Overall, Wednesday is generally a solid, un-sexy day of the week. It doesn’t have the glitz of Monday, the energy of Tuesday, the building anticipation of a Thursday, or the excitement of Friday. To celebrate this and take advantage of this beautiful, regular Wednesday, I briefly looked at practical home necessities, one of my favorite subjects.
Also, look…while my team excels at putting together roundups of the most desirable furniture at the lowest prices, occasionally the gal (or man, or even a person) must concentrate on the essentials, for example, a cutting table which can go the distance or the top-of-the-line lightbulb, or window AC unit that doesn’t hurt your eyes or a grout scrubbing tool that will spare your forearms. This is my aim today: to spotlight the tiny fundamental items that every home needs.
The majority of items here are under $50. Although a few are pretty stylish (I am looking at you, the $30 marble toilet brush), Most are functional and non-sexy – which is a perfect fit for Wednesdays – but they’re also EHD-tested, well-loved and. These little necessities help ensure that our homes are in order and help keep clutter at the bare minimum, so we hope they’ll serve those around you.
Extreme Scrub Scour Pad: Jess swears by these scrub pads for the stainless cookware she uses.
Everyday Cutting Board We love a wood cutting board for styling. This $27 version is her go-to to prepare meals for the day.
Drawer Liner/Shelf Liner A quick note with a significant announcement: my mom recently received the first dose of her Covid vaccine. I’m eagerly awaiting a counteroffer to the new location (burying the truth within these blog posts!). Naturally, the first post-shot comment came from the following “If the vaccine is successful, you’ll probably be able to join you and help you line your cabinets “… to say, hey, that’s where I get my obsession with essentials that I have from. The clear is ideal for observing crumbs, and the ribbing helps increase air circulation. I’m a gambler for this liner.
Sharpener and Cleaner for Cutlery This is a fantastic tool if you’re worried about cleaning your knives. It’s also way simpler to wash a fork with a hand using one of these than the typical sponge.
Brass trivets They’re expensive, but WOW! They’re a show-stopper, aren’t they? (“Actually the other ones I have are around 60 years old, and I’m able to leave them out at all times which is why this might be an excellent deal” I’m the one who justifies the purchase. If these are on sale in time for President’s Day, I’ll flag for you.)
Pot & Pan Brush I don’t own a dishwasher but have had the misfortune of letting things stay in the sink too long, causing things to get dry and annoying. I have this as my preferred tool for daily dishwashing. An ear-splitting endorsement!
Walnut Scouring Pad The price is four pads for $4. They’ve also replaced my scrub, Mommy. In truth, they take just an extra minute, but they’re also not neon and are worth the price, in my opinion.
Sink Caddy: Yes, absolutely, it’s beautiful to have soaps decanted as well as wooden clean supplies…but this does a great job of organizing the items you have while giving them a more thoughtful and well-designed.
Wire Dividers $5 or $6 for the privilege of never hearing the noise of lids on pots or casserole dishes slamming in the cabinet ever again is money well invested.
Sponge Cloths They are highly absorbent and washable. They are reusable, washable, compostable and have entirely substituted newspaper towels in the home of Emily and me.
Countertop Dish Rack The rack, complete with a drip tray and a separate Utensil compartment, is simple and gorgeous. It would look great in its place within your Mountain House kitchen, which is the most prestigious honor I’m permitted to bestow, I’m sure.
airtight silicone Lids They have many ways to use them (keeping foods warm or storing leftovers, etc.) But the best option is to use microwaves to heat them. You won’t have to worry about splatters! Jess also is a fan of them and loves them.
The Over-The-Sink Drying Rack There needs to be counter space. It’s no problem. Let it dry, then roll it out. Your dishes and kitchen utensils dry and put them back into the drawer. (Fun fact: I attended a meal with the Food52 designer of this product before it was released to the public. I exclaimed and yelled when they showed me the concept. I placed an order that night. It’s GOOD.)
Studio McGee Paper Towel Holder Blonde wood, metal accents, and leather and practicality? This is a huge, California cool-meets-refined style punch at just $20.
Swedish Dishcloths: Ryann loves these Swedish dishcloths that reside in the same universe as the sponge cloths. They’re cheaper and come in various vibrant colors, ideal for dips into the product’s reusable water when you’re first introduced to them.
Wool Dryer Balls I am so enthralled by the balls that I take them in a separate bag – along with piles of clothes and pockets packed with quarters during my walks to the laundry. Sprinkle a bit of essential oil onto the balls (if you wish – but you can keep them as is) and toss them into the dryer so that your wash will start getting more fluffier and faster.
Squeegee The reason there was plenty of discussion about glass shower enclosures in the wake of Brian’s latest blog post. If you like the glass look but aren’t keen on the hassle of maintaining it, slamming doors and walls by squeezing them with a squeegee right after bathing can be (a.) enjoyable also (b.) helpful in preventing streaks, buildup, and spots.
All-Purpose Bleach Use this to clean your laundry. However, it’s also safe for general home surface cleaning. It’s also non-toxic and scentless, so it won’t make you feel like you are breathing in ammonia fumes.
Shower Spray The natural and inexpensive odor and cleaner removal product that does the job and smells like a healthy breakfast of grapefruit with sugar.
Toilet Brush: SHEESH, Y’ALL. CB2 is destroying the entire bathroom accessories market. If you’re not a fan of black marble, there are a variety of alternatives (really in the fluted and brass collections) that aren’t outrageously costly.
The Pumice Stone Toilet Bowl Cleaner If you’re struggling with a ring that is firmly encircling the toilet’s waterline despite the best efforts at cleaning, This will eliminate it as quickly as possible.
