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.
1. A compact cutlery organizer to help you maximize your drawer space (especially if you can count your number of drawers on one hand) with stacked, angled compartments that take up waaay less space than the typical wide, flat organizers. If you have one of those itty-bitty drawers you've had no idea what to do with, the slim size makes this perfect for using there too.
See this "life-changing" drawer organizer on TikTok! BTW, there's a version of this product for safely and compactly storing knives in a drawer too! Many reviewers ended up pairing both of these together.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart has used the cutlery organizer to make her kitchen feel more organized. She says: "It has freed up SO much space in our cutlery drawer that we can now store teas, small Tupperware, etc. vs. before it was just a mess of utensils."
Promising reviews: "I only have two narrow kitchen drawers in my old 1950s studio apartment. Finding this product has reduced clutter and neatly organized one of my drawers that I keep my utensils in. Two of these fit perfectly in my drawer. Be sure to read the dimensions first before purchasing as this item may not fit if your drawers are shallow." —MMA
"Y'all I have two drawers in my kitchen (yeah, apartment living) and my silverware took up both of them. Well, now I can literally fit it all in one drawer and have spare space!! Sooo easy and cute also." —Tera-Rose
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
2. A pop-up silicone drain protector so you'll never have to reach out to your super for help because the shower drain is clogged with hair and now you have a pool of standing water. This catches hair without blocking water from draining — because let's face it, dumping this out every few days is preferable to having to extract one of those long, gross, slimy hair monsters that's taken up residence in your drain.
See why it's called a "home must-have" in this TikTok!
Promising review: "It has been a dilemma for me for many years to find a way to keep hair from going into the tub drain. I've even tried an upside-down plastic container. Well, problem solved. Where have you been all my life? Gosh, I looked in stores and have never seen this product before. I searched Google years ago and didn't find anything either. Sure it doesn't trap 100% of the hair, because the silicone is soft and there is a very fine gap that one or two strain of the hair falls through, but heck, I'll take that." —Lucy
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
3. And a FlexiSnake drain cleaner for when a clog *does* happen so you can tackle the problem head-on and keep it from getting worse. Covered in grippy micro-hooks at its end, this ultra-thin 18-inch snake is capable of grabbing that disgusting hair monster and pulling it out of your drain for good — no need to get maintenance involved.
This pack includes five wand refills!
Promising review: "I LOVE this product. I have super thick, coarse hair and clog drains every time I shower, due to shedding. I have been using the shower drain cover that catches the hair before it goes down the drain, but I still shed a lot down the drain. All of my drains were slow so I used this and HOLY COW, SO much came out! My drains immediately started draining normally again, so these are now part of my regular home maintenance! I hate putting chemicals in my septic, so this is an AMAZING solution with immediate results. Highly recommended!!!" —Chelsea B
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $19.99.
4. A nifty draft stopper you can install (and by "install" we mean peel and stick!) underneath your door if there's a pesky gap letting in hot air, bugs, and/or sounds from your neighbors in the hallway. Finally, you'll be able to walk by that exterior-facing door without catching a chill.
You can cut the pieces to fit your door too!
Promising review: "I live in an apartment in New York City. Sometimes the hallways can be loud. Sometimes they can also be a bit smelly. But this weatherstripping alleviates both of those issues perfectly. It was very easy to install, and has been up for more than a year without any issues whatsoever. I highly recommend this." —Pearl
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four colors).
5. A pair of under-bed storage bags so you can fully utilize that hidden extra space under your bed or at the top of your closet. These are perfect for storing clothes you won't be wearing this season and any other items you don't need access to on a regular basis.
Promising review: "Absolutely 5 stars!! I ordered these because I live in a tiny apartment and needed to put away my extra bedding set under our bed. These were the most affordable option I could find for the purpose and it was great that they came in a set of two, at that. Dude...just one of these bags can easily fit like three to four thick comforters/quilts. When both of these are filled to the max, I’m sure they will both fit comfortably under my queen-size mattress. I definitely recommend!" —Sierra Atwood
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.48+ (available in three colors).
6. And large-capacity storage bags for those bulky blankets, sheets, pillows, and comforters jumbled at the top of your closet — these'll keep them neatly contained in the most space-efficient way.
Promising review: "Great for tiny apartments! Really nice and large capacity. You get three of these lovely bags. They store so much! They have handles and two zippers on the top. I'm going to wash my blankets and daybed covers at the laundromat and put them directly into these great storage containers!" —isitworthit?
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors and larger pack sizes).
7. Hope's Perfect Sink Cleaner and Polish, made to restore brushed stainless steel, porcelain, cast-iron, and other surfaces to their former glory so you don't have to grimace every time you see the bottom of your sink.
Promising review: "I was so frustrated with my stained sink. I’ve only lived in this apartment for 3 months, and this place has not been renovated in 15 years. I tried so many methods to try and clean the terrible stains, but nothing worked. I turned to Amazon, saw the awesome reviews on this sink cleaner, and it was less expensive than competitors, so I had high hopes and felt like I didn’t have much to lose. Man I’m sure glad I jumped the gun and purchased this! The directions were as simple as can be. While other products required some type of abrasive sponge/scrub, this product indicated that you could use a soft cloth or paper towel. I opted for paper towel, folded it into a small square, put a glob of product on, and just went for it. The stains came off immediately!! There was no wait time for it to settle, you just go for it. It was wild how effortless it was. Only a few times in life have I been disgusted and amazed at the same time...and yep, this was one of them. Seeing the stains on the paper towel, was utterly repulsive and satisfying. After witnessing this incredible miracle... I went for the crusty electric stove. I had to put in a little more elbow grease to remove the caked-on, burnt food on the electric burners, but I was not disappointed at the results!" —Amanda
Get it from Amazon for $10.55 (available in multiple sizes and packs).
8. A super bubbly Glisten drain and pipe cleaner if the thought of what's lurking inside your garbage disposal haunts you almost as much as your monthly rent cost. It's made to deodorize while also removing the nasty grunge and buildup lurking within — no more gnarly smells or dirty water that just won't drain.
Promising review: "My disposal was slow to drain. Put this in it and fixed it right up. Seeing the foam come out of the disposal is awesome. GREAT product. I purchased again and will continue to patronize it. I use it about once a month or when I notice the drain is slow." —Sara Brown
Get a bag of four from Amazon for $3.78 (also available in a larger bag).
9. An effective grout cleaner that'll let you get deep into the crevices and scrub away years of built-up dirt from previous tenants (and careless management) — maybe you've never even seen what your clean grout looks like. Time to turn back the clock to when your apartment was once new...
Promising reviews: "Did a great job cleaning grime off of the 15-year tile. Wished I had known about it years ago. I’ve used multiple products and had tile professionally cleaned with poor results in the past." —ML
"I wish I had bought this sooner. I knew my grout was dirty but I didn't realize how disgusting it was until I used this cleaner. Sprayed it on and waited three minutes. I then used the brush to agitate the dirt in the grout, which was much easier than I expected it to be — I thought I was going to have to scrub hard. Instead, it was a very simple back-and-forth motion and the dirt immediately came loose and out of the grout. I then used a very wet dish towel to clean up the cleaner and dirt. The results were significantly better than I anticipated. I'm buying more to finish my entire home." —FatherOf4
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in four sizes and with or without a brush).
10. And a Rubbermaid power scrubber if you really want to show that old grout who's boss. This electric toothbrush-style scrubber takes some of the manual work out of this often tedious cleaning process, and once your tile floors are left sparkling, you can put it to work on dirty fixtures, tight corners, and other small areas.
It comes with four AA batteries to get you started!
Promising review: "Last night I was reborn. It was a defining moment in which everything I'd experienced up until that point suddenly was just 'before.' The present and future then seemed like a beautiful, promising 'after.' The world opened. The possibilities sprawled. Dread loosed its grip on my soul. In its place came a sense of purpose. Opportunity. Hope. What is the cause of this renewed zest for life, you might ask? It was the use of the Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber on my shower grout. It elevated a simple baking soda and water solution to alchemical proportions. Keep your fountain of youth, save your holy salves. This thing is nirvana. My pink-tiled shower, the one that came with my scummy apartment, the one that never looks clean no matter how many hours of backbreaking (and, more precisely, bicep-burning) labor I put in, now looks bright, clean, full of promise. An otherwise disgusting and dated purely utilitarian part of my home is now art. TL;DR: This this is absolutely incredible. Buy it, see for yourself. 11/10 would recommend." —Amazon Customer
Check out our Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber review for more deets!
Get it from Amazon for $17.38.
11. Bar Keepers Friend, a bleach-free powdered cleaner that does work on a filthy stovetop, stained bathtub, rusted sink, or any other nonporous surface — because you might not own the place, but you deserve better than to have to look at filth every single day.
It works wonders on stainless steel pans with burn stains too!
Promising reviews: "I live in an old San Francisco apartment, which, despite its charm, also featured old rust stains on my bathroom sink and in the tub. I've lived there for two years and tried a bunch of products that never could get the porcelain white or remove these stains. Last night I tried this (combined with a small household power scrubber) and it was a miracle! It lifted the rust, the old soap scum stains, and every other dingy mark from my old bathroom. Awesome." —KMB
"There's pretty much nothing this stuff can't clean. It gets my gross stove clean in under a minute, my shower and sink are spotless, and don't even get me started on my toaster and kitchen sink faucet. It's some kind of alien miracle recipe. Plus, it doesn't ruin my clothes or make my hands feel weird, though it is recommended you use gloves. I do, mostly to protect my manicure, but I can wear whatever when using this. If it's not getting something off the way you want, you're not scrubbing hard enough. Use a little elbow grease, baby, because this stuff WILL get the job done." —Adrienne
Get it from Amazon for $7.01.
12. Some drywall repair putty so you can cover up all those holes you've put in the wall to hang things that your landlord might not be stoked to see come move-out day. It's ridiculously easy to use: Just rub in a circle over the hole, dust off the excess, and (if needed) paint over it when dry.
You can also use it to cover up holes left by past tenants that are an eyesore, if your landlord never bothered to get them covered before your move-in.
Promising review: "This product is AMAZING!!!!! I am moving out of my apartment and had about 1,000 nail holes in my wall (I’m a reckless decorator). I was pretty stressed about my landlord seeing them. I saw this product three years ago and saved it for the day I moved, and last week was that day. I’m obsessed. I have pulled every nail out of my wall just to have the joy of using this incredible product. And do you think I’m cleaning the wall beforehand or painting over it afterward? Of course I’m not, and in my opinion you can skip those steps too. Locate a hole, smear it with erase a hole, and wipe it away (I’ve used tissues, wash cloths, paper towels-they’re all fine). It’s amazing. A miracle. No holes at all." —Julia M. Dunn
Get it from Amazon for $11.89 (also available in a two-pack).
13. And an all-in-one Hang-O-Matic picture hanging tool to make hanging things way easier going forward — it comes with sliding pins so you can mark where you need to place holes and ensure they'll be level so you don't have to do the walk of shame back and try again.
Promising review: "While hanging shelves and frames and other wall decorations shouldn't be rocket science, I make things more complicated than they should be. Leveling is where I normally falter. With the Hang-O-Matic it becomes an exact science! It's so simple to use! I've hung over 10 items on our walls this past weekend and it was a breeze with this tool. Just measure, put the tape to the wall where you want it, ensure your tape is level, and then push the marker pins in to know where you need to put in your anchors/hooks. When you're doing it solo, this tool is absolutely priceless!" —Shameel Kumar
Get it from Amazon for $11.98.
14. A bottle of Howard Products wood polish and conditioner (boasting 27,000+ 5-star ratings) made with beeswax and orange oil if the wood surfaces inside your apartment are looking dull and dry. With this, you can polish your furniture, cabinets, doors, and more to restore their luster.
Promising reviews: "I live in an old apartment so I don’t like to spend much of my own money making boring things nice. I have some wooden cabinets that looked rather dull. This product gave them the right amount of shine to spruce them up a bit. It was easy to use and apply and a little goes a long way." —Sally
"I was moving out of an apartment and accidentally scratched a large portion of the laminate flooring while moving boxes and I needed something to fix it to avoid losing my security deposit. I bought this hoping that it would help but wasn’t sure it would, since it was laminate instead of wood, but it worked! I followed the directions on the bottle and you couldn’t see any of the scratches at all! The treated floor was very slippery while the product was on so I recommend avoiding walking on the area. Overall, great product." —Alexandra Ortiz
Get it from Amazon for $11.79.
15. An odor-eliminating spray that'll help you hide the signs of that pet your landlord may or may not actually know about 🫣. Not only does it lift away stains; it also releases enzymes that break down the deep and persistent odors left behind.
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: "Me and my girlfriend had our doubts when we bought this. Initially, we got it for our cat who would throw up on carpet. While it doesn't say it on the label, it certainly works for that. It was also perfect for when we brought in a senior dog to our apartment. With him getting used to a carpeted home and needing to ask to be escorted out, there were a few accidents. Once we left for a few minutes, and came back to a huge puddle on our bed. We quickly removed the bedding and dumped almost a whole bottle of this stuff on everything. After washing and letting it all dry, there's not a trace of it. This stuff has quite literally saved our apartment from smelling like cat puke and dog pee. Buy it; it's absolutely worth it." —Wyatt B.
Get a 32-ounce bottle from Amazon for $19.97 (also available in a gallon size).
16. A bottle of Goo Gone kitchen degreaser capable of cutting through the baked-on oil and grease layering your stove, kitchen appliances, cookware, and above-the-stove cabinets. There's nothing worse than feeling that slimy layer there and watching your usual cleaning attempts fall short of removing it all — with this stuff, it's about to be a thing of the past.
It's safe for use on tile, ceramic, and sealed stone surfaces *and* even safe for food prep areas!
Promising reviews: "I feel obligated to write a review about this. This is simply amazing. The two cabinet doors over the microwave hood had so much buildup grease, I almost wanted to replace the doors. Then I found this degreaser, sprayed on it, did not even let it sit for too long, and used Lysol sanitizing wipes to wipe it clean. Now the doors look brand-new!" —Tyler Wu
"Works well at getting out turmeric stains from my formica countertops and kitchen sink. I have used other degreasers, but this is the best one so far. Also, it doesn't generate fumes that make me cough." —s patel
Get it from Amazon for $11.63+ (available in two sizes).
17. A pack of Miracle-Gro plant food spikes if your form of a "garden" is your precious collection of houseplants, but your leafy green friends keep dying or aren't showing much growth despite your diligent watering. Just plop these into the soil, and they'll feed each plant with essential nutrients they need to ~thrive~ for up to two months!
Promising review: "Must-have for all houseplants! It's the best plant food! I use these for all of my houseplants — I have around 30 or so. Super easy to use and works perfectly for all my plants. Definitely worth the buy!" —Kala Haley
Get a pack of 48 from Amazon for $3.62 (also available in other packs).
18. And a pack of sticky traps those pesky flying bugs that swarm your indoor plants can't resist, trapping them so you can (ugh) dispose of them later.
Promising reviews: "Absolutely practical and effective. I was noticing some small flies in my house after repotting my aloe plant. That night I was browsing BuzzFeed articles and it was on a list of Amazon must-haves. I bought them immediately and have no regrets! I only put two in and have more to use in the future! They are extremely sticky so be careful setting these up. Once it sticks to itself it’s impossible to pull apart." —Ben
"Wow this worked awesome. I had tiny gnats flying around my apartment and didn’t know which plant they were coming from. I stick one of these in each plant and found the source. Worked great for catching adult gnats, and I used another product to kill the eggs down in the soil. This has drastically reduced the gnats! Also, incredibly satisfying to see them all stuck to the yellow tape instead of flying around my apartment. Will be buying refills!" —Jessica Han
Get a pack of seven traps from Amazon for $5.99.
19. A jar of The Pink Stuff, an internet-beloved, all-purpose cleaning paste made to tackle stains, dirt, and grime practically anywhere. You'll want to put it to the test on every corner of your apartment, whether it's that stained stovetop, soap scum-covered shower doors, or crayon-marked wall you've long given up on — just watch this versatile paste work its magic (and get you that security deposit back).
This TikTok-famous paste can clean literally ANY mess whether it's in your bathroom, kitchen, basement or anywhere in between.
Check out this TikTok where BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross uses The Pink Stuff on a dirty sheet pan, pair of white sneakers, and her toaster oven — spoiler, the results are *seriously* impressive.
Promising review: "Got this because TikTok made me do it. I put a smear on a hair dye stain in my shower from six months ago. Thought I’d have to let it sit for a while so I rubbed it in with a Scrub Daddy and was ready to let it sit, but it was already gone. Blew my mind. Removed rust stains in the toilet and hard water marks from the tank instantly. Goodbye to other cleaners." —L. Seitz
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
20. Or an eco-friendly oven scrub if previous tenants missed the memo re: that whole "deep clean before you move out" thing (*sigh*) — that baked-on grease and food from years ago is no match for this all-natural paste. It's handmade with a blend of plant- and mineral-derived ingredients, like eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint essential oils; pumice stone; and baking soda.
Everneat is a Fairfield, Connecticut-based Etsy shop filled with natural cleaning products and tools.
Promising review: "LOVE IT! Oven door is a constant struggle. I hate chemical cleaners, so I thought I would try this. I bought the Lift scent and the unscented. The Lift smells fantastic, natural, not chemically, and the Clear truly is unscented. Works beautifully! I think the combo of grit in the scrub plus the metal scrubbie are magic together. I wore nitrile gloves and the scrubbie did end up poking a hole in them, so keep that in mind if you just got a mani or don’t want rough nails — use thick gloves. It does require elbow grease, because, hello, baked on bits of grease! But was very simple to use. Just smeared it on, added a little H2O to the scrubbie and went to town. Very impressed! I used not even 5% of one jar (for just the very dirty door) so it seems like it will last a while. Way better than BKF and wipes off easily. LOVE IT!!" —aniebauer
Get it from Everneat on Etsy for $19.99 (available in three scents).
21. A jar of clear Museum Gel, a reusable nontoxic gel that'll secure all the breakables in your apartment so they don't get knocked over (by a mischievous cat, a clumsy family member, or even an earthquake). It won't stain or leave marks on your furniture either (a renter-friendly aspect if you're using it in drawers or on shelves that are part of the space).
Promising review: "A little goes a long way and it works perfectly! We needed this for southern California's earthquake-prone geography and the glass art on glass shelves. We were able to affix the gel easily and everything stays put now. You can barely see the gel through the glass shelf. The amount you need is very small so I nearly have a full container left and I was able to attach all the items shown in this picture. I could have done 10–15 sets of shelves just like this." —Dennis & Karen Gunther
Get it from Amazon for $12.93.
22. 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. That's one cleaning task you don't have to worry about.
Promising reviews: "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
"I usually don’t write reviews, but OH MY GOD, this is such an amazing product. I moved into an apartment that my family used to live in, and they never cleaned, so you can imagine all the soap scum. Usually, it would take hours on end and A LOT of elbow grease until my back was killing me to clean showers, but wow. You just spray and it AUTOMATICALLY starts melting off — no elbow grease needed. There were some spots that were probably there for years that I had to scrub a little, but took seconds of scrubbing. THIS AND THE MAGIC ERASER PACK ON HERE? PERFECTION. You won’t regret this purchase." —princess jade
Get it from Amazon for $20.98 (available in two scents, two sizes, and multipacks).
23. A dishwasher cleaner and disinfectant because, truly, who KNOWS how old that thing is and if it's been cleaned since the day it was installed. It'll effectively remove the nasty buildup inside your dishwasher that's causing those funky smells: Just add a tablet, run a normal wash cycle, and watch lime and mineral buildup disappear, leaving it looking brand-new.
It's recommended to use these once a month (you'll get 12 tablets, enough to last you a full year) or as needed to keep things clean and fresh!
Promising review: "I moved into my apartment almost two years ago. The dishwasher 'worked' but just sloshed water at dishes and didn’t clean them. They were always just as dirty as before the cycle. So for almost two years, I’ve just used the dishwasher as a drying rack. Until someone told me my dishwasher might need cleaning. (The maintenance guys never found anything wrong with it.) So I read the reviews and bought these amazing tablets! I popped two in for the first cleaning (per instructions) and my dishwasher was spotless afterwards! I wish I had a before photo of all the hard water orange rusty grossness. But all gone now! And the best part is that my dishwasher actually washes dishes clean now! I could not be more thrilled!!!" —Sunny
Get a two-pack (with 12 tablets total) from Amazon for $8.95.
24. And washing machine cleaner tablets (if you're lucky enough to have one in-unit — if so, I'm jealous!) for the exact same reason: The thing that cleans your clothes needs to be clean itself! These tablets are the easiest way to quickly clean smelly residues and grime that build up inside your washing machine over time.
These are safe to use with front-load washing machines and top-load washing machines, and both high-efficiency and conventional machines. It's recommended to use once a month!
Promising review: "I live in an apartment with truly terrible maintenance. My washer/dryer unit had to be replaced when the dryer started leaving rust streaks on my clothes, and first they brought me a replacement that didn't work at all, then they brought me a working but DISGUSTING one that was full of somebody else's dirt, lint, and caked-on blue detergent. I debated whether it was worth the effort of fighting with management further and decided I'd deal with it myself. After my home remedy tricks, it was better, but still not usable. Finally, Affresh fixed the mess. I got the tablets and the wipes and between the two, succeeded in getting rid of the gross. So if you've got a college boy–level of disgusting going on in your washer, this will do the trick." —M
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $10.98 (also available in a pack of three or five).
25. Plus, a far-reaching dryer vent lint brush capable of getting deeeep in there to scoop out all that gross trapped lint clogging your vents.
Promising review: "Why didn’t I know about this sooner?! A must-have for anyone annoyed at the amount of dryer lint left behind when you pull out the lint catcher. Now I can get it all. Note: you’ll probably need to vacuum more after cleaning it out." —Interpreter
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.95.
26. And a set of washer and dryer bedsheet detanglers if the old dryer in your apartment or the shared laundry room simply doesn't work that well, and you're tired of pulling your bedding out of the machine, only to find that part of it is balled up, wet, dirty, and wrinkly. This prevents your sheets from tangling and twisting during wash/dry cycles so they come out clean and dry the first time. No repeat laundry room visits, no shelling out more quarters for additional loads!
Wad-Free is a woman-owned small biz that was launched during the pandemic. Cyndi Bray, the founder, learned CAD (computer-aided design) to create the pads. You might remember Wad-Free from Shark Tank!
Promising reviews: "These really work well. I live in an apartment building where the laundry room is down the hall. Usually when I wash sheets I have to set a timer halfway through the cycle and go back to the laundry room to straighten out the sheets, remove any items caught in them, and continue drying. With Wad-Free, there will be no more of that. They were easy to apply and did not come off during either the wash or dry cycle. I can't believe that no one invented something like these before. I am going to tell my family members and friends about these." —MN girl
"I saw these on a BuzzFeed list of Amazon items that are worth it to buy. I live in a condo building that has community laundry rooms, so I have to pay $1.50 for each load. My biggest struggle was when my sheets would wad up and at the end of the dryer cycle my clothes would still be pretty wet to the point where I’d either have to pay another $1.50 or hang the laundry around my apartment. I was skeptical about this product, but it works and it works well. You just have to make sure you include just enough of the sheet corners to hold it into the little device if you pull in too much of the sheet it won’t hold onto it properly and it’ll fall off. That only happened once and I learned quickly. I love this product, nothing gets wadded up and the clothes all washes well and dries well with this product." —R Glez
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a four-pack).
27. A double-ended extension chord for that room that's severely lacking in power outlets (or one of them just...doesn't work 🙃) — luckily, with this, you'll be able to plug up to six items into a single outlet!
As someone who, at my old apartment, found out that two of the four outlets in my bedroom didn't work AFTER I moved in, I feel your pain if you're in a similar boat.
These cords are 6 feet long and have three plugs each.
Promising review: "I have no idea why these are not sold everywhere. PERFECT for my room! I ended up getting this due to my king-size bed being against a wall with only one outlet. I needed a way to connect my two lamps on my nightstand and this is absolutely, without a doubt, the very best solution to connecting my lamps and also not having all my outlets taken up. I recommend this to everyone! Also perfect for outlets connected to a switch to turn on and off both lights at the same time." —Ryan
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in two colors).
28. A handy little scraper tool that'll help you scrape off that burnt-on stove top gunk, annoying little stickers, dried-on paint, and other hard-to-remove substances (thanks, former residents 🙄) that have resisted your scrubbing thus far.
Promising reviews: "This is the greatest cleaning tool invented! I love it! I had tried every tip to get rid of the hard-water buildup around my sinks and this little gizmo gets rid of it in a breeze. Everyone should have one. So simple and so brilliant." —Debra J.
"A household necessity! OBSESSED with this tool. It got up some gunk around the sink drain in my new apartment that I thought I was never going to get rid of. Didn’t even take that much elbow grease! EVERYONE needs one of these!" —Amazon Customer
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a five-pack).
29. An automatic bleach toilet cleaning system for that apartment toilet that's seen better days, and because anything that makes keeping your porcelain throne clean as hands-free as possible is worth it in our book. After a simple install, it'll clean and deodorize with every flush — no more mold or mildew growth — and it'll slow down wear and tear on internal tank parts (which is good if your landlord drags their feet on fixing/replacing things).
It's super quick to install, and one cartridge can last up to three months!
Promising review: "This product is AWESOME! We’ve been struggling with black mold under the rim of the toilets — three different houses, three different apartments here in Houston! We’ve tried drop in tablets, under rim things, lots of different products. Nothing worked until this! I’ve bought these for each of my daughters. It was easy to set up, great product!" —notenufftime
Get it from Amazon for $10.53.
30. A brilliant power scrubber brush that straight-up attaches to a drill to 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.
If you happen to need a drill, here's a good Black & Decker one (as shown above!). And check out our Drill Brush attachment review for more on just how well it works!
Drill Brush is a small business based in New York that makes cleaning brushes that attach to drills. It was started in 2007 by a former electrician who suffered from carpal tunnel and needed a way to clean without causing him harm.
Note: Each color of the Drill Brush attachment corresponds to the type of bristles they have, and each one is best suited for a specific type of cleaning job (for example, the yellow brush has medium bristles, best used for bathroom cleaning — bathtubs, showers, tile, and porcelain). Be sure to check the listing for which color is best for your intended purpose before buying!
Promising review: "I've been eyeing these for a few months, and man, do I regret not picking them up as soon as I saw them! They work GREAT! We rent an apartment that has a 30+ year old shower/tub. I've used everything from abrasive powders and gels to (most recently) the bathroom Magic Erasers and nothing really got the grime out. These WORK and they work fast. 10 minutes with my handy drill and the shower has never been cleaner. I love that I don't have to throw money out on cleaning products anymore and that I can be a little more environmentally friendly with no waste and no chemical cleaners!" —Becky Adie
Get a set of three from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors/bristle types).
31. A roll of very handy window screen repair tape for the old screen doors or windows with literal gaping holes that, apparently, no one else thought was a problem in the past (or your area is prone to heavy winds that cause damage). With this, you can patch up tears in your screens until you're able to get them replaced!
Promising review: "I live in an older apartment. I'm pretty sure these screens haven't been replaced since the '80s and they have a few holes. I used this product to patch those holes. Not an exact color match but a lot better than big gaping holes." —Melissa W
"I love this product. I bought originally for a screen mend, which it worked for. Mostly I buy it for the grates above my stove. I live in an old apartment building and whenever it was windy I would get debris blowing in through the vent above my stove. I put strips of this product over and haven’t had a problem since. And it also keeps the ventilation needed." —Spiff
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors).
32. Therapy Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish, a plant-based cleaner that'll get your stainless-steel surfaces looking brand new, no matter how many years of built-up dirt, oil, and fingerprints they have. Goodbye smudges, streaks, and residue — hello clean surfaces and a lovely lavender scent.
You'll also get a large microfiber cloth with the bottle.
Promising review: "I wish I knew about this two years ago as I have been trying every product under the sun to rid myself of the fingerprints and streaks from my stainless steel. This actually really works. I do spray it on the microfiber towel as opposed to the appliance but it really really really works! You want this. " —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (also available in multipacks).
33. A set of slim velvet hangers, because they're thinner than the average hanger, saving you precious closet space, PLUS they're capable of keeping even your slipperiest clothes (like silk and satin) held in place.
Check out what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord has to say about these lovely things: "I've used these for YEARS now after I bit the bullet and bought 60 of them, and they not only did everything they promised, but they've held up super well. Plus, nothing makes you feel like you have your life together more than hangers that actually match. Some reviewers note that the flocking has been falling off the hangers for them, but I've only experienced this if I've pulled down on it really hard if I'm in a rush — if you take your clothes off the hanger normally, it should be fine."
Get a 30-pack from Amazon for $22.60+ (available in 10 colors and three pack sizes).
34. And a second rack for holding clothes so you can see even *more* of what you own and actually put it to good use (or take stock what you should probably donate). You look in your closet every day, so you might as well make sure it's in good shape.
Promising review: "This product has been one of my favorite Amazon finds, I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it sooner. It has doubled my closet space in my apartment where I can’t make any damage in terms of adding another permanent shelf — so this has been a perfect solution. It was easy to assemble and is sturdy. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now with no issue. Your closet has to be pretty high for this to work or else your shirts above are going to get caught on the hangers below and for my case, some of my shirts are dragging on the floor — just keep this in mind when you’re thinking about purchasing." —Alex
Get it from Amazon for $16.97 (available in three colors and two-packs).
35. Plus! A Roll Keeper organizer to utilize the back of your bedroom or closet door for storing and organizing your prized T-shirt collection. It's neat, space-efficient, and *actually* helps you find that vintage band tee you're in the mood to wear without tearing through your entire closet and drawers.
The Roll Keeper is a woman-owned small business from Kelso, Washington! And if you need help learning how to load and unload the Roll Keeper, you can watch this handy video.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Mal Mower says, "Before getting this I was driving myself up the wall with my bad folding habits. I basically shoved all my shirts into the storage drawers under my bed, because I have a teeny-tiny closet in a small apartment (the picture above gives you a solid idea of how small it is). This has given me a massive amount of clothing storage I didn't have before. The quality is stellar and Traci is 10/10 the most thoughtful person I've purchased an Etsy product from!"
Get it from The Roll Keeper on Etsy for $17.99 (available in two colors; also available from Amazon for just over $20).
36. A pack of Amazon Basics 100-watt bulbs that mimic warm daylight to help the room look like the sun is hitting it, in case your apartment gets very little direct sunlight (shoutout to my former Manhattan apartment window that literally faced a brick wall).
These bulbs have a CCT (correlated color temperature) of 5000 K, which is closest to natural daylight (although keep in mind they will be quite bright). FYI, the lower the CCT, the warmer the light source is, so you can pick the temperature that best suits your space.
Promising reviews: "Saw these from a fellow Instagrammer; she showed the difference between soft white and daylight. I was AMAZED at the difference. I am IN LOVE with these light bulbs; they have made a HUGE difference in my whole apartment. I have put them in every room. They are worth the money!!" —Treva Avant
"Super bright. My apartment had yellow lights in my bathroom and this brightened it up IMMEDIATELY." —TaQiyyah
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.18 (available in four colors, larger pack sizes, and different strengths).
37. A set of nonstick oven liners, because scraping burnt food off the bottom of your oven is a task no one wants to spend time doing (especially when it comes time to move out at the end of your lease). They're easily cut if needed to match your oven size and even easier to clean — just rinse them off or toss in the dishwasher for a deeper wash!
The liners are nonstick, reusable, dishwasher safe, and heat-resistant up to 500 degrees. You can even use these in toaster ovens and on the grill like this reviewer:
Promising review: "These liners are life changing! I never thought I needed them until a friend raved about them. Cleanup is so simple, no more melted cheese or sauces burnt to the bottom of my ovens. I love that I can cut down to size to fit my toaster oven also. My husband enjoys grilling with the liners now, as he doesn't have to line the grill with aluminum foil which he found so annoying, deterring him from grilling. This product really has simplified my life in the kitchen and I love it." —Melissa
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.99.
38. And some shelf liners that'll help protect your cabinet shelves, pantry shelves, and drawers against scratches and other damage (and cover up any unsightly marks left by previous tenants). Another plus: They have a nice grip that'll keep glassware and other breakables from sliding around.
I use this exact same brand of liner in some of my drawers, and even use it along my kitchen window shelf because I have potted plants lining it and wanted to protect against scratches. I can vouch for the fact that it's *so* easy to cut to size and place wherever you want a lil' extra protection and grip, and the white color can actually make it look cleaner underneath if you've already got some wear and tear on your shelving.
Promising review: "I have recently moved into an apartment with some pretty gross cupboards, drawers, and kitchen shelves that I can do almost nothing about. This stuff is a great solution for me. It's a nice thick padding that's textured on the bottom so it doesn't slide around. The top is slick and smooth and easy to clean. I don't really bother to trim this stuff; instead I place it in the cupboard and let the excess bend up around the edges creating a little bumper around the edge of the cabinet. Makes me feel so much better about my kitchen and the bright white look says 'clean' in a place that desperately needs something to say 'clean.' I've used a couple of different types of this style of liner in this kitchen and this brand is by far my favorite. Go ahead and buy the larger rolls. Ten feet seems like a lot of material until you're filling cupboards and drawers — you'll use more than you think." —Taylor Whitney
Get a 12-inch by 10-feet roll from Amazon for $15.14 (available in multiple sizes and colors/patterns).
39. A microfiber blinds duster for gently cleaning those sneaky window blinds (and air vents) that have built up SO much dust over time. Instead of trying to go in on each individual blind with a dust rag (and risk accidentally breaking one — oops), you can quickly and easily run this tool over two blinds at once, without putting much direct pressure on them.
Promising review: "I love this product!! It works fantastic! I am a housekeeper for several private homes. My least favorite job is cleaning window blinds! I have used about every method there is, but the job is still very time-consuming. The main reason it takes so long is you must clean each and every slat separately to do the job right. Not any more! With this product, you can clean two slats at once and it cleans them the first swipe! The microfiber is the key to getting all the dust and the design of the product makes it super easy! PLUS this tool can be used on different types of blinds because it is flexible! I have used it on wooden shutters, plastic vertical patio door blinds, and horizontal metal 'mini' blinds. Additionally, the microfiber 'sleeve' that fits on the tool is washable and it comes with five of them so it's a real value, being reusable and with so many to use it should last a long time before they all completely wear out! This product deserves 10 stars!" —Sandy D
Get the brush and five microfiber sleeves from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in two color sets).
40. Prismatic window film that'll add a little more privacy (especially if you're in a ground-level apartment) while letting the sun cast gorgeous rainbows across the room during the day. It gives the coziest stained glass effect at night, and knowing that nosy passerby can't peek inside your windows is just the icing on top.
Check out this TikTok of someone applying it to their front door windows — the effect is downright *stunning*.
Promising review: "I live in an apartment community and I wanted to find a solution to cover up my windows without using my blinds/curtains. Let me just say...wow! This beyond exceeded my expectations. Not only does it give me the privacy I need, but the way the lights reflect in the daytime AND nighttime is just breathtaking! In the morning when the sun shines through, tiny little rainbows get casted all over the bedroom! At night it looks so cozy, warm, and has a beautiful, realistic stained glass look to it." —Katie Coyle
Get a 17.5"x78.7" roll from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 11 sizes).
41. A set of NoNo Brackets, which make mounting curtains on top of vertical blinds a breeze — just attach these to the top of your blinds, and you won't have to drill any holes.
See how they work on TikTok!
Promising review: "This bracket is awesome and was extremely easy to install. We were able to hang curtains over our vertical blinds in just a few minutes and didn't even need any tools. Great product!!!" —Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.95 (also available in brown).
42. A clear toy blocker to stop all your pet's toys and balls from *immediately* ending up underneath the couch and other furniture (especially since in an apartment, room to play is limited), putting an end to one of the most annoying pet owner chores: going around and "rescuing" their toys for them. And because it's made of durable plastic, it's not something they'll be able to rip up and destroy either!
It can also help discourage them from hiding under furniture!
Promising reviews: "A must-have for ALL pet owners. This contraption is genius and will save cat (and dog) owners huge amounts of time and frustration retrieving toys. We used this beneath our oven and it works PERFECTLY. Cat can't destroy it (the way she shredded the foam insulation we had stuffed under there before) and we no longer have to get the yardstick out when literally all of her toys are 'gone.' Yes, this is a challenge to install, but 100% worth it. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat." —Allison Goldstein
"Bought these to stop my dog's balls from rolling under the couch. At first, I was nervous about the adhesive being too sticky — I live in an apartment and will need these to come off eventually — however, they are just the right amount of stickiness. They adhere nicely to my floor but are not a permanent thing, if that makes any sense. They are sturdy enough to stop the tennis balls from rolling past a snout's reach." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in three sizes).
43. A very handy bottle of Wine Away red wine stain remover so you don't have to panic the next time you or a guest spills a glass of red wine on your light-colored carpet! Just spray this onto the affected spot, let it sit for five minutes, then blot the area until the stain disappears.
You can use this on clothing too — just toss it into the washer afterward!
Promising review: "Worked on a completely dry carpet stain in our new apartment! I'm so happy! We were devastated when our big ol' dog knocked over our coffee table trying to get on the couch the other night, because one of our freshly poured glasses of red wine went tumbling over! We figured 'there goes our deposit' on this new apartment after several attempts to clean it out of our super light beige carpet. After thinking we did an OK job, we went to bed, but the next morning the spot was bright purple and dry!!! I can't tell you how relieved I am that the purple is pretty much completely gone after treating the area twice. Brilliant!!!" —Kira
Get it from Amazon for $9.54.