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Reusable pet hair roller

I was burning through lint rollers like crazy to remove cat hair from my office chair. I ended up buying an Odora Pet Hair Roller. It’s a reusable device that removes pet hair from upholstered furniture, bedding, and some clothing. It uses a back-and-forth motion to pick up hair and deposit it in a chamber. Because you have to move it back-and-forth, it doesn’t work well on loose blankets, which is something to keep in mind. — MF

AI news

Keeping up with the advances in AI is almost a full-time job. The most reliable single source for understandable and useful news about consumer-facing AI that I use is Ethan Mollick’s substack called One Useful Thing. You can read it as a web blog or as an emailed newsletter. He is quick to thoroughly try out the newest thing and report on what it is useful for. — KK

Joyful social media 

I’ve intentionally cut down on my social media time, but there’s one account I never scroll past because it always makes me smile: Official Stick Reviews on Instagram. It’s the internet’s go-to spot for stick reviews submitted from around the world. Initially, I thought it was satire, but I soon realized the enthusiasm for finding cool sticks is both genuine and contagious. Here’s a good example. — CD

Best extension cord

I’ve struggled every which way to store and deploy very long extension cords in our garage. A year ago, I splurged on the ideal solution which I had seen in hi-tech company workshops: a retractable cord stationed on the ceiling or wall. Like the retractable cord in a vacuum cleaner, you pull it out to the length you need and then when done, a quick yank will instantly wind itself back up. I got an 80-foot one to reach into the yard, as well as the garage or workshop, and it’s so easy now that I don’t hesitate to roll out the cord. Innumerable generic brands make various lengths and gauge of wire. A 45-foot 12-gauge Suraielect Retractable is $90, and totally worth it to me. — KK

Velcro fasteners 

I have an old ugly couch in the basement that I’ve covered with a throw blanket. To prevent it from shifting or being pulled off, I used Velcro Brand Heavy-Duty Fasteners. It’s not a permanent fix, but it spares me from unnecessary fussing with it. — CD 

Stackable soup savers

I learned about silicone freezer trays during a visit to my parents’ house. They use them to store leftover soups and stews. The flexible silicone makes it easy to pop out individual frozen 1-cup cubes, and the rigid lids make them stackable in the freezer. — MF

09/1/24