15 Deeply Practical Items That Any Responsible Adult Should Own

Life is full of uncertainties. And while we can’t offer you a crystal ball that shows you everything that will happen in the future, we can help you be a little more prepared for whatever comes your way. From poop bags to compost bins, we rounded up a list of products that reviewers say make them (or people in their homes) feel responsible.
Some are emergency safety items you’ll be glad to have — though hopefully, you’ll never have to use them. Others are organizational, aimed at keeping you and your family on track. And plenty are general, useful adult-y things that the younger you probably never imagined it would be exciting to purchase, but that the current you is absolutely stoked about.
We hope you find some new handy gadgets and protective tools that make you feel a little more responsible every day.
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The definition of an adult purchase, this catcher insert goes in your drain to trap hair and lint. Say goodbye to clogged showers and sinks with this reusable and easy-to-clean catcher.
Promising review: “This is the best adult-responsibility item i have ever purchased. Now that I have seen how much hair it collects, I can’t believe I ever let that go down the drain. I would take a picture, butnobody wants to see that…Pretty easy to clean. Sometimes it gets kind of gunky, but I just run it under some hot water for a few minutes and wipe it clean. Sometimes it takes some poking with a q-tip to get some of the holes clear. If you have long hair, this is a must-have for your tub drain.” — Cassie Willett
We’ve written about car window breakers before — they’re a compact safety tool that’s great to have in your center console or glove box in the event of a car emergency where you have to exit the vehicle. It’s a tool we hope you never have to use, but you’ll be glad to have.
Promising review: “We all know that you don’t have to be an eagle scout to realize a little preparedness goes a long way; maybe long enough to save your life. Get one of these and firmly mount it somewhere that you can easily reach from the sitting position inside your car/vehicle/boat/aircraft. If there is an emergency situation where you have to get out quickly and your seatbelt/harness jams, you are as good as dead if you don’t have one of these to grab and cut any restraining belts quickly. It’s not just you that may need saving. Look around you and you may see that cute little kid in the car seat, or the elderly person you are now taking care of. The list of possibilities goes on and on. Whether you are suddenly in water, upside down or in a burning vehicle from a crash or accident, it’s time to be that eagle scout and prepare for what could (and does) happen to anyone. You pay for insurance for your car don’t you? You do the same for your health; or you should. This is for your life and it’s not very much at all, so think about being a responsible adult. Even if you aren’t one, it won’t hurt trying to be one. As the saying goes….it makes a great Xmas gift too! Just think how cool you’ll sound while explaining what this thing is to someone who has no idea.” — Richard Hunt
Once you start composting, you may be surprised how much less trash you have. Something like this stainless steel compost bin is good-looking enough to take up space in your kitchen and is an easy way to start composting more regularly.
Promising review: “The unit came so quickly, in secure packaging. I got the compostable liner bags for it at the same time, which seems advisable – it keeps the unit clean and allows me to take the compost to the local collection site. I’m very delighted with the size, appearance and design, as well as being responsible with separating my trash!” — Beth E.
Before you ask, yes, this comes in a “Did you feed the dog?” version, too. Super handy for kids and families taking care of a pet or just anyone who struggles to remember if their furry friend got fed, this magnetic reminder is an interactive way to ensure a proper feeding schedule.
Promising review: “As simple of a device as this is, it helps us all stay accountable and take responsibility for feeding the dog! No one has to ask anymore who has fed the dog because it shows up on a refrigerator! We love it!” — Faith Lee
Students, commuters, tech lovers alike will enjoy this water-resistant, laptop-carrying bag with an adjustable strap. It has an outside pocket for your wallet or phone, internal storage for your laptop, tablet and files, and padded sides to keep everything snug.
Promising review: “This is my first laptop case/bag and I love it so much. It makes me feel like I’m out together and responsible lmao. It is such nice quality and you can adjust the strap. I traveled with it as my personal item. It fit a couple of my books, laptop of course, 3 notebooks, as well as a bunch of pens and my folder. Could probably fit more just didn’t want to push it’s limits. I can see this bag lasting forever it’s very sturdy and the fabric and zippers are good quality.” — Sidney
In lavender or unscented versions with the option of purchasing 120, 270 or 600 bags, these leakproof poop bags will come in handy whenever you need them. Whether you’re a dog parent, cat parent or human parent who’s tired of smelly diapers, these bags are here to keep everything gross inside and let your hands stay clean.
Promising review: “These keep us clean and responsible for our dog especially in parks and along trails.” — Marie E. Daeschel
Have cold, filtered water whenever you need it with this 27-cup Brita dispenser. The replaceable filter lasts for two months or 40 gallons of water, and the slim and long fit works in most fridges. Reviewers say it helps keep them hydrated and feel better about using less plastic. Win, win.
Promising review: “My tap water has been increasing the chlorine to undrinkable levels. Due to preference my favorite drink is water and now I can drink tap water, while being environmentally responsible.” — Vera F Treadway
Don’t be confused by the brand’s name — this emergency ladder isn’t just for kids and can hold up to 1,000 pounds. It’s made with a smart tangle-free design that comes in 13 and 25-foot options with foot-wide, anti-slip rungs for extra safety. It attaches to most windows and is designed to be easy to use in an emergency.
Promising review: “You really can’t test this. But I feel like a responsible parent for having bought it.” — Jeff
If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes, it’s probably time to clean them now. This fragrance-free “shampoo” is gentle on your supplies while still keeping them clean and nice for your skin.
Promising review: “I admit it. I’m terrible when it comes to taking care of my makeup and brushes. I don’t care if it’s past its prime; if it still works, I’m using it. And those badger brushes I paid a ton for? Pretty sure they were still holding onto powder and eyeshadow from 6 years ago. So in a rare moment of responsibility, I finally broke down and started looking for a brush cleaner. I picked this one based almost entirely on the add-on pricing. I considered the e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner, which was even less expensive, but it was so much smaller that this Ecotools bottle worked out to be more cost-effective. And it’s a pretty good size bottle at that. So how did it work? Well, I can happily say that this cleaner does a bang-up job! My brushes were saturated with old color, to the point that I thought I might need to spring for a new set. Aside from just looking bad, though, all that old color was probably affecting pigment and application any time I used them. A little of this cleaner, a handful of seconds working it in and rinsing, and my brushes look practically as good as the day I bought them! Saved me a ton of money in new brushes, and it didn’t take away from my being-lazy time!” — JD
It’s probably unsurprising to see a first aid kit on this list, and you’re right; having 350 pieces of medical supplies is a great way to feel responsible. Ideal for a home, car, workplace or travel bag, it comes in a compact carrying box and contains everything from cotton swabs to alcohol prep pads.
Promising review: “Growing up we used to have a closet with random medical things all over the place. No order to anything, almost like a junk drawer. Now I have this organized first aid kit on the wall in my house like a responsible person.” — Michael
The Bissell Little Green is consistently a best-selling item at HuffPost and is often deemed a must-have for pet owners. It’s small but mighty and is right there for both wet and dry messes on carpets, furniture, your car and more.
Promising review: “Love this little guy already! I joke with my boyfriend it’s the responsible pet now. We have a cat and a dog who simultaneously get sick at times and this works great to get their stains out of the carpet in our apartment! No cleaning fees for us when we move out.” — Sarah Peil
Listen, we all need toilet paper — and frankly, it’s more responsible to have it than not to have it. Remember the TP-hoarding situation of 2020? Grab this set of 32 rolls of Scott toilet paper and be glad you did.
Promising review: “Scott 1000 Trusted Clean Toilet Paper has earned its place as a staple in my household for several reasons. First and foremost, its septic-safe, 1-ply design ensures reliable performance without compromising on quality. Each roll is packed with 1000 sheets, which means fewer roll changes and great value for money.I appreciate the strength and durability of this toilet paper. Despite being 1-ply, it holds up well and provides a comfortable experience. The texture is gentle yet effective, making it suitable for everyday use. Moreover, knowing that it’s septic-safe gives me peace of mind that I’m making a responsible choice for my plumbing system.The 32-roll pack lasts a long time, making it convenient to stock up without frequent trips to the store. For its affordability, durability, and practicality, Scott 1000 Toilet Paper deserves five stars. It’s a reliable choice that delivers on its promises, ensuring cleanliness and comfort for my family.” — Sonya salmons
A good roll of paper towels will save you time and money. This set of 20 rolls of Bounty will ensure you always have some when you need them, and you can use less of each roll on each mess.
Promising review: “Ah yes. Another thing I thought I could’ve lived without before I started being responsible for my own life.” — Masha
Owala FreeSip bottles are another HuffPost favorite among both readers and our staff. You can sip it with a straw or swig it from a larger opening. The leakproof lid will give you peace of mind on the go, and the fun color combos will fit any style.
Promising review: “We had been using plastic water bottles for years and we decided to act more responsibly. We tried 2 other stainless water bottles and we found Owala to be the best. This particular one fits our hand size, is easy to clean (the lid can go in the dishwasher), and comes in great colour combinations. We love it and so will you.” — Cynthia in Canada
Another thing you always need exactly when you can’t find it — get yourself a set of batteries and never stress about taking them out of the TV remote again. This set contains 36 AAA batteries, but you can also buy them in 8, 12, 20, 100 and 1,000 counts.
Promising review: “I have used these batteries in a variety of devices, including remote controls, flashlights, and children’s toys, and they have held up well in all of them. I appreciate that these batteries are also environmentally friendly, as they do not contain harmful chemicals such as mercury or cadmium. This makes them a more responsible choice for my family and for the planet. Overall, I would highly recommend the Amazon Basics 36 Pack AAA High-Performance Alkaline Batteries to anyone looking for a reliable and long-lasting battery option. The 10-year shelf life, easy-to-open packaging, and high-performance make them a great value and a must-have for any household.” — Deep Fried (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)