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31 Problem-Solving Home Products That’ll Save You Money Around The House
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More *Future you* is about to owe *present you* a whole lot of “thank-yous.” I'm a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who covers a variety of topics from beauty to home to travel, while having a special enthusiasm for K-beauty, quirky (but useful!) trinkets, and all things luxe and aesthetic. BTW, the reviewer used the color 'Taupe' above! Promising review: "I have never been so excited about a slipcover. Total transformation of our couch and loveseat. I was worried about it not working on our leather couch, but it stays on really well due to the straps and the separate cushion covers. LOVE." —Brian/Liz Get it from Amazon for $35.49+ (available in five sizes and 13 colors). Promising review: "This reeded glass window film was very pretty when installed. Gave just the right amount of obscurity that still allowed in light but maintained privacy when viewing from the outside. I bought more of this and offered it to my son who is enjoying it at his apartment too. We used it on the bottom half of windows and kept the upper half of windows open, which was the exact problem this film solved. Lots of choices, too!" —Liza S Get it from Amazon for $5.60+ (available in 12 sizes and three styles). It features a programmable LCD controller with a heating and cooling thermostat and automated fan speeds. Promising review: "My home was generally too hot in the summer and a bit cooler than I liked in the winter. Now, with this product, the entire house is much more balanced — upstairs and downstairs. In the winter, after my HVAC system shuts off, the unit continues to run as long as the duct continues to put out heat. In the summer, the unit puts out cold air upstairs even though the HVAC system is off, making upstairs bedrooms very, very comfortable for an afternoon nap. Setup is not difficult. Best of all, my energy bill went down. I was concerned that it would go up since these units are plugged into a receptacle, but the units appear to be 12- or 24-volt units (low amperage). Bottom line, an outstanding product that I feel is well worth the money I spent." —Sharon Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two sizes and two colors). It's sleek and narrow, so it won't take up a ton of space in your room, and it looks surprisingly cool! It comes with a remote control so you can turn it on from your bed, and the LED lights turn off in sleep mode, so you don't need to worry about being disturbed. Promising review: "If I could rename this machine, I’d call it 'The Glacier.' Not only was it easy to put together-just attach the base. But the remote control comes with a battery and is ready to go when you plug it in. The fan is basically silent and keeps my room cool for those much-needed REM cycles. I wish I had known about this fan a long time ago. I’ve wasted so much money on loud box fans that just move heat around. Toss out your air conditioners and old fans. Best purchase ever!" —Elle Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two colors and with or without Wi-Fi capabilities). Promising review: "Complete miracle! I live in Colorado, and for years, I've gotten this burnt, dead area in my grass. I have tried everything on the market and decided to give this a try… I went away for a few days and came home to this beauty!!! Nobody could believe it!! See the before and after! I’m so proud of my curb appeal now. ;) Thank you!! Just bought another small bag for my backyard — yay!!!" —Debra Brennan Get it from Amazon for $20.43+ (available in three sizes). These under-the-cabinet lights are battery-powered and come with a remote that lets you turn them on and off, adjust their intensity, and set them to motion-activated. Promising review: "I just remodeled my kitchen and wanted lights under my cabinets to give it a cozy feel. I wanted something easy to install but effective. These lights are great! You can adjust the brightness and can even put them on a timer so they turn off on their own after 15, 30, or 60 minutes. They come with sticky tape to attach to cabinets, but I also added sticky back Velcro, and they have stayed on perfectly. The company sent me an email offering any assistance if I should need it. I absolutely LOVE them and would recommend." —LC Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in packs of six). It took most reviewers less than an hour to completely revamp their desk, and it was two hours *tops* for others (depending on how much space you're redoing!). Psst — If you pick this up, check out this reviewer's great installation tips for applying it to a desk! Promising review: "I do not have the money for a new vanity right now. Insert DIY project of covering my ugly pink bathroom vanity in marble contact paper. It looks 100% better, and it’s super durable. It’s a little tricky to work with at first, and then you get the hang of it. I’m buying more for my half bath! Update: My vanity still looks great a couple of months later! I decided to do my tabletop in my laundry room [above, right], and it looks great too! Tips: Make sure there is nothing on the surface, as bumps will show through with the tiniest of debris. Also, one roll is not enough; always buy more than you think you’ll need!" —Natalie Lamb Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in 10 sizes and seven colors). Promising review: "The countertop is just now starting to need (slight) touch-ups around the sink itself [a whole two years later]. I couldn't be happier with this product! "This paint can be a little tricky to work with until you get the hang of how it applies. My suggestion would be to test it out on a scrap or something prior to applying. Once I had it, this product was a breeze to work with. We recently purchased a new home, and we're not gutting our main bathroom until next summer, and I just couldn't live with that 1980s green another day. So, after reading a lot of tutorials, I decided to go for it and paint the counter. I LOVE how it came out! Once it was dry for 24 hours, I applied several coats of poly and let it sit for 72 hours before I let the counter go back into normal use. It's held up like a dream. I wouldn't use any heavy chemicals on it (but I wouldn't advise those period), but otherwise zero issues with it. "Side note: I see a lot of negative reviews on this product because it doesn't hold up for people outdoors. USE A SEALANT. Don't blame a product if you don't use it correctly." —Dogmom20 Get it from Amazon for $16.96+ (available in three colors). Just apply it in a circular motion over the hole or crack, dust off any excess, and paint over it when dry. Promising review: "As a first-time user, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to use this product. I didn’t have to go out and spend extra money on tubs of caulk and tools! You just take the stick and rub it gently in circles over whatever hole you want to seal. Wipe it right away with a cloth or a rag, and 20 minutes later, it’s ready to paint over! I was able to knock out my entire basement with over 50 screw and nail holes in one sitting, with one small tube. Super impressed! Will be buying more for the rest of the house!" —Anthony Sevins Get it from Amazon for $14.89 (also available as a two-pack). Each pack comes with 12 medium and 16 large strips. Promising review: "Command strips are my go-to for hanging anything. They are strongly adhesive. The quality of this brand is excellent because they are easy to remove without damage. Very functional product, from hanging artwork to hanging a ladder. Instructions are clear and simple, great value for this multi-pack" —Amazon Customer Get a 28-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in larger packs). Promising review: "I recently used this toilet sealing tape to give my bathroom a cleaner, more polished look, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! The tape adheres perfectly to the base of the toilet, creating a seamless and professional finish. It’s durable, water-resistant, and keeps dirt and moisture from accumulating in hard-to-clean areas. Installation was simple and hassle-free, with no mess or fuss. The bright white color complements the flooring beautifully, enhancing the overall aesthetic of my bathroom. This tape is a game changer for anyone looking to add a neat and protective barrier around their toilet. Highly recommended!" —Bethany Scott Get a roll from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors and three lengths). Promising review: "Used on eggshell-finish painted cabinets in my kitchen and dining room. They were dull-looking, even when wiped down and clean. After I used this product, they had a satin finish that gently reflects light. I used it on an oak desk, and it’s come back to life. Had always used paste wax on it. This is much easier to use. And the fragrance is phenomenal. No petroleum odor like paste wax. A slight citrus smell remains. It goes a long way as well. Recommended to a friend. She is as pleased as I am!" —Cass Get it from Amazon for $6.45 (available in two styles). Plus, these are machine-washable and come in so many colors that you don't have to sacrifice your home decor style for function! Promising review: "These curtains are awesome! They are simple and elegant. They are not heavy at all, and they hang nicely. They definitely block out all light. My home office desk is set up right next to a window, and I get chilly during the winter. These curtains have been a lifesaver by insulating the cold window from me. :-) And the price was great too!" —Nancy Sal. Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in nine sizes and 33 colors). Promising review: "Oh wow! I followed the directions and put that moist paper towel in with my cheese, on the bottom, and put some unwrapped and cut Jarlsberg wedge in it. I left for vacation and two weeks later came back, and it was still fresh and moist and not moldy! Huzzah! I'm MIGHTY impressed with this simple gadget. I hate food waste, and this is super helpful!" —Awesome Taste Promising review: "These work really well to keep deli meat and cheese fresh. They lock pretty tightly, which can be difficult to open for older adults or children, but I prefer that because it really locks out the air. They stack nicely in the fridge as well." —Suzanne Buza-Snead Get it from Amazon for $19.17+ (available in five styles). Each tile measures 12 inches by 12 inches. Promising review: "This brought new life to my super boring kitchen! This was much easier than I thought, and I was really worried about taking on this project, but I'm glad I did. Took me over three hours from start to finish." —Blood Agent Read the rest of this customer's in-depth review for some handy tips and tricks! Get six self-adhesive tiles from Amazon for $7.95+ (available in 12 styles). These renter-friendly beauties are fully removable btw! You'll just need to heat with a hair dryer to unstick the adhesive. For the full install, reviewers recommend: a level, sanding block and sandpaper, measuring tape, ruler, screwdriver to remove outlets, and utility knife or scissors. Promising review: "These are great and easy to install. You have to cut the first section. I did put them on a textured wall and have no issues with them peeling off. I made a mistake and had to pull some of them off, and they came off with no problem. They are sticky, so I did have to pull a little bit, no damage to the paint or the wall, though. You will need a VERY sharp knife and a pair of scissors. I used a metal carpenter's square as a straight edge, and it worked nicely. Nice upgrade to my little kitchen. I needed about 30 tiles, and I had to buy 40 for cuts and mistakes. You can't reuse the sheet if you pull it off. I found that if you have to cut the tiles, make sure you have the 'grout' on the cut, it makes it easier to align and hides small mistakes." —Tricia Hendrickson Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two colors, and in dozens more designs and colors on their store page). Each tile measures 12 inches by 12 inches. Promising review: "I redid my entire bathroom! We moved into our home two years ago, and our small main-floor bathroom had hideous orange mosaic tiles. We want to eventually gut and revamp our bathroom, but wanted to give it a cheap facelift. Floorpops made that possible, and it's a very inexpensive option! We used caulk to seal some of the tiny gaps and caulked around the tub and underneath the baseboards for a good seal. The tiles are not moving at all and have adhered okay." —Agnieska Get a pack of 10 tiles from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in two colors). Promising review: "I was very skeptical, but also figured for [the price], what did I really have to lose. I am beyond blown away. It was super easy to trim to fit and apply to our black dishwasher, looks phenomenal, is super easy to clean, and, while just a month into use, is holding up really well. I worried the frequent sanitize loads we run and associated heat might compromise the adhesion, but so far, so good. It has also fooled and then impressed many a family and friends who complimented us on our new dishwasher that finally matches the rest of the kitchen." —Amazon Customer Get an 18-inch-by-6-foot roll from Amazon for $7.19. Promising review: "We've been using Brita water filter pitchers for many years, and they've all been great! The reason why I've purchased this unit is only to replace our old pitcher for a fresh look and larger capacity. The difference between drinking tap water and filtered water is immediately noticeable, so based on years of experience, I can highly recommend THIS brand to everyone!" —MR. G. Get it from Amazon for $28.49 (available in five colors). Promising review: "UNBELIEVABLE!!! I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first, but after reading a few reviews, I decided to give this product a try. I unloaded all of the dirty dishes from the dishwasher onto the counter and added the tablet to the dishwasher as instructed. After one cycle, I put the dishes and silverware back into the dishwasher and ran a cycle. To say I was impressed is an understatement! Not only did the cloudy glasses become as transparent as new, but the silverware sparkled like new. To the manufacturer of this fine product: Please, never change your formula...it works, and I am very appreciative!" —Amazon Customer Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $19.95 (also available as a 48-pack). They work with top and front-load washers, including HE (high efficiency). Just place one tablet into the empty washer tub, select "clean washer" cycle, and remove any residue that may have been left behind. For non-HE washers without a "clean washer" cycle, select and run a normal or heavy cycle with the hot water setting. For HE washers without a "clean washer" cycle, select and run the largest load and longest cycle with the hot water setting. Promising review: "First off, the price on this is wonderful. I've priced these from different places, and this is the best price I've found by far. Now, to attest to how well they work. These absolutely get the job done. We had an older dog who was in the last stages of life and used the bathroom in (washable) diapers, and had accidents on her blanket. We also have a 13-month-old baby who had bouts of vomiting on everything at the time... not to mention all of the regular household laundry. So, suffice it to say, we had a lot of washing going on. The washer didn't have a smell, but it did need to be cleaned rather desperately. I did the best I could with various cleaning products, but this surpassed any attempts I made. With only one tablet, there were immediate results. The washer smelled fresh and clean, and looked brand-new on the inside. Our clothes were even cleaner after a wash cycle once we used these. I would wholeheartedly recommend this product, especially if you have babies and/or fur babies." —Pinkribbon20 Get a six-pack (six-month supply) from Amazon for $10.98 (available in three sizes). Promising review: "I use this for my everyday boots, as well as my dress shoes. I'm not always gentle with my boots, and I thought I had ruined them the other day (worn out color, scuffs all over), but I cleaned the muck off, gave them a brushing, then applied this leather honey, and after letting it sit, my boots look almost like the day I bought them! It keeps the leather supple and restores color. You only need to use a small amount per use!" —David H. Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes). Promising review: "These are incredible!! I like using the color feature in winter when it's drab outside, but once my gardens bloom, I stick to white. I have purchased these five times, and it's going to be six. I bought the first set two years ago and just purchased my newest set. I put the old ones right next to the sets I just purchased and had never changed the batteries on the original ones...they were still bright so I never needed to. They are beautiful!!" —mosey Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $42.99+ (also available in a two-pack and a six-pack). Promising review: "Between me (medium long hair) and my overly fluffy cat, a lot of hair and fluff was continually getting caught up on the roller brush of my vacuum. I dreaded vacuuming because it took so long to pull and snip the hairs wrapped up on the roller brush out with scissors. Not anymore! This silly, little, inexpensive thing works great! Super quick to remove all the hair/fur — in virtually a minute, then back to vacuuming with my lovely Miele vacuum." —MKS Promising review: "I could not resist ordering these — they are too cute! You get six wool dryer balls, and each has a different animal face (my favorite being the one that looks like a koala). They are well-made and come in a cloth bag to keep them in; however, I plan to just leave mine in the dryer full-time, so I don't have to think about it. "On the back of the card, it tells you how they source their wool and that the dryer balls are made by Nepal Artisans; I thought that was a nice touch rather than just getting something from a random factory in China. Since they are nicely packaged, they would also be a great addition to a housewarming gift basket. "They are so cute, you might look forward to doing laundry! I am glad I found these, so I won't have to spend money on dryer sheets anymore!" —JKGetts Get a six-pack from Amazon for $25.95+ (available in eight styles). These come with a Velcro-like adhesive that allows you to easily replace the filters. Some reviewers noted that when they removed the adhesive, it peeled the finish off their fans. Consider installing the filters with Command strips if you're concerned about that! Promising reviews: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days, the air smelled crisper and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" —Haylee Marez "We have these on every ceiling fan in our house and have noticed such a difference since installing them! There is less dust on our furniture, and the general air quality in our rooms has improved. There is no longer dust build-up on our fan blades. Super easy to install!" —Hannah McClam Get a three-pack from Amazon for $22.99 (also available in a five-pack as well as a "Pet Fresh" and "Ultra Fresh" style). Promising review: "Living in Hawaii you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt–proof, etc... In total I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adelia Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $77.48 (also available in three smaller sizes). Reviewers love this because it doesn't require you to "smart enable" other parts of your home. I need to get one of these for my husband who drags himself out of bed every morning to turn on his espresso machine. Promising review: "This is exactly what I was looking for and had no idea it existed until I saw someone mention it on TikTok! Our front walkway gets pretty dark at night, and I was frustrated with trying to remember to turn on the light every evening and off every morning. I looked into those light sensors you can plug in, but our front porch light is under an awning with enough shade that it would have kept the light on 24/7. This little Switchbot solved the problem. I applied it to the indoor light switch and set the time on my phone. It has worked perfectly ever since." —Alecia McLochlin Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in two colors and six styles). It's super quick to install, and one cartridge can last up to three months! Promising review: "I've been using these on all my toilets for 60 days now. My toilets generally get a hard water ring around them within a few days of cleaning. It was infuriating, and I found myself cleaning toilets literally two to three times a week just to get rid of that little ring around the water line. These were so cheap, so I bought three of them and OH MY GOODNESS THEY WORK!!!!!! I've had these installed on all three of my toilets for 60 days now, and from what I'm seeing, I should be able to clean my toilets maybe once every two months now. I am so happy. If you have hard water build-up issues, do yourself a favor and buy one of these. Try it on a single toilet first just to be sure, but I think you will be happy :)." —nima bean 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. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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