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The items Mumsnet users bought in 2023 that they now can’t live without
“This thread has cost me £152.33”, SnowRose1.
By Rebecca Roberts | Last updated Dec 13, 2023
In a world of ever-evolving innovations, the pursuit of everyday convenience and efficiency has led shoppers on a hunt for indispensable products that are worth investing in. As we step into 2024, our Mumsnet users are once again trendsetting as they share a trove of the items that have improved their routines, their homes, and their lives this past year.
From cooking must-haves, to cleaning essentials, to “can’t live without” beauty finds - our Mumsnetters have spoken. Join us as we unveil a selection of products that have swiftly transformed from simple purchases to indispensable lifelines for many Mumsnet users.
Read on to discover the items they’ve bought in 2023 that they now simply can’t imagine living without…
1. “A really simple thing - a pump of hand lotion by the sink”, Snozzlemaid
We recommend: Neom Organics London Real Luxury Hand & Body Lotion, £22
“I usually wash my hands and have tubes of hand cream around the house I use when I find one. A pump right by the sink is so much better, it's just there and you don't have to take a lid off.”
2. “My dehumidifier… Dehumidifier on, everything dry in a day”, ChaToilLeam
We recommend: Meaco Arete One 12l Dehumidifier, £298
“We have a small flat and in the winter the condensation from drying clothes inside is horrendous.”
Find our roundup of the best dehumidifiers that Mumsnet users swear by. Alternatively, we’ve curated a list of the best budget dehumidifiers that’s worth checking out, too.
3. “My electric blanket. Never knew I needed one but it’s a total game changer!” pleasestoprainingplease
We recommend: Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw in grey, £60
“I’ve just got in from a night out and waited in the freezing cold for a taxi home. My DP put it on ready for me and it’s heavenly.”
For extra warmth (and reduced heating bills) this winter, check out more of the best electric blankets that Mumsnet users swear by with our guide.
4. “A drying robe for my puppy to stop her drying her fur on the carpet when she comes back from a walk in the rain”, Pandaaandpurple
We recommend: Danish Design Dog Towelling Robe, £36
5. “Definitely the air fryer. Used pretty much every day now that the children have jobs and clubs and we often have to cook separate meals”, TinPanSally
We recommend: Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Smart Cook Air Fryer, £270
“Another vote for the Ninja Air Fryer”, Nicole1111.
6. “Le Creuset hydration bottle. It has to be the best water bottle I have had”, Highlights
We recommend: Le Creuset Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Drinks Bottle, £28
“Although it’s only 500ml it fits in my car door holder perfectly (many other bottles don’t and it’s very annoying).”
7. “A robot vacuum cleaner”, Ladyof2022
We recommend: eufy Clean L60 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, £200
“Had I known they come with a remote control, which means you can just sit on a chair and use the remote control to direct it back and forth around the room and to exactly where you want it to clean, I would have bought one years ago.”
Is the eufy a little out of your budget? Check out our guide to the best robot vacuum cleaners for more Mumsnetter-approved robovacs for your home.
8. “A cordless window vac… My DH scoffed when I bought the vac, but now gets annoyed if I vac the window in the morning before he gets a chance to”, Colinshweels
We recommend: Kärcher WV2 Plus N Yellow Edition Window Vac, £85
Don't miss our roundup of the best window vacs that Mumsnet users swear by and use themselves at home.
9. “Eyelash serum. Short straight eyelashes are a thing of the past! I love my new fluttery lashes”, Jewelanemone
We recommend: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash & Brow Serum, £12
10. “Electric clothes drying rack and a year’s supply of high strength vitamin D”, PupInAPram
We recommend: John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer, £100
For more heated clothes airers that Mumsnet users swear by, don't miss our guide to the best heated clothes airers and drying pods here.
11. “Mittens that velcro onto the pram and you just leave attached to it”, Scaraben
We recommend: John Lewis Natural Lambskin Lined Mitts, £40
“No more cold hands when you forget your gloves. Why did I never get these with my first baby!?”
12. “A heated seat pad for my home office chair”, Whatabouterry
We recommend: Dreamland Heated Multi Pad, £40
“Saves me putting the heating on during the days I WFH and it’s just so nice and warm to sit on.”
13. “Apple watch… Helped me lose two stone and still going. Aiming for three, maybe four stone. We’ll see!” Fluffybagel
We recommend: Apple Watch SE (2023) GPS, £219
14. “A smart plug! The electric blanket is plugged in, and I can switch it on using the app on my phone”, MincePieandBaileys
We recommend: TP-Link Tapo P100 Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug (pack of four), £50
15. “Stanley water cup - bought when I had bad morning sickness and only wanted to sip water”, CatMadam
We recommend: Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Tumbler, £43
“A huge thermos cup with a straw from Stanley. I drink from it all day and it goes in the dishwasher, unlike a lot of those flask things.” Whiskeyinthejaroh
16. “Silk pillowcases are a game changer. No knotty hair in the morning”, Dmsatdawn
We recommend: John Lewis Organic Mulberry Silk Oxford Pillowcase, £50
“It stays the same as when you went to bed.”
17. “Womanizer shower head… Does exactly what it says on the tin”, CuddlyPanda
We recommend: Womanizer Wave Chrome, £99
For more top Womanizer products that Mumsnet users love and use themselves, don't miss our guide to the best vibrators and best sex toys for women.
18. “Wireless headphone headband. Amazing!” Echobelly
We recommend: MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones Headband, £21
“Can fall asleep listening to relaxing YouTube videos, lying on my side comfortably.”
19. “Really nice wool socks”, Whiskeyinthejaroh
We recommend: totes Wool and Cashmere Blend Ribbed Ankle Socks, £16
“They’re worth spending the money on instead of buying cheap multipacks like I always used to.”
20. “Vileda mop with the trigger spray”, Insertcreativenamehere
We recommend: Vileda 1-2 Spray Mop, £24
For more mops to consider within a range of different budgets, check out our roundup of the best floor mops in the UK for this year.
About the author
Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier. Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.
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