We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
It turns out you don’t have to accept moldy bath mats.
1. An inexpensive baby gate to keep your waddling toddler safe from areas they shouldn’t have access to. “Babies don’t belong on stairs!” you say cheerily as you lift your kiddo and open this gate easily with one hand thanks to its lever handle.
Make sure you double check the dimensions of the space you plan on putting the gate before ordering to make sure you get the proper fit!
Promising review: “Best gate I have ever owned. I have two small kids, a dog, and two cats. Plus, lots of stairs. I have gone through so many gates in the last three years. Most broke over time or came loose. This gate is worth 20 stars. Amazing quality. It has stood the test of time! reliable, sturdy, easy to use, easy to install. The gate swings both ways! That’s a HUGE plus. I feel so secure having it knowing that there is no way my kids or dog can knock it down or get over it. It is tall too. Buy this one. Coming from the girl who is the queen of gates. This one is one-and-done.” —L. Randall
Price: $34.99+ (available in two sizes and in black)
2.
A pair of lounge chairs and ottomans with adjustable backs for maximum lounging *and* storage inside the ottomans and matching table. Looking to save room when not relaxing? The ottomans can be tucked under the chairs!
3. A bamboo slatted bath mat that’ll create a spa-like feel in your bathroom just by placing it down. Wood has such a warming effect in any room, and this is the perfect way to incorporate it into your shower routine.
Promising review: “The material is great. It’s soft but flexible, so it feels comfortable to step on but also sturdy beneath your feet. I got a bigger size, and it actually pulls the room together, making my tiny bathroom look rather chic. Honestly, I think it’s great and better for the environment because I don’t have to launder it every week.” —JamieJo
Price: $35.99+ (available in four sizes, three colors, and a rollable version)
4.
A collapsible laundry basket so you’re not burdened by a huge, unmoving basket even when it’s not full. A true albatross!
5.
A classic patio umbrella with a tilty handle so you can get juuuust the right amount of shade as you while away the hours in your outdoor space.
This umbrella doesn’t come with a stand, but if you need one, try this one for $38 on Amazon.
Promising review: “I am truly impressed with the quality and sturdiness of this umbrella. Having a crank is awesome as well and I find it super handy that you can easily shift the angle. I sit at my patio table and paint with watercolor and mid-day had been impossible since it’s so bright. This has been perfect and I now can stay outside the whole day in peace and quiet. The only downside is it does not come with a weight for the bottom. I picked one up a generic 20 pounds one at Lowe’s that fits perfectly.” —Amazon Customer
Price: $39.99 (available in 15 colors)
6.
A game-changing power scrubber because it’s *so* much easier and more efficient than the old grimy toothbrush you usually use to scrub a minimum of one million times per inch of grout, just to make some headway. Voilà — “new” grout!
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed shopping editor Natalie Brown put this baby to the test, and here’s what she had to say: “This thing works small miracles: I cleaned about half of my bathroom’s grout to its original sparkling-clean cream color in 40 minutes, and it took honestly no effort at all. I literally sat on the floor, dipped the bristles in a Castile soap dilution (2–3 drops of soap + 1/2 cup of water; but you could use almost any cleaner of your choice), then lazily ran the scrubber back and forth over a 6-inch section of grimy, dark-gray grout — and it only took about 30 seconds for that grout to go from dingy to bright. I started by using the specialty grout brush, but then I decided to try it with the default brush, and that seemed to work just as well, IMHO!”
Check out her full power scrubber review.
Price: $17.38
You can also get a special grout-cleaning brush head that can be swapped in for the regular one for $19.98.
7.
A pack of LED-dimming stickers if you regularly find yourself disproportionately annoyed by the Wi-Fi router’s blinking blue light while you’re trying to get some shuteye.
Amazon
The stickers dim 50%-80% of the LED, so you can still tell that your devices are on and working.
Promising review: “This is the best thing you never knew you needed. I own a digital clock with the numbers displayed in red LED light, and every night I’ve blocked the light with a cover so it doesn’t shine in my eyes as I sleep. Silly I know, but I like my room pitch black and cave-like. On a whim I bought this product. OH MY GOD! Game changer!! For the first night EVER I didn’t have to cover the clock display before I went to bed!! I had no idea how big a difference this little dimmer could make, but I’m more than pleased with the result. I can still see the time display just fine, but now my room is a happy cave! The product is easy to remove and doesn’t leave a sticky residue at all, which can’t be said for most tapes. I did notice a slight lag in response when I covered my TV LED sensor, so if you’re trying to block something that actually senses inputs I would maybe not suggest this. Other than that, excellent product!” —Logan M
Price: $3.99
8. A can of fire extinguishing spray because it’s *always* better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fire safety. Pop one of these bad boys in your kitchen for a little peace of mind.
Promising review: “I bought one for beside the grill, one for beside the stove, one for the laundry room, and one for the car. I think the intuitive, easy to use design is fantastic. We already have the muscle memory for using a spray can. In an emergency, it’s so much easier to grab this and use it, and turn a small fire into a non-fire. I don’t have time to remember a three step method of fire control when my bacon has gotten out of control on the stove. I’m not a firefighter! I’d really like to have one in every room. Think about it. Isn’t it better to immediately contain a small fire than deal with a big one? This could save your life, and your house.” —K Zander
Price: $11.89
9. An Alexa-compatible 2-in-1 air conditioner to finally invest in after sweating it out. Reviewers also report that it’s nice and quiet, which is a relief to hear after witnessing some truly ancient, loud units myself.
Promising review: “I don’t usually write product reviews, but I am now because this is one of the best household products I have ever bought. This Midea U-shaped AC is an ingenious design that is basically a split AC system mounted in a window, with the window closing almost all the way through the middle of the unit. The result is a much quieter and more efficient unit, with the noisy part that generates heat on the outside of the closed window. It also looks sleek and modern and the remote control and app are great. I have thought many times ‘I wish someone would make a split AC system that can fit in a window without having to install separate units on the roof or wall,’ and now they have!” —Ben
Price: $339
10. An expandable garden hose because a good hose can be shockingly hard to come by. The Flexilla coils more easily than a traditional hose, is kink- and crush-resistant, and is overall a major upgrade.
Promising review: “Have used this for about three weeks, watering flowers, grass and washing cars. Have used it almost every day in some way or another. It’s very light, easy to maneuver, and doesn’t kink. However, I think that’s because I followed the directions on the box for how to unwind it for the first time. When I was first unraveling, it kinked in multiple places so I had to carefully unravel and lay it out fully extended before I even hooked it up to the water source. Has been kink-free ever since.” —Sean Cotter
Price: $11.81+ (available in seven sizes)
11.
A set of Swedish dishcloths so you can begin to phase out paper towels in favor of a more sustainable alternative. These are super absorbant, work on tons of surfaces, and are easily washable and reusbale.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I absolutely love these. For quite a while I have been frustrated with kitchen/dish towels. I find most to be not nearly absorbent enough, too large and awkward, and needing frequent disinfecting to avoid smelling funky. These towel sponges are exactly what I needed in a dish cloth. They are absorbent, just the right size, antimicrobial, and easy to clean! Add in that they are sourced from a small family business and I’m thrilled.” —NATHANIEL RIDER
Price: $16.25+ for a 10-pack (available in 12 color packs)
12. A jar of The Pink Stuff that has reached cult-status seeing as it can clean soooooo much stuff around your home. Stainless steel, glass, porcelain, and even your whitest shoes are about to sparkle.
Promising review: “I used this product for my stove because it’s one thing I dislike cleaning. I have used multiple degreaser sprays and they all are so toxic and don’t work for me. The Magic Eraser was okay but I used several at a time and I had to scrub so hard. But this product oh my goodness, legit a miracle. It doesn’t have any type of smell. I put the paste on a cloth, clean the area then wipe it off with a damp cloth and voilà, magic!” —May
Price: $5.97
13. A magnetic screen door to keep bugs and flying critters out without installing a whole second swinging door. Life is just better when your house isn’t accidentally filled with flies from leaving the door open.
Promising review: “We got this screen so our dog can go in and out freely without letting the bugs in. At first he wasn’t quite sure about going through it; in fact he scratched at it signaling us to open it for him. But after a few training treats he figured it out. Installation was so easy! The Velcro, fabric, and mesh all seem very good quality. I’m also happy that we can take down the screen in the winter and store away easily, then just reattach it in the spring. Very happy with my purchase!” —Crystal K
Price: $26.99+ (available in five sizes)
14.
A ChomChom pet hair roller, because although pets are the greatest, they come with some hairy, hard-to-clean consequences. After just a few rolls with the chomster — voilà — you’ve reclaimed your spot on the couch.
Promising review: “We live in a household that contains two humans, two dogs, and two cats. It’s a real Noah’s Ark furnished with a black sectional couch. Our dogs absolutely hate the vacuum. So much so they will attack the cleaner head with their vicious bite even before we power it on. This makes the task of cleaning our couch extremely unpleasant and nearly impossible. Thanks to Chom Chom, we no longer have this problem! With a simple, quick, SOUNDLESS sweep, we’re able to keep our couch pet hair–free in blissful peace. This tool does an amazing job picking up pet hair but not so much with crumbs. We were so impressed, we gifted these as X-mas presents for all of our pet-loving friends.” —AnonM
Price: $19.59+
15.
A no-scrub shower cleaner that requires so little effort from you, it’s astonishing. Just spray, leave it be, and enjoy the fruits of its labor.
Promising review: “I have no idea how people find the time to keep their house that Instagram ready clean. But with this cleaning product I just spray after a shower and spray it down with water the next time and it keeps it so clean. It is a little slippery when you get in the shower to clean it off, but I don’t care, it’s totally worth it. It’s so easy.” —whynotwritesomething
Price: $19.39 (available in two scents)
16.
An electric pressure washer to clean up your outdoor furniture, fences, sidewalks, and more. The results you get with pressure washing will make you swell with pride and inspire you to pressure wash basically everything you own.
You can use this pressure washer on outdoor cushions, wood decks, house siding, and so many other places. You can even fill it with detergent to wash your car!
Promising review: “I love this washer. It competes with my 2200 PSI gas-powered pressure washer, which in fact I sold to keep this. But doesn’t have the noisy gas engine or the heavy weight. Easy to move around, lightweight, and has great power. Very quiet. I love all the attachments and the different stream types. The soap dispenser works well. I’m cleaning everything, my deck, my house, the garage doors, the concrete slab. It takes off all the dirt and mold from the old concrete stairs and sidewalk.” —Tim
Price: $199
17.
An air purifier with a HEPA filter because who couldn’t use a little peace of mind when it comes to air quality these days? From smoke to pet dander, this little guy will help get airborne impurities out of your apartment, lungs, and life.
Promising review: “I foster kittens for a rescue, and no matter how often I clean the boxes, two or three times daily, and general cleaning, I still have an odor in the room. I got this product out of desperation. It was a good size and weight for kitties bouncing around. I am truly shocked and enormously happy with how it works! My husband was at wits’ end with his sensitive nose. He goes in there now and is astonished, no smell. We are getting another for the kitchen! The room is 10×10, and I use it on the two setting. I also enjoy the night light. Very helpful without disturbing sick sleepy babies recovering from illness.” —victoria Mohagen
Price: $89.99 (available in two colors)
18.
A Bissell portable carpet and upholstery cleaner to tackle the deepest stains in your home with veritable ease. The weird redish brown spot that’s been on your favorite chair for five years is shaking.
Promising review: “Bought this to clean a sofa we’ve had for 18 years. It’s too comfy to get rid of. I knew it needed cleaning but had no idea it was this filthy!!! Nasty! I went over some places two or three times until water I was sucking out was clean. I’m so glad I got it!!” —Shannon
Price: $164.79
19.
Some window screen repair tape so you don’t have to replace your entire screen if it gets a lil’ rip and your “No bugs allowed!” sign can stay firmly planted outside.
Amazon, amazon.com
BuzzFeed contributor Jonathan Mazzei owns and loves this tape: “I finally bought this because EVERY TIME I tried to open my bedroom window to let in a cool evening breeze, I got the added bonus of ending up covered in bites while watching an alarming number of mosquitos crash headfirst into my bright laptop screen. NOT TODAY, SATAN! It was super easy to stick this repair tape over the slits and holes in my admittedly very old screen, and now I can keep my window open without inviting all the mosquitos in the neighborhood inside for a midnight snack.”
Price: $8.29+ (available in two colors and four sizes)
20.
A set of string lights that are a staggering 48 feet long to make your outdoor space even more usable. Now you can transform your patio space into a private outdoor bistro for you and your pals to enjoy.
Promising review: “I am a big fan of lighting and ambiance. These made my rooftop terrace all the more charming and comfortable. I bought two strings for a huge deck and they fit great! All the bulbs came intact and all work so far!” —Shanna Cancino
Price: $35.99 (available in two colors and four other lengths and styles)
21. A set of new cooling gel bed pillows because even though you may want to hang onto your comfort pillow for as long as possible, they actually collect a decent amount of allergens and should be replaced more often than you would think.
Promising review: “I’ve become pretty committed to these pillows. I recently revamped my guest rooms and had some ancient pillows that I decided to upgrade with these bad boys since we have used them in other places for years now! Love them. Super soft, clean up nice, and stay cool. Highly recommend in both queen and king sizes! And yes, the queen size fits into a regular sham if you need to know!” —Ali Lytle
Price: $49.99+ for a set of two (available in sizes Queen/Standard and King as well as a memory foam version)
22. A scratch-free scraping tool you’ll be reaching for more than you’d expect once you look around and see all the labels, kitchen messes, and general goop that you’ve been ignoring without the perfect tool for the job.
Promising review: “The perfect handy tool for getting into tight places. It’s firm enough for a number of uses but it doesn’t scratch or mar surfaces. I should have gotten the five pack; I have so many uses for these things. I think the best use yet was cleaning the sliding door track. I finally could get into the corners to get the grunge out. A great invention.” —Miss Picky
Price: $11.99
23.
An all-natural toilet brush that’s 100% biodegradable thanks to coconut fiber bristles and a beechwood handle. If you’re trying to swap cleaning products for earth-friendly options without sacrificing effectiveness, look no further.
Promising review: “I actually love this thing more than one should love a toilet brush. I was skeptical at first. Very. But I also try to maintain a low-waste, sustainable home, so I was keen to try this brush. I hadn’t used it right off the bat because I was searching for the right container. So, when I finally used it, I was surprisingly shocked at how well it worked. It reaches along the underside of the bowl well and is more abrasive than you think. It feels very comfortable in your hand, and I find the shape perfect, as all brushes should be this shape. If you’ve made it this far, just go for it. You’re already doing a much better job even considering this brush as an option versus a plastic cheapie one. So go for it; you’ll be pleased. It’s not just more aesthetically pleasing, but it also works better than most out there. And trust me, I spent too long choosing a toilet brush for my new place. I mean, it’s a small thing but actually kind of important. So, I’ve done some of the legwork for you. I was torn between this and the Simplehuman one, but I followed my beliefs in something more sustainable, and it panned out really well. I’ll be ordering another one for my upstairs bathroom and recommending them to all the sustainable folks in my life!” —christina
Price: $11.99
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Lyndia Schroeder
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