Overrated Household Items That Aren’t Worth The Money
Since the mid-20th century, entire industries have been dedicated to making the home lives of Americans easier. Although there are still people old enough to remember the days before electric dishwashers and washing machines, they're all but taken for granted in today's society.
However, not all of the products that people install in their houses are so game-changing. As far as home appliance and tool manufacturers are concerned, the practicality of a product means a lot less than their ability to sell it. That's why it's important to remember that a tempting item isn't always the same as a needed item.
Paper Towels
Although paper towels are a convenient, disposable way to get rid of a mess, it's the "disposable" part of that equation that can make them a subtle trap for the wallet. While dish towels and washcloths might seem slightly more expensive at first, their costs don't add up the way they often do with paper towels.
Items that can be washed and reused after they clean something up are going to save money in the long run, even if it can take an admittedly long time before those savings are easy to notice.
Plug-In Air Fresheners
Although air freshening products like Glade plug-ins may smell nice, that smell isn't actually doing the body any favors. According to The Washington Post, those fresheners are known for reducing air quality in a home and introducing toxic chemicals into the air that can cause health problems even at low doses.
While there is concern that some of these chemicals are carcinogens, they can also influence hormonal changes, migraines, respiratory issues, and allergy-like reactions, especially over time. Putting essential oils in a diffuser is considered a safer option.
New Baby Clothes
Obviously, a baby needs to be appropriately clothed to stay warm and comfortable in many situations. That's why the strategy here isn't to forgo buying baby clothes but rather avoid paying full retail prices for them.
That's not just because babies aren't going to be terribly concerned with how their clothing looks, but rather because it's easy to underestimate how quickly their bodies grow. Losing a few dollars to unfortunate timing after buying used baby clothes isn't going to inspire anywhere near as many regrets as a trip to Target for brand-new ones.
Swiffer Pads
Although Swiffer's sweeper is a handy and versatile way to clean the floor and get into some hard-to-reach areas, that doesn't necessarily mean that users need to keep giving the company money after they buy it. It's very easy to underestimate how much the costs of those replacement pads can add up once the original gets too dirty.
Rather than paying more to replace them after throwing these pads out, some people have found that a small microfiber cloth can fit just as well in a Swiffer sweeper as their intended companions. Not only are they cheaper, but they arguably clean better.
Detergent Pods
Although Tide pods are easily the most popular form of this product, it's not necessarily fair to lay this at one specific company's feet. According to NASDAQ, any problem with them can apply to detergent pods at large. As it turns out, they're not impractical. They're arguably useless.
Standard detergent will not only cost less than these pods, but will actually clean clothes more effectively. After all, it's not unheard of for these pods to create all-new stains. As if failing to completely remove the old ones wasn't bad enough.
Expensive HDMI Cables
In order for their electronics to work, people need to hook them up with HDMI cables. However, they'll quickly notice that shopping for them involves a bizarrely wide range of price options for something so simple.
When these cables range from $5 to $200, it's hard to get a sense of the appropriate cost to make TVs and game consoles work optimally. However, testing by PCMag revealed that $6 and $10 cables from Amazon Basics or Monoprice work just as well as the ridiculously overpriced cables the Monster brand is known for. If you pay more than $10, you're essentially getting ripped off.
Keurig Coffee Machines
When the popularity of Keurig's coffee machines and their wide selection of K-Cups grew dramatically popular during the 2010s, the biggest selling points the company had going for them were novelty, convenience, and variety.
Now that the novelty of these machines has worn off, however, many customers have found themselves unsatisfied. This is not only because the quality of the coffee is lower than many brands that offer their blends in bags but also because it's ultimately more cost-effective to buy coffee in those bags and use a standard coffee maker than to replace the K-Cups.
Kitchen Storage Containers
Although one could argue that some ingredients like rice, flour, or sugar are easier to store in containers like these than in the store bags they came in, that's true of far fewer items than people like to admit. People can certainly decorate their homes however they want, and if their home's aesthetic is important to them, there's nothing wrong with getting these.
However, it's also true that most of these containers aren't really needed. At most, it can be beneficial to have a few to store more widely-used or cumbersome items. But dried pasta or coffee beans will be just as fine in the bags they came in as they would in any container.
Decorative Towels
Whether they're in the bathroom or the kitchen, some towels are intended more for fashion than function. Yet, while it's true that they may look nice and tie a room's aesthetic together, they don't actually have any practical purpose.
Part of the problem is that they're less absorbent than regular towels, which means users pay for a product that they can't really use. Moreover, they can actually be harmful when put in a bathroom, as the moisture from showers and other facilities can cause them to gather mold and mildew. It's better to try and find regular towels in different colors.
Home Deep Fryers
Although it's not the healthiest way to eat, it's hard to resist the comforting flavors of deep-fried food. For those who make it a significant part of their cuisine, it may be tempting to drop a few dollars (or a few hundred if they want to be fancy) on their own deep-fryer.
However, that's really only necessary for those planning to start their own barbecue restaurants or who are applying for a booth at a state fair. After all, if the deep-frying is just for personal use, one only needs a pan and a stove-top to accomplish that at home. Other than the cooking oil, there's no extra cost needed.
Meat-Shredder Claws
When people see these inventive meat separators in use, it's hard not to be tempted to buy them. They appear to serve a key purpose, as many classic dishes call for shredded meat, and the fact that they can make users feel like Wolverine is probably their biggest selling point.
However, it turns out these times aren't actually very good at their job. Not only are the cheap ones known to bend and break surprisingly easily, but even the metal ones aren't that sturdy and are still less practical than simply using two forks. That's what Chef Alton Brown found when he tested them out as well.
Robot Vacuum Cleaners
While it's true that vacuuming can be a hassle, and an automated vacuum cleaner like a Roomba or a Shark can seem like a convenient way to cut that hassle, it's far from a perfect solution. For one thing, it's very easy to underestimate how quickly these things can use up their batteries while stuck in a corner or under a couch.
Yet, even in cases where nothing impedes their run, and they clean a whole space, they're really not recommended for carpeted spaces. They can be fine on hardwood, but they only suck up dust and other particles from the surface of carpets. This creates the illusion of cleanliness while the carpet's deeper regions get more allergenic and stagnant.
Bottled Water
Although consumables like food and water encompass a whole different topic of discussion than unnecessary household items, bottled water is relevant in this case because just one household item can fulfill the same purpose.
This is important to know because bottled water is not only damaging to the environment and the human body due to the single-use plastics in the bottles, but the cost of replacing those bottles adds up surprisingly quickly. It's both healthier and more cost-effective to buy a small filtration product for tap water, like a Brita filter.
Fabric Softener/Dryer Sheets
Since these two products do exactly the same job and have exactly the same problems, it only makes sense to tackle them together. Although they're both widely used for making clothes softer and more comfortable, they actually do more harm than good.
Not only do fabric softeners or dryer sheets not make clothes any cleaner or sturdier, but they can actually damage delicate materials like spandex. Worse yet, Today reported that both products can damage dryers by coating their sensors with waxy substances, which makes them work less effectively.
Name-Band Printer Ink Cartridges
Obviously, a printer that runs out of ink will need to be refilled. However, that doesn't mean anyone needs to use the cartridges provided by the printer's manufacturer, which tends to be ridiculously expensive. According to The Washington Post, the law not only says nobody can stop you from opting for cheaper printer ink, but the printer's manufacturer can't even claim you voided the warranty by doing do.
However, there is one thing to remember when substituting a printer's ink with a more reasonable alternative. Most printers nowadays feature automatic updates, but this feature needs to be disabled for this tactic to work because these updates make the printer less compatible with third-party cartridges.
Oven Cleaners
While some products aren't worth the money because they serve a questionable purpose or because there are cheaper ways to do the same job, oven cleaners have the distinction of being terrible at an important job. Food sanitation keeps societies going, but commercial oven cleaners do more harm than good in this respect.
According to NASDAQ, most appliance companies advise against using oven cleaners because they're known to damage ovens. Worse yet, the fumes that are released when the chemicals in those cleaners are put into action can be hazardous to people's health. It's better to make a paste from water and baking soda and leave it in the oven overnight.
Anything Made From Faux/Imitation Leather
Considering the ethical concerns some have about using leather (since real leather comes from cows), it's understandable that they'd want to opt for clothing and furniture made from imitation leather instead. But whether people call it pleather or faux leather, this stuff just isn't a proper alternative.
That's because it's much less durable than real leather and doesn't have the same properties that allow for restoration. Once the false leather inevitably tears and peels, there's nothing that anyone can do about it.
Screen Cleaners
Over the last decade, far more of the world's electronic devices have come equipped with touch screens. Since fingers get very dirty very quickly, it stands to reason that more screens would need a way to clean their oily residue off than before.
However, it turns out that buying a special product for this is completely unnecessary. According to NASDAQ, some water applied to a microfiber cloth can do the same job. Don't use rubbing alcohol, as this can damage the screen.
Name-Brand Cleaning Products
When people go shopping, it's not unusual for them to turn up their noses at generic, store-brand products in favor of something with a recognizable brand name. Yet, while this can be a prudent practice for some items, brand loyalty doesn't do consumers any favors when they buy cleaning products.
Indeed, there's a pretty negligible difference between the raw materials that generic manufacturers and better-known companies use. In fact, some people go as far as to replace most of their cleaning products with either a mixture of water and vinegar, a mixture of water and baking soda, or a mixture of five tablespoons of bleach and a gallon of water for heavy-duty jobs.
Cookware Sets
When people move into a new home, they often think that means they need to stock their kitchen with a full cookware set. However, the reality is that this is more likely to cost unnecessary money and take up unnecessary space than buying each item individually as needed.
Indeed, many people will find that the dishes they make the most often will use the same few pots and pans. The rest will just get in the way except in relatively rare circumstances. And when those circumstances arise, they can either be borrowed or stored outside the kitchen.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Although so many people have likely considered cleaning products like Drano a lifesaver when they've experienced a clogged drain, it turns out that even the expense of calling a plumber is cheaper than using this stuff. At least, it is in the long run.
As Metro Heating explained, that's because these drain cleaners are corrosive to every fixture they're introduced to. They can make PVC pipes collapse, soften and wear away metal pipes, and even crack the porcelain in toilet bowls. If a plunger or drain snake doesn't work, it's less expensive to call a plumber now than to replace pipes and toilets later.
Electric Salt And Pepper Grinders
Some products feel like they're designed for people with more money than sense, and electric salt and pepper grinders are a perfect example. At best, a set of these costs about $40.
For that, they get two USB-rechargeable grinders that they can use with one hand. Many models also come with LED lights, superfluous as they may seem. Not only are manual grinders easily available for a fraction of the price, but standard salt and pepper shakers are even cheaper.
Sandwich Makers
Whether they're called sandwich makers or panini presses, the sight of a gooey grilled cheese sandwich as it comes out of one can be deeply tempting. However, that doesn't necessarily make these devices worthwhile purchases.
Indeed, that tends to be true for most kitchen appliances that only serve one specific purpose. An iron skillet can do the same job as one of these presses just as effectively, and it isn't limited to making hot sandwiches. A stove-top grill can work as well, but skillets are often easier to come by.
Electric Can Openers
One of the classic arguments against electric can openers concerns the amount of counter space they take up. However, no matter what size these devices are nowadays, they're likely to be a waste of money for most people.
This isn't true if a medical condition makes gripping or using a manual can opener painful or difficult. However, those who don't have any problem doing it the old-fashioned way will find that low-tech can openers will save money in the short term and in the long run.
Powdered Carpet Deodorizers
Whether they're supposed to improve smells or eliminate stains, powdered products designed for carpets are false friends at best. Not only does Rendall's Cleaning Service note that they only mask the source of the smell rather than eliminate it, but they're bad for carpets and customers alike.
Although these powders are supposed to be vacuumed up after they're spread, even the most sophisticated vacuum cleaner won't get all of the residue. That leaves chemical powders trapped in carpets, which makes them get dirty faster, wear them out, and prove toxic to any children or pets playing on the carpet afterward. The powder can also wreck vacuum cleaners.
Bread Makers
When the events of 2020 arose, the strain on global supply chains and a sudden influx of extra time led many people to buy bread makers. Yet, while these machines can be a little more convenient than making them by hand, that doesn't mean they're worth the money.
Generally, appliances that only cook or make one type of food are best avoided. In this case, that's because making bread by hand doesn't need to be difficult. There are no-knead recipes out there that require minimal ingredients and far less time than the traditional method.
Pancake Printers
Although there are so many unnecessary items someone can buy for their kitchen, most of them don't start with a price tag of several hundred dollars, which can balloon into $2,000. However, that is the genuine price range of 3D printers that can be used to make custom pancakes.
As incredible as the technology is, there's no way that a completely cosmetic feature is worth anywhere near that much of a hit to a household's budget. It may be worth the cost to some hotel and restaurant managers but home cooks should avoid this unless they've just won the lottery.
Electric Wine Opener
Sometimes, the measure of how unnecessary a product is only scratches the surface of its issues. While some household items are just a little overly specialized, others can cause harm to either families, their other appliances, or both.
In the case of electric wine openers, the problem is much simpler and more direct. Not only does it only take a couple of seconds for someone with a corkscrew to do the same job, but that corkscrew with likely last much longer. It's not unusual for some lesser made electric wine openers to break within six weeks.
The Latest Smartphones
It was only a decade ago when people could more easily get away with going through life without a smartphone but the truth is that it's all but an essential part of modern living now. But whether the company behind those phones is Apple, Samsung, Motorola, or any other provider, they tend to release more versions of a phone than people actually need.
Although phones are needed nowadays, that doesn't make the latest version of one a necessary purchase. As long as an existing phone works effectively and connects to what you need to get by, there's no reason to replace it with a shinier, newer model regardless of how much hype is behind it.
Popcorn Poppers
Growing up, there was nothing quite like the sound of a popcorn popper. Not only did it mean that a delicious snack was on the way, but its whirring crackle was also a satisfying noise that's hard to explain. However, that doesn't necessarily mean it's worth it to recreate that nostalgia.
Since popcorn poppers aren't terribly expensive and tend to last a long time, they can seem like worthwhile purchases. However, it's a lot more cost-effective and space-efficient to get a kitchen appliance that can make popcorn and perform other tasks just as easily. That makes a microwave oven a better investment.
Expensive Weights
While it's true that many people pay more for a gym membership than they get out of it, it's also easier than it may seem to pay too much to work out at home. While it's probably not the best idea to cheap out on more sophisticated equipment like treadmills, weights are a different story.
Believe it or not, prices of simple free weights can vary wildly, as some feature fancier aspects like weight adjustability. However, one can spend a lot less on a few static weights of different sizes than on even one of these flashy products.
Cartridge Razors
As far as the TV commercials about these things are concerned, shaving with a multi-blade cartridge razor is tantamount to shaving in the future. Each new product seems to promise more blades, a closer shave, and less irritation.
However, shaving brand DOVO explained that these claims are mostly hype. Moreover, cartridge razors actually cause more skin irritation because the addition of more blades just makes it more likely to remove upper skin layers, which causes the irritation in the first place. Similarly to other disposable products, cartridge razors also put a lot of waste into the environment.
Toilet Paper
At first glance, the idea of toilet paper as an unnecessary purchase seems ridiculous and disgusting. It's deeply unsanitary and unhealthy not to clean oneself after using the bathroom. That's obvious to almost everyone. However, that doesn't necessarily mean toilet paper has to be involved in the process.
Indeed, this is what people learned the hard way when supplies of the stuff ran short in 2020. That year taught so many people about the joys of a bidet. Not only is it cleaner to use than simply wiping, but it means the world's trees have a little less strain on them.
Disposable Diapers
Although it's true that disposable diapers are more convenient in the moment and cloth diapers require some extra cleaning, there's nonetheless a growing movement around leaving the disposable kind in the dust. For most people, it's too obvious how much damage the waste of millions of diapers clogging landfills is doing to the environment.
Cost is also a factor but there's another important reason why these disposable products may not be the best option. According to the Environmental Working Group, it's not unusual for disposable diapers to carry pesticides, carcinogens, and other chemicals known to cause dermatitis and reproductive issues later in life.
Cable TV
About a decade ago, the idea of cutting out cable TV in favor of Netflix was a no-brainer. Other than special award shows and sports, it didn't seem like cable had anything to offer that couldn't be achieved for less.
Granted, things have changed significantly since then. The amount of streaming services available now cost more than even cable did when one signs up for all of them, so it's worth it to pick and choose a couple that can keep you satisfied. Those select few will still offer more than cable does and still won't cost as much. Choose wisely.
Plastic Wrap
Whether it's cling wrap or the traditional, looser kind, some savvy consumers are learning that they can do without plastic wrap. While it's true that these products can help food stay fresh, they're not the only option in that department.
After all, the fact that they're disposable plastic means both that the costs will pile up as quickly as the amount of waste polluting the environment. That's why more and more people are opting for beeswax wraps, which do the same job while staying reusable.
Electric Egg Cooker
While there is no shortage of kitchen appliances that only do one job, some are more understandable to buy than others. After all, there wasn't a more efficient popcorn popper until the microwave was invented. However, some products just seemed unnecessary as soon as they were invented.
Despite how long they've been around, it's hard not to feel that way about electric egg cookers. Considering that one only needs to cook eggs in a standard pot on a stove after the water boils, it's hard to justify spending money on a whole new product for the same purpose.
Designer Clothes
According to The Guardian, multiple reports suggest that high-end fashion houses like Prada, Fendi, and Hugo Boss make their clothes in similar conditions to infamous fast-fashion brands. In terms of environmental sustainability, ethical treatment of the workers behind these products, and quality, neither type of brand should be given the time of day.
While it's understandable to look at the steep prices on designer goods and figure there must be something about them that's worth that money, the answer is that there is, but it's nothing practical. These products are costly because the names are prestigious, the designs are proprietary, and they fit an aesthetic that people value. That's it.
Pie Birds
These little pie birds are a cute reference to old nursery rhymes and make for festive decorations but they also serve a practical purpose. They provide ventilation for a pie, which prevents the filling from bubbling over.
However, just because these aren't pointless products, that doesn't make them necessary. There's a baking technique called pie fluting that results in a wavy crust, which also ventilates the pie and makes pie birds redundant. Their cuteness may be worth a couple of bucks but some cost as much as $24, and those should be avoided like the plague.
Paper Plates And Plastic Utensils
There are many cases where the cheaper, lower-quality option actually costs more in the long run and paper plates, paper cups, and plastic utensils are a perfect example of this. They're the most cost-effective solution for a big party, but some people use them in their day-to-day lives.
Unfortunately, this practice has the same costly results as regularly using paper towels in the house. When choosing most common household items, options that are built to last are the biggest priority.
Clay Cat Litter
Right off the bat, it should be noted that this is not a suggestion to let a cat defecate wherever it feels like. That would be incredibly hazardous to one's health and well-being. Instead, it's worth remembering that just because the makers of clay cat litter products have positioned themselves as the default option, that doesn't mean they have to be.
Instead, Reader's Digest highlighted the benefits of using wood-based cat litter. Not only are they eco-friendly and biodegradable, but they're also made from pine, which has a pleasant, natural scent without any need for chemicals. Best of all, they last longer than clay cat litter products and don't need to be replaced as often.
Pizza Scissors
Although round pizza cutters are considered the classic way to separate this delicious food, some people have discovered that it's actually more efficient to cut a pizza with a pair of scissors. That's why some manufacturers are starting to make scissors with little platforms to make the pizza slice easier to plate.
That's certainly a convenient product but it can often cost up to $30, which can make it hard to justify the cost of such a specialized item. If a house already has scissors and a spatula, it doesn't need pizza scissors.
Magic Tap
In theory, the Magic Tap can be screwed onto any spray bottle or drink container with a lid, which allows for easy dispensing of the liquid inside without the risk of spilling. Although such a product isn't necessary for many people, it should be situationally useful for people with young children or specific grip and mobility issues.
The key word here is that it should be useful but reviews tend to suggest otherwise. Common complaints hold that these devices are too tall and cumbersome, don't fit anywhere near as many containers as the company claims they do, and are sensitive enough to accidentally make the very messes they're supposed to prevent. Skip this one entirely.
Taco Holders
In fairness, it's easy to see how this product can seem like a game-changer. As delicious as tacos are, they're also pretty messy and often sit awkwardly in standard plates. For that reason, this product can be credited for reducing messes and holding tacos upright.
However, the problem isn't what happens when they're used but what happens after they're used. The usual shape of taco holders makes them a serious pain in the butt to store, as they're sure to get in the way of other dishes and tools that are designed for the spaces they're in. It may less annoying in the long run just to tolerate a little mess from time to time.
Books
For avid readers, the idea of putting books on a list like this comes as a particularly sad brand of heresy. The knowledge, creativity, and philosophical insights that comes from the world of literature is something that people can't put a price on. However, that doesn't mean there aren't less costly and more space-efficient ways to access that value. Let's face it, it's so easy to underestimate how quickly new books can clutter a home up.
While some people use electronic e-readers to address this problem, those who prefer the feel and smell of a classic book don't need to be left in the lurch either. It's worth remembering how much of a valuable resource a local public library is. The only way to keep them open is to treat them like the valuable community resources they are, and using them way more than book stores is a great way to achieve that.