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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.
Little problem-solvers that are basically genius.
Promising review: "This is magically wonderful for wood furniture and even my wood front door. It gave my 20 year old pine finish–bedroom furniture a nice sheen, pulled out the grain, and even covered up minor scratches along the bottom where the dog had gotten it over the years when rolling around on the floor. I used it on a 100 year old china cabinet and it worked beautifully. It brought our wood front door — it takes a beating in the south Florida weather — back to life. I wish I had found this stuff sooner." —Deborah Basso
Get a bottle on Amazon for $8.48.
FYI, if you're facing much damage that's a little worse than that, you might want to try their other (also well-reviewed!) product, called Restore-A-Finish, first; it does more to hide minor scratches, white heat rings, deep water marks, and stuff like that. The two products are actually made to be used together! Get that on Amazon for $10.99.
It works on both old and new stains (including red wine!), and on any color-safe fabric that you can safely wet with water (read: not dyed silk or wool, probs, or anything that says "dry clean only").
Promising reviews: "Used it to get a few stains out of a very very expensive sofa and it worked beautifully. I wish I’d known about this sooner. I’m no longer afraid of owning white furniture." —Yes
"How have I not known about this sooner? I have had a sweet and sour sauce stain on my carpet for three years now (hidden under the couch of course) and I thought I would try this on it before I replace the carpet. I sprayed this on and watched the stain just start to disappear. Seriously it's amazing what it does. Just saved me $1500 on new carpet. I'm amazed that it is so affordable and effective. " —Jeremy D Brown
Get a bottle on Amazon for $10.86.
They're completely biodegradable, chlorine-free, and environmentally safe. Each is individually packaged, so you don't have to worry about reaching for them with wet hands. Try them with stainless steel bottles and mugs, your Camelbak, and even things like casserole dishes that are a little too impossible to scrub.
Promising review: "Wish I knew about these sooner. I was not disappointed! I had really hard to clean stainless steel–coffee travel mugs. They had a lot of buildup. I followed the directions to leave it soaking for longer and use hot water. I left it over night. Woke up to a lot of crud floating in the water and a shiny clean mug. I would recommend emptying some of the water and giving it a good shake to get any remaining stuff before rinsing. It looks brand new, no smells, no stains. Very pleased. —RGC
Get a pack of 12 tablets on Amazon for $8.
And it takes just 15 minutes to see results; simply run your water, pour in some cleaner, and start your jets.
Promising reviews: "Amazingly clean! Wish I had known about this sooner. Great product. Made me aware of how nasty a jetted tub can be." —Melanie K
"Wish I had found this product sooner. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent trying to clean out the jets in my whirlpool tub. The black gunk just got worse and worse. I ran bleach through for hours and still wouldn’t come clean. This product got those jets cleaned in minutes! I’ll never go back to using anything else again." —Hbm47
Get it on Amazon: a bottle good for four cleans for $16.99, or a gallon good for 64 cleans for $59.99.
All you have to do is twist to dispense a little of the liquid, then brush it over your jewelry to make everything sparkle. It works for stones, gold, and silver, but not pearls!
Promising review: "I just used this product and decided I had to write a review right away. This is amazing! I read the reviews and gave it a try and my question is “why don’t you advertise it more”? I wish I had known about it sooner. My wedding ring looks brand new. It took me no more than one minute, it works like magic." —Happy
Get it on Amazon for $5.49.
If you live somewhere with a more humid climate (or tbh just a humid bathroom in general), it's probably a good idea to rinse it off and lay it on its side to dry after every few showers or so, to prevent mold — btw, that goes for every hair catcher out there!
Promising review: "Our daughter has plugged up our shower drain with hair for the last time! I thought for sure the water running out before shower was turned on would knock it out of place but it hasn't so far it stays, great product. Wish I would have known about this sooner, would have saved me a ton of money that we spent on Draino!" —M. J. Moen
Get it on Amazon for $9.99.
One of our editors uses this in her shower and loves it — read her pocket shower curtain review.
Promising review: "Why did I not know about this sooner!? I love this shower curtain! It helps keep the tub free from clutter when the kids want to take a bath and the bottom pockets are amazing and letting things dry and not get moldy (ie. kids toys, loofas). I will never buy a normal shower curtain again!" —Diana
Get it on Amazon for $14.
Promising reviews: "Saves room! Wish I found this sooner. A must have!" —Matt & Melinda
"Brilliant!! Why didn't I buy this sooner?? So clever to store cutlery this way instead of across the entire drawer, I have so much more space now!" —CR
Get it on Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors; also available in a knife block style).
Promising reviews: "These are the most genius invention ever! Why don't cars come with them already? Easy to install, and keeps your purse or other bags from sliding around on the seats. I wish I'd known about these sooner." —Nina
"I have everything but the kitchen sink in my purse and this holds it up. It's easy to spin around if you want it facing inside of the passenger seat and if someone wants to sit there, you just spin or to the backseat and hang your purse or jacket behind. Two seconds. I wish I had found this sooner." —Sonya
Get a pack of two on Amazon for $5.95 (available in black or taupe).
It has three different depth settings to choose from so you get a close shave without risk of damaging even your intentionally fuzzier sweaters.
Promising review: "Haven't had any problems using this product. I wish I'd known about it sooner! The batteries have lasted as long as I expected and it does a good job "shaving". I shaved a jacket that I've had for eight years, it was pilling badly. Afterward my friend asked, 'Is that a new jacket?' Ha! totally worth it." —Anna Zenk
Get it on Amazon for $11.64.
Promising review: "I wish I had known about this hand cream sooner. I can use a fractional amount of this cream and it feels like my hands are deeply moisturized and protected without the typical absorption time of most hand lotions. I also use this on my daughter's hands where her eczema flares and noticed an immediate difference overnight. We now spread a thin layer on her hands and body after bath time as it seals moisture into her skin so well and provides a protective barrier.
A word of caution: do not use too much as it instructs on the directions or your hands will become tacky/sticky. You can avoid this by just taking a small amount at a time. The only thing that would make this hand cream better would be to package it in something that looks nicer!" —Amber S
Get it on Amazon for $6.43.
Promising review: "Very handy for keeping a number of things in the pantry moist. My brown sugar was starting to get clumpy and hard. I just soaked this in water for a few minutes, dried, and placed it in the brown sugar jar last night. Today, the sugar is back to its original texture. Wish I had known about these terracotta stone things sooner!" —evas151
Soak it in water for 20 minutes, dry it off a little, stick it in the container, and wait! A day or so later, your sugar will be nice and soft. (And if it's soft already, it'll *stay* that way!) Live somewhere super humid? Skip the soak and stick it in with chips, pretzels, salt, etc. to keep them from going stale or sticking together!
Get it on Amazon for $5.61.
It has ten fan sound options and ten ambient noise options, and is small enough you can easily pack it for travel. You can also set a 60 minute runtime timer, if you don't want it going all night long.
Promising reviews: "I wish I'd known about this a lot sooner!! Love this little guy. It goes everywhere with me and it's so much easier to transport than a fan. It's got a lot of sounds AND a lot of features packed into that little device." —Michael R. Then
"I've been using this for two weeks and I wish I found it sooner because it truly is amazing. I live in NYC on a busy street with two bars around the corner. My room is on the first floor with a window facing the street. On a regular night I hear cars, sirens, and people's conversations as they walk by. Weekends are the worst with loud drunk ridiculousness that lasts all night. Since I started using the noise machine I have been getting a better night's sleep and sleeping through the night. I will say that at my current volume I can still pick out noise on the street if I am lying awake and consciously listening, but once I am asleep any hint of that noise blends in with or is covered by the machine and I don't wake up from it." —Allison M
Get it on Amazon for $49.95 (available in two colors; a newer version with fewer reviews is also available at the same price; it has an additional two ocean sound options).
Promising review: "These patches are incredibly helpful. If there is even the tiniest opening on any blemish these will get out all the yuck. I highly recommend trying. The pictures that have been shared in other reviews are no joke. I will make sure I am never out of hydrocolloid patches. I just wish I’d known about them sooner!" —Brittanie
Get a pack of 36 on Amazon for $4.56.
Promising review: "I have extremely oily skin during the summer. The concealer and foundation I use start to get shiny after an hour, even with matte foundation. After a lot of research, stumbled upon this powder. Have been using it for a day or two and can immediately notice the difference. My face looks perfect even after four hours and it certainly brightens and smoothes it out. And its not expensive too. After six or so hours, I might have to touch up a little for the evening. Loving it. I cannot imagine I've been running around with oily face all these years. Wish I had known about it sooner." —Nima
Get it on Amazon for $4.27 (available in translucent or four shades).
It's perfectly safe for kids age three and up (according to the box), and reviewers say even just a dab on your nail or cuticle is plenty effective to help you remember to keep your hands out of your mouth.
Promising reviews: "This worked right away with my three-year-old and I tried everything!!! She hated the bitter taste and it's a reminder whenever she tried to suck her thumb that she shouldn't. Wish I had known about this sooner because she officially doesn't suck her thumb because of this product!!" —Tawney
"I have bitten my nails for 20+ years and have never been able to stop. Who knew that this tiny bottle could solve all my nail issues!! This stuff tastes AWFUL!! It’s horrible. And the taste doesn’t leave your mouth for at least 5 minutes. The moment you put your finger up to your mouth you will instantly regret it. I wish I had bought it sooner. I only had to wear it for a month before I trained myself to stop putting my fingers in my mouth! I’ve tried so many other ways to stop biting my nails and this has been the only way to get me to stop." —Betsy Kincanon
Get it on Amazon for $15.50.
You literally just fill it up the center filter with the ground coffee of your choice, add some water to steep while you sleep, then wake up to a pitcher full of cold and delicious caffeine.
Promising reviews: "Awesome product. Wish I'd known about it sooner. If you're an ice coffee lover this us for you! So easy to use." —Tracy
"I should have bought this sooner! I went from frequenting Dunkin/Starbucks for my iced coffee every day to now going two weeks without stopping at either! If you’re looking for ways to cut costs out of your routine this is it! Super easy to use and the coffee is delicious." —Amazon Customer
Get it on Amazon for $20.02.
And find out why one of our editors loves it so much in her Takeya cold brew maker review!
I bought a pack of these early in the summer and can 100% attest that they're packaged neatly and work really well!
Promising review: "I've hadn't heard about these before, but they work great. (I'm a guy by the way). I used to wipe the oil off my face with my bare hands or arms but it would just smear it all over my face and my hand. Then I tried one of these for the first time and I couldn't believe how much oil one sheet picked up, and that it and left my face looking great! I only wish I had known about these when I was in high school, or even sooner." —Wikiwakawakawee
Get a single pack of 100 sheets on Amazon for $6.93.
All it takes is a few drops (two or three) morning and night. Of course, as goes with all skincare, it may or may not work for you! (Some people with very oily skin simply use this as a moisturizer, too.)
Promising review: "I have a combination skin type and within two weeks of using it not only has this product helped reduce my fine lines, redness, and skin tone BUT it’s also helping to clear up my adult acne!! Wish I'd known about this sooner. 10/10 rating." —youngerthantmrw
Get it on Amazon for $14.95.
Promising review: "What a great appliance. Wish I had known about it sooner. After using it nearly every day for a couple of weeks now, I don't know how I lived without it. I have tried every method on Google for getting perfectly cooked boiled eggs, but I could never get consistent results. With this, the eggs are perfect every time. With five people in the house, we go through at least a half dozen eggs a day, and this has been consistent and easy to clean up. Because minerals from the egg shell do run down with the water vapor and collect on the burner, a little maintenance is required. We rinse with vinegar once a week, and the burner is still as bright and shiny as the day we took it out of the box." —Fannimal
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
In case you can't tell from the picture, it's shaped to sit on the corner of your countertop so you can easily hold it securely at just the right angle.
Promising review: "For the price, this bad boy is a STEAL. I wish I knew this thing existed sooner! It would have saved me some money on constantly buying new knifes. I find that chicken and bacon are two of the most complicated/aggravating things to try to dice before cooking. A few glides though this thing with one of my cheap Walmart knives and I'm slicing through that chicken like butter. Seriously, such a good purchase. For the small knives this is perfect; I wouldn't know about a butcher knife or similar. I don't know if it would make much difference at all." —Brittani
(While Brittani's right, it's probably not the best choice for big butcher knives, it's definitely a go-to for bigger chefs or santoku knives, according to reviewers.)
Get it on Amazon for $5.99 (available in three colors).
Elizabeth, one of our editors, owns one of these and loves it — you can read her full knife sharpener review for more!
It has a plastic knife that's sharp enough to cut through an avo's skin but that won't cut your fingers, a special pit-remover that takes just a quick twist and a couple of seconds, and a slicer that (assuming your avo is soft enough!) you can glide through each half for nice, even pieces.
Promising review: "So simple, I wish I'd known about this product sooner. Love it! A friend of mine had this and I used hers. Once I did, I knew I had to have one for myself! This product is three in one. I am no longer scared to cut open an avocado. I no longer worry about mushing the avocado to get the seed out. I was never one that could use a knife to just hit the seed and pull it out. Others made it look so easy and this product really does make it easy. You just place the middle section against the seed, twist, and pull! So simple, I recommend this product to anyone that loves avocados." —Blueys
Get it on Amazon for $9.99.
Which makes cleanup like, 1000x easier. It goes mesh-side down on top of your pan (like in the pictures), then you can flip it over to rest on the little wire feet if you need to. It's dishwasher safe, of course!
Promising review: "I wish I had known about it years ago. After I fry food the stove is a greasy mess, but this is perfect for keeping the oil off the stove." —Lelia H. Jabin
Get it on Amazon for $14.90+ (available in 9.5-, 11.5-, and 13-inch diameters).
Because it makes it so you only need one hand to fill up the cup, you won't have to lift that giant, heavy bulk bottle off its shelf to dispense what you need, either! You can do it all with just one hand.
Promising reviews: "Five stars. Love, wish I had known about this sooner." —J. Lostutter
"A perfect product. Works great with multiple brands of detergent. I should have purchased this sooner!" —Sammie T
Get it on Amazon for $10.67.
Promising review: "We wish we'd known about it sooner. I rarely write reviews but this is one product I would like to recommend. We have the laundry room upstairs in our two story townhome and though the washer is level there was considerable vibration when running full-load. When the washer was on and if you happen to stand next to it you would feel a lot of vibration. After some research, we decided to give this product a try. We are extremely happy. This product acted like a shock absorber and all the vibrations are now contained. Even when running a full load, if you stand next to the washer you will not feel any vibration. Five stars!" —Gautham
Get the set of four on Amazon for $24.95.
Promising review: "I have used a shedding tool before, but this one is so much better. It is a great weight in your hand, very sturdy. It holds all the hair until you push the release button. This makes it easier to keep the hair from going everywhere. My lab and lab mix both LOVE to be brushed with this. They will lay there for hours. I brush them once every week or two (more often during high shed times). It has drastically cut down on the hair around the house. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. Wish I'd known about it sooner." —Amazon Customer
Get it on Amazon for $20.99+ (four sizes available in either long hair or short hair).
Yes I know we're about to be (or in some parts of the country, are already in) tights and leggings season, but you could always save them for next summer, or your December trip to Disney World because even at 75 degrees, you're gonna need some chafe protection.
Promising review: "How did I not know about these?! They're amazing! Sexy and comfortable to wear, they eliminate my thigh chafing immediately. They are super cute to boot. I chose my size in accordance with the size chart and they fit perfectly. They stay in place incredibly well and do not show under pencil skirts (even!) but add a mini-slip to be sure. Just wish I'd known about them sooner!" —J.E.
Get them on Amazon for $14.95+ (eight colors, some available both in lace and solid).
One of our producers tested four different products for chub rub, and crowned these one of the winners!
It also helps protect your cables from fraying, which TBH can be a big problem if you regularly bring your charger home or on the road with you.
Promising reviews: "Very helpful to those who utilize their laptops in different places. Keeps the cord neat. Wish I’d known about this sooner, because I might not have had to purchase a second Mac power cord." —KMS
"This thing is a lifesaver, I don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner. Saw on Instagram and I move my laptop regularly because I bring it to work a few times a week and it was getting cumbersome and tangly without this. So easy to use, easy to put charger in, and keeps your bag and cord soooo tidy!" —LG
Get one on Amazon for $27.99, either the Magsafe charger version or the USB-C charger version.
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.