Little things for the house that make life easier - I’m doing a shop

[Dollywilde]

Right. I’m getting my act together. As I once again realised we’d run out of little clippy things for reasealing food packaging, it also occurs to me I keep meaning to buy an extra long iPhone cable so I can use my phone when it’s charging in the living room (I can rest it on the table but can’t look at it while sat on the sofa which is pissing irritating and means I’m constantly on 3% battery). I do try and avoid amazon so as not to help Jeff Bezos and his sickening wealth but sod it, I’m going to sit down this afternoon and do an Amazon shop for all those little things that make life easier but I never get around to buying. Basically all the stuff my mum used to go to Woolies for when I was little (RIP Woolies, gone but not forgotten)

So far my list is:
Kitchen clips
Extra long iPhone cable
Lighters - if I can buy them online? (I don’t smoke but I’m a candle obsessive and I am always running out of long matches)
An oven liner, threw mine away a couple of months ago as it was rank and now I need to clean the oven base instead which is much harder than running the liner through the dishwasher - sigh

Please could you suggest other things I need but can’t think of right this second? Much appreciated

These clear mesh pencil cases

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08165ZS3R?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Cookbook holder- clear plastic

Thanks for the suggestions for pots. DH is concerned about toxicity and we need to replace a good, few anyway. I'll look into stainless steel, thanks.

I've seen a few people on TikTok (don't hate me!) that empty out their board games boxes and put them in mesh bags all beautifully labelled and orderly. They store so much more easily. Does anyone do that here?

@Rockbird I’ve done that (didn’t know it was a tiktok thing!) because then I can stuff them in a kallax box

That's what I want to do. It looked so much better than a load of scruffy boxes. What do you use?

Just zipped bags off Amazon.
These (if it works!):
Plastic Wallets - 24 Pieces Document Folder File Zipper Bags A4 Plastic Wallet Folder Extra Thick Zip Lock Bags www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WS5HQRF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_SZ26FbK8TPK8P?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Travel zip bags. Life changing (assuming we can ever go on holiday again). You don't need to unpack, just pop each zip bag full of pants, sun cream, T-shirts, whatever in a drawer.

Kono 6PCS Packing Cubes Set Travel Luggage Zip Organisers Clothes Underwear Socks Storage Bag Pouch (Navy) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HMVWZBD/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_c526FbFF51225?psc=1

Packing cubes are life changers. Can’t imagine going on holidays without them. Especially good if you are touring and staying at different hotels at each place.

I bought packing cubes last winter anticipating being v organised on a fab summer holiday. Still in it's wrapping, but one day!!

Forgot to say they were compression packing cubes!

Has anybody got the best storage baskets/boxes known to mankind? If yes, please can you link to them?! Ideally lidded and stackable in a wardrobe.

I got an Oxo Good Grips tin opener, after reading good reviews of in on MN. Our previous electric tin opener broke & the new one wasn't nearly as good. The Oxo opener (it's a manual opener) works either way round, & is very good. I have crap thumb joints as I'm slightly hypermobile, & it's much easier to use than any other manual openers I've previously had. I was a bit at the price at first, but it's worth it IMO.

Definitely get stainless steel pans. I've had stainless steel pans for 20 years. Get good ones, they'll last. I have Stellar, a couple are 20 years old & still in great condition. Very easy to clean. Definitely worth the price, which isn't that extortionate to start with.

Set of silicone ice cube trays, with lids. They're stackable in the freezer, the ice comes out much easier compared to standard trays, & when not in use (when the freezer is too full!) I could get them out & neatly store them away as the trays & lids stack together as well. Mine are big enough for frozen berries, portions of herbs or whatever if the fancy took me as well.

I can also attest to the usefulness of a wrapping paper bag. We've had one for years. It holds lots of rolls - about 20 (!) & they are all kept really neat, don't get all ripped up & horrible over the year, they are easy to store & carry down at Christmas. I think ours was about £3 from B&M about a decade ago.

Ooh fab, I will check b&m tomorrow for a wrapping paper bag - have had ours in a plastic bag thing from IKEA

Have to say the Ikea cereal dispensers big & small have changed my life in organising cupboards - having everything decanted & visible means less waste

This is such a great thread! I’ve just ordered a rubber broom!
I’ve already got lots of the ideas and agree that packing cubes are a complete life changer for holiday packing.

I’ve got lots of small net bags for delicates in the washing machine. I put socks in one, tights in another etc then they don’t come out of the wash in a big wet tangle. I also fold jumpers and put them in a bag so they don’t go out of shape during the wash and spin cycle, they come out still folded flat.

Use clothing pegs for packets instead of the specific ones. Much stronger and cheaper.

Not rtft but I would definitely suggest an electronic de-bobbler. Great for bringing clothes back to life.

Just read the whole thread. My Amazon basket thanks you.

You should all go on Tik Tok and search "Amazon"..... I apologise in advance for the hours you will lose looking at stuff you never knew you needed!!

@Zeewest

I have two magnetic labels stuck on the fridge when not in use, one says dirty one says clean, for the dishwasher. I hate dirty dishes stacked ontop only to find the stuff inside is dirty

I need these. Please tell me where to get them from.

@PurpleMustang

As an extra, put colour catchers in laundry bags so they don't get into and clog/break your washing machine. I actually use a nappy pin to pin it inside the laundry bag so it doesn't just scrunch up into a ball and less efficient

This is genius!

My somewhat lame contribution to this excellent discussion is to suggest that you buy an extra toothbrush and toothpaste tube for the downstairs loo - it saves you having to go back upstairs again when you need clean your teeth before you pop out. Because I’m lazy like that.

I bought the Joseph Joseph cutlery organiser on the back of this thread. It arrived yesterday and I've spent a very happy hour tidying my cutlery drawer to the point it is now a thing of beauty. Thanks to whoever suggested it.

Laughing to myself at the rubber brush love. I bought one about two years ago as it was in the Lakeland sale and I was getting organised for when my bristle one broke. It is still hanging up, hasn't been used as my bristle brush refuses to die . I will try it out on the dog hair covered carpet one day.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Has anybody got the best storage baskets/boxes known to mankind? If yes, please can you link to them?! Ideally lidded and stackable in a wardrobe.

I've these .

https://www.mepalshop.dk/modula-opbevaringsbokse?gclid=CjwKCAiAxKvBRBdEiwAyd40NNGegRsBYYwSXIUDPlVe2yZjkLulR-pNpXnftaXFS6SDokvJXdBn4RoCPgQQAvDBwE

Anyone know where i can get a measuring jug that has embossed measurements on rather than printed on? I have about 5 pyrex jugs that the print has washed off of. I found a metal one on amazon but its £21! I'm not spending that on a bloody jug!