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Because there are lots of little easy fixes even a novice can pull off.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

Everything's fine and dandy until your favorite seat on the couch is sunken about 3 inches lower than the rest. Or your roommate puts their coffee mug down on your gorgeous wooden table *without* a coaster and leaves a ring behind. ::stares at the camera The Office style:: Welp, there are quick fixes for those and a variety of other situations where you wanna repair instead of replace your products. And I rounded them up for you here!

ICYMI, one of the best categories for secondhand is smaller kitchen appliances! People tend to declutter them because they don't use them as often as they expect — which is great news for you. Keep those eyes peeled for air fryers!!!!! 

Promising review: "Bought this Keurig at the Goodwill. Five stars for the cleaner, 1 star for the nasty used coffee maker! You can see what came out!" —Amazon Customer

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95.

This was an impromptu purchase once I realized just how bad my circa-2018 Asos midi coat was looking. It was SERIOUSLY fuzzy, and I'd been walking around in it, not even realizing it. How embarrassing for me! So I took this fabric shaver to it while I finally watched Lost about a year ago. It's a little loud, but it did some WORK. Here's a pic of a sleeve where you can see the difference it's making and also a glamour shot of the gobs of lint and fuzz it's removed from the coat. And unlike with other fabric shavers, there's no guessing how much charge the battery has left. This gadget has a little % countdown that's clear to read. My beloved coat looks brand-new!

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "Amodex took ink out of my expensive scrubs. A pen leaked in my pocket and made a thick glob of ink stain on the scrub jacket and a little on the pants. After using the Amodex and washing in cold water, there is no evidence of a stain, and the fabric looks exactly how it looked before the stain. There was no damage or discoloration of the fabric. Thank you, Amodex. This product just saved me the $75 that it would have cost to replace the scrubs." —Michelle hammer

Reviewers say this stuff has also worked on lightening pen stains on a Dooney & Bourke leather purse, ink smeared on a corduroy sofa, ballpoint pen on a movie screen, pen scribbles on a white leather couch, lipstick on a rug, and more.

Promising review: "It feels like carrying a new purse again! Look at that hardware sparkle! I used a cotton swab to clean the hardware and only used a very small amount at a time, so it did not get into the leather." —Curious007

Reviewers say it also worked great on their Louis Vuitton locks and belt buckles.

This also works on Durablend, vinyl, compound, saffiano, faux leather, and other leather or leather-like surfaces.

Promising review: "Used the microfiber cloth to apply and after the first treatment noted only mild improvement, but after the second treatment (done just after the first treatment dried), the stain was not visible!! I then did the entire chair and the results are great. Advice: Do not scrub the area hard. This may roughen up the leather. Apply lightly and wipe off with another microfiber towel." —mich

Note: Furniture Clinic (the maker of this product) recommends testing to see if your leather is absorbent before using this product by seeing if a drop of water will soak into the undamaged part of the leather. If the water is able to soak in, use this balm! If it cannot soak in, they recommend using their leather repair paint instead. 

Promising review: "The sofa in the pictures [above] is 10 years old and well used. My wife and I could not believe the results after using the balm. Really got rid of the cracks. Amazing stuff. Highly recommend it. The two pictures are before and after using the product on one arm of the sofa. Match the color, and it is magic!" —Loyal Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $24.94+ (available in 16 colors and two kits). 

Promising review: "This totally worked. Been walking on my repaired boot for a month now, and it’s still glued back together. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the glue dries white (not clear), and I had to use a Sharpie so it didn’t look ridiculous. Way better than buying new boots, though!" —Elicia

I've used this hack to get rid of coffee stains in white mugs with another brand's denture/retainer cleaners and found it's most effective when used with boiling instead of room temp water. 

Promising review: "Not only does it work perfectly on my grinder guard, but I used it on a water bottle and a coffee mug, and it was perfectly clean. Had a mint flavor, so that’s the only reason I washed them. Got the coffee stain out and everything." —Rachel 

Promising review: "I tried another product for a different machine and was so impressed I bought two more for different machines. These tabs come packaged exactly the same, no matter the machine, in a very organized, easy-to-read, slim box with a thank-you note. Fantastic. Drop a tab directly in the laundry bin, run a large cycle on hot, and boom a clean washer. During the cycle, mass foam is created from that little tab. At the end, my washer smelled clean, looked clean, and I have a bi-monthly supply. I'm a fan!" —Bryan W. Steffy

Promising review: "Our dishwasher was NASTY. Totally disgusting. My husband wanted to buy a new one. I said let me see what I can do with this one because there is clearly an issue. This is after one cleaning, but I’m running it a second time due to the sheer filth of our family. I am so happy with the result so far. Awesome product!" —Ash

Get 12 tablets (a year supply) from Amazon for $18.95.

Some reviewers even use it to redo their countertops or sinks, although you might want to use an acrylic sealer afterward if you decide to do that! It's fantastic for vintage appliances too, according to one reviewer.

Promising review: "Oh my goodness! This stuff is amazing! I remodeled my bathroom and the washer and dryer looked terrible. One coat of this and they look brand new! I’m going to add another coat today just to make it extra durable." —L. Hornberger

You can check out the full TikTok showing how easily these go on. 

Promising review: "My DW panel was a poor grade of stainless, impossible to clean streaks, and had a dent to boot! This solved the problem and looks great. I'm very happy!" —Laura Berger

Get it from ReVent Covers on Etsy for $49.99+ (available in four designs and many sizes). 

Lots of reviewers use them on outdoor furniture, too!

Promising review: "Have a look at these cushion covers! They are great quality and look amazing. Best invention ever! I bought the taupe, but wish I'd chosen the beige instead. Not a deal breaker, so kept them. But these are waterproof and washable! I have dogs, so this sure helps to protect my new sofa!!" —Laurica

Get them from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in six sizes/packs and 11 colors).

It can be used on leather shoes, accessories, interiors, furniture, upholstery, saddles, jackets, and tack.

Promising review: "I use this for my everyday boots as well as my dress shoes. I'm not always gentle with my boots and I thought I had ruined them the other day (worn out color, scuffs all over), but I cleaned the muck off, gave them a brushing, then applied this leather honey, and after letting it sit, my boots look almost like the day I bought them! It keeps the leather supple and restores color. You only need to use a small amount per use!" —David Horning

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in three sizes; clip the coupon for this price).

Promising review: "I tried numerous products to remove this Sharpie marker from my table, and nothing worked, not even to fade it. I got it off in less than five minutes with The Pink Stuff. It did take off a little of the 'shine' that it did have, but it's not too noticeable. I wouldn't use it on shiny wood furniture because of that reason. I also had to apply a lot of pressure to get it all the way off, but I was happy with the results." —Molly

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a squeezable tube).

Reviewers also used it on outdoor furniture, a metal door, and white walls.   

Check out a TikTok of the SneakErasers in action. 

Promising review: "I have a couple of pairs of sneakers I stopped wearing because they started looking a bit grungy. Just couldn't justify throwing them away though, because they were still in great shape and not very old. I came across these sponges and took a chance. They work like a charm. I cleaned two pairs of shoes and could not believe the results! Awesome." —Spencer

Check out how to dye your canvas sneakers on Rit.

Get a bottle from Amazon for $5.99 (available in a range of colors).

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 $4+ (available in 16 colors).

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: "So….my son pays no mind to the amount of grease that he is covered in while working in the farm shop 🤣😂 I had basically said these jeans are work jeans now!!! I am amazed at how these look after two washes!! If you haven’t ordered it, go do it now!!" —Mommyof20607

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

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

Btw, bras are incredibly expensive and there are soooo many NWT ("new with tags," for the uninitiated) on marketplaces like Mercari and Poshmark, or even in local charity shops. So the next time you see a Cuup bra with the tags still on it at Savers, you can give it a chance. 

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 $7.59 (available in a variety of combos).

Puffer Jacket Repair is a small biz Etsy job specializing in, well, patches for puffer jackets! 

Get it from Puffer Jacket Repair on Etsy for $11.18 (available in a variety of colors). 

Promising review: "This was my first time tie-dyeing and this kit was very simple to use! The instructions are very clear and everything needed is included in the kit. I did have some tiny clumps of dye on my shirt, but I turned it inside out before starting so you can’t hardly see them when the shirt is worn. I did avoid the black dye as another review had issues with that one, so I have no feedback on the black. Overall, excellent kit and my experience makes me want to tie dye more! —Emily

Get a five-color kit from Amazon for $17.99 (also available in much larger kits). 

Promising review: "I do not know how I lived without them. I have saved a bunch on unnecessary alterations." —Gerald Voigt

Get a five-pack of pants extenders for $6.99.

Promising review: "There are the best things ever. I have jeans that fit great but the waist is always too loose. So I saw these on TikTok, and I was so curious to see if they worked or not. But seriously, you need to buy these, the buttons are great material and just the most useful things overall." —Alexa Botello

It has four sides: one to clean heavier scuff marks and stains, one to gently clean fine suede and light scuff marks, one to clean rounded corners, and one to clean hard-to-reach crevices and grooves.

Promising review: "I was really sad when I thought my bucks were at the end of their road, because I had always heard that suede couldn't be cleaned. With this brush and a little elbow grease my bucks are looking great again! I didn't use any water or cleaner, I just kept wiping the brush off on my jeans to keep the brush clean, then hit the shoe again with a clean surface. It even brightened the leather up a bit." —Roberto

Promising review: "Great quality, great colors. These laces are long enough for my boots... I use them with my canvas Keds sneakers too. It's nice to be able to change my laces with my outfits... It feels like a new pair of shoes every time I wear them!" —Tdelarme

Promising review: "Was easy to attach. I had to bring it forward a little so it would get a little more light in front. The only complaint is that it shows every bit of dust and debris in front. Now, instead of taking a few minutes to vacuum, it takes a while longer, but when I am through, the floor is clean. I am satisfied." —Radford swindell

Get it from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in battery-powered or rechargeable models).

Promising review: "I rent a furnished apartment with a grandma couch. I was covering it with a cute comforter for over a year, when I saw someone suggest this on Facebook. I love it. I got teal, and I’ve always wanted a velvet couch. I did not have extra money in my budget, but I definitely think it was worth it! Really easy to put on and not shapeless like the first couch covers. My friends came over, and they loved it." —Jenn

Get it from Amazon for $32.49+ (available in five sizes and 14 colors).

Promising review: "Was very surprised at the quality of fabric and ease at putting them on the chair. They fit snug and look fabulous. I absolutely love them. I ordered cream and they are very neutral and clean looking." —Linda Williamson

Get six from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in tons of solid colors and prints).

Promising review: "Before and after putting it on. I couldn’t be happier. This chair has been through and lot and I just wasn’t ready to pry with it. The cover was easy to put in and so soft." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 10 sizes and 22 solid colors).

It's basically really thick foam you can put inside your cushion, under the stuffing. Plus, there's a piece of thin foam that goes near the back of he cushion for extra support. 

SagsAway is a small biz specializing in these inserts that help revive furniture. 

Promising review: "The sofas are sturdy and only 3 years old but several cushions were sagging. I ordered two of the large size for our loveseat to try them out. I easily cut an inch off to have it fit with an X-Acto knife. Easy to slide in, easy to close with my husband's help. The difference when sitting on the sofa is amazing. Firm and they feel like new cushions. I just ordered three more for the large sofa." —doris

Get them on Amazon for $34.99+ per kit (available in three sizes; each kit fixes one cushion).

Note that based on the reviews, this tends to work best on poly-filled cushions. As one reviewer noted, it helped some but not as much as expected on their down-filled cushions. 

Promising review: "Our sofas are 10 years old, and with three young adult boys in the house, they get constant use — gaming, TV marathons, and plenty of horsing around. The cushions were beginning to sag and I was seriously considering replacing them, but I’m just not ready for such a big purchase at the moment. I decided to try the Gorilla Grip Couch Cushion Support Boards — and I’m so glad I did! The improvement was immediate. The cushions are noticeably firmer, far more supportive, and much more comfortable to sit on. You can even double them up if you feel you need more support." —Caffeinated-girl

Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in three sizes).

House 2 Home is a small biz specializing in upholstery repair kits. 

The kit includes: All commercial grade items, including four no-sag couch springs, 12 upholstery spring clips, 20 feet of seat spring stay wire, 20 stay wire clips, 32 screws, and step-by-step instructions for installation.

Promising review: "Replaced the broken spring and added new coated wire and clips. I used zip ties to hold the wire and springs together while I clamped down the clips, which helped a lot. I just had trouble holding the spring and wire together while I clamped the clip down. Great kit, came with plenty of extra supplies." —Marie

Get it from Amazon for $22.95 (available in a variety of sizes). 

Promising review: "These are so cute! We camp and go to public parks for picnics. I'll buy more for sure. No more worrying whether I have the table clips! Pretty durable, too." —Pam

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 18 patterns).

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: "Used this to attempt to clean up the 45-year-old solid wood couch that I inherited and reupholstered. Got the water stains off after one application! Perfect!" —Stacey A. Berkin

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

Also check out a reviewer who said it removed a months-old heat stain from a coffee mug.

A little bit of this goes a LONG way and it smells really strong. So be careful about storing and using it. Also a bottle will probably last you for years, depending on what kind of messes you've gotta clean. This stuff will save your mani from any scraping. 

Promising review: "This is an amazing product. I’ve been trying everything to remove my old phone mount on my car dashboard, and this adhesive removal worked very fast. My recommendation is to wear gloves. I noticed that my fingertips and my nails got damaged. But besides from that, I give ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to GOO GONE." —May

Reviewers have also used it to remove stickers from a laptop and leftover adhesive on speakers.

Promising review: "I used this Gloss White to paint an old garden arch, gate and a trellis over a garden bench. It was just a dreary, tired black; the white changed the look and feel instantly. Definitely get the trigger grip accessory if your project takes more than one can — mine was eight cans and that grip was a great idea.The paint is a true bright white with a bit of a shine after it dries. I did have to do two full coats to completely cover the original black wrought iron, but there's no color bleed through as a result." —Dogs & Horses

Get it from Amazon for $15.94+ (available in a variety of metallic colors).

Reviewers have also used this on lawnmowers, ironing boards, mailboxes, mounted fireplace covers, metal doors, flower pots, wicker, buckets, golf cart trim, car fenders, game boards and pieces, and even an excavator broom and stick! Though that's barely scratching the surface.   

Prettypegs is a Stockholm-based small biz from married couple Jana and Mikael. The idea came to them after shopping at Ikea and finding all the sofa legs super boring.

Get it from PrettyPegs for $10.15 each (available in a variety of furniture legs for all kinds of pieces).

This paint contains no harsh chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, or solvents.

Promising review: "First time painting anything in my life, and it was great. No sanding or priming is needed. Beautiful colors; description and pictures are so accurate. Easy to paint and quick to dry. Time saving! I will always be using this paint." —Samah Safi

Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and over 50 colors).

Promising review: "Spilled an entire glass of red wine on my couch last night. Of course I was about to load the entire couch off to the dump, but I remembered I had bought this product probably a year ago and hadn’t tried it. The stain literally disappeared before my eyes…and after throwing the cover in the washer and dryer, the stain is 100% gone. I thought for sure there would be a purple cast of color on the cushion. NO. You would never know I spilled an entire glass of wine on this cushion. I wonder if it works best when used immediately? Curious if it would work on old stains. REGARDLESS: it is a miracle product." —Kelly Potter

Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in several sizes and in individual wipes).

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.