37 Basic Home Items Everyone Should Own

Got a shopping itch you need to scratch? Believe me – we've all been there. It's exhilarating opening up a browser window and zipping through Amazon looking for products you want. But most of the time..I'm looking for clothes, cool gadgets, or exciting tech products that I convince myself will solve all my problems. What I tend to overlook, however, are household goods. These are important and often disregarded because they're not traditionally "fun" or "exciting." But they're necessary — and can revolutionize your home routine and streamline productivity, efficiency, or just keep you prepared for whatever life throws at you. Go ahead and browse this list of 37 basic home items everyone should own. Because we literally mean everyone. You'll thank me later!

We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so anything mentioned below might change as soon we publish it!

This Cortisone Cream Soothes Itchy, Irritated Skin

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I can't tell you how many tubes of this Cortisone Cream I've bought from Amazon, but it's a lot! My family relies on it for relief from bug bites, rashes, and other skin problems. It banishes itchiness, soothes skin, and reduces kids' complaining.

These Coasters are Beyond Cute

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I'm always after the kids to use a napkin or something underneath their drinks so they don't ruin the furniture, but they rarely remember. I'm hoping with these adorable, brightly-colored fruit drink coasters they'll start remembering! You'll get a set of six, so they're great for get-togethers, pool parties, or dinner parties, too.

This Heat-Resistant Glove Protects Me From Burns When I Curl My Hair

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I've burned my hands more than once while curling my hair, so I finally bought this heat-resistant glove to protect myself when I'm using my curling iron or flat iron. It works great! You can put it on your right or left hand, and it's not bulky and awkward like you might expect. It doesn't make it hard to style your hair, but it does keep you from injuring yourself!

These Calming Teas Are The Key To Better Sleep

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There's nothing I love more than sipping on a hot cup of tea as I'm unwinding and getting ready for bed. This chamomile lavender tea is my new favorite and I seriously swear by it for better sleep and relaxation. The glowing reviews say it all: This is a product you don't want to miss out on.

An Electrolyte Drink for Hydration

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If you've ever sat up with a sick kid wishing you could make them feel better, you know it's smart to have a few bottles of Electrolyte Solution in the house. This dupe for Pedialyte comes in two flavors, blue raspberry or cherry punch, and earns great customer reviews.

These Bandages Need to Be in Your Vanity at All Times

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​You know how your parent's bathroom is always stocked with first-aid essentials? It's time you achieved that level of adulting yourself, and this box of bandages is a great place to start. Bonus: a box of 100 (in three different sizes!) is just over 5 bucks. Why didn't you pick these up sooner?!

A P.M. Medication to Relieve Pain and Help You Sleep

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Another smart addition to your medicine cabinet and emergency supplies! This bottle of Acetaminophen PM is a low-cost version of Tylenol PM, with one ingredient to relieve pain and fever and another to help you sleep.

This Mini Massager Costs Under $5

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Soothe sore muscles with the pint-sized power of this Mini Massager. There's a lot to appreciate: It's brightly colored, priced under five bucks, and even includes batteries. Customers call it "small but effective" and "a great little massager."

This Classic Ice Bag Comes in Nine Fun Fabrics

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After one too many drippy, messy Ziploc bags full of ice, I finally went on Amazon to find a more elegant solution. This Classic Ice Bag is leak-proof, the perfect size, and comes in nine cute fabrics to choose from. My favorite is the smiley-face print!

Support Your Wrists For Cheap

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Wrist injuries are no fun. Trying to function with a wrist injury is even less fun. This adjustable wrist support from Amazon's own line, Solimo, will provide support and relief for weak, injured, stiff, sore, or sprained wrists. It works for either wrist and is designed to be comfortable enough to wear all day. One reviewer stated: "If you wake up a lot with numb or tingling hands, wearing this to bed can fix that."

Go With The (Over)Flow With An Overflow Drain Cover

via AmazonI can’t be the only one who doesn’t get the tub as full as I want when it’s time to take a steamy and luxurious bath. Thanks to this overflow drain cover, I can fill the tub all the way to the top when it’s bath time, thanks to its suction cup seal. This gives me additional inches of water in my bath without that dreaded draining that occurs when you’ve been sitting in it for, oh, say, an hour or longer. (Don’t judge me.)

This Digestive Enzyme Complex Makes Tummies Happy

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Got tummy troubles when it comes to digestion? Fear not, Revly digestive enzyme complex is here to help. For starters, it's vegetarian and gluten-free, and it's made with natural bromelain and papain which are enzymes found in pineapple and papaya. Nearly 5,000 reviewers say this has made a world of difference in their digestive troubles!

These Cold & Flu Meds Work for Day and Night

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Without fail, whenever I get a cold or the flu, I only have daytime or nighttime meds but never both. Until now - this dual pack of cold and flu medicine keeps you covered all day and night long with maximum strength pills that relieve pain, reduce fever, unstuff your nose and soothe coughs around the clock. These have the same ingredients as a popular brand, so they work just as well at a fraction of the price!

Your Pot and Pans Savers

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What are these weird asterisk-shaped doodads? I'm glad you asked. These may not look like much, but these will save your existing pots and pans from scratches, dings, and damage. Stacking pan protectors come in three sizes and are easy to use by just placing one between each pan as you stack. At less than $5 for six, it's a good investment in safeguarding your larger purchase of quality cookware.

These Waterproof Bandages Come in a Variety of Cool Prints for Kids

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My kids seem to get scrapes and cuts on the areas that get frequent washing, like their hands, so it's near impossible to keep bandages on. Until I found these "bravery badges"! These stay on so well and are actually waterproof, so they protect the wound from moisture wonderfully.

Sometimes You Need a Little Jar for Little Things

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You know those little knick-knacks on your vanity that don't really have a spot of their own? Just put 'em inside these cute apothecary jars. They look just like real glass, but are made from tough shatter-resistant plastic — so don't even worry about knocking them over on accident. Use them for Q-tips, cotton swabs, Bobby pins, and more.

Try This Clip-On Collander

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I don't know why it took someone so long to come up with a clip-on colander, but I feel like this might have been my million-dollar idea before someone beat me to it. Available in large and XXL sizes, this strainer doesn't require any additional pans to clean. Just pop it on the pan that needs drained and then throw it in the dishwasher when you're finished.

These Clips Stop Your Comforter From Shifting Around in the Cover

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Few things annoy the crap out of me more than when my duvet cover shifts off-center from the comforter, which is exactly why I have these clips. Each one is padded so that your duvet and comforter get torn, and they're virtually undetectable while you're sleeping — even if you toss and turn all night. Why not grab a few sets so that everyone in the house is covered?

This Cleaning Vinegar is People and Pet-Friendly

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The unfortunate downside to cleaning products is the fact that many of them have harmful chemicals and harsh odors–which makes for a very unpleasant cleaning process. This cleaning vinegar not only gets the job done, but it's also all-natural and non-toxic.

This Melatonin Helps You Get to Sleep Fast

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It's so simple; I don't know why I don't take a melatonin pill every night to fall asleep fast. Instead of staring at the ceiling, I could be drifting off to dreamland quickly and easily with a non-habit forming solution. These get rave reviews for being safe, effective and how they keep you asleep throughout the night.

This Pain Reliever Works for 12-Hours

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I've been getting really bad allergy headaches lately, thanks to everything that's blooming out there. The only thing that helps seems to be this pain reliever that lasts for 12 hours straight. I like that I don't have to remember to keep taking a pill since it lasts all day long.

Extra Hydration With Electrolyte Mix-Ins

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This is your reminder to drink more water! You haven't gotten enough today, have you? Me either. I'm seriously considering these electrolyte drink mixes. Simply add a packet to your morning water (that's a thing, right?), and you'll get three times the hydration that a traditional sports drink might offer. It'll only cost you 25 calories from your daily budget, too.

These Straws Suck — Pun Intended

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Straws have taken a good bit of negative rap recently and it's not hard to see why. Traditional plastic straws are among the top contributors to marine debris globally, and most aren't recyclable given their small size. Reusable straws are a great alternative and this set of 10 for less than $9 is a good starting point. Made of food-grade silicone, these straws will work great in your favorite tumblers.

These Easy Release Ice Packs for Summer Drinks

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This gadget is a great way to chill cocktails and other drinks because it's quick and easy to use. You simply fill the bag with juice or water and pop it in the freezer. When you want a chilled juice, you simply crack one of the frozen sweet cubes into your cup, and voila.

A Window Sticker to Let Emergency Services Know About Your Pets

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Here's a way to protect your pets that you can complete in just a few seconds! This pack of four Window Stickers will let neighbors or emergency services know how many pets need to be found in emergencies.

These Bee Pollen Supplements Which are High in Antioxidants

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Bee pollen is packed full of antioxidants to protect you from free radicals and chronic diseases, as well as fighting infections and inflammation. So, I've been using this natural bee pollen supplement, which is super affordable on Amazon and has great reviews. It's a great natural defense by taking a couple of capsules per day.

Omega-3 Fish Oil to Help Support A Healthy Heart

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I've been taking these Omega-3 Fish Oil soft gel supplements for a long time because they support heart health while being GMO-free and not having any artificial colors. I have a family history of coronary heart problems, so I find this product to be a great way to support my workout regime by strengthening my cardiovascular health. This brand is also a number one bestseller on Amazon.

This Scalp Head Massager with 20 Fingers Will Relieve Tension and Pain

scalp massagervia Amazon

Massage your scalp with 20 fingers! Relax, unwind, and let the power of head-scratching transport you to another dimension. Priced at 2 for $7.99, you really can't pass up this amazing deal on Amazon's secret bargain section.

This Oxi Clean Revives Your Whites

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My husband wears a white tee under all his button-down "work shirts" pretty much every day, and boy, do they get discolored fast. The only thing I've found to work are these Oxi Clean Power Paks, which brighten whites up to 40 times better than chlorine bleach! Just pop a pack in the washing machine and watch the magic happen.

This Kitchen Tool is Grate

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A grater/zester is one of those kitchen gadgets you don't realize you need until you've already bought it. (The trick is to just buy it and figure it out later.) It has unlimited versatility, from grating cheese or ginger to zesting lemon or nutmeg. The design — long and thin — doesn't take up much space in a drawer, so you can throw away that clunky box grater you inherited from your mom.

Nip Heartburn in the Bud

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Heartburn's pretty much the worst and can strike at any time the older I get, so I keep this antacid stocked in my medicine cabinet. I love that they're chewable instead of a thick, gross liquid you have to force down your throat! The box contains a 14-day treatment course for frequent heartburn that'll cool things right down.

This Conditioner Smells So Good

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This Honest conditioner smells exactly like a creamsicle - the lovely orange-vanilla fragrance lasts on hair and is so nice to smell. It works on my kids' fine, curly, tangle-prone hair like a charm. I also use it on my hair since I like the scent so much!

These Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads are So Soft

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I don't like using a washcloth on my face, but disposable cotton rounds create so much waste when you need to use a handful each time to get off stubborn eye makeup. Enter these bamboo makeup remover pads, which you can use with your favorite remover or micellar water, then just toss them in the wash, and you've got a good-as-new set to work with again! These even come with a wash bag, so you don't lose them among all your clothes in the wash or dryer.

This Magnetic Wristband for Holding Tools During Summer Projects

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I bought this gadget for my boyfriend and he loves it for getting stuck into a DIY project. It's a magnetic wristband that holds screws, nails, and much more for hands-on work. It's the perfect gift idea for anyone who loves mechanical or house projects and it's kind of like a tool belt but for your wrist!

A Pack of No-Rinse Bathing Wipes for the Gym, Camping and Children

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These Bathing Wipes are kinda brilliant. Add a splash of water to the dry wipe, and it produces a lightly-scented lather you can use to wash up. Best of all, no rinsing needed! It leaves skin clean and refreshed, with no residue.

This Popsicle Maker Set for DIY Ice Treats

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Nothing says summer like the taste of sweet frozen popsicles and these high-quality silicone molds will allow you to make your own at home. I've been making a huge variety of flavors and so far, they've all been delicious. They're easy to use and all you have to do is add fruit juice and pop them in the freezer for the ideal summer snack.

This Cetaphil Baby Wash Smells Heavenly

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This Cetaphil baby wash and shampoo is not only incredibly gentle, it smells so heavenly. It has organic calendula to soothe, moisturize and soften skin and the light scent is amazing. I continue to buy it even after my kids grew out of the baby stage because I love it so much for myself!