buzzfeed Press
45 Problem-Solving Products That Will Make You Feel Like The Most Accomplished Human On Earth
Images
BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More You’re about to reach new levels of smug when this holy grail “jelly bra” and this foaming drain cleaner make some stubborn issues just *poof* disappear. As a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed, I specialize in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and my beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” My work has been featured across lifestyle and writing publications during my ten years in the digital media space, including Bustle, HuffPost, HelloGiggles, and The Washington Post. Skoy is a small business that specializes in household cleaning products. Promising review: "At 67, I can say I’ve tried all kinds of different scrubbers, and these are definitely the best. These actually work better than Magic Erasers. They don’t hold food like the common ones at the market. They haven’t held any stains so far, they just rinse off, and are eco-friendly but last forever. I’m still on my first one after eight months, and it looks like new. I’ve put it in the washer but not the dryer since they dry fast — and by the way, they don’t stink. This is my second order because I’m bringing a couple to my second home, and I’m going to include one in my camping gear as well. I’m definitely impressed." —SoCalToyotas Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in multipacks and in black and white). Promising review: "I really like this trash can deodorizer because it’s easy to install, and each of the two scents smells lovely. Remember, you get two different scents, which spares you from having to buy a second scent the moment the first one runs dry. Each scent smells deliciously sweet and nature-like (it doesn’t stir up our allergies). The scent is neither too weak nor too strong. Plus, on the practical side, the size is perfect, the adhesive lasts a long time, and the product delivers on its promises. It’s a great choice and an excellent value for the price!" —Lynne Texas Get two holders with two refills from Amazon for $12.34 (and check out all the other scent refills you can get here!). Promising review: "I was not expecting this brush to be so amazing. I usually use a Wet Brush, and NO MORE of that. This one doesn't pull when the Wet Brush did. Feels amazing on my scalp. Just a very refreshing brush to find. I would definitely recommend this to everybody that has a hard time brushing their hair (even kids), very soft, and the price is excellent as well. Love love love this brush. Would definitely buy again and again." —Katy Shoemaker Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors). Check out this TikTok of the Folex Carpet Spot Remover to see it in action! Promising review: “I have used Folex for years, and it works wonders on everything from spilled coffee, wine, and dog messes, without any chemical smells or residue. But my love for Folex grew so much deeper when I dropped a 32-ounce jar of salsa down the stairs. My husband took one look and declared that the stairs were ruined and would need to be replaced. I took a look, grabbed the Folex, and said, 'We’ve got this.' If you have children, pets, or are very clumsy with your canned goods, you need this bulk-size jug in your arsenal of cleaning supplies.” —Carobnty Promising review: "I have seasonal allergies and live in a dry home. I purchased this to help relieve scabs and pain from dry sinuses and frequent small nose bleeds. The gel stays put and does not drip. I was worried about that. The smell is very pleasant. I was busy with work, and a little over half an hour after the application, I realized my nose wasn't hurting! The scab had softened and I could move my nose without pain. I had to apply it again after about three hours as my nose started to dry out. This really works and there is no burning, dripping, or habit-forming medications." —Peggy Clo Promising review: "I saw this product on TikTok and decided to try it out for myself. The name doesn’t lie — spray it on, shut the bathroom door, and in a few hours, the shower is 100 times cleaner. Usually, I’ll let it sit overnight, and by morning, the visible grime on the shower is gone, including soap scum. I’ll usually let the shower water rinse the residue out, and then I will take a bucket just to get everything off the shower walls. It is a bit slick if you try to get in the shower without rinsing the residue, but otherwise it’s a worthy cleaning staple in my house." —Tara D. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two scents and two sizes). Promising review: "Works great! I saw a video for this product on TikTok, and knew that I needed it in my life. I love it, and it helps keep my new car looking clean and new!" —Alison Crawford 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: "Saved me from buying a new dishwasher! I have to admit that I was skeptical that this product was actually going to do anything. I’ve noticed my dishwasher wasn’t cleaning dishes very well lately, and I did everything I could to get it working properly again, but was ready to finally give up and buy a new dishwasher. I bought these tablets thinking they were designed to eliminate odors, but I was willing to give them a shot before buying a whole new dishwasher. I put one in the bottom of the dishwasher last night per the instructions and woke up to completely clean dishes for the first time in weeks. They look perfect. I don’t know why these tablets work, but they absolutely did, and I am a happy customer!" —B. Turner Promising review: "As someone who needs full coverage, finding a wireless option that actually lifts without digging in is rare. The cups are lightweight and molded, giving a natural lift. The sides come up higher, which helps with shaping and keeps everything in place. The fabric is SO soft and breathable. It also has a unique back design with a lot of hooks, and that makes it feel very secure. When I saw the back, I thought it might feel bulky, but it lies flat and smooths the whole back area. It also stays invisible under clothes." —Connie Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $31.49 (available in two colors and women's sizes S–4X, or 30C—46DDD/F; check the size chart on the product page for your best fit) Promising review: "I have owned this scrubber for a while now and waited to review to assess its durability. It hasn't disappointed. I frequently use cast iron to cook and take great care in keeping it clean and seasoned. This scrubber is great for getting up those stuck-on bits and pieces for high-temperature searing. With hot water, most of the time, it is all that I need to clean up the pan. On occasion, I'll add salt to the pan with a bit of hot water and scrub when more is needed to get it clean. I bought another for my son, who has commented on its effectiveness in cleaning up caked-on bits. It is a solid purchase for the price point as well." —Don Lomas Promising review: "I was very skeptical about this product. I thought it was another celeb 'paid and promoted' kind of thing. I use it as a mask only on and around the T-zone. It greatly reduced whiteheads and blackheads! It’s a miracle! Usually, I could feel the whitehead bumps. It now looks so smooth and clean! I've used it four times so far. Don’t leave it longer than recommended if you are using it as a mask. I felt my skin getting dried out." —solemia2 Promising review: "This oven cleaner works very well and removes grease and burned-on food with minimal scrubbing. I like that it is fume-free, easy to apply, and the pro-size can last a long time. Great product for deep cleaning." —Yaini Brigeo Promising review: "This product actually works! Very affordable, too. There are a lot of expensive teeth whitening products out there, but why spend extra money when you don't have to? Definitely worth trying!" —Mona L Cureton Promising review: "This is perfect for anyone and everyone. I found it when my body wash, a sensitive-skin, fragrance-free product for babies, was no longer available, and initially despaired of finding something as gentle yet effective. I had confidence in Cetaphil products from way back in my teen years, finding Cetaphil to be one of the very few products that managed teen hormone acne without drying the skin. This is it, tops in gentleness, effectiveness, and is so concentrated that the bottle will last a long time. It's truly hydrating as well, so you don't feel dry after drying off. I highly recommend this product." —SusanK25411 Promising review: "This is by far the best glass cleaner I have used. Wonder has no chance against this spray. I'm not sure why I haven’t found this sooner. I will never go back to regular Windex spray. Recommend it!" —Hadassah E. Get a pack of two from Amazon for $4.74. Promising review: "After moving into a house owned by older adults, a lot was neglected. Feeling overwhelmed by the hard water left in our shower, I avoided it for months. After watching TikTok, I found this product recommendation, and MY GOD did it change my life. It is SUPER messy, so wear gloves, and it’s easiest to squeeze on a paper towel, apply, and then scrub with a wool scrub after. But once you figure out the flow, boy, does it work!!!" —Alicia I owe my life to these pens!! My infant son and I share a room when we stay at my parents' house, which is all fun and games until I try to sneak into bed after he's already gone night-night — only to have the door let out an unholy SQUAWK when I shut it behind me. Half the time, he would wake up, and chaos would reign. But my dad had one of these handy and got the squeak taken care of in just a minute! (Now if only WD-40 could sleep train the baby for all the other times he wakes me up in the middle of the night ... ) 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. This shampoo was designed to work for sensitive scalps, color-dyed, and chemically processed hair, as well as for all hair types and textures, with reviewers with 3b–4c curls mentioning it worked for them. Promising review: "I was hesitant. I have been dealing with dandruff for almost 10 years, fortunately, not that heavy, but enough where it was embarrassing. I tried everything. Leave-in conditioner, tea tree oil, Head and Shoulders, etc. One brand did work for a couple of days, but that's it. But this product has worked EFFECTIVELY. Dandruff-free for two months so far. It can leave your hair feeling a little dry, so just use conditioner, and it will balance out. If other products aren't working for you with dandruff, I can confidently recommend this one." —Martin C. Promising review: "This product, my drill, and the flat sponge type cleaning pad were the only things that worked, transforming this very dirty tub into cleaner than clean. Very little muscle power necessary. A little goes a long way. It takes off the worst of things and leaves a kind of ceramic coat behind. It’s amazing." —Glinda Promising review: "Worked very well in my dry, cracked heels. I have very sensitive skin and didn’t have any issues at all." —Tracy C Y'all, this stuff is no joke — you can check out the earwax removal kit customer reviews to see the GOBS it is taking outta people's canals. Promising review: "My right ear has been plugged up for months. I squirted warm water in there, peroxide, tried various ear scraper tools, then just gave up. A month or so later, I saw this product at a local CVS and gave it a try. Laid on the couch with several drops in my ear for half an hour. I could hear weird fizzing noises. Then I flushed warm water in my ear with the included soft bulb syringe, and out came the culprit. Had to have been deep in there." —fixitforgood Get it from Amazon for $7.18 (also available in a two-pack). Check out a TikTok of the Prepara Salad Pod in action. Promising review: "An awesome invention. I take salads daily to work, and it’s so convenient. Also the dressing at the top makes mixing salad so easy." —Adrienne Williams 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: "This was the perfect solution for a busy mom like myself. I have three little ones, and every day there is a mess of some sort in the backseat. It saves time and money to not have to go to a carwash place and keep feeding the machine. It’s simple to use and a great size. Wish the suction was a little better, but for the price and quality, I can’t complain. It’s a must!" —Amazon Customer "TikTok made me buy it. I NEVER leave reviews, buttt I was surprised at how well and powerful this vacuum was! And it wasn’t loud. 10 out of 10 recommended. Go buy it and try it for yourself." —Jessica D. Williams Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in two styles). Promising review: "TikTokers have done it again. This was one of the products on Amazon that a person could not live without, stating all-day freshness. It's true, I cannot believe it. The taste isn't strong. It does not burn at all. It keeps my breath smelling fresh all day, no matter what I eat. This brand will be a new staple in my bathroom and morning routine." —Zac Check out a TikTok of the Therabreath toothpaste in action. Promising review: "Actually, a game changer. I didn't think anything could help my fiancé. Between all the gum, mints, floss picks, dentist visits with no problems found, I SAW THIS. It's not exactly the prettiest or aesthetically pleasing for any bathroom, but man, does it work. It took like three weeks using this, and even morning breath was so much more tolerable. I never thought I'd write a review for toothpaste, but if you or your partner or kid has problems with seemingly no solution, switch it out. Tastes just like normal mint, but is an absolute game changer. Don't let the three-week period turn you off, I promise it's worth it. You've survived without it, battle's almost over." —Shelby Minin Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about it: "I've been using the whitening toothpaste for a few weeks now, and my mouth just feels CLEANER without feeling like I'm a dragon blowing mint-flavored flames. It seems to deliver the same whitening power as other formulas from household-name brands. But what I love the most is that it's *much* easier to scrape my tongue after because there's less gunk *to* scrape and what's still there to scrape seems to be significantly loosened. Gross but true!" Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.58. Promising review: "Confidentiality is everything in my line of work. I put this in my conference room near the door and set it to a low volume — just enough to mask conversations without being noticeable. The wall plug design means it's always ready, no batteries to replace. Sound quality is excellent — soft and ambient, not mechanical. My clients feel more at ease knowing their privacy is protected. Additionally, I have bought a second one for home use. I'm a very light sleeper, and have found this white noise machine to be an immense help in getting a good night's sleep. It has 30 different sound settings from white noise to nature, something to soothe anyone, plenty of volume, and a built-in direct wall plug. It also comes with a long USB cord, if you don't have a plug nearby. It also has a dimmable night-light. Because of its small, compact size, it's also great for travel, easy to pack, and take to a hotel/Air B&B, I've always got the soothing sounds I need to get some sleep." —Val Promising review: "I had had it with my broken basic mop and bucket. I tried to just get a dollar store Swiffer to get us by, but that wasn't cutting it at all. With three boys and a dog that makes his rounds on all the furniture and every exposed corner, I had to do something. After seeing a TikTok where a woman demonstrated this mop to clean her walls, and hearing my boss raving about it, I decided to click the Amazon button. Let me tell you, I HATE cleaning, I HATE mopping, but I LOVE for things to be clean. I was able to mop the entire house TWICE (Because it was that dirty. Please don't judge.) within an hour." —Molly Joesoef Skin Care is a small business that specializes in anti-acne skincare products. Check out a TikTok of the sulfur soap in action. I've had hormonal acne on and off my entire adult life and tried so many things that didn't work that I just accepted that I'd have to deal with it forever. I came across this product while writing a BuzzFeed skincare post a few years back and tried it for myself. I have gotten like, maybe ten zits since then (and I'm not even sure if they count, because it was when I was pregnant). I use this once a day at night and follow up with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer and the combo made my hormonal acne vanish! Promising review: "I recently saw a dermatologist talk about those clogged pores on and around your nose. If they are of uniform size, they aren't blackheads. She suggested using a sulfur soap to get rid of or minimize those stubborn clogged pores. This has a slight sulfur smell, it is not overwhelming, and it disappears when dried. It works! My pores are much smaller. After applying and drying, moisturize." —Sandy G Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in multipacks). Promising review: "Very nice sound and light, and easy to operate. I love the light settings that look like flames dancing. Bluetooth sounds good too! The sunrise feature works well and actually makes waking up easier." —Nathan Promising review: "Earlier this week, my dentist advised that I get a bite guard. The cost was $700, but I could have had one for $500. I decided to try a less expensive alternative. I purchased these and woke up this morning pain-free. They are comfortable, and I had no problem falling asleep. Pain is gone, and I saved $500. I would say that's a win-win." —Charles Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $16.99 (available in larger packs and with included dental floss). Promising review: "Been using this for a few weeks now and it's become a permanent part of my morning routine. Does exactly what it's supposed to — it clears the coating off your tongue quickly and effectively. Feels sturdy, easy to clean, and doesn't take up any space. Noticeable difference in breath freshness throughout the day. Wish I'd started using one of these years ago. Good product, no complaints." —Derek Timko Promising review: “AMAZING!!! I followed the directions exactly and saw results within a week! My big toe has been in bad shape for about eight years. It is quickly changing the color of my toenail back to normal, my nail is becoming thin again, and the curve in my nail is moving back to its normal position. I HIGHLY recommend this product! I can’t wait to see the final result once I complete the process. Don’t hesitate, JUST GET IT!!" —Mariaelena Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (also available with nail files). Promising review: "This set of shoe washing bags turned out much better than I expected. The material is thick, so the shoes don't move around, and the soft inserts provide a truly deep clean from all sides. I especially liked the self-locking zipper, which prevents anything from opening during the wash cycle or getting tangled with other items. I tried washing sneakers and lightweight trainers both times. The results were excellent, leaving the shoes looking like new. After drying, the bags retained their shape and looked like new, so they'll definitely last a long time. A great accessory that saves time and takes care of your shoes." —Amazon Customer Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors). Powerstone Pumice is a small business that specializes in home cleaning products. Promising review: "I have never been so happy about a purchase before, and this did it! We went away for a week and came back home and saw stains in all of the toilet bowls. I researched, and it’s from hard water or something like that. I’m so glad I [tried this] because this saved me so much money and time on finding a solution that works miracles. I didn’t even need to scrub hard. Just rubbed it on the stains a couple of times, and I was done in less than five minutes for each bowl. I highly recommend this product!" —Selina B Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (also available in a pack of two and four). Promising review: "I didn’t understand how this tool was going to work, but I saw a TikTok where someone used it as part of their everyday cleaning routine, and my curiosity got the best of me! And wow, oh wow, am I glad I did! The area has to be big enough to pull it back and forth, so it’s ideal for couches and beds, and other furniture. It is so easy to empty too, and oh so satisfying to see what you picked up with it! Now I want to try the handheld version for clothing!" —Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors). Angry Orange is a small business that specializes in home cleaning products. Promising review: "I love love love this product! This is a game changer for me! Since I've been using this, my friends and family have commented on not being able to smell dog urine in my house! I sprayed this in my son's bedroom and let it sit while I got my shampooer ready! It's been three weeks since I shampooed his room, and I haven't smelled urine even once!" —Jennette MIles Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in four sizes). Promising review: "I don't know what it is about these, but putting one down my sink and watching the foamy bubbles come up is SO satisfying. Really scratches an itch that I didn't even realize I had. I read about these in some article about popular products on TikTok and wanted to try them because my garbage disposal had not been smelling super lately. They did not disappoint! Super easy to use and leaves the disposal smelling fresh." —Liz R. Check out a TikTok of the Dawn Powerwash Spray to see it in action! I've lived on my own for a long time now, so even when I've had a dishwasher, it's made more sense to wash individual dishes and put them away. This stuff is SO quick and effective at clearing up grime and burnt and caked-on food (I am an AVID eater of burnt cheese). Now that I'm a mom, I love this stuff even more — Dawn Powerwash is surprisingly great at getting spit-up stains out of furniture and items I can't put in the washing machine (like the mesh on a hand-me-own Snoo!). A lot of parents swear by it for getting poop and food stains out of baby clothes, too. Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about this spray: "I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout food instead of cooking. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use I on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well." Get the starter pack from Amazon for $8.44. Bug Bite Thing is a family-owned small business established in 2017 that specializes in bug bite relief products. This works on mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, sea lice, and more (although TBH, if this list of bugs gets any longer I may just stay indoors forever!!). Promising review: "I cannot stress to you enough how much better this simple little tool has made my quality of life during summer in Ohio. It rains a lot. There are a lot of mosquitoes. I have horrific allergic reactions to mosquito bites. We're talking bumps swelling to the width of softballs within minutes of the bite. This tool doesn't make those bumps go away, but it stops the itch IMMEDIATELY. I was a huge skeptic; how could a little suction cure this agonizingly itchy allergic reaction? I'll be honest. I still really don't know how it does, but it provides instant relief that no pill, cream, or injection ever has ever achieved for me. If you live anywhere where insect bites are common, you need to own one of these." —Customer Promising review: "As a busy mother who frequently struggles with stubborn car seat buckles, I find the UnbuckleMe Car Seat Buckle Release Tool to be an exceptionally well-designed and practical accessory. The tool reliably disengages buckles with a single, smooth motion, eliminating the need to pry with my nails and allowing me to maintain my manicure without compromise. Its compact form includes a secure attachment point for keys, so it travels with my everyday carry rather than getting lost in the diaper bag." —Jen M. Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in six styles). I bought this like a decade later than I should have, and it is as miraculous as everyone says. I am a chaos demon with four different sets of cutlery mashed together that took up way too much room and were too disorganized, since they were different shapes. This streamlined them all in an instant and got me half my kitchen drawer back — and I'm in NYC, so every bit of room counts!! Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about it: "I have VERY narrow kitchen drawers in my NYC one-bedroom apartment kitchen — only one of which I can fully pull out — and buying this organizer for it has transformed it. I'm able to safely reach in and grab whatever I need (like a manual can opener for tuna salad or a mini whisk for a hot chocolate) without having to sift tools around." Promising review: "TikTok has done it again and made me spend money on unnecessary things. However, it was definitely worth it! I love the durability and space it saved me. Compared to larger and bulkier flatware organizers. Hands down, good purchase!" —Sierra Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three styles). Promising review: "They work great, look cute, and make me feel pretty. I’ve been buying these for over a year now, and I’m always happy to recommend the brand whenever people ask about the little stars on my face. I like the different colors. I get to match them to my outfits. Other brands usually charge an absurd amount for a few puny stickers that barely do anything, but these patches actually pull gunk out and leave the blemish looking much better afterward. It’s kinda gross, but super satisfying. Totally worth the money, and it’s more than earned my praise." —Fredric M. Get a pack of 240 from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 11 styles). Promising review: "The power of the hair identifier's spray is unmatchable. Once you spray in any direction that has hair, it automatically identifies the hair that needs to be removed. It is easily sprayed on and easily wiped off. No extra residue. Comes with four blades, and I say these blades are soft, gentle, and yet get the job done. Not sure why no one ever thought of coming up with a hair identifier spray. Great value and smells like baby powder. Great quality." —Karine 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.
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.