37 Boring Things From Amazon That Will Never Stop Being Effective

Listen, I'm not here to lie to you about how "exciting" a drain protector or a set of blackout curtains are because they're not. They are, however, extremely useful — so useful that I didn't wince when it came time to hit "checkout" in my shopping cart. So when I say that all of these products are boring yet effective, know that I've selected each one because I genuinely use them on an everyday basis.

Need an example? For starters, there's a gel manicure kit in here that comes with everything you need to do your own nails — including a UV lamp! And while I might not literally use it every day, I can wholeheartedly say that I've saved hundreds of dollars this past year by skipping my bi-weekly trip to the nail salon. So what are you waiting for? Life isn't getting any more exciting than it already is — might as well double down on all that boredom with some useful stuff you can find on Amazon!

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!

A Drain Protector That Won't Block Water From Going Down The Pipes

Via Amazon

Hey man, it's not the most glamorous item — but this drain protector more than makes up for it by keeping your pipes clear. Clear pipes mean no visits from the plumber, and no plumbers mean you're not shelling out hundreds of dollars just for some dude to unclog your pipes. It's also weighted to keep it from shifting, and it won't block the flow of water down your drain.

This Soap Dispenser With Space For A Scrubber

Via Amazon

You could leave the edge of your sink looking like a mess, or you could straighten things out with this handy soap dispenser. It's large enough to hold almost an entire bottle of soap — and the pocket on the side is perfect for holding your sponge or scouring pad. Choose from four colors: chrome, black, brushed steel, or soft brass.

These Curtains That Help Insulate Your Home

Via Amazon

I love sleeping in on the weekends, making these blackout curtains one of the most important things in my life — well, arguably one of the most important things. Not only do they block out up to 99% of light, but they also help insulate your home in the winter and summer months. Choose from tons of different lengths to suit any window, as well as more than 20 rich colors.

This Nail Polish Remover That Works On Gel And Acrylics

Via Amazon

You don't have to pay to get your gel nails dissolved away — just use this professional-strength nail polish remover. What sets it apart from the stuff you can find at the drug store? First off, the formula is 100% acetone, without any diluents. And for two, you can't buy this stuff in stores. It's that strong.

While I have you here, you might as well grab these polish removal tools to go with the acetone. Trust me — the clips make a huge difference in determining how long it takes for your gels and acrylics to dissolve.

A Pair Of Garlic Peelers That Keep Your Hands Clean

Via Amazon

Few things are as annoying as having to sit down and peel garlic — so grab these tubes. Simply pop a few cloves inside, then roll them back-and-forth underneath your palms. The skin will gradually work itself off, leaving you with a fresh clove. They're also made from food-grade silicone, so don't even stress about any funky odors leaching into your meal.

These Grippers That You Can Use For Tons Of Tasks

Via Amazon

Got a hot bowl in the microwave? Use one of these grippers as an oven mitt so you can safely pull it out. Or maybe you've got a steaming pan you'd like to put on the stove? You can also use these grippers as trivets since they're heat-resistant up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. And if you've got a stubborn jar? You've guessed it — the textured grooves on the tops are great for helping pop open tight lids.

You Need These Shower Shelves Right Now

Via Amazon

When I say I've bought this set of shower shelves twice, I'm not kidding — one set for my bathroom and another for my boyfriend once he saw how sleek they looked. There's no drilling required since each order comes with waterproof adhesive hooks, and when I say waterproof? I mean waterproof. No amount of spray, dripping soap, or humidity is gonna shake these babies loose.

A Rolling Pin That Lets You Adjust How Thick Your Dough Rolls

Via Amazon

I'm a terrible baker, but you know what I'm good at? Finding cool stuff that makes baking easier — like this adjustable rolling pin. Just pop the rings off the sides to adjust how thick your dough will roll out. And since it's made from durable beechwood, go ahead and press as hard as you want — this thing isn't breaking anytime soon.

A Filtered Water Fountain Made For Pets

Via Amazon

You might think your pet doesn't need this water fountain, but trust me — my little French bulldog started drinking way more water since we got it. The continuous flow simulates the kind of water they'd find in nature (if you wouldn't drink stagnant water, why would you feed it to your pets?). At the same time, the activated carbon filter eliminates any impurities.

The Tool That Cleans Your Windows On Both Sides

Via Amazon

My apartment building is too cheap to hire a company to clean our windows, so I decided to try out this little gadget. Shockingly, it works really well — just get the scrubber pads on the inside wet with soap and water, then pop both halves onto either side of any dirty window. The built-in magnets will keep them connected as you move it around, while the squeegee bar helps prevent streaks.

You Can't Go Wrong With A Pack Of Headbands

Via Amazon

Thick headbands never go out of style, and this pack of four is available for just $15. They're made from soft, stretchy polyester that doesn't squish your head — so don't even think about getting a headache. Plus, they even help wick away sweat if you wear them while exercising.

A Scrubber Made Specifically For Cast Iron

Via Amazon

Cleaning your cast iron pans with regular soap and sponges will strip away the seasoning, making it unusable for anything other than being a large paperweight — so grab this scrubber. It's made from stainless steel that won't rust no matter how many times it gets wet, and it'll easily scrape away any burnt-on pieces of crud.

Enjoy Delicious Espresso With This Stovetop Brewer

Via Amazon

Ever wish you could enjoy a hot cup of espresso without having to buy an expensive machine? This stovetop espresso maker is only $20, and it's large enough to produce multiple servings — just in case you like to be really caffeinated. Choose from two finishes: aluminum or red.

Lighten Up On Fried Foods With This Air Fryer

Via Amazon

I'll be honest: my stomach feels a little worse for wear after binge eating my way through the holidays — and maybe part of January. Luckily, I have an air fryer like this one in my kitchen. It still fries up my foods like a deep fryer but uses a fraction of the oil to cut down on grease and fat. Besides, this model's less than $40 — what's not to love?

A Set Of Dividers That Straighten Out Messy Drawers

Via Amazon

I have these dividers in a kitchen drawer that's entirely dedicated to utensils, and they do an outstanding job of keeping everything tidy. They're made from natural bamboo — not cheap plastic — and the pads on the ends work to prevent scratches wherever you install them. "I am so happy to have found these," raved one reviewer. "They are way better than the typical drawer organizer compartments/boxes/bins because you don't lose height and can move them anytime."

This Cling Film That Adds Privacy To Your Windows

Via Amazon

Love walking around naked, but want to save your neighbors from the embarrassment that you look way better than they do? Then grab this cling film. It makes your windows slightly opaque to block the view, plus it'll even help filter out the sun's hot UVA rays. And if you've got a noisy dog? Throw this up in their line of sight — it'll keep them from barking at everything that walks by.

This Body Scrubber Made From Hygienic Silicone

Via Amazon

Since silicone is naturally non-porous, it's resistant to mold and mildew growth — which makes this body scrubber perfect for your daily shower. You don't have to throw it out like a regular loofah, either. Once it gets too dirty for your liking, pop it into a pot of boiling water for a few minutes to clean away any bacteria or grime.

These Clips That Stop Your Duvet From Shifting

Via Amazon

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?

You Gotta Grab This Robot Vacuum

Via Amazon

My boyfriend has been wearing me down for months over getting this robot vacuum, and now that we finally have it? I'll admit it. — this thing is seriously rad. Not only is it half the price of a Roomba, but the suction is still so powerful that it leaves those nice lines in our carpets. It's also compatible with Alexa, which means yes, we have been shouting "Alexa, run vacuum!" from all the way across the apartment. You should try it sometime, too!

A Spice Rack That Comes With Free Refills For Five Years

Via Amazon

I know this spice rack might look a little pricy at $45, but take into consideration that it also comes with five years' worth of spice refills — not so expensive now, huh? It rotates a full 360 degrees so that you can easily put it in the corner of your kitchen and still reach every bottle, and each order comes with more than 15 bottles of various spices.

A Spray That Gets Rid Of Wrinkles — No Ironing Necessary

Via Amazon

I've never been good at ironing clothes — they always come out with a crease line somewhere. Instead, I've been using this wrinkle-releasing spray. It's safe to use on most types of fabrics, and all you have to do is spray it, then leave. After a few minutes, the plant-based formula will smooth your clothes out, leaving you with a fresh-looking outfit.

If There's One Thing You NEED To Grab, It's These Cleaning Beads

Via Amazon

If you've got any oddly shaped glassware around the house, these stainless steel cleaning beads will become your new best friend. Just pour them inside with a little soap and water, then swish them around — any dirt or grime on the inside will gradually be worn away. Some reviewers even wrote about how they were able to get red wine stains out of their glass decanters!

This Incense Burner That Comes With 30 Backflow Cones

Via Amazon

When you've finally grown tired of all those essential oil scents, it might be time to switch over to an incense burner like this one. Personally? I use both — but the trail of smoke that flows down the ceramic vase gives it a calming effect, which I personally enjoy right before bed. And since each order comes with 30 backflow incense cones, it'll be a while before you need to stock up again.

A Pet Hair Remover That's Infinitely Reusable

Via Amazon

Take it from me, who is currently sitting in a pile of dog hair after my pup came and rolled all over my duvet — you gotta get this pet hair remover. Whereas lint rollers rely on wasteful sticky sheets, this gadget uses hundreds of tiny bristles that latch onto stray fibers. And once it's totally clogged with hair? Just dip the head into its case, then pull it back out to strip it clean.

This Blanket That Helps You Stay Cool On Hot Nights

Via Amazon

Just this morning, I woke up in a puddle of sweat, which, let me tell you, is not fun. That's why I literally added this cooling blanket to my cart a few seconds ago (I've been eyeing it for months at this point.) It's made from a blend of natural cotton and special Japanese cooling fibers that help pull heat away from your body. Choose from five colors, including blue, green, pink, grey, and more.

A Pack Of Risers So You Can Fit Stuff Underneath Your Bed

Via Amazon

My apartment has very, very little storage space, which is why I've got these risers lifting my bed a few extra inches. The extra space gives me enough room to shove boxes, suitcases, or whatever else I want to stash away — and when combined, they're so sturdy that they're able to support up to 1,300 pounds.

These Flower Pots That Water Themselves

Via Amazon

Don't get me wrong — these flower pots aren't going to get up and water themselves at the sink. But if you dump a ton of water inside, they'll keep it stored for later so that you don't have to water your plants daily. In fact, each one features large enough of a water reservoir that they're able to keep your greens hydrated for up to 10 full days! But the best part? You'll also get a pellet of organic coconut soil to help you get started.

Save Money On Gel Manicures With This Kit

Via Amazon

I bought this kit a little over a year ago after one particularly chatty nail technician wouldn't stop talking to me while she did my nails — it was awful. Not only am I saving money now that I'm doing my own gels, but each order also comes with six gorgeous pastel shades that'll look good no matter what your style is. Plus, you also get all the tools you need to buff, clip, and shape your nails.

A Cutting Board That You Don't Have To Constantly Wash

Via Amazon

The worst part about preparing dinner is having to wash your cutting board over and over when you've been slicing up meat. Enter this board, which comes with seven color-coded mats to keep the board safe from raw ingredients. The board itself is made from high-quality bamboo, and besides — it's even got non-slip feet to keep it from shifting around. What's not to like?

An Over-The-Door Organizer For Boards And Pans

Via Amazon

You can turn the back of any cabinet door into usable storage space with this over-the-door basket. I probably don't need to tell you that it literally hangs on your door — and since there are zero tools necessary for installation, it's ready to go right out of the box. Plus, it's made from stainless steel that won't bend under heavy loads.

Put This Set Of Hanging Shelves In Your Closet For Some Extra Storage

Via Amazon

Don't have enough space in your closet for all your socks, bras, hats, whatever? Then you're going to love this set of hanging shelves. They're made from non-woven fabric that won't absorb any weird, musty smells, and the drawers are even divided into sections to help you keep your undergarments organized. One reviewer also wrote that "There are so many storage places, I haven't even filled them all plus the pockets on the side!"

This Gadget That Keeps Pots From Boiling Over

Via Amazon

Sometimes the best inventions are the simplest ones — like this silicone lid that keeps your pot from boiling over. Is it going to change your life? No. But it'll definitely keep your stove cleaner. And since it's made from food-grade silicone that's completely BPA-free, you don't have to worry about it accidentally killing you a few months from now.

Scrape And Chop Your Heart Away With This Handy Tool

Via Amazon

This little tool might not look like much, but trust me — it's seriously useful. The scraping blade is great for scooting any little bits of crud off your chopping board or counter, and it's sharp enough that you can also use it to cut up soft ingredients, like cheese. But if that isn't enough? There are also measurement markings along the bottom in case you need to measure out the dough.

A Utensil Holder That Rotates So You Can Grab Everything

Via Amazon

Just imagine how fancy your counter will look with this stainless steel utensil holder sitting on top of it. It's big enough to hold more than 15 tools, while the steel ball bearings allow it to rotate left or right smoothly. And since it has three divided compartments on the inside, it's easy to keep your utensils from getting jumbled together.

This Tool That Scratches Away Dirt Without Leaving Marks

Via Amazon

You don't have to scratch away sticker grime with your fingernail — just use this scratcher tool. The flat edge is designed so that it gets underneath whatever you're trying to pick away, yet it won't leave behind any marks on your surfaces. And since it's about the size of a pen, you can easily keep it stored basically anywhere until you need it.

These Tube Squeezers That Help You Get Every Last Bit

Via Amazon

Hey man — these tube squeezers are only $5. You've definitely wasted way more than that on much less, so you might as well grab a pack while you're here. And unlike all those lottery tickets that didn't do jack for your wallet, these little things will help you save money by getting every last drop of toothpaste, lotion, or whatever else you've got in a tube.

This Tool That Breaks Down Your Meat To Make It So, So Tender

Via Amazon

All you have to do is pound your meat a few times over using this tenderizing tool, and the sharp needles will break down any tough sinews so that you're left with buttery, delicious meat. The needles are made from stainless steel that won't rust — and since they're ultra-thin, there's no need to stress about accidentally destroying that New York strip you've got sitting in the fridge.