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Original poster

What cheap items have you bought for the home that have helped get rid of mild daily annoyances?

250 replies

Times10 · 27/08/2022 14:26

I’m slowly making a list of things that annoy me in the house, and thinking about what to do/buy to fix the issue. I’m talking cheap things, like a pack of new drawer knobs as some of ours are broken.

What thing solved an issue that had been annoying you for ages?

We bought a stainless steel coffee press thing after breaking the 3rd glass one. I didn’t even know they existed before looking for alternatives!

I’m in the middle of a ‘not-quite-spring’-cleaning so finding lots of little things that need fixing!

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 27/08/2022 15:32

Also not the point of the thread but why can tea bags not just go in the bin/compost?

Because they are hot with steam coming off them that would condense on the lid of a bin making it wet/potentially mouldy. If you've got a paper liner it might then split. Leave the bag to cool down!

My Best Buy was a second laundry basket, so that I could empty the washing machine and the tumble dryer at the same time.

pottydimley · 27/08/2022 15:33

I'd been in my old house for about 3 years with a bathroom sink that took an age to empty, before it occurred to me to buy a bottle of pipe cleaner. I was so thrilled that I used to stand there for ages for the joy of watching it empty. Probably as long as it had taken to empty before 🤦🏼‍♀️

Kanaloa · 27/08/2022 15:34

Hobbycraft trolleys for bedside tables for all of us - absolutely genius idea from my teen

I love this idea. I’ve seen the ikea ones too, which look good.

Gatekeeper · 27/08/2022 15:36

TheLion · 27/08/2022 15:12

Not the point of the thread but are you opening them properly by pushing down into the centre rather than peeling them off? I find they stay on ok as long as you open them properly.

Also not the point of the thread but why can tea bags not just go in the bin/compost? My parents do this as well - leaving tea bags lying all over the counter and I don't understand it at all.

Show quote history

I haven't have used milk in glass bottles since I lived at my childhood home some 35 years + . But as soon as I tried milk in glass bottles again recently I instinctively knew how to open the bottle by putting my thumb in the centre of the foil top and pushing down. Like riding a bike ;)

thecurtainsofdestiny · 27/08/2022 15:39

Same as@mathanxiety . I use the plastic containers that mushrooms come in to organise all the spices and baking supplies.

A display file for greetings cards. One pocket has cards for the Jan/ Feb birthdays etc (January to December). Other pockets are divided by type - sympathy, new baby, good luck, etc

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 27/08/2022 15:43

Carpediem15 · 27/08/2022 15:28

In the article is a jar lid opening gadget which my H said would stay in the drawer for ever. It is the best gadget in the drawer, one lift under the lid and it releases the seal and it becomes so easy to unscrew, got mine from local kitchen shop for about a fiver.

My mum bought me one years ago, at least 12 years ago. I was polite but thought WTAF? It has lived in my kitchen drawer ever since, this past year I've used it loads, I don't have the grip I used to have!

so 'Thanks Mum' 😊

TwoBlondes · 27/08/2022 15:47

MoistBandana · 27/08/2022 14:40

I bought from Amazon a pack of 2 big silicone disk thingies.
They go in the bath over the plug hole.

The reason I got them is because the bath plug is a modern plug made of metal with a small rubber ring around it and every time I put it in the bath, had my bath and pulled it... The connecter piece bent and came off meaning I had to spend longer fiddling with a wedged in plug than I spent washing my arse.

The silicone disk thingies have been revolutionary. Soon as I'm done in the bath, slide it to the side, water drains. I leave the plug on the side and make it watch as I choose to not use it.. little bastard. 😜

Could I have a link please ? Fellow recalcitrant plug sufferer

Darhon · 27/08/2022 15:48

Bag clips
hook on door for keys
those plastic tubes with a scrub pad on the end that you fill with washing up liquid
phone holder in car

Passanotherjaffacake · 27/08/2022 15:48

I have an attractive big laundry bag for taking dry dirty things to the machine (bonus if it’s a second wash so you don’t have dirty washing on the floor in the kitchen waiting to go in) and a collapsible plastic laundry basket for transporting wet laundry to hang up. Most adults probably had these items before their late thirties 😂.

also have a spare washing up bowl for stuff like washing doors and skirting boards.

a thousand ecloths.

TwoBlondes · 27/08/2022 15:50

IKEA rack for storing saucepan lids

Upwardtrajectory · 27/08/2022 15:50

Little hair catcher thing to go over the bath plug.
Also the massive silicon plug covers that a pp mentioned. Brilliant for home, but also for camping.

Turkish bath towels - take up much less space and dry really quickly.

washable, coverless duvets.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 27/08/2022 15:51

Gatekeeper · 27/08/2022 15:36

I haven't have used milk in glass bottles since I lived at my childhood home some 35 years + . But as soon as I tried milk in glass bottles again recently I instinctively knew how to open the bottle by putting my thumb in the centre of the foil top and pushing down. Like riding a bike ;)

Show quote history

I guess I'm the same, it hadn't occurred to me people would open them any other way. Might have to buy some to watch the kids trying to open them 😂😂

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/08/2022 15:52

YellowPlumbob · 27/08/2022 15:27

We (me and DDs 14/22/6) recently relocated to a very different house. It’s a cottage, with a tiny kitchen that has no cupboards but does have an under stairs pantry, and a small utility room. Its quirky, with no right angles to be seen and wonky floors all over the place.

I have ADHD and work/study full time.

  • Laundry powder canister and a bottle for fabric softener - sit on a shelf above the washing machine, to hand and in my face, the giant boxes that I buy sit under the sink between the washer and dryer
  • Hobbycraft trolleys for bedside tables for all of us - absolutely genius idea from my teen
  • Hobbycraft trolleys for the bathroom - couldn’t buy any units etc due to the floors, so there’s two in the bathroom. One by the bath with DD6s things on top, toys in the middle, cleaning products on the bottom. One next to the shower, similar layout. Easy to move when cleaning.
  • Small wire baskets - I have the cleaning products for each room, in each room. Game changer.
  • Doubled up on toothbrushes/face cleaner stuff - one lot in the bathroom upstairs, one lot in the utility room downstairs. Has changed the traffic issues in the mornings!
  • Really Useful Storage boxes - measured up the strange cupboards that are built in in some rooms, but have no shelves in - bought the biggest ones that would fit, then once I’d figured out what would go in them, either put stuff directly in (like bedding), or bought smaller ones to sit in the bigger ones (to separate things like general first aid stuff, spare toothbrush heads, any toiletries I bought in bulk when on offer)

I rent so I can’t go whacking shelves up/changing things.

@YellowPlumbob

The hobby craft trolleys is a genius idea! I once had a tiny attic flat with no kitchen as such and bought a couple of butchers trolleys from Argos. Would have been a nightmare without them.

KangarooKenny · 27/08/2022 15:52

My air fryer, no more waiting for the oven to heat up, wasting leccy.

pastypirate · 27/08/2022 15:57

YellowPlumbob · 27/08/2022 15:27

We (me and DDs 14/22/6) recently relocated to a very different house. It’s a cottage, with a tiny kitchen that has no cupboards but does have an under stairs pantry, and a small utility room. Its quirky, with no right angles to be seen and wonky floors all over the place.

I have ADHD and work/study full time.

  • Laundry powder canister and a bottle for fabric softener - sit on a shelf above the washing machine, to hand and in my face, the giant boxes that I buy sit under the sink between the washer and dryer
  • Hobbycraft trolleys for bedside tables for all of us - absolutely genius idea from my teen
  • Hobbycraft trolleys for the bathroom - couldn’t buy any units etc due to the floors, so there’s two in the bathroom. One by the bath with DD6s things on top, toys in the middle, cleaning products on the bottom. One next to the shower, similar layout. Easy to move when cleaning.
  • Small wire baskets - I have the cleaning products for each room, in each room. Game changer.
  • Doubled up on toothbrushes/face cleaner stuff - one lot in the bathroom upstairs, one lot in the utility room downstairs. Has changed the traffic issues in the mornings!
  • Really Useful Storage boxes - measured up the strange cupboards that are built in in some rooms, but have no shelves in - bought the biggest ones that would fit, then once I’d figured out what would go in them, either put stuff directly in (like bedding), or bought smaller ones to sit in the bigger ones (to separate things like general first aid stuff, spare toothbrush heads, any toiletries I bought in bulk when on offer)

I rent so I can’t go whacking shelves up/changing things.

Love this idea we have one trolley already thank you!!

ohsuzannah · 27/08/2022 15:58

thecurtainsofdestiny · 27/08/2022 15:39

Same as@mathanxiety . I use the plastic containers that mushrooms come in to organise all the spices and baking supplies.

A display file for greetings cards. One pocket has cards for the Jan/ Feb birthdays etc (January to December). Other pockets are divided by type - sympathy, new baby, good luck, etc

I also use them when prepping food, one ingredient in each. And I keep one for the peel, then freeze it for stock. The mushroom ones are the best!

DuneFan · 27/08/2022 16:02

Hard to remember because once you solve the niggle you forget about it!

A laundry basket in every bedroom
More pegs than strictly necessary
A soap dish

But also clearing out regularly enough that everything fits where it should go can make a big difference. The absolute best thing I've done lately is prune my cookbook collection (used daily) so that the shelf isn't overcrowded and its easy to put books back. I didn't realise how much trying to fit the books back in annoyed me until I didn't have to do it any more.

I also threw away all the pens that didn't work and put all the ones that do in a pot, and put them back daily. Magic.

I need a key hook . . .

drunktrifle · 27/08/2022 16:03

Long charger cables plus a little clip thing to hold them in place,
Pump bottles for shower gel, shampoo and conditioner,
Drawer inserts and dividers,
A massive basket near the back door for sliders, crocs and flip flops,
A battery organiser.

Also not buying but getting rid of the recycling bin as everyone just piled it high and only I seems to empty it, now everyone just takes recycling straight out to the boxes.

OhTheLeetleHandsAndFeetle · 27/08/2022 16:03

Wooden toaster tongs.

A little hook by the front door and another by the back door to hang the appropriate key on, so no more scrabbling around looking for keys when a delivery arrives. Had an extra key cut for the doors, so we still have our usual sets of keys for coming and going.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/08/2022 16:05

Table top dishwasher ❤️like having a maid

Lock thing that lets me leave the back door open but secure

Microwave / convection hybrid and air fryer - fast and cheaper

Saucepan lid wall rack - no more crashing pans

Knife wall rack

plastic baskets with handles in high cupboards - so you can just lift stuff out, and also in freezer to reduce chaos

Wire spice racks inside cupboards

Loads of hooks

undershelf baskets and little wire wall shelves in handy places

Cynderella · 27/08/2022 16:06

Magnetic floating soap holders - no more scummy soap dishes. You press what looks like a metal bottle cap into your soap or shampoo bar. The small holder goes on the wall (just sticks on tiles) and then the bar of soap is held ready. This sort of thing.

Bluevelvetsofa · 27/08/2022 16:08

We have a Faraday box that the keys are kept in, inside a cupboard at the furthest point from the front door. It’s not just a question of reaching the keys. Cars can be started without the actual key if the signal is close enough, which it probably would be, by the front door. You can also wrap them in foil as that blocks the signal.

BeyondMyWits · 27/08/2022 16:10

Not really a thing, but if you have a pedal bin with plastic inner bin, drill a couple of holes in the side of the plastic bit (few inches up from base). Bin liners just slip out easily instead of vacuum sealing themselves in there.

Endlesslypatient82 · 27/08/2022 16:13

Not cheap

by good grief… my eufy. Truly. Transformative.

and anyone wants a £50 referral code… Pm me!

No, seriously - best thing I have ever purchased and my teen would say the same (it was his job to vacuum after dinner every day in the dining room! 😂)

mathanxiety · 27/08/2022 16:14

@EnglishGirlApproximately - I'm afraid this will not be helpful as I'm in the US but I found them in my local Dollar Store after looking all over the place for ages. You could try Poundland or even Amazon.