The idea is priceless: buy one quality item, and you should not have to repurchase for at least a decade or two, at most for life! See our picks for each major space in your home.
The people have spoken. Chat forum threads have been — well — threaded together by thousands of consumers.
In this economy, with these prices, folks don’t necessarily desire the “smartest” appliance, product, or furniture all the time. No matter our income levels, the one thing most of us have in common is that we just don’t want to have to keep buying the same type of product.
This consumer product philosophy is gold: Buy👏🏾it👏🏾for👏🏾life, aka BIFL.
We’ve monitored the chat boards, vetted brands and products, and are giving you a succinct super guide to BIFL for your home and person.
BIFL pros
- Resource conservation and waste reduction.
- Reduced carbon footprint.
- Long-term cost savings.
- Longer product lifespans.
- Quality products avoid obsolescence compared to fad products.
BIFL cons
- Not often the “smart” product.
- May cost more on the front end.
- Some low tech products might need more regular maintenance to remain usable (e.g., frequent washing and quality checks in the absence of an accompanying app).
Cast iron cookware
Editor Chelsea Logan and I both swear by cast iron skillets. No matter what trend arises — copper pans, nonstick, and more — cast iron and an easy “seasoning” routine keep these kitchenware staples nonstick and rust-free for eons.
I received my cast iron skillet as a family relic from my grandmother. These are the hand-me-downs I love because I could be cooking with a pan literally used during slavery if it passed even two grandparents to grandchildren. The history! The resilience! And the pan, too.
Chelsea adds, “I got mine at the Goodwill in college, and it’s the only pan I haven’t had to replace since then. The nonstick ones and the ceramic ones seem to wear out over time, but the cast iron is still going strong.”
The one we’re recommending here is multifunctional, as the “lid” doubles as a cast-iron skillet to the deeper sauce pan and thus can also be used as a Dutch oven to complete the trifecta.
You can cook eggs and meat, make bread loaves, fajitas, or stews, just to name a few varied cuisines.
Coffee dripper or french press
Winner: Coffee dripper
French presses and coffee drippers also come up time and again on Reddit BIFL forums for making both coffee and tea.
Our preference is the coffee dripper for single-serve or couple-serve brews because they’re durable and can use washable and reusable fabric filters.
Hario offers steel, ceramic, or glass drippers for three nonporous — and thus more sanitary — options. If you don’t know what we’re talking about here regarding surfaces, porosity, and sanitation, see our article Why Your Water Bottles Need Your Attention (and How to Wash Them Right).
Runner-up: French press
Our runner-up product is the French press, as it’s timeless, nonelectric, and makes a smooth cup of tea or coffee. I like to use mine for Yerba mate, as this loose-leaf tea requires longer steeping. Chelsea has had hers for more than a decade.
“A French press is also a good low tech alternative,” Chelsea says. “We’ve had ours for maybe 12-ish years at this point. But I don’t use it daily because it’s hard to fumble with in the dark in the morning when I’m still half asleep, and it doesn’t keep coffee hot for very long.”
Bed frame and mattress
The biggest ticket items in the bedroom are hands down the bed frame and mattress. It would be ideal if we could get quality items that we don’t have to think about replacing for years to come. Here are our picks.
Winner: Bed frame
Now this was my most interesting find!
BIFLers say finding a solid wood bed frame is ultra rare these days in retail, but thanks to some deductive reasoning, persistent recon, and respect for the religious culture, turns out bed frames made by Amish craftsmen or their close cousins in faith, the Mennonite people, are made for life.
By rote, these tech-free folk are fantastic at making furniture that’s meant to last. And since they aren’t shelling out furniture staples that are “easy-to-assemble” at home, you can trust you’ll get a solid fixture for your bedroom or living room.
When it comes to carpentry, the main difference between Amish-versus-Mennonite designs is you’ll get traditional styling from Amish craftsmen, while Mennonite artisans are open to some modern designs and light technology.
We’ve found and vetted a Mennonite craft shop below.
Runner-up: Mattress
If you search “best mattress” on Healthline, you’ll get no less than 8 pages of results as we cover best mattresses for every bodily pain, preference, or size.
BIFLers who have gone down the mattress rabbit hole will tell you that though you cannot buy one mattress for life, a pure latex mattress can last for up to two decades, and pricier ones can last 35 years and longer — as opposed to coil, or hybrid mattresses, which have up to 10 years typically.
Here’s our pick, listed only as a runner-up because a mattress really can’t be “for life,” but an Avocado Mattress representative affirms, “Avocado mattresses made with GOLS-certified organic latex are designed to last at least 25 years, which is reflected in their 25-year limited warranty.”
Shower curtain
Between cleaning and hygiene supplies, skin care and accessories, not to mention toilet paper, it seems like we’re always refilling the bathroom. It’d be helpful to have just a couple of supplies that’ll stay evergreen. We’ve found two that are more eco-friendly and hygienic.
Winner: Scenic, fabric (linerless!) shower curtain
Confession: I have purchased those vinyl/plastic shower curtains and the inner liners all through my teen years and college, and my twenties. I can’t stand the smell, how stiff they are, and how hard they are to clean.
Finally, I thought, ‘Why can’t I have what hotels have?’ I now buy fabric shower curtains with scenic images. I have had one for each bathroom for 10 years, and the color never fades. I can wash them often! They are indeed water-resistant, even after washing and drying.
Winner: Stone bath mat
Ginger Wojcik says her BIFL lifesaver is “this stone bath mat made out of diatomaceous earth! It absorbs water without ever getting soggy, pretty much like magic. Before, I was always annoyed by how much I had to wash bath mats for them to stay clean and the fact that they always felt a little damp.”
When I asked how she cleans the stone bath mat if she were to stain it with soap or other bathroom cleaners, Ginger added, “The only thing you’re supposed to do is sand it down a little once a year, but honestly, I don’t even do that. I honestly don’t know why anyone wouldn’t own one of these.”
Washable rugs
I am a selective early adopter of products when they’re practical. I jumped on this bandwagon and have never looked back. The 20-teens to 2020s trend of washable rugs should be here to stay. You can find these flexible and colorful rugs in varying price ranges and all sizes.
I opted for the largest possible area rug for my hardwood floors, and I can attest: I wash them once a season at the laundromat’s commercial washers and dry them with dryer balls and some rubber balls to help add tumble space to the fabric.
Washable rugs are durable, flexible, and stain-resistant. It’s a much more hygienic and allergy-friendly option. Each time, they wash like new. Honestly. As seen below, one of my rugs is white and washes white despite the foot (and paw) traffic. These rugs from Amazon are also the softest texture I’ve ever put my bare feet on.
Refillable spray mop and washable paper(less) towels
Winner: Spray mop with washable microfiber wet/dry pad
I was all over the Swiffer when it first came out, until the batteries died and I realized I had to keep buying its proprietary mop solution cartridges and disposable floor diapers. Bummed me out because it’s sleek, effective, and quick for spot cleaning your kitchen or regular maintenance on hardwood floors.
Other vendors have latched on these annoyances and come out with a similar wet/dry mop but with three improvements that make the mop time-tested:
- a spray bottle function in lieu of the electric button to activate the spray solution
- a reusable cartridge you can put your own mop solution in
- a washable wet/dry mop pad
Winner: Swedish dishcloths
Sarah Choi says, “I used to go through paper towels at an alarming rate. They’re a staple, so I convinced myself I was OK with spending $20 for a bulk pack and letting them take up space in my cabinets.
“Recently, I made the switch to Swedish dishcloths, and I can’t look back! They’re reusable but retain the texture of a paper towel. When they get dirty, you simply throw them in the washing machine and dryer, and they come back as good as new.”
Sarah adds that they don’t take up nearly as much space as rolls of paper towels, and they can come in fun prints depending on the brand.
Reusable batteries and a charging dock
Single-use batteries have got to be the number one antithesis of BIFL:
- expensive repurchase item
- carbon emissions
- depletes nonrenewable natural minerals like manganese and zinc
- improper disposal leads to harmful landfill waste
In the early 2000s, I was once again an early adopter of Energizer’s reusable batteries and the master dock that can charge anything from AAA to 9V batteries. Though dusty, my rechargeable dock has never let me down. I’ve kept the same batteries and added different sizes over the years.
Heather Hobbs uses a more updated version, called Paleblue. “It doesn’t use a recharging dock. Each individual battery plugs into a USB. I’ve only had them for a couple of weeks, so I can’t speak to their longevity yet.”
(Realistic) synthetic Christmas tree
By now, in this article, you know if you’re the latest convert to the BIFL enthusiasts or not. So what I’m going to say next isn’t for everyone:
You don’t need that fresh tree each year. Modern technology and fabrication have come so, so far, since Ald Lang Syne. In my second marriage, I was welcomed into the fresh-tree fold, and I loved the smell, the look, and the texture of the fronds and wreaths.
After divorce, I took a second (and frugal) look at the necessity of cutting down, and overpaying for a fresh tree, versus what I’m going to call a “realistic” tree made of synthetic materials.
This year, I had a plan, found the most realistic tree, the most natural-smelling Douglas Fir candle and room spray, and kept pushing! It worked. I didn’t feel as though I was missing out on the scent or nostalgia, and now I’ll have this tree for decades to come.
This tree went viral because of how realistic it looks, from the pine needles to the brown “bark” at its center. It’s pricey but goes on deep discount throughout the year.
| BIFL category | BIFL item | Why it’s timeless |
|---|---|---|
| Pet | Orvis Couch Dog Bed | • very intuitive design for regular washing of cover • as high quality as a mattress for therapeutic support for a dog’s frame • “These are absurdly priced, but they go on steep sale during Black Friday, and I haven’t regretted purchasing one!” – Chelsea Logan |
| Tool | Leatherman Sidekick Pocket Size Multitool | • durable and portable • minimal regular maintenance • multiuse, with 14 tools and functions • comes with carabiner and belt clip • easy to clean |
Our content team weighed in with their choices, we scoured the online chat boards, then took our top finds to our Medical Standards and Insights team to narrow down the most health-conscious, eco-friendly, and value-driven products.
Our editorial team tries to prioritize diverse brands from large volume distributors, to small businesses and culturally diverse e-commerce startups.
As mentioned before, the smart products weren’t often our winners, and they were not the most expensive products. Instead, our criteria included primary and secondary consumer motives:
- durable materials
- careful construction
- competitive warranties
- low maintenance costs
- repairability and reusability
- company reviews and reputation
- ability to wash and sanitize readily
- transparency about product limitations
- minimal opportunity for electrical problems or recalls
- ability to return or exchange where defects may be present
- rust-proof, minimal porosity so products can be efficiently cleaned
Hack of all hacks to timeless products
In this article, we’re providing Amazon links for ease of search, but if you really want to know the best tip to BIFL, empty your trunk, grab your gloves, and head to the thrift store!
You’ll likely be gobsmacked at how many quality appliances and furniture items have been abandoned to your local thrift store because someone received duplicates one holiday, or Aunt so-and-so passed away, so all her kitchen items were donated to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
As your writer, editor, and frequent hands-on reviewer, I’m also a thrifting hobbyist. I can tell you more Ninja blenders and top-of-the-line air fryers are sitting on the shelves for often a quarter of their retail value because someone didn’t know how to clean them.
I frequently see (and buy) items new with tags (NWT). As you skim our list, we hope you’ll be open to checking out a thrift store in your — or the closest affluent (they have the greatest finds!) — neighborhood.
If you’re tired of buying products on rotation every couple years, consider that you can BIFL (buy it for life), if it’s simply timeless, quality-made, eco-friendly, and not necessarily “smart.”
Search thrift first, then look for quality material products you can readily clean or sanitize, reuse, or use for multiple functions. Your wallet will thank you.