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    41 Cheap Things That Work So Well You May Do A Double Take

    These super effective products deliver satisfying results, time and time again.

    1. A pack of two Venus Visage teeth whitening pens, minty fresh without the weird aftertaste and completely painless — no discomfort for sensitive teeth and gums! But most importantly, it leaves your teeth noticeably whiter, and at a fraction of the cost of the dentist (and Crest Whitestrips). 

    reviewer showing a before/after of their teeth, including a particularly yellow tooth that's further back, and the after pic showing how all of their teeth are much whiter
    a hand holding the two teeth whitening pens

    Also, if you have teeth crowding that makes it hard for a toothbrush to reach certain teeth (like the reviewer above is showing), this lets you more easily target those severe areas of discoloration. 

    Promising review: "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 pack of two pens from Amazon for $14.96.

    2. A zero-effort, once-a-week Wet & Forget cleaner that works on soap scum without any scrubbing or wiping needed. All you have to do is shower and then spray this on afterward — it'll handle all the grime and residue from there.

    the bottle of wet and forget with a long extended hose and spray head
    closeup before and after of a reviewer's shower door - left side is dirty and streaked, right side is super clean without any grime or streaks

    Promising review: "This product is ridiculously good. How did I not know about this? I've aged myself 20 years cleaning my tub on hands and knees before I found this product. I basically spray after each shower and I never have to clean again." —Mr.Stan

    Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in two scents, a larger refill size, and a two-pack).

    3. An odor-eliminating spray you should have on hand for when you locate your dog or cat's latest carpet accident, because it's *much* easier than a professional cleaning. Not only does it lift away stains; it also releases enzymes that break down the deep and persistent odors left behind. It's true: Your home doesn't *have* to smell like that. 

    Carpet messes are undoubtedly the worst to clean up, but you can also use this on clothes and other surfaces like concrete and hardwood. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully for noncarpet use. 

    Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after the Magleby family's pets Rocco, a Labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys. 

    Promising review: "I have six elderly cats, and a few of them oftentimes leave smelly pee puddles to register their disdain at whatever cats get 'peed off' about. It's not a litter box problem and, although I've caught one or two of them doing it, I can't blame them all. This product works great on fresh messes as well as dried ones. After blotting up fresh pee pods, I saturate the area with Rocco & Roxie's odor remover and let it dry. For dried stinky stuff, I just saturate the area and let it dry. It has a pleasant odor and completely eliminates the ammonia odor. Believe me, I've tried all kinds of products, and this one works the best. I buy gallons now just to have on hand. It's better than smelling that awful pee!" —mona mia

    Get a 32-ounce bottle from Amazon for $19.31+ (also available in a gallon size).

    4. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets that can remove the nasty buildup inside your dishwasher that's looking so gross, you might be thinking about replacing the machine entirely. Just add a tablet, run a normal wash cycle, and watch lime and mineral buildup disappear, leaving your dishwasher looking brand-new.

    Promising review: "My brand new LG dishwasher has stopped draining on several occasions. I recently noticed that there was an egg-ish odor and I had no clue how to fix this without hiring someone to come out for a service call and drop a minimum of $100. I bought this product, used once (put on very bottom of dishwasher) and ran without dishes. Very happy to see that the water was gone and my machine smells great. DEF worth buying because I think it unclogged pipes or something." —rebecca cohen

    Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.49.

    5. Mighty Patch hydrocolloid stickers for when you have a pimple emergency right before a big event and need it to disappear ASAP. Just stick one of these patches on the area before you go to bed, and it'll get to work drawing out all that nasty gunk clogging your pore, leaving you with noticeably flatter skin in six to eight hours. It'll also keep you from picking at the area and potentially making it worse!

    Reviewer's before and after showing puss drawn out from the pimple spot where a patch was placed

    6. Leather Honey conditioner to breathe new life into your well-worn leather boots, couch, or chairs. This nontoxic, non-oily conditioner softens and moisturizes your leather goods, and it'll also protect them against snow and rain thanks to the water-repellent formula.

    7. Plus, a four-sided leather brush that'll revive your suede and nubuck shoes and make them look brand-new again!

    8. A pack of facial and eyebrow razors designed to safely exfoliate your skin and remove peach fuzz if desired, as well as help you shape your brows and easily remove any stray hairs. It's the cheapest way to get dermaplaning done right at home!

    9. A portable dog paw cleaner that'll keep your home free of mud and dirt after your daily dog walks. The gentle bristles clean your pup's paws quickly and effectively, keeping the leftover mess inside the container for pouring out (instead of it being tracked onto your carpet and furniture).

    10. Plastic furniture protectors when absolutely nothing will distract your cat from the grand appeal of ripping your sofa to shreds. These clear, no-adhesive vinyl guards are secured using screw pins — just apply around the spots they target the most, and eventually your kitty will learn they have to scratch elsewhere.

    A side by side of the arms of a couch with and without the plastic protector

    11. A hand-powered food chopper capable of swiftly chopping onions (along with veggies, fruits, nuts, and herbs) — no more tears or sliced fingers!

    gif of the food chopper in use to slice onions
    Reviewer veggie chopper with onions inside before being chopped
    Reviewer veggie chopper with onions inside after being chopped

    Promising review: "I’m pleasantly surprised that it is so easy to clean and does a great job quickly with minimal effort!! I’ve only used it for a day now, so can’t comment on sturdiness or durability, but it looks like it should last long. Just to test its limits, I added one single chopped green chili. I had expected that it won’t be able to chop or do anything in such small quantities, but it did great at finely mincing the chili! I tried overloading it with large chunks of onions and it did just as great — didn’t require any extra strength for the ‘pulls.‘ I highly recommend this. I think it is a genius invention and a great product design! Edited after two months of use: This seems really sturdy and still very pleased with this purchase! Very easy to clean. Need extra caution with the SHARP blades!" —GDD

    Get it from Amazon for $18.88+ (available in three colors and three styles). 

    12. CND SolarOil, which not only strengthens nails but also heals and smoothens dry, cracked cuticles. This conditioning treatment contains jojoba oil, almond oil, and vitamin E.

    Reviewer's before and after  nails looking healthier after using the product

    13. A jar of The Pink Stuff, an internet-beloved, all-purpose cleaning paste made to tackle stains, dirt, and grime practically anywhere. Put it to the test on that pan, bathtub, or wall you've long given up on and watch this versatile paste work its magic.

    a burn stained stovetop followed by the same stovetop completely clean and free of any stained after using the pink stuff

    14. A descaler if your Keurig, Nespresso, or other single-cup coffee maker is dripping more slowly, making less coffee, or giving a funny taste to your drinks. Chances are, there's a buildup of minerals, limescale, and hard water deposits in need of a deep clean, but thankfully, this solution will restore your coffee maker to the lean-mean coffee-making machine it once was.

    Reviewer before and after using descaler on coffee dispenser

    15. OxiClean stain remover that'll show the toughest of stains who's boss. You can put this versatile cleaning powder to use pretty much anywhere that's in need of rescue, from the pet urine stains in your carpet to the red wine stains on your couch.

    16. A two-pack of Goo Gone adhesive spray, which will make quick work of that annoying, sticky residue that's left behind from price tags, stickers, gum, and more, even if it's been caked on for a while. Even the toughest gunk is no match for this effective goo-melting formula.

    17. A jetted bathtub cleaner (appropriately named 'Oh Yuk') to clean up your bathtub, Jacuzzi, or whirlpool so you can go back to relaxing without worrying about dirty soap buildup, leftover oils, and black flakes. Even if you *think* your jetted tub is clean, you might be shocked at the gunk that's lurking in your jets.

    Reviewer tub before getting cleaned,  the tub full of bubbles and visible dirt and rust, and the tub after being cleaned looking shiny and stain-free

    18. Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser, a bleach-free powdered cleaner that does work on a filthy stove top, stainless-steel dishes, or any other nonporous surface. No need to schedule a professional clean (or buy a new pan) just yet.

    A reviewer's stainless steel pan tarnished on one side and clean on the other after being treated with the formula

    19. A drill brush attachment that'll handle all the muscle power of cleaning for you. If you've got stains, hard-water marks, and mold and mildew buildup that you just haven't been able to get rid of, this could be the thing that finally does the trick.

    20. Vacuum storage bags capable of transforming your closet from an ever-teetering avalanche of stuff into an organized stack with room to spare. Watching the air get sucked out the bags will be *almost* as satisfying as when you see all the extra space in your closet that's somehow magically appeared out of nowhere.

    Reviewer closet before and after using vacuum storage bags

    21. A handheld garment steamer that'll have your back for that last-minute work event when your favorite pair of slacks is currently residing in Wrinkle City. All you need to do is hang your clothing items, add a little water to this steamer, and then move it from top to bottom until every wrinkle is gone.

    22. Interlocking drawer bins to bring some order to the chaos that is your junk drawer (we all have *at least* one). This'll let you neatly organize your odds and ends so you can always find what you need quickly — and get rid of the true junk that has no place cluttering your drawer.

    23. A 20-pack of generic melamine sponges most reviewers agree is a great swap for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. They're extra durable, so you can put them to work on your toughest cleaning jobs and watch the mess just ✨ disappear ✨.

    24. An ultra-thin electrical outlet cover with an attached power strip. The cover lays flat against the wall so you can avoid awkwardly bumping into it and actually push your desk or couch up against the wall. It also looks *much* cleaner and is easier to hide while still giving you access to multiple outlets for your devices!

    25. Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer so you can give yourself a gorgeous blowout without visiting the salon — it knocks out drying *and* styling your hair in one step to save time in the mornings too! 

    reviewer showing a before/after of stying their hair with the brush, showing how their hair goes from frizzy and messy to looking smooth and styled
    the hair dryer in a reviewer's hand

    The oval brush design smooths the hair and the round edges create volume — leaving you with a salon-worthy blowout at home. It also has two heat and speed settings and a cool option, and it's designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2b–4c hair mentioned it working for them. 

    Promising reviews: "I've had my eye on a Dyson Airwrap, but given the cost, I figured I'd try this while I save up. This thing is fantastic. I have waist length hair that's naturally straight, but gets frizzy when damp. I've had salon blowouts that have left my hair looking great, but I simply can't manage a round brush without it getting tangled in my hair. This device has been a game changer. It works best if you air dry for a while before you use it, then use it to finish your style. My hair miraculously doesn't get snarled in it, and it leaves my hair looking like I've had it professionally styled. I love it, and I'm no longer interested in blowing $500 on a Dyson. Highly recommend!" —Ilsa

    Get it from Amazon for $40.49+ (available in five models and nine colors).

    26. A bottle of Bio-Oil, which remains a cult favorite for good reason: People say it's ultra-effective at fading scars and stretch marks, reducing redness, and evening out skin tone, *and* it smells like an expensive spa treatment! It's packed with vitamins A and E, chamomile, lavender, and other natural oils for anti-inflammatory and skin-smoothing benefits.

    27. A 10-pack of Wonder Hangers cleverly designed to let you use every inch of closet hanging space, a lifesaver for apartments and small homes. Each hanger can hold five garments and lays flat to take advantage of the vertical space below, which will also prevent your clothes from being crammed together.

    28. A Denman hair brush literally made for curly hair — it detangles, distributes product evenly, and shapes curls so you can dash out the door with perfectly sculpted spirals and time to spare. Also, its mini size makes it easy to hold and great for curly-haired kids to use as well.

    29. Garnier SkinActive micellar cleansing water, which gently but effectively removes dirt, excess oil, and even waterproof makeup from your face without leaving it dried-out or requiring any harsh rubbing.

    30. A tin of Cirepil blue wax beads so you can handle your own waxing in the comfort of your home. It uses gentle hard wax to remove both coarse and fine hairs, and it'll leave your legs, armpits, or ~anywhere else~ you fancy waxing sooooo smooth.

    Reviewer before and after photo of blue wax results on underarms

    31. A Lavinso foot peel mask that exfoliates and conditions dry, flaky feet with an all-over treatment. Sit somewhere where you can be comfy for about an hour, wrap these masks around your feet, then watch them peel over the next week or two, revealing new, baby-soft skin below! It's disgusting, but oh-so satisfying.

    32. A bottle of anxtioxidant-rich Eva Naturals vitamin C serum with a blend of hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide that can help address dark spots and blemishes, reduce the appearance of fine lines, sooth redness, and help your whole face look radiantly dewy.

    reviewer before/after pic with before photo showing acne scars and after photo with significantly less scarring and dark spots

    33. A bottle of Tower 28's Daily Rescue Facial Spray you'll want to keep on hand if your skin is prone to redness, dryness, and irritation. This pH-balancing toner soothes and nourishes stressed-out skin, and leaves out ingredients common in other products that can make irritation worse, like oils, fragrance, and alcohol.

    34. A foaming fabric cleanser that'll break down stains on upholstery and carpet without any hard scrubbing needed, and it'll eliminate any lingering odors too. Finally, you can stop staring at that ketchup stain that's been on your car seat for...longer than you'd like to admit.

    35. A pack of bottle-cleaning tablets, because your water bottle is probably disgusting and long-overdue for a wash (it happens to all of us). Drop one of these tablets into your bottle with some warm water, watch it fizz up while it deep cleans, then empty and give your bottle a quick rinse. No more funky smells or weird residue!

    Reviewer's before and after of a bottle super clean

    36. A bug bite suction tool if mosquitos and other flying bugs are the bane of your existence and keep you from enjoying the outdoors. It works by actually suctioning out the venom, saliva, and other irritants causing the itchy reaction on your skin.

    37. A L'Oreal Paris root concealer that'll help you extend your hair color between salon appointments or conceal your gray roots if desired, minus any sticky residue or smudging. And don't worry, it won't stain your nice pillowcases either!

    38. A wine stain remover so you don't have to panic the next time you or a guest knocks over a glass of merlot. Just spray this onto the affected clothing or carpet, let it sit for five minutes, then blot the area until the stain disappears (or, for clothing, toss it into the washer). Crisis averted!

    39. Full-coverage, oil-free L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte liquid foundation — it's lightweight, creamy, and leaves a semi-matte finish that simply *won't* budge until you're ready to remove it at the end of the day.

    Reviewer face before and after using foundation

    40. An anti-dandruff shampoo so you can find relief from those annoyingly itchy and embarrassingly visible white flakes hanging out on your scalp. It's made with 1% ketoconazole, which binds to your hair's natural proteins to kill dandruff.

    Reviewer photo of scalp before and after using dandruff shampoo

    41. A tube of Lanolips Ointment 101 that'll bring the healing moisture your painfully dry lips are craving. Lanolin is an oil found naturally in sheep's wool, and it mimics your skin's own natural oils to heal and hydrate the area. But its uses go even further — you can use this popular ointment on cracked cuticles, dry elbows, unruly brows, and anywhere in need of some nourishment.

    Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.