The 10 absolute essentials to have at home

Every day, dozens of gadgets flood the market. Our drawers are full of accessories we thought were revolutionary, but which have never left their boxes. Yet, there are indeed essentials, simple everyday items that are extremely useful in a home. Discover the 10 must-have items for your home to make daily life easier.

Clothes pegs

We don't realize how important these little things are until we run out of them. They are not just for hanging laundry: they also seal open food packages to keep them fresh, hold a tablecloth in place... They can also bundle papers together, hang toothbrushes, or help us pull out a nail or a paperclip. Not to mention a budget-friendly decor trick: clipping photos or cards to a support (string, wire mesh, etc.).

 

 

Empty glass bottles

It is good to always have a few on hand. They will be useful if you make your own cosmetics or household products. You can also put leftover liquid food in them to seal and store it properly. They can also be used by plant lovers as a small vase or to start a cutting. By placing a candle inside, a glass bottle will perfectly serve as an accent lamp.

 

 

A screwdriver with various bits

The smallest DIY task requires a screwdriver, even just putting batteries into the youngest child's toy. It is therefore extremely useful to have one at home. And if you have several, including Phillips, flat-head, and various sizes, or even a model with interchangeable heads, it is even better.

 

 

A flashlight

A power outage, a rebellious spoon hiding under a piece of furniture... You always need a flashlight at home! Even if only shadow puppet enthusiasts use this lamp on a daily basis, it is good to have one or more on different floors of the house. Remember to always keep it in the same place: you will be glad to find it if a leak occurs in the middle of the night, if a suspicious noise scares you, or if the lights suddenly go out.

 

 

A microfiber cloth

These non-abrasive synthetic cloths can be used dry to remove dust or wet to remove grease and stains without ever scratching any surface. Very useful for families with children, for whom spilled fruit juice is an everyday occurrence. Microfiber cloths prove to be an ecological alternative to disposable wipes. They can clean almost anything in a house, from bathroom tiles to stainless steel and windows. They are also perfect for removing stubborn stains, since you can scrub fabrics without damaging them.

 

 

A bucket

Another object that can save your life. When a plumbing incident occurs, it is the one that saves our floors. It is also an essential household companion, from mopping the floor to cleaning windows or washing the car. It can also help you carry heavy or hard-to-transport loads, such as soil for your plants, or remove construction debris when you are doing renovations. And let's not forget that using a bucket is very ecological, since it allows you to control water usage and avoid wasting it.

 

 

The Swiss Army knife

It needs no introduction, it is a true classic! The Swiss Army knife is an indispensable accessory for DIYers and adventurers alike because it includes about forty functions. In addition to the knife blade, the most popular ones are the saw, the corkscrew, and the can opener. But it has other uses, little known but just as practical: a hook disgorger for fishermen, a lever hook, an awl, a spare sewing needle, a ruler, a screwdriver, a vegetable peeler... So many good reasons to invest in a real Swiss Army knife.

 

 

Marseille soap

Natural, economical, traditional, bactericidal, Marseille soap has only advantages and is used for almost every purpose in a home. From dish soap to shower gel, it is almost omnipotent. Here are some of its most remarkable uses:

• Liquid or in flakes, it replaces chemical laundry detergent. It is also ideal for hand-washing delicate items.
• It allows you to maintain exotic wood, which it will protect with its delicate layer of natural fat present in olive oil.
• It cleans leather and suede when they are stained. It is rare to find products that treat these fragile materials without damaging them.
• It replaces shower gel, shampoo, and shaving cream... and even toothpaste.
• It cleans and protects tiled floors.
  
  

 

 

A roll of adhesive tape

Did you think you wouldn't see a piece of adhesive tape again after leaving school? That was a mistake, because it is one of the most useful objects in the house. Far from only being used for gift wrapping, it is essential for minor repairs, such as a torn book, and has a thousand other uses. Among others:

• Holding an electrical cord behind a piece of furniture;
• Securing the bag on the edges of the trash can;
• Blocking a switch or an electrical outlet;
• Holding down the corner of a rug that curls up;
• Removing lint or dust from a garment when you no longer have a lint roller.
  
  

 

 

White vinegar

At Houzz, we are big fans of household vinegar, also known as white vinegar. It has so many uses that we can no longer do without it. It notably allows you to:

• Clean showers and sinks, thanks to its powerful limescale-removing properties;
• Polish stainless steel and steel without scratching;
• Make glass shine by using it during the rinsing stage;
• Disinfect and descale toilets, replacing bleach;
• Deodorize drains;
• Soothe insect bites;
• Remove stubborn odors from fabrics.