01-05-2025
25 Problem-Solving Products That'll Have You Covered In The Long Run
1. A two-pack of reusable mop pads that offers a more sustainable way of cleaning by getting rid of wasteful disposable mop pads. Reviewers even say these reusable pads are more efficient at cleaning by picking up more dirt and grime, and all you have to do is throw them in the washer!
Each reusable mop pad replaces up to 100 disposable pads and can be used up to 100 times with proper washing. Psst — if you don't already have one, you can get a standard Swiffer on Amazon for $17! Turbo Mops also sells another version of mop pads designed to work with the Swiffer Wet Jet!
Turbo Mops is a small business established in 2018 to provide eco-conscious cleaning supplies.
Promising review:"This is a MUST-HAVE. I stopped cleaning to come write this review! These pads are amazing!!! We have a lot of fur baby hair in our apartment and I honestly feel like these pads trap the hair better than the throw-away ones!! I am always on the lookout for more sustainable cleaning options and I absolutely love love love these!! Thank you!!" — Isabella M.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $10.95.
2. A genius veggie chopper, which can chop and dice pretty much anything in literal seconds. Besides using this all the time for delicious chopped salads, it's going to become your favorite gadget year after year when your family requests your famous dressing, not only for Thanksgiving, but also on Christmas, Easter, and at birthdays!
It comes with four interchangeable dice blades and a built-in storage container that you can use to prep and store food! The lid is designed with a built-in chopper and fits the storage container, so it all drops inside after prepping. Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action.
Fullstar is a small business that specializes in unique and functional kitchen gadgets.
Promising review:"Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." — Amazon Customer
Get the 4-in-1 style from Amazon for $29.97 (available in four colors and four other styles).
3. A pair of polarized sunglasses designed to fit OVER your prescription glasses (or readers). If you have stacks of expensive Rx sunnies you can't wear anymore because your prescription changed, these don't require a doc appointment *and* are under $20, meaning you can wear them for years over your changing everyday frames with no worries!
This is for anyone who can't see without glasses, but always drools over trending non-prescription styles online and in the store!
Promising reviews: "Love these shades! These sunglasses are awesome. They fit perfectly over my prescription glasses without feeling bulky or awkward. The polarized lenses are great — no more glare when I'm driving or out fishing. They're super lightweight and comfortable, even after wearing them for hours. Plus, they look really cool! I've gotten a few compliments already... They come with a nice soft bag and cleaning cloth, which is a nice bonus. Definitely recommend these if you need sunglasses that work over glasses!" — alin
Get it from Amazon for $17.95 (available in 13 styles and 19 rhinestone-studded styles).
4. The compact Levoit air purifier with a HEPA-grade filter that effortlessly removes dander, dust, pollen, smoke, and daily odors from your home while barely making a peep! This is definitely a must-have for anyone who owns a pet or deals with allergies throughout the year.
Promising reviews: "We retired to the Southwest US, which is just a huge dust bowl. I didn't want to be breathing in the dust, and I absolutely hate to dust furniture. So I researched air purifiers and chose this model. In order to filter dust, it seems I needed a HEPA filter, which this purifier uses. While not washable, they are able to be vacuumed, which I do about once a week so they last longer. Overall, the price for the purifier and the filters was less for this model than others I researched. I bought the large model of this purifier for the main room of our 1200 sf Townhouse and it works really well. I only have to dust every 3-4 weeks, which suits me just fine. I think the purifier is about as loud as a white noise machine, so not very loud in my opinion. My husband, who wears hearing aids, finds it noisier than I do. I bought two of the smaller version of this same purifier for the two bedrooms. While they are just a smaller version of this machine, they don't work nearly as well. It gets dusty in those rooms within days. I wish I had purchased the larger version for those rooms too. I've had all three purifiers going 24/7 for four months now and the filters are nowhere near the point where they need changing, again noting that I vacuum them weekly. So all in all, these purifiers have been very economical to use." — SuesZoo
"I was skeptical any air purifier at this price could do much, but I tried it! I have a medium-sized music room for record collections and playing those records, etc. The room is about 18x18. I hate dealing with dust getting on the records and equipment. I took note of some dark items with dust on them first. Then, I cleaned those items to see if they would stay clean because it usually takes a few days to be covered again. I ran the Levoit at medium speed for two weeks solid, and those surfaces look just as clean as when I cleaned them. Does it work? Yes, it does! The lowest setting is pretty quiet, but the medium and high can be fairly loud. I turn it off during listening times." — Charles Tweedy
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two colors and four styles, including a WiFi-enabled version).
5. A set of adjustable clip holders to tuck away your bra straps when you want to pull off your favorite racerback or yoke top, but stay supported. Or, use it to keep loose straps from falling down, so you can save money on buying new bras!
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Promising review:"My bra straps spent more time off my shoulders than on them. I have bras that fit perfectly, but the straps are too wide-set or something. I'm so glad I bought these little bra strap clip holders because they've solved the problem. I've used them for three days now, and my straps have not fallen off of my shoulders even once in that time. Amazing! I love them! I put a clip holder on my bra and then put the bra on like a T-shirt — over my head, put my arms in, then fasten it as usual in the back — pretty easy. The length of the clip holders is adjustable. I have fully extended them to fit across the back of my 38DD bras. At first, it felt a bit odd because it was different, but it didn't take long to adjust to the feel of it. The strap clip holders do the job, and they are pretty cheap, so give them a try." — Polly Esther
Get a set of three from Amazon for $5.49+ (available in seven color combos and in a five-pack).
6. A hands-free foot pull for your doors and cabinets, so you can navigate your kitchen with your hands full and still have access to your pull-out trash can or pantry. This will really come in handy during a busy day of meal-prepping when it's time to open up the fridge while balancing seven days worth of Tupperware!
It comes with an adhesive pad and two screws for temporary or permanant installation!
Promising reviews: " This makes getting to my kitchen trash can so much easier! Messy, full hands don't matter. It also came with an adhesive pad, which is how I installed it. It's held up so far and if/when it fails two screws are also included Edit: It's been several weeks and the adhesive is holding strong." — Patricia Getchell
"So often my hands are full or messy from cooking and I need to throw something away, especially after cracking eggs and wanting toss shells yet my fingers are slightly eggy. Rather than touching the cabinet handle to the trash bin, this has been so great! It allows me to open it using my foot easily and it discreetly matches my white cabinets. Exactly what I wanted." — minmom
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four styles and sets of two).
7. A Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner featuring a unique attachment that sprays cleaning solution, scrubs away the mess, *and* suctions it all up! So when your beloved pup noshes on something they shouldn't and vomits EVERYTHING up at 4 a.m. on your carpeted bedroom won't have to think twice about how to clean it, thanks to this portable, tote bag-sized gadget.
BTW, this tool comes with an auto detailer attachment and a small bottle of ready-to-use cleaning formula, but if you need more, grab a bigger bottle for $9.99!
Promising reviews: "This has saved me so many times. I use it mostly for my carpet and the couch. I have a cat and dog with an almost white couch, so this has been SUPER helpful. It has yet to fail me." — Amazon Customer
"This little guy has been working pretty well for me so far. Raising my puppy from 8 weeks, I've had my share of things to try and get out of the carpet, from pee stains to puke to things he would knock over to the mud he would track in. This would get most of it out if I used it right away. I am happy with the way it takes out most stains." — Cece
Get it from Amazon for $99.99.
8. An cylindrical ice mold that you can use over and over to create slower-melting, hollow ice that actually fits in your go-to Stanley cup. Plus, the ingenious hollow design helps keep your straw from being awkwardly angled or stuck in a hardened mass of ice cubes!
The tray makes three different sizes of ice cubes that will fit in 20-oz., 30-oz., and 40-oz. tumblers.
Promising review: "I use these in my BruMate and Meoky cups, and they fit perfectly. I always struggle with getting my straw through the ice and in the middle so the lid will close. These ice cubes stay on the edge of the cup and allow plenty of room for the straw." — sarah schultz
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors and two sizes).
9. A doctor-recommended and internet-sensation Squatty Potty, which simply sits at the front of your porcelain throne for you to prop your feet up while you do your business. This top-rated stool helps you align your colon, so you can go #2 easier *and* faster (we're talking seconds, compared to minutes), so you don't have to keep bringing a novel or newspaper with you on each and every bathroom trip.
Read more about constipation relief at home, including using a squatting position, at Cleveland Clinic. And if you want more Squatty Potty content before making the best purchase of your life, check out our Squatty Potty review.
Promising review:"I'll do you all the courtesy of NOT adding a photo or video (You're welcome). This works. Whoever invented the toilet had their heart in the right place, but not their knees. This device mimics proper positioning, and you should get one. That is all. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk." — P.W.
Get it from Amazon for $21.49+ (available in three styles). For a more ~aesthetic~ throne, splurge on the acrylic version for $79.99 or the bamboo wood version for $24.99.
10. A crack-weeder tool made of stainless steel and designed to reach deep into those annoying narrow sidewalk spaces to extract weeds, moss, thistles, and other invasive greenery that you can't get to with your bare hands. This will make your sun-baked Sunday afternoon gardening so much easier, and help relieve some of the stress on your back and knees from pulling weeds yourself!
Promising review: "I've been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I've been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn't help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort, but the end result was so worth it!" — Shelley Arakaki
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
11. Plus, a standing weeder with three steel claws to grip weeds *and* roots, so you can pull them out without bending over. If every spring, tending to your beloved garden also means becoming painfully aware that you're getting older — cracking knees, sore back, calluses — you're going to fall in love with this must-have tool!
Amazon
Grampa's Gardenware Co. is an Oregon-based family-owned small business specializing in weeding tools.
Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy.
Promising review:"Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim, given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy, has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard, and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun, but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." — JG
Get it from Amazon for $39.97.
12. A ChomChom pet hair remover that features a patented brush design, so all you have to do is push back and forth to collect all the hair and lint into a chamber — whether it's attached to clothes, furniture, car seats, cat towers, and more. Over 140,000 reviewers have bestowed it with a 5-star rating, and we agree: If a member of your household happens to have four legs and a ton of hair, this is a must-buy.
Promising review: "Where has this been all my life!! We have one long-haired cat and three dogs — suffice it to say, shedding hair is a big problem on every cloth-like surface in our home. No more vacuuming the couches and chairs like wild when you have this around. This picks up hair quickly and easily when used correctly (fast back-and-forth motion). I will never not have this in our house!" — Shelby Cipolla
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors).
13. An auto-shutoff outlet if you've ever been miles away from home and randomly panicked, wondering if you turned off your flat iron or hot plate. This nifty gadget plugs into your outlet, so all you have to do is plug in your device and set the timer. Then, you'll never have to worry if your house is burning down while you're enjoying brunch ever again (or at whatever you've plugged in)! 😮💨
Amazon
The timer can be set for one, two, four, or eight hours. There's also a hold option, which leaves the item on indefinitely.
Promising review:"Great product!! Now I never have to worry about leaving my curling iron plugged in!! I also bought one for my mom!!" — Sandra R.
Get it from Amazon for $12.39.
14. A set of reusable trolley dividing bags that fit ✨ perfectly ✨ in your shopping cart, so you can bag and organize your groceries while you shop. This set of four even includes an insulated bag to hold your refrigerated and frozen items, so we can all celebrate never having to use plastic or paper bags while grocery shopping again!
Each set includes four machine-washable and foldable bags.
Lotus Sustainables is a small business with a mission to eliminate plastic bags.
Promising review:" This bag is perfect!! I have wanted one for a while now and finally purchased them about two weeks ago. Since then, I have used the bags several times at the grocery store. Even when I ran in for a few items I was able to detach the two smaller bags and just use them. I love the cooler bag, it is perfect for all of my refrigerated items. The egg and wine compartments in the largest purple bag are genius! I have received so many questions and comments on the bags every time I use them. I would definitely recommend getting the Lotus Trolley Bags!" —
Get them from Amazon for $44.99.
15. A portable dehumidifier because fluctuating spring temperatures and sporadic rainstorms can lead to sticky, humid interiors. This tiny powerhouse can collect up to nine ounces of excess moisture in the air from a room each day and is even designed with a seven-color light function, so it can double as a nightlight as it runs.
It boasts a transparent tank, so you can see the water collection volume and effortlessly remove it for emptying or cleaning. It also has an auto shut off for when the tank is full!
Promising review:"This little thing sucks some serious water out of the air. I have to empty it sometimes, as often as every other day. Before, I used to wake up drenched in sweat even when it wasn't particularly hot in my room, and now I can sleep through the night. It keeps the humidity down to a bearable level." — Chocolate Latte
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors and two sizes).
16. A magnetic laundry guard to help keep clothes, soap caps, and dryer sheets from falling into the abyss behind your washer/dryer. It's adjustable and attaches with magnets, so you don't have to do any heavy lifting to set it up!
Amazon
Promising review:"Oh, how I love this laundry guard! I have very little counter space in my laundry room and this allows me to use all that space on top of the washer and dryer for folding clothes. No more fishing socks and underwear from behind the machines! I love it, and so does everyone else who visits and sees it for the first time. The magnets hold it in place very well. There is not a lot of shifting unless I throw something large and heavy up there, but it's an easy adjustment to get it back in place. Good quality, not flimsy at all. I highly recommend this product." — Christa
Get it from Amazon for $32.95 (available in two colors).
17. A pair of machine-washable, reusable Bambody period undies made with moisture-wicking fabric and a leakproof layer that alone can hold up to four tampons' worth of liquid — no backup products required! This super sustainable option will help make sure you stay dry and comfy during that time of the month, and you can wear them solo or (if you're extra cautious) as a backup with your favorite menstrual disc, cup, or tampon!
Also, the leakproof layer is PFA free — learn more about that testing here.
Promising review: "Before this I had only used the brand Thinx. I feel like these ones from Bambody are more comfortable and have more coverage. Also these have not leaked at all for me. I like that the material feels light and breathable. I also like the dark color. I've only washed them once so far but they've held up, even with me putting them in the dryer at the low, delicate setting. For sizing, I got an XL (the underwear themselves say size 9) which fit comfortably, usually in other brands I wear a large/size 14." — Elizabeth Desmarais
Get a pair from Amazon for $14.99 (available in sizes XXS–3X and assorted color combos; check the size chart for measurements).
18. A handy portable car vacuum that plugs into your 12V car outlet with a stretchy cord and three detailing attachments to get into all those hard-to-reach places. Forget about dragging your household vacuum down, when you can use this to clean out your car after your annual beach week in Cape Cod with your college roomies year after year!
Included with the vacuum are a carrying bag, filter brush, spare HEPA filter, and flathead, extendable, and brush attachments.
Promising review:"It's been challenging to keep a black interior vehicle clean, living on a farm, with dirt driveway. ThisWorx corded car vacuum cleaner is the perfect solution. The slim cleaner has powerful suction, plugs into the cigarette lighter. The flexible hose nozzle reaches hard to reach places, including under and between seats. The 16 foot power cord will easily reach from the cigarette lighter to the back area of my SUV. My most used tool is the brush nozzle, excellent for cleaning contour seats. It's easy to clean the filter, just press the vacuum release button and shake out dirt. The simplicity, light weight, and functionality of this car vacuum cleaner will especially be appreciated by [anyone]. Highly recommend." — Patricia J.
Get it from Amazon for $22.49+ (available in three styles).
19. A pair of deceptively thin extra-long oven mitts designed with heat-resistant and flame-retardant silicone with a grippy texture to help prevent kitchen accidents and messes. The extra length will help keep your hands *and* forearms protected from steam, heat, or accidental burns when you have to reach way back in the oven to get a good grip on your heavy cast-iron pan.
These oven mitts offer protection up to 450 degrees F.
Promising reviews: "Great and the only oven mitts I use now. East to clean, very safe, and never had any feeling of heat come through. Love that they are long and have nonslip grips on them too. Have thrown all other old pairs of cloth mitts away!" — Monica
" Very grippy, waterproof, insulating, easy to clean, protects my arms from burns. A little stiffer than cloth, but that doesn't seem to be any more of a problem than with cloth mitts. What I like the most is that as soon as the mitts get dirty, I can wash them at the kitchen sink as easily as I wash my hands and I can immediately use them again since they still insulate when wet." — C Luce
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 12 colors, bundles, and two sizes).
20. A set of reviewer-beloved reusable silicone Nippies, which reviewers love for their seamless look underneath clothing and sticking power. Whether or not, you're a fully-booked bridesmaid with dozens of upcoming weddings over the next few years, you'll definitely run into at least five events that require a strapless or backless outfit and Nippies will have you covered (literally)!
Amazon,
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Natalie Brown has tried these and raves: "I've worn them four or five times now, washing with hand soap and water afterward every time as directed, and they're exactly what I needed! It's simple: you stick 'em onto clean, dry, lotion-free skin, and they stay put and comfy for hours, even through moderate sweat. They've performed perfectly every time I've worn them: for day-long shopping excursions, outdoor parties, and for nights out dancing. They come in a small reusable storage box with two stiff plastic domes for them to sit on, so they'll stay perfectly intact and dust-free in your drawer and are easy to pack for travel. Oh and over 14,000 reviewers — like, five times the number of people in my high school graduating class — have rated them 5-stars on Amazon, so I know I'm not alone in my success with them!"
Promising review: " This is probably the third pair I've purchased over the past several years. I mainly wear them when we go on vacations to warm places and I have a dress or something with an open back. They stick well, clean up well, and have lasted... [over eight] hours in the tropical humid heat on numerous occasions! Love how seamless they are too!" — Randi N.
Get it from Amazon for $26.50+ (available in three sizes, with or without lift, and five shades).
21. A set of wool dryer balls that make a great, nearly infinitely reusable alternative to dryer sheets and help your clothes dry faster with fewer wrinkles. Pro-tip: add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the balls to scent your laundry!
Amazon
Promising review:"I have been using these for over year now and I absolutely love them. I only use four in my dryer and they have reduced the time it takes to dry clothes. I did not add a scent to the balls so I sometimes throw a dryer sheet in with the balls. They make a soft thud sound while drying. I have given them as gifts to all of my sisters-in-law and they love them." — P. King
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three pack sizes).
22. A set of silicone Kegel weights because pelvic floor exercises definitely count as a workout. You can use these over and over to help strengthen your vaginal muscles for great results like improved bladder control or more pleasurable sex (whether or not you've had or are having children)!
The silicone material means these Kegel weights are very simple to clean, with either sex toy cleaners or mild soap and water.
Promising review:"Since starting, my bladder control has significantly improved. I am now able to sneeze or cough without peeing myself. Yes, that's right. I am able to hold my pee longer, which means I can actually make it to the bathroom without dribbling on myself. The best part is that just a few short weeks into the program you will have results you can feel. I think [anyone] who has ever had kids should try this out. The overall quality of my life has improved. Ditch your panty liners, stop the embarrassing dribbles, and no more mad dashes to the restroom because of a weak bladder. Even my sex life has improved; I have control of those pelvic muscles now. Just remember to wash the weights before and after each use with an antibacterial spray, and allow time to air dry before putting them away. I say air dry because if you wipe them dry with a cloth you run the risk of giving yourself a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, and those are no laughing matter. Easy to use, easy to clean, stores away quickly." — Julie Tauber
Get a set of six weights from Amazon for $49.98.
23. A Baseboard Buddy, which picks up dust, dirt, and pet hair thanks to its uniquely shaped swivel brush head and reusable microfiber pad. The handle even extends up to 4 feet long for cleaning hard-to-reach ceilings, baseboards, or moldings. Your home will be sparkling clean!
Each microfiber pad is reusable (the kit includes three!) and can be used wet or dry.
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.
24. A Le Creuset magnetic trivet that attaches to metal bottoms in a *snap* allowing you to place the too-hot-to-handle Dutch oven with your freshly baked loaf onto the kitchen table without burning a ring! Plus, it's created with durable, sturdy acacia wood, so it makes an aesthetically pleasing functional addition to your kitchen, as well.
Amazon
FYI — the trivet is heat-resistant up to 482 degrees F!
Promising review: "The wood is really super nice, smooth, and clean. It sticks great to the pan, and the silicone rings add great shock absorption, so it doesn't make a lot of noise when I send down my heavy-ass 13-some-inch skillet! It cleans off easily; I've only used it a handful of times, but it still looks brand new! A little pricey, but it's a premium kitchen thing. I recommend don't settle for something cheaper." — K. Lujan
Get it from Amazon for $49.95.
25. An Apple-compatible locator tag, which works exactly like an AirTag for a fraction of the price. Connect it to your Find My Friends app and never worry about where your indoor/outdoor cat who likes to roam around the neighborhood while you're at work is hanging out. The included battery lasts for a year, but with these long-lasting replacements, you can keep using the same locator tag for as long as your favorite feline is on the prowl!
Each one comes with a waterproof case and silicone holder!
Promising review: "Perfect tracker with a stylish touch! They function perfectly with the Apple Find My app, and I use them for my backpack, keys, and luggage. No more worrying about lost things thanks to the extremely accurate tracking and easy setup! I adore that I can rely on it to protect my AirTag in any conditions. This is the perfect tracker if you're an iOS user searching for something dependable, useful, and stylish! Five stars! Highly recommended!" — JoyfulGenius
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four styles and in a four-pack).
