
28 Products If You're A Slob Living With A Neat Freak And Want To Do Better In 2025
www.amazon.com
Included are six blank labels to write on your own and six pre-written labels (Cotton Balls, Cotton Swabs, Cotton Pads, Floss Picks, Hair Ties, and Bath Salt).
Promising review:"These are actually cuter than I expected! They are a tad smaller than some I've seen, but they actually looked great and can hold plenty of cotton swabs and cotton balls in the spare bathrooms. I have mine on a serving tray with a candle and vase, and they look great without taking up too much space!" — tara savage
Get a set of four jars from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a set of two and three).
2. A pack of duster sponges — a great alternative to the always selling out Scrub Daddy Damp Duster — that allows you to clean your surfaces effectively to remove all that lingering pet hair and dust. Simply dampen it, wipe any surface, and then rinse when you're done!
www.amazon.com
Here's what shopping aficionado and BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer has to say:"I bought a pack of these and love dusting with them! All the dust sticks right on, so you don't end up breathing in all the dust you just tried removing. It's great for baseboards, too!"
Promising review: "I rarely review products, but this little sponge literally changed my life! It picks up EVERYthing in one swipe! Hard water marks on your bathroom mirror, no problem! Hair clippings are on your sink and counter. One swipe, and they are gone! Dusty blinds? Swoosh, swoosh, swipe! And ala-presto ka-bam, like magic, they are perfect and dust-free! I just need one of these for my floors! I love, love, love how the sponge picks up everything and with a little running water, all the dust, hair, muck and guck just rinsed away! This will not disappoint! Thank you!" — DayDreamer
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $7.49 (available in six color packs).
3. A durable honeycomb drawer insert in case your drawers are literally spilling out — this fits into any size drawer and offers a geometric flair to your newly organized shirts, socks, and more. Now, your roommates or family members won't peek inside your room with disgust at all the laundry littered on the floor when they walk down the hall!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Okay, admittedly, I am a bit of an organization freak. I purchased two of these organizers (yes, you do need two PER drawer) to organize my underwear drawer. I agree that $20 seems like a lot to pay for a few pieces of plastic to organize a drawer no one else really sees, but...It's totally worth it. The gratification I got from being able to see exactly what I have, neatly organized, easy to find...Wow. I definitely recommend this product. And the actual dividers are well made and super easy to assemble. As a previous reviewer said, the number of times you will look at your drawer and be totally satisfied makes the price well worth it." — Brigette
Get it from Amazon for $9.44.
4. Washing machine cleaning tablets to make all that mold and mildew lurking around inside of the wash disappear, and you'll notice it's working because your laundry will start smelling clean and not slightly musty like before!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These tablets added to the cleaning cycle of my front load machine are far more effective than hot water alone. They effectively clean and reduce/eliminate mildew odors, which build no matter how much I air out the machine after doing laundry. Just toss one into the basket when the cleaning cycle alert comes on, and your washing machine will love you for it." — Tami T.
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.99.
5. A set of space-saver bags for storing bulky clothing, bedding, or towels by vacuuming all the air inside to minimize their size so you can slide them out of sight and out of mind.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"First of all, when you see 'jumbo' in the title, you better believe these things are JUMBO! These bags of limitless storage can hold just about anything fabric that you need squishing down into a manageable block. I've used these for blankets, clothes, and precious keepsakes and I feel secure in the knowledge that they are all well-protected. The plastic is thick but not stiff, so you know it's good quality." — Kimball Household
Get a pack of 10 medium bags from Amazon for $19.99.
6. The very popular Chom Chom — it's a reusable pet hair remover with a patented brush design, so all you have to do is simply push back and forth to collect all the hair and lint from clothes, furniture, car seats, cat towers, etc., into a chamber. Then remove and throw all that hair away. Over 140,000 reviewers have rated it 5 stars, and we agree: If a member of your household happens to have four legs and a ton of hair, this is a must-buy.
www.youtube.com
Promising review:"The best day of my life was the day I adopted my cat. The second best day of my life was when I discovered this product. I never write reviews, but for the first time in my life I felt compelled to write one to share how fantastic this product is. It's the age-old story: girl adopts cat, cat sheds like a maniac, everything girl owns is now covered in cat hair, girl tries everything but is unsuccessful, blah blah blah. But this pet hair remover/lint roller contains some type of wizardry that has seriously changed the game. *Chefs kiss* to the creators of this product. Y'all are doing G-d's work." — SB
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three styles).
7. A Shoe Slotz space saver to help you organize your massive shoe collection in a way that makes sense and allows you to see all your options at once. The white device neatly stacks shoes on top of each other, so they take up half the shelf space. Did I mention this method also means you'll have a less cluttered closet?
Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Sally Elshorafa has to say about this handy organization unit: " This product SAVED MY SHOES! I have an awkward set of built-in shelves in my closet, and it was the only place I wanted to put my shoes. As you can see from the before pic (above), it was a big mess; my shoes were piled on top of each other and getting really dirty. Traditional shoe caddies or boxes didn't really work because there's not much horizontal space, so I tried the Shoe Slotz. It fixed the problem perfectly! Because the design smartly stacks one shoe on top of the other, you save 50% of the space you'd normally use to store your shoes."
Promising review: "These things are genius. I had my closet redone and asked for the back wall to have cubbies so I can easily display my shoes, but I either underestimated the number of shoes I have or overestimated the space that was in the closet and I couldn't display them all. I bought a few packs of these and now I have extra space. I guess I'll have to go out and buy more shoes now!" — Hercules
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $39.99 (available in various multipacks).
8. A jar of the internet-famous The Pink Stuff, a mildly abrasive paste designed to erase even the most difficult of stains in your home, from hard water stains in the bathroom to caked-up grease and food on the stovetop. Seriously, it's earned its loyal TikTok fanbase and hundreds of thousands of positive reviews for a darn good reason. In 2025, we're removing that questionable stain from the wall and getting our deposits back!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is some magic sorcery. I'm not usually a fan of traditional cleaning products and tend to opt for natural-based cleaners. However, I had some soot over the fireplace nothing would take off. Not only did it do a pretty dang good job on that… everything I've tried it on has gotten that item super clean with minimal scrubbing effort. Will always have on hand now. Got hard water stains off when CRL wouldn't even get it clean and made the faucet look brand-new." — Kim Montero
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
9. A reusable microfiber Swiffer mop pad because sharing the chores and bills can get expensive, but having one (or several) of these offers a more efficient and sustainable way of cleaning by getting rid of wasteful disposable mop pads. Your *entire* household will be grateful at the eco-friendly update and also the extra change in their pocket from making the switch this year!
www.amazon.com
Each machine washable mop pad can replace up to 100 disposable pads *and* be washed up to 100 times!
Turbo Mops is a small business established in 2018 to provide eco-conscious cleaning supplies.
Promising review:"I bought these for the same reasons most do — to be more environmentally friendly. I like the size of my Swiffer Sweeper, but always felt like I wasn't getting my floors fully clean. We recently got a new apartment, and I always like to deep clean before we do any major moving. I used them dry and wet. I've always been disappointed with how the disposable pads from Swiffer (barely) picked up dog fur and crumbs, but as you can see in the picture it picked up so much! This was already after using a traditional broom. Then using them wet with diluted Mrs. Meyers cleaning concentrate — wow! The water was BLACK by the time I was all done with our downstairs area. They were so easy to Velcro on and off, wet or dry. Once I was all done, getting them off and doing a quick rinse wasn't hard at all. I love that I am supporting a small family business with all the convenience of Amazon. I will definitely buy again (if I ever have to). I am so excited to use these for years to come and have a cleaner house than I ever have before!!" — Kathryn Willer
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $10.95.
Psst — if you don't already have one, you can get a standard Swiffer on Amazon for $17!
10. A retro acrylic beauty organizer in case your makeup and skincare products are scattered across the bathroom sink because they have no place to go. This very chic organizer even includes a lid to keep your products dust-free and tidy on your vanity, countertop, or dresser!
Amazon
Here's what shopping aficionado and BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer has to say: "I have this organizer and I love it! It holds a good amount of stuff, keeps the dust at bay, and looks much neater than my old organizer, which just had slots with no lid. Because I regularly try a ton of beauty products, I paired it with a set of stacking drawers from another seller, which aren't a perfect match for the shade of green, but look good together on my vanity!"
Promising review: "Product arrived quickly and was well packaged. I love how this organizes my beauty products so it's not all out in the open on my counter anymore. The glass brush holder is the best part, it looks so expensive! Highly satisfied with this purchase!" — SGD1978
Get it from Amazon for $48.99+ (available in six colors and with or without a brush organizer).
11. A styling station that's designed with silicone and heat-resistant mesh, so all your hot tools can safely end up where they belong after use and you don't have to worry about leaving your straightener on to cool down on your countertop. 😅
Amazon
Plus, it conveniently hangs on your towel rack!
Promising review:"I have a ridiculously small bathroom and a super small vanity. After too many instances of my dryer and straightener falling to the floor, I went searching for an option to get them off the non-existent counter and onto the towel holder next to my sink. This product has done the trick — it helps me keep my counter space organized and provides me with a great, heat-resistant holder to place them in while I'm working through my hair. Highly recommend!" — Amazon Customer
12. Bioclean, a hard water stain remover to dissolve years of nasty-looking, impossible-to-clean mineral buildup and staining in your shower, toilet, tub, or faucet in a matter of minutes! This professional-quality cleaner will help restore your plumbing fixtures and even your brick and concrete finishings with a spray and a light scrub. One treatment can deliver results that keep repelling stains for months afterward!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Wow. Don't waste your time with any other formulation that you found online. I've literally tried EVERYTHING! The soap / vinegar / baking soda, the expensive store bought 'hard water cleaners.' I've scrubbed for HOURS! But this… This product is like magic. It's kind of like a paste that you can rub on with a microfiber towel, and the hard water stains literally just RUB OFF. Like butter! Seriously, it's the easiest option I have tried yet. I stopped within the first five minutes of cleaning to do this review because I'm in shock lol. Coming from someone who never writes reviews! Take that as a sign to buy this immediately. What a game changer, I'm mad I'm just now finding this stuff lol!" — _kayla_carter
Get it from Amazon for $19.77.
13. An over-the-door basket system for anyone who's running out of places to store things but still has empty doors... Now, you can hang your daily must-haves in a place where you won't forget them, and you won't need to reorganize your cabinet space to do it.
Wayfair
Promising review:"This cabinet door organizer is the perfect use of 'vertical space' in my small bathroom! I now have all my supplements and bathroom potions out of my tiny hall linen closet and its conveniently located on the door for easy access! Great product!" — Amy
Get it from Wayfair for $46.99 (originally $78.99; available in six colors).
14. Dawn Powerwash which saves you time by eliminating the need for a pre-soak since the spray helps break down grease and food debris in minutes. And then you just wipe the mess away. 🥲 This is a PSA to stop peeving off your household in 2025 by letting dishes "soak" overnight in the sink.
Amazon
Promising reviews: "This stuff is the bomb! I can't say enough good about this product. I got my stove top as clean as it was when new — the area around the burners had been impossible for me to get clean before. I also cleaned the inside glass window of the oven with minimal effort. Seriously, this stuff is amazing IMO." — Kim M.
" The only dish soap allowed in my household. 😅 Jk have used other different types, and this is the only one that has worked amazing in all my cleaning. Not only do I use it on my dishes but to clean my bathroom, husband's grill, and everything else that needs a good cleaning." — Lizbeth LF
Get the starter kit from Amazon for $8.44.
15. A very powerful portable vacuum cleaner that deserves a permanent place in your car, so you can actually start giving your housemates and friends rides without being embarrassed about the state of your car. It plugs into your 12V car outlet with a stretchy cord and three detailing attachments to get into all those hard-to-reach places.
www.amazon.com
Included with the vacuum are a carrying bag, filter brush, spare HEPA filter, and flathead, extendable, and brush attachments.
Promising review: "This is one of the best purchases we've made in a while. Two kids + snacks in a minivan = lots of crumbs. We were taking our van to the car wash twice a week to vacuum it, but this little vacuum has changed that. The cord is very long, the suction is pretty strong, and it comes with attachments that make cleaning up goldfish crumbs a breeze." — Anaiz Mendez
Get it from Amazon for $27.49+ (available cordless or plug-in).
16. A no-scrub, bleach-free Wet & Forget weekly shower cleaner for anyone who doesn't have enough time to deal with the stubborn rings in your bathtub — or worse, the mildew growing in the hard-to-reach corners of your shower. Simply spray down your shower after getting out and remember to rinse it 8–12 hours later (or before the next time you get in)...then marvel at how all the gunk disappears!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" 100% sure this is sorcery because it works so well. This product is magic! I just did my first use and it cleaned so much gunk out of my shower I didn't even know was there! (Photo of my grout half sprayed for proof) It was quick, it was easy, and now my whole bathroom smells like a vanilla cupcake! I am VERY satisfied with this product." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in two scents and two sizes).
17. An expanding file folder — it fits up to 200 pieces of paper, so you can make 2025 your year of organization and finally do something with the stack of mail, receipts, paperwork, etc. cluttering up the mailbox-slash-command center your roommates have been begging you to use.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This organizes my paperwork. It holds a lot and I love the pastel color of it. It came with labels to help identify each slot. It's made of plastic but still sturdy enough." — SuzyB
"I own more than six of these, and they never disappoint! I recommend it for organizing all of your documents. I personally use it to separate my tax paperwork, paid off bills, work documents, etc. The possibilities are endless." — Honest Reviews
Get it from Amazon for $5.08+ (available in 13 colors).
18. This brilliant shelf organizer/extra hanging rod combo if you own so many clothes that no empty closet space shall prosper. Now, you can keep your sweaters and tops folded neatly away in the storage shelves *and* still have space to hang skirts, pants, and other items on the bottom rod!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I'm basically obsessed with this thing already. I just got it today so I can't speak to long-term, but it's amazing how much space this frees up. I have a 1940s house, therefore 1940s tiny closets, and I need to get creative in my space organization. This thing was just what I needed to store sweaters on top and hang all other tops on the bottom. You can't see in the photo but my closet has some space on both sides that's just half filled now and used to be filled to the brim, barely able to move the hangers. This storage solution makes displaying the sweaters nicer than in drawers of my dresser or hanging. It honestly appears very sturdy and quality to me. The fabric is thick, and the hooks and bar are both metal. All in all one of my favorite purchases from Amazon." — BobbyL
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in two colors and two sizes).
19. A pack of versatile, expandable, zero-tools-necessary drawer dividers, so you can quickly and effortlessly customize the interior of that one junk drawer you currently refuse to open so it'll finally function perfectly to suit your needs. Find what you're looking for in a literal instant!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "OMG...I've always had compartments and organizers but nothing like this! I now open my junk drawers and it gives me peace. Works for makeup drawers, too! Do not hesitate to buy these, definite quality and very customizable!" — Jennifer Hudson
Get it from Amazon for $23.98+ (available in four colors).
20. A pack of cleaning K-Cups because a clean coffee maker = a happy home full of caffeinated people! But seriously — pop in one of these convenient cleaning pods and make your roommates happy by getting a better clean on your used-many-times-a-day Keurig. You'll be super grossed out, but *super* grateful when you see all the gunk coming out of your coffee maker that won't make it into your next cup.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This was easy to use. Just pop in and let the system do the work. No downtime, no waiting. Simple and easy to use. I did notice a difference after the first use. Highly recommend it." — vetrie
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in larger multipacks).
21. A laundry folding board that works in less than five seconds to transform your closet and shirt drawers into an organized haven. Surprise your housemates this year by actually being able to *sit* on the couch since it won't be covered with unfolded baskets of laundry! 😭
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Let me start off with this: I hate folding laundry. I absolutely hate it. I've seen this thing all over social media. I decided to try it out and OH. MY. GOSH. I freaking love it! It's super easy to use and my clothes are perfectly folded every time. As weird as it sounds, I actually look forward to folding my laundry now. I wish I had purchased this sooner! I like the design it has and I love how compact it is. After I'm finished folding my laundry, I just fold up the folding board and tuck it away! It's lightweight and seems durable. I recommend this to everyone, even those who hate folding clothes. I was skeptical at first, but after trying it out, I am 100% satisfied with my purchase and this product! It's worth every penny!" — Kayli
Get it from Amazon for $14.44+ (available in five colors).
22. An adhesive cord organizer which sticks onto your appliances, so you can easily tie up that annoying eyesore of a cord when you're not using your mixer, air fryer, blender, fan, vacuum, etc. No more cluttered counters in 2025!
Amazon
Note: these are meant for use on appliances only; the adhesive is removable but may harm paint or wallpaper upon removal. Check out a TikTok of the cord organizer in action.
Tidywrap is a small business established in 2022 that specializes in adhesive cord organizers.
Promising review: "I got this for my minimalist husband who hates getting 'things' for gifts, almost as much as he hates clutter. He was practically giddy after we installed several of these on various kitchen appliances. It's not just storage — but moving the appliance around from its storage location to the countertop is a nicer experience. He was seriously swinging around a food processor with one hand saying, 'this is so much neater!' To each their own, I suppose. For us normies, it does exactly what it's supposed to. Easy to stick on, I like that it holds the plug neatly as well. I would love if it came in white, but the gray is a nice neutral." — Elizabeth L.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $10.95 (also available in a four-pack).
23. And a ventilated cable management box, so you can put all those tangled cords out of sight without having to rearrange all your electronics. Trust, your household will be so grateful not to be tripping over cords every time they walk into your WFH office or living space.
Amazon
24. A set of three drill brush scrubbing attachments that powerfully remove all the grime and gunk away on tons of surfaces, from your shower to your counters...and even your gutter! Now, you won't have to get on your hands and knees, scrubbing until you're spent just to clean the soap scum staining the bottom of your tub.
www.amazon.com
Drill Brush is a small biz created by a former electrician with carpal tunnel syndrome who needed a way to properly clean without causing him harm.
Promising review:"I constantly have to pester the hubby to help with cleaning the bathroom. Then I bought this and he's like Tim 'the tool man' Taylor. I guess he just needed more power??? He cleans the bathroom without even being asked because he likes the drill brushes. They work well. The grout lines are clean. It doesn't take him long. Best money I've ever spent! LOL." — Heather N
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six brush types for different surfaces).
25. A double-layered, water-resistant cat litter-trapping mat created with a honeycomb design to catch and trap litter your cat might track onto the floor. Sure, everyone might love cuddling up with your feline baby, but it's YOUR cat, and no one enjoys getting sand pellets stuck in their bare feet or socks.
www.amazon.com
And whenever you're ready to clean, just press the sides in to open the mat and dump it out (into the litter box or trash)!
Promising review:"This litter mat is a lifesaver. I was facing a real issue with my two new kittens tracking litter EVERYWHERE, so much so that I was considering switching from the litter I love to something non-tracking because there were no good alternatives. Much research later, I come across this mat. I will say it was bigger and more square than I thought, but I think that is a good thing! It is so large and covers the area well. Now, the litter tracking is 99% contained! Best litter mat I have ever had!" — Rachel Ray
26. A bottle of Liquid Plumr Pro Strength Hair Clog Eliminator — a gel-based drain cleaner that literally melts hair away in three simple steps: pour, let sit, and drain with piping-hot water. And it's under $10, so definitely worth adding to your cleaning arsenal in case your household boasts a lot of long or thick-haired people and/or animals, and you don't want to have to bother with a plumber! 😭
www.amazon.com
BTW, this product is designed specifically for drains clogged with hair! For a different drain cleaner, check out this one!
Having never read a review of this product, I used it and now I'm furious I didn't do a before and after photo. My shower drain, which had hair from previous tenants, soap scum deep in there, and more grossness from before I moved in five months ago...is now 98% clear and looks like a completely new drain. The hair that is still there is attached to my handy dandy drain cover, so no biggie to get rid of. This was the easiest drain product I've ever used and it didn't require me to even look at the nastiest lurking down there. All I had to do was pour the entire bottle (I poured most of it, but I was skeptical, so I saved some just in case), let it sit for 15 minutes, and then pour hot water down the drain. For this, I boiled water in my tea pot and poured it down the drain and everything is gone! I could cry. This is my new go-to drain product from now on — so if your drain is gross and you want nothing to do with it, definitely grab a bottle of this!
Promising review: "Our drain was super clogged with hair and soap scum! Three women, a golden retriever, and a golden doodle! So when I say super clogged, I mean SUPER CLOGGED. No water was draining. I tried to use one of those sticks that you put down the drain to pull hair out and I got very little. I started a big pot of water on the stove, but I didn't let it get to a boil. I poured the whole pot of water in and BAM, the tub took a second and it drained. Honestly, I thought I was at the point of having to call a plumber, so I was shocked. I turned the water on and filled up the tub just to see what happened, and it kept draining perfectly! We're at about a month later and she's still draining like a champ! So, I would recommend this product a million times over, 10/10!" — Ian
Get it from Amazon for $6.58.
27. A pack of multi-surface restorative wipes to bring new life back into your faded surfaces and furniture, so that it looks like you just brought it home. Plus, they even help protect your items from future damage!
www.amazon.com
These work on everything from vinyl, plastic, and painted surfaces to metal and fiberglass.
Promising review: "My metal barstools were left on the balcony all winter because of a surprise three-day blizzard. After being buried in snow all winter I thought for sure I would have to throw them out when I saw them in the spring. Looking at them now after using the product, no one would suspect that they weren't new ones!" — Mom@home
Get five wipes from Amazon for $15.99.
28. A plant-based stainless steel cleaner that'll help remove annoying fingerprints, stains, and other miscellaneous residue that ends up on your sleek, shiny appliances. It even comes with a microfiber cloth for streak-free cleaning that delivers a shine reviewers swear lasts for days!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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- Newsweek
Family Find Abandoned Shipping Container on Their Land—Shocked at Contents
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A family exploring their 57-acre property found something huge hidden at the edge of the forest. Anna Miller, 30, and her husband Brock, 27, are originally from North Carolina, but recently bought a property by the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia to build a "family homestead that we hope our children can one day inherit." Their sprawling property includes what they describe as "an early American-style cabin that's around 120 years old," which they are working to restore "back to the kind of place it once was". There is plenty of exploring to be done on their new property, with Miller admitting it had been "pretty neglected" before they bought it: "The fields were covered in weeds taller than us—some over six feet high. "After bush hogging and clearing the overgrowth, we were finally able to see the edge of the woods on the far side of our fields. "That's when we discovered what social media has now dubbed 'the box.'" The shipping container found at the edge of Anna Miller's field. The shipping container found at the edge of Anna Miller's field. TikTok @pineyforkhomestead In a video to Miller's TikTok account, @pineyforkhomestead, which showcases their efforts to restore their property, she showed the family out for a walk through their fields, after the enormous weeds had been cut down to them a better view of the surrounding forests. That's when they noticed something strange hidden in the undergrowth on the edge of the field. "At first we thought it was a shipping container," Miller said in the video. "And then we realized it was a shipping container. A massive one, just sitting there." She said they were nonplussed at how the container had gotten to their property, with the only access route being over a narrow bridge over a creek, or climbing the mountains, and they have "no idea how long it was sitting in there." The video ends with Brock managing to open the door of the massive container, and they later shared another clip once they'd looked inside. The family walking through their large property, and right, Brock opening the shipping container. The family walking through their large property, and right, Brock opening the shipping container. TikTok @pineyforkhomestead TikTok users were incredibly curious about the discovery, with Miller's original video racking up more than 215,000 likes and 7 million views since being posted on July 2, one demanding: "You gotta show us what is in there." "What's inside? I want to know," another pleaded, as another worried: "Girl nothing good comes outta shipping container in the WOODS." Miller did share a part two, and as she revealed to Newsweek: "Inside the container, we found a mix of odd and fascinating things: original windows and doors that likely belonged to the house, original wood moldings and screens, a Christmas tree, a 3-foot snake skin, and a couple of heavy barrels with unknown contents. Followers online are suggesting they contain some sort of cleaning solution." The family has big plans to incorporate their finds into the restoration of their property, Miller said. "We plan to use the beautiful old windows to build a greenhouse, and hopefully, we can reintroduce some of the original trim and moldings back into the cabin. "For now, the container will stay as storage, but we've kicked around ideas for converting it into a tiny house, root cellar, or even a bunker." At 30 and 27, the Millers are in the minority for owning their own home. According to the US Census Bureau, via Statista, in 2023 just 35.2 percent of people aged between 25 and 29 owned a home, moving to 49.4 percent within the ages of 30 to 34. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.


Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Newsweek
Thrift Store Says Mystery Item Is Free—Only if You Can Identify What It Is
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mystery item in the corner of a thrift store sparked a flurry of interest online, when one Redditor shared a picture of a wooden object and the accompanying note. "Found this in a thrift store, it's got a note saying it's free if you can say what it does," Redditor Buttery_-_Balls wrote alongside a picture of the wooden item on popular r/whatisit subreddit. With more than 930,000 members, the subreddit has been helping people uncover the origin of mystery items since 2009. "Don't know what it is? No, we don't either. Maybe someone does?" the description on the subreddit reads. Busy uncovering items from insects to broomsticks, people on the subreddit are always ready for a challenge, and when the wooden thrift store item was shared, things were no different. In a polished light wood, the mystery item had a central rolling knob and higher edge on one side, and it wasn't long before theories flooded in. The picture of the mystery item that was shared on Reddit. The picture of the mystery item that was shared on Reddit. Buttery_-_Balls/Reddit "Found this in a thrift store, it's got a note saying it's free if you can say what it does...," the post, shared last week was captioned. Amassing hundreds of likes, people were quick to share their thoughts. User Imaginary_Library501 suggested: "Looks like an old massage kit (?) If those parts aren't connected that is... my grandparents had all kinds of stuff like this, from Finland." While Jisnowhere said: "I was thinking a candle holder or goblet, or maybe a big pipe you put together but I can't tell without seeing the rest of the parts from another angle to see if the parts come apart." "Lord that looks familiar," said 40ozSmasher. "Something to do with yarn? I feel sure I've seen it used." Others suggested maybe it was a napkin holder, or a kitchen item like a rolling pin or pastry cutter. But it was user LovitzG who resolved the growing thread of guesses with a comparative example from their own home. "I have similar and it is to hold envelopes for bills and other stuff," they wrote alongside photographic evidence of a similar design, revealing the true identity of the item: a mid-century wooden letter holder. Common throughout the 20th century, these desk accessories were designed to hold letters, bills, or notecards vertically between two wooden ends. The spherical knob in the center helped push papers backward, ensuring they stayed upright and organized. This isn't the first time a mystery item from a thrift store has baffled people online. Last year a man asked TikTok to help work out what a donated item at a thrift store was, with guesses ranging from an avalanche stick to measure snow depth to a ham radio antenna. While another thrift worker in England shared confusion over a glass piece from LSA International. Before long, what started as a quirky obsession for the store worker became a collective quest for answers, even prompting trawls through historical records. Newsweek reached out to Buttery_-_Balls via Reddit for comment.