I Thought These Strange Things Were Ridiculous, But Now I Absolutely Swear By Them

When I get bitten by mosquitoes (which happens often), the spot swells up like a golf ball — so I did not expect the Bug Bite Thing to work as well as it does. This little tool uses suction to remove insect saliva from the bite to help stop the swelling and itching without any chemicals. Just place the tool on the bite and pull the side plungers up to activate. It’s also compact, lightweight, and reusable.

• Available styles: 13

I didn’t quite understand the brilliance of this scraper until I had one. Now, I use it constantly to remove stickers, get grime out from hard-to-reach places, scrape off sticky messes, and pry things open without breaking my nails. It’s made from durable yet scratch-resistant plastic and has a double-sided design with two tools per order.

My bedside table is prime real estate, and this tissue box cover helped me boost usable space. It holds and dispenses square tissue boxes sideways and has a tray on top, allowing you to store perfume, jewelry, night creams, and other tiny essentials. It also has a linen-like fabric exterior that makes my tissues look more expensive and less like an eyesore.

• Available styles: 7

After trying an African net sponge, I’ll never go back to a loofah or washcloth. Made from woven nylon, this double-sided scrubber lathers, cleanses, and exfoliates at the same time. And since it’s extra long, you can hold one end in either hand to effectively wash your own back. It’s also machine washable and resistant to odors and bacteria.

• Available styles: 28

I drink a protein shake every morning, and these reusable straws are a game changer. Since they’re made from silicone, they’re flexible, food safe, dishwasher riendly, and stain resistant — plus they don’t crack like wood versions. The set includes 10 bent straws, a thin brush to clean the inside, and a canvas bag for storage.

• Available styles: 3

This beverage cooler is so practical because it chills coffee and other drinks without diluting them. It features an inner wall of ice that’s separated with a stainless steel liner — just fill the chamber with water and store the HyperChiller in the freezer until you need it. When you’re ready to drink, pour your coffee into the center well and swish it around. In just 60 seconds, it can lower the temperature by over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Available styles: 5

My mom gifted me a pack of these steel wire dishcloths and they’re so useful for washing dishes and cleaning around the house. The metal is woven into a checkered pattern that effectively scrubs residue off a variety of surfaces like ceramic, glass, and more. And unlike steel wool, these cloths are washable, reusable, scratch resistant, and rust resistant.

• Available styles: 9

After months of trying various tactics to keep the squirrels from raiding my bird feeder, I finally found one that works: spicy bird seed. It’s made with food-grade habanero chilies, which birds can’t taste. Squirrels, however, are a different story. Since they’re mammals, they gave the feeder one sniff and never came back.

Snap this cat pilot air freshener to the vent in your car using the nonslip silicone clip and add a fragrance tablet. Once it’s set up, the airflow will diffuse the scent while spinning the propeller. “I keep it around more for decoration than air freshening, but this is so cute it's impossible not to smile even when I'm stuck in highway traffic,” wrote Bustle editor Jen Fiegel.

• Available styles: 16

“I got a massage with a magnesium oil after a long hike and it was so nice, I've been using magnesium body products at home ever since,” wrote Fiegel, who recommends this magnesium oil spray. The topical formula is unscented and uses 100% pure magnesium chloride sourced from the Dead Sea, which aims to relieve sore muscles, boost relaxation, and support deeper sleep.

In addition to lavender essential oil, Dr Teal's Sleep Spray also has chamomile and melatonin to soothe your mind and body. Since it’s cruelty free and dermatologist tested, you can spray it on your bedding, in the shower, or on your body. “A lavender pillow spray has become a nightly ritual that sets the perfect tone for winding down,” Fiegel added.

Fiegel’s dental hygienist recommended this woven floss, which is made from recycled water bottles, is infused with nourishing coconut oil, and expands like a net to grab plaque. “Ten dollars seemed ridiculous for floss but it really is great — gentler and cleans better,” Fiegel wrote. “The flavors are more of a scent rather than something you can taste. I can't go back to normal waxed floss anymore.”

If you’re sick of gnats and mosquitoes inside or outside your home, these mosquito bits are worth your attention. “These help so much in getting rid of all those tiny flying things in my houseplants,” Fiegel wrote. Scatter the tiny granules in flower pots, bird baths, fountains, gutters, and more to destroy the larvae within 24 hours and without causing harm to humans or the environment.

Make plant care so much easier with these self-watering stakes. “They have become indispensable to me for potted plants — especially the outside ones on a hot day,” Fiegel wrote. Just drive a stake into the soil and invert a water-filled bottle into the hollow opening on top. Made from terracotta that slowly dispenses moisture into the soil as needed, they can help keep your plants hydrated for days.

• Available sizes: 4 — 15

Made with food-grade mineral oil and enriched with lemon and orange, this wood oil aims to condition butcher blocks and other wooden surfaces to prevent them from splitting or drying out. “I was resistant about adding an extra step to my clean-up routines, but turns out, using a nourishing oil on wooden cutting boards even every other week really does make a difference,” Fiegel wrote.

• Available styles: 5

“The Ouai scents are the perfect transport to a fancy vacation,” Fiegel wrote about this scalp and body scrub, which contains sugar crystals for exfoliation and coconut oil for hydration. “The scrub itself is nourishing and I often skip body lotion after using it. It's not the cheapest, but it’s definitely less than a plane ticket and I love it so much.”

• Available styles: 3

“I've tried a lot of cat perches before this and they were all eyesores or didn't seem secure for my 12-pound cat,” Fiegel wrote about this window bed. With its metal support system that fits a wide range of window types, she noted this cat perch was a breeze to install and has become a favorite lounging spot for her cat. “It hasn't damaged the walls or windows at all either,” Fiegal added. It even comes with a plush bed that has a washable cover.

• Available styles: 2

Bustle editor Lauren Beach recommends this sun hat, which is made from moisture-wicking, UPF 50+ fabric and has a cutout in the back to accommodate both high and low ponytails. “This has a serious brim — it's perfect for hikes, lounging by the pool, or any other time you'd like to avoid squinting,” Beach wrote.

• Available styles: 8

Beach also recommends these pocket scrunchies which keep your valuables hidden and your essentials nearby — even when you don’t have pockets or a purse. While they look and work like your average scrunchie, the soft, stretchy material has a hidden pocket with a zipper closure. The hidden compartment is big enough to fit a key, cash, or lip balm.

• Available styles: 7

“These are so genius and they work well. I'll use them for travel,” Beach wrote about these rechargeable keychain lights, which provide up to 800 lumens of cord-free illumination on the go. They’re also lightweight and water resistant with carabiner-style clips, optional stands, and magnetic mounts — plus they have built-in bottle openers.

This freezable snack box is a compact container with built-in gel ice packs, which keep your lunch or snacks cool for hours. Plus, it has an adjustable strap, so you can clip it to backpacks, gym bags, and strollers. “I've been spoiled by this bag — regular coolers aren't nearly as useful,” Beach wrote.

• Available styles: 21

“Listen, did I need a light-up plant propagation vase? No. Do I love this one? Yes!” wrote Bustle editor Amy Biggart. It’s made from beech wood with four borosilicate test tubes, which are both durable and heat resistant. The LED strip light is USB-C powered with nine brightness levels for ambiance and encouraging plant growth.

“I was super skeptical of bias lighting, but it has made a huge difference in my home. I really love this light strip and that I can adjust the lighting based on my mood!” Biggart wrote. It’s easy to install with the adhesive backing and it connects to your phone. Just download the corresponding app and you can choose between 16 million color options, adjust the brightness, and opt for one of the 11 music modes in which the light automatically syncs up to sound.

“I really didn't believe an essential oil was going to make me feel better, but this stress-relieving one is great,” Biggart wrote about this roll-on aromatherapy perfume. Using a blend of USDA-certified organic essential oils in a base of coconut oil, it aims to promote relaxation and stress relief on the go — and the roller bottle is compact enough to fit in your pocket.

• Available styles: 6

“These gloves seemed strange to me at first, but they work really well at exfoliation!” Biggart wrote. Using woven nylon that stretches to fit most hands, they work soap up into a rich lather while buffing away dead skin, so your shower routine is easier, more luxurious, and more effective. They’re also machine washable and reusable.

If you have a lot of tumblers, water bottles, and travel mugs, Biggart recommends this cheap, space-saving solution: “This lid organizer changed the way my cabinet looks — I thought it was silly, but it really streamlined everything.” Its universal, vertical design stacks up to 10 lids from most brands while taking up only a few inches of width on the shelf.

According to Biggart, this scalp massager “looks ridiculous, but creates a relaxing head massage.” Using 20 flexible metal prongs with round beads on the ends, it scratches and stimulates the scalp without discomfort. You can also use it on your neck and shoulders, and since it’s compact and battery free, it’s great for on-the-go relaxation.

• Available styles: 3

“This handheld makeup brush makes for a super easy application. Genius!” Biggart wrote. Thanks to its kabuki-style bristles and curved design, it’s especially adept at applying makeup, highlighter, or luminizer to your neck, clavicle, or legs. It works for both powder and cream products and comes with an easy-to-grip wide handle.

• Available styles: 3

According to Biggart, these fly fans “do such a great job of repelling bugs.” Instead of scents or harsh chemicals, they use spinning, holographic fan blades to keep flies away from your guests and your food. They’re also soft to prevent accidents and battery operated so you can bring them anywhere.

• Available styles: 2

“I needed some coasters to sop up moisture from all the iced coffee drinks I consume,” wrote Bustle editor Kate Miller, who settled on these stone coasters and found them to be just as absorbent as promised. Made from quick-drying diatomaceous earth, they soak up spills and condensation to protect your furniture — and the organic, minimalist design comes in your choice of slate or white sandstone.

• Available styles: 2

“I love how exfoliating these loofah towels are — and the fact that they're machine washable is such a nice bonus,” Miller wrote. The mesh fabric is ultra fine and scrubby to buff away dull skin while creating a rich lather. And since they stretch up to 35 inches long, you can use them to wash your own back.

• Available styles: 17

“I sleep way better on a flat pillow, and I like that this one is machine washable,” Miller wrote. It has a 2.5-inch loft filled with plush fibers to support your spine without raising your head too high. And since the cotton shell is moisture wicking and breathable, it will help keep you cool while you sleep, too.

• Available sizes: Mini — King
• Available styles: 2

Miller described this match cloche as “such a pretty way to keep a functional item always within reach.” Made from glass, it’s available in your choice of six tinted colors and comes with a removable cork stopper and a built-in striker. “It makes a great gift for candle lovers,” Miller added.

• Available sizes: Small — Large
• Available styles: 6

According to Miller, this water bottle carrier is an “ultra-convenient way to take all you need with you, whether to yoga class or on a trail hike.” It comes in two sizes (30 ounces or 40 ounces) and even has a cutout to fit tumblers with handles, like Stanley cups. For comfort and convenience, it also features a padded strap, a key clip, and zippered pockets for your phone and ID.

• Available styles: 10

“These bag clips marry style and utility — and for a great price,” Miller wrote. Available in a huge selection of colors, they boast spring-loaded ribbed rubber pads to lock in freshness with a tight seal. They also have magnets built into the backs so you can store them on the refrigerator between uses.

• Available styles: 21

Scrub Daddy sponges have over 25,000 five-star ratings for a reason: They’re made from non-scratch foam that features smiley face cutouts to help you grip, scrub, and wash utensils with ease. Bustle editor Cassandra Seale wrote, “I thought these were just cute and maybe gimmicky, but those adorable details are actually really practical cleaning elements.” Better yet, this variety pack gives you three different styles of sponges in one order.

• Available styles: 2

“My cats go so wild for this that I have to hide it after playtime,” Seale wrote about this cat toy. Handmade in the U.S., it has a 36-inch pole with a guinea feather on the end of a string. Its prey-like appearance and bobbing motion stimulate your pet’s hunting instinct to keep them entertained, engaged, and active.

Seale also recommends this body brush, which you can use for scrubbing in the shower or as a dry brush to get lymph moving. Its boar bristles are soft but effective for exfoliation, while its wooden handle is over 1 foot long with a silicone-grip handle for comfortable reach.

• Available styles: 2

“These help even the weirdest top work,” Seale wrote about Nippies nipple covers, which have an overall 4.4-star rating from more than 42,000 Amazon reviewers. They’re made from tapered silicone that comes in your choice of five shades for invisible coverage in everything from backless dresses to plunging halters. Plus, their reusable adhesive stays on for up to 12 hours without bands or straps.

• Available sizes: A-C Cups — DD+ Cups
• Available styles: 9

Per its name, L’Oreal Paris 8 Second Wonder Water uses lamellar water to deeply condition damaged hair in eight seconds. “I was skeptical, but this makes my hair softer and smoother than conditioner,” Seale wrote. You can use it up to three times per week on wet, freshly shampooed strands, and it’s even safe to use on color-treated hair as well.

According to Seale, this whitening gel “makes a noticeable difference!” Add it to your toothpaste when you brush your teeth to boost the whitening benefits. It contains 9% hydrogen peroxide that aims to brighten your smile without harming enamel or causing sensitivity, and the bottle contains over 350 treatments.

Bustle editor Danielle Kraese recommends this cold compress cap to anyone who gets headaches: “It looks a bit silly, but it's such a lifesaver when a bad headache hits. I am so obsessed that I bought a second one!” Using stretchy material with a temperature-retaining gel lining, it blocks light, covers the sinuses, offers gentle compression, and soothes tension with cold therapy.

• Available styles: 6

Kraese also recommends this handheld power scrubber, which I’m a huge fan of, too. The bristled head is compact and oscillates 60 times per second to get dirt, stains, and grime out of hard-to-reach places. And since it’s battery operated and water resistant, you can use it just about anywhere. I especially love it for cleaning grout lines and behind the faucet.

• Available styles: 6

Featuring a flexible head with a beveled edge and drainage slots, this stainless steel fish turner is specifically designed for (you guessed it) lifting, flipping, and serving fish. Its wider design is great for handling delicate food because it provides ideal weight distribution. “I really didn't think a dedicated tool for cooking fish was necessary, but I'm here to admit how wrong I was,” Kraese wrote. “I will never again make fish without this!”

• Available styles: 3

Bustle editor Karen Belz recommends these cutting board scissors, which help you chop vegetables and other ingredients thanks to the flat panel on the bottom. Made from stainless steel with ergonomic handles, the blades also come apart so you can use one for chopping produce and the other for slicing meat. And as an added bonus, you won’t have a dirty cutting board to clean when you’re done.

• Available styles: 10

Belz is also a fan of this nail oil pen, which uses a formula rich in jojoba oil and vitamin E to strengthen nails, soften cuticles, and encourage faster growth. Since it comes in a compact pen with a brush applicator, it’s easy to apply on the go without making a mess. Get it in five fragrances or opt for unscented.

• Available styles: 6

Another recommendation from Belz, this chainmail scrubber is designed for cleaning cast-iron cookware, and it’s earned an impressive overall 4.6-star rating from more than 3,300 reviewers. Its stainless steel rings are durable, dishwasher safe, and resistant to bacteria. Plus, its chain mail construction is flexible, allowing you to reach into corners and grooves.

“Catch me with this fan everywhere the moment it's above 75 degrees outside,” wrote Bustle editor Carolyn Menyes. “It's powerful, long lasting, and super compact to keep in my tote all summer long.” The handle doubles as a stand, while the USB-powered battery doubles as a portable power bank to keep your phone charged on the go.

• Available styles: 7

According to Menyes, these reusable can lids are a game changer: “I'm not constantly wasting foil and plastic bags to make sure my cat's wet food doesn't stink up the fridge.” They’re made from food-grade, dishwasher-safe silicone with three rings to fit most standard sizes of cans, so you can easily store leftover pet food — but also tuna, beans, coconut milk, frosting, and more.

• Available styles: 7

“Now I don't have to precariously balance the lid on my pot while things simmer — I have this little friend instead,” Menyes wrote about this frog spoon rest. Made from heat-resistant silicone, this little amphibian holds the spoon in his mouth whether sitting on your counter or over the rim of your pot. It even doubles as a lid vent to let steam escape while minimizing splatters.

• Available styles: 4

Bustle editor Mallory Moreno recommends this best-selling Korean facial massager, which is designed to help you achieve glass skin. It has multiple modes that aim to improve absorption, elasticity, pore clarity, and texture — no conductive gel required. It even syncs up to an app on your phone for personalized settings and custom skin care routines.

• Available styles: 2

Moreno also recommends this sand remover mitt, which is covered in smooth fabric and filled with cornstarch to effortlessly wipe sand off your skin. I also recently bought one and can confirm: It worked like a charm when helping my friend brush off her sand-covered toddler at the beach. The built-in strap makes it easy to hold, while the included pouch and carabiner clip help you find it fast in your bag.

• Available styles: 21

“There are few things more satisfying than using these foot peel masks and watching your dead skin slough away like some kind of reptile,” wrote Bustle editor Ali Drucker. These masks slip on like socks and work thanks to their blend of fruit acids that breaks down callouses and dry patches. “One to two weeks after use, you’ll notice your feet have peeled to reveal the softest skin ever,” she added.

You don’t have to get your pants altered every time your weight fluctuates. “I was skeptical these button pins would hold, but they're perfect for tightening or loosening the fit of pants, shorts, and more,” Drucker wrote. Simply stick them through the fabric and fasten the no-poke back to adjust the fit, no sewing required. They’re made from sturdy metal and come in several design options.

• Available styles: 8

Most cordless Dysons require you to keep your finger on the trigger the whole time you’re vacuuming, but this trigger control button keeps it running. It’s made from durable ABS and has a switch so you can toggle it on and off with a single click. Just slip it over the base of your trigger and you’re good to go. “My fingers are so grateful,” Drucker wrote. “No more painful squeezing, and it's compatible with most Dysons.”

• Available styles: 2

“My cat loves to escape from my dog into this strange-looking window perch that's turned out to be so useful,” wrote Bustle editor Ali Drucker. It’s earned an overall 4.5-star rating from more than 21,000 reviewers because it supports up to 40 pounds with its damage-free suction cups, and its rugged fabric is quick-drying and easy to maintain.

• Available styles: 3