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 pack of AA batteries so you won’t have to sacrifice your kids’ toys to appease the smoke detector gods.
If you're buying batteries with your smoke detector in mind, some older versions still use 9V batteries...just a friendly FYI (from my spouse, who is in charge of dealing with the smoke detectors in our home).
Promising review: "These batteries truly are a great value. I have been buying them for a while now and have never had any issue with them lasting a long time. I use them in many different items: remotes, game controllers, transistor radio (how retro!), smoke alarm, etc." —JustMe
Get 20 from Amazon for $9.92 (available in multiple pack sizes).
2. A roll of Reynold's Wrap so you can make sure your dinner plans aren't, well, foiled when you promised the family a tin foil dinner and seem to be missing the very item the meal is named after.
OR if you're looking for a craft to keep you busy when bad weather has you inside this winter, do what I did to an aluminum foil roll (pictured above, right)! If you have aluminum foil and a hammer, you can make a SOLID ball. It looks like magic and it's so fun to do! You literally just hammer the stuff. It's...therapeutic.
While you're thinking of it, you might as well buy parchment paper and cling wrap while you're at it!
Promising review: "This product is durable and far more affordable than the store bought single rolls." —Roger T.
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a two-pack).
3. A classic spice set for keeping your ingredients up-to-date and at-the-ready. Knowing you have everything a recipe calls for is a relief. *And* this kit just might save your meals if you're the kind of person who doesn't know the difference between thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
4. A jug of OUT White Brite laundry whitener — this is gonna help make your stained whites look brighter than the day you bought them...no matter what your kid (or your roommate) left on the floor for you to step in.
Promising review: "This is the best product for white softball uniforms. It's easy to use, just follow the soak instructions and the uniform comes out like new. No more scrubbing white uniforms (pictures above)!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.84.
5. A pack of 12 paper plates — keep these around for those "just in case" moments when you host a party and realize you only have enough dishes for yourself and...your dog.
The floral set above includes 12 porcelain-style paper plates in six different patterns. If you'd like a bulk set that includes cutlery, this 250-piece biodegradable option is a great choice!
Promising review: "These are gorgeous, awesome quality, and they made the whole party. The table was absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never been so pleased with how decor turned out. And they are fully functional, super sturdy. Didn’t get soggy. When I was cleaning up I noticed that none of them got weak or soggy from use. I could have even cleaned them and used them again. Of course, I didn’t. But that’s how good the quality of the paper is. Six different beautiful patterns too." —Yvette Marie
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two pack sizes).
6. An enzyme cleaner ready to handle every gross disaster Bark Wahlburg brings into your home.
This works on carpet, hardwood, furniture, leather, rugs, pet beds, crates, and car upholstery.
Promising review: "Ok, I am about to get real here. Let's be honest, this product is for pee, vomit, and poop, and it works like magic. I have a grandpa dog who was starting to have bladder control issues due to hip surgery (he's better now). During that time, this stuff was a miracle worker. But, one day, dear Aunt Flo surprised me a week early and I thought my white mattress would be ruined. I decided to try this out. IT WORKED. Yes. I know that is not what this product is advertised for, but golly. If it can kick Aunt Flo to the curb, it can do anything. I am telling all of my girl friends about this stuff." —Miranda
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two sizes).
7. A natural loofah, because leaving faux loofas in the shower for months on end means you're washing yourself with bacteria and buildup. These loofas are better for the environment and for YOU.
Promising review: "As soon as I found out that loofahs were actually dried gourds, I searched for my own to cut up. It expands and softens in water. I cut up the loofah for many uses.
- Dish sponge: the shape is oddly ergonomic and comfortable in my hands. I prefer to use it for doing the dishes over the other sponges I've bought over my lifetime. It works on carbon steel pans too. Best of all, this means no microplastics are running down the drain.
- Shower: I strung hemp rope in it and it lathers up with soap. It feels so good on my body, especially because my skin runs dry. Mine did have some black 'dirty' pieces in it which appears like dried parts of the vegetable. It's a natural product so I don't mind.
- Cat toy: I throw it in a box with catnip and my cat goes wild because he can stick his claws in it." —JenniferLo99
Get a 3-pack from Amazon for $13.01.
8. A pack of pimple patches that'll blast away blemishes in the blink of an eye.
Promising review: "I’ve tried so many brands of pimple spots, and these are hands-down the best on the market. I’m a performer at Walt Disney World, and a clear complexion is required. Last night, I put these on a few acne problems (a small cyst, a whitehead, and a pimple I shouldn’t have picked and has been a bump for about three weeks now). I just woke up and am writing this review in disbelief. THEY'RE FLAT! Gone! All of them! I could cry I’m so happy. The packaging is also ideal because it allows you to conveniently and easily peel the stickers off without stretching them out or folding them back on themselves. Do yourself and your complexion a huge favor! Have these on hand for a stubborn zit when you really need help. Make sure you apply them to completely clean and dry skin." —Caitlyn
Get a 40-pack from Amazon for $8.49 (available in two styles).
9. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner so you can clean out your rental's sink before your landlord decides to dispose of your deposit.
Promising review: "Works like a charm! These are pretty cool! I was a little skeptical but I followed the easy-to-use directions and it worked just like the product said it would. Foamed up and cleaned the drain!! Smell removed!!" —Jennifer K
Get two packs of four from Amazon for $9.99.
10. Wood polish and conditioner for spiffing up surfaces Mother Nature never knew could be so shiny.
This enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. You can use it on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.
Promising review: "I'm not able to sand and stain my floors until spring but they are so dry and worn. I bought this hoping to keep them moisturized until we can refinish and I am amazed with this product." —nicole feather
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
11. A box of septic-safe dishwasher cleaning tablets to obliterate mineral buildup and odors. If a washer is dirty...is it even a washer at all?
Just pop one in for a full cycle and let it work its magic. Plus, you only need to use it once a month, so a single, $6 six-pack will last you a while!
Promising review: "Worked very well! We’ve lived in our home a while, and small remedies haven’t done much to help clean the dishwasher. I finally decided to give a cleaner a try, and this one worked exceptionally well. The pictures above are after one use of two packs (as per instructions for a particularly dirty washer). I'll definitely be getting more when I run out to help maintain a cleaner dishwasher!" —chocobeanie
Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99.
12. An odor-neutralizing candle that'll rid your apartment of the smells your fur child leaves behind, giving your boo a chance to fall in love with your pup despite their rather pungent presence.
I have multiple litter boxes in my apartment and two particularly well-fed cats. These candles were recommended to me by a coworker when I brought up the stress of keeping my place smelling fresh. I get each new sent every season, because they are the only thing I need to keep my home from smelling like pets. I firmly believe they are the best odor control around.
Promising review: "I have multiple dogs in the house and am always concerned that it smells like that to visitors even cleaning everyday. I have use other candles and melts that add a pleasant smell to the underlying odor, but these candles do better. I have been able to leave the house for hours and when I first open the door, on my return, I don't smell dog. We recently had a house full of people (many of them pet parents) over for Christmas dinner and it was actually commented 'Your house smells really nice. How do you keep the dog smell out?' I laughed and told them I was just wondering if the candles were working. I guess I got the BEST answer." —LLL Texas
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 37 scents).
13. A pack of absurdly pretty toilet paper because running out of toilet paper is the crappiest situation we humans can put ourselves in.
Into supporting woman-owned businesses? Start with this terrific tree-saving TP! Founder Samira Far has created a must-try line of toilet paper that's good lookin' AND good for the Earth!
If you're looking to stock up on classic TP, we've got you covered. OR if you'd rather ditch toilet paper altogether, grab this reviewer-loved bidet!
Promising review: "I originally bought this toilet paper to save trees, but it is high-quality TP! I use fewer sheets at a time as the paper is thick and I love soft ridges on one side. It is soft, thick, and cleans really well. Highly recommended and will continue to use!" —Ellen D.
Get a pack of eight from No.2 for $19.50 (available in 8-, 24-, and 48-packs).
14. A pack of food spikes that'll feed your plants up to two months and give them a hearty, healthy place to grow — so there's nothing but watering on your to-do list.
Be sure to change the spikes every 30 days during the spring and summer months!
Promising review: "I swear by these plant food spikes!!! The package says they are for indoor plants, but I actually use them for all of my outdoor plants, especially my herbs. I first tried these after planting some basil and other herbs that seemed to be taking an eternity to grow. I figured I'd give them a try since they were so inexpensive and wow!!!!! Within just a few days, my plants had grown more than double what they had grown in the previous several weeks!! One of my friends (who also enjoys gardening) came over to my house and was in awe of how big and healthy all of my herbs were. When I told her about these spikes, she went straight from my house to purchase some and had the exact same growth results." —GatorDO17
Get a pack of 24 spikes from Amazon for $3.12 (available in multiple pack sizes).
15. A container of Tide Pods to act as your detergent, stain remover, and color protector in one convenient lil' package. It'll be SO much easier to just pop one of these in the washer instead of measuring out a bunch of messy liquid detergent.
Promising review: "I have sensitive skin and these are great. They're super easy to use and convenient. I love that I just grab one and throw it in. No hassle with cups and lids. My clothes smell so good afterwards. My suggestion: make sure you're buying the ones with the 96 count. If you look you can see that the ones with 96 are usually the same price as the lower quantity." —cory
Get a 81-pack from Amazon for $21.49.
16. And a plant-based fabric softener for helping your clothes feel softer and smell fresher (it's lavender scented!) after every wash.
True is a Black-owned and veteran-owned business based in Atlanta, Georgia. BTW, one bag is enough for 101 loads!
Promising review: "Been without softener for awhile. Hard to find a great environmentally-friendly product. This product will be my go-to softener. No static and clothes are fresh and fluffy." —edward m.
Get it from True for $17.99.
17. A pack of ant baits so you can attack the very moment you see a pesky trail of bathroom ants making their way towards your toothbrush.
The ants will bring this sweet-tasting poison back to their colony and after a few days, BAM! This kills both the workers and the queen.
Promising review: "We had a few ants roaming the house. My husband hates ants and started spraying poison all over our house in response. We have three cats and a dog so that was concerning to me. The ants kept coming back day after day and he kept spraying and they kept coming. I told him we needed to put out traps and I found this product. Within minutes, we could see the ants attracted to these baits. My husband is now feeling encouraged and we are proud to have won the battle (pictured above)." —Review Mistress
Get a box of 12 from Amazon for $12.28.
18. A box of Band-Aid brand bandages you'll be surprisingly glad you have around when a paper cut or unexpected scrape strikes.
Promising review: "These are a MUST-HAVE! I love that Band-Aid Brand offers skin tone-friendly band aides! My family all vary in melanin and I LOVE that my husband and son have an option for owies that match their beautiful chocolate skin! The band aides work as expected and last well. The price is also great. I will definitely continue to buy these for my household. Thanks, Band-Aid Brand + Amazon!" —EJP
Get a box of 30 for $3.69 (available in multiple colors and sizes).
19. Or a pack of 15 Shakespearean insult adhesive bandages for people who aren't afraid to add insult to injury. Oh? You studied theater in college? I couldn't tell.
20. A canister of heavy-duty Tub O Towels cleaning wipes to remove oil, nail polish, tar, crayon, permanent markers, and other stains from basically all surfaces.
The canister comes with 90 wipes.
Promising review: “I love these wipes. They worked great for taking off grease and everything else listed, they hold up to hard scrubbing, and have enough product in the wipe to not dry out before you're done with it. Great buy for the garage." —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in nine sizes).
21. A roll of bamboo paper towels for cleaning off your counters, attaching to mop heads, or even for use on your skin! They're machine washable and can be used up to 120 times. Mother Earth is already beaming with appreciation.
One roll of these is gonna clean up messes that'd otherwise take 60 ROLLS of paper towels to tackle.
Promising review: "I've had these bamboo towels for a month now and am incredibly impressed with their performance! They're much larger than a regular paper towel, thicker, softer and more absorbent. I've washed the first ones I've torn off the roll several times now and they DO survive the laundry and perform just as well afterward. I've only used five bamboo towels this month, washed them and re-used. Several times. I would have been through a whole roll of Brawny by now. One caveat...when you wash them, you're supposed to air dry them, so I haven't sent any through the dryer. And I haven't needed to, because allowing them to air dry has not affected the quality of the towels when I 're-roll' them!" —A. Clark
Get a roll from Amazon for $9.99.
22. A tube of Neosporin that'll keep sores clean and avoid them getting mean.
23. A rust stain remover — this makes cleaning so easy you may wish you could use this on the ~rust~ of your chores too.
Promising review: "I used it on our tubs, toilets, sinks, and shower. It took one bottle of this stuff to achieve the same result as three bottles of other brands. I will buy this again hands down. I just sprayed, walk away for a few minutes, and wiped and rinsed." —Carrie D.
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
24. A bottle of Jot coffee concentrate sure to perk you up if you don't have time in your day to stop by a cafe but also don't have room in your kitchen to keep the espresso maker of your dreams.
I am rather suspicious that there is more Jot than blood in me by this point. After discovering how delicious this stuff is I totally dropped my café habits and have stuck to this for my daily cup of coffee. It has a rich taste, is wildly easy to make (just pour a tablespoon into 8 ounces of your favorite base), and the sleek bottle even makes the inside of my fridge look nice.
Get it from Jot for $19.50 (available in three flavors).
25. A pack of stainless steel wipes for anyone who knows the sight of sticky fingerprints will ~stick~ with them forever if they don't immediately wipe them away.
Promising review: "I purchased these wipes to clean my stainless-steel refrigerator. I wanted something that would remove water stains and restore the shine, and these wipes delivered! After a few minutes of vigorously wiping back and forth along the grain my refrigerator was looking brand new. I was impressed with the results and noticed that the canister said the wipes could be used on sinks, so I tried one in my stainless-steel sink to see what would happen. As you can see from the pictures, after just a few minutes of cleaning my sink was sparkling and incredible! I began cleaning all of the stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen, and just a few wipes and 20 minutes later my kitchen was looking better than ever." —Connor
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $16.97.
26. A throat spray you'll think is the bees knees when it soothes your sore throat and possibly helps stop another one from coming.
Promising review: "This was an absolute life saver. I have tried pretty much everything to stop my chronic colds/sore throats. Nothing ever really seemed to work, they just covered up the pain only to have it return a few moments later. When I used this, my throat felt better the same day and was virtually perfect the next day. I now bring one of these little guys with me everywhere and start spraying as soon as I see someone around me getting sick. It seems to be working as I haven't been sick since I bought it. It also tastes amazing. I can't recommend this stuff enough." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.95 (available in formulas for adults and children).
27. Glad ForceFlex trash bags so you can avoid stuffing your last trash bag so full that it breaks from the bottom. Why yes, I AM speaking from experience — how did you know??
This includes 110 13-gallon trash bags. Remember to grab some recycling bags while you're at it!
Promising review: "These are my favorite garbage bags. They are durable and, trust me, they are put to the test with my kids. No one wants to take out the garbage so they just stuff more and more in! They also smell nice." —Jay
Get them from Amazon for $22.45.
28. A bottle of Poo Pourri to get if you feel like sharing a bathroom with your significant other really ~stinks~. If you both spray this into your toilet bowl before you go, it won't have to!
Promising review: "We are a family of six in a small one-bathroom house. This is, to put it lightly, a horrific nightmare — particularly after my teenage son spends some time in the bathroom. After a couple of weeks of gentle encouragement ('YOU ARE KILLING EVERYONE. SPRAY THAT STUFF ON THE WATER BEFORE YOU POOP OR I'M TAKING AWAY YOUR PHONE AND, SO HELP ME GOD, I WILL CALL YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND TELL HER EXACTLY WHY YOU GOT IT TAKEN AWAY.') he started using it regularly. The bathroom is much less disgusting now after he leaves." —Supa D
Get it from Amazon for $8.07+ (available in 25 scents and six sizes).
29. A jetted tub cleaner for jets that have slowly stored your dead skin cells, dirt, and other bacteria-filled buildup all the times you cleaned yourself but didn't clean the bathtub after.
Promising review: "Ok, so I am somewhat of a clean freak and I run bleach through the jets prob twice a month on top of my daily weekly cleaning. And I was skeptical how this product could get it any cleaner than I thought it was. Well I am here to tell you this pic is after the second cleaning with this cleaner (above, left)!!!! I am a believer and would highly recommend this product to anyone with jetted tub!!" —Momof2greatboys
Get it from Amazon for $17.84.
30. A multipurpose cleaner formulated with natural, plant-based ingredients that can give your laundry detergent a boost, remove stains from carpets and furniture, and even clean solid surfaces. Get yourself a product that does it all!
This concentrate should be diluted with water for surface cleaning!
Good Vibes is a Black woman–owned business that sells plant-based multi-surface cleaners in unique fragrances that can be used all over the house. Be sure to check out all the available multi-purpose cleaner aromas!
Promising review: "I don’t even know where to start! I use this on my floors, my granite countertops, glass stove top, I put a little in my laundry, on my dining room table, I even use a little to wet dust with. I literally clean even when I don’t have to just so I can smell its fragrance. I love that the scent on my laundry lasts. I used the Frankincense & Myrrh cleaner on my bedsheets and duvet cover and the scent lasted quite some time. My home smells so fresh and airy. I will be ordering again soon." —Keyana
Get it from Good Vibes for $12.50 (available in two sizes).
31. A tube of Burt's Bees Toothpaste because you will eventually run out, and if you don't already have a backup? It WILL happen right before a job interview or first date. That's just the universe for ya.
32. A bar of goat milk soap for folks who really and truly prefer washing and shaving with bar soap (there's no packaging more eco-friendly than no packaging!), and who still need lotsa moisture on their sensitive skin. This goat's milk soap is rich with lactic acid, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E, and calcium, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. YUM.
One Blessed Acre is based out of Ferndale California and is, without a doubt, one of the most charming small businesses I've ever come across. Owner Michelle Bibby makes comforting, moisturizing skincare products with the help of her goat Luna, who is hand milked by her family. She makes everything from shave soap to pet shampoo, I'm not ~kidding~ around.
If you're looking to buy in bulk and still want something for sensitive skin, you can get 14 bars of Dove's Sensitive Skin bar soap from Amazon.
Promising review: "I LOVE this soap!! It's so moisturizing and I LOVE the smell!!" —Rebecca Zwelling
Get a vanilla bar from One Blessed Acre on Etsy for $7.25 (available in multiple scents).
33. And a shave cream that's gonna be great if you have sensitive or dry skin and dream of smooth, bump-free bliss.
Promising review: "This shaving cream is my favorite for my bikini line and underarms. It really helps my skin and reduces redness and bumps." —Elizabeth N.
If you'd like a foaming option, check out this Skintimate pack or this Gillette set.
Get it from Fur for $32 (or $28.80 if you subscribe).
34. Natural dish soap from Puracy with fast-rinsing suds that won't leave your hands feeling cracked and dry. Keep an extra bottle around to avoid the temptation of washing your dishes with the full bottle of hand soap by the sink.
Promising review: "I tried this soap because my landlords left a bottle at the kitchen sink when we moved in. I IMMEDIATELY loved the scent and how effective it is for dishes and hands! It doesn't strip the moisture out of your skin and it leaves the dishes and glasses clean with a nice fresh scent. I will continue to buy this brand because when I use other brands at family or friends' houses, I just can't stand them now in comparison!! I love how it is also non-toxic so when we have little ones around there is nothing to fear if they get too curious. Highly recommend!!!" —Niki
Get three from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two scents).
35. A pack of Amazon Basics 100-watt bulbs, because the feeling of being able to fix a lightbulb the moment one goes out is such a rush...once you're in your thirties.
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 review: "It's sunshine in a bulb. In the kitchen without a window, the light appears as natural sunshine. Over the desk, it's more comfortable on the eyes. In the bathroom, brighter for shaving and natural sunlight doing makeup. Great for a reading lamp, in the garage...everywhere you want to see clearly. I will buy more." —Carol
Get them from Amazon for $11.68+ (available in four different pack sizes).
36. And finally, a box of canned water that'll be a great thing to stock up on for emergencies *or* for those moments when you think tap water simply won't ~murder your thirst~.
I'm not shy about my cult-like love for this water brand. I have sweatshirts, hats, and decor dedicated to it. My fridge was always stocked with their mountain water. Then I needed a new fridge just for my Liquid Death, because other dumb food and drinks were taking up too much space. This stuff? It's good stuff.
Promising review: "I never knew water could be so hardcore. Then I met Liquid Death. Thinking it was just a normal water brand with cool marketing, I cracked open a tall boy and tossed it back. The details of what happened next are fuzzy, but before I knew it, I was standing around a shallow grave paying tribute to what was my thirst. It all happened so fast. One minute my thirst was right there. Just like it had always been. Then in a blink of an eye and a gulp of the throat, gone. A life cut short by ruthlessly cold water in a can." —Stephen B.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 8 flavors).
When you've totally restocked and tell yourself you'll never forget to grab these essentials again:
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
