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Smaller surprises, though. Hopefully not stuff like "there's a person living in my crawl space."

You signed your name on the dotted line (OK, about 50 dotted lines from what it feels like) and you're finally sleeping in your very own home. Except you keep noticing things and understand *why* so many horror movies center around buying a house. (Though the folks in The Amityville Horror did seem to get a good deal...) Anyway, this story is to address problems popping up around your new home that don't involve googling exorcists. Think an industrial-strength mold remover because the guest bath seemingly gets NO airflow, or a vacuum for pets because the new-to-you carpeted floors just seems to lock in your precious kitty's hair. Read on for more product suggestions to help you feel more settled without feeling like you're settling for all kinds of problems. 

Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and the house toolbox." —BBP623

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $12.49.

You run your bath, add the cleaner, watch the gunk emerge, drain your bath, and then clean off the gunk!

Promising review: "I own a 400-gallon Rio Jacuzzi and I purchased this product based on the favorable reviews. I am a clean freak and I thought I did a pretty good job of cleaning my Jacuzzi. I must say that I put 8 ounces into my Jacuzzi, turned the jets on, and ran them for an hour. I was absolutely amazed of the crud and scum that was floating on the top of the water. I cleaned and drained the jacuzzi and repeated the process a second time. My spa is sparkling clean and I have already ordered another bottle. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT." —Dodger01

Snug Plugs is a small business that specializes in home improvement products. I had THIS very problem (as a renter) in the top socket in my sole bathroom outlet and one of these little things was a perfect, cheap fix!

Promising review: "I saw Snug Plug on TikTok and immediately ordered them. I have outlets at home AND at work that I couldn't keep anything plugged into because they're so loose. Snug Plug quickly and easily solved that problem and now I can finally have a phone charger in my den. Yay! I highly recommend this product." —KSay

Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.99. 

Psst, I use this with great success on my shower in my rental apartment!

Promising review: "Bought this because of the reviews, and I’m not disappointed. I moved into a rental house that had a dirty tub with those yellow ring stains. I couldn’t get on my knees and scrub them, so I was excited to try this product. It took three sprays with drying time in between, but they are almost invisible. But do be careful because the residue can leave a slippery surface, which the directions warn about." —Michele

The kit comes with one scrubber and two shower and tub lemon foaming Magic Erasers.

Promising review: "Wow! What a time saver. Once the magic eraser is wet and you scrub a couple of times on the shower wall, you can feel it start to glide once it cuts through the shower grime. My shower glass window is super clean, which is difficult for other products to do. I am excited to have a clean shower with minimal effort and in an all-in-one product. This will definitely be a shower and tub staple for my household!" —Kris

Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.

Promising review: "I have tried numerous products on my wood kitchen cabinets, and nothing has worked. You can see from the photos that they were in really bad shape. I applied this product and let it sit for 45 minutes before I wiped the cabinets down. I can’t believe how well it worked! If this didn’t work, I figured I would have to refinish or paint the cabinets because they looked so bad. I’m so glad I tried it! It has saved me a lot of time and money!" —nicole feather

Promising review: "I bought a house, and the kitchen cabinets were dull and had some minor scratches. I got one of those cloth gloves and put it on. I poured some Old English Dark on the glove and wiped the cabinets down. Wow!!! They looked brand new. Try leaving the Old English on for a few days and then wipe off the excess. You would think that I bought new cabinets." —MG

Promising review: "Worked wonders! I spilled nail polish remover on my nightstand. This worked like magic! Just rub lightly with the cloth." —JMac

Promising review: "I live in an apartment so I didn’t want to damage my wall with nails and all that. So I’m very glad to have heard about this product. It was so easy to set up, it holds the weight of my blackout curtain and curtain rod well. I even pushed down on it a little to see how secure it was and it did not break. I definitely recommend it for anyone who is renting to keep the walls damage free." —Alyssa

Get a set of three from Amazon for $17.95 (also available in other colors and styles). 

Promising review: "This is the second privacy screen I've purchased from Amazon. I have an area in my garden visible from the street. The screen hides all my gardening stuff (i.e. wheelbarrow, buckets, etc.). It truly looks like the real deal!!!" —soooz

Get a roll from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three roll sizes).

Promising review: "I am very happy with this reed fencing. The lovely brown color and tight weave with the string is so much better than ones I've had in the past that were weaved with wire that look shabby and horrible. These are a wonderful quality for the price to make putting up large sections of fencing more affordable. They are not completely private, as people have mentioned, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to see through a little bit, but they work great to give some sense of separation and privacy." —Lauren S.

Get it from Amazon for $56.09+ (available in seven sizes and two colors).

Pick up a sturdy rust-resistant curtain rod while you're at it! 

Promising review: "These curtains are AMAZING! Beautiful and elegant. Hangs beautiful, very light blocking, keeps rain out of our Tiki bar, we can sit out there in the rain, and keeps the heat in on a cool fall evening when we have the fireplace on!" —Sara Bushendorf

Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 16 colors). 

Useful Products is a US-based small business established in 2007 by car wash owner, electrician, and former bodybuilder Anthony LaPolla that specializes in drill-cleaning brushes and attachments. 

Each of the different brush colors indicates which tasks the brushes are meant for based on their bristle type, so be sure to check which one is best suited for whatever you need to for! Yellow is the “all-purpose” medium bristle, but some are softer and harder depending on what types of surfaces you’re cleaning (but none of them will scratch!). 

Promising review: "Superb. Had spent hours trying to scrub away probably years of dirt from the bathtub in my new rented place. Also hurt my shoulder in the process of hand scrubbing. This thing finished the job in under 10 minutes. Simple but genius." —David

Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I like this so much that I actually just ordered another one for under the bathroom sink. Not only did it tidy the clutter and make items easier to find at first glance, but also made it possible for me to store another few items below the sink, including the spray cleaners I use for my countertops. I didn't configure it around pipes (as I see can be done), but actually used the flexible shelving options to place taller or larger items directly on the floor of my under-sink storage — rather than on the lowest shelf (see last photo) — to maximize my storage possibilities and keep regularly used items accessible. I also didn't fully extend the shelving, just as suggested by the manufacturer for stability purposes ... and still found it offered ample storage. Easy to assemble, with some flexibility for shelf height and placement — highly recommend!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $22.87+ (available in three finishes).

Made from heavy-gauge steel and can store up to 36 cans of various sizes.

Promising review: "These units were easy to assemble. They felt sturdy. I love that they are made of metal and not cheap plastic. I'm considering buying two more, and going side by side and stocking up on can goods!" —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "Very awesome stuff. The bottom of my cabinets had a rough, crumbly texture. This is a great fix to keep the silicone pieces of my dishes from picking it up. Feels a lot cleaner, and it looks great! Highly recommend for looks and function!" —Kelsey Ware

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 15 sizes and 27 colors and patterns).

Promising review: "I really needed something to store my big pots and pans in the cabinet. I have other racks in which I have stored small- to medium-sized pots and lids, but for big ones, I needed something different. I just took a chance and ordered this. I was worried that this was going to be very flimsy. I was wrong. It's very strong. I have expanded the rack and put two big pots/pans on top and two big on the bottom. It's amazing how much space my cabinet has now. This is really a good buy." —Mrspjr

Get it from Amazon for $16.87 (available in bronze and silver).

Promising review: "I have very hard water that leaves hard-water buildup and nasty stains. It’s embarrassing to have guests over because the toilets are so gross! I have tried so many products and cleaning solutions — from natural essential oils to harsh chemicals so strong I was lightheaded for the rest of the day. Well, I tried out this pumice stone after reading about it in a BuzzFeed article, and honestly the hype is real! It does take some elbow grease, but the after picture is from only 20 minutes of scrubbing, light enough that I didn’t break a sweat! The stone does get used up, but I think this one should last me a couple of years at least. So if you have embarrassing toilets, try this!" —Stephanie Ray

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (also available in a pack of two and four).

Promising review: "No longer using chemicals for cleaning showers, baths, tile, toilets, etc. High-powered steam totally sanitizes everything! Highly Recommend!" —Kathleen

Promising review: "It’s a little hard to squeeze but that totally makes up for the AMAZING results. I was embarrassed about our tubs because the people we bought our house from didn’t caulk or seal them properly and this resulted in mildew buildup. I tried EVERYTHING until I saw this on TikTok, I believe — MIRACLE FREAKING WORKER. I will be buying more, the only complaint I will ever have is the shipping got mixed up but that is not a problem and was fixed very easily!" —Brooklyn Nguyen

Promising review: "I would give 10 stars. I did the old let the sink drip, so it wouldn't freeze. Obviously, lots of iron is now staining the new sink. Tried bleach, Magic Erase, Comet, just to name a few, and didn't touch it. My friend recommended this silly stuff called pink. Small dab without much pressure and bam, back to new sink." —LB

Check out a TikTok of the foaming pink drain cleaner in action. 

Promising review: "Wow! I don't think I've ever been more excited to use a cleaning product before. Who knew you could get so much satisfaction from a drain cleaner. I could probably make an ASMR video and post it, as it is that satisfying! Even though I had to angle this over my sink drain, to avoid the low faucet, it worked perfectly. The foam went down the drain and up through the overflow, bringing lots of black, yucky gunk with it. I have used lots of drain cleaners before, but not one that actually came up through the overflow. I'd never even considered what stuff was in there. It did a great job of cleaning everything out and it left the sink smelling fresh and clean as well." —Amazon Customer 

Promising review: "These babies have transformed and reformed my slobby life. My dog sitter thought I got a new sink and fridge. I have never had more fun cleaning in my life — wait, I have never had any fun cleaning. But these magical creatures make it so freaking satisfying. No toxic stuff. No fumes. Just heavenly cleanliness. These are also much, much bigger than Magic Erasers. I cut them in half lengthwise, and they are STILL bigger. And they are a ton cheaper. Buy these. I don’t have much of a life, but I finally have a spotless sink." —Jimmy Jim Ereeno

Promising review: "I got this because my mother has dementia and she kept putting away dirty dishes. 🤦🏽‍♀️ And believe it or not she has actually been using it and it definitely has been working! So I highly suggest buying this for parents or someone you know who has a similar problem!" —Raquel

Get it from Amazon for $6.92 (also available in black).

Also check out a version that's completely silver without the red or green for $19.95.

Promising review: "After using this product, I am happy to report that my $5 investment saved me over $500. I was ready to replace my dishwasher due to super cloudy glasses, residue, and dishes just not getting clean. Then, I became aware that the water softener was no longer doing its job so I had the rental company replace it. Dishwasher performance improved somewhat. I decided to do two more loads before deciding to purchase a new one. Then I saw a product test review for Affresh. I was ordering some stuff from Amazon anyway so I added that to my order. When it came, I tossed one of the tablets into the bottom of the full machine per the instructions and ran the regular cycle. I did not expect the results I got! The glassware that I thought was permanently etched and ruined came out like new. Same with cutlery. The difference is unbelievable. I will use this faithfully every month, as recommended. I can even put it on my subscribe and save order so I will get a new pack every six months. I am amazed!" —Sheila

Promising review: "I wish I had bought this sooner! Fit great, easy to use for all ages, and very convenient if you have little people wanting to wash their hands. 👍🏼 Would buy again, every time." —Choca

Also, built-up lint is a fire hazard! Make it a part of your weekly cleaning routine.

Promising review: "This is exactly the same type as the one used by the appliance repairman that repaired my dryer last week, easy to use inside the dryer filter holder as well as the outside vent." —ab

Promising review: "I bought a used front loader and it worked great but the clothes always smelled a little mildewy right out of the wash. I thought it was the design of the machine, but about five minutes of precleaning the front gasket with a washcloth and a brush, plus one run through with one tablet completely eliminated the smell. I can’t believe the difference. These are absolutely worth buying." —Douglas Croxford

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

Promising review: "I cannot believe how well this worked. I am a CLEAN FREAK, and my nasty bathtub would literally keep me up at night. I tried every product on the shelf, and nothing worked. I literally scrubbed until my fingers were raw and still got nowhere. I sprayed this bad boy TWICE on the mildew stains and now they are COMPLETELY GONE!! I am so happy, relieved, and thankful, but also mad that I didn’t know about this product sooner. I absolutely, 100% recommend, and I would give it 10 stars if I could!" —Mackenzie Mayock

"Works great as advertised and I have been a repeat buyer four times in less than a month!" —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "Saw on TikTok (don’t judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you’re left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." —Jessica Hamilton

"Great product!!! These are awesome! I have been a repeat purchaser." —T T

It can also be used to help discourage smaller animals from hiding under furniture!

Promising review: "The toy blocker does exactly what is says it will do. It sticks well to our laminate floor and blocks my son's toys from going under the couch. Only problem is I had to buy two in order to cover the entire length of our couch. I do have to say it was worth the doubled price so I would recommend the blockers to anyone who has kids or dogs!" —amanda c

Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in eight sizes).

Promising review: "We had a 2005 truck parked on our paver driveway for years. The area in the photo was thick with oil leak residue. I tried several products that didn't make any difference. But with the Pull It Out product, the oil is gone! You can see the stark difference in the photo, with the area that was treated and the area that was not. This goes on as a liquid. It absorbs the oil out of the bricks as it dries. Then I lightly scrub and hose it off, and voila! Gone! Even better, it's biodegradable!! I rarely post reviews for a product, but this product earned it. This is the best I have seen for taking leaked oil out of a driveway." —Robocop

SnapPower is a small biz that specializes in unique and innovative lighting products. 

Promising review: "I ordered this after seeing it on TikTok. I’m very happy with this product!" —Miss. Harris 

"Game changer. When I get up, I don’t want to wake everyone up with flipping on lights and all. These provide plenty of walking through the house light. Super easy installation, too." —Monica Martinez 

Get it from Amazon for $23.98 (available in three outlet styles and four colors). 

RNOONY is a small biz. Reviewers also like to take it on road trips so they can safely use it at parks for roadside meals or at camping sites. 

Promising review: "Great product! I bought it for my backyard picnic table. I think the table and bench covers are well made for the price I paid." —Maria

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and eight patterns).

Tulip is a small biz from Lori Smyth. Her inspiration? The drab lighting in a college dorm! Her innovative design requires no re-wiring, no power tools, no nothing! Check out the different styles and how easily they install via Tulip's TikTok. 

My colleague Chelsea Stuart has tried and loves this: "I just had a chance to try one of these and I am simply OBSESSED. I live in NYC in a rental and I have a really drab light in my kitchen that even an electrician couldn't get off of the ceiling without breaking... so I gave up on replacing it right after I moved in. Alas, fast forward a year and I found Tulip on TikTok! Instantly, I thought 1. This is absolutely genius and 2. How has no one come up with this before?!?!

"Installing" it (installing makes it seem way more involved than it is) took all of 10 minutes and that includes removing it from the box, Command Strip-ing the ring to the ceiling, and then popping the magnetic shade in place. (Honestly, the thing that took me the longest was fishing my step stool out of the depths of my junk closet.) Not only is the shade itself beautiful, but the diffused light is just so soft and pretty. I can't wait to get another one for my entryway!!!"

Promising review: "I have been searching for a paper lamp or replacement for my current apartment lights, but they either wouldn't fit or it would require too much effort that my landlord wouldn't appreciate. That's when I came across Tulip. I can't be more blunt than this — you literally Command Strip the ring to the ceiling and the shade attaches via magnet... seriously ingenious." —Oliver O.

What's included: Ceiling mount, Tulip shade, 12x removable tape, and 3x screws (as needed for textured ceiling applications). 

Get it from Tulip for $145 (check out other styles).

Promising review: "I love spending time outside, and we entertain on our patio, too. But when it's over 100 degrees outside, nobody feels like visiting. Until now!! I bought one and liked it so much I ordered another to cover both patios. They lower the temps to a more moderate level in just moments and don't use a 100 gallons of water doing it! I put mine along the top of our privacy fence and then put a fan in behind it and made it almost like having an AC unit outside. They're easy to put up and take down and come with convenient hanging hooks! I read the reviews people wrote about the heads getting stopped up, and they WILL, but as a plumber I'll tell you a trick to keeping them working like new: vinegar. Just remove the heads and soak then in a little straight vinegar then use a small bristle brush like a toothbrush or nail brush rinse them off and replace them in the mister tubing, and they should be like brand-new." —Sonya Combs

Get it from Amazon for $21.20+ (available in several pack sizes).

My colleague Sally Elshorafa invested in this tool and LOVES it: "After moving to the East Coast, I quickly learned that the stone pathways around my home are basically a spa retreat for moss and weeds. The cracks collect moisture, trap organic debris, and offer *just* enough shelter to help unwanted greenery flourish, especially with all the shade and rain we get. I didn't want my outdoor space to turn into a jungle, so I grabbed this tool and got to work. It's weirdly satisfying — kind of like flossing, but for your stone paths. The bent tip slides right into the cracks and pulls weeds out from the root, which helps keep them from coming back anytime soon. I've used it on my pathways, driveway, and anywhere else something tries to sprout where it shouldn't. The handle is comfortable, and it doesn't take much effort to use. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you've got hardscaping, you need this in your toolkit." 

Promising review: "These are great lights, we use them in our front and backyard. They are long lasting and create a resort-like appearance." —Michele 

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in packs of four or eight).

Promising review: "Where I live, it’s so dark and I have no outside electricity off my screened-in deck. I wanted lights for my stairs for safety and found these lights, which work and look great! They come with everything you need to fasten them to the stairs so they don’t fall off as well. I even bought extra and tested them in the event that the ones that are currently outside get damaged for any reason, and they are no longer sold. Definitely recommend for the price, nice and bright, and easy installation. Plus, they last all night long!" —Brooke

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in warm or cool white light and six pack sizes).

Plant Traps is a shop specializing in these planters. 

Promising review: "Exactly what I was looking for. Heavy duty material, better than expected." —Allison Froeba

Get it from Plant Traps for $33 (available in white or black).

It has three different brightness options so you can set *~the mood~* perfectly. It also requires AA batteries, so be sure to pick those up as well.

Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings, to adjust the amount of brightness you need. Lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. Brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. We decided to try and play outside. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan

Psst — this insulated strip also stops air conditioning from escaping out of the crack around the door, saving energy and money!

Promising review: "Product works really well! I needed a quick fix to my home office situation. I live in an apartment in Manhattan and never noticed how much sound comes in and out, until I had to be on conference calls working from home! This little tape made a big difference, took me a couple of minutes to install." —Sandra Revueltas

Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "So easy to set up! All you do is peel tape and adhere to a CLEAN and DRY door. Also looks great, I don't even notice it. I had a huge gap under my door. I could smell and hear everything from the hallway. Smells, drafts, and sound all are less of an issue now." —Brit B.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "We live in an old Victorian house and we were freezing, so I bought two packs of this and installed on a few of the really drafty windows. The installation part I found it hard. You definitely need two people. It's easy for the plastic to get stuck to the tape. But with two people it was much better. The tape has held up except on some areas where I cut the plastic too close to the tape, so it eventually pulled the tape off the wood. Looks great when you dry it with the hair dryer." —EM

Get it from Amazon for $13 (available in four sizes and two styles).

Promising review: "Adjustable, portable, and lightweight, this window screen is well made. You can paint the wood to match your window. Now I can have nice cool air circulating in the house during the fall and winter months in South Carolina." —Maria

Get it from Amazon for $14.93+ (available in 10 adjustable sizes).

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Elizabeth Lilly is a deputy editorial director with more than a decade of lifestyle journalism spanning a range of subjects under her (tool) belt that includes four and a half years at a home improvement magazine. So she has well-informed opinions on tubing mascara, but can also install a friend’s window AC unit before brunch. When she's not working, she's plotting her next trip (and how to pack carryon-only for it), catching the latest horror movie, picking up a stack of library books, or convincing friends to go see the latest museum exhibit. 

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.