
Pets Stink, But These 25 Products Will Make Sure Your Home Doesn't
We love our pets, just not their stink.
1. A pet-hair remover roller if your pet's hair always ends up on your upholstered furniture. While we love our furry friends and want to cuddle with them always, finding fur and dander all over your stuff is less than ideal. Sofas, blankets, even clothing...this roller will make sure it all gets removed, and easily.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a Maine Coon cat and two rabbits. A Roomba and the rubber broom. Used daily. Thought maybe this would help, can't hurt, and now I realize how little both of those things did. My house's air smells cleaner after I've gone over all our carpets. Gets everything!" — Brittany Atikinson
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).
2. A bottle of odor and stain eliminator that's a 2-in-1 deal. Stinky, messy pets will be no match for this stuff. It works on hardwood *and* carpet, and uses active enzymes to clean the stain and natural citrus oils to deodorize the area. A win-win!
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: "This has great cleaning power. I have used it to clean our cat box enclosure, and the smell disappeared! It helps remove stubborn smells others did not, such as cat spraying and cat accidents. It also helps with pet stain removal." — Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $15.96.
3. A cat litter deodorizer to keep your home from smelling like, well, a litter box. It doesn't just mask the smells — it neutralizes them with natural ingredients. Sprinkle a little in the box, and suddenly, your home doesn't scream, "I have a cat!"
amazon.com
Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after the Magleby family's pets Rocco, a labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.
Promising review:"Having had cats my entire life, I have tried probably everything on the market that claims to eliminate cat litter smell, and nothing ever has done what this does. I have a male and female cat, and I cannot smell litter after using this. No smell! It's amazing!" — Meghan
Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
4. A bottle of soothing, hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner so your pup's coat and skin stays healthy and not irritated. Using natural ingredients like aloe, olive oil, shea butter, and oatmeal, this'll make sure your doggo feels and smells fantastic.
amazon.com
Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after the Magleby family's pets Rocco, a labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.
Promising review: "I never leave reviews, but after one use, I had to, I love this Oatmeal shampoo! The smell is very light, which I really appreciate — I don't want or need my pup to smell like I sprayed perfume all over him. I need a shampoo that rids any bad smells he picked up, and this shampoo did that while leaving a very light, almost unnoticeable scent. A+" — Meghan
Get it from Amazon for $16.97 (available in three scents).
5. A pet-safe deodorizing spray to use between washes if your pet just sorta stinks all the time. Hey, it happens! Especially if you and your canine bud are constantly out and about. This will nourish your pet's coat and keep them smelling great all day, every day.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I bought this after the groomer used it on my dog. It smells heavenly. She smelled like the Strawberry Shortcake doll I had as a kid. (Or the Blueberry muffin one?) Very light fruity scent. The bottle lasts a long time, too, because only a few sprays are needed!! Love this product!" — Lis G
"Second order and I'm so pleased!!! I have several dogs, and when they get finished with the bath, this spray goes on. It lasts until the next bath time!! No irritation to the skin and no oiliness. Well worth the money!!" — Cocco
Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in two scents).
6. Some stain-lifting pads that can be used on everything from carpets to car interiors to pet beds and more. Next time a whoopsie happens, just set the pad on the stain, stomp, and dispose of it. No scrubbing or touching necessary.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I was skeptical of these pads being able to clean a carpet that had been peed on. However after using it according to directions, it amazingly smelled like nothing had happened! The pad soaks up the culprit and leaves a sweet fragrance that is very nice. Totally recommend if you have pets!" — shortnsweet
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $27.48.
7. A bottle of Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator to get rid of smells as soon as you find them. This spray uses all-natural orange oil to remove the stink from carpet, upholstery, turf, and more.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Angry Orange is a small biz that was founded in 2014. They provide pet-related household cleaning supplies like stain removers, mops, and more.
Promising review:"This product is amazing!!!! We have a Rottweiler pup and a Bichon pup, and our house was feeling the PAIN! I tried everything and used to tell my wife, 'With all the science and technology in the world, we still can't come up with something that gets rid of the dog mark smell!' This product does everything and more. Just ordered another round. We were about to throw away some furniture due to the smell, and now after use, we can keep it. Saved me hundreds. Well worth the money." — clayton s tonkin
Get it from Amazon for $17.96+ (available in three sizes).
8. A pack of grooming wipes to remove dirt, poops, odors, and dander from your fluffy pal. These are designed specifically for dogs, and help keep problem areas (paws, ears, and bum) clean between regular washes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Best thing to use for puppies, from in between baths and poop! My pup loves these wipes! Hope you guys come out with other products! Love your stuff! (Well, my puppy does too!)" — work-a-holic-agent
Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (available scented or unscented).
9. A self-cleaning slicker brush if you need a versatile grooming tool for cats *and* dogs of all sizes and hair types. It gently removes loose fur, tangles, and dander while keeping your dog or cat looking their best. When you're done, just press the button to retract the bristles and wipe the fur away — no more digging hair out by hand.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This slicker brush retracts so the fur comes off the bristles cleanly and in one easy-to-toss chunk.
Promising review:"My puppy started to stink recently, and I determined it was her undercoat. I bought this brush, and after brushing her, her smell reduced ALOT. She was fidgeting a bit at first, but she settled into being brushed with it. It helps get a lot of her loose fur, which means less hair to clean around the house." — Jessie Womack
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
10. A self-cleaning litter box that does the dirty work for you, literally. It automatically sifts through the litter after your cat does its business, scooping waste into a sealed compartment so you don't have to. No more daily scooping, no more surprise stink bombs.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Psst — you can also control it through an app and connect it to Alexa or Google to seriously make this a hands-free experience. The app has real-time notifications, weight tracking, and cleaning schedules!
Promising review: "Excellent product working exactly as promised. It took my cat a couple of days to get used to the new litter box, and he was very scared of the cleaning process, but we kept the old litter box nearby to ease the process, and it worked. Now, I don't have to worry about the smell and need to clean the box at least daily. All I do is exchange the bag once a week, add more litter, and wipe the inside as needed. This is a lifesaver for us since we like to travel, and now I don't have to bother anyone anymore to come and clean the litter box. Highly recommended!" — Lidia Z.
Get it from Amazon for $304+ (available in three styles).
11. A set of six citrus-scented solid air fresheners to stash in a stinky place so you can fix the problem and never have to think about it again. This is a great get if you have a litter box with smells that linger, no matter how often you scoop and change the litter.
Amazon
Bright Air is a small business that makes air freshening products for the home.
Promising review:"This is the best product I have found for eliminating pet odor. I keep these in different rooms and in the vehicle I use to transport my dogs, and there is absolutely no animal smell." — Cranky*Girl
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in nine scents).
12. A gentle pet stain and smell removal spray that's no match for any accident that one of your pets has. From urine to feces to vomit, this reviewer-beloved spray removes it with ease. And you know that with over 84,000 5-star ratings, it's legit.
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:"If you have a dog more prone to accidents (who has really stinky messes, in particular), buy this and skip everything else. I've used many pet cleaners, but this one is easily my favorite. You want to soak up/clean up as much as you can, kinda pat dry, then spray a good amount. I like to let it set for a while, put down some carpet scent powder, and then vacuum over everything. You'll notice a distinct lighter color over your carpet because it cleans up EVERYTHING (not just the potty stains). Definitely worth the price, I'll be buying more again soon." — Asia Chance
Get it from Amazon for $23.92+ (available in two scents and two sizes).
13. A portable and compact carpet cleaning machine to remove any stain from nearly every soft surface in your home. Sofas, carpet, toys — you name it! And it's small enough to fit in most kitchen sinks, which makes cleaning it out after each use a breeze.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: " The only thing that took the odor off my pee accident–prone puppy's couch accident …. Amazing on carpets!!! I do suggest you clean the vacuum after each use because then the smell sticks to it, and then you're going to have a problem… other than that you, my friend, are good to go with accidental accidents from juices, to food to pee stains …" — leiny s.
Get it from Amazon for $99.99.
14. A carpet cleaner machine formula that acts as a deep stain remover and odor deodorizer for carpets that are covered in stains. This is an especially amazing product if you've ever house-trained a dog and thought your carpets or rugs were unsalvageable.
www.amazon.com
This carpet cleaner formula is compatible with Bissell, Hoover, Rug Doctor, Kenmore, Carpet Express, and more. It also works with most rental machines from Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and Ace.
Promising review:"I've been using Resolve for steam cleaners but after four or five passes, my old carpet still looked dirty and smelled like dog feet. I ordered this product and made a couple more passes over the carpet with better results. It seemed to remove more greasy dirt AND the smell is nicer than Resolve cleaner. It's kind of a baby powder smell and not very chemical-y. Anyway, this product lived up to the hype for cleaning old carpet with layers of dog grease in it. The carpet is still old but is back to the original color and no longer stinks!" — Popcorn Sally
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three scents).
15. A concentrated cat litter deodorizer to cut down on your cat's litter box scent and extend its life. And it's scent-free because not everyone wants to replace one scent with another.
Amazon
Promising review:"This stuff is seriously amazing! I have three high-yield poop machines masquerading as cats, and it's a never-ending mission to make sure the house doesn't smell like a litter box. I try really hard to ensure the house is clean and smells good without using harsh chemicals or aerosol sprays. Within the first day of using this, I noticed that the slight lingering ammonia/poop smell wasn't noticeable when walking into the house anymore. After a few days, I realized that I couldn't smell anything even as I was scooping the three liter boxes. There wasn't a fake perfume smell covering up a smell, there literally wasn't a smell at all! The product smells very fresh and clean in the container but there's no odor when applied to the liter. I'm very happy with this amazing stuff, and I recommend it to anybody with cats who doesn't want to use potentially harmful sprays or perfumes. So thank you NonScents. I'm a very satisfied customer!" — Tori
Get it from Amazon for $12.97.
16. A waterless cat bath that's basically dry shampoo for your cat. This formula uses aloe vera, vitamin E, and oatmeal to gently clean, condition, and moisturize your cat's skin and coat, sans water.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This product is great at helping me keep my long haired Persian's hair smelling and feeling clean without actually having to bathe her several times a month. She is a rather messy eater and gets her chest dirty, and this waterless foam cleans the mess right up. I have also noticed less shedding since using this product and her hair is so soft and fluffy. The smell is pleasant too." — Crystal M.
Get it from Amazon for $6.02.
17. A UV black-light flashlight if you can smell a pet accident but can't see it. Shine this on your carpet to find the source, and it doesn't matter if it's dry or wet, old or new.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"OMG this is disgusting!!! I hope this isn't all just cat pee that shows up cause there is a lot! I bought this because I thought my cat was peeing in one room and couldn't find the exact spot so I bought this. Found the spot and more. Would recommend." — Momof3boys
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
18. A pocket-size pet hair removal tool to easily and effectively remove fur and hair from carpet, upholstery, clothes, and tight corners of your home. Reviewers are shocked — shocked! — by the amount of hair this pulls up, especially on the carpet.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: "This thing was amazing. It gets pet hair out of my carpet, couch, cat tree, and dog beds that my vacuum and other products just can't touch, which really helps get that 'pets live here' smell out of my house. Super easy to use and seems sturdy enough. Really liking it so far and I'd definitely recommend it." — William C.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
19. A pack of Burt's Bees cat wipes for taking on common cat coat problems. There's one for dander, another for deodorizing, one that's anti-hairball, and one specifically for kittens. "Pet" your cat with one of these wipes and see their coat and skin improve.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I've been using these wipes on my older cat for several weeks. His coat is back to how it was when he was young. His fur is shiny, soft, and he smells good. He is no longer covered with dandruff. I like that the package holds 50 wipes, and I feel that it is of good value. He loves his daily rubdowns." — Mary P.
Get them from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in three different types).
20. A 2-in-1 Hoover carpet cleaning machine that does (almost) all the work for you. Push forward to clean, pull backwards to dry. There's no mixing or measuring formula — the machine does it automatically.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I thought my carpets were ruined for good, after using both my old Bissell and the rentals offered by the local grocery store. Our last dog, rest in peace, had not left the world before thoroughly destroying my carpets from incontinence. Our newest dog had lived her entire life before us in a kennel, where she went at will. Suffice to say, my bedroom floor was an eyesore.
The first use completely restored my aging carpet. It's still old carpet, don't get me wrong, but it's now CLEAN old carpet. The stains are gone. The odor is gone. I no longer cringe when I walk into the bedroom. Life is good.
Not only has this machine done a spectacular job of cleaning, it is also easy to clean itself. The pieces come apart intuitively, and the dog hair rinses easily away. Previous carpet cleaners I've used have been a nightmare, losing suction quickly due to debris being caught in the front with no easy way to remove it." — Erica
Get it from Amazon for $199.99.
21. Arm & Hammer odor buster balls to eliminate ongoing odors at the source. Place these near stinky areas of your house: the litter box, dog beds, fridge, laundry area...and watch (smell?) the odors disappear.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
22. A liquid tartar remover for dogs and cats that doubles as your first line of defense in the battle against Eau de Dog. You know the smell, like your pup's breath took a road trip across your entire house. But this little bottle quietly fights it at the source: their mouth. Just add it to their water bowl and it'll help reduce plaque, tartar, and that telltale dog breath that loves to linger on throw pillows and freshly cleaned rugs.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a Yorkie, and she has breath that could slay dragons. She has to be bathed every two days because her biting and scratching had her coat stink to the heavens. THIS ONE is fabulous !!!! I could not be happier for my little girl, and for anyone that can now hold her close for some loving." — Tracy
Get it from Amazon for $10.56.
23. A bottle of Grandma's Secret, a nontoxic stain remover that will remove any stain, no problem, from fabrics like upholstery and clothing. Hot tip: the bottle is small — it's only two ounces — so keep a few near your pet's favorite areas in the house for easy access when an accident happens.
www.amazon.com
It can remove oil, grease, ink, grass, and blood stains for all my vampires out there. Psst, a few months ago, I recommended this to a friend who fell in a puddle of motor oil on a sidewalk, then accidentally wiped it on her camel coat. It got the stains out!
Promising review:"I used it on several oil stains and some cat vomit (which is tough to get out!). It worked perfectly! I let it sit for 15 minutes and then washed the items, and they looked like new." — Dee
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
24. A fragrance-free odor-eliminating bag of rocks for absorbing all the questionable smells in your house, pet or not. These last six to 12 months before they even need a refresh, so you can put them where they need to be and let them do their thing — no work on your part.
Amazon
25. And a container of ear finger-wipes that'll make cleaning your pet's ears as easy as giving them a scratch behind them. They're pre-moistened, hypoallergenic, and slip right onto your finger, so you can gently wipe away gunk and odor without partaking in a wrestling match.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review: "They're thicker than I expected, which makes them super easy to use without tearing or getting messy. The fresh aloe scent is a nice touch, and it helps deodorize while gently cleaning away wax and buildup. My dog, cat, and even my rabbit don't mind them at all, which is a huge win. It's a quick and natural way to handle ear care, and the 50-count pack lasts a good while. Definitely a must-have for pet parents looking to keep things simple!" — Elena

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21 Products Reviewers Say They Used From College On
A shower curtain with pockets — a true space-saving legend you'll be glad you bought freshman year. In the dorms, it'll hold your endless shampoo bottles and face masks; in your first apartment, it might graduate to wine bottles, kids' bath toys, or even a waterproof speaker. Trust me, it's one of those 'why doesn't everyone own this?' items. Promising review: "This is by far one of the best inventions EVER! So, I started getting these in college instead of having shower caddies—all the girls got a big pocket and small pocket —GREAT IDEA! Way less bulk and soap scum around the ledges where normal caddies would get left. As there was an extra pocket, it was a great place to put your phone or even a speaker while in the shower (our phones having waterproof cases, of course). Much like other shower curtains, you can just wash them in the washer or by hand and they are like new! This super durable curtain can be useful if you have kids — you can put their toys! Dogs? Put a treat or tennis ball in the pocket to keep them occupied while bathing them. Need some personal time? The large pockets also easily fit a bottle of wine and can be reached while soaking in the tub. I mean the uses for this thing are endless!" —Ms. Mary Get it from Amazon for $ my colleague's Maytex Quick Dry Pockets Shower Curtain review for more deets! A set of blackout curtains designed to turn 'just five more minutes' into full-on hibernation. They'll help you snooze through your 8 a.m.s now (oops) and keep streetlights from ruining your REM cycles in your future city apartment. Extra perk: they also muffle noise and help control the temperature, which means they're pulling triple duty for years to come. If you don't want to drill into the wall to install curtains, we recommend going with either a tension rod, Command hooks or brackets that connect to existing review: "This is my third time buying these curtains, been using them since college apartments, and now bought them for our guest bedroom. Does a great job of blocking sunlight and more light. These pictures are of the grey curtains." —EdogGet them from Amazon for $15.93+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors). Some foam earplugs that'll be the unsung hero of your backpack. They'll save you from all-night parties in the room next door, rescue your sanity during red-eye flights, help you stay focused in the library, and provide sanctuary from any future partners who snore like chainsaws. Promising review: "I initially bought these to help during my college exams in a computer lab. The constant clacking of keys and clicks of everyone's mouse was distracting me. I only use one, and it completely drowned out the sound in that ear. I started using them when I sleep during the day (I work nights) and use them in both ears. It's silent. I can't hear anything. These are good. I highly recommend. I also have a child who doesn't like loud noises, and she used them during a fireworks show. They didn't fit all the way in her ear (I didn't force them either) and she said they worked well for her." —JASGet a bottle of 50 earplugs from Amazon for $16.49. A lap desk so your 'desk' can be wherever you want it to be. It's a lifesaver for Netflix-fueled paper writing in bed. After graduation, it's perfect for weekend emails, crafting sessions, or balancing your tablet while streaming a full season of your fave show in one sitting. Promising reviews: "I bought this for college. You don't always want to sit at a table or bar. It can be uncomfortable after a period of time. You can chill on your couch or recliner and use this. It works great. I should've bought this a lot earlier." —David"Going back to college has been a challenge for me working two jobs and having four kids. This has made it so much easier to sneak off in my room to do my school work!!!" —AshleyGet it from Amazon for $33.24+ (available in nine colors). A memory foam seat cushion that's basically an apology letter to your tailbone. You'll love it for marathon study sessions now, and it'll stick with you for remote work days, long gaming sessions, or anytime you're trapped in a chair longer than you planned. It's designed to relieve pressure on your tailbone, and reviewers say it's great for reducing lower back reviews: "I'm a college student, and I just moved not too long ago so a lot of my free time is spent sitting in my office chair (probably 10 hours a day). I have one of those gaming chairs that are really common, and in no time at all, the cushion decayed. This product has revolutionized my chair, making it feel brand new. I will probably continue to buy these over brand-new chairs every so often. This is cheaper and equally, if not more, effective than buying a new chair. 💯!" —cody"I broke my tailbone and was in excruciating pain for over 4 months. I got this cushion when I first broke it and was able to sit down, and it was AMAZING. Seriously!!! It allowed my tailbone to heal because it wasn't pressed down on when I sat down. It's been over 6 months (still in pain, but it's way less pain), and I use it every single day. It got me through some of my studies as a college student with mostly online classes. I now bring the cushion to the couch, dinner table, etc. I recommend this to people without injuries, too. It has helped improve my posture so much and takes away the strain of trying to maintain a good posture if you are injured or just too tired to sit up straight. Love this thing. Buy it, please." —Kel. C. Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in six colors). A power strip so you can keep every gadget, charger, and hair appliance plugged in at once. It'll be a dorm lifesaver when you're sharing two outlets with a roommate — and in your next apartment, it'll still be the reason your phone, laptop, lamp, and coffee maker can coexist. This power strip also doubles as a surge reviews: "This is an excellent option for a dorm room. Dorm rooms generally have limited outlets, and colleges often have restrictions on what types of extension cords are acceptable. This round power strip works well under a small desk, meets the residential hall guidelines, and includes ports for directly charging phones and other devices. Perfect." —bsaucoin"Y'all, I have had this thing since my freshman year of college (August of 2018) and I still have it!!!! It still works perfectly and I love it so so so so much! It's an essential for me, and it fits anywhere; it's great quality! They can be heavy, but I think that's a good thing because it isn't surprisingly heavy in weight. Great for the price, and the cord length has never been an issue for me from the bed or my desks in college! 5 stars all the way." —Gabrielle JamesGet it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available in black). A swivel desk chair which nails the sweet spot between comfort and style. It'll make late-night cram sessions feel less torturous, and when you've moved on to your first real home office, you'll be glad you didn't settle for the squeaky, lumpy alternative. Promising review: "Excellent product for a reasonable price! The product description/details were accurate. I am a 61-year old female, who put this together myself in approximately 45-minutes. It is lightweight, yet sturdy. I purchased this chair for my daughter, who is a college student and studies long hours at the table. She confirms that the chair is so helpful! It looks nice, too." —CherylGet it from Amazon for $129.99 (also available in white). A pair of blue light–blocking glasses to save your eyes from the endless hours of screen time that college life demands. They'll carry you through late-night essay edits, gaming breaks, and online lectures, then stick around for your first desk job when spreadsheets and Zoom calls are your new professors. Electronic devices emit a lot of blue light, which your eyes do a terrible job of blocking. Over time, blue light may strain your eyes and lead to macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss. Computer glasses that filter blue light can help reduce the amount of blue light you're exposed to, plus you don't need a prescription to wear them and they work even if you're already wearing review: "I work at a job that requires me to look at screens pretty much all day. I'm also a college student who takes my classes online and looks at my phone regularly. I began getting increasingly bad headaches and researched possible explanations. Constant blue light screen exposure was the most likely for my specific lifestyle. Since getting these glasses, my frequency and severity of headaches has gone completely down from before. Not only that, these glasses are adorable and can fit just about any face shape. Great quality and work wonderfully. Highly recommend." —MadisonGet them from Amazon for $11.19+ (available in 34 colors and styles). A cold brew maker here to single-handedly slash your coffee shop spending. Freshman year, it's your antidote to overpriced campus lattes; later, it's your secret weapon for Monday mornings when you'd rather roll out of bed than roll into a café line. It brews a quart (4 cups), so you should have enough java to get you through the day (and maybe some left over to share with your favorite coworker).Promising review: "Bought this several times. Originally recommended by a friend and now we can't live without it! So easy to use and no bitterness. Only problem is we go through the cold brew so fast I usually put it in a separate pitcher so I can start brewing the next batch so we never run out!. We ended up using it so much I had to buy my daughter her own to take to college. The pitcher is plastic and I was initially disappointed but it turns out it is so much better in plastic and easy to use and clean." —OCMomEsqGet it from Amazon for $24.14+ (available in two sizes and three colors). A white-noise machine for transforming chaotic dorm acoustics into a calming backdrop of rain, ocean waves, or gentle thunder. After graduation, it'll keep your sleep sacred in noisy apartment buildings, during hotel stays, or even in your own home when the neighbors get too chatty. It has six built-in sleep sounds — rain, brook, ocean, thunder, white noise, and summer night — as well as an auto-off timer that you set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Plus, it's lightweight and portable so you can bring good sleep with you reviews: "This product is amazing as I have just moved into my college apartment. It perfectly drowns out the noise as you can adjust the volume and change sounds depending on which in you like. Personally I enjoy the white noise feature and I leave it on all night. I also chose to plug it into an outlet since it comes with the plug and block but you may also decide to use batteries. If you use batteries I suggest you leave it on the timer setting which allows for a 15,30, or 60 minute timer and then it will automatically turn off. It's been a game changer for my sleep and I highly recommend!!!" —Gianna Moraci"I use this every night! My roommate in college got me hooked on a rain machine to help me sleep and even years later, I still have to have it to sleep! Great quality and awesome functionality." —amb0319Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in two colors). A truly ~egg-cellent~ rapid egg cooker you can count on to make a delicious breakfast happen in literal minutes. You'll rely on it for quick protein before class now, then keep it in rotation for speedy brunches, packed mornings, or lazy Sunday omelets well into adulthood. Promising review: "I got one as a gift in college, and my roommates and I ate so many eggs throughout the busy year, and I decided to get a second one for my mom. When we graduated, my former roommate said she also got one. Once you have one, you can't go back. It's so useful if you want a quick snack or addition to a meal, especially when you're busy with other things." —Joanne AhnGet it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).Check out our Dash Rapid Egg Cooker review for more deets! A heavy-duty alarm clock that can *shake* you awake when your willpower won't. Ideal for making sure you never miss an exam, and equally valuable years later when you have to catch an early flight or log in for a 7 a.m. meeting. Promising reviews: "I got this for my son, who is such a deep sleeper. He's at college now and there's no one to wake him up 10x every morning, just to fall back asleep. He texted me this morning and said that it was incredible! Said 5 units away from his apartment properly heard it, but it works!" —Katheryn Webster"This is the best alarm clock I have yet to own. I am a college student and there have been times when I would sleep through my alarms and would miss class. I tried different methods, like changing up my alarm and setting one far away. I even used an alarm app that made me solve math problems to turn it off, but that failed because I would just delete the app in my sleep to shut it up. This alarm clock has been a lifesaver in making sure I wake up in time for class. It always startles me awake and gets my heart racing, so I don't even feel like going back to sleep. I like how it has the option for you to choose the pitch of your alarm if you choose to use the you are a heavy sleeper, have trouble getting up in the morning, and have a risk of sleeping through your alarm, this is the alarm clock for you!" —Thomas RGet it from Amazon for $43.99 (available in six colors). A mug warmer here to rescue your coffee from the fate of going lukewarm mid-sip. In college, it'll be your desk mate during late-night cram sessions; later, it'll keep you caffeinated and happy through endless meetings or cozy weekends staying in and reading. This mug warmer does *not* have an auto-off feature, so we recommend also getting an auto-off outlet if you're prone to forgetting to unplug review: "I bought one of these before I went to college. It's been about 10 years and it's still going strong. I use it almost every day at work and have used it pretty consistently over the last decade. No issues whatsoever with overheating (even when I accidentally leave it on for longer than planned), and it keeps my drinks perfect. I also have one of those cute little iron teapots, and it keeps that thing perfectly warm for hours and hours. When (if?) mine dies, I will definitely buy another. I got my grandma a much more expensive one from Sharper Image, and it doesn't keep things nearly as warm, and it randomly shuts itself off every hour or so. This one isn't flashy, but it's definitely a great simple little gadget." —AlisonGet it from Amazon for $11.99. A three-tier rolling cart that turns 'where do I stash all my stuff?' into 'dang, I'm finally organized.' It'll corral your dorm toiletries, snacks, and mini-fridge essentials now, and later cruise beside your bedroom dresser, hold your kitchen gadgets, or even act as a mobile office triage station during those early WFH days. Featuring a sturdy metal frame, mesh-bottom bins, and smooth swivel wheels, it'll ~roll right along~ with your life as it changes. A microwave pasta cooker guaranteed to take you from hungry to carb-loaded without dirtying half the kitchen. It'll see you through dorm dinners *and* those nights when you just want comfort food without the whole boiling-water ordeal. Read our Fasta Pasta Microwave Cooker review for more!Promising review: "When I first bought these, I was in the position where I needed to cook all of my meals in a college dorm without a kitchen and with limitations on which types of appliances I could purchase. I had a microwave, a toaster oven, a coffee maker, and a to say, this microwavable pasta maker saved my life in college.I cooked pasta (and ravioli/tortellini!) for nearly all of my meals, and this little tool made that process SO easy for me, AND could hold a hefty few servings of pasta on top of that! I just filled it with as much pasta as I needed to prepare, filled with water, added a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking, and my pasta was done in minutes! No waiting for a pot to boil, no needing to set a timer to avoid forgetting about your pasta, no need for a separate pot and strainer, AND it was super easy to clean." —Brenda PelletierGet it from Amazon for $16.99. A memory foam mattress topper for transforming a dorm-issued slab into a bed you actually want to sleep in. And once you've moved, it'll follow you to your first apartment, guest room, or anywhere a little extra cloud-like comfort is needed. Promising reviews: "I was in search of a mattress topper when moving off to college and this one has satisfied all of my needs. It has just the right amount of firmness and softness allowing for a good nights sleep. After placing this mattress topper on top of my hard mattress, I no longer experienced restless nights of sleep. I would highly recommend this product if you are moving into a dorm or apartment." —Brynlee Urbantke"AMAZING! It slides around a little bit and that's the only con. I got it for college and it's so amazing I'm getting one for my bed at home while I'm there in the summer too. Very comfortable and soft, I was worried but I'm glad it worked out exactly how I wanted it." —Liz a two-inch topper from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes twin–California king as well as a three-inch-thick version). A velvety soft microfiber duvet ready to earn permanent status in your bedding lineup. You'll love it for movie nights in your dorm now (and using it to make your bed for years to come). Promising reviews: "I bought this comforter for my son for college and it is perfect! It's medium warmth, very soft and fluffy. Exactly what I was looking for. The square stitching keeps the stuffing perfectly in place. My favorite feature is the loops on the corners that tie to a duvet cover to keep the comforter from shifting. I loved this comforter so much, I ordered one for my other son and am going to order one for every other bed in the house. An amazing find! Love everything about it!" —Sonja M. Ocker"Bought it for my daughter's college apartment. She absolutely loves it! Super comfortable! Not too warm. Perfect!! She wants to buy another for her bed at home for when she visits! :)" —Shannon D. Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes twin–California king and six colors). A combination oil diffuser and humidifier for when your dorm smells… lived in. It'll make your air fresher, your room calmer, and your sleep better — and you'll keep it for every future home that needs a little mood and moisture boost. Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my teenage daughter, and she loves it! I also purchased a set of essential oils. The scent is very light, not too strong and very spa like. I like to borrow it whenever I take a hot bath. The colors are beautiful and makes it extremely pleasing to the eye. I now want to purchase one for myself, especially since I know she will be taking it with her when she leaves for college!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors). A Brita water dispenser proving staying hydrated doesn't have to mean hauling 24-packs of plastic bottles up three flights of stairs. You'll appreciate it in the dorms, and even more in your own kitchen years later when cold, clean water is just a fridge-door pull away. A huge backpack laundry bag that lets you transport a week's (or two's) worth of clothes without breaking your back. Great for laundry room treks in college, and just as handy for trips to the laundromat or packing up linens as a grown-up. A pair of hybrid over-ear headphones here to turn any noisy dorm hall into a personal study bubble. With up to 60 hours of juice (40 with noise cancelling on) and fast-charging that gives you four hours of playback from just five minutes plugged in, they're a nonnegotiable for late-night cramming (and they're not going anywhere when you start making caffeine-fueled commutes). Promising review: "I bought my college-age son a pair of these, and he liked them so much, I bought myself a pair and I'm glad I did. I use them mostly at the gym and the sound quality is very good. They are comfortable to wear and have a very good battery life. The noise cancelling mode is great, knocking out most of the background noise you hear, so I'm not blasting them so loud. They are also well-made and sturdy. Would recommend!" —Gregory MGet them from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).


Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
27 Life Hack Products For College Freshmen
A plastic bedside shelf that turns the edge of your bed into prime real estate for your phone, glasses, late-night snacks, or an emergency bowl of soup when you're under the weather. Promising review: "This is a must-have for a dorm room. I thought the price was a little expensive for such a simple bedside shelf, but my daughter said it was one of the best things we bought her for her dorm room." —AmberGet it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three styles and two colors). A roll of double-sided heavy-duty mounting tape so ridiculously strong, you'll start looking around your dorm, wondering what else you could stick to the wall — no nails, no drama. Promising review: "Whatever amount of this tape you're about to use, it's too much — unless it's something you never want to come off for the rest of eternity. If you've got a mummy's tomb to seal, this is the tape you want for the job. This stuff is so strong, it transcends the physical realm." —SeanGet it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes). A colorful wireless keyboard and mouse set to add a little clickety-clack joy to long nights of paper-writing. Bonus: It makes your desk look like it belongs to someone who has their life together. A Rocketbook smart reusable notebook for the analog note-taker who still loves a good cloud backup. Scribble by hand, scan it into the ether, wipe the page, and start again. An electric mug warmer to keep your coffee at peak drinkability — perfect for the chronic 'takes one sip and then forgets about it until it's cold' crowd. A lightweight canvas backpack that manages to pull off stylish and functional *without* the Fjällräven price tag — and yes, it holds a laptop with room to spare. A keyboard cover to shield your laptop from coffee splashes, snack crumbs, and the occasional mid-essay existential crisis tears. A portable, microwaveable Rapid Ramen Cooker that gets you from 'I'm starving' to 'mmm, ramen' in record time, no stove top required. And a microwave pasta cooker with its own strainer, because cooking in a dorm shouldn't require juggling boiling water and awkward sink angles. A wearable blanket, because there's no better way to study than cocooned up by yourself, pretending the outside world doesn't exist. A no-frills daily planner to help you map out your classes, assignments, and laundry schedule in one tidy place. A popular set of waterproof under-$30 wireless Bluetooth earbuds that can survive showers, block out your roommate's Netflix habit, and still have battery left for the walk to class. A slim laptop stand to lift your screen to a spine-approved height and sneakily add storage space underneath for textbooks and notebooks. A set of popular fine-tip pens to make even the driest lecture notes feel like a craft project. Color-coded midterms? Absolutely. A simple-to-use cold brew coffee maker so you can skip the Starbucks line, save money, and still have icy caffeine ready to go before your 8 a.m. A sunrise alarm clock that wakes you with gradually brightening light and nature sounds instead of the aggressive iPhone bleep bleep. Or a heavy-duty alarm clock for anyone who treats the snooze button like a competitive sport. It comes complete with mattress-shaking power and can't-ignore volume. A pair of blue light-blocking glasses to give your eyeballs a break after hours of screens, study sessions, and that 'just one more episode' spiral. A pair of quick-drying shower sandals so you can walk into the communal bathroom without also walking away with a mystery fungus. A wall charger with room for six plugs and two USB ports, so you can keep every gadget charged without a tangle of extension cords. A two-pack of Downy Wrinkle Releaser fabric spray for when you pull a shirt out of your laundry bag and it looks like it's been through a spin cycle in another dimension. A Maybelline concealer that erases the evidence of your 'I stayed up until 3 a.m. watching TikToks instead of sleeping' choices. A Simple Modern tumbler that keeps drinks at the perfect temp alllllll day. (A more affordable alternative to a Stanley!) A pair of wireless sleep headphones so you can drift off to white noise or podcasts without hard plastic earbuds stabbing your ears at 2 a.m. A productivity timer to split your day into bite-size work-and-break chunks, making giant tasks feel a lot less terrifying. A memory foam seat cushion and lumbar pillow that transforms even the worst dorm desk chair into something your back will actually thank you for. And finally, a hanging laundry bag to get your dirty clothes off the floor and out of the way, especially in a dorm room where 'floor space' is a generous term.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The Genius Kitchen Sponge Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner
The Genius Kitchen Sponge Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner originally appeared on Parade. As a mom of four young kids, I'm always out of ice packs. They go off in lunch boxes and just don't come back, or my house somehow swallows them after they were used to treat a minor injury. As the ice packs mysteriously disappear (maybe they're with all of the lost socks?), I'm left regularly buying new ones and feeling seriously grumpy about it. And that's why I was very excited when I stumbled across a DIY ice pack hack on social media. (It's the little things, folks!) All you need is a kitchen sponge, some water and a zip-top bag. I was instantly sold—and my monthly Amazon bill is about to go down as a result. Here's what you need to know to try this trick at your house. Related: 😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. 🍳🍔 What Is the Kitchen Sponge Ice Pack Trick? TikTok is packed with these sponge ice packs. Some people (like @ cut them into small pieces, get them wet and freeze them, like the ones here. Others simply take a regular full-size kitchen sponge, get it wet, freeze it and use it the next day. Like this version shared by the @moms account. What Makes the Kitchen Sponge Hack So Great? There are so many reasons to love the kitchen sponge hack. For starters, it's cheap. Ice packs can run you about $9 for a set, while a set of kitchen sponges costs a fraction of that. Ice packs also tend to have unspecified ingredients that inevitably leak out at some point, whether from rough use or time. That makes me nervous when they're used next to food, skin and faces. But a baggie-covered sponge is a pretty harmless product. A big complaint with my kids is that ice packs are too cold or too hard, but a sponge is soft—even when it's frozen and thanks to its air pockets, it's not as cold as a standard ice pack. As it thaws, the sponge-pack also conforms to the shape of what it's touching, making it more comfortable for my kiddos. Finally, because my house (and kids) are a black hole for ice packs, I'm less annoyed when one of these gets lost because it ultimately ends up costing me less. Related: How to Turn Your Kitchen Sponges Into Ice Packs The kitchen sponge hack is pretty easy to pull off. Just take a sponge, wet it well and toss it in the freezer. When you need an ice pack for a lunchbox or an injury, pull it out, put it in a zip-top bag and use it. They're also super easy to reuse: Just wet them and put them back in the freezer. If you prefer to use smaller pieces, cut up your sponge with scissors, wet the pieces, and freeze them in a baggie. You can either redistribute those pieces in another baggie when you're ready to use them, or pull out the whole thing. Up Next: The Genius Kitchen Sponge Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner first appeared on Parade on Aug 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword