When it comes to adulting, we could all use a little help, especially with the mundane, everyday stuff that no one ever really told you about growing up. You know, like how to properly hang a picture on the wall, the best way to clean your oven (yes, you do need to clean it), or even how to keep your very grown-up bottle of champs cool on a warm night. Sure, you could figure it out on your own, do a little trial and error. But why not take it from me, a practicing adult, when I say shortcuts and simple fixes are going to be the little lifesavers you never knew you needed. Whether it’s the best multi-use dish rack, a way to literally change the functionality of your power outlets, or just a really rad coffee maker, here are some of the top life hack products you’re gonna wish you knew about yesterday.
Ok, so this one is pretty basic, but let me tell you, it’s going to be a game-changer. This isn’t just a cute little set of toiletry bottles for your globetrotting. It’s the perfect little container you need for literally everything. And you don’t have to only use them for bath and skin products, folks. For instance, I love the tiny little tubs for holding vitamins. And the squeeze bottles are great for packing small volumes of sauces for a picnic or potluck. You can use the tiny spray bottles for mixing up a bit of insecticide for your indoor plant babies under distress. The options are endless. Plus, the set comes with labels, a funnel, and little spatulas to help you get everything where it’s supposed to be with ease.
No matter how big (or small) your adult closets are, they’re never going to be quite the right fit for everything you need. Sure, you could spend days fumbling around installing permanent shelving that might not work for your wardrobe a year from now (and then do it all over again). But this space-saving hanging closet organizer could be exactly the option you need to easily extend your dresser and closet space in a way that’s super flexible down the road. I love this one becuase it has built-in reinforcements (no sagging like other brands), three removable drawers, and some great side pockets for all your bits and bobs. It’s great for all those cool band t-shirts you’ve been hoarding, or you know, sweaters.
There are a million different soaps out there on the market, from corner-store brands to the super luxe. But this all-natural Tea Tree and Peppermint Soap from Truremedy is a real beast for its price point. And it kind of does it all. Have dry skin? It’s got aloe, coconut oil, and more. Have acne or nail fungus? It’s got the tea tree oil you need. Need a little pick-me-up in the morning? The refreshing mint here will do the trick. Known for it’s antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil can help clean up those weird bumps and rashes we end up with now and then while also just keeping your skin super fresh and calm.
Adult life comes with a lot of “stuff”. You know, the hoses and cords and tools and whatnot, which is great. But keeping those things tidy can be a full-time gig. And frankly, I don’t have time for it. What I do have time for is a super easy solution to keeping my garage and storage closets organized. These heavy-duty Wrap-It Storage Straps have been key to doing just that. They take all the uncontrolled mess and wrangle it into submission. And they come in different sizes that help you hang literally everything up to 50 pounds! We’re talking vacuums, yoga mats, extension cords, power tools, and more.
You know what I don’t love storing? Colanders and strainers. And why do I need so many? Well, this clip-on silicone one is taking care of that problem. This genius kitchen hack also works in the garden. Let’s break it down. It’s made of heat-proof silicone, flexes to fit pretty much any pot or bucket size, and hardly takes up any space in the drawer. Plus, the food (or whatever else), stays in the pot, rather than having to pour it out and then back in again to keep mixing or cooking or whatever. Need to pre-soak flower bulbs? I love it for that too!
Whether you’re living your best van life or just like to keep things simple for your morning cup, this super convenient multi-use brewing straw is a fantastic addition to your serveware set. See, I used to love doing a French press for my morning brew. But a full carafe is just too much — no longer an issue with this JoGo filter straw. I can simply add grounds to my mug, stir it up and the micro-filter on the end of the straw keeps the grit and grime from ever getting all up in my face. You can also use it for brewing individual cups of tea and matcha. Or for keeping the crushed mint in your fancy cocktails at bay. Did I mention it’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe?
Hear me out on this one. It might be marketed as a gadget for golfers, but this tricky little magnetic towel clip can come in handy in many other ways too. Constructed from microfiber with two round magnets sewn inside, this tiny clip can help keep your kitchen towels handy, your garage rags, and everything else. I like it for yard work, when I need a way to keep a rag handy and reasonably clean, I use this little clip to hang a towel from the frame of the greenhouse. It holds up a surprisingly thick towel really well, and once you get the hang of how it works, it’s a real winner.
Speaking of keeping important things handy—shoutout to the golf pros for coming up with this magnetic phone holder too! Made with some of the strongest rare-earth magnets, this slim-profile phone smartphone holder keeps your phone easily mounted to a golf cart, or… any other magentic compatible stuff. Again, could be handy in your shop, in the kitchen, in the yard, wherever you need a hands-free option. Plus, it keeps your camera exposed so taking photo and video is easy.
You might be thinking, uh, craft supply set? How is this a hack? But did you know that pipe cleaners used to actually be used for cleaning pipes? And they still can be! Among plenty of other things. Like cleaning out those reusable straws you’ve got laying around getting gross. Or cleaning the hard to reach areas of pretty much anything else too. They’re great for getting into tight spaces, you can bend them into literally any shape to fit your needs, and they’re cute as hell. What’s not to like?
These aren’t just any old rocks, y’all. Powered by sunlight, these polished stones glow blue in the dark to light up anywhere you put them. Yes, you can use them in a fish tank or as decoration. But why not use them to light up a dark pathway so you and your guests can find the way? I love the idea of using them as markers to find things in the dark, whether it’s a stepping stone walkway, marking a driveway, a gate location, get creative!
Look, adulting is all about getting yourself out of sticky situations, and not straining your eyes, of course. And it’s a lot easier to do that if you can actually see what’s going on. But you can’t move overhead lights, and sometimes the power goes out. So yeah, get yourself some of these portable, motion-sensor LED lights. They come with both a flexible tripod that you to attach them virtually anywhere you can think: a post, a fence, a beam, a tree limb, under your car hood, in your closet; and a magnetic base for everywhere else. I’ve used these battery powered lights in a power outage so I can easily get light wherever I am in the house. And thanks to the motion sensor, you don’t have to feel around in the dark, either.
I don’t know about you guys, but literally every time I wash my bedding, the sheets and duvet cover become a nightmare wad and nothing gets clean, or dry. But this brilliant Wad-Free bed sheet detangler (and yes, they now make a blanket and duvet version too) takes care of that once and for all. All you have to do is pop the corners of your sheets into the frame with some simple tabs, fluff your sheet, and then wash and dry as normal. Not only does it save me dry cyles, but it saves me sanity too.
What happens when we’re adults trying to hydrate to stay active and look our best? We accumulate countless water bottles and reusable coffee cups, is what. Sure, you could stuff them all behind a cabinet door, constantly reach for the closest one, and eventually throw the rest out because they’re simply too difficult to wrangle. Or you can get organized with these stackable bottle organizers that will save you space, keep things tidy, and make you look like a true grownup. Up to you.
Installing one of these broom holder brackets onto the laundry room wall was one of the first things I did in my first real adult home. Because clutter is a no-go for me and I hate having to move a billion things around to grab the one thing I need. I didn’t expect too much, but it’s really been a fantastic gadget I now couldn’t live without. it keeps brooms, mops, and dustpans handy and has some hooks to hang other tools from too. Pro tip: I hung a tote with all my extra vacuum attachments so they’re handy and not making a mess somewhere in a bin getting dusty.
While at first glance, meal prepping seems like a lot of work, let me tell ya, it’s actually a total time saver. That is if you’ve got the right tools at hand. I’m not talking about any special diet here, though, y’all. Just good ol’ food made easy with these Souper Cubes silicone freezer trays. They’re the perfect size for freezing portions of nearly anything you make. So, go ahead single folks, make that pot of soup, that vat of chili, grandma’s spaghetti sauce. And then portion it into this tray, freeze it, pop them out and stick them in a bag so you can reuse the tray again and again. Then at a moment’s notice you can grab your perfect portions out of the deep freeze, make a quick dinner, and be good to go.
Nothing says you’re living the adult life more readily than a well-decorated home. But we’re not all Martha Stewart or Tim the Tool Man. Not to worry, Go Hang It! Pro, The Original All-in-One Picture Hanging and Leveling Kit, has your back. This handy little case comes with 85 pieces of picture-hanging hardware plus the case itself helps you mark holes, check levels, and more. Now go get that gallery wall.
I love a multi-functional organizer, don’t you? Sure, it’s a simple pot rack that can save you major cabinet space (plus it works both horizontally and vertically), but this little rack does a lot more than that. It also works as a letter organizer on your desk, to hold cutting boards or serving trays, or how about this: maybe holding multiple cookie sheets? Because when there’s a big batch in a small kitchen, I never know where to put them all!
It’s not something fancy, but it sure does help with one of the most annoying home issues we’re all facing: those stubborn gaps between the appliances and the countertop, of course! Seriously, how many food crumbs and sauce drips get down there, anyway? Gross. But with this slim gap cover, you don’t have to worry. It’s smooth, seamless, easy to cut to size, and you can even throw it in the dishwasher to clean it from time to time.
Despite my every wish, not all appliances are cordless yet. but these super cute little rubber cord winders help me deal with the mess. They come in a bunch of color combos and multi-packs (because you obviously need more than one), perfect for attaching to all your favorite tools. They keep long winding cords at bay, without kinking or tangling, and have a secure clip in the middle to keep the plug attached so everything is secure. You simply stick ’em on and take a deep sigh of relief.
One thing I’ve found via owning a home is that you need a lot of batteries, and there’s no super there to change them for you. Batteries for the smoke detector, different batteries for the carbon monoxide detector, different batteries for the flashlights, different batteries for the video doorbell. So. Many. Batteries. But never the exact number that you buy them in, which means you’re left with loose batteries and never know if they’re any good a year down the road. Thankfully, someone has solved this with this awesome little battery organizer and battery tester in one.
Not just for construction workers, this magnetic wristband solves the question of where to put those extra nails without having to fish around or jump on and off a ladder every two seconds. It’s a snap-bracelet style wrap (hello, elder millennials, you know what I’m talking about) made of breathable mesh with magnets inside that secure all your nuts, bolts, and screws while you knock out all those chores with ease. Pretty much the perfect stocking stuffer in my book.
Now, if you want to actually cut back on the number of tools you need to stock your adult tool chest, you’re definitely going to want this universal socket tool. This grippy little guy adjusts to fit almost every common household but, bolt, or hook, so you can easily tighten or unscrew whatever you need without having to have 16 different wrenches or ratchets on hand. It comes with an adapter to easily attach to your power drill, and that’ll really help with that carpal tunnel strain, if you know what I mean.
If there’s one thing I despise almost as much as laundering bedsheets, it’s loose bedsheets. And with all the super-trendy linen sheets we’ve got going these days, that can be a real issue. Whether you need to keep your fitted sheet super crisp or you want to convert a flat sheet into a perfectly tailored fitted sheet, this little gizmo can help. It’s made of bungee cord and durable plastic clips that keep your sheet secure under the mattress. It works on any sheet size, any bed, and it’s also easily machine washable and driable. f
When I finally got the chance to buy my first sofa, you better believe I saved up for a black leather beauty that I knew would stand the test of time. However, with pets in the house and popcorn for the movie marathons of the last few years (amongst other life-related spills), I needed a reliable, quick way to handle the little cleanups and scuffs that would treat my leather right. These Leather Honey wipes do just that. While I would splurge for their full-size cleaner and conditioner for larger jobs, these wipes to the trick in a pinch for spot cleanups. Throw one in your purse, your backpack, your glove compartment, anywhere you might have leather that, well, lives life.
Using one of these fantastic lazy Susan’s isn’t lazy at all. In fact, it’s the smartest solution to organizing and accessing all the things you’ve got shoved in the back of that kitchen cupboard. Or the pantry. Or the garage. You can literally use these for anything. They’re great for corner cabinets so you can easily find things instead of digging around. Great for small bathroom spaces for all your toiletries. And I love the this stacked version that doubles your space.
Sure, you could grab a can of chalkboard paint and slap it directly on a wall. But not everyone is ready for that kind of commitment. This chalkboard or whiteboard peel-and-stick wallpaper is the answer. You can choose black, white, or clear, and customize the shape and size to any space you like. You can throw it up on the fridge for grocery lists, put it on your desk to record (and check off) your daily tasks, do up a cute kiddo’s wall for playtime, the options are endless. And when you’re over it? Just peel it off.
One thing you’re going to realize as an adult is just how many outlets you need, and how often they’re in the wrong place. Usually right behind your furniture, where a bulky plug just won’t fit. Sleek Socket to the rescue. This brilliant little outlet converter makes it so easy to turn that power into something that fits any space and does it in an unobtrusive way for a clean, minimalist look no matter where you need it. So go ahead. Put that bookshelf in front of the outlet.
No home hack list would be complete with out The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste. And the “miracle” in the tagline isn’t an overstatement. This natural cleaning paste is the strongest, most versatile cleaning remedy you’ll need to get rid of staings, grease and grime from nearly any surface without leaving streaks or scratches. You can finally get that burn scum off the bottom of your pots, clean up hard water stains on your stainless faucets, remove rust from outdoor furniture, and hit the crayon, marker, and paint stains those little ones leave everywhere. All with one little tub.
My other favorite cleaning hero is this ridiculously clever semi-solid cleaning gel from ColorCoral. Plus, it reminds me of childhood slime toys, so that’s fun. You simply knead the natural gel product into a ball and press it slowly against whatever odd-shaped, hard-to-reach surface you’re trying to clean, say, keyboards or car vents or remote controls, until it touches the bottom and then you pull it out, complete with all the dust and grime. Gross. But also a godsend.
Chomping down on stale chips and crackers is the actual worst, but I can never finish a bag before they go bad. And endless piles of chip clips do not make me happy. So I got one of these little bag resealers and my life (and salty snack addiction) has been better for it. This tiny gizmo is battery powered, and fits in the palm of your hand so there’s no taking up counter space with any heavy machinery. It has a built in blade to cut a fresh top to your bag, and a simple heat sealer that you just clamp over the edge of the bag, slide away, and boom, you’re fully sealed and everything stays fresh. Because real adults limit food waste, y’all.
Having wrangled cold packs, giant coolers and ice buckets aplenty, I’m fully on board with this award-winning iceless wine cooler that will keep your bottles chill for up to 6 hours. And yes, you read that right: it involves no ice whatsoever. No pre-chilling. Nada. You simply pop it onto a cold bottle and you’re good to go. The double-walled, vacuum-sealed design keeps the cold in, and your table dry. It’s great for home or on the go, and makes an excellent gift for anyone who likes to enjoy a bottle—bubbly or not.
Does everyone else despise bathing their pets as much as I do? That’s a rhetorical question, of course. But not to worry, Aquapaw has made it at least one hand easier with this awesome pet bathing tool. You can attach it to your indoor shower with its included adapter or to your outdoor hose and then simply strap it onto your hand so you can gently clean, massage, and rinse your fur babies with ease. It puts the water right where you want it, with an easy on/off switch, saving you mess and waste at the same time.
Making a hard-boiled egg seems like it should be simple, but here I am, decades into life, still struggling. No longer, though, with this adorable little egg timer. It makes it easy to soft, medium or hard-boil your eggs by sitting right in the pot with them, changing color as the egg cooks so you can tell when they’ve been in for the perfect amount of time. No more guesswork. Only all the deviled eggs, egg salad, and jammy eggs you want.
In another genius move for food waste, Food Huggers are here to help us all out. Because there isn’t enough right-sized Tupperware in the world, and I loathe single-use plastic baggies. These clever little silicone caps fit snuggly over nearly anything you need to save, whether that’s an open can of beans, a half-full jar of sauce, or freshly cut fruits and veggies so you don’t get slimy edges, save on plastic, and save on tossing that otherwise-fine food. And yes, there’s even a tiny one you can use for bananas, lemons, and limes. I mean, a banana hug? Yes, please.
I really hate dish drying on the kitchen counter, but part of being a full-fledged adult is owning things that simply can’t go in the dishwasher. So, I got one of these snazzy roll-up silicone dish racks that fits over the edge of the sink. And let me tell you, I haven’t looked back. This thing has come to permanently live over my sink and works so well for a variety of things. Sure, you can dry dishes. But you can also use it to wash and dry veggies without having to get your cutting board or a colander all wet, and you can use it to set hot pots and pans on while you scramble around the kitchen mid-cooking. The silicone is heat-resistant. And when it’s dirty, you just throw it in the dishwasher (ironic, I know).
I owe credit to a buddy of mine for this one. And major credit at that. I asked what the silicone mat in their microwave was all about and they said “everything.” And they were right. This thing is so handy, I don’t know how on earth I was adulting before it was in my life. It works as a trivet, you can use it to grab hot things out of the microwave, you can use it as a splatter guard, you name it, it does it. And thankfully it comes in a handy two pack because trust me, one isn’t enough for all the use it’s going to get.
I love ice cream as much as the next guy, but I’m usually eating in straight out of the pint. In fact, I never use this scoop for ice cream. I have one in the kitchen I use for portioning out cookie dough to freeze or making meatballs, or portioning anything really. And I have one in the garden for easily scooping small amounts of soil or fertilizers without getting my hands covered in dirt. And yes, you can also use it for ice cream.
Real adults drink fancy bevvies, no? Yes. And there’s nothing fancier than a bit of froth. So get yourself one of these super affordable battery-powered frothers and don’t look back. They’re all the rage for matcha lovers with tired wrists, those who want a super creamy milk sitch at home, and for me—a way to mix up my protein shakes without having to take apart and wash the big blender. Plus, you can pick from a literal rainbow of colors to suit any home decor situation. Get one for everyone in your life, because they’re about to steal yours.
Ok, so this isn’t just for adults. I’ve been using this iron-on hem tape since I was a kid, in charge of making my own Halloween costumes out of whatever I could find. An old bedsheet? Done. A vintage overcoat. You got it. This magic tape helps in so many outfit emergencies, you’re really going to thank me. Especially my fellow shorties, who keep buying full length pants and chopping off a few inches only to leave a ragged scissored edge. No more, folks. With this iron-on hem tape, you will look polished and perfect with a quick swipe of an iron, no sewing skills required. You’re welcome.
If you’ve got pets or kids or are simply a messy human living your realest life, this compact little cleaner is going to be your best buddy. For any quick cleanup at home or in your car, the Bissell Little Green removes tough spots, stains, and odors from carpets, upholstery, car interiors, and more. It’s easy to set up, pretty fun to watch work and leaves you with furniture that looks like new. All without the bulk of an old-school carpet cleaner.
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