Product Review: Hometopia Outdoor Faucet Covers

 

This is a two-pack of outdoor faucet covers, which is something that, if you are a homeowner in an area that has a harsh winter climate, is essential. I have one on the spigot on the front of my house and use the other to cover the end of a cord that connects to the battery pack for my robotic lawnmower. The battery pack itself can come inside, but the cord to the antenna stays attached to it, so I put one of these on the end to keep snow from damaging the connection end. They are very thick, and the strap to hold them closed has a velcro end to keep it secure. They keep moisture out and seem to protect extremely well. I absolutely recommend these.

Product Review: Niffgaff Home Gym Storage Rack Organizer

 

This is a small rack that can be screwed into a wall that can hold lightweight fitness equipment like loops, bands, belts, jump ropes, or the like. It comes with multiple screws: one set for wood and another for drywall (along with anchors). It is very sturdy once it is mounted. The space between the extensions is not very wide, so you would not be able to put anything like a barbell or small dumbbells in it (and it is not sturdy enough to hold anything that heavy anyway). It is small, so if you have a lot of things you want to hang, you may want to get a couple of these or look for a larger one. Ultimately, however, if you have resistance bands or loops that you want to get up off the floor or don't want to hang on some other piece of equipment (or over a doorway), this is a good, inexpensive option.

Product Review: Lauren Harold Workout Equipment Storage Stand

 

If you work out at home, chances are you have quite a bit of exercise equipment taking over your workout space. This is a very good stand that can help keep your workout area organized and clear. It is tall, with four sections: a top shelf that can hold things like yoga blocks, a back that can hold hooks that can hold small items like handles for workout bands, rubber or fabric loops, or the like, two dumbbell racks, and a bottom basket that can hold things like kettle bells, medicine balls, small weight plates, etc. It also has a basket that hangs on the side to hold things like foam rollers or rolled-up yoga mats, and a bar where you can hang bands or a towel. You can either put wheels or feet on the bottom. The wheels lock, so I think it makes more sense to put them on so you can move it more easily, if necessary.

It comes in pieces and has to be assembled. All of the parts are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It comes with an Allen Wrench/Screwdriver combination tool, but it will go much quicker (especially if you are assembling it without help) to use an electric screwdriver or drill. One person can assemble it (I was able to put it together in about an hour), but you will have to move it and reposition it quite a bit. So, if you have another person available to help assemble it, it will go much faster. There were a couple of issues that dropped this down a star for me. First, the screws that are supposed to secure the bar that connects the two sides of the side basket are not big enough to actually secure the bar. They screw into the bar itself tightly, but do not actually secure the bar to the side pieces, so you can just lift the bar off the sides even with the screws in place. It does not seem like this was a matter of a single bad screw, because I tried all three screws (you get one extra of each screw and bolt), and each had the same problem. It still works, but it is definitely a flaw. Second, some of the parts were very difficult to line up with the screw holes, and I had to use a hammer to get them in place, which made putting it together harder than it should have been. Ultimately, however, if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive storage option for workout equipment, this is a good option.

Product Review: Brame Glass Curio Cabinet with Adjustable Shelves and Interior Lighting

 

This is a very nice-looking curio cabinet that is perfect for displaying knick-knacks, glassware, or the like. It is large (about 6.5 feet tall, 3.5 feet wide, and almost 1.5 feet deep) and heavy (just under 200 lbs). It is mostly glass framed by real wood. The front side of the back wall is mirrored glass, so it will reflect anything that is in front of it. The back side of the back wall is a particleboard-like substance, but not the flimsy stuff often used for the backing of cheaper shelves. All other walls are made of standard glass, so you can easily see anything stored in the cabinet. It has a locking door that slides left and right (it slides farther to the left than to the right), and eight glass shelves that can be spaced as desired. It has lights at the top of the cabinet interior and a power cord on the back that plugs into a standard outlet. 

It comes fully assembled (aside from the glass shelves, which are taped to the bottom to keep them secure) and will require at least two people to move. I ordered it from Wayfair, and I highly recommend choosing the full-service delivery option (especially if you live alone) so they bring it into the room you want it left in and remove all the packing material (there is a lot of it). It looked to be packed extremely well and very securely. It is a great-looking piece, perfect for a formal dining room or living room. My only complaint is that the light control is a dial on the back of the cabinet, near the top of the power cord. It would be more convenient to have a switch on the side, which is an extremely minor point. Ultimately, if you are in the market for a curio cabinet, this is an excellent option.

Product Review: Amazon Basics Gel Odor Eliminator (Lavendar)

 

This is a very pleasant-smelling odor-eliminating gel. I have it in my kitchen, which is also open to my living room, and it keeps both rooms smelling nice without being overpowering. If you have it in a smaller space, such as in a locker or a closet, the smell will definitely be more potent. Ultimately, it is worth the price and lasts longer than many other air-freshening products.

Product Review: KURUI 60Pcs Double Headed Nails

 

This is a 60-piece set of double-headed nails for hanging small frames. They are perfect for hanging small wall art, such as something you would hang in a bathroom or going up a staircase. Basically, they are strong enough that two of them will safely support a frame that is around 8.5"x11" or smaller. They are not strong enough to hold a larger frame like 28x40, 30x40, or the like. They just leave a regular nail hole in the wall, which is perfect if you do not want to damage your walls or have to patch large holes. Ultimately, they are a good value and work well as long as you don't overload them.

Product Review: Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener

 

This is an excellent drain opener that can be used in toilets (which will get it into the main line), garbage disposals, or bathroom sinks. I had a very clogged sink in my upstairs bathroom that other drain openers couldn't unclog, but a couple of days after pouring this down the drain, it drained as quickly as the other sinks. Ultimately, while it is a bit pricier, it absolutely works. If you have one or more drains in your house that drain slowly, this is definitely worth trying before you call a plumber.

Product Review: CCidea DVD Storage Bags

 

This set of three storage bags is designed to hold physical media such as DVDs, Blu-rays, or video games. They are very sturdy and can hold around 40 individual disc packages, give or take. Unlike some storage bags, they do not have dividers throughout the interior (just a single open space), so you can fit more in them. Once they are closed, they prevent dust and protect against spills. They are not padded, however, so you do not want to bang them around or drop them. They are wide enough to hold most box sets; however, there are some longer boxes (such as the original Friends Blu-Ray release or the Star Trek Motion Picture special edition release) that are too wide for this to hold unless you turn them lengthwise, in which case you will not be able to get many discs in them. 

I have a huge physical media collection and got several of these to package them for a move this past summer. They work wonderfully and work much better than packing discs in boxes, which can get very heavy. I absolutely recommend them.

Product Review: Fresh Wave Orange Odor Removing Gel

 

This is a two-pack of odor-removing gel. It is perfect for use in spaces such as kitchens or bathrooms. The smaller, more enclosed space it's in, the stronger the scent it gives off and the longer it lasts. I have one in my kitchen, which is open to the living room and partially open to the dining room, and one in my workout room downstairs, which is basically a second living room. I have been using them for about 3 months (as of this writing). The one downstairs is about 2/3 full, and the one in the kitchen is about 3/4 empty.

These have a pleasant, non-overpowering citrus scent, at least if you have them in a relatively open space. They are a bit more expensive than some similar products, but they last much longer. Ultimately, they are worth the price and if you like citrus-scented air fresheners.

Product Review: Small Parts Organizer

 

This is a double-sided organizer that is perfect for holding small parts or accessories such as screws, nails, bolts, washers, or things like craft supplies (e.g., beads), or small electronic components such as resistors. Each side has 15 smaller compartments, separated by dividers, and two larger compartments that can hold things the size of socket heads, small wrenches, or Allen wrenches. Each side has clips that will hold its respective side shut. When you turn it over, the things in the compartments mostly stay in their respective compartments, but items such as small nails may fall out of their compartment (but not the case as a whole) because there is some space between the tops of the dividers and the lids. 

It would have been nice if one or two of the compartments had individual lids that could be closed to prevent small items from falling out of the compartments when the organizer is moved from place to place. That is what knocks it down a star for me. It is made from relatively sturdy material, but I would be careful not to drop it because if one of the sides popped, you would be picking things up for days. The clips do seem to keep each side pretty secure, however. Overall, it is a good value for the money and a good way to keep small accessories organized and in one place.

Product Review: Wool Ironing Mat

 

This is a relatively small ironing mat. It is 14" x 11" and is best suited for ironing small items such as t-shirts. I could be used to iron a dress shirt in a pinch, but it would be a bit hard to use it for items much larger than that (like a suit jacket). It is perfect for someone with limited space who cannot accommodate a full-size ironing board, or for those who only need to iron occasionally. It is thick enough to protect whatever surface you put it on, and it does not slide around. The one drawback is that it is not really big enough to set an iron on and reposition what you are ironing, which is why you want to stick with smaller items. Ultimately, it works, but if you iron a lot, you will definitely need something larger than this. 

Product Review: Amazon Basics Compact Plastic Trash Can

 

This compact trash can is ideal for use in small spaces, such as bathrooms, RVs, dorm rooms, or outdoors on a deck or porch. Personally, I use it on my front porch to put dog poop bags in, so I do not have to put them in the large can in my garage, and potentially stink up the garage (especially in the summer). The lid closes to keep animals out (to an extent), and a foot pedal allows you to open it without bending down. It also has an inner liner that can be pulled out, making it easier to replace a bag. Anyone considering it should note that it is very small (just six liters) and will not hold a lot. So, if you plan to use it in a bathroom, unless your bathroom is tiny and you need to conserve space, it would be better in a guest bathroom that is not frequently used; otherwise, it will fill up quickly.  

Product Review: 3-in-1 Bathroom Sink Drain Strainer

 

This is an excellent bathroom sink strainer that prevents debris from entering your drains and allows for easy plugging and unplugging of the sink as needed. It comes in a two-pack, which is convenient if you have multiple bathrooms or a bathroom with two sinks. The basket will catch anything large, and the bottom of the basket can be removed for easy cleaning.

One of the sinks in my master bath was horribly clogged and drained extremely slowly. After replacing the old plug with this and pouring a drain opener down the drain, water now drains very quickly, at the same rate as the other sink. And, these look much nicer than the old plugs. They will universally fit most bathroom drains and do not require any tools to install (unless you need a wrench or screwdriver to remove the old flange). This is a great value and absolutely worth the price.

Product Review: LED Stop Sign Parking Assistant for Garage with Flashing Signal

 

This is a parking assist stand for a garage. It is excellent for a garage setup with shelving on the back wall in front of where your car pulls in (especially if you have boxes or bins underneath the shelving). If, when you pull into the garage, it is hard to tell exactly how close you are to the edge of the shelf or the boxes, you can put this in front of what you don't want to bump with the car. It has a wide base and then two poles that connect to each other. Once the poles are connected, one end connects to the base, and the stop sign connects to the top of the other pole. The stop sign starts flashing when you bump the pole with your car. 

This works as intended but could be better in a couple of ways. First, the poles push together, and it is challenging to get them to stay together as you assemble them. It would be more secure and less flimsy if the poles screwed together. Second, although the base is wide, it is not heavy. I put a brick on top of the base behind the pole to keep it from sliding on the garage floor when I bump it. Ultimately, it is decent and works as it should, but a couple design changes would make it better.

Product Review: Outlaw 68 Inch Console

 

This is a TV stand/storage console that I purchased from Slumberland (which you can find at https://www.slumberland.com/products/outlaw-68-inch-console). It comes fully assembled and is packed well to keep it protected. It has a fantastic distressed look and three color options: saddle (shown in the picture), navy, and black. I bought it to store DVDs and Blu-Rays, which it is ideally suited for. There is a single shelf in each door and the middle, so you essentially get upper and lower shelves perfectly spaced apart for holding DVDs, Blu-Rays, or books. So, for you movie and TV series collectors, you can easily store over 150 discs on the console (if you have a mix of single discs and larger box sets). If you do not have many box sets, you can store closer to 200 discs. 

If you want to use it as a TV stand, it can easily hold a 65-inch TV, and slots are cut in the back to thread cords through to make cord management easy. It is reasonably priced at $350. It is made from solid (real) wood and is heavy (130 lbs). If you live alone, especially if you have to get it up and down stairs, you can pay extra for full-service delivery to have the delivery crew put it where you want it and take the packaging away. So, if you are looking for a well-made, reasonably priced console, this is well worth the price. 

Product Review: Graphique 2025 Marilyn Monroe Wall Calendar

 

This is a 2025 full-sized wall calendar with a nice collection of photographs from throughout Marilyn Monroe's life. It includes a mix of black-and-white and color photographs. Some pictures are from her pre-movie fame modeling career, but most appear to have been taken after she became famous. Most photos are from staged photoshoots, but a couple are more candid shots, such as one taken when she exited a vehicle at an event. Chances are, if you are a fan of Marilyn, all the pictures included here are ones you have seen. Although, there are a few pictures that are not as widely circulated or popular as some others of her are. Ultimately, it is a good option if you are looking for a 2025 calendar featuring Marilyn. 

Product Review: KOWOOD 6-Inch Metal/Wood Saw Blades for Reciprocating/Sawzall Saws

 

This is a good set of saw blades for reciprocating saws. They claim to be compatible with all major brands. I have a Black and Decker reciprocating saw (which only came with one blade), and these connect to that without a problem. I have only used one of the wood-cutting blades to cut branches off the stump of a mulberry tree and start a cut into the stump. I had to finish off the stump with a mini chainsaw since these blades are not long enough to get through something as thick as even a small tree stump. They are, however, great for cutting through smaller branches on trees and bushes. If you are looking for a good, inexpensive set of blades, these are worth picking up.

Product Review: The HomeFlow Co.’s Milk Frother

 

This is a pretty standard frother. It comes with a whisk/frothing attachment and a paddle attachment. I mostly use the paddle to mix hot chocolate. It is also good for whisking eggs when making scrambled eggs or lighter mixing jobs. I do not make coffee drinks so I cannot say how it does for that, but I imagine it works as well as any frother for those. It takes 2 AA batteries. The battery compartment is a bit of a pain to access, but otherwise, it works as it should. So, if you are looking for an inexpensive mixing tool this is a good option.

Product Review: VASAGLE EKHO Collection - Storage Ottoman Bench

 

This is a storage ottoman/bench. It is not really a great ottoman unless you are going to use it at the end of a bed because, with the legs on, it sits higher than most couches, so it would be uncomfortable to use it as a footrest. It is, however, perfect for a front entryway or mudroom. It is slim (just over 47 inches wide) and is not as deep as some storage benches (just under 16 inches deep). However, it has enough room to store off-season coats, hats, and gloves (for those who live in climates that necessitate different spring/fall/summer and winter outerwear). 

The only required assembly is putting the legs on, which is more difficult than it needs to be. Instead of putting a threaded end on the end of the legs so you can screw them directly into the base, three small screws attach the legs to the base. The screws can be a bit hard to line up with the screw holes unless two people are working together, one person holding the legs in place and another person turning the screws. Once the legs are on, the bench is high enough off the ground that you can vacuum under it, whether using a regular or robotic vacuum. It is also very sturdy as a bench. Two adults can easily sit on it without an issue. Ultimately, it is a good storage option, especially if you have limited storage in a mudroom or front entryway. 

Product Review: Pet Dog Safety Collar Clips

 

This is a pair of collar clips that can be used to attach a dog harness to a collar. There is a shorter one (6.8 inches) and a longer one (7.8 inches). My mom's dog can slip out of every harness she has tried to put on him, and this ensures that if he does, the collar is still attached to the leash so he cannot run free. The clips are well-made, very sturdy, and easy to attach to the collar and harness. I am not sure there is any safety aspect beyond that, but they work well for that purpose.