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    27 Practical Home Items From Amazon That’ll Be Hard To Live Without After You’ve Tried ’Em

    Power scrubber to the rescue.

    1. An inexpensive baby gate to keep your waddling toddler safe from areas they shouldn't have access to. "Babies don't belong on stairs!" you say cheerily as you lift your kiddo and open this gate easily with one hand thanks to its lever handle.

    Make sure you double check the dimensions of the space you plan on putting the gate before ordering to make sure you get the proper fit!

    Promising review: "Best gate I have ever owned. I have two small kids, a dog, and two cats. Plus, lots of stairs. I have gone through so many gates in the last three years. Most broke over time or came loose. This gate is worth 20 stars. Amazing quality. It has stood the test of time! reliable, sturdy, easy to use, easy to install. The gate swings both ways! That's a HUGE plus. I feel so secure having it knowing that there is no way my kids or dog can knock it down or get over it. It is tall too. Buy this one. Coming from the girl who is the queen of gates. This one is one-and-done." —L. Randall

    Price: $34.99+ (available in two sizes and in black)

    2. A pair of lounge chairs and ottomans with adjustable backs for maximum lounging *and* storage inside the ottomans and matching table. Looking to save room when not relaxing? The ottomans can be tucked under the chairs!

    reviewer's high-back chairs with storage ottomans with bright red cushions

    3. A toothbrush holder so you can store your toothbrush in style instead of leaving it sadly on the counter or in a weird cup where it will certainly mingle with your partner's or roommate's.

    4. bamboo slatted bath mat that'll create a spa-like feel in your bathroom just by placing it down. Wood has such a warming effect in any room, and this is the perfect way to incorporate it into your shower routine. 

    Promising review: "The material is great. It's soft but flexible, so it feels comfortable to step on but also sturdy beneath your feet. I got a bigger size, and it actually pulls the room together, making my tiny bathroom look rather chic. Honestly, I think it's great and better for the environment because I don't have to launder it every week." —JamieJo

    Price: $35.99+ (available in four sizes, two colors, and a rollable version)

    5. A collapsible laundry basket so you're not burdened by a huge, unmoving basket even when it's not full. A true albatross!

    6. A set of reusable microfiber mop pads that'll fit on your Swiffer so you get all the benefits of the easily maneuverable wet and dry mop with a more environmentally-friendly twist. 

    They can be used wet or dry and on basically every type of flooring and even drywall if you're so inclined. Since they can be thrown in the wash, one microfiber pad can replace up 100 single-use pads. 

    Promising review: "Just used these for the first time with my Swiffer WetJet and I gotta say I am impressed! Went on easily and cleaned the floors easily! I always hated the one-time use pads and never felt like they got my floor clean. This review is NOT sponsored, I bought these with my own money because I’m sick of single-use products. Seriously, buy these now!!!" —AKGross

    Price: $14.25 for a two-pack

    7. A classic patio umbrella with a tilty handle so you can get juuuust the right amount of shade as you while away the hours in your outdoor space.

    gray patio umbrella above circular patio table with chairs

    8. A game-changing power scrubber because it's *so* much easier and more efficient than the old grimy toothbrush you usually use to scrub a minimum of one million times per inch of grout, just to make some headway. Voilà — "new" grout!

    9. A pack of LED-dimming stickers if you regularly find yourself disproportionately annoyed by the Wi-Fi router's blinking blue light while you're trying to get some shuteye.

    model hands demonstrating the dimming peel and stick stickers

    10. A can of fire extinguishing spray because it's *always* better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fire safety. Pop one of these bad boys in your kitchen for a little peace of mind. 

    Promising review: "I bought one for beside the grill, one for beside the stove, one for the laundry room, and one for the car. I think the intuitive, easy to use design is fantastic. We already have the muscle memory for using a spray can. In an emergency, it's so much easier to grab this and use it, and turn a small fire into a non-fire. I don't have time to remember a three step method of fire control when my bacon has gotten out of control on the stove. I'm not a firefighter! I'd really like to have one in every room. Think about it. Isn't it better to immediately contain a small fire than deal with a big one? This could save your life, and your house." —K Zander

    Price: $13.99

    11. An Alexa-compatible 2-in-1 air conditioner to finally invest in after sweating it out for the first half of the summer. Reviewers also report that it's nice and quiet, which is a relief to hear after witnessing some truly ancient, loud units myself. 

    Promising review: "I don’t usually write product reviews, but I am now because this is one of the best household products I have ever bought. This Midea U-shaped AC is an ingenious design that is basically a split AC system mounted in a window, with the window closing almost all the way through the middle of the unit. The result is a much quieter and more efficient unit, with the noisy part that generates heat on the outside of the closed window. It also looks sleek and modern and the remote control and app are great. I have thought many times 'I wish someone would make a split AC system that can fit in a window without having to install separate units on the roof or wall,' and now they have!" —Ben

    Price: $379.99

    12. An expandable garden hose because a good hose can be shockingly hard to come by. The Flexilla coils more easily than a traditional hose, is kink- and crush-resistant, and is overall a major upgrade. 

    Promising review: "Have used this for about three weeks, watering flowers, grass and washing cars. Have used it almost every day in some way or another. It's very light, easy to maneuver, and doesn't kink. However, I think that's because I followed the directions on the box for how to unwind it for the first time. When I was first unraveling, it kinked in multiple places so I had to carefully unravel and lay it out fully extended before I even hooked it up to the water source. Has been kink-free ever since." —Sean Cotter

    Price: $10.49+ (available in seven sizes)

    13. A set of Swedish dishcloths so you can begin to phase out paper towels in favor of a more sustainable alternative. These are super absorbant, work on tons of surfaces, and are easily washable and reusbale.

    14. A set of adhesive door bumpers to prevent the BOOM, BANG, CRASH of slamming cabinets and drawers without soft close hinges and tracks. Let's get a little peace and quiet around here for once.

    clear sticker door bumper

    15. A jar of The Pink Stuff that has reached cult-status seeing as it can clean soooooo much stuff around your home. Stainless steel, glass, porcelain, and even your whitest shoes are about to sparkle.

    Promising review: "I used this product for my stove because it's one thing I dislike cleaning. I have used multiple degreaser sprays and they all are so toxic and don't work for me. The Magic Eraser was okay but I used several at a time and I had to scrub so hard. But this product oh my goodness, legit a miracle. It doesn't have any type of smell. I put the paste on a cloth, clean the area then wipe it off with a damp cloth and voilà, magic!" —May

    Price: $5.29

    16. A magnetic screen door to keep bugs and flying critters out without installing a whole second swinging door. Summer is just better when your house isn't accidentally filled with flies from leaving the door open. 

    Promising review: "We got this screen so our dog can go in and out freely without letting the bugs in. At first he wasn't quite sure about going through it; in fact he scratched at it signaling us to open it for him. But after a few training treats he figured it out. Installation was so easy! The Velcro, fabric, and mesh all seem very good quality. I'm also happy that we can take down the screen in the winter and store away easily, then just reattach it in the spring. Very happy with my purchase!" —Crystal K

    Price: $26.99+ (available in four sizes)

    17. A ChomChom pet hair roller, because although pets are the greatest, they come with some hairy, hard-to-clean consequences. After just a few rolls with the chomster — voilà — you've reclaimed your spot on the couch.

    18. A pop-up leaf collector to scoop up now in preparation for the — I'm sorry to say this — upcoming fall. Yes, it will get cold again, but at least you'll be prepared with more than an old rake and a prayer. 

    a model using the tarp to funnel leaves into a trash can
    Amazon

    Plus, it folds up into the included carrying case for easy storage in the off-season.

    Promising review: "I was able to pick up my leaves in record time using this leaf collector. I wish I had know about it years ago. It would have saved me so much money hiring people to do my leaves. I have told everyone I know about this product. They are all amazed when they see the video I did showing how I raked the leaves on the leaf collector. Folded up the ends like a taco and put it in the bag and released. SO EASY! Absolutely worth the money." —Ronnie

    Price: $27.95

    19. A no-scrub shower cleaner that requires so little effort from you, it's astonishing. Just spray, leave it be, and enjoy the fruits of its labor.

    reviewer's glass shower wall with one clear side captioned "one side after one spray, my new buddy," and one dirty side captioned "the other side before spray bad water stained so ugly"

    20. An electric pressure washer to clean up your outdoor furniture, fences, sidewalks, and more. The results you get with pressure washing will make you swell with pride and inspire you to pressure wash basically everything you own.

    21. An air purifier with a HEPA filter because who couldn't use a little peace of mind when it comes to air quality these days? From smoke to pet dander, this little guy will help get airborne impurities out of your apartment, lungs, and life.

    a reviewer's circular air purifier

    22. A Bissell portable carpet and upholstery cleaner to tackle the deepest stains in your home with veritable ease. The weird redish brown spot that's been on your favorite chair for five years is shaking.

    23. Some window screen repair tape so you don't have to replace your entire screen if it gets a lil' rip and your "No bugs allowed!" sign can stay firmly planted outside.

    24. A set of string lights that are a staggering 48 feet long to make your outdoor space even more usable. Now you can transform your patio space into a private outdoor bistro for you and your pals to enjoy.

    a reviewer photo of the lights hung over an outdoor dining table

    25. A set of new cooling gel bed pillows because even though you may want to hang onto your comfort pillow for as long as possible, they actually collect a decent amount of allergens and should be replaced more often than you would think. 

    Promising review: "I’ve become pretty committed to these pillows. I recently revamped my guest rooms and had some ancient pillows that I decided to upgrade with these bad boys since we have used them in other places for years now! Love them. Super soft, clean up nice, and stay cool. Highly recommend in both queen and king sizes! And yes, the queen size fits into a regular sham if you need to know!" —Ali Lytle

    Price: $50.97+ for a set of two (available in sizes Queen/Standard and King as well as a memory foam version)

    26. A scratch-free scraping tool you'll be reaching for more than you'd expect once you look around and see all the labels, kitchen messes, and general goop that you've been ignoring without the perfect tool for the job. 

    Promising review: "The perfect handy tool for getting into tight places. It's firm enough for a number of uses but it doesn't scratch or mar surfaces. I should have gotten the five pack; I have so many uses for these things. I think the best use yet was cleaning the sliding door track. I finally could get into the corners to get the grunge out. A great invention." —Miss Picky

    Price: $11.99

    27. An all-natural toilet brush that's 100% biodegradable thanks to coconut fiber bristles and a beechwood handle. If you're trying to swap cleaning products for earth-friendly options without sacrificing effectiveness, look no further.

    Brush hanging on the side of a toliet

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.