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If You Listen Closely, These 35 Cheap Products Are Basically Calling Your Name

Jun 11, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

In case you didn't know, there's a product to easily clean out your Keurig machine.

BuzzFeed Staff

After hearing what incredible things The Pink Stuff can do, I finally ordered it and tried it for myself. Honestly, wow! It really does work wonders. I tried it first on my Le Creuset cast iron pan (seen above, right) and really was amazed at how just one pass with The Pink Stuff (and a scouring brush) took off almost every stain! I can't wait to try it on literally everything in my home that needs a deep cleaning.

Promising review: "Honestly I was very skeptical when I first purchased. Everyone on social media was talking about how amazing this product was for cleaning around the house and I just thought they were all jumping on some kind of band wagon. Of course I caved and had to try it for myself. Needless to say I’m very impressed! It removed stubborn mold and grime from my shower tile grout with use of a hard bristle tooth brush. It removed hard water stains from my sinks and faucets. I noticed it really does remove mineral build up, but it takes a lot of elbow grease and repetitive applications before you start seeing progress. The texture feels similar to when you mix honey with sugar to make a lip scrub, except it’s super fine grit and more pasty like putty or clay. It works amazing so far! No overpowering smell (barely any smell at all), easy to use, and a little product goes a long way. I haven’t tried it on rust yet so we’ll see how that goes. Over all very pleased and impressed so far. Highly recommend!" —Marissa

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord is a BIG fan of this mascara. She said:

"Hello, that is my face above, because I bought into the hype of the positive reviews and now I will never look back!! Putting it on is like giving my eyelashes butterfly wings. It doesn't get clumpy, it stays put ALL the live long day (I spent all of this ridiculously hot pandemic summer wearing it, so I can speak to that), and you can apply it on very lightly if you don't want it to look so dramatic, or continue applying for longer lashes each time."

Promising review: "I have to be honest, for a 'cheap' three-pack mascara, I did NOT have high expectations. These, however, exceeded my expectations and went MUCH MUCH farther. I had been buying a certain $25/tube brand (rhymes with truepique) and I like these just as much!! I’m saving a TON of money and like my lashes just as much." —Liz

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

Promising review: "Um...WOW! I have used so many products to help with my dry, red, and inflamed skin. During the winter it is so hard to keep my skin moisturized through out the day. Within two days I saw such a huge difference. So calming and gives you a nice, moisturized glow. I feel so much better knowing my skin is healing. I will use this in my routine for the rest of my life!" —Christina A.

Get it from Amazon for $15.80.

Promising review: "I've tried several lip plumpers before, all with varying results. I was on the market for some new gloss and found this on Amazon. This stuff is the real deal. It does tingle a little bit, but not to the point of pain, and it leaves your lips looking voluptuous and full. I'm really happy I decided to try this out." —Marissa

Get the set from Amazon for $9.98.

Look at that foam go!

Promising review: "We moved into a townhouse that had a garbage disposal in the kitchen. Never had one growing up and didn't think too much about it until the funky smell started. I researched ways to clean it and came across these. Decided to order a four pack and try them. THEY ARE LIFE CHANGING. Just run some water, toss the packet in, and turn on the disposal. The little packet does all the hard work for you. I order a new set as soon as we start to run low." —lucas broshears

Get it from Amazon for $3.78.

Promising review: "These foot masks work as stated. You wear the masks (bags, basically) for about an hour. A week or so later, your feet will peel so much they look like zombie feet! Both my daughter and I have used these, so it's not just me. I will say that, depending on the condition of your feet, one application may not be enough. One application did improve my feet about 50%, but I plan to use the masks once a month until the three-pack is gone. That should greatly improve my feet by sandal season! I will definitely purchase again, as needed." —Trisha

Get it from Amazon for $15.95 (available in four styles).

Each spike can be used for 30–60 days, depending on the season. Check out BuzzFeed's full Miracle-Gro plant food spikes write-up.

Promising review: "I always kill my plants, but I decided to try again. I just bought five houseplants, and three of them were marked down because they were looking pretty puny. Since I tend to kill them anyway, I figured I would give them a try and save some money. I put one of these spikes in each plant, and they all looked so much healthier and happier after just a couple of days. I also added one spike to the only houseplant that I've had for years without killing (I was beginning to think it was artificial); the leaves looked healthier almost immediately. I'm very happy with this product, and it was a great price." —victoria

Get 48 spikes from Amazon for $4.47, and get a version for orchids here.

Promising review: "I love these! I have pretty severe ADHD, and I am constantly forgetting my meds when camping or hiking or just generally leaving the house for extended periods of time. These make it so much easier for me to just squirrel away in my backpack and be so pleased when I find them again. The labels are great, they are durable, and I'm no longer finding stray pills of unknown origin in the bottom of my bag. Highly recommend" —Eliza

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.97.

Promising review: "I bought this product because the needle in my Keurig 2.0 keeps clogging, causing inconsistent brew and taste. These cleaning cups fixed both of my issues and I especially liked that it was really quick and easy to use… I put the cleaning pod in and ran one cycle, then took the pod out and ran a rinse cycle to clean out any leftover grinds. FAST, EASY, and GREAT results…VERY HAPPY!!" —Corey West

Get it from Amazon for $9.95.

Watch a mom quartering grapes in a flash with this tool on TikTok.

Promising review: "I was stubborn initially and didn’t believe in getting something to cut my kid’s grapes. I would cut them by hand. My friend told me about it and I caved in and bought it. I shouldn’t have been stubborn! I can literally cut more grapes in half the time! If you’re reading this, do not be stubborn, just get it! It will save you time! I even managed to cut blue berries with them!" —Kao

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord was super impressed by this product, she said:

"FWIW re: scars, though, this stuff really works. I had thyroid surgery a few years ago, and Bio-Oil took me from looking like I'd stumbled out of the Red Wedding to virtually no detectable scar within a few months. All I did was apply it once in the morning and once at night."

Promising review: "I had to have a freckle excised to check for cancer. The wound was very deep and left a scar (the one in the center). The other two scars are actually from the bandages I used to cover the wound. The scar made me self conscious, and I found this online with great reviews. I will say that if I had used it every single day, I think the scar would be completely gone. However, even with using it maybe three or four times a week, the results are amazing! I am very happy with this product. The scent is lovely and light, and I love the consistency. Highly recommend!!" —Alexis Melendez

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

Shower Cat is a small business established in 2021 specializing in products to prevent shower clogs.

Promising review: "I first saw this product on TikTok, and I knew immediately that I needed it. I just moved into a new apartment, and I didn’t want to be how I used to be, where I’d just let hair go down the drain and plug it eventually, or peel it off of the drain after each shower. It works great, but I probably need some practice with it. I currently just floss my hair through it so it will hold them, and there are a few stray hairs that don’t stick. I would recommend to anyone who is tired of putting your loose strands of hair on the shower wall." —Cari Schwartzkopf

Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

I have a similar white pair and simply run them under my bathroom sink after running around in the yard with my kid — they're great!

Promising review: "I’ve had these for over a year. Considering how cost effective these sandals are paired with the fact that I wear them almost every day; I was expecting them to last about three months tops, but low and behold, one year later and they’re still in great condition." —BeligumJamaica111

Get them from Target for $10 (available in women's sizes 6–10 and nine colors).

Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. I personally use this toothbrush and have been telling everyone in my life to get it — it's a game changer. I've always been prone to plaque build up and it's been very hard to get my teeth feeling fresh-out-of-the-dentist clean, but this toothbrush has done the trick! The first time I used it my mouth actually hurt a little like when you get a full cleaning done. It was kind of incredible. The bristles are super soft and not irritating but somehow, magically, deep clean my teeth better than any toothbrush I've had before.

BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord couldn't help but sing the praises of this toothbrush:

"I personally bought this a few months ago and love it! I use an electric toothbrush usually, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. I've switched to using this in the morning and the electric one at night and definitely see a difference in that area in particular."

Promising review: "This was another one of my TikTok purchases! I was skeptical but my kids hate flossing their teeth so thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazing! My kids said they could see and feel a different on the first use and I agree! They are definitely with a try! I would suggest not pushing too hard, those tiny bristles really get in there and if you push too hard you nights be sore like I was. It felt like after going to a dental cleaning." —Amy N.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.91.

There wasn't a lot of ventilation in my apartment bathroom, so during the summer the grout used to get gunky and gross looking from the humidity. I had been battling this specific bathroom grime for weeks and tried a whole array of products to no avail. Finally, I purchased Skylarlife Home Mold and Mildew Remover Gel. The results were outstanding. It’s super simple: put on a pair of gloves and apply the clear gel around your grout. Let it sit for five to six hours (I suggest opening all your windows, it’s got a strong smell) then rinse it off with cold water.

Promising review: "Wow! I would give this 10 stars if I could. We've had issues for a few years with the caulking behind the handle of our kitchen faucet turning black from mildew. We've scrubbed with what seems like a million different products, with no luck. We were actually just talking about ripping out the caulking and doing a total replacement. But my husband saw this online the other day and decided to order it. Almost immediately when he applied it, you could see it was starting to work. We left it on overnight and the black is COMPLETELY GONE! It's incredible. 1,000% worth the (small) investment." —Nicole D.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

Promising review: "I saw these on TikTok and bought them when I was visiting family. Tried them out and left a few behind for family and sent a few home with family — everyone is now ordering them and using them. They work great. Each one is on its own plastic shield. Just peel off and center onto your floor drain. I leave mine on for two to three weeks. I'm the only one using my shower, but if it's a shared shower probably wouldn't last that long. It's still a great way to catch hair before going down the drain, because we all know, people say they use the traps but they really don't. A must-have!!" —C. Crocker

Get a pack of 25 for $12.99 (also available in packs of 50 and and 100).

My husband and I love Molly Baz (and her cookbook!) and cannot stop raving about this collection. I'm personally obsessed with these modern trivet because they just looks so quirky and cute! It features a metal core that's coated with heat-resistant silicone.

Get it from Crate and Barrel for $19.95 (available in three colors).

BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly (seen above, right) used this on a 5-day trip to Iceland (it was the only bag she packed!) and loves it:

"I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors."

Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in 31 styles).

Promising review: "This magic powder worked so much better than I expected! I was doing some deep frying in my enamel cast iron pot one night, and when I was done, I poured the powder in the hot oil just as instructed. The stuff dissolved right away and I gave it a quick mix. I ended up putting the lid on and forgetting about it overnight. The next morning it was a solid gel mass. I was expecting it to be the consistency of Jello, but it was actually surprisingly firm! I took a spatula and barely applied pressure to one side to loosen it and the whole entire thing separated in one clean piece without any stray chunks of oil sticking to the pot. Couldn't have been easier! I have always avoided frying like the plague for the sole reason that I don't know what to do with the oil afterwards. Now I don't have to worry about that anymore!" —Sahara

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

Promising review: "No matter how good the brand/wand is, even a brand new mascara will leave clumps behind. Once applied, mascara dries too fast. This tool easily glides through lashes to remove clumps." —John

Get it from Amazon for $4.23.

BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde swears by this: "I've used it for about 12 years now and it's the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it's unscented, and it doesn't melt away when you start to sweat. If it's a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply. In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!"

Get it from Amazon for $6.26 or Target for $6.29.

Freeze Frame Creative is a small business based in Greenville, South Carolina that sells pop culture–inspired stickers and greeting cards.

Promising review: "Love this sticker! Beauty and the Beast was my jam, I was always super jealous of that library! This take on Gaston and books is hilarious, and the sticker is a great size and quality!" —Kelly Dorman

Get it from Freeze Frame Creative on Etsy for $3.75+ (available in two finishes).

Promising review: "This thing is great! I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane. Unfortunately, it has very few pockets and is just like a bottomless pit. This fit in perfectly. I was able to organize all of my items quite well. They were easy to retrieve in flight and in the airport. I didn't use the zipper compartment at all but did put that piece in to use it as a divider. It is well-made and sturdy. Be sure to measure your inner bag space first!" —Susan

Get it from Amazon for $11.43+ (available in six sizes and 22 colors).

It doesn't contain any parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS.

Promising review: "I bought this before I went on a cruise. We stayed in a hotel for a few days prior and I got a little toasty by the sun. Used this and it helped drown down the burn feeling and helped heal my skin within days. By the cruise I was fine with no pains from the burn. Continued to use it daily while on vacation. Works like charm. Love it! Smells great too! Its not a loud smell or anything. Would totally recommend and buy again!" —Victoria Ramsey

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Promising review: "I love pickles and olives but hate the mess and pain of pickle/olive brine. I've been known to just drain it out of a jar immediately, even if that means having to throw away the pickles or olives sooner. I randomly discovered these containers from some online article, and knew right away I would be getting one. I now have two but plan on buying more. They're just great. The only thing is, you need to be 100% sure you've got the lids on completely or you will have a disaster on your hands. Check and double check each time you are securing them. The tongs are useful just to have around for anything, too." —Nick

Get it from Amazon for $10.36+ (also available in two sizes, two colors, and with add-ons).

Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and just had to get it. It arrived very fast and looks adorable! I have a gas stove with grates, so there is no room for a spoon rest. This takes care of that hassle!" —A Power Mama

Get it from Amazon for $16.95+ (available in four styles).

The pad itself is split into three sections: weekly plans, to-do items, and notes, and the top transparent cover for your mouse is non-slip and waterproof.

Promising review: "What you see is exactly what you get. There are two transparent sheets to keep notes/cards and such separated. Writing on the mat is very comfortable, and I love being able to use it as a mouse pad as well. This uses a plastic-type sheet so you can just wipe them off. Since this mat can be cleaned, I don't see having to ever buy a replacement unless this one becomes torn. Of course, I did end up buying another one because I originally purchased this mat for work and loved it so much I purchased one for home use." —JC

Get it from Amazon for $13.88 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "OK I admit it's not soft and plushy, but it cleans perfectly and you’re producing less trash considering I use one and so does my whole family daily!!!" —Jannette N. Joly

Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in six colors and in a set of three).

Promising review: "I ordered this lamp as a gift for my husband. We just set up a room in the basement where he keeps his records, films, musical instruments, and other fun stuff. We call it the music listening room — he has a stressful job so he really enjoys going down to the basement and listening to a record and turning on some nice mood lighting. I ordered the sunset lamp as a complement to the theme of the room and we just love it. The closer you are to the wall, the more of a defined circle it will cast, and the farther back you move the lamp you will see more of an ambient light instead. It’s a really cool light that looks great next to our other eclectic lights, lava lamps and such. When not in use, the lamp is very small and discreet, just a few inches high and sits on the desk in the room." —MBA Squared

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two colors).

I absolutely swear by these scrunchies from The Hair Edit. I cut my hair short (and am constantly shedding) postpartum and my bigger scrunchies really weren't doing the trick anymore. These thinner options are fantastic! They hold my hair in place without having to be twisted a million times. I typically use them at night to keep my hair out of my face/ off my neck. I also love that they feel soft against my wrist when not in-use.

Get a set of four from Amazon for $6.79.

Shoptiffanis is a small business based in Little Rock, Arkansas that sells srunchies and accessories.

Get it from Shoptiffanis on Etsy for $9.99+ (available in three pedestal shapes and two sizes).

Promising review: "Very solid product. It does exactly what it claims to do. It easily snaps on to any can I have, then opens and closes shut again for storage in my fridge. As you can see in my pictures, it’s leakproof when closed. I think it will be a great addition to my kitchen." —w_starling

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $12.55 (available in two colors and various quantities).

Promising review: "This is the definition of 'product you didn't know you needed because you didn't know it existed.' I was FOREVER pulling the wrong chain on our bedroom ceiling fan. (Want the light off? Oh no...now the fan's on high. Need to change the fan speed? Eek... now you're in the dark.) They're a much better quality than I expected. They're actually quite heavy-duty pull chains, and they add a bit of fun to the decor. (When you notice them — most of the time, who even thinks about a ceiling fan pull chain?) As an added bonus, my infant daughter loves staring at them while I change her diaper or jammies. I tap them to make the chains swing, and it's instant fascination, which helps make my job easier!" —LHD

Get it from Amazon for $5.69+ (available in two sizes and five finishes).

Pardo Naturals is a Black woman-owned small business founded by Rita Pardo who created natural body, hair, and home products that wouldn't irritate her daughter's severe eczema.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Melanie Aman says: "For all the folks who don't enjoy cleaning the toilet — myself included — these dissolving tablets make quick work of a grimy bowl. The tablets are a little hard to dislodge from the plastic container (though that does make me feel confident that they're secure during transit and won't break; mine all arrived intact!), but once you get one out, you drop it in the toilet, and let it do its thing. It'll start fizzing — just like a bath bomb — loosening any stains and streaks in 10 minutes so they come away with a light brushing. I never let the toilet get too bad (and usually it takes awhile for me to notice any buildup since there are only two people in the apartment), so I can't vouch for them if you have really set-in hard water stains or haven't cleaned the commode in six months. But if you're looking to ditch the harsh cleansers in your toilet-cleaning routine, this is a great addition to your lineup."

Get six tablets from Pardo Naturals for $10.50 (available in seven scents).

I have this book (as pictured above) and by that I mean the second I saw it available for pre-order I added it to my cart faster than you could say "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." As the parent of a 1-year-old, I have many Little Golden Books in my home. However, this one is just STUNNING. I'm a big fan of Taylor (obviously) but was really enamored by how beautiful the pages are. I was so excited to read this lil' biography with my son and teach him a little more about someone I adore (which it does a great job of doing in a pared down way!). It's a short book, looks cute on my desk, and is a hit for bedtime story time. What more could you want???

Get it from Amazon for $4.78.

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Promising review:It removed stubborn mold and grime from my shower tile grout with use of a hard bristle tooth brush. It removed hard water stains from my sinks and faucets. It works amazing so far! No overpowering smell (barely any smell at all), easy to use, and a little product goes a long way. Putting it on is like giving my eyelashes butterfly wings.Promising reviewI had been buying a certain $25/tube brand (rhymes with truepique) and I like these just as much!! I’m saving a TON of moneyPromising review:Um...WOW!gives you a nice, moisturized glowPromising review:This stuff is the real deal.Promising review:THEY ARE LIFE CHANGING. Just run some water, toss the packet in, and turn on the disposal.Promising review:One application did improve my feet about 50%, but I plan to use the masks once a month until the three-pack is gone.Promising review:I put one of these spikes in each plant, and they all looked so much healthier and happier after just a couple of days.Promising review: The labels are great, they are durable, and I'm no longer finding stray pills of unknown origin in the bottom of my bag.Promising review:FAST, EASY, and GREAT resultsPromising review: I can literally cut more grapes in half the time! If you’re reading this, do not be stubborn, just get it!"I had thyroid surgery a few years ago,virtually no detectable scar within a few monthsPromising review:I will say that if I had used it every single day, I think the scar would be completely gone. However, even with using it maybe three or four times a week, the results are amazing!Promising review TikTok, and I knew immediately that I needed it. I currently just floss my hair through it so it will hold them, and there are a few stray hairs that don’t stick.Promising review:Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively.Promising review: I was skeptical but my kids hate flossing their teeth so thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazing!The results were outstanding.Promising review:Almost immediately when he applied it, you could see it was starting to work. We left it on overnight and the black is COMPLETELY GONE! It's incredible. 1,000% worth the (small) investment.Promising review:They work great. Each one is on its own plastic shield. Just peel off and center onto your floor drain.I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers.Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs.Promising review: I took a spatula and barely applied pressure to one side to loosen it and the whole entire thing separated in one clean piece without any stray chunks of oil sticking to the pot.Promising review: " In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them Promising review:Promising review:I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane. I was able to organize all of my items quite well. They were easy to retrieve in flight and in the airport.Promising review:Works like charm. Love it! Smells great too!Promising review:I've been known to just drain it out of a jar immediately, even if that means having to throw away the pickles or olives sooner. I now have two but plan on buying more. They're just great.Promising review:I have a gas stove with grates, so there is no room for a spoon rest. This takes care of that hasslePromising review:Writing on the mat is very comfortable, and I love being able to use it as a mouse pad as well.I don't see having to ever buy a replacementPromising review:Promising reviewI ordered the sunset lamp as a complement to the theme of the room and we just love it.Promising review: It does exactly what it claims to do.it’s leakproof when closedPromising review:This is the definition of 'product you didn't know you needed because you didn't know it existed.'BuzzFeed Shopping editor Melanie Aman says:For all the folks who don't enjoy cleaning the toilet — myself included — these dissolving tablets make quick work of a grimy bowl.loosening any stains and streaks in 10 minutes so they come away with a light brushing.