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

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman

Haven't RTFT so someone might have suggested them, but a pack of Sharpie pens. Useful for labelling school uniform and (top tip) marking your double duvet so you know which way round to put it in the duvet cover - ours is only just rectangular but patterned with squares so unless you count the bloody squares you can't work out how goes in the cover. So I took a Sharpie and wrote all over it.

"This Way Up"?

I have yet to try it but read toucan use those pet grooming gloves on stairs

They have rubber nobles so would act like the rubber brooms

DRAWER not draw

@QuantumGirl

Does anyone know where I can find silicone lids of the same size? I store leftovers in soup bowls and need reducing my cling film consumption.

If it's just for storing in the fridge, maybe try beeswax cloths instead of silicon lids? Lots of places online sell them, you could buy them in Lakeland (for e.g.)www.lakeland.co.uk/73477/Bees-Wrap-Assorted-Reusable-Food-Wraps---Pack-of-3, or you can even find out how to make your own! They'd have the advantage of being useful for other things too, ad would certainly reduce your clingfilm usage.

Reporting back.

Finally tried my rubber brush on the hall and stair carpet as could see a layer of dog fur. It is brilliant but it is shocking how much my vacuum leaves behind.

Also, agree with a PP about drawers being crucial in a kitchen. Next time I have a new kitchen I am going for all drawers under the counter instead of half and half with cupboards and then cupboards up to the ceiling. I said I wouldn't be able to reach so stopped the cupboard about eight inches below the ceiling. My dh predicted I would put stuff on top of the cupboard but didn't tell me and he was right so no gain and all loss.

Who can recommend a rubber broom/brush for me??

@Hellokittymania

I have ordered a curved one. I will try and find it and link it here so you can see what the connection is, I don’t know where to look for that.

I'll pretty much guarantee it'll be a micro USB. You can get cables for a couple of quid and they fit into any standard USB slot.

I live alone so a back scratcher is wonderful! No more struggling with a fork. 😂😂

Instead of a lighter you can get these things that look like a clipper lighter but are actually a Flint and steel kinda thing, flame wont blow out you have to put it back inside the steel thing. - sorry havent slept well so can't think of the proper name of it.
Also yes to the batteries, we are constantly running out.
You can also get these miniature steel wool things that you pop in the kettle and they stay in there and keep limescale at bay, you just swill them out once a week.
Reusable pods for coffee makers are great too. I have two and I can fill them with any ground coffee I like and make a fresh mug of whatever I like.

I don’t have a knife block and my knives were rattling around in a section of the cutlery drawer. This Joseph Joseph knife rack is excellent. You can get so many knives in there. www.josephjoseph.com/products/drawerstore-compact-knife-organiser-white?variant=36470410412104

Apologies if I missed this, but did anyone have any suggestions for storing muddy wellies in the car boot? I’ve made a right mess of my car in the last few weeks.

Boot liners, most cars have them for sale from the dealership or try ebay.

@Rapunzel88

Apologies if I missed this, but did anyone have any suggestions for storing muddy wellies in the car boot? I’ve made a right mess of my car in the last few weeks.

You need a boot bag www.woodsideproducts.co.uk/99576-woodside-wellington-boot-bag.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA57D_BRAZEiwAZcfCxQwykxDvAAl8eChgl7js-iiiTVYqefsJk19POftVCz5wn5gK_RCuVxoChdYQAvD_BwE#174=&175=&178=&182=Pink

I used to keep a dehumidifier tub in it which helps to dry the boots.

Anyone know where i can get a measuring jug that has embossed measurements on rather than printed on?

IKEA. 1 (one) quid. www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/behoeva-measuring-jug-transparent-grey-80409537/

Thanks @ThumbWitchesAbroad but I need something that goes from the fridge to the microwave. I would consider buying new containers but not even Amazon seems to have a solution

www.amazon.co.uk/24-Piece-Superior-Glass-Meal-Containers/dp/B07WT6K984/ref=asc_df_B07WT6K984/?hvlocphy=9046823&hvlocphy=9046823&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvnetw=g&hvadid=412568215571&hvadid=412568215571&hvpone&hvpone&hvlocint&hvlocint&ref&hvpos&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-818602144057&hvtargid=pla-818602144057&hvrand=4136562414298479572&hvrand=4136562414298479572&adgrpid=96098808648

I have these and I've had them in the fridge then nuked them with no problems. They're nice glass and feel like they'll last forever.

Wahhh everyone is talking about drawers in the kitchen and I am about to move from a house with 3 normal and 6 deep drawers in an island to a new build with 5 drawers in total. It's literally the main thing I'll miss about this house!!

Egg slicer! Useful for chopping mushrooms as well, and oddly satisfying to use.

Packing cube type bags like these www.etsy.com/uk/shop/drawstringuk fantastic - for holidays or organising drawers

To whoever asked about silicone toilet brushes - they’re TERRIBLE. I bought two of the Joseph Joseph ones, because they’re elegant looking and seemed more hygienic but they were absolutely useless. The little bristles are too short and too soft to get any traction on grot. It was like trying to clean the bog with a rubber cake spatula. I binned them and went back to the normal kind with a song in my heart.

I've been gradually sorting myself out throughout the year, partly finally accepting I need to use certain disability aids (and then once I had them kicking myself for not getting sooner! In particular ring pull aid, jar and bottle opener, right angle handled knives) partly thanks to a sm post which got me thinking I don't have to have just ONE of everything (I struggle with doing dishes and other chores at times) so I now have plenty of "extra" pots and pans and oven dishes and utensils and storage pots etc which very quickly and significantly made my life much easier.

I can't stand for long periods and also struggle with bending and lifting etc so if I'm doing an oven meal of some kind I try and either do a "one pot wonder" or if the only thing that wouldn't normally be cooked in the oven is side veg I got wee pie dishes and I pop the veg in there with a little boiled water and it steams alongside whatever else I'm cooking and I put it all on one oven tray (use foil on trays to reduce/avoid washing up too!) so I've only got to Bend and lift twice, once to put it in once to get it out. Soooo much easier

Got fed up hunting out food bags which kept getting lost in the drawers so now they're all in one of the large bags hooked on a cupboard handle - easy to find and more space in drawers too

One thing that I was recommended on here some time ago now and which I love (got one for Dd too when she got her own place) can't do link for some reason (it keeps bouncing me onto app ) it's

Lencent 4 usb charger plug 4 USB port with travel adapters

Let's you plug in 4 usb charging devices in one plug and has travel adapter bits so you can use overseas - I think actually I got it for dd for her first "girls only" holiday and her gang were very pleased with her! none of the rest of them had remembered the usb part and so had adapters but nothing that really worked altogether

Spare iPhone cables and plugs the above comes with a little drawstring fabric bag, all the spares for it AND spare cables and adapters are now in it, so handy.

I have Tesco own whiteboard pens for:

Whiteboard in kitchen
Calendar
Labelling plastic (just washes off), glass (again just washes off) or foil tray (cardboard part) food storage
Writing directly onto fridge! Just wipes off with a little kitchen spray.

Ballpoint pens kept in the kitchen to label food bags - I'm ashamed to say I only twigged this year that it's easier to write them up BEFORE Putting the food in - d'oh!

This one more of a tip than a product - learned from a chef I once worked with - plastic bagged frozen stuff, slit open across the top with a sharp knife BUT not all the way across leave about 2" at the end, take out how much you wanna use then use the strip to tie closed the bag twisting the other bit and put back in freezer for next time - no clips, no clothes pegs needed. Hard to explain in writing though hope you understand

@BearandaSpare That's genius!!! I'm sorely tempted! My cutlery drawer needs a proper sort out!

Zip lock food bags which I rarely use for food, mostly for craft storage, medicines etc so handy!

Anyone know of something which would be like a liner for the veg tray in the fridge? Storing in plastic makes them sweat I feel and they last longer if there's something to draw the moisture out of the box, I'm currently managing using regularly changed kitchen roll but it's far from perfect. I'm thinking something canvas/jute or even linen and washable?

My contribution - toastabags - not just for toasties you can make loads of things in them and they're easy to wash Love my loaf tin liner from the same company too so much easier than scrubbing the tin

@Haggertyjane I've had my echo for over a year but feel I'm not using it to full advantage I only really use it as a speaker and for reminders (very handy for this when hands full/wet/dirty and it suddenly occurs to me I want to check on whether I need to add x to shopping list or to order meds or chase up something) I've tried asking it stuff but it either says it doesn't know or gives weird answers! I need to learn how to use it properly!

I need a plate stand I'm struggling to find one that fits my plates and cupboard though.

I have tweezers EVERYWHERE! Dd used to mock - then she got her own place and did the same! So useful for the most bizarre of jobs! There's at least one pair in Make up bag, pencil case, craft bag, tool box, kitchen drawer, desk... ditto scissors and sellotape! Although none of those in make up bag

I don't use non stick roasting or oven tins any more, Pyrex or proper old fashioned enamel are much more durable and easy to clean

Normally buy super long AND reinforced iPhone chargers from amazon but the usual sellers have vanished so on the hunt for a replacement if anyone can recommend with link?

So Pyrex glass for Roasting. Do chips still get crispy on glass? I think stuff gets browner on metal - am I wrong?

Use an upturned lid/shallow part and make sure oven hot before you put chips in and they're fine

I currently have my sachets of food items stored in old grape punnets! Which I cleaned out and repurposed during lockdown, you don't always have to buy stuff

@Randomrebel every now and then a sort out is needed. I recently cleared cleaned and reorganised my tins cupboards, it's one of those jobs we're always putting off isn't it? So glad I did it much easier to find stuff now though they do rather look like the cupboards in "sleeping with the enemy" as it turned out I of course had multiples of several things cos they were stuck at the back and I thought I didn't have x and kept buying more! 4 bottles of soy sauce anyone? 3 tubs of baking soda? No thought not it'll get used eventually

My utensils are in a metal holder thingy on the counter, over the years I've tried drawers (got lost, damaged and jammed the drawers!), hanging on the wall or cupboards - inside and outside (kept falling off in middle of night and giving me a heart attack!) so this is my preferred option now.

Bit niche but...I have an iPhone charger permanently in the kitchen now, got fed up having to go fetch one from another room to play music/radio while I was cooking or washing dishes or whatever.

Also oven gloves with hanging hooks! So much easier to keep handy while cooking

@Deux Ya bugger! Now I need the knife storer too! I don't tend to buy knives in sets as I find the quality tends not to be great I prefer to buy individually. But this means blocks etc don't work

@MirandaWestsNewBFF Egg slicers are useful for slicing all sorts! Eggs, bananas, tomatoes, grapes for little ones, mushrooms...