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From the kitchen to the laundry room, 5 home upgrades you didn’t know you needed — from $8

We love these genius solutions for around the house.

The day-to-day is busy enough — which is why we rejoice when we find products that promise to make our lives even just a little bit easier.

If you do the same, consider your search for solutions finally over! Shop TODAY contributor Jenn Falik stopped by the studio to share a few home essentials that just might make things around the house a little simpler.

From a game-changing outlet extender to a travel-friendly iron that weighs less than a pound, keep reading to shop all of Falik's favorite home hacks, plus even more picks our editors are loving right now.

Seen on TODAY | Previously seen on TODAY | More Amazon home essentials

Amazon home essentials seen on TODAY

Newbealer Travel Iron

Ever go on a trip and open your suitcase to find your clothes all wrinkly? If so, Falik says this small-but-mighty portable travel iron is for you. With over 300 watts of power, the brand says this iron can get the wrinkles out of almost any fabric. You can even use it abroad with an adapter, since it has a dual voltage switch. The best part? It's super compact and weighs less than a pound, so it'll take up minimal space in your luggage.

Flip-It! Bottle Emptying Kit (Set of 2)

Maximize the life of your favorite products and cut down on waste with these bottle emptying caps that help you get every last drop out. Falik says they're so easy to use — all you do is switch out the cap to your bottle, flip it over and squeeze it out. The cap comes with six adapters to accommodate different bottle sizes. You can use it on everything from kitchen condiments like ketchup and mustard to beauty products like shampoo, conditioner and soap. Plus, when you're through with a bottle, these reusable caps are dishwasher-safe. 

Food Huggers Reusable Silicone Savers (Set of 4)

Food Huggers Reusable Silicone Savers (Set of 5)

Put down the plastic wrap and tin foil! This genius, reusable solution is designed to help your cheese, butter, fruits, cans, bottles, veggies and more stay fresher for longer. Securing leftover foods with an airtight cover helps to retain flavor, while also keeping stronger smells from permeating the entire fridge. It creates smarter storage, too, allowing the food to stand upright in the fridge and take up less space. Falik says these come in a pack of four or five and in a variety of shapes to fit whatever is in your fridge.

3-Way Flat Wall Outlet Extender (Set of 3)

3-Way Flat Wall Outlet Extender (Set of 6)

It seems there are never enough outlets for the things we need to plug in — especially in an older house, apartment or dorm room where outlets can be few and far between. You can triple your outlet options in seconds, thanks to this neat gadget that swivels to allow the plug to be bent at different angles and prevent clutter. Falik says it's perfect for charging multiple devices on your desk or in those tight spaces behind furniture, thanks to its flat design. We found it on Amazon in a pack of three or six, in white, black and a bunch of other fun colors.

Body Glide Foot Glide Anti-Blister Balm

Breaking in new shoes? Falik says this product is about to be your new BFF. Simply apply the balm onto any areas of discomfort before slipping on your shoe to help prevent rubbing against the raw skin. The smart design keeps your hands clean, and it's small enough to toss in any bag to bring to a special event like a wedding or even just your day job. The brand says it's formulated with vitamin A and C to help soften dry skin and minimize inflammation and chaffing. They also say it's water-resistant, making it great for vacation!


Amazon home essentials previously on TODAY

Safer Plug-In Fly Trap

Fruit flies are a nuisance and attempting to get rid of them can be just as frustrating as their presence. Shop All Day contributor Chassie Post loves this plug-in fly trap, which features a sticky backing and UV light to attract pests and trap them. You can use it in any indoor outlet for a solution that is less of an eyesore than typical bug traps.

Broombi All-Surface Silicone Broom

If your broom pushes dirt around rather than actually sweeping it up, Post thinks you’ll appreciate the “high tech” design of this one that she found. According to the brand, the silicone blade helps generate static electricity that attracts dirt and prevents it from spreading. It can be used on hard floors to pick up spills, carpets to sweep up pet hair, on windows and glass as a squeegee and more.

Pickle Jar with Strainer

If you're a fan of pickles, eating them from the jar is likely your preferred method of snacking — but likely not the cleanest. This jar functions like an hourglass, so once flipped, it strains its contents for easy access, Post says. It can be used for everything from olives and beets to other vegetables that you'd like to marinate; plus, it's dishwasher safe.

Under Cabinet Basket Organizer

If you live in a smaller space, odds are you might be short on cabinet space, too. Post says this bestselling organizer offers double the amount of storage since it is double-tiered. It also features a sliding shelf and side hooks to help you leverage your space in a cabinet or even on top of your kitchen counter.

Magnetic Hooks (Set of 6)

If you're tight on space, Post also likes these magnetic hooks as an extra storage solution. According to the brand, they can support up to 25 pounds, so you can use it to hold everything from towels to handbags to tools. You can get a set of six for just under $6.

Tru Earth Biodegradable Laundry Detergent Sheets

Laundry detergent can be heavy to carry — and expensive. One TODAY producer uses these sheets and swears by them. The sheets have more than 17,000 ratings from shoppers who say they are great for every day and travel purposes. "Never will I buy a liquid detergent or even powders again," wrote one reviewer. "This light weight sheet gets my clothes clean, and has little to no environmental impact. I went with unscented and I am very happy."

Pants Hangers

A solution for your closet that Post loves? These pants hangers. According to the brand, this set of two can save you up to 80% more closet space. Horizontally, it can hold five pairs of pants (or skirts and scarves, but if you use them vertically, the brand says it can store 10 pairs of pants.

More Amazon home essentials

Flyisland Kitchen Caddy

This sliding tray can help you access toasters, coffee makers and other hard-to-reach appliances on your countertop. It has amassed over 3,000 ratings from shoppers, including one who says it is "So simple, yet one of the best things in have ever bought!"

Chicken Shredder

Need a quicker way to prep dinner or lunch? This tool can help you shred chicken, pork and other meats with just a few twists, according to the brand.

GripStic Bag Sealers (Set of 12)

These bag sealers are not like your average chip clip. They can help keep your favorite snacks and frozen foods fresh by sliding over the edge of whatever bag you are snacking from and feature a guide to help ensure a tight seal. "There is an immediate difference between freshness when using a normal clip to these," wrote one reviewer who called them a "must-have." "Especially good for those family bags of chips that won’t be finished in one sitting!"

Mold Remover Gel

According to the brand, this mold remover can tackle stains in your washing machine, refrigerator and more in as little as five hours. Once the gel sits, you can wipe it or wash it away — no scrubbing necessary — according to the brand.

Cord Holder

These cord organizers help keep counters clear of long cords and neatly stowed away whenever they are not in use. You can grab a set of two for just $6 right now.

Joined Cheese Grater with Storage

Another meal prep hack we're loving? This grater that catches all of the shredded ingredients for you. The base is removable, so you can dump everything out at once and not have to worry about scraps ending up on the counter.

How we chose

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.

As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.