Everywhere in your home, there are small irritants. A kitchen tool that’s bad at its job. A cleaning chore that’s harder than it needs to be. A light that’s too bright. A closet that’s too dark. A design decision made decades ago that damages your calm every time you look at it. Here’s the thing, though, there are hacks and tricks for fixing all of that. You might not know that a better tool, the perfect light, and a way to alter that ugly thing is well within reach, easy to install, and cheap. You know who does know? The hive brain of Amazon. Here are 45 home products skyrocketing in popularity on Amazon that work weirdly well.
This clever collapsible colander
Qimh Collapsible Colander
This collapsible colander fixes everything that’s annoying about the one you have. The expandable arms reach over the sink to hold it above the fray while you wash vegetables or strain water from the pasta. The collapsible body makes it easy to store in a drawer. And when the arms are retracted, a sturdy base stands securely in the bottom of the sink. Nearly 12,000 people give it five stars.
A drying rack that hangs on a door
Greenco 3-Tier Over The Door Folding Drying Rack
Hang this lightweight drying rack over a door and reclaim your kitchen, shower, or whatever surface you currently use to air dry delicate clothing that needs to “dry flat.” It gives you three surfaces for clothing to rest on and the mesh bed allows air circulation so you don’t have to turn sweaters over. “This is exactly what I needed,” said one reviewer. “The perfect drying solution.”
The laundry detergent solution
Skywin Laundry Detergent Holder
Turn that unwieldy super-sized bottle into an easy and convenient dispenser with this laundry detergent holder that keeps that heavy bottle at the perfect pouring angle until it’s empty. Just press the dispenser button and fill a cup. A strap and the molded edge of the stand keep the bottle in place. Rubber feet keep it from sliding about. And a cup shelf contains any spills.
A flight of stairs for the pups
Best Pet Supplies Foam Pet Steps for Small Dogs and Cats, Portable Ramp Stairs for Couch, Sofa, and High Bed Climbing, Non-Slip Balanced Indoor Step Support, Paw Safe - Ash Gray Linen, 4-Step
If your small pup struggles to get up onto the big-people furniture, set down this flight of pet stairs to make that easier. It will save you from constantly lifting your fur baby up and give the pets more autonomy. The stairs are lightweight foam with a grippy bottom and the cover is removable and washable. Choose from 16 colors and three sizes.
This trick for keeping the sheets on the bed
5 STARS UNITED Bed Sheet Straps (4-Pack)
Tired of remaking the bed every morning because the bottom sheet pops off while you toss and turn? These bed sheet straps secure it to the mattress to prevent that from happening. Just clip the corners of the sheet to them and run the straps under the mattress. “These clips actually work and our sheets stay on, even with all the tossing!” said one reviewer.
The laundry detergent that’s like a sheet of paper
Arm & Hammer Power Sheets Laundry Detergent
If lugging a heavy bottle of laundry detergent to the laundry room is the hassle you hate about laundry day, meet this lightweight alternative. Just toss one of these sheets into the washer and it will dissolve in the water, deep cleaning your clothes as the machine spins. Tear one in half for a small load. Also? No plastic bottle!
A paint pen you load with your own paint colors
SLOBPROOF Fillable Paint Pen (2-Pack)
Next time you paint, be sure to fill these two refillable paint pens with some of that color so that if a ding or scratch happens to mar your work, you can easily whip out a pen and fix it. The pens fill like a syringe and the paint stays fresh in the airless container for years, so these will be ready to fix what happens no matter when it happens.
This strange silicone broom
Original Broombi All-Surface Silicone Broom
This weird silicone broom is the super-effective and versatile cleaning tool you didn’t know you needed. The silicone blade sweeps everything from wet spills and crumbs in the kitchen to fur clumps on the carpet into a tidy pile that is easy to pick up. Then it wipes or rinses clean. “This innovative cleaning tool has proven to be a game-changer,” said one reviewer. “The fact that it excels on both dry and wet surfaces is a huge plus.”
A slick spotlight for your living space
XEBKOR Sunset Lamp
Wrap the flexible legs of this lamp projector around anything — or stand it tripod style on any surface — and create beautiful lighting anywhere. Use it as a spotlight to showcase a piece of art or area of the room. When a party happens, pick up the built-in controls to switch to party lighting, with a ton of colors and modes.
A handy box of dust-attracting cloths for *every* cleaning project
Arkwright Smart Rags in Box - (Pack of 50) 180 GSM Lint Free Cloths, Reusable Microfiber Rags for Cleaning, Dusting at Home, Office, Auto Shops, 12 x 12 in, White
This box of cleaning cloths is a must for your cleaning routine because the microfiber finish is designed to attract all of the annoying dust. You can sweep them over glass, metal, paint, and more, so you can pull one out of the clever box for all of your cleaning projects.
A pop-on outlet cover with a clever night-light on the base
Single - SnapPower MotionLight [For Duplex Outlets] - Motion Detecting LED Night Lights Built-In to Wall Plate - Bright/Dim/Off Options - Auto On/Off Sensor - (Duplex, White)
This motion sensor night-light is actually built right into an outlet cover, so it will look sleek on any wall in your home. This custom-looking outlet upgrade is also shockingly easy to stick on with the pop-on design that only needs a screwdriver to secure it.
This ridiculously soft heating pad
GENIANI Electric Heating Pad
When the weather is cold, curl up with the warmth of this heating pad. You will be cozy, even if the house is cold, which can save money on your heating bill. It has three heating levels, and an auto shutoff feature so you don’t have to worry that you left it on all day. Choose from nine colors and two sizes. “I absolutely love this heating pad,” wrote one reviewer. “It's inexpensive, warm, soft, and the controls are incredibly easy to navigate.”
These vines for decorating your walls
decalmile Hanging Vine Wall Decals
Get creative with your home decor by trailing vines around the bed or along the walls with these hanging vine wall decals. You’ll get eight sheets of leafy vines to use alone or combine with other elements to create a mural. “This was the perfect thing for my bathroom wall,” said one reviewer.
A charging station for all your tech
Charging Station for Multiple Devices,MSTJRY 5 Port Multi USB Charger Station with Power Switch Compatible with iPhone iPad Cell Phone Tablets (Silver, 7 Mixed Short Cabels Included)
Organize your phone, tablet, and gadget charging onto this charging station with enough space to power five devices in one small footprint. It comes with seven cables in a variety of plug styles to use with all your gear. And the removable dividers hold tablets and phones on end so they don’t eat up your desktop real estate. It charges everything super fast, too.
This display carousel for coffee pods
Nifty Solutions Coffee Pod Carousel
Turn the chaos of your coffee pods into a cute display that you can spin when you want to choose a brew. This coffee pod carousel sits on your counter looking festive and holds 35 K-cups so you can read them and choose the one that suits your mood. “This puts the organization back in my coffee pods and frees up space in our cupboard,” said one reviewer. “Love it!”
A dehumidifier that fits in the cupboards
Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier
Dampness is bad for so many things. This mini dehumidifier is the perfect solution for mitigating that moist environment right where it happens. Put it in a cupboard or pantry to keep dry goods dry. Set one in the bathroom to tame the humidity in there. Set it in the water heater closet to keep the mold from growing. Its humectant beads absorb moisture in the air. When it's full, the indicator turns green. Plug it in to dry it out and keep using it.
These vent deflectors so the AC doesn’t hit you in the face
Home Intuition Adjustable Magnetic Vent Deflector (2-Pack)
This clever magnetic vent deflector fixes so many problems with your heating and cooling system. When a vent is placed so that it blows on your desk or bed, freezing you even when the house is warm, stick one to that vent and redirect the air so it blows where you want it. “The house stays a constant cool temp because I’m not turning the AC up and down and I'm not having frigid air blown in my face,” said one reviewer.
A sticker that dims all those little lights
FLANCCI LED Light-Blocking Stickers
Don’t let the appliances in your space kill the mood or keep you from your beauty rest. Cover those too-bright indicator lights with these light-blocking stickers. They are better than masking tape because they allow some of the light through so you can see the time or if a unit is functioning — without all that light pollution.
These moisture sensors that help your plants ask for water
Dr. Meter Hygrometer Moisture Sensors (2-Pack)
Give your plants precisely what they want by measuring how dry — or wet — they are with these moisture sensors. Just stick the probe into the soil and the indicator will tell you if the roots are dry, perfect, or wet. This can save you from over or underwatering your greenery and takes much of the guesswork out of caring for plants.
A mechanical timer for your appliances
BN-LINK Mechanical Outlet Timer (2-Pack)
Want a heater or light to come on at certain hours and turn off when you are asleep or not home? Plug this mechanical timer into the outlet and then plug your device into it. Pull up the pins that represent the times you want the timer to be off and depress the times you want it to be on. It will, forever more, turn that machine on and off on that schedule.
This outlet extender with a shelf
Mifaso Wall Outlet Extender
If you lack outlets in the kitchen, bath, or any room of the house, plug this outlet extender in to turn one outlet into five standard plugs, four USB plugs — one of those USB-C — to fix that. It also turns that outlet into a small shelf, which is the perfect place to charge a phone or set a small speaker or your Echo device.
A mug warmer that turns itself on
Dimux Coffee Mug Warmer with Automatic Gravity Switch
Ready to solve that common workday coffee dilemma? It goes like this: You pour a delicious cuppa and set it on your desk to cool. Then you get caught up in your work and forget about it until it is cold. Make another cup. Repeat. Not if you set your brew on this mug warmer! It will hold your beverage at the perfect sipping temperature until you are done drinking it. It turns on when you set your mug on it and shuts off when you remove it so it is zero hassle.
This knife block for inside a drawer
Homemaid Living In-Drawer Bamboo Knife Block
Keep all your knives safely tucked away in a drawer where young ones won’t find them and they won’t clutter the counters. This bamboo knife block stops them from becoming a hazard in there and protects their blades from other utensils. It holds 16 knives and a knife sharpener.
This hack so sheets don’t tangle in the wash
Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler
This ingenious sheet detangler stops your sheets from wrapping themselves around all the other clothes in the dryer, creating a wad of fabric that doesn’t get dry and is a hassle for you to detangle. Attach them to your sheets before you put them in the washer and they will stop the wadding in both machines. Your sheets will come out cleaner and dry faster.
An insulated mug that won’t tip over
Mighty Mug Non-Tip Mug
No matter where your day takes you, this non-tip mug will keep your beverage at hand. The spill-proof lid lets you toss your coffee or water into a bag to get where you are going. The grippy base holds onto the surface you set it on so it won’t tip over. “I love this mug,” said one reviewer. “I have cats, and they love to spill my drinks. Not anymore. This thing can't be knocked over but is easy to pick up.”
The platypus that spreads your mayo
OTOTO Splatypus Jar Spatula
When the last bit of mayo or peanut butter stubbornly clings to the bottom of the jar, it’s a job for Splatypus! This adorable jar spatula is more than a visual joke. It’s an effective tool for the job, reaching into the jar with its flexible beak, grabbing the last remnants, and spreading it beautifully on your bread.
A bulletin board for your monitor
LRZCGB Monitor Memo Board
You jot a note to yourself — a phone number, appointment, password, reminder, or address. Now where do you put it so you will see it later? On this memo board that peels and sticks to your monitor. You are sure to look there. It is clear, has a place for your phone to sit — with a charging port, and holds plenty of notes right where you can see them as you type them into the place you want to store them permanently.
A decorative holder for your sponge
Home Acre Designs Sponge Holder
Instead of dropping your sponge into the kitchen sink, where it will quickly get dirty and turn moldy, set it into this decorative sponge holder. It will stay clean, dry out between uses, and become functional decor on the counter. “A great looking, functional sponge holder!” said one reviewer. “It keeps my sponge within reach, lets it dry out, and looks very [nice]!”
This little vacuum cleaner that sits on the desk
ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
This desktop vacuum cleaner is the right tool for the job if that job is small desktop spills, crumbs, and eraser dust. It sits at the ready on your desk. Just turn it on and run it around the desk to grab all the detritus. Then empty it into the trash. “Like a stapler,” said one reviewer. “You may not always need it but when you do? It's great.”
A pillow that’s also a cup holder
Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow
This cup-holding pillow is super convenient. Set it between the kids in the back seat of the car so they can keep their drinks and snacks within reach. Put it on the couch on movie night to keep your cocktail handy. Take a cup of coffee to bed and set it into its own cup holder while you take a coffee nap. It holds five items, be they beverages or remotes.
This slender electric lighter
【Upgraded】 Dual Arc Electric Candle Lighter Rechargeable USB Lighter Plasma Arc Lighters for Candle (Space Gray)
This slender electric lighter is so easy to keep on hand, fitting easily into any bag or pocket. And it requires no butane so it will never fail you when you need it. The flameless arc won’t blow out in the wind and doesn’t care about rain, either. Charge it with a USB cable — the indicator tells you when it needs a charge — and you will always have a light.
A case for cold condiments
Estilo Condiment Server with Lid, Condiment Organizer on Ice, Clear Container with 4-Section Organizer, Condiment Server Caddy on Ice
Serve your condiments, pickles, dips, and fruits at your next outdoor gathering without worrying that foods will get hot and disintegrate — or poison your guests — by setting them on ice in this four-section condiment server. The ice is separated from the food so nothing gets soggy.
The solution for storing purses
ZOBER Hanging Purse Organizer
Storing a purse collection is so challenging. Or it was. Now there is this hanging purse organizer that puts them all in your closet where you can see and access them. An entire collection — or eight bags, anyway — hangs on one hanger. Each bag is protected by a clear plastic cover so it stays clean but lets you see them to choose the one you want to use.
A Mason jar that makes cold-brew coffee
County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This cold brew coffee maker will fit right into your country kitchen look or your Mason jar collection. Load your coffee grounds into the stainless steel filter that fits neatly into the jar, screw up the flip-top lid with a handle, add water, and stash it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you will have 2 quarts of delicious cold brew to get you through the day — or the week, depending on your habit.
This decorative wax warmer
STAR MOON Cute Wax Warmer
You don’t actually have to light candles to enjoy their scent. This wax warmer heats scented wax cubes until they melt and emit their delicious aroma. It emits a little light too, like a candle. There are 12 styles, including an ice cream, owl, pineapple, and Jack O’Lantern.
The sink mat that gives you space to primp
Sink Topper Foldable Sink Mat
Short on space in the bathroom? Pull out this foldable sink mat and repurpose the sink as a workspace for primping. It gives you lots of room to put down your gear. The heat-resistant silicone won’t mind if you set your hair iron down on it. And the textured surface is perfect for cleaning makeup brushes while you have them out. When you are done, you can hang it from a hook.
A door prop for your front-close washer
Spidfee Front Load Washer Door Prop
The dark secret of the coveted front-load washer? If you close the door when it’s not in use, mold, mildew, and odors grow in there. This door prop helps with that by holding the door ajar so the open door doesn’t eat up your laundry room space. It sticks magnetically to the machine so you don’t lose it.
The cure for getting stuff out of bottles
Flip-It! Bottle Emptying Kit
Until every bottle that holds condiments and personal care products is designed to stand upside down, you need this bottle emptying kit to get the contents out without frustration. Simply replace the lid with one of these and the bottle will stand upside down so it is always primed to deliver the product promptly. This kit has enough lids for most of the bottles you have.
This remote control holder that spins
YAPISHI Swivel Remote Control Holder
Stash your remotes — or makeup brushes or desk tools — in this swivel remote control holder to rein in the chaos and make it easy to find the tool you need for the job. It spins so you can grab what you want and looks good doing it. Choose from 12 looks, from plain brown leather to embossed florals.
A compact power strip that has thought of everything
Bell+Howell Swivel Power Strip
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This clever power strip adds six standard plugs and three USB ports to a single plug on one outlet. It spins so you can access the second plug in your wall outlet and takes up the minimum of space. It’s great for maximizing that one bathroom outlet the builder believed was enough. Or throw it in your suitcase to make inadequate hotel plugs work for all your tech.
The wrench that can turn corners
GETUHAND Flexhead Adjustable Wrench
Sometimes accessing the bolt you need to turn is too challenging for ordinary wrenches. But this adjustable wrench can turn corners. Even when the bolt is accessible, this tool makes it easier on your hands to reach it by simply giving you that extra angle to work with.
These easy labels for your cables
Wrap-It Cable Labels (36-Pack)
When you plug a lot of gear into a power strip, use these cable labels to label each plug so you know what each one powers. Future you will thank you for this clever hack when you find yourself needing to unplug one of those devices without, say, taking down the internet for the entire house. This is a colorful collection of 36 reusable labels.
An anti-fatigue mat so you don’t hurt so much
Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat
If you work in front of a standing desk or cook in a kitchen with a hard floor, this anti-fatigue mat will make that labor easier on your body. It provides a soft surface for your feet, taking the pressure off your joints and back. There are lots of colors and several sizes to choose from so you can fit the perfect solution into your workspace.
A comfy pillow for the bath
GORILLA GRIP Bath Pillow
Sink into a hot bath and relax without hurting your neck and shoulders on the hard tub by securing this bath pillow to the tub first. Seven suction cups keep the 2-inch thick soft padding securely in place. It comes in two sizes and seven colors so you can match it to your bathroom’s size and decor.
These easy-to-clean stove burner liners
HOME&YOU Stove Burner Liners (10-Pack)
These stove burner liners make cleaning the stove so much easier. They fit over that difficult-to-clean area under the flame or heating coil and protect the metal from spills and baked-on crud. And they wipe clean so much more easily than the stove because they are nonstick. If one gets too dirty to clean, toss it and replace it with a new one.
