A $5 microfiber duster from a discount store has replaced a $30 Swiffer for one shopper, and she has not stopped there. She also reveals three buys she regrets, including a Martha Stewart utensil set she calls a waste of money.
The finds come from a countdown of 15 Dollarama items by @craveyourhome, who opens with a warning to hold off on more kitchen gadgets and organizers. Her promise is that the finds make cooking, prepping and organizing easier and cost less than a morning coffee.
Number seven on her list is the one that replaced her $30 Swiffer, and her number one, she teases, “came from the paint aisle.”
A $5 Discount-Store Duster Reaches 3 Feet And Washes In The Machine
This microfiber duster extends to 3 feet, which makes it perfect for the tops of cabinets, behind the TV and around light fixtures. The real game-changer, she says, is that the microfiber head is machine washable.
That means no more buying disposable Swiffer refills, which can quickly add up. You just wash it, reuse it and save money.
The Paint Scraper That Beat Every Cleaner On Her Glass Stovetop
Her number one find is not even from the kitchen aisle. It is a paint scraper, and she says it has been a total game changer for removing stubborn burnt-on messes from her glass top stove.
It does not scratch the glass, she says, and the burnt-on spots “come right off.” Her conclusion is that some of the best kitchen hacks do not have to cost a fortune or even come from the kitchen aisle.
“I’m So Sorry, Martha,” She Says Of A Utensil Set She Calls A Flop
She calls her first fail the three-piece utensil set from Martha Stewart. The peeler is really flimsy, she says, and she does not even use the other two pieces.
“It really was a waste of money. I’m so sorry, Martha, but this one was a flop.” She also says Betty Crocker utensils did not hold up for her. They fall apart, and liquid gets stuck in the handle and leaks out while she is cooking.
A Sweeping Gadget Loses Its Handle, And Some Cabinet Baskets Will Not Fit
Her second regret sounds great in theory, with no more bending down to sweep up messes. The trouble is that the handle keeps falling off, and if you are constantly bending down to fix it, she asks, “doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose?”
Her third regret is a set of cabinet storage baskets. If your cabinet is flush with flush shelving, there is no space for them, and if they do fit on the door, the door will not close. She likes sturdy wire racks instead for cutting boards, pans and pot lids, or for vertical space to hold mugs and dishes.
A Mini Vacuum And A Mini Broom Handle The Little Messes
She was skeptical that a small USB-charged mini vacuum would have enough suction, but it surprised her. She loves it for crumbs inside her utensil organizer, drawers, tight spaces and the car, and she bought a second one to keep in the car.
It is not going to replace a Dyson, she says, but for quick cleanups it gets the job done. A mini broom and dustpan hangs on a Command hook inside a cabinet door, out of sight but within reach.
Magnetic Spoons, A Citrus Juicer And Knives She Says Beat The Name Brands
Magnetic measuring spoons from Betty Crocker replaced her plastic spoons on a ring, which were awkward to fit into a jar. The spoons have two different ends and click together for easy storage.
A handheld citrus juicer keeps all the seeds and pulp inside so only the juice comes out. She says the paring knives from the dollar store are the best she has ever used, even though the family owns expensive Paderno and other brand-name knives, because these are the ones that go in and out of the dishwasher while everything else stays in the drawer.
Lunch Box Fixes For Kids Who Lose Their Silverware
A stainless steel travel set with a fork, knife and spoon is dishwasher safe, reusable and a good alternative to disposable plastic cutlery. Best of all, her good silverware can finally stay where it belongs, in the kitchen.
A sandwich container shaped like a slice of bread has a built-in ice pack, so the sandwich does not get squished or soggy. Just pop the ice pack in the freezer and go.
Turntables, Fridge Bins And Bamboo Dispensers Organize The Rest
A kitchen turntable spins everything within reach, and she uses hers under the sink for spices, condiments and even water bottles. Clear baskets in the fridge drawers hold citrus, avocados and vegetables so kids can grab snacks easily.
Bamboo dispensers for foil, plastic wrap and sandwich bags tidy up a messy drawer. If they slide around, she says, a few dots of hot glue or glue dots on the bottom add grip.
How To Shop A Dollar Store Without Wasting A Dollar
Her three fails show the rule. Measure your cabinets before buying organizers, and handle a gadget in the store when you can, since a loose handle or flimsy peeler is easy to spot.
Look for items that replace a recurring expense, like her washable duster that ends the Swiffer refills. And remember that, as her haul shows, sometimes the best tool for the job is in the paint aisle.
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