10 Practical Things That Should Actually Be a Part of Every Household

year ago

The first dishwasher ever invented was by Joel Houghton, but the tool we use today was actually founded by Josephine Cochran, a woman who got fed up with her delicate china being chipped while she was hand-washing it. The dishwasher they invented helps us all tremendously, and we wanted to do the same for you, so we compiled this list of items.

1. Store and keep your food fresh with these silicone lids. The set comes in 6 different sizes and can expand to fit most mugs, bowls, and even pots, so you don’t have to transfer all the foods into other containers (or wash the dishes again!). The lids are so tight that you won’t have to worry about any spillage or spattering. And, of course, the set is easy to clean.

What’s great:

Very durable and stretchy
Come in various sizes and colors
Reusable

What’s not so great:

Doesn’t last long or break when used frequently

Review from a buyer:
I love these reusable covers! The sizes are perfect for all of my varying-sized bowls. I used this on a unique, uneven oval bowl, and I am very happy that it fits perfectly. They may slide up if the food is too steamy, but they truly save on using foil or Saran Wrap.—JLA

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2. Have you ever fretted over where to store your valuable possessions? Because it looks like an actual book, this storage container will be ideal for keeping your things hidden on a bookshelf where other people won’t notice anything odd.

What’s great:

Won’t look suspicious
Big enough for money, a passport, and cards

What’s not so great:

Difficult to close in when full

Review from a buyer:
What really sold me on this safe was the detail of the fake sheets that it has. One thing I didn’t expect was how wide it is, and I also feel like the safe on the inside should be a little wider as well to compensate for the size that it is. It does make a little bit of noise even without anything inside if you were to shake it but I’m sure it’s just a small little detail that comes with the lock I suppose. Overall, I really like the product and the overall details it has in this book.—Rolando C.

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3. If you love gardening, building, or DIY work, then these finger gloves will be perfect for you. The fabric material is not only breathable but also durable, and you don’t have to worry about getting your fingers moist as these are not made of gel or rubber. You can also use them as an extension to the gloves you already have, on the inside or outside.

What’s great:

Strong material
Flexible and breathable

What’s not so great:

Easily slide off

Review from a buyer:
I bought these for my sister who lost a nail (concrete slab vs fingers don’t go). They were a little loose, but it all worked out as she wears Safe & Sound Cotton Finger Cots underneath for padding anyway, so she just puts this over the top when she’s working for added protection.—Bookworm

Not using these as intended. They are good finger covers. They fit well — the only thing I don’t like is that the band at the bottom is very hard to straighten out. I’m using them to protect my fingers while I crochet. It seems like they will be sufficient to do that job.—Cubascaramel

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4. Make your toothbrush look like new after each use with this sanitizer case. The UVC light will eliminate bacteria and protect your oral hygiene. Each sterilization only takes 5 minutes and works automatically. You can also bring it with you when traveling, as it only needs to be charged with a C-type USB cable. One case can be used for only one toothbrush.

What’s great:

Includes a USB-C power cable
Fits most toothbrush sizes

What’s not so great:

The case can be hard to open

Review from a buyer:
This is great for traveling — it’s much better than those nasty plastic covers where germs stay. It was a little hard to open at first, but I got the hang of it quickly.—Amazon Customer

I was so happy to find a suitable and friendly disinfecting brush head cover, and so far, the toothbrush case feels like a reliable product. It keeps my toothbrush clean every day, works great, and comes with a USB cable. When I put the toothbrush in and close the case, it starts to work. It also has the function of automatic induction disinfection, which is amazing to me, and the battery lasts for a long time.
With its mini and portable design, even if I go out and travel with my friends, I can easily take it with me. I don’t have to worry about the problem of low power. It’s like a gospel for toothbrushes. Have a healthy toothbrush every day!—Grace

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5. This product might look simple, but it’s actually a 4-in-1 cutting board where you can cut and chop food, grate garlic, thaw frozen food, and sharpen your knives. Its thin shape will fit into any storage space, and you don’t have to worry about getting bacteria buildup as it is dishwasher safe and made of polypropylene plastic, which is also recyclable!

What’s great:

Good grip

What’s not so great:

Slow defrosting

Review from a buyer:
We love this cutting board! I gifted it to my boyfriend for our anniversary, and he loves it. We use the defrost side every day. The only gripe is that we keep accidentally grabbing it on the garlic grader and poking ourselves, and that portion is very difficult to clean once used.—_squid15_

I have had 2 other cutting boards that were made of bamboo. I really wanted to like them because bamboo is such a great material and renewable, but unfortunately, they both either warped or cracked! This one is very durable and easy to clean, and I love the 2-sided design.—Cuda4×4

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6. If you support eco-friendly items, then this is a great alternative to traditional toilet paper. Measuring approximately 4.5″ x 12″ (about 3 paper squares long), these single-ply cloth strips are made from 100% cotton flannel for a soft and gentle feel. It is durable due to the sewn edges and totally washable in the washing machine.

What’s great:

Absorbs better over time
Doesn’t bleed in the washing machine
Long-lasting

What’s not so great:

Difficult to re-roll onto the paper roll

Review from a buyer:
Somehow, I developed an allergy to toilet paper after using it for over 30 years. Of course, Amazon had an alternative! This product is really nice. You get a lot of colorful, washable, and reusable wiping cloths. They come with a roll to wrap them around, but that wasn’t an option for my shared bathroom space.
I keep them in a mini basket with a lid. They are about half the width of a washrag and a little bit longer in length. They are thin yet absorbent, and they are oh-so-soft. I have a command hook tucked back behind the toilet with a mesh bag that I put them in once they’ve been used, and then I wash them in the mesh bag.—WhitneyC

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7. Save your working time with this practical pen scanner. It is capable of scanning a line of text in a matter of seconds! The pen can scan over 40 languages. It also comes with an app that can read the text to you in real-time. Use it with Bluetooth, and it’s portable, so you can bring it anywhere easily. Compatible with Mac and Windows computers, plus iOS and Android devices.

What’s great:

Time-saving
The instructions are very clear, and the setup is easy
Translates text fairly well

What’s not so great:

Misspelling or missing some words at times

Review from a buyer:
Great product, very useful tool. I’ve had it for a while, and it works perfectly. It scans very fast and accurately. The setup was very easy, and the instructions were clear.
I’m using it to get notes and translate research articles I’m reading, and it saves a lot of work. It can scan complete paragraphs easily. The main benefit is that I don’t have to read from the computer screen, and I can still get notes easily to the computer.—Amazon Customer

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8. This is a measuring spoon that is a must-have if you like to cook. Featuring an ingenious leveling design with handles, these measuring spoons allow you to easily swipe a scraper across the top to push off any excess ingredients and ensure accurate measurements every time. This set also includes 4 measuring spoons that snap together for easy storage, so you’ll never have to worry about losing one.

What’s great:

Handy
Accurate measurements

What’s not so great:

Cannot choose colors

Review from a buyer:
I love them! I do not have any issues with the content of the spoon spilling while I use it. I guess if you moved it around quickly while leveling, it would spill out. I gently pressed the level several times to clear everything off the top, and it was perfect.
It’s absolutely not a necessity in the kitchen, but it keeps it simple, and I’m not dirtying a knife to use as a level. Great invention. I’m going to buy the measuring cups too! Mine were blue.—Amherst Mom

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9. This push-pull oven rack stick is the ultimate kitchen tool for any home cook or baker! As it is made with high-quality beech wood, this push/pull is heat-proof, so you won’t burn yourself again. You can wash it in the dishwasher. The handle is also easy to grip and conveniently hooks onto the oven rack for easy storage and access.

What’s great:

Sturdy, minimizes contact with hot materials

Review from a buyer:
I was always burning myself on the oven racks, even with potholders on. The oven rack push puller has eliminated that! I gave one to my sister, and she loves it!—Jo Ann from Houston

Nice for pulling out the oven rack for baking. Heavy, easy to hold on to. The thickness is perfect.—Kay Gonzales

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10. This AirPods strap is the perfect solution to ensure that you’ll never lose your AirPods again! Made from eco-friendly silicone, this strap is extremely durable and super lightweight. Simply rest the AirPods around your neck when you take a break from your workout routine or other activity. This strap is not only practical, but it can also save you money by keeping your AirPods from getting lost.

What’s great:

Holds the AirPods securely
Safe to use for people with pacemakers or defibrillators, when you can’t have a magnet around your neck

What’s not so great:

Too short for some people

Review from a buyer:
As a runner, I wanted to make sure I had something that would prevent me from losing my AirPods. This does the trick! Don’t give up if, at first, your AirPods fall out. It took a bit to find the right placement of the strap on the AirPods so it wouldn’t pull them out when running. For me, it worked perfectly when the loop that fits on the AirPod is pushed all the way up and faces outward.—Barbara Sonntag

They are lightweight and easy to attach to the pods.—Vicki S. Cadieux