20 genius gifts that make life easier, from lawn work to laundry

There are some cleaning problems that just can't seem to be, well, hacked. Like pet fur, and the endless amounts of lint roller refills you go through when you have a four-legged friend living with you.

That is, until we discovered the Chom Chom, a portable pet hair remover and reusable lint roller that's beloved (and we mean absolutely obsessed over) by pet owners. This tiny tool is able to remove cat and dog fur from furniture, bedding, couches, carpet and rugs in just a few quick strokes in a way that not even the best vacuum can tackle.

To use the Chom Chom, simply roll it back and forth a few times across the fur-covered fabric in question. Most hair will be collected on a single swipe, but more stubborn hair might take a few additional strokes. Once the chamber is full of pet hair, simply empty it out or, as one user recommends, take a vacuum attachment to it to clear it all out easily.

If you're shopping for an aging relative or friend who has a hard time cutting pills the old fashioned way — with a plain ol' knife — then it might be time to gift them a professional pill cutter and splitter. This one from EZY DOSE is Amazon's No. 1 best-selling pill cutter and has nearly 50,000 reviews with an overall 4.3-star rating. With a pill cutter, you can be confident that you're cutting your pills into equal slices for precise dosing. Plus, no more accidentally crushing pillows with a knife. 

"It was super easy and did not require much effort," wrote one shopper on Amazon. "I had previously been trying to split the pills with a butter knife. I’m glad that I found this thing and for cheaper than I could’ve gotten it at the store."

Never loses your phone, keys, luggage or wallet again with a pack of Apple AirTags. Use them to keep tabs on all of your most prized possessions and make it easy to find them when they're misplaced. 

If you aren't familiar with AirTags, they work by using the same technology as the "Find My" features on all Apple devices. Basically, they work by sending a Bluetooth signal to nearby Apple devices that then send the AirTag's location to Apple's servers. There's also separate technology within AirTags that lets you more closely locate items within a closer range like in a room or house.

The unique Bluetooth technology means that AirTags are useful for more than just tracking lost luggage — though I'd argue that's probably one of the best use cases for them. Many reviewers place an AirTag on their keys so they don't lose them. There are AirTag pet collar holders that can be used to keep tabs on where your four-legged friend has wandered off to. Some parents have even been known to use AirTag wristbands and AirTag pinnable holders to keep tabs on their children or even aging, elderly relatives.

Easily cover up marks, scratches and fingerprints with these refillable touch-up paint pens that are a DIYer's dream come true. No more hunting down the entire tin of paint just to touch up on small mark. With these paint pens, small touch-up jobs can be done in seconds. 

It's a toughtful and essential gift ideas for anyone who's their household's handyperson or fixer-upper. As someone who's been renovating a house for the past year, I can confirm these are a lifesaver!

"I am the painter of the house and occasionally the walls need touching up," wrote one reviewer. "I used to drag out the gallon of paint & a brush for touch-ups! This was so convenient & not messy. Paint was not dripping & the applicator actually holds a lot of paint. Made my touch up painting a breeze!"

Save your garden and your back with this weed-pulling tool that's designed to be used standing up — no bending required. It's especially useful for those seniors who are still living on their own and still maintain their back yard, but who need a little extra help to make some of the more back-breaking work easier. 

It's engineered to work from a standing position, so it pulls weeds without straining joints. Grampa's Weeder is made of powder-coated steel and strong bamboo, and has a four-claw steel head that loosens and lifts stubborn weeds with very little elbow grease. The 45-inch handle means you can do the work fully upright, using the strength of your legs. Just hold it over the weed, step on the head and twist. Leverage is built into the design. Easy enough!

When the power goes out, you'll be ready with this combination nightlight that converts into an emergency flashlight when you need it. 

I first discovered these handy nightlights from my nearly 60-year-old mother, who lives alone in a part of the country where tornados and electricity-shuttering thunderstorms are common. She purchased some lights like this so that she could see around the house at night, but also in the case of an emergency if her power were to go out. And I'm glad she did! 

These ones from Sunbeam are made with a color-changing LED light that automatically turns on from dusk to dawn for everyday use or can be set to only come on with motion. During power failures, they'll shine bright white and can be removed from the outlet and used as a portable flashlight. With a long life LED, this night light will outshine the rest. 

And it's not just a good product for aging parents who live alone — if you live in a storm area that frequently loses electricity, it's a smart idea to have a couple of these around the house for peace of mind. 

"The thing that makes this plug in light so great is that when power goes out, it stays on," said a happy reviewer. "You can also use it as a flashlight or task light, no batteries needed! I wish I bought these years ago! They are super handy. No more searching around for a flashlight when the power goes out, no more worrying about batteries."

Play your favorite radio stations, cue up your favorite album, set timers and reminders or ask how many ounces are in a cup — an Amazon Echo device can do it all. For the senior who's perhaps living alone for the first time, it's a great gadget for handling everyday tasks, like setting timers for when the laundry is done and asking what the weather will be like that day. 

Have someone tech savvy soup it up by pairing it with smart plugs so they can turn lights and other electrics on and off by voice command — there's a lot that this tiny tool can do to make life easier around the house. 

Make picking up everyday items around the house even easier, whether you have limited mobility from arthritis, diabetes, carpal tunnel, or even if you're pregnant. This gadget has powerful claws that grip small, large and odd-shaped items with ease. The built-in magnet allows you to pick up metal items like nails, keys and coins with ease. It has three adjustable angles — 45º, 90º and 180º — so you can easily change the angle to pick up objects in high positions or things in the corners.

Nearly 6,000 Walmart reviewers have given this gadget a 4.8-star rating, which speaks for itself. 

"This Grabber worked perfectly for me. Right size for someone in wheelchair," said one reviewer. "At 73 and 74, we need a little extra help now and then. We would recommend this to anyone."

A video doorbell is an excellent security tool, allowing you to see who's at your front door whether you're home or not. It can detect humans, pets, package delivery and more. This Ring Video Doorbell comes with 1080p resolution for a crystal-clear view of your front porch. This model has improved motion detection over previous versions, and you can review video footage for up to 180 days with a Ring Protect Plan. There are multiple setup options, too: Use the built-in rechargeable battery or connect it to existing doorbell wires.

With 1080p resolution, two-way audio and lots of other useful features, this is the one video doorbell to rule them all. It's a good tool so you can keep an eye on your visitors and your deliveries.

If you find yourself frequently needing to store half-sliced fruits and vegetables, these silicone food huggers are a smart storage solution that'll make your life easier. Keep halves of lemons, onions, tomatoes and more fresh and from drying out with these genius little stretchy huggers. 

They come in large, medium and small sizes to fit all of your produce needs. They're dishwasher safe and reusable so you can also stop spending money on plastic wraps and plastic bags for leftovers. 

These silicone stretch lids are probably one of the most versatile food-saving products you can buy. This pack of 14 includes stretchy lids in sizes from about 2 inches to nearly 9 inches in diameter that can be used preserve everything from a small lemon half to a large stockpot. 

Speaking from personal experience, these are particularly great for going from serveware to storage, especially if you're feeling too lazy to put all of your leftovers in Tupperware storage containers. The stretchy lids can be used to cover up sauce pots and awkwardly shaped serving bowls, as well as jars, cans and halves of produce. And because they're dishwasher and freezer safe, the options are, quite literally, endless. 

They might look silly, but these claw-like leaf scoops are an absolute time saver when it comes to yard work. Just ask one of the nearly 4,000 reviewers on Amazon who describe it as a "great tool" and "worth the purchase." 

The oversized scoopers can be used to grab leaves and other debris quickly and easily, protecting your hands and fingers from dirt, mud and sharp, spiky objects. 

It also offers peace of mind against creatures that might be hiding under the leaves, as this reviewer put it: "I have been so worried about my mom scooping leaves and accidentally scooping up a snake," they wrote in their review. "We have had a bad incident in the past where she picked up leaves and my dad could see a copperhead laying across her chest on the pile of leaves. I have been paranoid for her ever since. She loves these and says her work is cut by half due to the amount she can pick up at a time."

Thanks to arthritis and a weakening grip, everyday tasks get just a little bit harder as you age. Make folding laundry easier with this folding board which can be used to get a clean, crisp fold on your clothes in just seconds.

"It's a game-changer for anyone who dreads folding clothes," said one five-star reviewer on Amazon. "It gives my shirts that neat, uniform look you'd find in a store, and it takes just seconds to do."

When it comes to cleaning ground-in dirt in the floor — or worse, grime between your shower tiles — nothing works except a thorough scrubbing. But that can be torture on an aging back and knees. This scrubber has a lot going for it, especially if you have tile in your showers. No one likes all the joint-torturing work that goes into cleaning grout, but this scrubber can get in between tiles and free up any mildew and soap scum that's taken up residence there. 

It runs for over an hour at a time. Swap between the three scrub heads for an easy, effortless cleaning session.

These food storage containers make storing freshly washed fruits and veggies easier than ever. I’ve owned these containers for nearly three years and still use them daily. They come in a set of three — and include a large, medium and small container. The small container is the perfect size for storing a pint of blueberries, while the medium size is great for small produce like cherry tomatoes and radishes. The large container can hold carrots, broccoli, lettuce or other large produce.

What I like most about these food storage containers is that the inner liner of each one can be removed and used like a colander, so you can easily wash, dry and store produce in one gadget. The liner sits elevated from the rest of the storage container so you can be sure that moisture — the enemy of fresh produce — does not come in contact with your fruits and vegetables.

The containers also have lids with adjustable air vents and can be easily stacked. The vents can be used to regulate air flow and control humidity to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for up to two weeks.

If plastic wrap is too finicky for an aging hands — or you're simply trying to cut down on single-use plastics while stlll keeping your leftovers fresh — these Bee's Wrap beeswax wraps are a great alternative.

What I love most about these beeswax food wraps is that they're just super practical for all of those leftovers you aren't quite sure how to store but would like to save, like a hunk of cheese, a wedge of lemon or a few slices of bread. 

They're easy to keep reusing, too. Just wash them with cool water and mild soap and let them dry. 

The Original Under Cabinet Jar Opener is a pretty genius kitchen tool, designed for anyone with weaker hands, such as folks with arthritis, seniors or those with other disabilities that limit their dexterity. 

The tool itself is pretty easy to set up, too. It's designed to be mounted under your cabinet so it's out of sight. Once it's mounted securely, the unique v-shape is designed to grip jars and lids of any size using its sharp carbon steel teeth that do the hard work of twisting and unsealing for you.

It comes with peel and stick tape to make installation easy and simple, though we do recommend securely mounting it with the included screws for added safety. Once installed, use it to open jars and lids of any size, from small nail polish bottles to bulky pickle jar lids and more.

There are some messes that are just easier to clean with a little bit of heat. With this 10-in-1 steam mop, you can clean just about anything, from floors and showers to windows and toys. It cleans with just water — no harsh cleaners or chemicals required. Simply fill the tank, wait for the steam to appear and you're ready to start cleaning. 

Use it as a mop or convert it into a handheld steamer with the included attachments to tackle shower tiles and grout, windows, toys, furniture and upholstery, windows and more.

"The performance on this steamer is amazing," wrote one particularly enthusiastic Amazon reviewer. "Easy to assemble, easy to clean, and easy to use. I love that there is a dial for me to increase or decrease steam similar to an iron. I love that it comes with every single thing you’ll need to make cleaning easy. I can clean my stove, my doors, sofa, bathroom, my mirrors, shower door, floors, cabinets, walls. Any part of the house can absolutely get cleaned and cleaned well! I’m so impressed with it."

If you've ever bought a pack of brown sugar, only for it to be rock hard the next time you wanted to use it, you need one of these brown sugar keepers. This one is particularly unique in that it comes with a removable terracotta disc in the lid that — after being soaked in water and locked back into place — prevents your brown sugar from drying out. 

I've owned this exact brown sugar keeper for over three years, and haven't ended up with dried out brown sugar yet! After three years, the airtight seal of the container and the terracotta disc keep the sugar fresh and pliable so it's ready to use whenever the baking mood strikes. 

Fresh herbs are notoriously hard to store and keep fresh. When you find yourself throwing out more fresh herbs than you use, it's time to invest in one of these Cole & Mason herb keepers. 

The "hydro pad" turns this tiny gadget into a type of "self watering" storage container that allows herbs to draw up moisture as needed. When you're ready to cook with the herbs, the nifty flip and slide lid allows you to easily trim the amount you need. 

It comes with three removable dividers so you can store a variety of different herbs at the same time, too.