Just 42 Incredibly Practical Home Products To Keep On Hand

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Take this as a sign to invest in a measuring tape.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "This stuff works sooooo well. I have tried many other brands of pet stain remover, and this one is definitely the best. I have two indoor cats with hairball issues; they are often spitting up hairballs, or stomach acid only before or after the passing of the hairball. (Sorry for the TMI.) Of course, they only want to do this on the carpet and rugs. This stain remover effectively removes the bodily fluid, hairball, etc., with a nice, fresh minty scent and no sticky residue. I keep a bottle upstairs and downstairs so I don't have to go hunting for it during those 2 a.m. hairball vomiting sessions (because, of course, that's the only time they want to throw up)." —Heather Coburn-Schill

Get it from Amazon for $18.50+ (available in 32 oz. or one gallon and three scents).

Promising review: "I have an old shower/bathtub. I tried name brand shower cleaners and bleach to try and clean the soap scum off the tiles and tub. I had no luck and I would cough and get sick because of how strong the smell was. I thought I would try this to save my lungs. I sprayed my entire shower and left it for about 15 minutes. I came back and rinsed off the walls and they were shiny! I've never had such a clean shower. The smell is amazing and subtle. All I smell is tea tree and it didn't affect me at all. The price is also a good deal since the bottle is pretty large. It came with the sprayer separate and the bottle sealed so it wouldn't leak in the box. I highly recommend this." —Amber Erwin

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.99.

Promising review: "I know everyone says this, but I REALLY don't usually write reviews — really! I generally order from Amazon and once the purchase arrives I forget about it. But this is truly a great item to have around. It's compact, has all the connections I need, has built-in wireless charging, supports micro SD cards so it can be used as storage, has a built-in light that's pretty bright — it's just so freakin' handy! Order an extra one for a buddy so you can nerd out ." —Alex

Get it from Amazon for $36.

Promising review: "This is a great item for lightly spraying salads, roasting vegetables, or adding some oil to a prepared plate of pasta. Avoids using more oil than necessary so that’s a savings right there. I also use it to put a light coating of oil on all my cast-iron cookware to prevent rust. Best of all, it looks great on the dinner table. Lots of uses which really makes it an asset in the kitchen. It seems that it should last a while so I think it is worth the few bucks spent." —Clancy

Get it from Amazon for $9.23.

Promising review: "I got this as a birthday present for my husband, the classic man who's impossible to buy for, and he was thrilled with it. He's a by-the-numbers kind of guy, and followed the directions carefully. As a result, all six of the herbs have germinated, and we are already using some of them (basil, thyme and dill) only three weeks later. One thing: the light is much brighter than I expected. The pictures show it as a pleasant glow, almost a night light. It's bright. The timer keeps it on for 15 hours a day, so hopefully there's a place in your house where it won't reflect off the TV screen or light up somebody's bedroom." —Mary B.

Get it from Amazon for $82.88+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

Promising review: "I absolutely love these! In my apartment I strung Christmas lights around the top of my bedroom and then did the same in my living room and kitchen. It makes my apartment so much cozier and bright without even having to turn on the overhead. I hated having to plug and unplug them though. When I found out about these, it made life so much easier. I could easily turn the living room ones on as the sunset to brighten up my room, and then if I moved to the kitchen my lights could come on or into my bedroom. And I could shut them off from the other room too. The controller does not have to be directly aimed at the receiver or unblocked. It works just fine from anywhere in my apartment even across doors." —Brianna Curtis

Get it from Amazon for $19.56.

Promising review: "Love love love this clock... sleek and definitely a statement piece. Alarm is subtle. It will definitely wake you up, however it will not scare the B-Jesus out of you. Love the extra ports on the side to charge other things with it." —Meika B.

Get it from Amazon for $22.09+ (available in six colors).

My husband is admittedly a "gadget guy" and has one of these kits for as long as I can remember. He's a big fan of the brand and loves that every set comes with a lifetime warranty.

Promising review: "Seriously, I have been repairing small electronics for decades now, over 30 dang years, and I will say this is probably the best deal and collection you can get for simple to even complicated repairs. It has a crapload of bits, but essentially everything you will need as opposed to the next larger offering, though I am still considering getting that for my dungeon downstairs. I keep this upstairs literally in the kitchen since a lot of impromptu repairs occur at the dining room table, but I have not been let down. This is top notch/quality material and manufacturing. It not only feels comfortable but is very strong and bits do not let go of screws. It has a great deal of bits too, 64 in fact. It pretty much covers all the phone and laptop screws you will encounter and even has some socket ones too. Nice touch." —Riboild

Get it from Amazon for $39.85.

Promising review: "Give it a cap and a costume, this is the only thing I need in the kitchen! I am often looking for tools that can replace the 30 others I have collected in my kitchen. I have used this to flip grilled cheese, stir red beans and rice, strain Brussel's sprouts, and taste sauce. I used the flat edge to cut onions that were too large once in the pot and scrape the bottom of the pan. The uni-tool feels nice in my hand, has held up fine in multiple dishwashings, and has allowed me to toss a few kitchen tools that have become obsolete." —Hiawhatha

Get it from Amazon for $8.

Between my phone charger, headphone wires, and keyboard wire, I'm constantly getting tangled in my web of wires at my desk. I'll be ordering a pack of these ASAP!

Promising review: "I feel silly raving about this, but it's SUCH a genius little product. I love that it come in packs of four - I thought it was overkill, but I'm using three just for my tv setup! Not only does it organize the wires I have hanging from my TV shelf, but it also wrapped up a coax cable I have that's like, comically long. Like twenty feet of cable! I just coiled it up into a circle, about a foot in diameter, and zipped this doodad around to hold it all in place and keep it out of the way. I would purchase this again in a heartbeat if I had more cables to deal with. It is THE best cable organizer I've ever seen." —Chelsea

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.98.

Promising review: "The care taken with every aspect of these pots is impressive. The packaging totally protected them. The color brightens my kitchen but most significant is how great a tool they are for cooking. Frying latkes this holiday season was easy, smoke-free and required a lot less oil than I ever experienced with previous pots." —Ann B

Get it from Caraway Home for $125 (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.) " —Michael E. Bradley

Get it from Amazon for $9.84.

Promising review: "Really like how it comes with secure packaging!!! The quality of the cheeseboard is great compared to a previous one I bought. It’s easy and convenient to cut the cheese and ham using their cutlery set. And I really like how the cutlery set is stored in a drawer under the display portion of the cheeseboard which prevents children from reaching it. The drawer comes out completely for easier cleaning to get rid of the crumbs. I’m also satisfied with the bonus items that comes with the cheeseboard. I can use the smaller board for cutting small items and using the kitchen set for cooking and serving. Would buy one more for Christmas gift!!!" —Ruijie Duan

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

There's even detachable mesh bags inside so you can scoop your clothes right up and into the washing machine.

Promising review: "It does its job. It was exactly how it was pictured. It's very well made and makes the bathroom look great. It has a nice flat top to put things on the hamper when it is closed. Unfortunately this hamper does not do laundry or put clothes in itself." —Chris T.

Get it from Amazon for $49.96+ (available in seven colors).

BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord has and looooves this ottoman:

"If you flip the lid over, it has a wooden base, so you can *also* use this as a teensy snack table. I recently got one of these for my new apartment to stash my candles and ~candle accessories~ in and it's pretty much become my favorite piece of furniture?? I use it to prop up my feet during work hours and sometimes if I want to eat on my couch I'll use it as a tray. It's also sturdy enough to sit on, if I ever wanted to have guests over and needed an extra chair. It was RIDICULOUSLY easy to set up — I had it done in less than 10 minutes, and probably didn't even need the directions. It also just looks so darn cute (and comes in so many colors that I'm tempted to buy another!)."

Promising review: "I was using a small foldable step stool in my bedroom to reach the top shelves of my wardrobe. But you know, those things aren’t pretty. It wasn’t bringing me joy, just begrudging utility. This ottoman brings me joy. It’s pretty, it’s lightweight so I can move it easily to use it as a step stool, and the storage capacity is perfect for things like my nightly moisturizers, my Kindle and journals, and other little miscellaneous things." —Monica N.

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in six colors).

I have one of these bad boys and I couldn't be more thrilled with it. My husband was able to adjust it so it's not too tall for me (I'm quite short). My bottles no longer sit in standing water. Simplehuman products never fail to impress me.

Promising review: "I’m really happy with these. I have one in each shower and they’re great for my particular issues that made normal shower caddies problematic. In one shower we have textured tile and the enclosed adhesive tabs work well for that shower. In the other shower those aren’t needed: the suction works well too! I’m so happy to have these now... I’ve been going crazy with the variety of cheap solutions I’ve tried to employ. Spend the money: soooo worth it!" —Acacia

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four sizes).

Promising review: "Power washer was delivered Monday, it’s Wednesday and I have washed two cars, cleaned driveway and sidewalks, cleaned back fence, and the work keeps piling up, everything I see now needs to be cleaned! This little dude does not back down, plenty of power and it's surprisingly not too loud. Soap dispensers work great, and the tips are easy to change." —Mar

Get it from Amazon for $160.81.

Promising review: "I highly recommend this product to everybody! It's very convenient and it takes up less space. I just sit it right on the counter in my kitchen and just grab it when I need it. It's ideal for everything — it's perfect!" —jennifer h.

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

I own and cherish this product. It's a dream knowing the "brush" is fresh and hasn't been intimate with the inside of my toilet prior to my picking it up again.

Promising review: "I've always hated the idea of storing a drippy, germ-filled toilet brush under the sink and this product totally solved the issue. The heads snap on and pop off easily without the need to touch them. Was very pleasantly surprised at how well the heads scrub the bowl, didn't expect them to be that durable. I originally bought one for the master bath and loved it so much I bought one for each bathroom." —Jessamine

Get it from Target for $15.79.

Promising review: "I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time." —J. Argueta

Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99.

You're only human if you don't know where your TV remotes are... ever. This contraption is perfect for storing remotes, house phones (if ya' have one), and even your cell phone if you want to really focus on what you're watching.

Promising review: "This remote control holder is the best I’ve ever owned. Not only is it elegant and attractive, it is nice and lightweight and has room for at least five remote controls, however depending on the thinness of the controllers, you could probably fit more in there. Since it basically just sits on a side table, I believe it’s made of quality material, and will last a very long time. It matched my decor perfectly, and looks exactly as pictured." —Nicole Cook

Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in three colors).

Each cord is six feet long and has three available plugs.

Promising review: "I have no idea why these are not sold everywhere. PERFECT for my room! I ended up getting this due to my king size bed being against a wall with only one outlet. I needed a way to connect my two lamps on my nightstand and this is absolutely, without a doubt, the very best solution to connecting my lamps and also not having all my outlets taken up. I recommend this to everyone! Also perfect for outlets connected to a switch to turn on and off both lights at the same time." —Ryan

Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in two colors).

Public Goods is a small business based in New York.

Promising review: "I love that these are natural cellulose and are less polluting to our environment. They work like a charm and look beautiful in our kitchen!" —Sheryl K.

Get four from Public Goods for $6.95.

I'm obsessed with candles, so it was a no-brainer for my husband to gift me this surprisingly super fun gadget for Christmas. It's really simple to use and charge, and it really works! I'll never have to buy another lighter again.

Promising review: "This is seriously the coolest device. It makes lighting candles a breeze. Yes, there is a weird crackling noise, but that's a super minor annoyance. It's a super intuitive device. Plus the lighter with the USB (included), charge for a bit, then pop it open and light ALL THE THINGS; well, candles. I don't know how well it lights cigarettes or whatever. However, for my personal intended use, it's awesome!" —Jee W

Get it from Amazon for $6.39+ (available in 12 colors).

I've had the pleasure of trying this olive oil and it really is worth the money! Yes, the bottle is pretty and looks lovely on the counter, but the taste is also fantastic! This specific version has nutty notes of green tomato and green pear and is ideal for enjoying on salads and in marinades. Brightland Co. is a WOC-owned small business.

Promising review: "The flavor inside of this olive oil is amazing, along with it being a beautiful centerpiece in my kitchen. Every single time someone walks in they ask about it. I went ahead and order the entire kit and have all of the different varieties with the beautiful gold spouts to go across the top for ease and elegance. Love this product" —Candice M

Get it from Brightland Co. for $37.

Promising review: "I'm sure if I knew more about science and chemistry, I'd understand how this stuff works — but since I don't, I'll just assume that it is MAGIC. If you care at all about your carpet, you need to have a bottle of this on standby. Over the years, we've used it to make numerous wine and red juice stains vanish before our eyes. The effect reminds me of the novelty shop disappearing-ink gag from when I was a kid.

Seriously, if you've never seen Wine Away in action, it's worth spilling a little Cabernet on your carpet just so you can see it vanish after a few spritzes. I honestly wouldn't believe how quickly this stuff works had I not seen it countless times with my own eyes." —DarthClem

Get it from Amazon for $9.50.

I've tried an array of these spices and can confirm they are all delicious. As someone who isn't a very adventurous eater, adding a little extra flavor to my dishes has helped keep my meals more interesting.

Promising review: "There's a lot of choices that can be used on meats, veggies, eggs, and as marinades. A little expensive, but I haven't found one I don't enjoy." —Claire

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $71.99.

1801 & Co. is a Minnesota-based, family-owned Etsy shop established in 2016 that specializes in family wall calendars, chore charts, wedding signs, and more.

Promising review: "I love it! I got it so fast after ordering and it’s perfect. I love the sleek design for my small home office space. I can’t function at work without a dry-erase board but couldn’t find any that would look nice in my office space, which is in the corner of my master bedroom! Having functional office space but not LOOKING like an office in the bedroom is challenging but this acrylic board is PERFECT. The black pen that comes with it has very nice fine tip and erases without a trace." —Dawn Powell

Get it from 1801 & Co. on Etsy for $13.46+ (available in multiple thicknesses and sizes as well as three hardware colors).

It can also work on toilets, tiles, and shower doors — anything that's been affected by hard water!

Promising review: "I’m impressed. I thought the container was small for the price, but a little bit goes a long way. It takes a lot for me to review, but this is worth it. Five years in the hardest calcium-filled water and this is the first cleaner to remove it. I’ve tried scrubbing, only to scratch the surface. Every time I fill the water and ice at the fridge, I’m impressed by the result. I could see this working best, right at first." —Joshua N. Dufek

Get it from Amazon for $18.99.

Material Kitchen is an Asian-owned small business that sells lovely kitchen products — they were even featured on Oprah's Favorite Things 2021! Additionally, 50% of profits from the colors "To Pó-Po with Love" and "Reimagine Justice" go to Heart of Dinner and Drive Change.

Promising review: "In addition to the size of the ReBoard, I like the variety of color choices and that the boards are made of recycled materials. Plus, they’re light in weight. I have given them as gifts to several people and everyone has liked them!" —Reshma S.

Get it from Material Kitchen for $35 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "The desk seemed to be exactly what I was looking for in terms of design and price. So when I received it, I was delighted with how nice it was. Assembly was a breeze, and I'd say it took me a half hour to put together. I can easily fit my two large monitors, as well as laptop, keyboard, etc., on it. The height range is more than ample. And most importantly I am already feeling the positive effects of standing during part of my workday." —Twild78

Get it from Amazon for $159.87+ (available in three sizes and seven colors).

Promising review: "I expected to be happy, but I'm thrilled! Each mat is pliable and fits the entire width of my standard oven. When the mat is against the back wall, it extends up to but not over the front lip of the floor. On first use, pizza cheese and sauce dripped onto the front edge of the mat and onto that uncovered lip. The baked-on cheese and sauce slid right off the mat! Effortlessly! After I cleaned up the lip, I layered a second mat to cover the lip. These mats are so great that I almost want food to drip on them so I can show off how wonderful they are." —Artset Outset

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.99.

BuzzFeed editor *and* zoodle-lover Emma Lord is obsessed with this gadget:

"I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I've started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it's very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you're ever portioning things out for a recipe."

Promising review: "LOVE THIS. I absolutely love this. So far I've used the thicker spiralizer, two of the grater things, and then the juicer. I love how easy this makes keeping everything together. And it's sharp so it actually cuts through things without you needing to work super hard to do it. The only thing I don't love is that the spiralizers are a bit hard to clean, but I guess that's with all of them? Not sure, this is the first I've owned. But, overall I'd recommend it :)" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.98.

Promising review: "I really like this scrubber. I use it to clean my shower all the time. I fill it with a little bit of vinegar, dish soap, and water and it works wonders. I love that I am able to just hang it in my shower. A lot of scrubbys that I've had in the past I haven't been able to do that with and it makes it hard to keep track of them. It's also really durable. It's fallen a couple of times and still doesn't have a scratch on it. you can also scrub really hard with it and not bend the bristles." —N.Nelson

Get it from Amazon for $6.47.

Comma Home Goods is a small business based out of Oceanside, New York (my hometown!!!) that sells delightful linens and bedding.

Get them from Comma Home Goods for $75+ (originally $94; available in Queen and King sizing and three colors).

My husband found this online and was absolutely blown away by the technology. This tool connects to an app on your phone, allowing you to problem solve without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money. He's used it multiple times throughout our first year as homeowners to look into heat ducts, down drains, inside walls, etc.

Promising review: "This camera works so well it’s almost a joke. An overhead light in my boat’s cabin had severed wire. The hole to access the wire is not even 1/2” in diameter, and the gap in the ceiling is only 2” tall. Adjusted the semi rigid cable, located the severed wire, went back in with the hook attached, and voila!" —the family cook

Get it from Amazon for $27.89.

There is NOTHING more irritating than gnats or any other tiny insects invading your home. I have these Sticky Stakes in every potted plant I own and they actually really work! Each pack comes with seven traps, so feel free to stock up.

Promising review: "Holy cow these suckers work! I'm so grossed out by the result, but at the same time I have a sick sense of satisfaction. I used these in my house plants that are breeding fungus gnats like crazy. I used them in conjunction with beneficial nematodes, and they definitely cut down on the number of gnats in our house. Unfortunately I added a new house plant, plus repotted one that had outgrown its prior home, and we are wrapped up in them again. I'm buying another package of sticky traps as soon as I finish this review!" —Megan

Get them from Amazon for $5.99.

Promising review "This cutting board style wood cookbook and iPad stand holder is very nice! I like the style and the convenience of having it in the kitchen. It doesn't take up too much counter space and works very well for my cookbook." —Jynnifer

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in three styles).

I purchased these for my baby's room and they've been fantastic! They coordinate perfectly with the theme of the nursery and do a great job keeping the light out so he can properly take his naps. What more could ya want???

Promising review: "I loved that these curtains made our master bedroom darker. Perfect for sleeping in and for afternoon naps! It felt a little cooler, but I don't know if that's just because it was dark and my brain was playing tricks on me. These do not do any noise cancelling so you'll still have to get earplugs for that. All in all I think they're great!" —Nicole

Get them from Amazon for $15.52+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors)

Don't forget to clip the coupon and score 20% off!

Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy. Added bonus? Grampa's Weeder is a small business!

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 weed 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 on Amazon for $39.99.

Promising review: "I gotta say this is the best sharpener I ever bought in my whole life. I got it today and brought it to work. I work at a Japanese restaurant as a sushi chef and I sharpened it at work and, wow, my knife was as sharp as a samurai sword! Even my coworkers were surprised and asked me to order one for them. Thanks for the product! Now I don't have to use the stone or sharpen rod that much anymore." —Rodrigo

Get it from Amazon for $9.22.

Check out our full review of the KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener.

I have this cute little measuring tape and it definitely gets the job done! It's an added treat that it just looks pretty sitting on my desk, hehe.

Get it from Rifle Paper Co. for $18.