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Nov 13, 2023

Items To Prepare You For Messes & Accidents On The Go

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

If you're the Mom Friend of the group, this post is for you — whether or not you're actually a parent.

BuzzFeed Contributor

Or an OxiClean stain removing stick for a boost of oxi-powered grossness removal. Like the Tide-To-Go option, this one works pen-style; to use it, just blot off any excess gunk from the location of the spill, then go at it with this lil’ guy’s unique scrubby tip. Stains, begone!

A mini-sized bottle of Poo-Pourri spray, because taking care of business in less-than-private situations doesn’t have to be an anxiety-inducing experience. Give the bowl a spray before you sit down, and this lemon, bergamot, and lemongrass-scented stuff will stop odors from making their way out into the, uh… general population. Seems goofy, but longtime Poo-Pourri enthusiasts swear by it — and if public restrooms are a little fraught for you, the peace of mind this stuff provides might be worth it.

A pack of Wisp brushers, because accidental midday coffee breath is a surprisingly solvable problem. It’s true that nothing beats an actual brushing — but since these portable brushers don’t need any water to do their thing, they make giving your teeth and tongue a quick brush a little easier and more discreet than it might otherwise be. It pays always to be prepared for important afternoon meetings, does it not?

Promising review: “They work. Period. I keep these on hand everywhere — home, office, bag, car. More convenient than sprays and pens because the stain remover is in a textured wipe you use to scrub out the stain. They actually call me the Shout Lady at work because I have come to the rescue of more than one colleague who suffered a lunchtime mishap. (Who in his right mind would hold a dripping chicken parm sandwich anywhere close to a white button-down?)” —S Hopkins

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $21.96.

Promising review: “Perfect for backpacks and purses! If you have kids, you know there is always going to be random bumps, bruises, and scrapes. This little kit helps keep everything on hand to handle those little emergencies. It’s also possible to refill the kit — which makes it sustainable!” —nomadnoor

Get a set of two kits from Amazon for $13.88.

Inside this kit, you’ll find 16 bandages of various sizes — including six that are kid-sized! — two sterile gauze pads, two packets each of hydrocortisone cream and burn cream, two ointments, two cotton swabs, two lip balms, two hygienic wipes, two sanitary wipes, two thermometer strips, two safety pins, one roll of adhesive medical tape, a pair of tweezers, a pair of nail clippers, and a pair of bandage scissors. There are also some stickers, which are meant to help soothe kids while they get bandaged up — but honestly, who doesn’t love stickers?

Promising review: “Perfectly practical! This is a wonderful first aid kit for anyone, but especially parents. It includes practical items without being too much, everything has an expiration date far enough out, and it’s all rolled up in a sturdy, compact kit. We just bought a second one for my husband’s pack because we like it so much, but our first pack is almost three years old and it’s indispensable. I also love that the company offers a refill kit! Perfect for a trip to the park/zoo/grandparent’s house.” —Sara T.

Get it from Amazon for $22.95 (available in three designs).

Included in the kit are a measuring tape, three needles, two safety pins, four straight pins, a needle threader, four buttons, a selection of 10 different-colored threads, and a foldable pair of sewing scissors, all loaded into a protective plastic case.

Promising review: “Nice little sewing kit! I purchased this sewing kit to take along on our cruises. It's the perfect size, and has everything needed to pin, hem, mend or alter a garment at a moment's notice. I love it.” —Traveling Mama

Get it from Amazon for $5.99.

The kit includes a stain remover wipe, an emery board, double-sided tape, a pill container, a safety pin, a mending kit, a mini-comb with a couple of elastics, lip balm, dental floss, an adhesive bandage, spare earring backings, a nail polish remover pad, a deodorant towelette, some spare buttons, a compact mirror, and a little bottle of breath drops.

Promising review: “Great little kit! I purchased this kit to have on hand for my wedding and ended up, thankfully, not needing it. So I took it into my classroom, where it has been a great item to have on hand. The small size makes it perfect to keep in a desk drawer and pull out in a pinch.” —Miranda

Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in 25 colors)

Promising review: "I LOVE THIS STUFF. I’m on my second bottle. I get headaches often, always have, and this has been a great alternative to ibuprofen all the time. I use it for stress headaches (I grind my teeth at night and just generally carry a lot of tension) and this helps most with that. Also sinus headaches. I have insomnia too and get headaches from lack of sleep and this helps soothe the headache and helps me relax so I can fall asleep. I wouldn’t say it fixes all headaches (and not migraines) but it helps a lot, smells great, and is super handy. Strongly recommend!" —Elena Peeples

Read BuzzFeed's review of the migraine stick for more!

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

This is the pill carrier I use when I'm… basically anywhere other than home (banana for scale). I’ve got a couple of medications I need to take daily, so in order to avoid having to carry a whole bunch of bottles with me, I decant what I need into the four little compartments here and chuck the case in my bag. It keeps things safe, secure, and all in one place.

Also, I… really like its aesthetics. I know, I know — “aesthetic” is not a necessity for medication storage, but it doesn’t hurt that this thing is nice to look at, too. It’s the little things, you know?

Promising review: “Convenient! This pill storage case allows me to carry my medicine around without any issues. It can store up to four different pills. It's small and can fit in your pocket or bag. It's perfect for on the go or traveling. Instead of having to take my whole pill bottle, I just put a few of each in each spot and take it with me so I have on-the-go meds just in case.” —¤♤♡◇♧□○°

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: “Excellent backup battery. Holds charge well, so is ready when you need it. Holds charge with little loss over time. Great to have in the car for emergency when you need to make a call and find your phone dead. Also nice in the house during extended power outages.” —John

Get it from Amazon for $21.98+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: “Amazing product to have on the go! I purchased the Tide-To-Go Instant Stain Remover Liquid Pen, and I must say it has been a game-changer. This little pen has come to my rescue multiple times when dealing with unexpected stains on my clothes. Its compact size makes it convenient to carry in my bag or purse, ensuring that I have it handy whenever I need it. The application is simple and mess-free, allowing me to target the stain directly and treat it immediately. I've been amazed at how quickly and effectively it removes various stains, including food spills, coffee, and even ink marks. The results are impressive, leaving no trace of the stain behind. I also appreciate that it doesn't require any additional water or rinsing, making it perfect for on-the-go stain emergencies. The three-count pack provides excellent value for the price, ensuring that I have backups when needed. Overall, it's a reliable and efficient stain remover that has saved me from countless wardrobe mishaps. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and effective solution to tackle stains on the spot.” —bister

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $7.88.

Promising review: “Must have necessity! Works on most stains! I use this on a variety of better-quality garments and dress clothes and it has taken out 99% of stains and would-be stains that I have tried it on. It takes out coffee easily, as well other food/drink splashes, and it’s taken out a variety of other things. Most impressively, I accidentally got copper iridescent Sharpie marker on a polyester tie and it completely removed it (I thought the tie was a goner). I would note that I addressed the Sharpie marker stain immediately and didn’t let it sit more than a minute or so. Been great overall, and intend to always have it around!” —CS

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.98.

Promising review: “I bought these to put into my bag/pocket to carry around just in case. Sometimes public restrooms do not have soap and that is extremely inconvenient. These come in super handy! One sheet is definitely enough for me and it’s so cool to watch it turn from a dry sheet of paper into sudsy soap with water added. I’d 100% recommend.” —mammothmeerkat

Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available individually, in sets of two or three packs, and in five scent options)

Promising review: “Convenient and gentle wipes for on-the-go use! Being a mother of one, I often purchase large blocks of wet wipes for use at home. However, carrying them while on the go became increasingly heavy and inconvenient, so I decided to get these pocket wipes.

Since these wipes are not specifically marketed for babies, I was initially concerned about potential irritation to my son's delicate skin. To my relief, these wipes proved to be extremely gentle and caused no adverse reactions whatsoever.

One of the standout features of these wipes is the excellent seal that effectively locks in moisture. This ensures that the wipes stay fresh and moist even after being opened multiple times, making them perfect for travel or when you're out and about.” —Nodoka Sugiyama

Get a set of 10 packs from Amazon for $18.70.

Promising review: “Purchased this kit and threw a bag into each car. Actually had a hot date and needed to clean up a bit, and these things work great. Exactly what they're there for. To help you out in a pinch and they deliver.” —KFM

Get four 24-packs from Amazon for $17.92.

Promising review: “Exactly what I wanted! I was wanting some little flossers to carry around in my purse, and I thought for $0.99 that I would give these a try! So happy I did. I happened to get the purple case which is super pretty (and my favorite color!) and the floss is fantastic. Definitely happy with this purchase!” —Ashley

Get a pack of 12 picks from Amazon for $0.99 (also available in larger multipacks).

Promising review: “This stuff works great. You should plan ahead as you may have to reapply after a few hours depending on the clothing you are wearing, trouble spot, activity, and weather. For instance, we were riding casual bicycles around our vacation spot, in shorts, with thighs being the trouble spot, in 80+ degree full sun weather, and had to reapply to trouble spots every few hours. We just kept it in our bag, easy to use, the small size is easy to toss in the bag. Recommend this product and will definitely buy again.” —AJ

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes and packs of one or two).

Promising review: “Wonderful product to keep in your bag! I love these sheets — they're big and sizable. I'm a big guy, so these sheets are great for me to use if I need to give myself a refreshing wipe-down when I'm traveling or out for a long day. I live and work in production in NYC and also am on the road a lot, so I have long days. The smell is great — not too heavy. I haven't had any bad skin reactions and have felt refreshed at times when I can't get to a shower. Perfect for freshening up after a long day of work when having to go straight to an event or somewhere. If I'm feeling funky and can't shower right away, I grab one of these. I have them with me in my camera bag and personal backpack when I'm out and about the city.

I love that these are biodegradable and feel good about using something that won't last on the earth for 79 years!” —Travis Curry

Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: “I sweat a lot. And I feel more secure when I go places and have these with me. Easy to keep in any bag, purse, and/or pocket. Can freshen up quick and remain confident.” —Dantaya Thompson

Get them from Amazon for $29.69+ (available in packs of 50 or 100 wipes).

Promising review: “Perfect for a purse! I keep Poo-Pourri in all my bathrooms, so when I saw this small to-go size on sale, I thought, let me try it. It’s a great size that fits in my purse, so I feel more comfortable when I have to use the restroom in public.” —Jill Lewis

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

Promising review: “Good product! Used it for daytime hiking and it worked really well. Smells great and easily packs away!” —JPena

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "I bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and have been having issues with mosquito bites. Used it a few times to relieve itchiness and I am convinced it works! Have been recommending it to my family and friends. Read the directions and follow them carefully. Don't use this on your face or neck, or other sensitive areas. Don't do a lot of suction, just a little bit. And do it a few times if needed. Great invention!" —Joe

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in individually and in multi-packs and in three colors).

Here's what BuzzFeed staffer Emma Lord has to say about them: "As a blister-prone human, I swear by these. A few years ago, before I invested in these running socks that prevent blisters, I got a blister on my big toe so unspeakably large and painful that I am cringing even TYPING about it, and no amount of rest from running seemed to heal it; it just kept coming back. I finally used one of these bandages, and the pain was virtually gone from the moment I put it on. It was also so airtight that nothing got inside, and it didn't loosen in the shower. You're supposed to take it off when it loses adhesive so it can come off gently without disturbing the blister if it hasn't fully healed yet. After using two of these in a row over the course of a week and a half, my blister was finally healed up enough that it stopped coming back."

Promising review: "I got a big heel blister while breaking in some new work boots. It would have been painful to keep wearing the boots with a traditional Band-Aid. These Dr. Frederick's heel bandages work like magic. They are literally like a padded extra layer of skin. Put one on and you can't even feel the blister anymore. Could put the boots back on and go right back to work. And they fit so well, that towards the end of the healing period I forgot and even took a shower with it on and still stuck on fine. Like I say, like a layer of temporary skin." —Kevin Weatherman

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four varieties).

Promising review: "Slaytown! These are by far the most comfortable period panties I’ve tried. They’re breathable and are made from a nice, soft, cotton-feeling fabric, not a nasty plasticky fabric that makes you feel like your wearing a plastic bag instead of undergarments. I don’t have the heaviest flow and I only really wear them to sleep in so I can’t speak for absorption but I’ve never had a problem with leakage and they’re super easy to clean. For me, these are 10/10. Get ‘em, you won’t regret it." —Camie

Get them from Amazon for $17.49+ (available in sizes 4–13, four colors, and individually or in three- or six-packs).

Note that these patches should NOT be applied directly to bare skin. They’re meant for use OVER your undies or other close-fitting clothing. Be safe, friends!

Promising review: “An amazing invention! These are life-saving. I have horrible cramps that keep me from doing things during that time of the month, and these help ease the pain so I can still go about everyday life. The adhesive stays all day and you can wear them out in public under your clothes without anyone knowing. I gave my teenage sister some, too, because she cheers and can wear them under her cheer skirt and to school. Best part is, you can throw them in a backpack or purse for whenever you need them. I will tell everyone I know about these!!” —Lo

Get them from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in packs of six, eight, or 15 and in two sizes)

Promising review: “BEST BEACH INVESTMENT EVER. We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. I even use it on my dogs’ paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of, too. I will definitely be buying the refill and another baggie to have exclusively in the car.” —Gabbs Uresti

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available individually or in a three-pack)

Promising review: “Perfect! Very convenient to have these in individual packets! Especially for travel. Love it, came in handy at the airport and hotel. I also use these at the movie theaters too.” —maria

Get a set of 100 wipes from Amazon for $10.64.

Somewhat astonishingly, this little key-sized doohickey can function as all of the following: A coring tip, serrated edge, can opener, wire stripper, file, imperial and metric ruler, protractor, bottle opener, multihead-fit driver, lanyard hole, bike spoke key, screwdriver tip, wrench, bit driver, and a smoking pipe (yes, really).

Promising review: "Awesome idea, well executed. This is a quality product, especially for the price. Very nice, stainless steel material makes it feel sturdy and has a good weight to it. It being TSA compliant was also a plus I was not expecting." —Aidan

Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

It also fits in everything from tote bags to ~fancy~ purses — and makes it super simple to switch between the two: Just pull the insert out from one bag, slide it into the other, and voilà — an instant transplant for all your stuff.

Promising review: "Lifesaver for travelers! I have ADHD and it helps me to find things in the same place every time. This has revolutionized my purse and it makes business travel so much simpler. It will also doubtless extend the life of my purse, as any spills have been contained in the insert so that the lining is not damaged. Lovely!" —Anna

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six sizes and 15 colors).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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