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Original poster

What is ONE item that changed dramatically and surprisingly your home life for the better

288 replies

Bookbooks · 17/04/2023 06:18

Looking for inspiration to start the process of tidying up (all aspects of) my life.
I already posted another thread related to this.
As an individual, I am very organised and perfectionist. I love order, cleanliness and tidiness. BUT, my house/ life rarely looks the part. I want to sort out my life once and for all so that it is always either spick and span or easily back on track.

On this thread I'd like to ask you what is ONE item (big or small/ expensive or cheap) that, when you acquired, changed your home life for the better so dramatically and surprisingly that you honestly wonder how you were able to cope before it graced your life.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
smoothieooo · 17/04/2023 14:45

My Ninja air fryer. DS1 used to warm the oven up for 'beige' food, then forget it was on. He can just pop whatever in and air fry, bake or grill for the required time then it turns off.

I've got a whole chicken which needs cooking today when I get back from work and using the pressure cook then air fry function means it'll be ready in around 45 mins without the faff of having to watch it constantly. It can also prove bread, dehydrate, make yoghurt and slow cook but I haven't tried those functions yet!

CaptainCorellisXylophone · 17/04/2023 15:02

Rutaceae · 17/04/2023 07:33

Fireplace for your Home, a one hour programme on Netflix which is just that, a fireplace with some burning logs.

Friends laugh when I tell them that the three versions now available of Netflix are by far our most ‘watched’ programmes on the service.

I think I played ‘birchwood edition’ three or four times yesterday while I sat in my front room either reading or researching holidays on my laptop.

We don’t have a real fire and although this obviously is a pale imitation of the really thing it transforms the big black ugly rectangle of the tv into something that brings calm and comfort into the room. The flickering light and soundtrack brings me immediate calm. So SO weird, I know it is, but I love it.

dh prefers The Witcher fireplace as I suspect he likes to imagine himself sitting alongside some warriors wearing an ace or something 😂

Have you also tried the thunderstorm ones? Very soothing background noise for when you are reading or whatever.

HolyMolyGuacamole222 · 17/04/2023 16:30

Electric blanket

DHsPoorBack · 17/04/2023 16:33

Following!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 17/04/2023 17:59

Dyson cordless
I'm disabled and it's made doing my floor quick and literally painless
Apple HomePod( similar to an Alexa)
My dog
Nespresso( love my coffee!)

Amiable · 17/04/2023 18:08

Hario V60 coffee filter. It sits on top of my mug and I can make 1 mug at a time - no space for a coffee machine in my teeny kitchen, and I do like having real coffee. (The hario filter papers are fab too, no grainy bits at the bottom of the mug!)

Tumble drier - I know lots of people hate them but I wouldn't be without mine. It also means I don't do any ironing - EVER. If something is creased I pop it in the drier with a damp facecloth for 10 mins. Perfect.

Ishouldbeoutside · 17/04/2023 18:08

JuneShitfield · 17/04/2023 07:56

This sounds lovely and I had no idea these were on Netflix. <lunges for remote>

Show quote history

Wow!!! I’m going to use that a lot…

ScottBakula · 17/04/2023 18:14

Ishouldbeoutside · 17/04/2023 18:08

Wow!!! I’m going to use that a lot…

Show quote history

Me too , I love storms

Ishouldbeoutside · 17/04/2023 18:34

I’ve just checked the fireplace thing out. It’s great.

AnythingToSay · 17/04/2023 18:37

silicone oven gloves

Ishouldbeoutside · 17/04/2023 18:38

What is a spray mop

Clarice99 · 17/04/2023 18:46

My cats 🐱🐱

I wasn't allowed any pets as a child, I had a emotionally and physically abusive childhood and was repeatedly told that I was useless, selfish and unlovable (just a few of the insults I endured).

The cats changed my life.

Ratonastick · 17/04/2023 18:48

The three drawer version of this. I have two from BrandAlley, one in my room and one in DSs. Each drawer takes exactly one load of washing, so you separate as you go then take a drawer to the machine when it’s full. It’s not a big thing, but it has freed up a little bit of brain space.

https://www.wenko.com/en/b2b/laundry/laundry-collecting/serie-bahari

mummyoffourminimes · 17/04/2023 18:49

Also the robot hoover

maddy68 · 17/04/2023 18:51

The air fryer. No longer ti I have bacon fat smashes up my kettle and toaster where my lazy ass son cooks a sandwich

pastypirate · 17/04/2023 18:52

My cocker spaniel. Mostly place marking but I love him so much

zaffa · 17/04/2023 18:56

slamfightbrightlight · 17/04/2023 07:16

https://boxcleverpress.com/products/magnetic-menu-planner-and-shopping-list

yes, I could just write a list. But with this it lives on the fridge and everyone adds to it in the week when things run out, and I can meal plan super easy and everyone knows what we’re having so they can make a start on dinner without waiting to be told

That is such a clever idea - I've just ordered one. I always end up losing my list / meal planner - thank you!

Titsywoo · 17/04/2023 19:12

2nd dishwasher - as there are 4 adults in this house and 2 of them are working from home a lot there seems to be a neverending stream of dirty glasses/dishes etc. The second dishwasher means there is nothing on the side waiting to go in which used to drive me mad. We are lucky to have a large kitchen and when we built a utility room the space which used to house the washing machine was the perfect spot for another dishwasher.

rampagingrobot · 17/04/2023 19:15

Cordless vacuum.
Doing some vacuuming is no longer a ballache tripping over a cable. Can just grab it, whizz around and put it back.

Also dishwasher, but I imagine most people have them already.

rampagingrobot · 17/04/2023 19:17

Also bean to cup coffee machine. No faff with aeropress or cafeterias, and makes great coffee. Also good for ice coffee in summer.

LynetteScavo · 17/04/2023 19:31

Touch Glow LED Night Light Lamp with Touch Dimming Control, Touch Lamp for Bedroom, Baby Night Light, Night Lights for Toddler, Kids Light, Children’s, Nursery, Bedside, Bedroom,White Base amzn.eu/d/eFZEDj7

This nightlight - amazing value for money. Perfect for feeding a baby in the night, or having on low if one person is asleep and the other is coming home late. It can also be bright enough for reading.

Apple Music and an Alexa speaker.

High thread count sheets. I had no idea until I bought some in a sale. There's no going back.

sweetdreamstenasee · 17/04/2023 19:32

small one here, but febreze plug in air fresheners. I generally keep a tidy house but if we have last minute visitors I’ll do a quick whip around and turn on the air freshener - always makes the house seem fresher than it is!

MadamBuxton · 17/04/2023 19:34

A waste disposal unit in our sink. The food prep area is right next to it so all peelings etc go straight in plus anything that needs to be removed from plates or pans before they go in the dishwasher. Game changer. If I have to cook/clean up anywhere else (without one) I find it a huge faff.