We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    29 Products That Help Turn Expensive Issues Into Affordable Ones

    Revive stained shoes, muffled AirPods, worn-out furniture, and much more for a lot less than you'd expect.

    1. A headlight restoration kit if your lights are looking a little cloudy and just aren't shining as bright as they used to. This kit attaches to your standard electric drill, so you can get crystal clear headlights without the expensive trip to the repair shop.

    Promising review: "I tried another kit once before about 1.5 years ago and got poor results. I was pleasantly surprised when this kit did the job so well! I used a cordless drill that was slightly faster than recommended at full speed. The instructions are easy to follow and I could tell the major difference at the final cleaning. I finished the job with Meguiar's coating and the lenses on my 2002 Honda CR-V are crystal clear again. This saved me about five to six times the money and I'm removing 'new lenses' from my wish list!" —Julymorning

    Get it from Amazon for $16.59

    2. An immunity-boosting allergy supplement because your dog's endless scratching could be a sign of skin allergies (one of the most common reasons for vet visits). Fortunately, these soft chews not only help with allergic reactions and skin sensitivity, but they also deliver a dose of probiotics and other nutrients to help support immune function, digestion, and promote healthy skin.

    Before photo of a dog with a red, irritated belly
    Same reviewer's dog after taking the allergy supplements, which calmed the dog's skin and made it less red

    Promising review: "Receive these about a week ago and WOW! My baby girl has been suffering with itchy, red skin for months; she’s eaten her feet and licked herself practically raw. Obviously Benadryl wasn’t working so I tried these after seeing a video review on TikTok. I am extremely excited to say that we are completely satisfied, and that our baby girl no longer has the itching and redness. She’s not licked or touched her feet since giving them to her once a day every day. I’m shook." —Erica L. Robertson

    Get 90 chews from Amazon for $28.97.

    3. An easy-to-use collagen-coating hair mask you can apply at home so you can skip the pricy salon treatment and make your hair look as though it hasn't undergone years of abuse at the hands of bleach and blow-dryers.

    BuzzFeed editor's before and after photos showing that the cream made their hair less frizzy and more smooth
    Bek O'Connell / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "Best treatment!! I’ve been wanting to go to the salon to have a professional deep conditioning treatment done but decided to order this instead. I just saved a bunch of money! I can’t imagine not ever using this. My hair is so soft but, yet, not limp. I have coarse thick hair and this completely made my hair manageable and healthy looking." —ItsTiffanyAnne

    Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it "the miracle product I've been searching for."

    Get it from Amazon for $7.75.

    4. A wood polish that conditions and protects wood with a combination of beeswax and orange oil, while hiding dings and scratches so you can turn back the clock on worn-out furniture.

    A wooden table with mysterious discoloration.
    The same wooden table looking shiny with no discoloration.

    Promising review: "This product is a MIRACLE! I can't believe how well it worked. Seriously unbelievable. One application and my coffee table looks great again. EASY to use, nothing special required. While I was watching TV, I used an old cloth/rag and spread it on. As easy as that. Nothing else worked on my abused coffee table, this stuff did. I HIGHLY recommend this product." —Carol L. Hill

    Get it from Amazon for $9.98.

    5. A peel-and-stick tile backsplash for a stylish DIY upgrade that requires zero messy grout or knowledge of actual tiling, and just a bit of patience and creativity on your end. 

    Promising review: "This brought new life to my super boring kitchen! This was much easier than I thought. 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 tiles from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five color schemes).

    6. Or a fast-drying grout paint pen to cover next level tile crack stains that make you question if it's time to re-grout. Think of it like one of those adult coloring books — fill in the lines and bask in your ~artistic~ sensibilities.

    Someone using the pen which has a precision tip
    Reviewer's photo which shows half their tiled floor with dirty grout and half with fresh white grout after using the pen

    Promising review: "I loved this product! I was skeptical at first, but after applying the product, I was amazed at how well it worked! I had tried every product on the market to try to clean the beige grout on my bathroom floor. It was very easy to apply and wiped off the tile with ease. I am very happy with the results. This was a much less expensive alternative to my last resort of re-grouting. I used one pen for two bathrooms and still have some left for touch ups in the future. I even went over the grout lines twice. Highly recommend to give this product a try!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two tip widths and in additional colors).

    7. The famous Little Green upholstery cleaner if you want to be shocked and awed by this machine's ability to suck up messes and restore furniture, carpets, and even car interiors to their former glory. You thought you needed a new couch, but, KIDDING, it just needed a good deep cleaning. 

    Promising review: "Yep! TikTok made me buy it and I loved it. Things definitely look cleaner. Spots on my carpet are gone, and my car seats look brand-new for the first time since I bought it! Directions are easy. Just a heads up, MAKE SURE TO USE WARM WATER. If you leave water in it and it gets cold, it's not as effective, so just follow instructions and it should be wonderful!" —Carlos

    Get it from Amazon for $123.59.

    8. Plus, a machine cleaner-compatible carpet shampoo solution so you can get a professional-level clean all on your own, and return carpets and rugs to their original color without any toxic chemicals. 

    A vacuum using the cleaner and the carpet is drastically cleaner where the vacuum just cleaned
    A person's carpet looking progressively cleaner

    Sunny & Honey is a family-run small biz that makes cleaning solutions with your kids, pets, and the planet in mind. Their products are made in the USA and they donate 10% of all profits to animal shelters and rescue groups.

    FYI: This cleaner is only for use in carpet cleaning machines. Here's the one they are using in the review photo!

    Promising review: "This product works so well that I’ve purchased it more than once. We have two dogs and the older one sometimes has accidents. This cleans up all stains and odors. It even got up some older stains from a wine spill. I use it with my carpet shampooing machine and save money by doing it myself rather than hiring someone." —Niki D.

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

    9. A pack of multipurpose exfolitating razors because dermaplaning, waxing, and other hair-removal appointments can really add up. These teeny-tiny blades safely remove peach fuzz, exfoliate skin, and include a precision cover for worry-free eyebrow maintenance.

    a reviewer photo of the razor with shaved peach fuzz attached
    a gif of a reviewer using the razor on their face

    Promising review: "I used to pay to get my eyebrows, lower face, and upper lip threaded but after finding this five years ago, I gave it a try and absolutely love it. Not only has it saved me money but I also get better results as threading salons often times overdid it with my eyebrows and left them very thin. For those who don’t know, this product does the same thing as the dermaplane or dermablade treatments that spas and salons charge a lot of money for." —Diana 

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $4.99.

    10. A TikTok-famous pink cleaning paste that'll tackle all those annoying scuffs and stains other cleaners couldn't handle. The hopeless grime on your stove top? Your kid's Picasso on the wall? All gone in a flash.

    A reviewer's before photo which shows a white wall covered in crayon scribbles
    The reviewer's after photo which shows all crayon scribbles are completely gone

    It's made up of cleaning beads suspended in a gel, so it'll grind away at tough stains without damaging the surface beneath. It's suitable for use on most hard surfaces like ceramic tiles, barbecues, pots, pans, and more!

    Promising review: "I was considering buying another stove because I could not clean my glass cooktop. This tub of pink awesomeness saved me a ton of money and hours of frustration. I have tried everything: baking soda, vinegar, glass cleaners, degreasers, glass cooktop solutions — you name it. This is the only product that actually works." —MKBrown

    Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

    11. A stick-anywhere motion sensor light bar for illuminating lightless closets and dark pantries with approximately zero awkward interactions with an electrician.

    a reviewer photo of a closet with one of the light installed under the shelf
    a reviewer photo of the light

    These ingenious little lights are magnetic, so they can stick directly onto any magnetic surface. They can also be installed using the included adhesive magnetic strip. Plus, batteries are included!

    Promising review: "I LOVE these! The magnet is a great way to install these, but I rent so Command strips are working very well for me. I have one over the bedroom door (in a dark hallway) and another in my closet. The motion detection is so convenient and works perfectly. Everything about these is designed so perfectly, from installation to their perfect size for any location. the best part, though? They're rechargeable! Couldn't be better designed or more perfect!" —Sibelius

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in warm and pure white).

    12. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen because traditional strips and professional whitening are expensive and can leave you with teeth sensitivity that is, in my professional opinion, NO fun. With this pen you can get quick results at an affordable price. And the best part? No lingering sensitivity. 

    Promising review: "I bought this on a whim when I saw someone review it on TikTok. After using it several times over the course of a week, I immediately noticed the difference in the color of my teeth. I'm a smoker and a heavy coffee drinker. I'm finding that this product will be a lifesaver in terms of what my smile looks like. I would definitely recommend!!" —Mully

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99.

    13. A pack of AirPods cleaning putty so you can keep your earbuds preforming their best by quickly excavating all the gross gunk living inside. Now you can get back to clearly hearing every 👏 last 👏 detail 👏 of your fave true crime podcast. 

    Promising review: "For the past few months my right AirPod has been much quieter than it used to be, much quieter than the left still was. I thought I was going to need to replace it. Not wanting to spend that money if I didn't need to, I looked around to see what I could find. I stumbled upon this product and I am psyched that I did. I thought this putty may help, but it absolutely fixed the problem. My right AirPod now sounds exactly the way it should. I was shocked. I used one square to clean both AirPods very well, plus some of the AirPods case. I still have 23 squares left, which should last me for at least a couple of years. Definitely worth the purchase." —Chris Reed

    Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two colors and in a 24-pack).

    14. A cruelty-free pet ear solution if your pet is a frequent victim of itchy, irritating ear infections. This rinse gently (but effectively) flushes out built-up dirt to soothe your furry friend's inflamed ears, potentially avoiding a pricy vet visit in the process.

    a reviewer photo of a dog's inflamed inner ear
    a reviewer photo of the same dog's inner ear looking clean and not swollen

    Promising review: "We adopted a cat and her ears smelled terrible. We took her to the vet who confirmed it wasn't mites but didn't say much else. We tried 'keeping it clean' with a different solution for a month but she still smelled awful until we tried this. The smell cleared up after two uses and I only used it every other day. She seems much more comfortable and we still have a ton left if it recurs. Very happy kitty. Very happy me." —Ally 

    Get it from Amazon for $23.79

    15. A jewelry cleaning pen for returning cloudy gems to their former, out-of-the-box glory without shelling out the big bucks for a professional cleaning. 

    a cloudy engagement ring, then a bright clear engagement ring
    Stephanie Hope / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. I saw it on TikTok and figured I would give it a try. My grandmother passed away almost eight years ago, and she left me her first engagement ring in her will. I have tried so many jewelry cleaners, toothpaste and toothbrush, you name it, tried everything except for sending it away to get cleaned. Today I cleaned my ring with the diamond dazzle stick. My ring is just as shiny as it was when my grandfather bought it for my grandmother many many years ago. I will definitely use this Diamond Dazzle Stik on all my jewelry. Highly recommended!" —Heather 

    Get it from Amazon for $8.01.

    16. A reusable pumice stone to quickly take care of those stubborn stains on your toilets, sinks, and tubs that you're just about to give up on ever getting rid of. 

    a reviewer image of a toilet bowl with a dark brown ring
    a reviewer photo of the same toilet now clean

    Promising review: "We had the worst hard water rings in out toilets. I tried bleach, vinegar, scrubbing bubbles, CLR, Like Away....nothing would take them off. I thought we would have to buy new toilets to save ourselves from the embarrassment...this was my last hope. It worked great! I was cautious at first, but once I gave it a good scrub, it erased the stains that had built up for too long. Definitely worth the money, to save your toilet!" —A. Schooley

    Get it from Amazon for $11.90.

    17. A flexible drain snake if you'd like some help extracting the wet woolly mammoth living in your pipes. Skip (yet another) call to the plumber and let this tool's "micro-hook" head and rotating handle achieve the 360-degree removal you're used to paying top dollar for. Just keep a barf bag nearby — you might need it.

    A model feeding the drain snake down the drain and using the handle to turn it
    a reviewer photo of the drain snake with the end covered in hair

    This pack contains a reusable handle and five single-use heads that you just remove and dispose of after handling your clogged pipes.

    Promising review: "Wow. Best thing ever. Seriously. I have had tweezers and sticks and plumbers and chemicals trying to get my master sink to drain. Plumber even said I need an entirely new faucet to get the drain plug part because they don't sell those separately. Well, I have two sinks, a tub, and shower that all match so that was not a valid solution. Doubt I can find the same model. So I bought this thing. Stuffed it down, pulled up hair, and black muck. Did it about eight times quickly, ran the water, went right down the drain. Seriously. This is the best tool ever and the best $12 I have ever spent. Everyone with a sink needs this tool. Seriously." —juliejules

    Get a five-pack from Amazon for $19.99.

    18. A customizable door draft stopper because complaining about high energy bills is a year-round activity. This works to plug up gaps that prevent your home from being cooled or heated as efficiently as possible. Simply cut to size, slide on your door, and enjoy a little extra $$$ in your pocket. 

    a reviewer photo of the under draft stopper installed on a door
    a reviewer installing the door draft stopper

    Promising review: "It’s saved us so much money on our energy bill we’re definitely buying more and I encourage you to buy more if you want to save on your energy bills." —Kellykelly

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99

    19. An adjustable recessed light converter kit so you can finally give in and get those FAB pendant lamps you've been eyeing since forever with zero electrical re-wiring needed. 

    Promising review: "I love this thing. It took me about 15 minutes to install this. Note: Don't try to directly drill the screws through the can. You will likely need to pre-drill holes in the can for the screws. I converted a recessed light into a 3-light unit that hangs above my kitchen island. The unit weighs 20 pounds, and the conversion kit handles it easily. This saves so much money instead of having to convert the recessed light to a traditional electrical box. Very simple, yet wonderful product." —Pete I.

    Get it from Amazon for $18.11.

    20. A compact knife sharpener that's easy to store and will keep your blades in tip-top shape. You'll save a lot of time slicing, instead of sawing, through your tomatoes — I promise — and your knives will be able to stick around a heck of a lot longer. 

    A hand swiping a knife through the black knife sharpener
    Amazon

    This teeny-tiny knife sharpener features two slots with carbide blades on one side to provide quick edge setting capabilities, and ceramic rods on the other for the final edge honing. Plus, there is a nonslip base for added stability and control.

    Promising review: "I was about to buy a new set of knives until I saw this on TikTok. Works perfectly." —D’Sons&co.

    Check out my colleague's KitchenIQ knife sharpener review to learn more!

    Get it from Amazon for $10.73.

    21. A pack of stretchy cord protectors for preventing the dreaded (and inevitable) cord fray on your charging cables and protecting you from a future with more dead batteries and money down the drain. Some reviewers also say these worked to repair worn-out cables. 

    The plier-like contraption in the photo is an included applicator tool for help getting these stretchy collars on your cords. 

    Promising review: "I drive a LOT and seem to go through far too many phone cords. I even buy the 'premium' cords yet end up replacing them far too quickly, even when I'm trying to be careful. I used these on a couple of 'dead' cords and they work again! I have put these on new cords as well to keep damage from starting. The included tool is a big help." —Angela G

    Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $4.98

    22. A purple shampoo to make your blonde hair look less brassy and...well...more blondey. It'll help you spend less time at touch-up salon appointments and will put a bit of extra cash back in your pocket. 

    Promising review: "I LOVE THIS!!! I saw it all over TikTok and it makes my blonde hair so white!!! It does stain my hands but as long as you wash your hands right away or use gloves it is fine! I have used multiple purple shampoos and this is by far the most affordable and best I’ve used! It is a bit drying but all purple shampoos I used are drying. I love this stuff!" —Jasmine 

    Get it from Amazon for $9.33+ (available in three sizes). 

    23. A pair of charcoal shoe deodorizers if you're tired of sweat stank ruining your favorite shoes. These little packets use bamboo charcoal to absorb odors and moisture for 100% chemical-free freshness.

    You can reuse them for up to two years! Set them out in the sun for an hour to re-activate the charcoal.

    Promising review: "I have a pair of black leather flats that stank so badly my husband would yell at me if I took them off anywhere near him. But I love the shoes!!! So I had to find something to make the stench go away without leaving me with an allergic reaction. This was the answer. I honestly couldn’t believe it. A few days after placing them in my prized off shoes I took a whiff from about a foot away. Nothing. I got closer. Nothing. I stuck my nose practically in the shoe. Ok, maybe that’s pushing things, but I’ve got to tell you that 95% of the broken-in leather grossness was gone. So happy!!!" —Erin 

    Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.95.

    24. A suede and nubuck cleaning brush because anyone who says they've never gotten caught in the rain while wearing a pair of suede shoes is lying. This brush will diminish the look of water stains with no additional cleaners required. Now you and your favorite shoes can enjoy another (hopefully drier) outing together! 

    a reviewer photo of a pair of black suede boots covered in dirt
    a reviewer photo of the same boots now clean

    Shacke is a small manufacturer based in Baldwin Park, California creating useful travel products like packing cubes and luggage tags.

    You can totally use it with another cleaner or spray if you want, but it seems like reviewers have success without! It just takes some elbow grease.

    Promising review: "I am very impressed with this product. I was new to suede shoes and instantly regretted buying a gray-colored shoed once I got them dirty. Luckily I found this lovely thing. Very easy to use, straightforward packet comes with it that tells you which sides to use and when. I would definitely recommend this since you invest so much in those shoes you might as well keep them nice and clean!" —Celeste

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

    25. A set of pant waist extenders so you can reunite with your favorite pair of too-snug pants. With these, your jeans and trousers can gain up to 2 inches of waist space so weight gain, a medical procedure, or early pregnancy doesn't mean saying goodbye to your go-to styles.

    a pair of jeans with the waist extender installed
    a waist extender installed on a pair of black dress pants
    Amazon

    Comfy Clothiers is a a small business that launched in 2015 with the mission to help people dress their best while staying as comfortable as possible in the process. 

    The set includes five fabric pants button extenders, five fabric hook-and-eye extenders, and three denim jeans waist extenders in a variety of colors.

    Promising review: "Why didn't I get these sooner? These work perfectly! These extenders look simple enough but you think that they won't work or will show. The good news is, they never show once you put your belt on and, in my case, I've now got five pairs of chinos, three pairs of dress wool pants, and three pairs of jeans back into my rotation! Buy these!" —JCI

    Get a 13-pack from Amazon for $15.95.

    26. A pack of moldable glue that'll quickly become your go-to for tackling a range of repair projects like sealing off a leaky tap and reinforcing the frayed ends of your laptop charging cord.

    a reviewer photo of gray molded glue being used to repair a wagon
    a reviewer photo of blue molded glue on a mac laptop charging cord

    Sugru is waterproof, heat- and cold-resistant, durable, flexible, shock-resistant and electrically insulating up to 24 volts. It bonds to glass, ceramic, wood, metal, and most plastics. It can also bond to walls and safely hold 4.4 pounds.

    Promising review: "I originally bought Sugru to repair some broken phone chords, but quickly found a ton of other uses! The most unique so far was repairing my 20-year-old violin grip. The old rubber grips had rotted away, and I was not about to damage my violin's finish with exposed sharp metal. I easily created new little silicone covers for the ends and I'm back to playing without concerns! I also fixed my PlayStation 4 controller analog sticks that were peeling. Thank you so much for your amazing product. I'm hooked!" —isomoART

    Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in seven color combinations).

    27. A peel-and-stick faux marble adhesive paper for giving your countertops an expensive-looking update on the cheap that doesn't just look great, but is stain- and water-resistant too.

    a reviewer photo of a gray kitchen countertop labeled
    a reviewer photo of the same countertop covered in the marble adhesive paper labeled

    Promising review: "I took a chance and bought this originally as a 'Band-Aid fix' to refinish a desk. I had looked in stores in the contact paper aisles, but all of them were just that...paper. THIS item is actually a thin sheet of vinyl with adhesive, and I ended up liking it so much I bought more and refinished my kitchen countertop with it as well! Highly recommended if you want to change the look of your counters but you don't have the money for a full remodel just yet. It can be cleaned with dish soap and water just like a real countertop." —Z

    Get it from Amazon for $6.49+ (available in five sizes).

    28. Some nontoxic liquid fabric dye to inject new life into any jeans, tops, towels, and so much more that are hopelessly faded, stained, or just in need of a colorful refresh. 

    Promising review: "Love it! I just saved lots of money by dyeing my expensive white towels that were pure white but turning gray even with bleaching and Clorox." —A in FL

    "Worth it! My jeans look like new!" —Dani Sundet

    Get it from Amazon for $3.37+ (available in 35 colors). 

    29. A honey leather cleaner if you've basically never cleaned your leather goods for fear of doing more harm than good. This bestselling formula removes oil, dirt, and other stains from any leather (faux leather included) without harsh chemicals or strong odors. 

    Remember to mix this concentrate with water before using!

    Promising review: "My 15-year-old leather sectional hadn't been cleaned or conditioned in three to four years because I couldn't find anything that worked well without causing it to look blotchy. The color was also fading, and I thought it was a goner. After some elbow grease, the sectional looks great! It's now back to its original color without being blotchy. More importantly, the suppleness has returned. I can actually say that it looks as good as the day we bought it." —jellybean55

    Get it from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in two sizes).

    Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

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