and dirty to spiffy and shiny. All you gotta do is spray, let it sit overnight, and rinse! Finally, now you can enjoy your own scrub-a-dub-dub time *without* having to scrub-a-dub-dub the hard-to-reach crevices on your hands and knees.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I used this product as directed and got the promised results! I literally did not have to get down and scrub my tub at all. Scent was very subtle (purchased 'vanilla' option). I'm completely stunned with the fabulous results! Highly recommend!" — kMcav
Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in two scents and two sizes).
4. A length-adjustable pet hair broom to sweep up all that dog hair, human hair, and random dust that camouflages itself on your patterned rugs. But really, this works for any type of floor and will leave you stunned at how you and your pets aren't bald by now.
Want more info? Check out my coworker's FURemover Evrilholder broom review. You'll learn a thing or two AND enjoy some very satisfying hair-removal photos!
Promising review:" I saw this on TikTok and thought it was worth a shot. I have two dogs and a cat, and being one with a dust and dander allergy, I have to vacuum often, but the vacuum can't always get in deep enough. This actually works, and I was shocked at how well it does. I brush the carpet a few times and vacuum it up, and the carpet even looks better!! I highly recommend this to everyone — especially pet owners." — Theo A
Get it from Amazon for $20.40.
5. A Cerama-Bryte cooktop cleaning kit so when you look at your glass stove top, you can smile at your reflection instead of rolling your eyes at the leftover grease, dried-up pasta water, and other messes that come with cooking at home. It comes with a cleaning solution, cleaning pads, and a scraper tool!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Love, Love, LOVE this stuff! Who else hates cleaning their stove like me?? It feels like every time I clean the stove, it just gets dirty again. Well I found THE BEST clean for your stove top. I applied this once after having oil and food caked onto my stove, and within seconds of using the cloth to clean it off, it was TOTALLY clean. Seriously, this stuff is incredible. It also comes with a little scraper which is perfect for getting those little nuggets of food off your stove. Buy this stuff..you won't regret it!" — Meredith B
Get the kit from Amazon for $14.48.
6. The Bissell Little Green, which works ✨wonders✨ on your couches, carpets, and other upholstery items since it literally sucks up dirt, stubborn stains, and any other nasty spills that have worked their way into your life. Forget calling the pros — this little green powerhouse is way more affordable and just as effective.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Faced with either replacing our dining room chairs or living with the daily reminder of how disgusting children (x3) can be, we decided to replace our chairs. Until we priced some new ones. Enter the Green Machine. This chair has never been cleaned (I know, we're gross). I sprayed the included magical solution, let sit 15 minutes for good measure, and voila. Sorcery. I read zero instructions, just plugged in, and went to town. I would recommend cleaning outside if your item is portable; it minimizes the spray on the floor. The dark grey liquid on the collecting side was evidence enough of the dirt and stain-removing powers. Don't second-guess; this was <$100 when I purchased it, and while something with steam and heaters and all the gadgets, I am sure, is wonderful, bang for your buck on this one is a no-brainer. Definitely bought us another year or so before we pull the trigger on something new for the kids to ruin." — aih
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in two other styles).
7. A robot vacuum because sometimes sweeping Roscoe's shedding fur, getting the under-the-bed dust, and picking up all that dirt that your kids trek in from the backyard just... sucks. Thankfully, this powerful vacuum literally ~sucks~ that all up and saves you from having to manually do it yourself.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This is super slim so it can easily fit under your low furniture and it automatically returns to its charging station when it's running low on battery.
Promising review:"I should have bought one of these years ago! It's saving me time and effort to clean other stuff around the house. I've been pleasantly surprised how 'Pete' can make it over thresholds that separate our kitchen from the living area and one in the hallway. LOVE how he goes around our kitchen chairs and table and really gets under there to pick up crumbs! My floors look cleaner than they ever have! Go Eufy!" — Natalie M
Get it from Amazon for $229.99+ (available in four styles).
8. A Clorox toilet cleaning kit that'll be the #1 product when it comes to cleaning where you go #1 and #2. Not only does this come with a wand and storage caddy, but it also comes with extra refills of the disposable sponges that are infused with the cleaning liquid. Plus, the release button on the wand allows you to easily throw away the sponges without actually touching the sponge!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Throw away your nasty toilet brush because THIS THING IS AWESOME! Tons of cleaner on the little pads; I could have cleaned eight toilets with one pad. Love that you can click and toss the used pad. Genius!" — Hannah G.
Get it from Amazon for $11.98.
9. And a reusable pumice stone so you can easily scratch away at those yucky stains without leaving behind scratch marks in the bowl. Those regular plastic bristles are no match for this strong yet gentle cleaner that makes your porcelain throne look brand stinkin' new (minus the literal stink).
Promising review:"When we bought our previously owned condo, all three of the toilets had a permanent dark ring. I must have tried at least six different cleaning products that claimed to eliminate rings. None worked. I was actually considering buying new toilets as the ring was embarrassing to me. A friend recommended the pumice toilet bowl ring remover, and I was prepared to be disappointed again. But it worked perfectly. The ring is gone on all three toilets, and it only took a few minutes per toilet. I don't know when I have ever been so totally satisfied with a product. It just saved me a whole lot of money, and I am no longer embarrassed by the appearance of my toilets." — lynn mcdonald
Get it from Amazon for $9.60.
10. The Baseboard Buddy, because getting down on your hands and knees like Cinderella is not in your job title (even though cleaning baseboards is something you should do every now and then). The extendable arm gets in places high and low and is way better than pricey disposable dusters because the pads are reusable!
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 $26.99.
11. A three-part microfiber wand, which gets rid of the dust on the top AND bottom of not one... but TWO blinds at once. This comes with five microfiber cleaning towels and saves you from using up a whole roll of paper towels just for cleaning the blinds.
Amazon
Promising review:"I absolutely hate cleaning my blinds, and it was pretty obvious that I hardly ever clean them by how much dirt came off the first time I used this tool. I've only used it dry so far, but boy it sure does get the dust off of the blinds. It does still take a while to do it, even though you're doing multiple slats at a time, but it sure is a lot easier. I love that you can just throw them in the washing machine when you're done. Thumbs up!" — Dopey1200
Get a pack of one wand and five sleeves from Amazon for $6.99.
12. A rust stain remover spray since hard water with high iron levels is slowly turning your white tub into a yellowish-brown eyesore. This gel formula is designed to cling to stains and remove them without any scrubbing.
www.amazon.com
Note that it's designed for rust stains that come from having hard water; it won't do anything for, like, a rusty metal towel holder.
Promising review:"Can't believe we finally found something that works! When we bought our home there was no water softener and years of iron build up. We tried so many things on our shower. Nothing worked. We were convinced we'd be stuck until we renovated, but the Iron Out worked wonders. I still can't believe it. We let it sit for about an hour. It then dissolved and wiped right off. Definitely use in a ventilated area if possible." — M. Gilardi
Get it from Amazon for $9.58.
13. A fume-free oven cleaner meant to tackle the most hard-to-remove buildup from last week's dinner that you just wish cleaned itself up. No more wasting money on weaker cleaning products; this stuff is literally called Easy-Off because it easily gets all the gunk off with a simple spray and swipe. New oven, who dis?
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I HATE cleaning my oven and this is evident by the fact that I won't do it until it fills up with smoke when baking. I bought new appliances and I was meticulous about keeping the stove/oven clean by not using them. Well, when you're a mom, that kind of doesn't work, so I made sure to not have anything splash on the stove or in the oven when cooking and to immediately clean anything that got by me. That also only lasts so long when I work long hours, so I used to tell myself, "You'll clean it tomorrow". As you all know, that's code for someday. Weeks went by, and my stove needed cleaning, and I found the handy self-cleaning button. Let me tell you, that worked....the first time. I needed professional help the second time, so of course, I put that off until I couldn't. Got on Amazon and as I always do, I read the product description and instructions and then went straight to reviews on multiple self-proclaimed "best oven cleaners". This one was the one I decided to put my hard-earned money on, and it paid off! I sprayed everything the night before, and I was ready with my gloves and mask, but I didn't need them. There was no splash back when spraying and no overwhelming smell. Got up the next day, opened the oven, and 30 minutes later, it was brand new. I was so happy, and this is my go-to. I use it about once a month and do the self-clean in between. I've used it on the racks of my little toaster oven as well and the grime comes right off. I've included a before and after cause, I know pictures are worth a thousand words." — Sandra Stephens
Get it from Amazon for $8.98.
14. A dryer vent cleaning kit you can attach to your vacuum to suck out all that excess lint that doesn't get collected by the lint trap (spoiler: it's a lot more than you think).
amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The entire set comes with a plastic hose, an adapter, and a vacuum hose for use with most any vacuum. Plus, a flexible lint brush!
Promising review:"I love this dryer lint extension for the vacuum. I wanted to try a cheaper option first before I spent way more money having someone clean the lint trap deep down. So much lint came out of my dryer, it was wild. I'm very good at cleaning it after using the dryer, but inevitably there's always more that we can't see or reach because it's too deep. It's a great way to keep it clear of lint to increase the efficiency of the dryer, which will save money from electricity and extend the life of the dryer, and prevent possible fires." — Cat L.
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in four colors).
15. A slim cleaning brush to get in those hard-to-reach places like the window and door tracks. The handle even doubles as a scraper if there's dirt that's really stuck in there. Your plain sponge could never.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is an amazing set of brushes. Don't be fooled by the low cost. The brushes are soft and long enough to get into tight spots but firm enough to hold up. They work amazing in those hard-to-clean aluminum window runners and sliding doors. I've used them to clean enclosed fan blades, refrigerator vents, etc. They wash easily and with a bit of TLC they hold their shape. Always nice to find something so simple and inexpensive that works so well." — CNJ
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.48.
16. A jar of *THE* Pink Stuff — it'll work wonders to remove dirt, oil, grime, rust, and stains from pretty much any surface. You'll be surprised that the ingredient list doesn't just say "magic" since it brings your things (stoves, pans, sinks, etc.) back to life with little to no elbow grease required.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am speechless. I had burned on crud on the glass door inside of my oven. I literally took the product and put it on with a sponge, let it sit for 30 seconds, wiped it off with a hot watered paper towel, and it wiped clean! I regret not taking before and after pictures. I have tried everything under the sun and regret not trying this sooner. I was skeptical because I saw it on TikTok. BUY IT!!!!!! Can't wait to try it on the shower! [Best] stuff I've ever used!" — Courtney
Promising review: " This is one of those 'changed my life' products that you come across every once in a while. I have tried so many different things to clean my clear glass shower door and just end up wasting time, money, and effort. The reviews and price of this product sold me on it. I love the smell (very subtle) and I used it with a basic sponge on my shower door. It did take a little effort but not bad and yielded amazing results. I then got excited about the other possibilities and have used it on the inside of my oven door with similar results. It's great. You won't be disappointed." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
17. A set of cleaning brush attachments you can attach to a drill for some serious scrubbin'. If you've ever broken a cleaning brush scrubbing with too much elbow grease, this is the thing for you. Your back will thank you, your bathroom surfaces will sparkle, and you will be so thankful that cleaning took half the time it usually does.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Here's a regular drill if you need one, btw!
Promising review:"I've been eyeing these for a few months and finally caved... Man, do I regret not picking them up as soon as I saw them! They work GREAT! We rent an apartment that has a 30+-year-old shower/tub. I've used everything from abrasive powders, gels that sit, to most recently the bathroom Magic Erasers and nothing really got the grime out. These WORK and they work fast. Ten minutes with my handy drill and the shower has never been cleaner. I love that I don't have to throw money out on cleaning products anymore and that I can be a little more environmentally friendly with no waste and no chemical cleaners! Just a little dish soap, baking soda, and a spin of the brush. If you're on the fence, just buy them!" — Becky Adie
Get a set of three from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors and stiffness levels).
18. A professional-strength grout cleaner because the white grout you chose to go with your white tile is now somehow very, very dark. 😣 Revive your grout with this solution, which comes with a flip-top cap for accurate application and no wasted product!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"We moved into our house a year ago and I've been on a quest to clean the grout next to the stove ever since then. I've tried everything — store products, DIY solutions, Pinterest recommendations, you name it. As a last resort, I got this and holy cow! I left it on for three minutes as a spot test at first, and I could already see a huge difference. I then did two more rounds letting it sit for five minutes each. The scent's not bad, it was fine if I had the window open, it was just being down close to it that got me. Seriously, stop looking and buy this." — Britney Phillips
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
19. A multipurpose, portable steamer so your floors, furniture, windows, ovens, and basically anything you can think of can be brought back to life. This comes with 17 different attachments, making it great for small crevices and larger surface areas. Win-win if you ask me!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I rarely write product reviews because I'm usually underwhelmed. But this steam cleaner deserves accolades! First, the description and advertising is spot on. It delivers what it promises. Secondly, it is easy to use, compact for storage, and has a large tank capacity, allowing me to clean the majority of my luxury wood vinyl floors and bathroom tile. Thirdly, quick heat up, great accessories to meet all cleaning situations. Best of all, its consistently powerful steam gets the job done quickly. My floors never looked so good!" — Craig
Get it from Amazon for $149.77.
20. Grandma's Secret, which is basically like a washing machine in a bottle! Who cares about Victoria's Secret... the only secret I wanna know is what is in this little bottle that does miracles for getting out hard-to-tackle stains and messes. Just apply and let it sit for 5–10 minutes and wipe away!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is so amazing. I'm a witness. My 2-year-old baby wrote all over my white leather couch. I tried multiple different things and nothing work but Grandma's Secret Spot Remover. I love this stuff." — L. Nix
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99.
21. An MVP-worthy pet urine stain-removing spray to revive your carpets and furniture into the stain-free beauties they once were. All you gotta do is spray, let it sit for 5–10 minutes, blot, and let it air dry! Yes, you love your fancy little pooch, but you don't love the number she does on your carpets.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Rocco & Roxie Supply Company is a family-owned small business established in 2013 that specializes in pet odor eliminators, pet toys, pet snacks, and pet accessories.
Promising review:"I don't know how I ever survived without this. There's tons of 'pet stain/odor remover' products out there, but this by far is the absolute best. I cringed paying the $20 for it when others are between $5–$10, but I have NO ISSUES paying now. I foster dogs, some puppies, some older, some not house broken and every room in my house is carpeted except the kitchen which means I have lots of accidents. I spray enough to saturate if it's a lot of urine, let it soak for 10 minutes then wipe it up with a hand towel. Then I put a larger towel on top of it if it's in a high-traffic area until it's completely dry. It's taken out every stain and more importantly the odor is gone! I will never stop buying this product. I recommend it to everyone who has dogs!" — Shelley
Get it from Amazon for $23.92+ (available in two scents).
22. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner capable of turning your food graveyard into a lemon-scented haven. I think we all can collectively agree that shoving our hand down the disposal to deep clean is not in our job description. Just place the packet in the disposal, let it soak, and turn on your disposal! Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Amazon
Promising review:"Saw on TikTok (don't judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you're left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica Hamilton
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.60.
23. A jetted tub cleaner so you can enjoy that big ol' tub of yours without the creeping thought of, "Has anyone ever cleaned these jets?" The results might make you gag a little, but it's way better than having to get down and dirty in each jet because you just pour this in with a full tub, run the jets, and scrub away all the yuck!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Plus, this is septic safe!!
Promising review:"OK, so I am somewhat of a clean freak and I run bleach through the jets prob twice a month on top of my weekly cleaning. And I was skeptical how this product could get it any cleaner than I thought it was. Well I am here to tell you this pic is after the second cleaning with this cleaner!!!! I am a believer and would highly recommend this product to anyone with jetted tub!!" — Momof2greatboys
Get it from Amazon for $17.78.
24. An extendable (it'll reach over eight feet!) duster for all the dust bunnies accumulating Every. Single. Day. Whether it's up high or down low, this thing can rotate and bend to get every crevice and surface. Plus, the microfiber head can be tossed in the washer and reused!
Amazon
Dust trimming, light fixtures, and furniture *before* working on your floors to cut down on work.
Promising review:"Works very well. The telescoping handle has a super long reach when extended all of the way. There is nowhere in my home I can't reach with this. The duster really grabs and holds onto cobwebs and dust. I cleaned my ceiling fans without dust falling onto me and the floor below. There is also a rubber tip at the end of the duster that keeps it from scratching or marring surfaces which I thought was very nice. My only complaint is that I wish the rubber handle at the end was attached a bit better. It pulls totally off every time I extend the arm, but that's a very simple fix and doesn't really affect it's performance." — Julia Shafer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors).
25. A nontoxic fireplace cleaner meant to tackle soot, ash, and all fire-related grime that's been building up on your stone and brick. This gel helps make it look brand-spankin' new, and it even comes with a brush for scrubbing!
www.amazon.com
Quick'n Brite is a small business that's been selling eco-friendly cleaning supplies since 1952.
Promising review: " This product works excellently on a river stone fireplace (seen above) with a decade of smoke and dirt. It took two applications but you just apply, wait, then wipe the surface. I'm extremely happy I picked this product. Plus, it's non-toxic and doesn't give off a strong odor." — Daniel G
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two sizes and with or without cleaning tools).
26. A mold and mildew removal gel capable of getting rid of all that gross black stuff growin' in your grout and letting you enjoy your special "me time" without the sight or smell of a nasty shower. Squeeze this on the affected area, leave it on for 7-8 hours, and wipe away to reveal a clean new surface!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It's a little hard to squeeze but that totally makes up for the AMAZING results. I was embarrassed about our tubs because the people we bought our house from didn't caulk or seal them properly and this resulted in mildew buildup. I tried EVERYTHING until I saw this on TikTok, I believe — MIRACLE FREAKING WORKER. I will be buying more, the only complaint I will ever have is the shipping got mixed up but that is not a problem and was fixed very easily!" — Brooklyn Nguyen
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
27. A stainless steel cleaner and polish to remove fingerprints, watermarks, and any other residues that get on your stove, oven, or other stainless steel appliances. And this comes with a microfiber towel for buffing!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have tried lots of products for cleaning stainless steel appliances and this one is the best. Doesn't streak and makes my appliances look like new. Easy to use, just one or two swipes with the microfiber cloth needed. Leave the product in the cloth and use for touchups." — Debbie Escobar
Get it from Amazon for $17.98 (available in a multipack).
28. A genius Tineco 2-in-1 cordless vacuum and mop so you can check off two annoying household tasks at one time!! Unlike regular mops, this retains 90% of dirty water, so your floors will be clean *and* dry in minutes. I've got two words for ya... life changing!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's safe to use on sealed hard floors and it self-propels so you just need to steer, no hard pushing!
Promising review: "I confess I can be a lackadaisical housekeeper, which is problematic since my new dog sheds enough in a week for me to build an entirely new dog. What's worse, vacuuming doesn't pick up a lot of his fur. This Tineco is magic, though. Not only does it pick everything up (dust, fur, hair, crumbs, Nature's Miracle, errant Cheerios), but because the wheels are motorized, vacuuming/mopping is a breeze. I get exhausted using my canister vac, but this thing is a blast to use. Here is what I've learned: I always use the 'extra water' feature, which seems to work better. I clean the dirty water holder and parts every time I empty it, and I run the self-clean cycle after every second emptying session. This means I can do my primary bath and my 10x12 TV room before self-cleaning and recharging for a little bit. Or I can do my kitchen, entryway, and hall before self-cleaning, or my living room. In other words, you're not going to do your whole house on one battery charge or without running the self-cleaning feature several times. Of course, the reason you have to run the self-cleaning so often is because this little beauty is picking up So. Much. Stuff. It's magic. If it broke tomorrow (and I don't think it will break for a very long time), I would buy another." — Customer
Get it from Amazon for $149+ (available in four styles).
"There's no clean like Mr. Clean!!"

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Dad Teaches How to Survive Natural Disasters, but Wanted to Do More. How Son's Stuffed Animal Inspired Him (Exclusive)
Dad Teaches How to Survive Natural Disasters, but Wanted to Do More. How Son's Stuffed Animal Inspired Him (Exclusive)

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Dad Teaches How to Survive Natural Disasters, but Wanted to Do More. How Son's Stuffed Animal Inspired Him (Exclusive)

Anthony Finchum, the man behind the DisastrousHistory podcast and social media pages, has launched a new effort to support kids impacted by natural disasters Through "Operation Stuffie Strong," Anthony and his wife Kaitlin aim to deliver funds and stuffed animals to kids and families impacted by tornadoes, hurricanes, fires and more "I was not expecting the reaction," Anthony tells PEOPLE after receiving more than 40 stuffed animals and nearly $400 in donations on the first dayWhen disaster strikes, the recovery process can be both physically and mentally demanding. It can be an especially difficult time for kids, who sometimes lose everything they've ever known. Now, one content creator is using his platform to offer these kids emotional support through a new initiative. Anthony Finchum is best known online as the man behind the Disastrous History podcast and social media pages. For years, the 31 year old, who lives in Nebraska, has used his platform to teach his followers how to prepare for and survive disasters. Now, Anthony tells PEOPLE that he wants to use that same platform to help those impacted by these same catastrophes. He and his wife Kaitlin, 35, recently launched 'Operation Stuffie Strong,' which aims to bring children comfort following a disaster by providing them with a special stuffed animal. 'I think that it's important to do something like this to show that, especially kids, you're not forgotten,' Anthony explains. 'People care, people want to help, people want to give you comfort.' Originally from Indiana, Anthony has long been fascinated by natural disasters, having experienced his fair share as a child. At 18, Anthony joined his local fire department, where he helped investigate his very first house fire during a blizzard. Intrigued, Anthony eventually went to college and took a number of emergency management classes, eventually receiving a Bachelor's degrees in fire arson and explosion investigation. In his career, Anthony has done more than 700 fire investigations, and assisted with responses to both hurricanes and tornados. He has also helped run multiple migrant shelters in Washington, D.C., all of which offered him an inside look at the various facets of human suffering. Later in adulthood, Anthony says he fell into a nightly ritual of researching various natural disasters on Wikipedia. He would share his findings with his wife, who then proposed he start a podcast. Anthony agreed, and 'Disastrous History' was launched. He then created several social media accounts under the same name, where he now regularly shared detailed videos about both recent and historic disasters that have impacted the lives of thousands, if not millions, of people worldwide — from tornadoes and hurricanes to earthquakes, fires and more. Now, Anthony has amassed more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and more. With such a large following, he was eager to use his platform to 'give back tangibly to disaster survivors.' On Monday, May 19, Anthony came up with the idea for 'Operation Stuffie Strong.' He tells PEOPLE he was driving home after picking up dinner from his family when the idea suddenly struck him. 'I was thinking about, 'How can I give back to people and who can I do the most good for?' And I was thinking about [how] my son has a stuffed animal that he absolutely loves,' Anthony explains. 'It's a stuffed animal rabbit. He named it Floppy, after Floppy from Bluey." 'And I realized that if we lost our home and he lost Floppy, he would be absolutely devastated,' the content creator adds. That's when Anthony concocted the idea for the iniative. The goal, he says, is to offer kids 'some kind of comfort after they have lost everything' during what may be one of the darkest moments in their lives. 'A lot of these times, these kids are anywhere from two to 10, and the only thing they've ever known is school and home. Or sometimes just home.' Upon returning home, Anthony ran the idea by his wife Kaitlin, who enthusiastically offered to help. She quickly whipped up a website and set up an Amazon wishlist, as well as other ways for people to donate to the cause. Then, it was time to launch. Anthony posted his first video about the iniative on Wednesday, May 21, and it wasn't long before donations poured in. On the first day alone, about 40 stuffed animals had been ordered on Amazon, and nearly $400 had been donated. 'I was not expecting the reaction,' Anthony tells PEOPLE, adding, 'I don't know what I was expecting.' Most of the initial donations come with heartfelt notes from their donors, who recall the impact they felt after receiving a stuffed animal after experiencing a disaster themselves. Some donors still have their special stuffed animals today, and wanted to pass along the kind gesture to another young person. "When we had our tornado back in the '80s, my grandfather found one of my stuffed animals in the rubble and he handed it to me,' one woman wrote, according to Anthony. 'And I still have it on my mantle." Now, they're looking for families to donate to. Those seeking assistance can visit to nominate a child for a stuffed animal. Meanwhile, those who are interested in donating can visit his website, where they can find the Amazon wishlist as well as the Venmo and PayPal accounts. Anthony says he and his wife Kaitlin plan to personally package all of the stuffed animals to families in need, and write personalized notes to the recipients. They also have a crayon drawing of their son's bunny Floppy, drawn by their son himself, that will be 'included on all of the notes.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Ultimately, Anthony hopes that 'Operation Stuffie Strong' can show kids impacted by these disasters that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 'There is always hope and there is always good,' he says. Meanwhile, Anthony continues to post educational content about disasters of all kinds. By doing so, he believes he can show people how to be better prepared for a disaster, and teach them that enduring such an event 'isn't the end of the world.' 'People can come back, people recover, areas recover,' Anthony tells PEOPLE. 'They may be different than they were before, but you can move on, you can live through it. There is hope on the other side.' Read the original article on People

15 'Ew...That Gave Me The Ick" Relationship Red Flags That Are Secretly Huge Green Flags
15 'Ew...That Gave Me The Ick" Relationship Red Flags That Are Secretly Huge Green Flags

Yahoo

time7 hours ago

  • Yahoo

15 'Ew...That Gave Me The Ick" Relationship Red Flags That Are Secretly Huge Green Flags

Red flag this, green flag that. When dating, people have so many characteristics they look for in a partner. Or more truthfully, traits they try to avoid. Sometimes, though, one person's red flag is another person's green flag. We asked the BuzzFeed Community for examples of things that, when dating, some might see as a reason for pause, but they see as a good thing. The responses were fascinating: Responses have been edited for length and clarity. 1."Not having social media. I have heard (and read on BuzzFeed) that 'not having any social media is a huge red flag for me.' WHY?! HOW?! So you're upset that you don't have to police their Instagram, Facebook/Messenger, TikTok, Snapchat, etc? My partner of six years only has Snapchat and literally has like 25 friends. They are 99% friends I have met, have mutual friends with, or are his family. It's a HUGE green flag that they don't give a crap about social media and what others think about his life/our life. It's OUR life, so why should anyone expect to see into it if you're not invited? I have social media only because it's how I communicate with family. He has full access, and I have full access to his phone, etc. Why? Because we trust each other. It's so nice having a partner who doesn't give a fuck about what others think of him as much as I don't give a fuck. If you think it's a red flag, you need to ask yourself why." —Anonymous, 36; Tennessee 2."Having a quirky or weird interest. That does not automatically make someone a weirdo or obsessive. For example, my husband has ADHD and tends to get very interested in a hobby or topic quickly and loves to geek out about it. Some of his interests are kind of out there. For example, he's 27 and LOVES Disney (especially the parks and movies), LOVES gardening, LOVES caring for our bearded dragon, LOVES working on his tank, and LOVES improving his life quality. A lot of other girls in college thought he was weird for his niche and intense interests, especially because he can be kind of shy and quiet. I was the only girl who gave him a chance. And I won the jackpot! He's caring, romantic, respects me, takes great care of me and our home, and he's wicked smart. Sure, he's quirky. Sure, he doesn't have typical 'masculine' hobbies. But he's a great guy, and I wish more people saw more for him than his quirks." —Anonymous, 25; Virginia 3."Not doing surprise gifts, dates, etc. Spontaneity and big gestures are highly romanticized, but they can often set both parties up for disappointment or unrealistic expectations. Communicating and involving your partner instead is a green flag for me. My partner and I like to discuss and plan fun ideas together. We go shopping for gifts together as well, so we get to pick out exactly what we like. It's so much more fun, and there is less pressure to like a gift or hope they like a gift. (And wastes less money)." —Anonymous, 30; Canada 4."Inserting himself into my college life. We currently go to different colleges, but he makes the effort to see me at my college because he wants to get to know my friends and new interests I've picked up. It's so, when I talk, he knows how to contribute to our conversations in a way that he understands what and who I'm talking about. Some people may see it as signs of insecurity or jealousy, but he truly wants to see the way I've been growing as a person now that I'm in college." —Anonymous, 18; New York 5."Online gaming. I've dated a couple of people I've met through online gaming. I know people tend to think that's a bad thing (to game a lot), but it requires communication and planning skills, especially when their gaming group includes people around the world." —Anonymous, 39; Phoenix, AZ 6."Not being close to their parents. It's great if your family is close. It's also absolutely okay if it's complicated, but sometimes it is better to cut ties with abusers or toxic people. I think it can be healthy to be no or low-contact, and it can protect partners and future children. It takes a lot of strength to break cycles." —Anonymous, 32; California 7."It's not toxic to have never dated someone before. Like, they're waiting for the truly right person to date." —Anonymous, 20; South Carolina 8."When people always respond with 'What do YOU want to do?' People find it weirdly annoying, but I think it just means they care about how you feel. I don't like it when people are like, 'What do you want to do?' 'Oh, I was thinking ice skating, then lunch at this restaurant, then a museum…' That just feels like they've been creepily putting this whole date together for months. No, thank you." —Anonymous 9."Not responding to texts quickly. My bf was sooooo slow to respond to texts when we first exchanged numbers. I thought he wasn't interested, but it turned out that he was not a very tech-savvy guy and had no interest in his phone. This makes dates great as we can converse for hours on end and away from screens. Our interactions are always genuine, and he's so thoughtful!" —Anonymous, 16; Oklahoma 10."Having girl friends as a man. It's not a red flag. It actually tells me women feel safe around you, and you can build a relationship with a woman other than a romantic one. So that means you don't see women only as objects for your pleasure. You actually see them as human beings you can interact with just like you do with other men." —Anonymous, 22; Romania 11."Not telling someone their WHOLE life story. The older I get, there are things people keep to themselves for a reason. Doesn't mean they don't trust you or you can't trust them. If it's significant enough, it will reveal itself. I am not going to force someone I am with to tell me everything if they're not comfortable doing so. That being said, if you don't communicate what is important to you for them to share about themselves, that is all on you." —witchysorcerer621 12."Not being a self-proclaimed nice guy. This might be specific to my relationship, but he straight up told me he was 'kind of an a**hole' on our first date and said he wasn't good with emotions. It was refreshing as hell, coming from seemingly endless dates with self-professed 'nice guys' who were anything but. Turns out he's not an asshole at all, and he's pretty damn good with emotions now. That first date was 15 years ago." —rakishrogue 13."A guy cooking, cleaning, and being able to do stereotypically 'female' stuff." —Anonymous, Maddi, USA 26 14."Being upfront about dating other people. It might seem like a red flag at first, but it's actually a green one. Honesty about where you stand shows emotional maturity and respect. It also sets the stage for clear communication when the time comes to discuss exclusivity — if and when both people are ready for that step." —Anonymous, 37; Mexico "On a blind or first date: I am totally OJ with small talk. People have all sorts of different levels and experiences when it comes to meeting with a person for the first time. Being nervous is OK, and not knowing what to say is OK." —sparklysalt40 Have examples of your own where a perceived red flag is actually a green flag? Let us know in the comments or through the anonymous form below!

15 Relationship Red Flags That Are Huge Green Flags
15 Relationship Red Flags That Are Huge Green Flags

Buzz Feed

time8 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

15 Relationship Red Flags That Are Huge Green Flags

Red flag this, green flag that. When dating, people have so many characteristics they look for in a partner. Or more truthfully, traits they try to avoid. Sometimes, though, one person's red flag is another person's green flag. We asked the BuzzFeed Community for examples of things that, when dating, some might see as a reason for pause, but they see as a good thing. The responses were fascinating: "Not having social media. I have heard (and read on BuzzFeed) that 'not having any social media is a huge red flag for me.' WHY?! HOW?! So you're upset that you don't have to police their Instagram, Facebook/Messenger, TikTok, Snapchat, etc? My partner of six years only has Snapchat and literally has like 25 friends. They are 99% friends I have met, have mutual friends with, or are his family. It's a HUGE green flag that they don't give a crap about social media and what others think about his life/our life. It's OUR life, so why should anyone expect to see into it if you're not invited? I have social media only because it's how I communicate with family. He has full access, and I have full access to his phone, etc. Why? Because we trust each other. It's so nice having a partner who doesn't give a fuck about what others think of him as much as I don't give a fuck. If you think it's a red flag, you need to ask yourself why." —Anonymous, 36; Tennessee "Having a quirky or weird interest. That does not automatically make someone a weirdo or obsessive. For example, my husband has ADHD and tends to get very interested in a hobby or topic quickly and loves to geek out about it. Some of his interests are kind of out there. For example, he's 27 and LOVES Disney (especially the parks and movies), LOVES gardening, LOVES caring for our bearded dragon, LOVES working on his tank, and LOVES improving his life quality. A lot of other girls in college thought he was weird for his niche and intense interests, especially because he can be kind of shy and quiet. I was the only girl who gave him a chance. And I won the jackpot! He's caring, romantic, respects me, takes great care of me and our home, and he's wicked smart. Sure, he's quirky. Sure, he doesn't have typical 'masculine' hobbies. But he's a great guy, and I wish more people saw more for him than his quirks." "Not doing surprise gifts, dates, etc. Spontaneity and big gestures are highly romanticized, but they can often set both parties up for disappointment or unrealistic expectations. Communicating and involving your partner instead is a green flag for me. My partner and I like to discuss and plan fun ideas together. We go shopping for gifts together as well, so we get to pick out exactly what we like. It's so much more fun, and there is less pressure to like a gift or hope they like a gift. (And wastes less money)." —Anonymous, 30; Canada "Inserting himself into my college life. We currently go to different colleges, but he makes the effort to see me at my college because he wants to get to know my friends and new interests I've picked up. It's so, when I talk, he knows how to contribute to our conversations in a way that he understands what and who I'm talking about. Some people may see it as signs of insecurity or jealousy, but he truly wants to see the way I've been growing as a person now that I'm in college." "Online gaming. I've dated a couple of people I've met through online gaming. I know people tend to think that's a bad thing (to game a lot), but it requires communication and planning skills, especially when their gaming group includes people around the world." —Anonymous, 39; Phoenix, AZ "Not being close to their parents. It's great if your family is close. It's also absolutely okay if it's complicated, but sometimes it is better to cut ties with abusers or toxic people. I think it can be healthy to be no or low-contact, and it can protect partners and future children. It takes a lot of strength to break cycles." "It's not toxic to have never dated someone before. Like, they're waiting for the truly right person to date." —Anonymous, 20; South Carolina "When people always respond with 'What do YOU want to do?' People find it weirdly annoying, but I think it just means they care about how you feel. I don't like it when people are like, 'What do you want to do?' 'Oh, I was thinking ice skating, then lunch at this restaurant, then a museum…' That just feels like they've been creepily putting this whole date together for months. No, thank you." "Not responding to texts quickly. My bf was sooooo slow to respond to texts when we first exchanged numbers. I thought he wasn't interested, but it turned out that he was not a very tech-savvy guy and had no interest in his phone. This makes dates great as we can converse for hours on end and away from screens. Our interactions are always genuine, and he's so thoughtful!" —Anonymous, 16; Oklahoma "Having girl friends as a man. It's not a red flag. It actually tells me women feel safe around you, and you can build a relationship with a woman other than a romantic one. So that means you don't see women only as objects for your pleasure. You actually see them as human beings you can interact with just like you do with other men." "Not telling someone their WHOLE life story. The older I get, there are things people keep to themselves for a reason. Doesn't mean they don't trust you or you can't trust them. If it's significant enough, it will reveal itself. I am not going to force someone I am with to tell me everything if they're not comfortable doing so. That being said, if you don't communicate what is important to you for them to share about themselves, that is all on you." —witchysorcerer621 "Not being a self-proclaimed nice guy. This might be specific to my relationship, but he straight up told me he was 'kind of an a**hole' on our first date and said he wasn't good with emotions. It was refreshing as hell, coming from seemingly endless dates with self-professed 'nice guys' who were anything but. Turns out he's not an asshole at all, and he's pretty damn good with emotions now. That first date was 15 years ago." "A guy cooking, cleaning, and being able to do stereotypically 'female' stuff." —Anonymous, Maddi, USA 26 "Being upfront about dating other people. It might seem like a red flag at first, but it's actually a green one. Honesty about where you stand shows emotional maturity and respect. It also sets the stage for clear communication when the time comes to discuss exclusivity — if and when both people are ready for that step." Finally, "On a blind or first date: I am totally OJ with small talk. People have all sorts of different levels and experiences when it comes to meeting with a person for the first time. Being nervous is OK, and not knowing what to say is OK." —sparklysalt40 Have examples of your own where a perceived red flag is actually a green flag? Let us know in the comments or through the anonymous form below!

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