39 Products Under $10 To Help You Fix Stuff Instead Of Buying Replacements

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Perhaps you, too, have fallen into a YouTube rabbit hole of frugal bloggers, and have heard the phrase “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” BUT the hardest part of that can easily be the “make it do” when something is broken and you’re unsure of how the heck to repair it.

You’re not alone! Sometimes googling how to repair that thing you’re trying to mend reveals that you need to buy another thing to do the task. Or buying a cheap thing you can use to fix it (and then fix many other things after!) can make your repair much less daunting. I get it and have even used a ton of these things below to do all kinds of repairs! I want you to fix the stuff that you love and save some cash in the meantime. (I’m forever telling my friends to do this.) So without further ado….

Here are the things that’ll help you fix stuff you already own:

1.

Wood polish and conditioner that’ll revive all sorts of wood surfaces and furniture in your home. Reviewers have used them to zhuzh up front doors, kitchen cabinets, wood floors, wood furniture, and just about any other wood surface. FYI, replacing kitchen cabinets can get up into the TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars. So this bb is def worth a go.


Amazon, amazon.com

Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.

Promising review: “Very impressed so far. Just tried this stuff on one of our kitchen cabinets and it really did a nice job. The cabinets are 15 year old cherry stained hard work cabinets (oak, maybe?) and are scratched deeply in certain parts from the previous owner’s dogs. 20 minutes after applying this product and wiping it off, I can’t complain at all about the results. It looks great in the picture, and even better in real life where you are not focusing on staring at imperfections. In addition to helping tremendously with the blemishes, it also leaves a nice glossy shine on the cabinets, making them look clean and fresh (not over the top glossy and fake). For the minimal price, I can’t complain at all. Finally, I used about a 1/3 of an oz to do the 36″ double base cabinets and the 36″ wide drawer, so I believe the 16 oz bottle will last quite a while.” —Patrick Gallagher

Get it from Amazon for $13.62.


Amazon, amazon.com

Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.

Promising review: “Very impressed so far. Just tried this stuff on one of our kitchen cabinets and it really did a nice job. The cabinets are 15 year old cherry stained hard work cabinets (oak, maybe?) and are scratched deeply in certain parts from the previous owner’s dogs. 20 minutes after applying this product and wiping it off, I can’t complain at all about the results. It looks great in the picture, and even better in real life where you are not focusing on staring at imperfections. In addition to helping tremendously with the blemishes, it also leaves a nice glossy shine on the cabinets, making them look clean and fresh (not over the top glossy and fake). For the minimal price, I can’t complain at all. Finally, I used about a 1/3 of an oz to do the 36″ double base cabinets and the 36″ wide drawer, so I believe the 16 oz bottle will last quite a while.” —Patrick Gallagher

Get it from Amazon for $13.62.

2.

A handy lil’ knife sharpener I can personally vouch for because it transformed a drawerful of leftover roommates’ knives into sharp specimens that make meal prepping go so much faster. No need to buy a knife set. Make do with what you have!

person pulling a knife through the small handheld knife sharpener


Amazon

Check out my full review of the KitchenIQ Knife Sharpener.

Promising review: “I decided to actually come back to this nearly two years later to review it because it kind of got lost to me to review it back then. However, since I’ve bought it, I’ve heard my husband talk about it on and off. Just yesterday with my daughter he was going over sharp knife safety, and he just said how much he still absolutely loves it. Of every gift I’ve ever given him, this is the only thing I’ve heard still get praise nearly two years later.” —Gluten Free Mama

Get it from Amazon for $10.95+ (available in four colors).

3.

A water mark removing cloth that could also do wonders on the nail polish remover you dribbled down your nightstand two years ago and has made it a curbside contender. Let it stay awhile with this magic-working wipe.


amazon.com

Saving a piece of furniture is well worth the (small) price tag IMO but it’s also reusable!

Promising review: “Worked wonders! I spilled nail polish remover on my nightstand. This worked like magic! Just rub lightly with the cloth.” —JMac

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.


amazon.com

Saving a piece of furniture is well worth the (small) price tag IMO but it’s also reusable!

Promising review: “Worked wonders! I spilled nail polish remover on my nightstand. This worked like magic! Just rub lightly with the cloth.” —JMac

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

4.

A fume-free oven cleaner to revive an oven that you thought was too far gone. Sometimes you can’t replace an oven because you’re renting! (Or, bc budget!) Clean it with this and then use that oven!!


amazon.com

Promising review: “I have a seasonal home with oven that I thought was so far gone that I’d have to replace it. I had to do a little scraping off the bottom with a spatula but you can see how bad it was.” —Jilly Bean

Get two cans from Amazon for $24.62.


amazon.com

Promising review: “I have a seasonal home with oven that I thought was so far gone that I’d have to replace it. I had to do a little scraping off the bottom with a spatula but you can see how bad it was.” —Jilly Bean

Get two cans from Amazon for $24.62.

5.

Needle-nose pliers that, if you don’t already have a pair in your tool bag, you absolutely need. A pair like this is my most-used hand tool thanks to their nimble ability to bend things gently, like warped earring hooks, Christmas tree ornaments, and just about anything else that needs some detailed handiwork.

hand holding the pair of needle nose pliers


Amazon

Promising review: “These are excellent for jewelry repairs as that is what I do for a hobby. Now I can make intricate repairs with no problem. A very precise tool and a must for people who are into jewelry repair or making jewelry. Lightweight and the grip is excellent. Highly recommend these. Would order from this seller again.” —kittylover

Get them from Amazon for $8.16.

6.

Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser to spiff up just about anything you have around your house like car head lights, pots and pans, porcelain sinks, stove tops…. Really, the limit does not exist.


amazon.com, amazon.com

To understand just *how* versatile this product is, check out our review of Bar Keepers Friend and prepare to be amazed!

Promising review (for the pics on the left): “I’ve been using this to clean up my truck. It works great on rust and scratched up windows and foggy headlights.” —C. Baker

Promising review (for the pics on the right): “With a little elbow grease and this product your pots/pans will come back to life. This took me about 8 mins. Amazing results at a fair price.” —Alyssa Hinojosa

Get a two-pack of 21-ounce containers from Amazon for $9.18.


amazon.com, amazon.com

To understand just *how* versatile this product is, check out our review of Bar Keepers Friend and prepare to be amazed!

Promising review (for the pics on the left): “I’ve been using this to clean up my truck. It works great on rust and scratched up windows and foggy headlights.” —C. Baker

Promising review (for the pics on the right): “With a little elbow grease and this product your pots/pans will come back to life. This took me about 8 mins. Amazing results at a fair price.” —Alyssa Hinojosa

Get a two-pack of 21-ounce containers from Amazon for $9.18.

7.

Goo Gone for making all sorts of sticky messes you’ve resigned to living with disappear — including that old magnet that fused with your rental apartment’s fridge (me) or stickers fused with garage door windows (my friend who just bought a house). Seriously though, this stuff is MAGIC for anything you’ve considered tossing thanks to a sticky mess.

pic of like new subwoofer speaker cleaned with Goo Gone and then a lint-covered speaker before cleaned with Goo Gone


amazon.com

Seriously, a swipe of this stuff made the goo leftover from a magnet wipe away like magic. Of course after i’d ruined a manicure unsuccessfully scratching away at it.

Promising review: “I used this on my JBL LSR4236P Studio Monitors and it worked very well. For some reason JBL decided to put some kind of weird adhesive on the front of these monitors, which caught every piece of cat hair and dust that touched it over the years. Used this with some paper towels and a little elbow grease and the adhesive came off quickly. The Picture I added: (Left) After Goo Gone (RIGHT) Before Goo Gone.” —Andrew

Get it from Amazon for $8.60.

8.

A rust-removing spray to work wonders in neglected showers, minus the elbow grease. Spray it on a rusted surround, leave the room, and come back to diminished stains you can easily wipe away instead of shopping around for a new surround.


amazon.com

Promising review: “Seeing is believing. I posted before and after pictures of our bathtub. It was gross and orange rust stained. Not even Mr. Clean Magic Erasers touched the rust stains. But now it’s shiny and looks brand new. I sprayed it on (yes, it’s more of a liquid than a gel but it still works). I came back an hour later and wiped it off. No elbow grease needed. Majority of the rust was gone, only thing left was soap scum and that easily wiped away. I’ll be buying this stuff again!” —NMP

Get it from Amazon for $4.79.


amazon.com

Promising review: “Seeing is believing. I posted before and after pictures of our bathtub. It was gross and orange rust stained. Not even Mr. Clean Magic Erasers touched the rust stains. But now it’s shiny and looks brand new. I sprayed it on (yes, it’s more of a liquid than a gel but it still works). I came back an hour later and wiped it off. No elbow grease needed. Majority of the rust was gone, only thing left was soap scum and that easily wiped away. I’ll be buying this stuff again!” —NMP

Get it from Amazon for $4.79.

9.

A brown sugar saver disguised as an adorable terra cotta bear that’ll keep your brown sugar from going rock solid. OK, so you’re not *repairing* your baking ingredient per se, but it’ll sure keep you from replacing that formerly rock-hard block of sweet.


Amazon

Promising review: “Had a large amount of brown sugar and couldn’t keep it soft, even in a tight container. I purchased new 5-quart jars for my flour, sugar, and so forth, and quickly realized my brown sugar was a ROCK! I purchased this, soaked it, and placed it in the sugar as instructed. Within hours it was soft again! I have about 2 lbs. of sugar in the 5-quart jar currently. The jar is sealed with a gasket but I haven’t had to re-soak the bear yet (only a month in use currently). Would recommend to anyone at this point, just mad I have wasted so much brown sugar over the years. I have not used it for any of the other uses, like cookies or bread, but will probably purchase more in the future since this little bear is dedicated to my brown sugar.” —diosa

Get two from Amazon for $9.97.

10.

Water bottle-cleaning tablets to rejuvenate the inside of your reusable water bottle that currently looks like it’s caked in mud thanks to your beloved coffee. These tablets fizz up and renew the look of your container so you keep on using that tumbler and enjoy that positive impact on the environment (and your pocketbook).

reviewer pic of brown tinted inside of thermos then completely clear thermos inside thanks to the cleaning tablets


amazon.com

Promising review: “I wasn’t sure if this was a gimmick or not. Turns out it works really well. I have four metal thermos-like containers that are used to keep tea warm every day. Over time, the tea stained the insides and was very difficult to remove. I added one of these tablets to the container, filled it with hot water, and let it sit for a few hours. When I came back to rinse it out, I was literally amazed at how clean it was. I think it looked cleaner than when they were new. I called my wife over to show her, and she was equally impressed. Awesome product!” —Robert A Moreno II

Get 12 tablets from Amazon for $8.

11.

A pumice stone that’ll scrub away hard water marks and all kinds of nastiness. Nope, you do NOT have to replace the old toilet in your new place. You’re already paying so much for the move! Spend an Alexander Hamilton on this.

before pic of nasty looking stained toilet bowl then the same toilet bowl looking completely clean and new thanks to the pumice stone cleaning


amazon.com

Psst, this will work on porcelain sinks too! Just please buy a separate one than the one you use on your toilet. Eek.

Promising review:We rented a home and the toilets were disgusting. Someone suggested a pumice stone and let me tell you it was amazing!! The picture is after just five minutes with the stone. I tried bleach, every toilet bowl cleaner available, and countless hours of scrubbing to no avail…but this stone worked instantly! I will be buying several more!! The stone does dissolve when scrubbing so you need a couple. I was able to do almost two toilets completely that looked awful with one stone!!” —CristaCross

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

12.

Indoor plant food spikes to turn that plant bb’s frown upside down… and yours too! You spent way too much on it at the farmer’s market anyway and are determined to help this one thrive. RIP to all the plants before it.

reviewer's pic of a house plant looking all droopy then it looking more alive with leaves up after using the plant spikes


amazon.com

Promising review: “I’ve been using this fertilizer for 10 days. And now I can see the plant’s deference! It’s resurrecting, isn’t it? I’m very happy!

-third week now. Getting better and better!!!

-added a current picture after two months using this.” —MARY H.

Get a 48-pack from Amazon for $6.83.

13.

A makeup brush cleanser because you and I both know you’re not washing your beauty tools as frequently as you should. (Same.) Turns out, they aren’t prime for a replacement, they just need a thorough wash.

reviewer pic of blush and bronzer stained makeup brushes, then them looking new and clean thanks to the brush shampoo


amazon.com

Promising review: “This cleanser is great! It fully removes all makeup from the brushes without leaving them feeling beat up (I’m not the most gentle when it comes to cleaning brushes). I use a thick foundation that soaks heavily into the bristles, but this removed it all. At first I thought it was a bit thin, but after using it, a little bit goes a long way. It has a nice lather, but very nicely and easily rinses out.” —Kryssy

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

14.

A silver polish that’ll bring those family heirlooms back to life and prevent future tarnishing.


amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: “I was able to clean up a tea set given to my grandfather 40 years ago. This stuff worked amazingly!” —Kristi Lane

Get it from Amazon for $8.48.


amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: “I was able to clean up a tea set given to my grandfather 40 years ago. This stuff worked amazingly!” —Kristi Lane

Get it from Amazon for $8.48.

15.

And a silver polishing cloth you can use to restore all your baubles back to fighting conditon.

one very tarnished butterfly earring and one new looking silver earring


amazon.com

Promising review: “The picture says it all. These earrings had been sitting in my closet for going on a decade. Polishing them made them look good as new, and it was incredibly easy. A three year old child could easily apply the pressure required to polish with this cloth. Everyone who owns silver jewelry should have one of these!” —Tyler B

Get it from Amazon for $5.95.

16.

A special brush to keep your dryer’s lint trap clear of debris and make drying cycles/the appliance more effective for longer. If your stuff is coming out wet, you may need one of these. It’s so much cheaper than a pro repair!!

person using long brush to clean out the lint trap in a front-load clothes dryer


Amazon

Also, built-up lint is a fire hazard! Make it a part of your weekly cleaning routine.

Promising review: “This is exactly the same type as the one used by the appliance repairman that repaired my dryer last week, easy to use inside the dryer filter holder as well as the outside vent.” —ab

Get it from Amazon for $5.88.

17.

A fabric dye for synthetic fabric and fabric blends to give a variety of stuff a new spin, from kid’s clothes to tablecloths to curtains. Switching the hue of an item can make it feel completely brand new!

reviewer pic of a dark gray dyed lace curtain beside another white lace curtain that isn't dyed


amazon.com

Promising review: “The dye worked wonderfully! It was able to turn these old 100% Polyester lace curtains into a nice dark grey in only 30 mins ( not including the prep work of course). As long as you follow the directions on the bottle you shouldn’t have any issues. And please excuse the wrinkles ;)” —Deanna Hardy

Get it from Amazon for $4.47+ (available in 14 colors).

18.

And a powder fabric dye to help update anything in your closet you’re feeling a bit meh about, has faded more than you’d like, or would serve you better in a different hue.


amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review (for the pic on the right): “I used the bucket dying method on a white 100% cotton dress I bought from a thrift store. It worked perfectly. No blotchy bits or anything to give away that this dress was ever anything but yellow. The key is to follow the instructions. You’ll want to use a cup of salt and a little squirt of soap with your hot water, and make sure everything is completely dissolved before dying your fabric. Also pre-wet the fabric. The RIT website has very clear instructions with various methods of dying. I highly recommend RIT dye.” —Loren

Get it from Amazon for $1.98+ (available in 16 colors).


amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review (for the pic on the right): “I used the bucket dying method on a white 100% cotton dress I bought from a thrift store. It worked perfectly. No blotchy bits or anything to give away that this dress was ever anything but yellow. The key is to follow the instructions. You’ll want to use a cup of salt and a little squirt of soap with your hot water, and make sure everything is completely dissolved before dying your fabric. Also pre-wet the fabric. The RIT website has very clear instructions with various methods of dying. I highly recommend RIT dye.” —Loren

Get it from Amazon for $1.98+ (available in 16 colors).

19.

A jean button replacement kit in case the problem with your go-to pair is actually the hardware. Yes, $7 for a one-time fix can feel steep. But y’know what’s steeper? Finding another pair and then paying for ’em.

hand putting a screw into a button hole and then mounting the button on that screw


Amazon

Promising review: “What can I say, never sew another button on your pants again, These are sturdy and easy to install. I use them on jeans and I’ve used them on shorts and khakis, too.” —J R

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

20.

Charcoal inserts that’ll be worth a try to de-funk those favorite flats of yours you can’t throw in the wash but have been stinking up the mudroom.

row of three pairs of shoes with the charcoal inserts in them


Amazon

Promising review: “I have a pair of minimalist sneakers that just reeked during this past summer. They were starting to make my entire hallway smell. So I gave these a try. I continued wearing the sneakers daily and put these in them each night. It took a few days before the odor started to go away, but after about a week the sneakers were much fresher. I’m still using them and they are still working just fine. Just leave them in the sun for a day if they start to smell.” —Joshua

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99.

21.

A hard-water booster for your dishwasher that’ll finally get your Pyrex bowls that you thought were donezo looking normal again. You and I both know those bowls are the best, despite your home’s hard water.

reviewer pic of cloudy pyrex bowl then completely clear, clean looking bowl


amazon.com

Promising review: “We have ridiculously hard water. The Culligan guy who tested it was surprised it doesn’t come out of the faucet as a solid. My dishes, especially my Pyrex bowls and casserole dishes were almost white from the build-up. Nothing ever seemed clean. I tried this, and it’s an absolute miracle. My dishes are clean again. See the comparison in the picture — bowl on the left is ‘clean’, it was washed without the Finish booster. The bowl on the right was washed with. I’m totally not kidding, it completely does what it says!” —CB

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

22.

And cleaning tablets you can toss in your dishwasher to help make that $$$ appliance work so much better than as of late.


amazon.com

Promising review: “Moved into a new house and thought the dishwasher was broken. We avoided using it for SEVERAL MONTHS while we saved for a new one. Called a repair service, described what was wrong, they suggested using Affresh first. After two uses the dishwasher was good as new, never replaced it. Thank you!” —Mojito

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $5.98.


amazon.com

Promising review: “Moved into a new house and thought the dishwasher was broken. We avoided using it for SEVERAL MONTHS while we saved for a new one. Called a repair service, described what was wrong, they suggested using Affresh first. After two uses the dishwasher was good as new, never replaced it. Thank you!” —Mojito

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $5.98.

23.

Magic Erasers that’ll just, (UGH they’re so good), revive most anything around your home. Use it on a grungy tub, marks on walls, sneaker soles, wooden outdoor furniture you thought was trash, so. Many. Things.


amazon.com

Promising review: “Great for fingerprints, smudges on painted walls, baseboards, trim, kitchen cabinets, and excellent with cleaning the white rubber trim on shoes!!! My Chucks look brand new. Must be careful with painted walls because can strip paint. Also the sponge gets a little flimsy and crumple if placed in water too long. Oh and also used them to clean the smudges in my office walls! Worked wonders” —Danielle B.

Get a nine-pack from Amazon for $6.97.


amazon.com

Promising review: “Great for fingerprints, smudges on painted walls, baseboards, trim, kitchen cabinets, and excellent with cleaning the white rubber trim on shoes!!! My Chucks look brand new. Must be careful with painted walls because can strip paint. Also the sponge gets a little flimsy and crumple if placed in water too long. Oh and also used them to clean the smudges in my office walls! Worked wonders” —Danielle B.

Get a nine-pack from Amazon for $6.97.

24.

A millipede-like hair remover with more than 4k hooks and loops to ensnare all that hair down there and save ya’ a drain replacement or costly visit from the plumber.


amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: “This is the best product ever for getting rid of hair clogs in sink and tub drains! I have two teenage girls with long curly hair and despite them gathering hair that they find in the tub after showering, it still clogs from time to time. All I have to do is put down the drain millipede and it pulls out the hair and removes the black gunk on the side of the drain. It’s absolutely disgusting and smells horrible BUT gets the job done without chemicals and a plumber. A must have for every tub/shower drain!!” —D. Darr

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

And check out more ways to avoid having to call the plumber.


amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: “This is the best product ever for getting rid of hair clogs in sink and tub drains! I have two teenage girls with long curly hair and despite them gathering hair that they find in the tub after showering, it still clogs from time to time. All I have to do is put down the drain millipede and it pulls out the hair and removes the black gunk on the side of the drain. It’s absolutely disgusting and smells horrible BUT gets the job done without chemicals and a plumber. A must have for every tub/shower drain!!” —D. Darr

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

And check out more ways to avoid having to call the plumber.

25.

A red wine stain remover to keep on hand because, well, accidents happen! But you can be prepared for (at least some of) them!


amazon.com

Promising review: “This stuff is magic! Works in seconds! I highly, highly recommend.” —Diane Harper

Get it from Amazon for $7.95.


amazon.com

Promising review: “This stuff is magic! Works in seconds! I highly, highly recommend.” —Diane Harper

Get it from Amazon for $7.95.

26.

Grandma’s Secret, an under-the-radar solution with serious stain-removing prowess — like, cleaning pen from a white leather couch.


amazon.com

It can remove oil, grease, ink, grass, and blood stains for all my vampires out there. Psst, a few months ago I recommended this to a friend who fell in a puddle of motor oil on a sidewalk, then accidentally wiped it on her camel coat. It got the stains out!

Promising review: “I love this stuff! I stumbled upon it years ago at my local quilt shop of all places. It does exactly what it says it will do, it takes out any stain you throw at it. I was most impressed by how it takes out blood, I had an ‘accident’ in the middle of the night wearing light pink PJs. I had just gotten the PJs from a friend for my birthday and was devastated at the thought of them being ruined. Before washing them (and risking the stain setting), I dabbed a few drops of the spot removal on the spot, scrubbed the stain with an old toothbrush and left it sitting for about a half hour. I did that twice. To say it did a good job on the spot is an understatement; you couldn’t even tell there was a spot to begin with! I call it the little magic in a bottle, it’s a lifesaver! You must buy it, don’t wait.” —Stiixgirl

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.


amazon.com

It can remove oil, grease, ink, grass, and blood stains for all my vampires out there. Psst, a few months ago I recommended this to a friend who fell in a puddle of motor oil on a sidewalk, then accidentally wiped it on her camel coat. It got the stains out!

Promising review: “I love this stuff! I stumbled upon it years ago at my local quilt shop of all places. It does exactly what it says it will do, it takes out any stain you throw at it. I was most impressed by how it takes out blood, I had an ‘accident’ in the middle of the night wearing light pink PJs. I had just gotten the PJs from a friend for my birthday and was devastated at the thought of them being ruined. Before washing them (and risking the stain setting), I dabbed a few drops of the spot removal on the spot, scrubbed the stain with an old toothbrush and left it sitting for about a half hour. I did that twice. To say it did a good job on the spot is an understatement; you couldn’t even tell there was a spot to begin with! I call it the little magic in a bottle, it’s a lifesaver! You must buy it, don’t wait.” —Stiixgirl

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

27.

A set of stainless steel underwires for resurrecting that bra that you thought met its demise in the wash back to working order. OK you’re supposed to hand-wash bras, but just this one time you threw it in the wash and :(.

the underwires


Amazon

Promising review: “The underwires were just as described. I had several expensive bras with broken wires. I took my chance and ordered these. Great quality, better than original ones in the bras. It was hard to accurately measure my broken wires so I ordered a size up to be safe.” —walley

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in cup sizes B–E).

28.

A flexible cable saver that’ll help you hold your charging cables together, lest you foot the bill for a new one AGAIN.

Macbook laptop with the spiral-like protector on the wire


amazon.com

Promising review: “I hate to recall how many new iPhone chargers and MacBook power bricks — the latter at $80 or $90 a pop — I’ve had to buy over the years as the originals gradually frayed at the connector ends until they stopped working altogether, attempted electrical tape repairs notwithstanding. These inexpensive little coils wind right around the connector base and first half inch or so of the cord to keep it from bending and ultimately breaking at the join. Simple as can be and works like a charm. Plus, fun colors make it easy to tell your gear from everyone else’s at a glance. What’s not to like? Genius.” —ElleNWC

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $4.78 (available in a pack of gray or multiple colors).

29.

A nail polish thinner to help you make the most out of those tiny bottles of lacquer that seem to dry up in the most inconvenient times.

the bottle of nail polish thinner


amazon.com

Promising review: “This works well to thin and restore thick and goopy nail polish. I use this one because it doesn’t contain acetone, which some companies put in their thinner. Acetone destroys nail polish and will eventually ruin it. I’ve used this with a variety of different nail polish brands and finishes, and it seems to do the job every time. I usually use a few drops at a time, shake the polish up, and then repeat again if necessary. Depending on how bad the polish has gotten, it may need several rounds to get it back to a normal consistency. If I add too much, no big deal; I just leave the bottle open for a little while to breathe and thicken back up again. Will definitely purchase this again when I run out.” —Kelly

Get it from Amazon for $7.50.

30.

Bra bands that can easily add some extra space to your trusty underthing you aren’t quite ready to part with. Bras are incredibly expensive, and these aren’t!

an extender on a bra


amazon.com

These are also great for creating a custom fit if you have trouble finding your exact size in stores.

Promising review: “These have been amazing during my pregnancy. I really can’t rave enough. When my body started changing, I went out and bought a new bra (I’m a 32 and got a 34), but soon it started feeling tight on me. I didn’t need another bra because the cups still fit fine, then I found these extenders, and they made all the difference! I can extend without buying new bras! They are sooo soft and comfortable, you can’t really feel or tell they are there. I’ve already recommended them to all of my pregnant friends!” —Mari

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $4.99 (available in a variety of combos).

31.

Heel cap covers to cover exposed nails (y’know, that guilty party for clicking and clacking) so you can keep wearing your fave heels without footing a big bill at the shoe repair.

person placing the matching nail cap on the end of a high heel


Amazon

Promising review: “I bought these because I have and old pair of heels that still had a lot of life in them and I wanted to revamp them. The heels were worn down to the screw and the XS fit perfectly. If the cap looks like it will fit but the end of your heel is too square, I recommend you file it down with a really good nail file and round it out. My shoes look like new now. I love them !” —Yeya93

Get two pairs from Amazon for $9.99 (available in five size combos and also in taupe).

32.

And a shoe repair kit for anyone who wears down their heels like it’s their job. With some online instruction, you can do the task yourself instead of taking it to the repair shop.

high heels with two heel tips


Amazon

Promising review: “I broke the heels after thrifting some shoes and this was super affordable and easy to install! Thanks!” —cotton

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (includes 30 pairs of heel caps).

33.

A fabric shaver you can take to the couch you’ve had for a few years and still love, even though you don’t love those pills it’s accumulated. And then you can use it on all your sweaters and coats!


amazon.com

Promising review: “This is the best money I have spent in a long time! I was worried it wouldn’t be very nice, being so low priced, but it saved my couch! I put a picture of both my couch cushions, they both used to look like the one on top but now my couch looks brand new! I love this product, would 100% recommend.” —B. Nielson

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.


amazon.com

Promising review: “This is the best money I have spent in a long time! I was worried it wouldn’t be very nice, being so low priced, but it saved my couch! I put a picture of both my couch cushions, they both used to look like the one on top but now my couch looks brand new! I love this product, would 100% recommend.” —B. Nielson

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

34.

Mink oil for waterproofing and preserving those perfectly worn-in boots that’ve gotten significantly worse looking for wear. Revive them with this $3 buy and make your feet *and* wallet jump for joy.


amazon.com

Promising review: “It’s no secret a good pair of boots can last forever if you take care of them. Well, I’ve neglected this pair of Carolinas for three years but they’re my FAVORITE! So instead of replacing these boots that I’ve perfectly worn in, I gave this a try. They look great! So happy and $3?!?!?! Can’t beat it!” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.


amazon.com

Promising review: “It’s no secret a good pair of boots can last forever if you take care of them. Well, I’ve neglected this pair of Carolinas for three years but they’re my FAVORITE! So instead of replacing these boots that I’ve perfectly worn in, I gave this a try. They look great! So happy and $3?!?!?! Can’t beat it!” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

35.

An eyeglasses repair kit with tons of screws, nose pads, specialty tweezers, and just about everything else to fix that pair that’s been just about everywhere with you but you don’t want to replace just yet.


amazon.com

Promising review: “I was looking to fix my glasses by myself because I went to a repair shop and they were going to charge me $50 so i thought about it and didn’t think it should be $50 to fix. I found this repair kit and was able to fix my glasses for so much cheaper and on top of that I have extra parts now so if it ever breaks again I’ll be able to fix it no problem!” —Jen Chang

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.


amazon.com

Promising review: “I was looking to fix my glasses by myself because I went to a repair shop and they were going to charge me $50 so i thought about it and didn’t think it should be $50 to fix. I found this repair kit and was able to fix my glasses for so much cheaper and on top of that I have extra parts now so if it ever breaks again I’ll be able to fix it no problem!” —Jen Chang

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

36.

A similar earring repair kit that’ll let you keep wearing your faves instead of replacing them, even if they were only a few bucks. (Cue to me clicking Add to Cart bc I have a pair of Alexis Bittar earrings that need a new earring hook.)

the earring repair kit


Amazon

Most of the reviews are for people who make earrings but they say the parts are very high quality, which’ll be great for repairs!

Promising review: “If you are looking for a PERFECT starter kit for making earrings, this is it! The tweezers, pliers, and the ring are sturdy and excellent quality. You get so many eye hooks and rubber earring backs. Every bit of this is amazing quality and I don’t believe you will regret buying it.” —Katherine Romo

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in silver or white).

37.

All-purpose super glue you can keep on hand for shoe emergencies, like when my metal toe cap fell off a pair of flats during a lunch break stroll.

writer's pic of flat shoes with toe cap held on with rubber band while the glue sets it


Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed / Via instagram.com

Find you a bottle that will work on everything. Then buy one for home and another for work. This formulation (in new packaging) bonds leather, cork, paper, cardboard, wood, chipboard, fabric, metal, ceramic, rubber, and hard plastics like Plexiglas, polycarbonate, polystyrene and PVC.

Get it from Amazon for $3.97.

And if you need to do some work on heavy-sold boots, check out some Boot Fix Glue for $14.45. (I recently used it to reattach the lug sole to my favorite pair of ankle boots I will wear until they fall apart and it works SO well.)

38.

A headlight restoration kit that includes a UV-blocking clear coat to make your transformation last so much longer.


amazon.com

Promising review: “I probably bought the product without reading much into it. The important thing to know is that you need to buy sandpaper separately. I wet sanded with 400, then 1000, then 2500 and skipped the compound/polish step to achieve the results you see in the images.” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (sandpaper sold separately).


amazon.com

Promising review: “I probably bought the product without reading much into it. The important thing to know is that you need to buy sandpaper separately. I wet sanded with 400, then 1000, then 2500 and skipped the compound/polish step to achieve the results you see in the images.” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (sandpaper sold separately).

39.

A sewing repair instructional book and a simple sewing kit so that pile of clothes in your laundry room you need to take to the tailor disappears.


Amazon

Seriously, knowing how to perform a simple running stitch on a fallen hem in thread that matches the color of the fabric or sewing a button back on your coat will save you so much money, even if you plan on taking it to the tailor or dry cleaner to do the repair for you! (I make those at-home repairs all the time.)

Promising review (for the book): “I have always wanted to be a bit more ‘crafty’ with a needle and thread but readily admit to having little skill. I love that this book has numerous pictures to help guide you, it’s a lot easier when you know what the stitch is supposed to look like. I would definitely recommend this book for beginners.” —Tiffany

Get them from Amazon: book for $3.75+ and sewing kit for $7.99


Amazon

Seriously, knowing how to perform a simple running stitch on a fallen hem in thread that matches the color of the fabric or sewing a button back on your coat will save you so much money, even if you plan on taking it to the tailor or dry cleaner to do the repair for you! (I make those at-home repairs all the time.)

Promising review (for the book): “I have always wanted to be a bit more ‘crafty’ with a needle and thread but readily admit to having little skill. I love that this book has numerous pictures to help guide you, it’s a lot easier when you know what the stitch is supposed to look like. I would definitely recommend this book for beginners.” —Tiffany

Get them from Amazon: book for $3.75+ and sewing kit for $7.99

You bringing the “make it do” into action:


Tollin/Robbins Productions

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!


Allison Krausman / BuzzFeed

Looking for more great Amazon finds? Check out some of our favorite cheap things to buy on Amazon, some of the weirdest things on Amazon you might actually want, or read through all the rest of our incredible Amazon product recommendations.



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