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15 hours ago
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I'm the sort of person who likes staying busy — having a stacked schedule keeps me energized and always looking ahead. But, constantly making plans leaves less time for home maintenance, aside from general cleaning and upkeep. That's why I'm a big advocate of household helpers, you can essentially set and forget for long stretches of time. Why constantly reach for air freshening spray when I can just let some bamboo charcoal deodorizing bags soak up bad odors? And rather than pulling my stove out to clean around it, I'll just use some counter gap covers to prevent crumbs from slipping through in the first place, thank you very much.
To that end, I went in search of mostly hands-off items that save time and/or money; speaking of which, nothing on my list costs more than $25. From the kitchen to the bathroom to the laundry room and beyond, these little essentials make life a lot easier.
Ready to shorten your to-do list? Here's what I'm either already loving or adding to my cart ASAP.
Smelly fridge? Yeah, not so appetizing. But this unassuming stench slayer works for up to 10 years (yes, you read that right) to keep things fresh. All you do is place it inside and, well, that's actually it. Sorry, baking soda — you've been replaced. This little doodad can also go in closets, drawers, your car... anywhere that could use some odor removal. I'm kicking myself for not ordering one sooner — it doesn't get more low-maintenance than this!
I've swapped not-so-eco-friendly dryer sheets for these chemical-free orbs, and I'm never going back. These popular fabric softeners can be reused for over 1,500 laundry loads, so they're saving me money and I can just leave 'em in the dryer at all times. They're made entirely of wool, and not only will they make your washables plush, they'll shorten the drying time in the process.
Short on outlets? Never fight with your family members over who gets to charge their phone again. This electrifying gadget boasts five AC outlets and four USB ports, enough for everyone to power up their devices at once. Oh, and this top-seller is so much sleeker than having a power strip on your floor — and there's no chance of you tripping over it. Keep one plugged into your wall and get another for bringing on vacation, since you never know what the hotel outlet situation will be.
If you or anyone you live with tends to shed hair (*raises hand*), you've probably dealt with a few tubs that take forever to drain. Rather than shelling out for a plumber to remove the clog, you can stop it before it happens thanks to this Amazon favorite. Designed to fit in almost any tub or shower drain, it collects loose tresses before those strands can make their way into the pipes, saving you a lot of headaches (and cash). Yes, you'll have to clean it out every so often, but it beats having to bust out the snake.
P.S. There's also a SinkShroom, which I have in my bathroom sink — no clogs yet!
When you're craving a midnight snack but don't want to turn on a harsh overhead bulb or dig a flashlight out of the junk drawer, these zero-install motion sensor lights are just the ticket. They stick onto the undersides of your cabinets and turn on when they sense movement. There are three brightness levels and color temps to choose from, whether you prefer more light for visibility or a warm glow to set a cozy mood. They can be used for up to a month before needing a recharge.
The most genius ideas are often the simplest, as is the case with these highly rated stove gap covers. Place them over the openings between your range and counters, and they'll prevent crumbs and other debris from getting trapped down there — because no one wants to have to shimmy the stove out to clean around it.
Here's a nifty little gizmo for you: This multitasking strainer not only keeps food remnants and utensils from falling down the drain (I've wrecked my garbage disposal that way), it also can be used as a stopper for holding water in the basin. Plus, it has sealing gaskets that can help keep icky odors from making their way into your kitchen. You'll have more peace of mind by not having to track every last piece of silverware in the sink.
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of having to replace soggy bathmats all the time. I'm considering this highly rated, ultra-thick, impossibly soft rug, which looks like my feet's idea of heaven. It's made of highly absorbent and quick-drying chenille microfiber, meaning I won't have a swampy, smelly mat in the middle of my bathroom floor anymore. Yes, please!
While we're on the subject of mats, our feet deserve a cushy surface to stand on while meal-prepping, cooking and dishwashing. This top-selling kitchen cushion is made of comfy foam to help take some of the pressure off of muscles and joints, and its nonslip bottom helps it stay put. I can see this becoming a fixture on my not-so-pleasant-to-stand-on floor, especially since it's easy to wipe off with a damp cloth. Available in seven colors.
Rather than letting rancid-cheese-popcorn-smelling shoes stink up the whole closet, you can place these bamboo charcoal-infused pouches in them to clear the air — in the most literal sense. Made without chemicals and scents, they draw odors away to keep things fresh, and they can be used for up to two years (just leave them in the sun once a month to refresh them). They're not just for shoes, either; stick them in gym bags, drawers or anywhere in need of some "aroma-therapy." I'll be putting some on the side of the closet where my husband keeps his laundry hamper...
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