37 Things on Amazon Basically Necessary for Grown Life

Being an adult isn't easy. For one thing, you have to work. Blegh. For two, you have to do boring adult things like pay taxes and wash dishes. In fact I almost gave myself a paper cut the other day when I was sending a fax, and I'm pretty sure I was on the brink of death until I found a bandaid. So on days when being "mature" gets a little too hard, make sure to check out all the useful things on Amazon that every adult needs.

It doesn't matter whether you're 25 or 52 — you'll still love the smart diffuser you can control from the comfort of your couch. And if you're a hot sleeper, I've even included the breathable bamboo sheets that help me stay cool in the summer. Or, if your cookware could use an upgrade, there's even a pre-seasoned cast iron skillet in here that browns meats oh-so deliciously.

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!

There's no age limit when it comes to useful things on Amazon that every grown adult needs — keep scrolling to see the picks that I can't live without.

We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and Brainjolt may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so any prices mentioned below are subject to change.

These Face Cloths That Melt Away Makeup

I used to always fall asleep wearing my full face of makeup, until I realized that clearing it away would help improve the quality of my complexion. These cloths not only require zero serums to be effective, but they're also extra-soft and safe for all types of skin. Each order comes with four, which is great since I always have one available — even if three are in the wash.

This Cleansing Water That's Safe For All Types Of Skin

Remember how I said those facial cleansing cloths don't require any cleanser? They still don't, but if you want them to be extra-effective just dampen them with this cleansing micellar water. The gentle formula is safe on all types of skin, and it removes any makeup or dirt on my face without leaving my complexion feeling dry.

If You're An Adult, You Should Probably Start Hydrating Your Face

Now that you're an adult, you should be moisturizing your face with lotion every morning or night. Why? Not only does hydrated skin look healthier, but this lotion from Burt's Bees also helps brighten your complexion so you look friendly and approachable. Not into meeting new people? Me either — but I still use this lotion every morning since it's one of the few that doesn't clog my pores.

This Essential Oil Diffuser That Lets You Be SO Lazy

There are days where I hike up mountains, and there are days where I can barely make it from the couch to the door to grab my delivery order. On days like those, this smart diffuser is indispensable. I can turn it on and off using the downloadable smartphone app without having to move, and the reservoir is large enough to hold up to 20 hours' worth of water.

A High-Powered Scrubber For Tight Spots Around Your House

Nothing compels a houseguest to leave more than a dirty shower, so make sure your grout is clean with this high-powered scrubber. It's water-resistant so you don't have to worry about it getting wet, and I like to use mine for those tight spots you can't easily get into — you know: grout, shower tracks, tire rims, etc.

A Steam Cleaner For Dirty Microwaves

Be honest: when you see a dirty microwave at a restaurant or friend's house, you're probably like "ew." So why not take pride in having a clean microwave by using this angry mama? Just fill her up with vinegar, water, and lemon juice, then pop her inside for about 5 minutes — all that baked-on crud will now easily wipe away with a paper towel. "View on

This Cleaning Kit For Your Stove

Few things are as satisfying as cooking on a clean stove, which may sound lame — but we're adults now, so "lame" is perfectly acceptable. Not only do you get a scrubber with each order, but this cleaner is compatible with all types of glass, ceramic, or induction stoves. It's also streak-free, so I'm never left wiping away at it with a towel after I'm done.

Speaking Of Cleaning, Let's Take A Look At Your Stainless Steel

Most household cleaning sprays don't work on stainless steel — I'm literally looking at my fridge right now and it's littered with streaks. That's why I'm currently waiting for my order of this cleaning spray to arrive. I picked this spray over others because it's formulated with plant-based ingredients, and you get a microfiber cloth with each order so that you don't have to waste any paper towels.

Spruce Up Old Furniture With This Wood Polish

Old, scuffed furniture doesn't have to look — well, old and scuffed. That's why I regularly use this wood polish on my genuine oak coffee table. You can also use it on something as simple as your kitchen cabinets, and it helps lock in moisture to prevent the wood from further drying out.

Save On Utilities By Adding These Dryer Balls To Your Laundry

Dryer sheets make your clothes smell nice as they tumble, but they're incredibly wasteful. These wool dryer balls, on the other hand, are reusable as well as eco-friendly. They help aerate my clothes so that they dry faster, saving me money on utilities — and since they're made without any chemicals or synthetics, they're also great for sensitive skin.

Upgrade Your Morning Brew With This French Press

I'm sure the coffee that comes from your drip coffee maker tastes "fine," but wouldn't you rather have coffee that tastes great? If the answer is "yes," grab this French Press. I never drank coffee in the mornings until I tried a batch made with this exact model — now I drink it every morning, simply because I like the way it tastes. The fine mesh filters are reusable, and the double-wall insulation helps keep your coffee warm if you want another cup later.

This Colander That Collapses For Easy Storage

A colander is a must-have tool in any kitchen, and this one is collapsible so that it takes up hardly any space in storage. The handles also extend left and right so that you can suspend it across your sink, and it's completely BPA-free. My favorite part about it? You've got options when it comes to colors — red, purple, green, blue, and more.

If You Like Steak, You Need A Stainless Steel Frying Pan

Cooking with a non-stick pan is a no-no when you're making steak, chicken, or any other type of meat —  a stainless steel frying pan like this one is the preferred pan to use. The triple-ply stainless steel construction distributes heat evenly throughout the pan, and unlike non-stick pans, it lightly adheres to the surface of your meats. This allows you to get a heartier sear, and as long as the pan is hot enough, your meat won't stick.

A Pack Of Produce Saver Sheets To Help You Save Money

There's nothing more "adult" than spending $30 on groceries, then ordering $40 pad thai delivery — so help your groceries last until you're ready to eat them with these food saver sheets. Each one is 100% BPA-free, and they help extend the life of your greens by up to four times. I've trimmed mine to fit my produce drawers, and I even have one sitting in the bottom of a fruit bowl to help them stay crisp.

All Adults Should Have This Set Of Mixing Bowls

Something about using a glass mixing bowl as opposed to a plastic one just makes me feel fancier whenever I'm cooking, and this set from Pyrex is made with high-quality tempered glass. They're pre-heated oven safe, and I've used mine for everything from fish to goat cheese — yet they're still completely odorless as well as stainless.

If You Don't Have An Ice Machine, You Need This Ice-Making Bucket

When guests come over and ask for a glass of water, are you one of those people without an ice machine who gives them straight tap? If so, start being a real adult with this ice bucket. I've had mine for more than a year, as the flexible silicone exterior is durable and resistant to cracks. And from my experience? It also works great as a wine chiller — now that's adulting.

Keep Losing Your Keys? Grab This Tile Mate

If you're like me and manage to lose your keys for at least a few minutes every day, this Tile will make your life oh-so much easier. Just loop it onto your keyring, then use the downloadable app to have it let out a loud RING anytime you misplace your keys. And since two come with each order, I put the second one in my wallet.

A Fire TV Stick For Bumming Off Your Friend's Netflix Account

I'm too cheap to buy a smart television, and this Fire TV stick from Amazon is way more affordable at just $40. Just pop it into any HDMI port, connect to the internet, and you'll be able to stream Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video — all using the passwords you bummed from friends. And because I can search using voice commands, I never have to tediously type everything in by clicking around on the remote.

Make Yourself Some Instagram-Worthy Meals With This Cast Iron Skillet

Cooking in a cast iron skillet doesn't just make every meal look Instagram-worthy — it's also great for getting a heavy sear on meats. So if you're ready to start cooking like an adult instead of a broke college kid, you're gonna want this cast iron skillet. It's pre-seasoned so you can cook with it right out of the box, and I like to use mine to bake chicken dishes in the oven.

These Baking Pans For Cake And Everything Else

Even though they're advertised as cake pans, I use these pans whenever I'm baking meals in the oven. They're non-stick so I don't have to worry about cookies and meats sticking to them, and unlike other pans, these ones are dishwasher-safe — if you're too lazy to scrub 'em clean like I am, that's a total game changer.

Get Rid Of Scuffs And Marks With These Magic Erasers

The other day I used these magic erasers to get rid of all the dark marks and scuffs around my home — and if I'm being honest, there were a ton of marks. But because these erasers are extra-thick, I only needed one for my entire house. Just get 'em lightly wet, then scrub away at crayon, grease, gunk, tire scuffs, or whatever else is stuck to your walls.

Every Adult Needs A Good Backpack

No matter how old you are, you need a good backpack like this one when you're traveling — gotta make the most of that free "personal item" they let you have, right? This one as a separate compartment that fits laptops up to 15.6 inches, and there are even straps on the back that let me secure it to my luggage handle when extended.

Even Couch Potatoes Can Use A Good Pair Of Compression Socks

I wear these compression socks whenever I'm hiking or flying, as they help stimulate blood flow so that my legs don't get sore. In fact these are the first things I look for whenever I'm packing for a trip, as the difference they make in my legs while traveling isn't insignificant — and since they come in 16 colors, it's easy to match them to my outfit.

Working From Home? Save Yourself Some Back Pain With This Brace

Regardless of whether I'm working at home or at the office, I still wear this back brace. My posture isn't the worst, but it still keeps my spine properly aligned so that my lower back doesn't hurt at the end of the day. And if you need even more support, there's also a detachable lumbar pad cushion to help further compress your lower back.

This Laptop Stand So You're Not Drooping Forward

Combine that back brace with this laptop stand, and by the end of the day your back will feel just as refreshed as it did when you wake up — or at least mine does. It's made from thick aluminum so you don't have to worry about it shaking as you type, and it's large enough for any laptop up to 15.6 inches.

A Set Of Soft Bed Sheets Made From Bamboo

Now that you're an adult, it's time to grab a set of bed sheets that reflect your age — like these ones. I'm a super-hot sleeper, yet these sheets help wick away moisture to keep me from getting too sweaty at night. They're made from a blend of eco-friendly bamboo and plush microfiber. Choose from colors like purple, burgundy, turquoise, and more.

A Throw Blanket For Falling Asleep On The Couch

Few things are as "adult" as passing out on the couch immediately after dinner, so make sure you fall asleep comfortably with this throw blanket. Available in two sizes, this blanket is reversible so that you have the choice of sleeping under faux sherpa, or soft, textured microfiber. Sometimes I even use it as a lazy eye mask when I want to sleep in on the weekends — for just $18, you can't go wrong.

Get Your Shoes Looking Almost-New With This Shoe Polish

I used to think shoe polish was just for fancy black dress shoes — until I tried out this polish kit. It's safe to use on all types of leather, vinyl, suede, canvas, or even cloth, and the included brush makes it easy to scrub away dark scuffs. Seriously, it's safe for any type of shoe — now there's no excuse to wear dirty kicks.

These Storage Bags That Are Reusable

Made from thick, food-grade PEVA material, these storage bags are a cost-effective alternative to wasteful plastic ziplocs. I like to use mine to sous vide food on occasion, and you can even pop them into the freezer to save meat for later. They're leakproof, waterproof, reusable, and even keep out freezer burn to help keep your ingredients fresh.

Keep Leftovers Fresh With These Airtight Tupperware Containers

Instead of powering through all the food you made, put some away for later with these tupperware containers. They're completely leakproof as well as airtight, and the built-in air vent lets you send them through the microwave while keeping the lids on. Choose from 6- 10- or 12-piece sets.

A Set Of Essential Oils To Help You Relax

Whenever I'm feeling stressed at the end of a long day, I just put a few drops of these essential oils into my diffuser, then kick back as little scented poofs of air float throughout my home. They're therapeutic-grade since they're made without any fillers, and each order comes with six: eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, orange, and tea tree.

These Cleaning Beads For Oddly-Shaped Glassware

When brushes and scrubbers won't reach every inch of my oddly-shaped glassware, I just pour these stainless steel cleaning beads inside with a little soapy water. Give your glass a few swishes to send the beads scuttling around, and they'll chip away at any dirt or grime that's gotten stuck. Got a hookah rig? These beads are must-haves.

A Professional Hair Dryer That Helps Reduce Frizz

Safe for all types of hair, this hair dryer is the best model I've ever used at home. The ceramic technology helps reduce frizz and static by distributing heat evenly, and it's so powerful that my hair is dry in half the time it takes with a regular drug store dryer. And unlike non-professional dryers, this one has three heats, as well as three air speeds to choose from.

A Self-Watering Planter So You Have 1 Less Thing To Remember

I'm not gonna say I actively kill my indoor plants, but ever since I got these self-watering planters they've been doing much, much better. The reservoir in the bottom of each is large enough for up to 2 weeks' worth of water, and the exterior is fade-resistant so you won't have to worry about sun damage. Grab them in white, teal, purple, terracota, or gray.

These Reusable Grocery Bags That Are Insulated

I like these grocery bags not just because they're reusable, but because they're also insulated so that cold items like ice cream stay frosty. The handles are reinforced so that I never worry about them tearing, and they collapse down flat when I'm done using them. But what sets them apart from the rest? Many reviewers wrote about how they're easy to carry — no matter how much is inside.

This Little Tool That Helps Improve The Flavor Of Your Wine

I'm not gonna pretend this aerator turns $2 chuck into a rare vintage, but does it up the flavor of my Kirkland sauvignon blanc? You betcha. The rubber stopper is tapered to create a leakproof seal, and it's super easy to use — just pop it into the top of your bottle, then pour your reds and whites as you normally would. The wine will aerate as it passes through, and the spout is designed to prevent drips.

Stop Wasting Money With These Reusable Mop Pads

Swiffer pads are so overpriced, whereas these reusable ones are just $12 for two. They latch onto dirt and grime just as effectively as regular pads, and whenever I wash them I can tell they're durable since they come out of the dryer without any damage. And because the velcro straps are adjustable, you can easily tighten them to fit all types of duster mops.