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I'm a science fiction fan, and we’re living in the 21st century. I was always led to expect that by now there would be robots or androids available to handle all the stupid problems around the house, so we humans could focus on picking out space suits, mastering techno-babble, and learning to pilot our flying cars.

But here we are, still struggling with issues like mosquitoes in the bedroom, drafts underneath the door, rotting produce, and sock drawers in chaos. It's all good, though. I don't think I want to live in a universe where there is no shopping — and shopping is what makes it possible to solve all of those conflicts. So, after boldly going where no AI can, I found 45 solutions to different household issues — and they're all on Amazon.

Nothing on this list is too expensive, but all of it is necessary if you want to prepare meals with ease, organize your closet, create a comfier WFH environment, and live a life free of mundane hassles and irritations. Trust me: You probably need these things — and once you get them, you'll be wondering how you have been getting along without them until now.

Put this draft stopper on the bottom of an exterior door to stop drafts, and you might be surprised at what else it stops. Bugs can't get past it, water will go another direction, and even sound can't get through. It's great for keeping the ruckus from your noisy roommates on the other side of the door, too. The unit is easy to install, comes in several colors to match your decor, and is easy to remove. Just cut it to fit, pull off the backing, and stick it on.

Got an outdoor lighting system, water fountain, or even Christmas decorations? Why is it always right after you get your slippers on that you realize you need to turn that stuff off? This smart plug makes it easy by letting you control it with your voice. It connects through Wi-Fi to your Amazon Echo or Google Home — and that means you can include it within routines and schedules or just shout at your AI to turn it off. You can also just use the settings within the plug to program it to come on at sunset (and turn off a few hours later).

Resting your wrist for hours a day on a hard surface while you're working can eventually result in a surprising amount of pain. Thankfully, this set of soft wrist rests is the prescription for that issue. They give your wrist a soft resting place while keyboarding or mousing, and they have a sticky backing so they stay put. These are also made of memory foam that adapts to your body shape. The package includes one for your keyboard and one for your mouse.

When a door flies open and slams into the wall, it can do visible damage. This is one case where prevention is also the cure. Stick one of these door stoppers right where the door handle did (or will) make an impact. It'll cover any damage that's there while preventing future door openings from making the same puncture. You can leave them as they are or paint them to match the wall — and they'll stick on, so they're super easy to install.

Thanks to this bottle emptying kit, you’ll be able to use every last drop of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, condiments, and other products. The kit includes caps in four sizes that will fit most bottles, and it allows you to store bottles upside down so the last bits of the product are easy to squeeze out.

When you get to the bottom of expensive lotion, makeup, or paint containers, what do you do? Give up on it? Turn it over and shake? Wish someone would invent better packaging? Nope — just purchase these. They're tiny versions of the spatulas you use to get batter out of bowls in the kitchen. Just dip one into an almost empty bottle and pull out the last drops of that expensive product. There are three different sizes in this package to suit various containers.

How often do you have to hit pause and hunt down your headphones so you can watch that video or join a Zoom call without blasting everyone in the room? Not if your headphones are hanging, charged and with all their cords attached, from your desk. This hook clips right to the edge of your desk and gives your headphones a dedicated place to live. There's an integrated cable management system, too. Installation is easy. Just snap it onto your desk.

I use a tablet for recipes and cooking videos in the kitchen, but the screen is always too far away or at the wrong angle to glance at easily. This gooseneck stand is the perfect fix. I can clip it to anything and position the tablet exactly where I want it. It works great for watching movies in bed, taking Zoom calls, filming videos, or taking selfies hands-free. The flexible neck is 34 inches long, and it'll hold both tablets and phones.

This slick wireless charger organizes and charges your entire tech rig while you sleep. There's a wireless charging stand for your phone that puts the screen at the perfect angle for glancing at in the night, alone with an arm that holds and charges your Apple watch. The stand even offers a space for your charging AirPods case — all from one outlet. If you carry Android gear, this stand should work as long as your gear is Qi-compatible.

This cutting board and colander is a great time and space saver. Pop it open and wash the vegetables inside of it. Then open the drain, let the water out, scrunch it down, and cut those veggies right on the built-in cutting board. But it's handy for so much more than that — whether you're washing your delicates or swimsuit, giving a small dog a bath, or soaking dishes in soapy water in the sink. Oh, and You absolutely want to take it on car-camping trips.

If you're staring at a pile of apples and wishing they'd peel themselves, you need this hefty magnesium apple peeler. Set it on the counter, suction it into place, mount the apple, and turn the crank. Then, your apples will practically peel themselves. The device also peels veggies — and when it isn't peeling your produce, it's also a spiralizer that'll turn your vegetables into noodles.

Having your laptop overheat isn't just uncomfortable for you — it's also bad for your computer. There's an easy fix, though: Just set your laptop on this cooling pad. It has a mesh surface that allows air circulation around the power supply, along with a fan to move that air around. There are also feet to elevate it to the right angle when it's on a table, and it plugs right into a USB port.

It always happens just as I'm about to fall asleep: The whine of a mosquito. It's impossible to ignore, because I know I'll be covered in bites by morning. But the last thing I want to do is get up and find it. This little light does that job for me, though. Just turn it on, and a UV bulb will attract bugs, pulling them into a trap that zaps them with a jolt of electricity. It works on fruit lies, gnats, and other flying insects — and it's much better than spraying harsh chemicals that only repel bugs. Bonus: It's quiet and charges via USB.

In my opinion, shaving in the shower is a much better experience than shaving at the sink. But once you get into the steamy water, it might be difficult to see — even if you bring a mirror with you. Usually, mirrors fog right up — but not this one. Just fill it with hot water, stick it to the shower wall with the suction cup, and shave.

Cutting everything from chicken to herbs is so much easier with scissors (instead of kitchen knives). And this pair is solid, sharp, dishwasher safe, and made with stainless steel blades. If you already have a pair, why not add a second to your utensil drawer? You'll find yourself using it to cut meat, flowers, packaging, and a million other things.

These clear bumpers are designed to give cabinet doors and drawers a soft closure so you don't have to listen to them banging every time you need something. They're useful for a lot more than that, though. Put them on the back of pictures so they don't hit the wall — or use them under glass tabletops, cutting boards, and anything else that could use a soft bumper. You'll be glad there are 100 of them because they stick on well and are easy to remove.

Sometimes, you want to go old school and put a stick-on note where you won't miss it. This bulletin board for your monitor is the perfect place to do that. It sticks right onto the side of your computer with a strip of adhesive — and it's transparent, so you'll hardly know it's there. Stick that phone number or URL onto a piece of paper and then attach it to the board; you won't forget them. They're also great for mirrors.

Got an amazing ball cap collection? I'll bet it's probably scattered all over the house — because how do you store those things, anyway? Well, you can put them right here on this clever cap holder. Problem solved. Wrap it around a closet rod or coat hanger, and the stainless steel clips hanging from it will hold ten caps in a small space. They'll work for other odd items that are hard to store, too — like scarves or bags.

If you set your monitor right on the desk, it's usually too low (which could cause back and neck pain). Plus, it eats the whole desk. This set of monitor risers lifts your monitor up to a more ergonomic height while turning the space underneath it into handy storage nook. This is so much better than a pile of books, and it comes in four colors so you can match it to your desk.

Organize all your bathroom products and get them off the counter with the help of this brilliant wall-mounted shelf. It installs easily with the included adhesive tape and provides a place for all your products. There are also hooks for razors and sponges, a phone shelf, and a towel bar. But the best part, in my opinion, is the built-in toothpaste dispenser with a clean spot underneath for toothbrushes. It even comes with three cups that fit perfectly on the covered shelf.

These storage bags will clean up your closet within minutes and leave you with tons of space. They are huge — and once they're full, you can use the included hand pump or your vacuum cleaner to suck out all the excess air to reduce how much space you need while storing them. They're great for moving, making your closet bigger, or packing your own towels and linens along on a trip.

Sitting in a bad chair? That can hurt after a while. This lumbar cushion is a great, inexpensive way to improve the ergonomics of a hard, uncomfortable seat — and since it's not made with memory foam, it's cooler than most. It's actually made with mesh that lets airflow around you while you sit, and it works by encouraging you to sit up straight (which does wonders for alleviating back strain). It also looks slick in your chair or car.

The cat knocks over the vase, there's a picture you want to hang without marking the wall, and you want to stick a ring to the back of your phone — there are so many reasons you might want to stick something to something else that you'll wonder how you got through life without these adhesive dots. They're clear, half-inch diameter disks that are sticky on both sides. Stick one to the bottom of the vase, another to the back of that picture, and one to your phone case. You can remove them, but they're also great for permanently keeping something where you want it.

These lamps are brilliant solutions to all kinds of lighting conflicts. Mount them in the bathroom so you don't have to turn on a light when you get up in the night. Put them along the staircase so you can walk up and down flipping the bright overhead light on. Put some in your dark closet. They only light up when they are in the dark and sense motion — and they turn off again 20 seconds later. Because they're never on for very long, the batteries last a while. Just mount the metal backing with the included screws or adhesives and stick the lights onto the platforms magnetically.

If you're tired of having your sheets come off the bed after a night of tossing and turning, this bed sheet holder band from Rubber Hugger is the perfect solution. It comes in multiple sizes to fit just about any mattress and easily slips over sheets to keep them snugly in place, no matter how you sleep.

You don't have to show up for that meeting rumpled, nor do you have to spend your evening working over a hot iron. This clothing steamer does the job while your shirt hangs on its hanger. Just turn it on, wait a minute, and steam. It'll emit a blast of hot vapor at your garment while eliminating the wrinkles quickly. You can keep one on your shelf or travel with it inside your suitcase. All you need is an outlet and some water.

The typical spoon rest lets you set only one utensil down where it rests in a pool of whatever it stirred. That's simply inadequate if you ask me. I use more than one utensil when I'm cooking, and I often make more than one dish at a time. This spoon rest can handle all of that while holding each utensil above whatever sauce or ingredient is dripping off of it. It's so much better than grabbing a new spoon to taste, stir, or scrape — and it goes right in the dishwasher for cleanup.

Do you walk away from washing the dishes with a wet spot on your shirt? This silicone splash guard will help prevent that from happening in the future. It'll sit in front of your sink, protecting you and the rest of the kitchen from the splashes that ricochet off of pans and bowls. It looks nice, goes in the dishwasher for cleaning, and solves a very annoying problem.

This clog remover kit will help take care of whatever's happening in your drain. If there's a shallow hair buildup, use the plastic snake. It'll help you grab onto hair — or whatever's in there — and then pull it back out. If that doesn't get the clog, the 24-inch stainless steel cleaner probably will. It'll go deep into the drain — and when it hits an obstruction, it'll clamp down on it so you can pull it above the surface. I'm sure this kit will save you a fortune in plumbers.

Instead of fumbling on a ring of measuring spoons for the right amount, dial this adjustable measuring spoon to the amount you need. It's just one spoon that's easy to use and it can save space in your tiny kitchen (as well as time when you're trying to get those cookies baked). Just change the measure you need with your thumb, and you'll be good to go. It isn't recommended for use with liquids, though.

Can you wash a baseball hat? If you wear caps, you've probably wondered this (or tried and were disappointed by the result). This frame makes it simple to clean hats, though. Simply snap your cap into the cage and toss it in the dishwasher. Yes, dishwasher. When it's dry, you can store your hats right in the frame so they won't get ruined in closets or drawers.

This kitchen tool is the secret to tasty, tender steak (and other meats). To use it, simply jab the surface of the meat before marinating, and then the punctured surface will absorb more flavor while becoming delightfully tender. It has steel prongs that create those tiny, flavor-saving holes along with an ergonomic handle for comfortable use.

Sure, putting a small power strip on your bedside table or desk could be a good idea — but using this USB attachment is a much better one. It brings three USB plugs right to the edge of the table or desk where you can find them easily, and it mounts directly underneath the surface with the adhesive that's included. Plus, all the tech parts are hidden away under the desk.

When you pull chairs away from the table, do they make a loud noise and scratch the floor? I mean, those built-in felt pads never work for too long. These furniture foot covers are the solution. They're made of soft silicone and slide over the legs of chairs and tables like little socks. When your furniture is wearing these, you can move it silently (and without destroying the floors).

You know all those things that mysteriously go missing (like the remote, your reading glasses, pens, etc.)?The main problem is that you've got nowhere to organize them. However, this armrest organizer is the perfect place. It goes right over the arm of your chair and has a non-slip back, so it stays put. Drop everything into its pockets. There are four that are perfect for remotes or glasses and one that's big enough for a tablet or small laptop. Everything will always be where you can find it.

Put this foot rest under your desk to fix a working setup that's not comfortable or ergonomic. It'll raise your feet to help alleviate strain on your lower back, and it'll feel great since it's made with high-rebound memory foam. And when you want to take a nap, carry it by its handle and bring it along. It'll make a great between-the-knees pillow or leg riser. This cushion is versatile.

Blue light is similar to daylight, and it also happens to be exactly the color that all of your screens emit. So if you look at a screen all day and well into the night, you might have trouble sleeping. The fix? Get your style on by donning these blue light-blocking glasses that filter the light out. They come in a three-pack with various frame colors you can choose from.

Just when you want to sit in the yard or deck, the sun is at an angle that either blinds or burns you. This sunshade is an easy and inexpensive solution to that. Clip it to the deck, a tree, or the house with all four corner clips — and it'll create shade right where you need it. It can also handle a windy day, and it's easy to unclip so you can take it down before extreme weather. This is a small price for being able to work, read, or sip your coffee comfortably outside.

Put these bamboo charcoal bags into your shoes to absorb unwanted odors, and keep one in the car to absorb extra moisture in the air. The charcoal in these bags helps neutralize odors, and there are 12 of them in this package. That way, you can hang one anywhere you want. When they're tapped out, put them in the sun to refresh them — and then, they'll go right back to work.

When it comes to finding socks in the morning, you need two (preferably that match). When that's a hassle, you'll start the day frustrated. Take a minute and put each pair of socks in its own cubby in your sock drawer using this sock organizer. Forever after, you'll start the day on a positive note — and with matching socks. This two-pack of sock and underwear organizers holds a total of 48 small garments in perfect order.

You know those little unusable pieces of soap and that loofah that's growing mildew? Well, this pouch solves all of that. Put your soap inside of it and use the bag to wash. The surface will gently exfoliate your skin while the soap of your choice does the cleaning. When the bar of soap gets small, just leave it in there and use it up. You can hang this bag from the hook and let the soap dry inside of it.

If you're trying to take a relaxing bath, there's nothing worse than having your tub start to drain automatically. This overflow bath drain cover blocks your bathtub's automatic overflow, so you can add several extra inches of water to your bathtub. It sticks to your tub with suction cups and comes in four different colors to suit any aesthetic.

Mount this garage rack to the wall and snap the bins into place, and you'll have a brilliant storage system for tools, screws, parts, or anything you reach for often (and can never find). When you need all of the contents inside a bin, unsnap it and bring it out while you work.

Are you losing the race against rotting vegetables? It might not be entirely your fault; it could also be your fridge. If it's too moist in your crisper drawer, certain veggies won't last very long at all. These veggie preservation mats are designed to improve the environment within your fridge by absorbing moisture and giving your produce a soft spot to land so they don't get bruised in there. Reviewers have written that they can extend the life of vegetables by "weeks."

Can't find anything in your closet? Bring order to the chaos by organizing your pants onto a few hangers (instead of folding them into a giant pile). Each of these zig-zag hangers can hold five pairs of pants; arrange your jeans on one and your slacks on another. You get four in a pack, which is plenty to put your pants in order and increase the capacity of your closet. Your pants will be neat and unwrinkled, and you'll be able to find the ones you are looking for.

This article was originally published on 8.23.2020 2:27 AM