You're wasting money if you're making any of these 40 common mistakes around your home

Most people know to clean the lint trap between loads — but lint accumulates all along your dryer vent, which minimizes the efficiency of your machine and could start a fire. This dryer vent cleaning kit comes with a flexible hose that attaches to your vacuum and a guide wire that helps you control the head of the hose. “My dryer dries so much faster and better now,” one reviewer said.

Your closet may seem like a relatively protected space, but expensive clothing is still susceptible to dust, mildew, odors, and insect damage. These hanging garment bags protect dresses, suits, cashmere sweaters, and more with their dust- and water-resistant PEVA construction. They also have stainless steel zippers and small hanger openings for convenience.

• Available sizes: 32” — 65”
• Available styles: 2

Since soaps, shampoos, lotions, and kitchen condiments often pool at the bottom, if you store them upside-down, you can get several more uses out of them. The Flip-It! kit comes with two valve caps with tripod-like legs, so you can store bottles upside-down. It also comes with adapters and gaskets for a leak-proof seal on most bottles.

For bottles as well as jars and tubs, these Spatty Daddy spatulas come in a set of two sizes: 6 inches and 12 inches. The long handles help you reach the food or product stuck to the sides and bottoms of containers, while the small rubber spatula fits effortlessly in corners and through small openings.

Sofas, sweaters, leggings sheets, and winter coats all have one thing in common: They naturally pill with use. Instead of replacing them, countless buyers have revived them with this battery-operated fabric shaver, which has an overall 4.5-star rating after more than 124,000 Amazon reviews. Its stainless steel blades remove lint and pilling without damaging the item, “making them look like new again,” one wrote.

• Available sizes: Standard — Large
• Available styles: 4

Even when your windows are securely closed, plenty of hot or cold air is likely escaping through the glass. These blackout curtains don’t just block up to 99% of light to create a dark, private environment; they also help to insulate your home with thick, thermal fabric, which stops energy from escaping and lowers your utility bill.

• Available sizes: 29 in x 40 in — 55 in x 120 in
• Available styles: 39

Some occasions call for the fancy, expensive stemware, but most occasions aren’t worth the risk. These Amazon Basics stemless wine glasses are made from shatterproof Tritan plastic, so you can drop them, clink them, bring them out to the pool, or wash them in the dishwasher without consequence. Even though they’re plastic, they’re BPA-free and totally clear.

• Available sizes: 14 Oz — 20 Oz
• Available styles: 2

Maybe your favorite armchair has seen better days, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw it out. This support board breathes new life into saggy cushions in mere seconds. It’s made from dense wooden pallets and covered in Oxford fabric for durability and slip-resistant texture. It also comes in larger sizes for sofas.

• Available sizes: Armchair — Sofa

Wood floors may look gorgeous, but they’re susceptible to scratching and gouges — especially once you throw furniture into the mix. These chair leg protectors have a durable felt bottom that glides over hard surfaces and a stretchy silicone design that fits most shapes and sizes of chair legs. Get them in several sizes and colors to suit your furniture.

• Available sizes: X-Small — X-Large
• Available styles: 16

It’s easy to budget for food when you’re full and relaxed — but once you’re hungry and in a rush, all bets are off. These glass food containers help you meal prep, so you can bring lunch to work and grab cheap, healthy meals from the fridge in less time than ordering out. Each one has built-in compartments to keep ingredients separate and is made from microwave- and oven-safe glass.

When I freeze sauces and soups in giant containers, I avoid using them because I don’t want to defrost the entire thing. Souper Cubes have completely changed the way I meal prep and eat leftovers. Since the separate compartments hold up to 1 cup each and the silicone construction makes them easy to pop out, defrosting and using a single serving has never been easier.

• Available styles: 4

It’s tempting to buy pre-chopped fruit and vegetables — especially if you hate food prep. That said, you’re paying significantly more for the work. Luckily, this best-selling vegetable chopper gets the job done quickly and easily. Its interchangeable blades help you chop, slice, dice, spiral, peel, and grate all kinds of foods, and the ingredients end up in the BPA-free measuring container for effortless transferring or storing.

• Available sizes: 2 in 1 — 11 in 1
• Available styles: 3

If you’re looking to save money and get a closer shave, consider switching to a metal safety razor. For one, high-quality safety razor replacements can cost less than $10 for a pack of 100. For another, this reusable Bambaw double-edge safety razor is prevents ingrown hairs and results in the “closest shave” reviewers have “ever had.”

• Available styles: 13

Single-use mop pads may be convenient, but they’re also expensive and wasteful. These reusable refills are compatible with most Swiffer mops. They’re also made from microfiber, which clings to dirt and dust, absorbs moisture, and shines floors — all while remaining machine-washable, so you can use the same one over and over again.

Most people use a phone case, but given that damaged screens are the most common type of phone damage, a screen protector is a cheap and practical investment. These are made from tempered glass to offer 110-pound impact resistance while remaining clear and fingerprint-resistant. They come in various designs to fit several types of iPhone 13 and 14, and they have a speaker shield to keep dust out of the audio system.

• Available styles: 4

We’ve all bought produce with good intentions only to find that it’s wrinkly and wilted a few days later. These washable crisper liners are designed to extend the life of your fruits and vegetables by absorbing moisture and allowing air to better circulate throughout the produce drawer. Each one measures 12 by 15 inches, but you can trim them to size for a custom-like fit.

For those who love cooking with fresh herbs, but can never seem to use the whole bundle before it wilts, this Good Grips herb keeper is an easy way to keep ingredients fresher for longer. The basket design promotes airflow while the water at the bottom minimizes wilting. It stores neatly on refrigerator doors and works well for basil, sage, rosemary, parsley, thyme, mint, and more.

When organizing your pantry or food-storage cabinet, organization experts recommend that you switch to clear containers. These airtight food storage organizers not only keep ingredients fresher for longer, but they allow you to buy in bulk and see what you have at a glance, so you can stop purchasing replacements you don’t need. This set of seven is BPA-free and comes with free chalkboard labels and a marker.

• Available styles: 4

According to experts, bras should be hand-washed to extend their lifespan as long as possible — but since most people toss them in the machine with the rest of their laundry, these zippered lingerie bags are the next best thing. Their structured frames prevent cups from getting crushed, while the mesh exterior allows soap and water to pass through without pulling or snagging on other items.

• Available styles: 5

No matter how low the setting, the heat and friction from dryers can damage delicate materials like lace, silk, and elastics. This drying rack is easy to install on the wall or over a door. When it’s not in use, it lays flat against the base — but when it’s time to air-dry your delicates, the bars fold out 20 degrees to offer plenty of hanging room.

If you’re looking to save energy (and money on your utilities bill), switching to smart electronics is an easy way to do so. This Amazon Basics smart power strip has three outlets and two USB ports, all of which are surge-protected and can be individually controlled or grouped with Alexa or the hub-free app. That way, you can set devices to automatic timers, switch them on and off with your voice, or control them once you’ve left the house.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to bring your delicate fabrics to the dry cleaner between every use. The Laundress wool wash shampoo uses a double-concentrated formula with bio-based ingredients and a woodsy cedar scent to effectively but gently clean wool, cashmere, mohair, and delicate blends in the machine or by hand. “Softest sweaters ever,” one reviewer said. “You will never want to have them cleaned again.”

Your body temperature dips while you sleep, but when you reach for the thermostat to offset the chill, you’re probably heating several rooms at once — not just your bedroom. A heated blanket is an energy-efficient way to keep you warm and cozy, especially since this one costs $0.02 cents an hour to run and has a programmable auto-off timer.

• Available styles: 2

Sheets may help protect your mattress somewhat, but moisture, sweat, dust mites, and bacteria still seep through. A good mattress protector is waterproof to guard against stains, odors, and allergens, yet quiet and breathable. This one is made from polyester with stretchable pockets and has earned an overall 4.6-star rating and more than 270,000 reviews.

• Available sizes: Twin — California King
• Available styles: 2

Maybe your mattress has begun to sag, or maybe you never loved it in the first place. Rather than buying an entirely new mattress, you can transform your old one with a mattress topper. This one is made from gel-infused memory foam for soft, cooling support, and it comes in three thickness options: 2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch. “It's like having a new bed for a low cost,” one reviewer said.

• Available sizes: Twin — California King
• Available styles: 3

These drain snakes have been an absolute lifesaver (and money-saver) for me when my sink or tub gets clogged. Instead of calling a plumber, I slip the barbed plastic down the drain, rotate it around in a circle, and pull it up to remove the hair and gunk. You can also wipe them clean and reuse them if you want.

If your current system isn’t working for you, don’t give up on budgeting entirely. This Clever Fox cash envelope system is a great option for visual people. Dedicate an envelope to each shopping category and fill it with allocated spending money, so you can see exactly how much you have left to spend for the month. The envelopes are durable and waterproof, and the set comes with budget sheets, yearly summaries, and a carrying case. One reviewer called it “the best budgeting tool,” while another said it’s “the only thing I have that helps me save money.”

• Available styles: 3

No time to sip your morning brew at home? This stainless steel coffee mug makes it significantly easier to take your homemade coffee on the go. It’s made from shatterproof, insulated metal, which is durable enough for the road and keeps your drink hotter for longer. It also comes with a spill-resistant lid with a rotating dial to prevent splatters.

• Available styles: 13

If your daily cup of cold brew costs $4, you’re spending over $1,000 a year on coffee — and that’s only on the weekdays. This Coffee Gator cold brew coffee maker has stellar ratings because it’s “easy to use,” “easy to clean,” and “makes delicious cold brew coffee” overnight. The temperature-resistant Borosilicate glass pitcher has a fine mesh filter that traps sediment, and the whole thing fits compactly in your fridge.

When you go to the grocery store without a list, you may buy things you don’t need and forget things you do. This grocery list pad lives on your fridge thanks to its magnetic backing, so you can write down ingredients as you run out of them — and other people in your home can add to it, too. Tear off the perforated pages one at a time to ensure you don’t forget anything.

Many grocery stores now charge you for bags — which is great for the environment, but not for your wallet. These reviewer-favorite reusable grocery bags are almost like bins with handles. They have stiff walls, a structured bottom, and a roomy interior to hold up to 65 pounds each. However, they still collapse down flat when not in use to save space.

• Available styles: 4

Unless you’ve replaced your windows and doors recently, your home probably isn’t as energy-efficient as it could be. Fortunately, these foam insulating strips are an easy way to retain the temperature inside your home, so you spend less on heating and air conditioning. Since they’re flexible, trimmable, and have a self-adhesive backing, they’re also “easy to install,” according to a reviewer.

• Available sizes: 1 x 1 inch — 2 x 1 inch

If you often feel a draft seeping in from underneath your door, this insulating door sweep can help. Using three layers of thick silicone, it blocks out wind, temperature changes, and even sound. Thanks to its self-adhesive backing and trimmable design, it’s easy to install on doors of all sizes and varying materials, including wood, glass, plastic, and metal.

• Available styles: 4

Dryer sheets aren’t just expensive — they may also be packed with synthetic chemicals that irritate sensitive skin. These dryer balls are made from genuine wool, and you can reuse them for up to five years. Even though they’re toxin- and fragrance-free, they soften laundry, reduce wrinkles, minimize static, and even shorten drying time to save energy.

• Available styles: 2

Whether there’s an infestation in your pantry or in your clothing closet, moths can cause a lot of damage. These moth traps use pheromones to attract them and a glue design to trap them, so you can safely and affordably protect your stuff. “Easy to set up and WORKS GREAT! I was amazed at how fast and efficient they were,” one reviewer said.

“Even when I go and get a pedicure, the technician can never get my feet totally smooth and soft,” one reviewer said — but this foot peel mask resulted in the “best pedicure” they “ever had.” After wearing the formula-filled booties for an hour, throw them out and rinse your feet. Over the next few weeks, the dead, callused skin will peel off in sheets, revealing smooth, soft skin underneath.

• Available sizes: Regular — Large
• Available styles: 10

Per its name, this untippable nail polish holder prevents nail polish spills with its suction-cup base and bottle-gripping design so you can perfect your at-home manicure. It also has an adjustable hinge, so you can access your polish at the most comfortable angle.

• Available styles: 6

Most homes don’t have enough closet storage, which means people end up stashing their bulky bedding and seasonal clothing in basements, attics, and garages. These reusable space-saver bags have a vacuum-compatible valve that removes air from your items, which can make them up to 80% more compact to boot. If you still have to store them in damp, dusty environments, the durable plastic is protective and puncture-resistant.

• Available sizes: Small — Jumbo

Odds are, you spent a lot of money on your outdoor furniture, and exposing it to the elements when it’s not in use significantly lessens its lifespan. These patio chair covers are made from waterproof, UV-coated, tear-resistant polyester with air vents to reduce wind effects and condensation, so they protect your furniture in all weather conditions. They fit chairs as large as 35 inches long and 32 inches wide.

If you’re spending tons of money on spa treatments, shower serum can upgrade every shower into an everything shower. Its water-activated formula offers full-body hydration using ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil. Plus, it smells amazing, according to buyers. “After [two] uses my skin was so soft and hydrated!” one reviewer said. “It absorbs well into the skin and is not too oily.”

• Available styles: 4