🕵️‍♀️
Cathleen's Discoveries
Useful Things
🛠️

Useful Things

👉
Before you acquire more objects, consider going through the 💁🏻‍♀️KonMari process. It will help you get in touch with what really makes you happy and adds value to your life (and should prevent buying things just to buy things).

Note: this might belong in 🏙️Living Life Well, but it’s the source of a lot of this content, so I’m adding it here:

There’s an important principle to follow that allows you to make more discoveries relevant to your own life: assume that a solution exists to the problem/inconvenience/annoyance (or wish) you’re having, and go look for it.

Google, ChatGPT, Amazon, Reddit, etc.

You can mute your microwave, you can schedule gmail to send an email at 9am on Monday instead of 11pm Saturday when you draft it (and there’s a setting to enable an “undo send” for those of you too quick on the draw), there are mugs that keep your beverage at the perfect temperature, and a service for efficient and affordable virtual medical checks; even a number of things on my 🧞Wish List of Innovations are slowly being created.

Household

Kitchen • Bedroom • Bathroom • Office • Clothing • Car • Cleaning • Camping • Kids/Babies • Lighting • Pets • Misc

Kitchen

✨

Space age can openerSpace age can opener
⚙️
Space age can opener

Coconut cream? This literally allows you to lick the can clean — it's hard for me to understand why there isn't more hype.

Foaming dish soapFoaming dish soap
🛁
Foaming dish soap

Lets you easily wash a single dish — no excuses from your roommates/housemates.

Magnetic double-ended measuring spoonsMagnetic double-ended measuring spoons
🧲
Magnetic double-ended measuring spoons

Double-ended for dry and wet, magnets keep them together in the drawer.

Garlic pressGarlic press
🗜️
Garlic press

So easy to crush; so easy to clean.

Egg cookerEgg cooker
🥚
Egg cooker

The main thing preventing you from eating soft-boiled eggs out of fancy cups every morning.

Electric kettleElectric kettle
🍵
Electric kettle

Makes so many things quicker and easier.

Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)
🔊
Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)

Probably worth getting a separate one for each space — waterproof for the kitchen and shower, optimizing for speech clarity where you listen to podcasts and base where you don't :P

Thermal mugsThermal mugs
☕
Thermal mugs

I literally don't use regular cups at all anymore — a thermal mug keeps milk icy cold, beer frosty, and tea or coffee toasty warm. The general idea: keep your beverage at the perfect temperature longer.

Bounty select-a-size paper towelsBounty select-a-size paper towels
🧽
Bounty select-a-size paper towels

So strong, you can use (and rinse) them as a sponge to clean your whole kitchen while avoiding the negatives of an actual sponge.

Advice: Consider adopting a bin of composting worms to live under your sink.Advice: Consider adopting a bin of composting worms to live under your sink.
🎣
Advice: Consider adopting a bin of composting worms to live under your sink.

Somewhere between a plant and a pet.

Advice: Break the vacuum seal on jars to make them easier to openAdvice: Break the vacuum seal on jars to make them easier to open
🤔
Advice: Break the vacuum seal on jars to make them easier to open

Brute strength isn’t needed.

Classic, jumbo, & stacking ceramic mugs (though thermal is better!)Classic, jumbo, & stacking ceramic mugs (though thermal is better!)
☕
Classic, jumbo, & stacking ceramic mugs (though thermal is better!)

Mugs are surprisingly personal.

The best tupperwareThe best tupperware
🥡
The best tupperware

(not actually pictured here)

Instant Pot (for Rice & Bone Broth)Instant Pot (for Rice & Bone Broth)
🍚
Instant Pot (for Rice & Bone Broth)

Bonus: you can plug it in anywhere, so you can keep cooking smells entirely out of the house if you want.

The Best Ceramic Cooktop CleanerThe Best Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner
🎛️
The Best Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner

My family swears by Cerama Bryte

Advice: Open a window whenever you use a gas stoveAdvice: Open a window whenever you use a gas stove
🤔
Advice: Open a window whenever you use a gas stove

Indoor air pollution isn't really regulated

Manual coffee bean grinder (& the rest of my hot drink tips)Manual coffee bean grinder (& the rest of my hot drink tips)
☕
Manual coffee bean grinder (& the rest of my hot drink tips)

So easy, so quiet, so satisfying, so transportable

Kitchen ScissorsKitchen Scissors
✂️
Kitchen Scissors

It’s crazy how much I use them

Advice: Get a lot of the things you useAdvice: Get a lot of the things you use
🤔
Advice: Get a lot of the things you use
Perfectly nonstick pansPerfectly nonstick pans
🍳
Perfectly nonstick pans

But still worth treating gently.

Garbage disposal blockerGarbage disposal blocker
🥄
Garbage disposal blocker

No more knicked silverware.

Advice: upgrade your kitchen faucetAdvice: upgrade your kitchen faucet
🤔
Advice: upgrade your kitchen faucet

(And think about other everyday tools that could serve you better)

Double your accessible shelf space with a lazy susanDouble your accessible shelf space with a lazy susan
☣️
Double your accessible shelf space with a lazy susan

(terrible name, brilliant tool)

Pull-out kitchen shelvingPull-out kitchen shelving
📥
Pull-out kitchen shelving

Stop relegating items to forgotten dark corners.

The best step-stool (that’s also great for gardening)The best step-stool (that’s also great for gardening)
🪜
The best step-stool (that’s also great for gardening)

But three step step-stools are also great.

Beautiful+practical spice storageBeautiful+practical spice storage
🧂
Beautiful+practical spice storage

Like a magical honeycomb

Advice: Learn to use a honing steel Advice: Learn to use a honing steel
🔪
Advice: Learn to use a honing steel

Dull knives are dangerous knives.

The best microwave cover is a pigThe best microwave cover is a pig
🐷
The best microwave cover is a pig

Another domain where the Japanese are crushing it.

Advice: don’t remove the protective seal—cut an opening 🔪Advice: don’t remove the protective seal—cut an opening 🔪
🤔
Advice: don’t remove the protective seal—cut an opening 🔪

Bedroom

✨

Tiny personal heaterTiny personal heater
♨️
Tiny personal heater

Guilt-free soothing. 😌 

Massage barsMassage bars
🧖‍♀️
Massage bars

Skip the mess.

Softest throw blanket (that’s also big enough!)Softest throw blanket (that’s also big enough!)
🐨
Softest throw blanket (that’s also big enough!)
Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)
🔊
Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)

Probably worth getting a separate one for each space — waterproof for the kitchen and shower, optimizing for speech clarity where you listen to podcasts and base where you don't :P

Advice: Get a duvet that's one size too smallAdvice: Get a duvet that's one size too small
🤔
Advice: Get a duvet that's one size too small

The overhang is useless.

Advice: innovation for couples sharing a bedAdvice: innovation for couples sharing a bed
🤔
Advice: innovation for couples sharing a bed

Stop worrying about the edge.

Gooseneck Tablet/Phone HolderGooseneck Tablet/Phone Holder
🤳
Gooseneck Tablet/Phone Holder

Like having an extra tentacle that never fatigues. 🐙 

Advice: use a hairdryer under the covers to warm upAdvice: use a hairdryer under the covers to warm up
🤔
Advice: use a hairdryer under the covers to warm up

Just be careful!

Bathroom

✨

OXO hair drain coverOXO hair drain cover
💁‍♀️
OXO hair drain cover

Better to catch it at the source.

Rainbow motion-activated toilet nightlightRainbow motion-activated toilet nightlight
🚽
Rainbow motion-activated toilet nightlight

A delightful marriage of whimsy and utility.

Scrubby shower mittScrubby shower mitt
🦔
Scrubby shower mitt
Foaming hand soapFoaming hand soap
🧼
Foaming hand soap

The lather does the work!

Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)
🔊
Bluetooth Speaker (for music and podcasts/audiobooks)

Probably worth getting a separate one for each space — waterproof for the kitchen and shower, optimizing for speech clarity where you listen to podcasts and base where you don't :P

Advice: minimize navigation between bedroom and bathroomAdvice: minimize navigation between bedroom and bathroom
🤔
Advice: minimize navigation between bedroom and bathroom
Squatty PottySquatty Potty
🚽
Squatty Potty
Advice: buy different colored towelsAdvice: buy different colored towels
🤔
Advice: buy different colored towels

Office

✨

Laptop stand + keyboard + trackpad OR external monitorLaptop stand + keyboard + trackpad OR external monitor
👩‍💻
Laptop stand + keyboard + trackpad OR external monitor
Sit-stand deskSit-stand desk
🕴️
Sit-stand desk
Quality scissorsQuality scissors
✂️
Quality scissors
Portable Digital TypewriterPortable Digital Typewriter
💻
Portable Digital Typewriter
Gooseneck Tablet/Phone HolderGooseneck Tablet/Phone Holder
🤳
Gooseneck Tablet/Phone Holder
Tiny cell phone standTiny cell phone stand
🤳
Tiny cell phone stand
Velcro cord tiesVelcro cord ties
🔌
Velcro cord ties
My Favorite Weekly PlannerMy Favorite Weekly Planner
🗓️
My Favorite Weekly Planner

Clothing

✨

Rain boots Rain boots
☔
Rain boots

Bonus for decreasing the friction to going outside during inclement weather. In Scandinavia there's a saying "there's no bad weather, only bad clothing."

Modal lounge pants with a foldover topModal lounge pants with a foldover top
🧸
Modal lounge pants with a foldover top

So comfortable, you'll want to put them on when it's time to wind down from the day.

Advice: If you're thin with long arms, look for shirts with thumb holesAdvice: If you're thin with long arms, look for shirts with thumb holes
🤔
Advice: If you're thin with long arms, look for shirts with thumb holes

(I secretly also enjoy them for their intended purpose + coziness)

Advice: in the winter, wear loose wool socks that slip over your everyday socksAdvice: in the winter, wear loose wool socks that slip over your everyday socks
🤔
Advice: in the winter, wear loose wool socks that slip over your everyday socks

(I'm sensitive to the itch and also don’t want to own a dozen pairs of wool socks)

Advice: Have all your socks be the sameAdvice: Have all your socks be the same
🤔
Advice: Have all your socks be the same

I hadn't realized that matching my socks every time I did laundry was something I disliked so much. And I also really like the simplicity in the drawer and in my routine.

Socks that don't leave marks on your ankles/calvesSocks that don't leave marks on your ankles/calves
👣
Socks that don't leave marks on your ankles/calves

Turns out everyone's just been tolerating uncomfortable socks!

Space-age ear warmersSpace-age ear warmers
👂
Space-age ear warmers

Ear muffs, but without the band

Best Slippers (for lounging & travel)Best Slippers (for lounging & travel)
👟
Best Slippers (for lounging & travel)

Car

✨

Advice: Treat your car like your trusty steedAdvice: Treat your car like your trusty steed
🤔
Advice: Treat your car like your trusty steed
Advice: Carry a few essentials in the car all the timeAdvice: Carry a few essentials in the car all the time
🤔
Advice: Carry a few essentials in the car all the time
Luci solar lightLuci solar light
💡
Luci solar light
Advice: Car bin for longer tripsAdvice: Car bin for longer trips
🤔
Advice: Car bin for longer trips

Cleaning

✨

Clothing Drying RackClothing Drying Rack
👕
Clothing Drying Rack
Stacking laundry basketsStacking laundry baskets
🧺
Stacking laundry baskets
Bar of soap for stainsBar of soap for stains
🧼
Bar of soap for stains
Dryer sheet for soap scumDryer sheet for soap scum
🚿
Dryer sheet for soap scum
Advice: Clean as you goAdvice: Clean as you go
🤔
Advice: Clean as you go
Advice: Having trouble keeping your space tidy?Advice: Having trouble keeping your space tidy?
🤔
Advice: Having trouble keeping your space tidy?
Bounty select-a-size paper towelsBounty select-a-size paper towels
🧽
Bounty select-a-size paper towels
Advice: Let the Dryer Do Your DustingAdvice: Let the Dryer Do Your Dusting
🤔
Advice: Let the Dryer Do Your Dusting
The Best Ceramic Cooktop CleanerThe Best Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner
🎛️
The Best Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner
Advice: the best way to wash windowsAdvice: the best way to wash windows
🤔
Advice: the best way to wash windows
Foaming dish soapFoaming dish soap
🛁
Foaming dish soap

Camping/Forts/Guests

✨

Tent fly over an area rug = perfect fortTent fly over an area rug = perfect fort
⛺
Tent fly over an area rug = perfect fort
Luci solar lightLuci solar light
💡
Luci solar light
Thermal mugsThermal mugs
☕
Thermal mugs
Tick bite avoidance & tick removalTick bite avoidance & tick removal
🕷️
Tick bite avoidance & tick removal
Mosquito shirtMosquito shirt
🦟
Mosquito shirt
Mosquito bite relief: a tiny heaterMosquito bite relief: a tiny heater
♨️
Mosquito bite relief: a tiny heater
The Best Sunscreen (for people who hate sunscreen)The Best Sunscreen (for people who hate sunscreen)
😎
The Best Sunscreen (for people who hate sunscreen)

See also 🏕️Camping in the 🧶Hobbies section.

Kids/Babies

✨

Mr. Roger's NeighborhoodMr. Roger's Neighborhood
🤗
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
Raffi’s songs for kidsRaffi’s songs for kids
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Raffi’s songs for kids
Pocket microscope & binocularsPocket microscope & binoculars
🔬
Pocket microscope & binoculars
Cat & Jack cute clothesCat & Jack cute clothes
🚸
Cat & Jack cute clothes
Magical snack holder that doesn’t get dumped out everywhereMagical snack holder that doesn’t get dumped out everywhere
🍱
Magical snack holder that doesn’t get dumped out everywhere
Mirror for seeing a baby in a rear-facing carseatMirror for seeing a baby in a rear-facing carseat
👶
Mirror for seeing a baby in a rear-facing carseat
Space-age sippy cupSpace-age sippy cup
🥤
Space-age sippy cup
Tent fly over an area rug = perfect fortTent fly over an area rug = perfect fort
⛺
Tent fly over an area rug = perfect fort
Books for Young ReadersBooks for Young Readers
📚
Books for Young Readers
Garbage disposal blockerGarbage disposal blocker
🥄
Garbage disposal blocker

Lighting

Lighting makes such a difference in how you feel in your space. It's really hard to notice unless you run experiments, so maybe just take my word for it and start optimizing? (see also: 🏠Property Management & Maintenance - 💡 Electrical/Lighting)

✨

Bluetooth(?) wall switchesBluetooth(?) wall switches
📡
Bluetooth(?) wall switches
Programmable lightingProgrammable lighting
💡
Programmable lighting
Advice: drape a shirt over your lamp in the eveningAdvice: drape a shirt over your lamp in the evening
🤔
Advice: drape a shirt over your lamp in the evening
Foot-controlled dimmerFoot-controlled dimmer
🛋️
Foot-controlled dimmer
Luci solar lightLuci solar light
💡
Luci solar light

See also my tips for 🛌Ways to help you get sleepy & stay asleep

Pets

✨

Silent(!) dog squeaky toysSilent(!) dog squeaky toys
🔇
Silent(!) dog squeaky toys
Kongs for dog food and snacksKongs for dog food and snacks
🐶
Kongs for dog food and snacks
Portable dog water bottlePortable dog water bottle
🚰
Portable dog water bottle
Advice: Housebreaking an adult dogAdvice: Housebreaking an adult dog
🤔
Advice: Housebreaking an adult dog
Best absorbent mat (for rodents?)Best absorbent mat (for rodents?)
🐭
Best absorbent mat (for rodents?)

Misc: Backyard/Porch/Patio/Storage

✨

Magnetic screen doorMagnetic screen door
🥅
Magnetic screen door
Plastic binsPlastic bins
🏠
Plastic bins
Hot TubsHot Tubs
🛀
Hot Tubs
Winter tipsWinter tips
🤔
Winter tips
Security for property without WiFi (or for places out of range) Security for property without WiFi (or for places out of range)
🔐
Security for property without WiFi (or for places out of range)
Kindle Paperwhite (reading)Kindle Paperwhite (reading)
📚
Kindle Paperwhite (reading)
The best drip irrigation tool is a mug
☕
The best drip irrigation tool is a mug
Advice: removing wristbandsAdvice: removing wristbands
🤔
Advice: removing wristbands

See Also: 🗃️Useful Services and 🥧Food & Entertaining and 🛒Shopping List of Things I Recommend by Vendor and 🧶Hobbies (which has resources for 🧩Puzzles, 🎶Singing, 🎞️Capturing moments, 📚Kindle Paperwhite (reading), 👩‍🎨Learning to draw (again?) 👩‍🌾Gardening, 🔬Pocket microscope & binoculars, ❄️Winter crafts/decorations, 🕺Wii Just Dance (like competitive dance karaoke) and 🕺Dance Fitness)