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    These 28 Home Improvement Products Work "Like A Charm," According To Reviewers

    You'll want to stand back and admire these results with pride.

    1. A nontoxic, waterproof grout pen so you can refresh the old stained grout on your tile floors or shower walls — a far easier and cheaper alternative to having it professionally regrouted.

    A customer review photo showing the progress on their grout
    The grout pen

    I've used this before on my own kitchen tile, which had gross dark grout that stuck out like a sore thumb every time I walked in there. It takes a bit of time and patience since you have to go slow, but the instructions are very straightforward, and if you accidentally get some outside of the lines, you can just wipe it off. The end results are well worth it — the entire area looks newer and cleaner.

    Promising review: "Works like a charm! Before I purchased this, I read a lot of the reviews. The key to getting this pen to work correctly is to shake it frequently while using it (with the cap on) and to also press the tip several times to release the liquid. You can tell when the pen is starting to dry out, so you just keep repeating the process of shaking and pressing down. My home is 60-years-old, and the grout in my tile around the tub now looks fantastic. My tile always did look pretty good, but the grout was aged and yellowing. Now it looks like brand-new tile. Clean and shiny. I used about one and a half pens for the tile around the tub, and that was with two coats. The only problem I encountered was keeping my hand steady while applying it, but it wipes off the tile very easily. I was very pleased with this product." —E

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available with a narrow or wide tip).

    2. dog spot repair solution for addressing the dirt patches in your backyard caused by pet damage. It's made from a combo of mulch, seeds, and soil designed to help healthy grass regrow in no time.

    Promising review: "We purchased this to fill some patches in our backyard that were damaged by our puppy. This seed works like a charm. The one caveat is that you really do have to water it a bit every day. Once it takes off though, it grows pretty quickly! Within one week of planting this, we had 1-inch long grass blades. One month later, all the patches are gone. Highly recommended!" —Jessica N.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.44+ (available in five sizes and in packs).

    3. Leather Honey conditioner to breathe new life into your well-worn leather couch, chairs, and other furniture. This nontoxic, non-oily conditioner softens and moisturizes your leather goods so they look like you bought 'em yesterday, not years ago. 

    Leather ottoman with
    Brown leather sofa that's been cleaned

    The formula is also water, snow, and rain repellent, so it'll build a layer of protection for your belongings to last longer. It can be used on leather shoes, accessories, interiors, furniture, upholstery, saddles, jackets, and tack.

    Promising review: "After applying shoe polish to restore color on the seats and arms of several old dark-colored leather chairs, I used this to restore the finish, condition the crackled leather, and prevent the polish from rubbing off. Worked like a charm. Follow the directions: Put a tiny amount on the cloth, not the leather, and rub it in well a few square inches at a time. Plan on doing the whole area, not just part of it, for a smooth, even finish." —Frequent Customer

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

    4. Or a leather recoloring balm for restoring color to your faded or scratched-up leather, restoring its vibrant original appearance. It's great for leather furniture, car interiors, shoes, bags, and more!

    Note: Furniture Clinic (the maker of this product) recommends testing to see if your leather is absorbent before using this product by seeing if a drop of water will soak into the undamaged part of the leather. If the water is able to soak in, use this balm! If it cannot soak in, they recommend using their leather repair paint instead. 

    Promising review: "I have two camel-colored leather chairs that are in a very sunny spot in my house. They have faded so much over the years I thought I was going to have to get new ones, but I decided to try this product first. It worked like a charm!!!! The color match was perfect, very user-friendly, and didn't take very long at all to do both chairs. This product single-handedly saved my chairs!!!!!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in 16 colors and two kits). 

    5. Some marble self-adhesive film to revitalize that old, scratched-up desk, vanity, or bathroom counter by resurfacing it. It's *significantly* cheaper and quicker than a full remodeling, and you're not married to the final result if you change your mind down the road, as it peels off easily without leaving damage.

    See it on TikTok!

    The film is made from vinyl/PVC film and is water-resistant. To apply, you cut the film to the size you need, remove the backing paper, put it on any dry and flat surface using a D-C-Fix smoother, and it will look as good as new.

    Promising review: "Added a complete makeover to the bathroom. Totally brightened up everything and was easy to put on. It’s important to be patient while placing on!!! It was the hubby's first time and worked like a charm for him." —Charrita Nelson

    Get a two-roll pack from Amazon for $25.50 (available in multiple packs).

    6. Or a create-your-own countertop kit that'll transform your outdated countertops with HGTV-level results, minus the cost of involving *actual* professionals.

    reviewer's tiled countertop before
    and after with a granite look

    Promising reviews: "Used this kit in our RV. Worked like a charm and has held up for over six months now with no issues. Everything you need is in the kit, so that was great as well." —TDMO

    "I hated my stock builder counters, a horrible washed-out mustard color. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough money to get the real marble counters that I covet. I found this product on TikTok and was immediately intrigued! Of course, I had to purchase it. I bought the two-pack because per the instructions, I wouldn’t have enough to cover all of my counters. The process took two days with the waiting between applications, but it was extremely easy to use. I’m giving it 5 stars because of ease of applying, appearance, and the fact that it changes the whole look of my kitchen!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $99.95 (available in five colors).

    7. fabric shaver to rescue your poor couch, chairs, pillows, and other fabric-covered items that are starting to pill (especially if you have cats who love to use their claws on them). This will shave off the unsightly loose ends to bring your fabric pieces back to life. 

    A reviewer's armchair, half of it covered in nubby pills and labeled
    before/after of a shredded couch that's been shaved and cleaned up

    And it works on sweaters and clothes, too, of course!

    Promising review: "I was a little worried about using this on my chair and sofa. I didn’t want to accidentally make a hole or anything. It was easy to use and worked like a charm to remove some pilling on the cushions. My granddaughter saw me doing it and begged me to have a turn. She’s 12, but I let her since this gadget was so reliable." —Sstocker

    Get it on Amazon for $13.30+ (available in six colors and rechargeable or battery-operated versions).

    8. A set of airtight paint touch-up pens so you can go to town on all the scuffs and marks around your home that, quite frankly, you're tired of seeing every time you walk by. 

    Hand with pen in paint bucket, filling it, syringe-like
    Hand using brush tip of pen to cover up a small scratch on a wall
    Amazon, Slobproof

    They work like little syringes to neatly suck up the paint from the can. Because they're completely airtight, the paint lasts for years without drying out! They *are* refillable, despite what some reviewers claim; here's how.

    Slobproof is the woman-owned small biz that sells these genius touch-up paint pens!

    Promising review: "I love, love, love these. A variation of these may have been around for years, but I’ve never run across them. Saw these on BuzzFeed and ordered immediately. I was so excited to get them and start finally being able to cover up scratches on my walls, and marks from chairs being pushed into the walls, and other mishaps. These flaws were slowly getting on my nerves, but I really didn’t want to get out the paint brush, paint tray, etc. These paint syringes were exactly what I needed and worked like a charm. Awesome product!" —*Sparkle*

    Get a pack of two on Amazon for $16.99.

    9. A heavy-duty self-sealing screen door to keep air circulating and let pets go in and out without pawing at the door every half hour, closing automatically behind them thanks to the magnetism. It *also* keeps mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other flying pests out of your home!

    A sunny patio viewed through a screen door
    a dog coming inside through the screen door

    Promising review: "I was skeptical. I bought this for my new puppy to go in and out during potty training. It’s heavy duty, and it works like a charm. She goes in and out, and I don’t have to get up. Keeps all the flies and mosquitoes out. I highly recommend." —Shopper 1234

    Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in four sizes). 

    10. A bottle of wood polish and conditioner made with beeswax and orange oil if the wood surfaces inside and outside your home are looking dull and dry. With this, you can polish your furniture, cabinets, doors, and more to restore their former luster — basically erasing years of use like magic. 

    Promising review: "This worked like a charm! We have very nice walnut cabinets in our motor home, and over the years, some scratches and dings have occurred. This product easily wiped on and virtually wiped out the booboos! Amazing results with very little effort." —Tomas

    Get a bottle from Amazon for $9.98.

    11. A set of magnetic decorative hinges to bring a vintage-y touch to your garage doors. They attach magnetically and add that classic carriage house style to ~elevate~ your home's aesthetic.

    And you can easily take them off if you move! Plus, if you really want to complete the look, you can also add some magnetic windows to the top (like the picture above shows).

    Promising review: "For $20 a door, this added SO MUCH curb appeal to our doors. Best money I spent on outdoor decor. They are very strong magnets — I live in a windy area of Kansas and they stick like a charm." —Mary Krejci

    Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in three styles).

    12. 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 can skip replacing your entire sink.

    Promising reviews: "Worked like a charm! The sink is probably about 50 years years old and it was stained up the wazoo. This clean sink took only 5 minutes. I definitely recommend this product!" —Denise I

    "I have a ceramic sink, but the drain was old and blackened from years of use. This product cleaned it up and shined the old drain. I had tried everything else but to no avail. Whatever is in this is just what you need for old sink metals." —BonLynLee

    Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in different sizes and packs).

    13. An easy-to-install high-pressure rainfall showerhead with an adjustable extension arm so you can set your preferred angle and height.

    a waterfall showerhead installed using an extender arm
    another reviewer's shower with the same shower head set up, showing the heavy stream

    Check out how easy this is to set up in this TikTok!

    Promising reviews: "Literally life-changing, works like a charm. This works PERFECTLY for low water pressure, is a high-quality material, and has changed my showering experience drastically. Frankly, I'm a little upset I didn't switch to this sooner." —Blake

    "This showerhead is well within a reasonable budget and goes well beyond the bang for its buck. We were up and running in under 10 minutes, and I could not wait to hop in. Once I did, the luxury I experienced could've fooled me into thinking I was anywhere but my own shower. The stream is wide enough that I feel like I'm getting hugged by the goddess of the sea, Amphitrite herself, but still controlled to not spit on me if I step out of its line of fire. Meanwhile, its pressure is soft enough to maximize relaxation while giving enough strength to get all the shampoo out of my thick, unkempt hair. I would say more, but I'd rather go shower for the third time today." —Amazon Customer

    Get the shower head for $14.39+ (available in four colors and five sizes) and the adjustable shower arm for $14.99+ (available in four colors), both from Amazon.

    14. An easily installed TV wall mount if the whole concept of studs and anchors is something you can't quite wrap your head around — with just some small nails and about 10 minutes, you'll have your mount ready to go, capable of holding TVs up to 55 inches!

    A person nailing in a bracket into the wall
    A person hanging a TV on the wall
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I love this product! I wanted to hang the TV above the fireplace but worried about what could be behind the drywall if I went too far. This takes several small nails and has held my 42-inch TV up for 2.5 years! Easy to install. Just bought a new one for my 55-inch TV. Works like a charm!!" —AI

    Get it from Amazon for $20.74 (available for TVs 26"–55").

    15. Plus, a bottle of drywall repair putty so you can cover up the evidence of all those failed attempts to hang things, because having stray holes all over your walls isn't exactly ideal.

    A series of photos showing how to apply the drywall repair putty
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Very easy to use. I had pulled some sheetrock off of my wall accidentally, and this worked like a charm to fill the damage. It even dried to match the builder's basic beige paint that I swear every landlord must get an extreme discount on. I also used it in my bathroom, where I knocked a shower curtain rod off accidentally, and it scuffed the wall. Voila. The issue is no longer an issue. Definitely recommend keeping this around." —j.Nikae

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    16. flat outlet plug with an attached power strip — the cover lays flat so you can avoid awkwardly bumping into it and actually push your furniture up against the wall if needed. It also looks *much* cleaner and is easier to hide while still giving you access to different outlets for your devices!

    Sleek Socket is a small biz focused on sleek power outlet solutions for the home!

    Promising review: "Works like a charm. This worked to solve the exact issue I had. I needed access to the outlet, but the large normal surge power strip cord was not functional as the outlet was right behind our bench. This solves the problem flawlessly. It’s flush with the wall, allowing the bench to sit against the wall without jutting out and pushing on the cord. Keeps the items plugged in safe (internet modem and router are plugged in there)." —jicole24

    Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in two lengths and several styles, including surge protectors and dual power strips).

    17. A Nuvo cabinet paint kit in case you've been itching to renovate your kitchen, but the costs of hiring a professional have been holding you back. Prep is super minimal — no need to strip or prime — and the paint dries beautifully with a soft satin finish. Get ready to see friends' jaws drop when they find out you did it all yourself!

    reviewer image of their brown cabinets before
    same kitchen with white painted cabinets after

    The kit comes with two cans of cabinet paint, a roller arm, two roller covers, and an angled paintbrush.

    Promising reviews: "Repainted my kitchen cabinets and island. Worked like a charm. Super easy instructions. Looks great!!" —Lauren Gilbreth

    "Unbelievable results. This product surpassed our expectations. We were skeptical because it did not seem like enough paint. Wow, we did two coats and still have half a can left. We did prep the whole kitchen with tape and contractor protection paper. The first coat went on very fast, and I couldn't figure out the amount to apply, but after the first cabinet, it became clear that it did not cover like the first coat of paint. It was thin, like satin. When we applied the second coat, oh my gosh, it was just beautiful. We did take the doors off and painted them separately in the basement. We did no sanding, no top coat, because you do not need it. We did label the doors, which made the installation back easier. Would purchase this product again. Our neighbors cannot believe that we did the painting ourselves, because it looks professional. Transformation of our kitchen is priceless. Buy buy buy the product." —Brad Isley

    Get it from Amazon for $69.95+ (available in eight colors). 

    18. Prismatic window film that'll add a little more privacy while bathing the room in rainbows during the day. It gives the coziest stained glass effect at night, and knowing no nosy passerby can peek inside your windows only makes your home feel more like a sanctuary.

    the prismatic window film on a window with sunlight streaming through and rainbow prisms
    the prismatic window film applied to a kitchen window

    Check out this TikTok of someone applying it to their front door windows — the effect is downright *stunning*. 

    Promising review: "I used this on my dorm windows because I live on the first floor of a busy road and didn’t want people looking into my room. Usually, I keep the blinds closed, but I wanted an alternative to let light in. It works like a charm and, as an added bonus, lights up my room with rainbows when hit by the sun — so pretty! Absolutely love it." —andie

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 11 sizes).

    19. A leaf shine formula because if your houseplants are looking dull, they probably just need a little TLC. This'll shine them right up so they can beautify your space and look their best!

    reviewer's plant with one leaf much shinier than another
    a hand holding the bottle of leaf shine

    Promising reviews: "Works like a charm. My leaves are so healthy thanks to this!" —Nichole Moody

    "I've had a fiddle fig for 2+ years, and the leaves have never been that rich dark green color. I figured I'd give this a try because my fiddle fig sits in my foyer and is the first thing everyone sees when they walk in the door. It's also what everyone sees in my background on my Zoom calls! So I got this and gave the leaves a quick spray. I didn't rub it in or anything, just a light coat. I kind of forgot about it, but the next day, I came downstairs, and the light was shining nicely, and I was so shocked at how beautiful and healthy my plant looked! It brought my fiddle fig back to life!" —SM

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $10.76.

    20. A set of NoNo Brackets that make mounting curtains a breeze — just attach these to the top of your existing blinds, and you won't have to drill any holes.

    a close up look at the. nono bracket
    curtains hung in a cozy looking living room using the nono brackets

    Promising reviews: "Worked like a charm, easy to install over a vertical blind rod. It's sturdy, and holds my patio door curtain rod and curtain very well. So glad I found this item; it saved a lot of hassle as no need to install another rod." —F. M.M.

    "Saw this on a TikTok hack. Perfect for renters. Worked great and easy to install." —Jennie R Trujillo

    Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.95 (available in other colors here). 

    21. mold and mildew stain remover to rescue your outdoor furniture, vinyl siding, and kitchen and bathroom surfaces from mold and mildew buildup. This formula cleans away stains without any heavy scrubbing needed — just spray down whatever you're trying to clean, let it sit, and then rinse it off with a hose to finish the job.

    RMR Brands is a small business that launched in 2013 creating powerful cleaning solutions for your toughest messes. 

    Promising reviews: "I had mold in my kitchen sink area and tried several different mold removers to no avail. I had almost accepted my moldy fate when I discovered RMR. I let it sit for 15 minutes and wiped off and it worked like a charm!" —Katie

    "This brought my bathroom back to life. It was almost instant. I didn’t even have to scrub. Wish I did before and after shots. I’m in love with my tub again." —Keisha C

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in a larger size and packs).

    22. Enamel paint that'll clean up the look of your metal surfaces that have seen much, much better days. Whether it's the washer and dryer in your laundry room or an old fridge that's rusted and scratched, this will get them back into tip-top shape. 

    reviewers washer before, looking yellowed, dented, and scratched
    reviewer's washer after, looking white and brand new

    Some reviewers even use it to redo their countertops or sinks, although you might want to use an acrylic sealer afterward if you decide to do that! It's fantastic for vintage appliances too, according to one reviewer.

    Promising reviews: "I was afraid to try this, but it worked like a charm on my old vinyl-coated GE refrigerator. It works fine, but it had rust blistering up through the vinyl. Saved me big bucks on having to buy a new fridge." —Wild Clematis

    Get a quart from Amazon for $26.98.

    23. weatherproofing strip to better seal doors and keep your precious AC from escaping. Another big benefit: It'll help muffle the distracting sounds of car horns or your neighbor's loud music while working from home!

    Reviewer pic of the soundproofing strip installed on a door
    A reviewer showing a close-up of the insulation on the strip

    Promising reviews: "I like the flexibility of this strip. The gap between my door and the frame was a bit wider than usual. I was able to split the tap and then stack it up, and it filled up the gap nicely without being bulky or an eye sore. Works like a charm." —An Active User

    "New neighbors have obnoxious kids, and this helps block out their foul-mouthed yelling and other annoying sounds from outside. It is two strips per roll, which is actually the width needed for my windows, door, and sliding glass door. I used a chopstick to push it into place since the spaces in my windows were exactly the width of each strip. I was amazed at how much sound this managed to block out, and it will likely do wonders for letting air escape during the hot summers here as well." —Tabitha

    Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in four colors and two lengths).

    24. Some rust-stopping spray paint that'll give you the perfect weekend project: revamping your metal outdoor furniture or railings. People love using this on old rusty chairs, tables, planters, or even garden arches like the one below! The oil-based formula gives your outdoor pieces a protective coating with rust prevention, with a shiny new look to admire. 

    metal garden trellis half painted in new white paint
    a bicycle planter that's been given a blue coat

    Promising reviews: "Works like a charm. I liked the fact that it was easy to use and did not run. You cannot tell I applied it, but it protects my metal flowers." —Sharon Randall

    "My husband had gotten a small glass garden table from his mom, and the paint had faded. I wanted to bring it back to life, and I found this color — it worked perfectly. It is rich and vibrant and dried pretty quickly. Now my patio is perfect for the summer." —Grace Foster

    "Perfect. It left such a beautiful finish on an old beach bicycle, which I turned into a planter/decoration for outside. Beautiful coverage with one coat." —Dana

    Get it from Amazon for $10.59 (available in four finishes — gloss, satin, flat, or semi-gloss — and several colors). 

    25. A roll of very handy window screen repair tape so you can patch up tears in your screen door until you're ready to replace the whole thing.

    Promising review: "I had a screen torn by flying limbs in one of our many hurricanes, and rather than get the entire screen replaced for a 6-inch tear, I tried this product. Works like a charm! Yes, you can see the patch, but it's a screen, and this patch keeps out mosquitoes, flies, etc. I highly recommend this. I put the patch on both sides of the screen for extra protection." —dunck

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors and three sizes).

    26. A versatile Katzco Furniture Repair Kit that comes with everything you need to give your wooden furniture, doors, and fixtures a touch-up, including six markers and six wax sticks in a variety of shades for color-matching.

    A before and after customer review photo of their door covered with scratches then not covered
    A customer review before and after photo showing their cabinets with and without wear

    Promising review: "I recently had laminate flooring installed. To my horror, as I was vacuuming, a bottle of wine fell from the wine holder and dinged my new floor. Being a perfectionist I knew that I could not live with the dings, especially with them being in such a visible area. So I called the installer and he said that it would be $200 to fix. I saw this product on Amazon and thought I would give it a try — if it didn't work, then I would pay to have it replaced. Well, to my surprise, this WORKED like a charm!!! I used the Mahogany marker and dabbed the area three times until the color matched. I walked away to get my phone to take a pic, and when I returned, I literally had to get down on my knees to find the spot. Like I said, I am a PERFECTIONIST and not easily satisfied with DIY fixes, but this proved to the best $9 investment of my life!" —Deevah

    Get a set of 13 markers and wax sticks from Amazon for $8.99.

    27. A jar of clear Museum Gel, a reusable nontoxic gel that'll secure your belongings 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 customer review photo of a finger holding a tiny amount of the Museum Gel
    a graphic showing a cat walking around a glass jar

    Promising reviews: "Works like a charm. These are great for keeping things from rattling on your bookshelf when walking by. Ridiculously easy to use and can barely see it." —Peggy Olyniec

    "When our spicy baby cat needs attention RIGHT NOW, she employs her skills of destruction and mayhem by knocking anything and everything off every surface her lil' paws can reach. Typical terror time is around 4:30 a.m. to make sure she gets her 5 a.m. breakfast. So unnecessary — that’s where this museum gel proved itself to be a miracle product. She was distraught to realize she could no longer push my fragile vase and perfume bottles, my wife’s glasses holder, ANYTHING to make a commotion alarm." —Lexie

    Get it from Amazon for $11.46.

    28. A quart of front door paint because a fresh coat and bold new shade will liven up your entryway. A calming blue, a bright yellow, or perhaps a mossy green...the options are endless.

    Promising review: "Works like a charm. I just bought my first house and was looking for a quick, cheap update for the front door that will eventually get replaced down the road so I decided to paint the current one. My original door is a standard white exterior door. I was able to do this in a few hours (that includes drying time). Did two coats; the paint applies easily and dries very well. I purchased the color Happy and would say it is a brighter yellow that contrasts well with my light blue house and white trim. Definitely recommend." —KBay

    Get it from Amazon for $23.70+ (available in 15 colors).

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.