Storage and cleaning

FlexiSnake drain snake tool

Name: FlexiSnake drain snake tool
Brand: FlexiSnake

Pulls hair out of a drain instead of dissolving it with chemicals.

Photograph illustrates the category, not this exact tool.

What it is good at

Removing the actual cause of a slow drain, which chemicals only postpone
Being safe on the pipes and on a septic system
Costing a fraction of one plumber visit

Check before you buy

Length against the depth of your trap
Whether the barbs are aggressive enough to grip hair without scratching
Whether it comes apart for cleaning

Who it is not for

A fully blocked main line, which needs a proper auger or a plumber.

Most slow bathroom drains are hair around the stopper and the first bend. A barbed strip pulls that out in a minute, and the drain stays clear for months.

Chemical drain cleaners are a temporary measure that damages older pipes. Mechanical removal is the durable answer.

Also in Storage and cleaning

Storage and cleaning

Rubbermaid locking food storage set

Containers whose lids seal hard enough for soup and stack flat in the fridge.

Best for: Batch cooking, leftovers and anyone tired of leaking lunch boxes.
Watch out for: Cheap sets crack at the hinge within a year — that is the part to inspect.

Check price and availability

Storage and cleaning

Anova precision vacuum sealer

Extends freezer life and makes sous-vide practical.

Best for: Freezer users, batch cooks and anyone cooking sous-vide.
Watch out for: It needs a flat, dry sealing edge and channels in the bag — cheap bags fail.

Check price and availability

Storage and cleaning

Shark cordless stick vacuum

The vacuum you actually use daily, provided the brush roll comes out.

Best for: Quick cleans on hard floor and low pile, and stairs.
Watch out for: Battery capacity falls with age, and on most models the battery is not user-replaceable.

Check price and availability