I’ve got 99 problems, but a problem-solving Amazon gadget ain’t one! But, seriously, why struggle with common problems when you can buy your way out of them? I’m not talking about anything “life or death,” but stuff like this: Is there a solution for getting a bit of light when the power goes off? How do I get that funky smell out of my front-load washing machine? I’ve got to give my dog a pill; what’s the simplest way? See? I’m talking about everyday, real-life issues here.
As I was compiling this list, I did so with one thing in mind: What problem do I have that these products could solve? Number 11 fixes an issue that most of us struggle with at one time or another. Number 15 solves a common kitchen conundrum. And, don’t get me started on number 33. I live in Florida and it is an absolute must. Now your only problem might be deciding which to buy right now and which to buy next week!
Enjoy Your Fave Cereal On The Go
This may be the most genius invention I’ve seen in a long time. The CrunchCup lets you enjoy your fave cereal one-handed on the go and it keeps the cereal and milk separate until it hits your mouth. Needless to say, I have a couple of these in my cupboard.
Take Charge
Need a charge … quick? This Nano charger from Anker is designed to give your iPhone a charge three times faster than older charger styles. Not only does it deliver the juice fast, but it’s also 50 percent smaller than other chargers like it so it won’t take up much space in your bag or when plugged into your wall outlet. The lightning cable here is included.
Relief, No Butts About It
You can probably guess what problem we’re tackling here: Diaper rash. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste doesn’t have a very fancy-schmacy name but it just works — and has since it was originally developed in the 1970s. Used as a skin protectant with zinc oxide, it helps treat and prevent diaper rash. But, that’s not all. Reviewers claim it works well on everything from pets to skin irritations on adults.
Stains Are No Match
The product is kid-tested and mom-approved or so says the product description. Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater stain treater is safe (you can use it around kids and pets); powerful (it removes stains from clothes, carpet, and upholstery; and, fast (fast means fast, I don’t know what else to say.) The 4-oz. bottle size is convenient to stash just about anywhere, including in a purse, diaper bag, or kitchen cabinet.
Dude, It’s Dude Wipes
If you know about DUDE wipes, you probably didn’t suffer from the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020. If you’re just finding out about them, sit back and let me educate you. These are fragrance-free and 25 percent larger than the average flushable wet wipe and they get you clean as a whistle. You’ll never go back to toilet paper after trying these aloe- and vitamin E-infused cloths.
Wet It And Forget It
What sounds better when it’s time to clean your shower: Scrub on it for an hour or wet it and forget it? It’s the latter, right? (If not, you’re one sick puppy.) This shower cleaner thrives on the “wet it and forget it” mentality by encouraging once-weekly application that cleans and prevents soap scum, mold, and mildew buildup. No scrubbing or wiping is required.
Lights On — It’s An Emergency
Power off, light on. That’s how this rechargeable emergency LED bulb works. If your power goes out and you have these guys charged and ready to go, you can get a few more precious hours of light instead of sitting in the dark and — shudder — having to talk to your family. There’s a two-pack for $16 or a four-pack for $33 in either daylight or soft white. These are great to have for a rainy stormy day.
Clean Your Clothes Cleaner
I had a front-load washer and dryer some years back and I loved them with one exception: The washer would get super stinky. Stinky enough that I had to start leaving the door open to let it air out. That was pre-Amazon and pre-Affresh washing machine cleaner. These tabs go in your machine one time a month to help attack odor-causing residue.
Drink Up
Dehydration is real and it can creep up on you before you even realize it. These drink mixes from Liquid I.V. are billed as hydration multipliers helping you pack more electrolytes into your body. Better than simply water alone, these sticks are designed to enhance the rapid absorption of water and other key ingredients into the bloodstream. Try them in lemon-lime.
Take The Sting Out
Nobody likes to be stung. I remember being bitten by a horsefly as a child and thinking I was going to die. If you have dramatic folks in your house or you just like to be prepared for every possible scenario, these EZ Bites relief pumps will take the sting right out of nature’s little problem-makers. Designed to be kid-friendly, these use suction to remove venom and irritants from stings and bites.
Red-Eye Relief
Late night? Too much debauchery? Nothing I’ve ever seen eliminates red, tired-looking eyes like Lumify, developed by Bausch and Lomb. I bought some of these redness reliever eye drops shortly after they were introduced to the market, mainly because I’m a sucker for Facebook ads and new products. To my great surprise, these deliver in a matter of minutes.
The Smeller’s The Feller
Where else can you get 72-hour odor control except Lumē and its natural deodorant for underarms and private parts? I mean, I guess you could stand in the shower for 72 hours, but that’s going to get pretty old pretty fast. This body deodorant is free of aluminum and baking soda, is naturally scented, and is safe for sensitive skin. Try it in one of nine scents or opt for fragrance-free.
Put The Little Ones To Sleep
When the Adam Mansbach book, “Go the F**k to Sleep” no longer gets the job done, it’s time to call in the big guns: Drugs. Before you report this post to CPS, I’m only talking about the all-natural melatonin gummies from Zarbee’s Naturals. Available in grape or berry, this supplement promotes peaceful sleep in children from age 3 to older.
Say Goodbye To Calluses
I’m a big fan of the baby feet peel masks, but with more than 31,000 reviews, this callus remover gel has me intrigued, too. All you have to do is soak your feet for a few minutes, apply this gel and allow it to sit for five to 10 minutes, and then rinse and slough off dead skin with a foot scrubber. One review said: “This is an easy, fast way to essentially remove calluses and other dead skin from feet while leaving the living, healthy skin undamaged.”
Let’s Hear It For Heat Relief
I’m just like my grandmother in that I enjoy a good heating pad. There’s nothing like a little heat therapy at the end of a long day to just make you feel better. This extra-large heating pad from Mighty Bliss is a fan favorite with reviews raving about how comfortable it is, how thick it is and how machine washable it is. Sounds like three-for-three to me.
Slow Cooking Without The Mess
Is there anything better than dinner cooking itself while you slave over a hot computer at work all day? I say there isn’t. The only downside is the mess it leaves behind. These slow cooker liners eliminate that one pesky problem. Line your slow cooker with one of these before you start cooking and clean-up will be as simple as wad, toss and throw in the trash.
Tape For The Ta-Tas
Bras are the worst. I still contend they were developed as a means of torturing us. (Same with pantyhose and shapewear). This breast lift tape will give you a similar hold, shape, and lift without straps digging into your shoulders or elastic itching your back. It also tackles the “big four”: Breathability, discreetness, sweatproof, and natural-looking hold.
Go-To-Sleep-Anywhere Masks
Do you have trouble winding down and getting to sleep? I imagine this is particularly challenging for people who work second or third shifts who are usually sleeping while the rest of us are working a 9-to-5. This three-pack of sleep masks might help, producing a blackout sleep environment even if it’s 1 o’clock in the afternoon. They come in various colors, but why do you care? You’re going to be sawing logs.
Pop-Up Protection
If you enjoying dining al fresco, but you don’t enjoy swatting bugs away from your culinary creations, you need these pop-up mesh food covers. Available in sets of six or 12, these tents fit plates and serving dishes up to 16 inches in diameter. The best part is there’ll be zero waste from plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also use these indoors, too, of course.
Pill Pockets For Pups
Have you ever tried giving a dog a pill? It’s like entering the fifth circle of hell. Thankfully, someone came up with a reasonable solution in the form of these chicken-flavored pill pockets. Drop the pill into the pouch, squeeze to close and then give it to Fido. If you’re lucky, he (or she) won’t even chew it in their excitement to get a “treat” and they’ll swallow it whole before they even realize what you’ve done.
Hang A Light Around Your Neck
I’m a voracious reader and my preferred reading time is right before bed in the dark. This neck reading light sure comes in handy. Outfitted with LED lights, this gadget has three brightness levels and can be used for up to 40 hours on a single charge. The silicone housing makes it soft and easy to wear. This hands-free light is also great for knitting and crafting, particularly in low-light areas.
A Cushy Kitchen Experience
You probably spend more time standing in your kitchen than in any other room of your home. At least make sure you’re comfortable. This set of matching anti-fatigue floor mats includes two rectangular mats that are the same width but different lengths (28 inches and 47 inches). They feature a non-skid bottom and a waterproof top for the ideal pairing to withstand a lot of abuse.
An Avoca-do For Your Hair
Avocado toast … avocado ice cream … now, avocado hair masks? Garnier Fructis has capitalized on the avocado craze by creating a line of products packed with nutrients. This soothing hair mask is vegan with avocado extract included and without any of the parabens or silicones we’re often told to avoid in beauty products. Grab this drink of moisture for your dry locks ASAP.
Fruit Fly Fighter
Fruit flies are the bane of my existence in the warmer months. Where do they come from? How do they get inside? These are the great mysteries of the universe. These fruit fly traps are the real MVP, though. Simply add the non-staining lure inside the apple-shaped trap and eat those peaches in peace. You can snag this in a two-pack or four-pack depending on your needs.
A Summertime Mist-Have
Get misted with water as a joke? Not funny. Get misted with water on purpose? The best. These O2COOL misting fans have been around as long as I can remember, due in great part to how awesome they are to have on-hand during the summer. Use them for the fan alone or squeeze the trigger for a refreshing burst of water. Pro tip: Add ice to the reservoir. Just trust me.
Pup Protection For Your Ride
If you travel with your dog more than you travel without him, you need to invest in one of these waterproof pet seat covers. This one provides a barrier to mud, dirt, and fur by extending to cover your backseat. The included buckles and anchors prevent the cover from sliding around, and the flaps on each side preventing scratching when your pup jumps into the car. There’s also a storage pocket for pet toys.
Water Across The Globe
You would think at the age of 43 I would have plants figured out, but the green thumb in my family apparently skipped a generation. I either have too much water … or not enough, too much sun … or not enough, too much … well, you get it. These watering globes remove one piece of the puzzle I have to get just right since they distribute the right amount of water at the right time — automatically.
The Ultimate Phone Protection
Tell me you keep a screen protector on your phone … please? This three-pack of glass screen protectors for less than eight bucks is a small price to pay to protect your much more expensive investment. These are made of tempered glass with precision cut-outs to match the screen. They’ll also work well with your existing phone case, so no worries there.
The Garden Ties That Bind
Remember when I said I’m not great with plants? Every rule has an exception and apparently, mine is tomato plants. While they grew, grew, grew this spring, I knew I would need to stake them to make sure they were secure. These Velcro brand garden ties were a lifesaver, offering extra-strong support in a weather-resistant design that wraps and sticks to itself.
Bag It Up
I finally got aboard the reusable grocery shopping bags train and I honestly don’t know why it took me so long. The cuteness of this six-pack of reusable bags certainly helped. Their extra-large capacity allows you to tote 50 pounds of groceries, replacing traditional shopping bags, and doing your part to help the environment. They’re also made of durable rip-stop fabric and are completely waterproof.
Hung Up On Hanging Storage
Do you ever reach a stage in life where you have all the storage you need? (If so, I’m still not there.) This hanging closet organizer is a cheap alternative to having a complete closet re-do, providing organizers for socks, underwear, bras, shirts, and more. Three side pockets give you space for scarves, belts, and other wardrobe essentials that don’t seem to ever have their own space.
Organize Your Tools
While we’re organizing, let’s talk about getting your garage or utility room in tip-top shape. This wall-mount tool organizer can be used virtually anywhere, adding organization and space to rooms like your laundry room, utility room, garage, and more. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, you’ll have all of your tools, cleaning supplies, or garden implements in one handy location.
Here Comes The Sun
Need an escape from the sun? Phew, I know I do. It can be brutal in Florida in the summer. This sunshade comes in a triangle shape to extend in a way that provides shade for a bistro set or back patio. It’s also made with breathable material that allows breezes to pass (thankfully) through. It comes in a variety of shades (no pun intended) to match your outdoor decor.
Wireless Watch Charging
If you’ve ever traveled with an Apple Watch, you know exactly where I’m going with this product. How are you supposed to easily charge it with the existing bulky factory cord? You’re not so let’s just stop dreaming. What you need is this portable wireless charger that you can attach to your keychain. It’s itty-bitty, comes in black or pink, and solves that how-do-I-charge-my-watch-while-on-vacation conundrum.
This Item Locator Is Key
You don’t have to spend big bucks on tracking devices no matter what Tile and Apple tell you. This item locator-set has six receivers and one transmitter (for $23!) that works up to 100 feet. Simply attach one of the receivers to your keys, purse, remote, dog, coffee cup, you name it, and you’ll be able to find what you think you’d lost. Each receiver emits a beep to let you know when you’re in range.
A Blast Of Volume
Looking for a way to achieve more volume? Step away from the dry shampoo. This Full Dry Volume Blast spray from Living Proof will give you the instant, long-lasting volume and texture you’ve been looking for. Living Proof was already one of my favorite hair care brands, but this product gets them extra brownie points. One reviewer said: “I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this for the first time. It worked! I have fine, flat hair, and this product really did give me noticeable volume.”
You Need These Shorties
Most people I know are always on the hunt for a longer lightning cable, not a shorter one, but the new monitor stand I bought has USB ports right in the front which warranted — you guessed it — short lightning cables. This two-pack fit the bill at just about seven inches long (each) so that they don’t take up valuable space on my desk. If you’re looking for a new shortie, this one is it.