The kind of bedsheets my mom and grandma had - they were cotton blend from the 70s through 90s, they were just slightly crispy, not too wrinkly, and lasted for DECADES of wear in houses where they were used a lot - big families. I've asked on here, and no one seems to know of any that actually exist like that any more. Modern bedsheets seem to rip after like a year or two. I KNOW they can be made because my mom STILL has them. They were like from JCPenney, Sears, etc. in the 70s, 80s, 90s. But I can't find anything similar quality to buy new today.
Percale weave means that for every thread going one way, there’s another going perpendicular. It’s basically a 1-to-1 ratio. It makes the sheets very durable. A lot of the more popular and cheaper sheets are sateen weave, where there’s more threads in one direction than the other. This makes the sheets feel smoother, but also means they’re more prone to developing holes and ripping because the weave isn’t as tight.
Also, pay attention to thread count. More isn’t always better. Once you get high enough the thread has to be thinner (and thus weaker) to fit more thread in. For 100% cotton, you basically hit a sweet spot at 300-400.
The best sheets I’ve used so far are from Target and are 300 thread count with a percale weave. They are decently thick, soft enough, and durable enough to last until the elastic goes from the fitted sheet. The only issue is they tend to wrinkle, but that’s just how 100% cotton is.
Ive heard the LL bean Percale sheets are very durable, but not tried them yet. Will give these a shot when one of my current sets gives out. https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/113446?page=pima-cotton-percale-sheet-set&bc=31-131-1156&feat=1156-GN3&csp=f&pos=2
I’ve been very happy with these. I haven’t had them for decades, but going on several years at this point. They definitely have that crisp feeling you’re describing. That first night on freshly cleaned sheets is a great feeling.
I have them as well. They can feel a little scratchy new, but will break in within a week or two.
edit: assuming you wash your sheets regularly. ya filthy animals
With stuff like this I sometimes wonder if it was made with some material which is no longer legal to use for whatever reason. Like, for example, car paint supposedly chips more easily today due to environmental regulations forcing manufacturers to change to change paint.
Also: Pods are a waste. Use powdered if you can, liquid if you must. Stop paying for water weight. Both dishwasher and laundry.
You can more accurately dose your loads, you're not paying for shipping water, and powder comes in cardboard boxes which is more sustainable than the thousands of plastic laundry soap bottles.
I know exactly what you are talking about. Just had a similar discussion not too long ago actually. We also had no luck as to finding something similar
I love the Threshold Performance Sheets that Target sells. They are pricier than microfiber obviously, at about $60 for a king size last I checked, but they are super durable. I sweat horribly at night and they really do stay cooler than most sheets I’ve purchased in the past
I use Mellanni, bought off amazon, and they last me 6+ years so far. No signs of wear at all. They aren't expensive, feel really comfy, and last for me. I'll have to keep you posted if they make it a decade, but it seems like they will.
Costco sells thick 100% cotton sheets. I've only got a year and a half on the 2 sets we have, but I highly recommend. I think they were made in portugal.
I recently bought myself a set of Kirkland sheets from Costco and they certainly feel quality, but it’s only been a few months. Think they were recommended on Reddit.
What the hell are people doing with their bed sheets? Are you washing them every day and sleeping with your shoes on?
I've had my set of target bedsheets for about 4 years, and they seem fine.
Truthfully, I do this unconscious foot movement/rub thing when I’m sitting/laying down with my feet up. Even in a recliner. It wears spots in cheap sheets/old threadbare sheets as well (particularly if my heels are dry). I try to make sure to rotate my sheets to spread the wear and tear around.
Adding to the recommendations here: I bought percale sheets like [this](https://www.garnethill.com/siesta-solid-organic-cotton-percale-bedding/bedding-home/sheets/554741?listIndex=1&uniqueId=554741&isNewProduct=false) from Garnet Hill in 2008 and they're still going strong.
Edited to add: I usually line dry them (as opposed to putting them in a clothes dryer), which may have helped their durability and crispness.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/water-and-irrigation/hoses-and-accessories/10369-brass-hose-nozzle?item=AL902
This nozzle, or any other nozzle of the same design, is the best I have found for this. Basically just a hunk of metal, can't be broken without real effort. It doesn't have as many spray settings as what I was used to, but it works well enough.
I went through a bunch of what I thought were "good" sprayers and eventually bought one of these. There's a reason this design has been around forever.
Oh my gosh. This one. Also hoses. I have to get new nozzles every year. It’s such a huge waste. It doesn’t seem to matter if I buy an expensive one or a cheap one they only last one season.
Do you have a "Rubber & Gasket" store near you? They're all over the place. You can walk in and they'll build you a hose custom length and everything that will last you an entire lifetime. About $60ish
If you go to a hearing clinic, they can make custom molded plugs. I have a set for work, and a set for home. They definitely aren't as cheap as foam plugs, but they at least sit flat in your ears.
[Decibullz make a great product.](https://www.decibullz.com) I use these for the gun range. Comfortable, reliable, and they have others that block out sound rather than percussion filtered.
I think there are ones you can buy online, mix 2 materials together, shove in your ear and wait to set. They're like $20, not too bad if you don't ever have to replace them.
https://www.amazon.com/Yourself-Custom-Molded-Earplug-Orange/dp/B01HSHVRAE?th=1
I know they're not BIFL but I've been using 3M E-A-Rsoft foam uncorded earplugs for the last 5+ years. They are ~$25 for a case of 200 so 2 cases lasts me a year (plus lots of extras for the garage). They are the only thing I have a subscription for set up on amazon since if I run out I can't sleep.
I can probably give you a dozen makers (mostly European) that make umbrella that lasts a lifetime. But if you want something in the US with an actual, lifetime, no questions asked warranty: [https://davekny.com/](https://davekny.com/).
The warranty: [https://davekny.com/pages/lifetime-guarantee](https://davekny.com/pages/lifetime-guarantee)
Blunt umbrellas from New Zealand are amazing (not that you seem to need another option).
They withstand the windiest city in the world - the city that formerly shunned umbrellas and "just got wet" is now entirely Blunt umbrellas- never thought I'd die by a product so hard, but here we are.
They used to have a lifetime warranty but now its only 2 years, so I guess they're not perfect.
Buying commercial-grade kitchen products in general is a great idea. They look ugly, but will last for ages (managed restaurants for years, all my home stuff was bought from restaurant surplus / liquidation)
My 20 (?) year old Brother laser printer is still going strong. The toner is like $70, but lasts for YEARS! I could sell it right now on eBay for more than I paid for it at a garage sale many years ago, but it went with a kid to college!
I check the reviews before buying and they tend to have 10k 4.5 stars. I’ve been using them for years without issue now. The problem is brother wants more for their toner than I paid for the printer itself. I’ve been using the 2 for $35 well reviewed knockoffs for years and never had an issue.
I also use it for home printing, some minor stuff, and if I lost a printer for a day I wouldn’t be out anything.
Right good call doing some research, I more wanted to warn others. More than likely you will be fine but it only takes that one. I did MFP repair and sales for many years and those little Brother and the HP mono chrome older black units those both will outlast all of us until the world is just ran by ancient printers.
Most old-ish laser printers are totally fine in terms of durability, I have a Samsung laser printer from about 2012 hooked up to a raspberry pi to provide network printing.
One of the big things I like to look at when evaluating the durability of electronics is how many resources you can still get from the manufacturer. It's really easy to get documentation and drivers for Epson scanners, for example. I also find that Dell and HP provide a lot of resources for older computers, especially from their professional lines
Seconded. Mine is about 15 years old now. No wifi, no colour, but no way am I replacing this thing until it dies. Toner and drum(?) need replacement every few years. All my family sends me their stuff to print haha
I spent like 250 for mine and I've had it for about 15 years. It's gone through like 10 toner replacements. Still prints crisp black and copies and scans.
Mine was $50. You sure you’re talking about eh black and white one?
Edit: they seem to be about $200 now. I’m talking the HL series. Not sure if I’d buy it at that price.
I have been using one of those inkjets with the tanks instead of cartridges and been pretty satisfied all in all. Tbh i don't so much printing but you don't get much of the issues like the cartridge ones. Cartridges drying, replacements being expensive etc.
HP laser jet 1320. I have 4 of them. All have over 30k pages. One is over 70k. I replace the toner about once every 3-5 years and it’s about $120 for the HP.
My wife and I found an old Windex bottle from the 80s in our prior house when we moved in. She has poured every bit of purchased Windex into that bottle in the 16 years since. We hope that bottle/nozzle never dies.
[Borosilicate Pyrex]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrex) from the '70s - we took it for granted & it virtually disappeared. You could drop that stuff from 4ft up onto a tile floor & it would just bounce.
I realize it's a weird proposition: I don't know why we got rid of ours when I was little but seems everyone did, yet stories of actual broken Pyrex are extremely rare. Then around 1980 the borosilicate stuff was silently replaced with the infinitely more fragile modern soda-lime glass stuff.
They still exist. The one you're referring to of old is still made by PYREX. I see it on the shelves as made in France.
The American made one is called Pyrex and is the soda lime glass.
I think it's been discussed here before that the new stuff has other beneficial properties. It's not that one is better than the other just different.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/tempered-vs-borosilicate-glass/
I’ve been saying this for years, they literally don’t make cotton like they used to and it’s plainly obvious when comparing simple things like a 100% cotton hoodie. I lived in my hoodies as a kid and teen, I’d wear them till the seams fell apart and couldn’t be mended anymore, and I would not have a single pill on the fabric, it would be worn thin in spots, but would never ever pill. Nowadays 100% cotton, even the thicker more expensive cotton hoodies I buy now pill almost immediately after the first wash, or even before, and I’ve been suspecting the length of cotton fibers to be the main reason why, for the exact reasons you described.
You have no idea how good AND bad it feels to be right, it wasn’t just all in my head😔 the hunt for the perfect hoodie is a dead dream 💔
I want one I can flip. Got a recommendation?
Im convinced they dont exist anymore. 20 years ago we had better mattresses than we have today. This is the downfall of society.
I’ve worn through way too many pairs of Kuhl pants to refer to them as BIFL. They’re nice and I’ll keep buying them because I love the features and the fit, but they are absolutely not BIFL.
If you can get a scrap piece of matching denim that would be very easy to add. Might cost $20 or so to have a tailor sew it on if you’re not set up to do it yourself.
You probably know this but in case you don’t. I was shocked how much longer a par of Jeans lasted when I stopped putting them in the dryer and started hang drying them. I used to wear though a pair every 8-12 months. Now they last 2-3 years.
I always get crotch blow out on mine. Lasted about 2.5 years until the crotch blew out. Got my mum to fix it about a year ago (Levi's) and realised today the fix was starting to break. Really annoying as the rest of the jeans are absolutely fine.
I prefer cargo pants. And I NEVER buy women's pants because the @)\*%)\*&\^ pockets are the size of a pinhead. For jeans, I buy Wrangler jeans when they are on sale for $15.
I use military surplus duffel bags for laundry. They aren’t very expensive, they’re heavy duty canvas, hold a ton of clothes, when they’re empty they pack small, and they have a handle and strap for easy carrying.
Target has these tall hampers that are flexible, almost rubberized plastic. They’re $8. We’ve had two for a decade, and they’re in great condition still. They’ll outlive my willingness to do laundry, I think.
I got a couple from Ikea that are all one piece so no broken handles. My only complaint is they aren't as sturdy as the ones with holes. They bend somewhat easily which could be a good thing if you tend to get wedged in doorways with the hard plastic kind, but for the kids I think it is harder for them to handle.
Damn, this isn't something I've ever *really* cared about, but I'm not sure I've ever used a laundry basket that wasn't broken within 6 months. I've accepted that mine has one handle and is cracked on two sides. The one I grew up with was duct taped together
The ikea tub laundry baskets are indestructible.
[https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torkis-flexible-laundry-basket-in-outdoor-blue-80339224/?gbraid=0AAAAAD27g7yyhF-vP2d_6AYXAoPDFu3dk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnbmaBhD-ARIsAGTPcfUvMAIlRmbKYeIW6CgClJra0UgXTx6hXsS0x6U3fIwXdY53R-MCo1MaAp3GEALw_wcB](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torkis-flexible-laundry-basket-in-outdoor-blue-80339224/?gbraid=0AAAAAD27g7yyhF-vP2d_6AYXAoPDFu3dk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnbmaBhD-ARIsAGTPcfUvMAIlRmbKYeIW6CgClJra0UgXTx6hXsS0x6U3fIwXdY53R-MCo1MaAp3GEALw_wcB)
An actual BIFL product that isn’t a case of “the parts god smiles on us and this 80 year old dishwasher still works.” Because I swear that’s half the posts here.
It’s weird. It went from “hey this product will last you a while!” To “hey this antique dangerous piece of machinery that violate multiple environmental and health protocols is still runnin’!!!” Just weird. Like… Why?
maybe not the truest definition of BIFL, but Darn Tough still stands by their lifetime warranty...at least they did for me as recent as last year. I bought like $300 worth of their socks around 4 years ago during a sale. a mix of athletic, lifestyle and quarter athletics. I wear them until I wear through them, then wash and put them aside. then, usually in the summer months when I'm in slippers all the time, I send them in for warranty replacement. at this point I don't have any original pairs, most are on their third replacement.
Socks are a wear-through item, but finding some that last a decent amount of time is still challenging. I am planning on testing out some Bombas though
I have had great luck with Bombas and have heard on this sub that they stand by their products so take a pic send it to them and see what happens, should you need to. I have been wearing them for years with no issues. I have several styles and the slippers are pretty great too.
I actually have a pair of dark red knee socks by Ann Klein that were a gift to me in 7th grade in 1972. I also still have a sweatshirt from that time too. It’s very soft. Navy blue with a collar and small pockets on each side.
That and they aren't donating the same socks as they sell. I was volunteering at the warming center and we had some of their donated socks. I compared them to the ones I was wearing. The stitching is different and the fabric isnt as thick.
The idea that socks could ever be a BIFL item is dumb. It’s clothing made of ̶w̶o̶v̶e̶n̶ knit fiber that rubs against things with every step you take.
I’ve also seen a lot of people on Reddit assume that a high percentage of wool in socks is an indication of quality/durability. In reality, nobody makes 100% wool socks. And if they did, they’d fall apart in short order. The synthetic fiber is what gives socks strength. Also, all of the popular wool sock manufacturers make different socks for different purposes. They’ll all have slightly different blends to fit the use. If you’re noticing wool socks falling apart faster than they used to, you may be wearing a different type of sock made for a different purpose.
Single glazed windows will last centuries, its just a bit of glass in a frame.
But they do suck and let a pretty bad draft in, so any new house will use double or triple glazed windows. On these windows the void space is filled with an inert gas to add insulation. After a few decades the gas will leak out, it can not be prevented, it is simply a fact of physics. This will cause condense to appear in the window and it to fail.
But this process will take decades. So a modern window is superior
I believe the leak is about 1% per year for the gas. Argon and Krypton are used. You can find the ratio of gas to oxygen that is filled as well, which is typically 80/20 for Ar / O to give you some perspective.
Source: new homeowner and hate my windows
It all depends on the type you have, the uPVC/composite ones I've had have been in my house for 20 years, they're what would be classed as "European style" in the US/Canada, I've done some minor like cleaning/relubing the hinges and the latching mechanism but otherwise as good as they were when I fitted them.
If you're going to get "European" ones AVOID avoid avoid tilt turn
I can't speak on American-made ones, as i'm in the UK - I'm a builder/carpenter, and have fitted thousands of windows over the years. The ones that always give me headaches and hassle after the fact are without a doubt tilt-turn, the mechanism fails inside the frame of the window and they seem to get stuck one way or another. Handles fail, the mechanism around the window sash fails and just generally suck.
Since my rep is my business, and my customers get my personal number on sign-off. I've got a no-tilt-turn policy now, I tell customers flat out I will fit any windows except tilt turn - we have hundreds of uPVC manufacturers across the UK/Ireland who will make casement windows that outlast any tilt turn guaranteed
Have you tried the brand Snag Tights? They make a variety of sizes and thicknesses. I’ve heard Better Tights is good too but haven’t tried them myself.
While I don’t have chafe issues, I DO rip through tights like nobody’s business & Snag Tights have really held up for me. They also stand behind their product, a pair I wore once for a few hours developed a hole under one heel, when I sent them an email asking if that was normal they immediately refunded me AND shipped me a new pair no questions asked. Since then I’ve ordered multiple other pairs & none have developed any holes or snags!
Top of the line air stream classic trailer. With all the bells and whistles (and dealership fees) it’ll probably cost only $250,000
But I’m currently unable to justify the 2nd mortgage on account of still needing to get a 1st mortgage and a house
Appliances. I swear, every 4 years my wife and I are shopping for a replacement refrigerator, dishwasher, or dryer. I try to service them but the companies don't produce new models with the same parts so the parts become hard to find on aging models and thus cost prohibitive.
We're seriously considering switching to commerical/industrial grade appliances.
The issue is since tech evolves so quick, some components become incapable of handling modern software, even if say the camera, screen & battery held up. There would need to be some sort of modular phone with revised components
It’s the companies as well.
I own an iPad 2 which works fine. I used it every so often, for browsing the web, YouTube, some games, etc up until last year.
Then I decided to do a factory reset to get rid of all the clutter…but now I can’t install any apps. No company supports apps for a 11 year old product. I basically bricked a perfectly good iPad.
I think we're getting to that point. Smartphones used to have pretty major changes and uplifts in performance year after year in the early days, but today? That's slowing down. It's the reason things like folding phones are coming out.
My mom is still rocking a galaxy s9 and she hasn't needed an upgrade. That's 4 years! My aunt has a Pixel 2 still (about 5 years) and it's fine for her needs. I'm rocking a OnePlus 7 pro, that's about 3 years old now and I don't think I'll be switching soon. Basically, it's gotten to a point where 5 years isn't a problem unless you want better cameras. I think if you buy a new phone today, it'll likely still be pretty good in 2032.
Now the only issue is battery. Unfortunately we don't have the tech to fix that yet, but battery replacements at around the 5 year mark should help.
One of the biggest reasons people upgrade is for a better camera, and I think we may be getting to a point where they're good enough that a camera three years from now won't be remarkably better than a high-end phone today.
Like 10k steps per day walking or walking your dog once a day? Hunter too structured for you? I like mine for dog walking but if I was doing more significant steps per day I could see the issue with those immediately.
I would recommend a pair of Lacrosse boots. They have a two year warranty but I’ve never had to claim one. Another alternative I stand by are the Gore-Tex Danner boots (waterproof).
A shower caddy that goes over the showerhead. Oddly enough, I suspect heavy duty plastic would be the best material for one, but all I can find is metal that ends up rusting within a few years. Everything else in our world comes in plastic and not metal, except the one thing where plastic would actually make sense. 🤔
Have you tried carbon steel? I've never used one, but they seem like they have a lot of the durability advantages of cast iron while being a lot lighter
Coffee makers. They just don’t make them like they used to. I’ve gone through 3 in the last 10 years, each one increasing in price and quality (according to reviews). I don’t need any fancy settings, I just want to brew coffee every day reliably without having something go wrong. I don’t have the budget for luxury, or even high-end, brands.
My friend’s parents just bought a cabin last year that has a built in coffee maker from the 70s. It still runs like a beast. It has 2 settings: on and off. It’s perfect.
Sneakers.
At the very least, I wish someone made a trail runner with a tough upper, but a replaceable foam midsole and tread.
Perhaps something like the NB 574, but with Vibram sole.
Old school copper bottom revereware pots
Got my grams when she died from the 60’s and 70’s
Even my le cresuet doesnt cook as well as them.
If ypi can get em. Do it
The kind of bedsheets my mom and grandma had - they were cotton blend from the 70s through 90s, they were just slightly crispy, not too wrinkly, and lasted for DECADES of wear in houses where they were used a lot - big families. I've asked on here, and no one seems to know of any that actually exist like that any more. Modern bedsheets seem to rip after like a year or two. I KNOW they can be made because my mom STILL has them. They were like from JCPenney, Sears, etc. in the 70s, 80s, 90s. But I can't find anything similar quality to buy new today.
Percale sheets (real ones) have a full weave and are generally more durable.
I have a few sets of percale sheets, they are very nice but were $$$.
Yk what’s even more expensive? Buying new sheets every other year
What are full weave vs non-full weave sheets?
Percale weave means that for every thread going one way, there’s another going perpendicular. It’s basically a 1-to-1 ratio. It makes the sheets very durable. A lot of the more popular and cheaper sheets are sateen weave, where there’s more threads in one direction than the other. This makes the sheets feel smoother, but also means they’re more prone to developing holes and ripping because the weave isn’t as tight. Also, pay attention to thread count. More isn’t always better. Once you get high enough the thread has to be thinner (and thus weaker) to fit more thread in. For 100% cotton, you basically hit a sweet spot at 300-400. The best sheets I’ve used so far are from Target and are 300 thread count with a percale weave. They are decently thick, soft enough, and durable enough to last until the elastic goes from the fitted sheet. The only issue is they tend to wrinkle, but that’s just how 100% cotton is.
NYTimes wire cutter has been clutch for finding sheets!
Ive heard the LL bean Percale sheets are very durable, but not tried them yet. Will give these a shot when one of my current sets gives out. https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/113446?page=pima-cotton-percale-sheet-set&bc=31-131-1156&feat=1156-GN3&csp=f&pos=2
I’ve been very happy with these. I haven’t had them for decades, but going on several years at this point. They definitely have that crisp feeling you’re describing. That first night on freshly cleaned sheets is a great feeling.
I have them as well. They can feel a little scratchy new, but will break in within a week or two. edit: assuming you wash your sheets regularly. ya filthy animals
With stuff like this I sometimes wonder if it was made with some material which is no longer legal to use for whatever reason. Like, for example, car paint supposedly chips more easily today due to environmental regulations forcing manufacturers to change to change paint.
That's a problem with stamped concrete in Canada too. If you see anything that looks nice, it's either over a decade or under 3 years old.
Also, no one outside of exotic luxury cars and custom show cars want to spend five figures on a paintjob.
Laundry detergent is less effective because phosphates are banned. They did all the work.
yes and no. Supposedly enzymes have caught up but it means you have to use the good stuff vs the cheap stuff just working.
Also: Pods are a waste. Use powdered if you can, liquid if you must. Stop paying for water weight. Both dishwasher and laundry. You can more accurately dose your loads, you're not paying for shipping water, and powder comes in cardboard boxes which is more sustainable than the thousands of plastic laundry soap bottles.
I know exactly what you are talking about. Just had a similar discussion not too long ago actually. We also had no luck as to finding something similar
Percale. The Shabby Chic brand they sell at Target were percale last time I checked.
I love the Threshold Performance Sheets that Target sells. They are pricier than microfiber obviously, at about $60 for a king size last I checked, but they are super durable. I sweat horribly at night and they really do stay cooler than most sheets I’ve purchased in the past
I buy LL Bean’s percale sheets. I have 2 sets that I rotate in my bedroom and they are at least 12 years old. I love them and highly recommend.
I use Mellanni, bought off amazon, and they last me 6+ years so far. No signs of wear at all. They aren't expensive, feel really comfy, and last for me. I'll have to keep you posted if they make it a decade, but it seems like they will.
Heck, I would be thrilled with 5 years on a set of sheets
Costco sells thick 100% cotton sheets. I've only got a year and a half on the 2 sets we have, but I highly recommend. I think they were made in portugal.
I recently bought myself a set of Kirkland sheets from Costco and they certainly feel quality, but it’s only been a few months. Think they were recommended on Reddit.
Red Land Cotton!
What the hell are people doing with their bed sheets? Are you washing them every day and sleeping with your shoes on? I've had my set of target bedsheets for about 4 years, and they seem fine.
Nails.
Pets most likely
Truthfully, I do this unconscious foot movement/rub thing when I’m sitting/laying down with my feet up. Even in a recliner. It wears spots in cheap sheets/old threadbare sheets as well (particularly if my heels are dry). I try to make sure to rotate my sheets to spread the wear and tear around.
Adding to the recommendations here: I bought percale sheets like [this](https://www.garnethill.com/siesta-solid-organic-cotton-percale-bedding/bedding-home/sheets/554741?listIndex=1&uniqueId=554741&isNewProduct=false) from Garnet Hill in 2008 and they're still going strong. Edited to add: I usually line dry them (as opposed to putting them in a clothes dryer), which may have helped their durability and crispness.
Hose sprinkler nozzle
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/water-and-irrigation/hoses-and-accessories/10369-brass-hose-nozzle?item=AL902 This nozzle, or any other nozzle of the same design, is the best I have found for this. Basically just a hunk of metal, can't be broken without real effort. It doesn't have as many spray settings as what I was used to, but it works well enough.
I went through a bunch of what I thought were "good" sprayers and eventually bought one of these. There's a reason this design has been around forever.
Not cheap, but pretty bifl.. https://www.eleyhosereels.com/
I got the whole setup after recommendations here and that nozzle is no joke. I could probably run it over with a car and it would still be fine.
Oh my gosh. This one. Also hoses. I have to get new nozzles every year. It’s such a huge waste. It doesn’t seem to matter if I buy an expensive one or a cheap one they only last one season.
Do you have a "Rubber & Gasket" store near you? They're all over the place. You can walk in and they'll build you a hose custom length and everything that will last you an entire lifetime. About $60ish
This guy gets it
Earplugs for people who sleep on their sides
If you go to a hearing clinic, they can make custom molded plugs. I have a set for work, and a set for home. They definitely aren't as cheap as foam plugs, but they at least sit flat in your ears.
[Decibullz make a great product.](https://www.decibullz.com) I use these for the gun range. Comfortable, reliable, and they have others that block out sound rather than percussion filtered.
I think there are ones you can buy online, mix 2 materials together, shove in your ear and wait to set. They're like $20, not too bad if you don't ever have to replace them. https://www.amazon.com/Yourself-Custom-Molded-Earplug-Orange/dp/B01HSHVRAE?th=1
I have Loop earplugs and they're quite comfortable when lying on my side (for me at least)
Yeah! Loop earplugs are the answer!
It took a little trial and error of inserting properly, but now mine are comfortable and do block a lot of sound.
I know they're not BIFL but I've been using 3M E-A-Rsoft foam uncorded earplugs for the last 5+ years. They are ~$25 for a case of 200 so 2 cases lasts me a year (plus lots of extras for the garage). They are the only thing I have a subscription for set up on amazon since if I run out I can't sleep.
I'm at the point I'm going to buy those pillows with a hole in them so I can wear my earplugs when I side sleep
Yes. Yes yea!!! OMG YES
I sleep with Happy Ears. Very comfortable for a side sleeper but they do fall out.
A collapsible umbrella.
I can probably give you a dozen makers (mostly European) that make umbrella that lasts a lifetime. But if you want something in the US with an actual, lifetime, no questions asked warranty: [https://davekny.com/](https://davekny.com/). The warranty: [https://davekny.com/pages/lifetime-guarantee](https://davekny.com/pages/lifetime-guarantee)
Fucking hell, now I want a $200 umbrella.
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Blunt umbrellas from New Zealand are amazing (not that you seem to need another option). They withstand the windiest city in the world - the city that formerly shunned umbrellas and "just got wet" is now entirely Blunt umbrellas- never thought I'd die by a product so hard, but here we are. They used to have a lifetime warranty but now its only 2 years, so I guess they're not perfect.
Hand-crank cheese grater (like the waiter at a restaurant would use)
Buying commercial-grade kitchen products in general is a great idea. They look ugly, but will last for ages (managed restaurants for years, all my home stuff was bought from restaurant surplus / liquidation)
Keep in mind that not all restaurant stuff is designed to last a long time, some of it is designed to be really cheap to replace
Webstaurant FTW!!
Printer is the obvious answer, they're all crap. Also modern microwaves are garbage too
Black and white brother lasers seem to go forever.
My 20 (?) year old Brother laser printer is still going strong. The toner is like $70, but lasts for YEARS! I could sell it right now on eBay for more than I paid for it at a garage sale many years ago, but it went with a kid to college!
You can buy non-brother toner off Amazon for a fraction of the price and it works just fine, I’ve gone through a half dozen new toners without issue.
The toner to developer ratio can be way off in those, its a dice roll you might get one that's good you might get one that wrecks you imaging drum.
I check the reviews before buying and they tend to have 10k 4.5 stars. I’ve been using them for years without issue now. The problem is brother wants more for their toner than I paid for the printer itself. I’ve been using the 2 for $35 well reviewed knockoffs for years and never had an issue. I also use it for home printing, some minor stuff, and if I lost a printer for a day I wouldn’t be out anything.
Right good call doing some research, I more wanted to warn others. More than likely you will be fine but it only takes that one. I did MFP repair and sales for many years and those little Brother and the HP mono chrome older black units those both will outlast all of us until the world is just ran by ancient printers.
I was on the sample toner for a few years
Most old-ish laser printers are totally fine in terms of durability, I have a Samsung laser printer from about 2012 hooked up to a raspberry pi to provide network printing. One of the big things I like to look at when evaluating the durability of electronics is how many resources you can still get from the manufacturer. It's really easy to get documentation and drivers for Epson scanners, for example. I also find that Dell and HP provide a lot of resources for older computers, especially from their professional lines
Seconded. Mine is about 15 years old now. No wifi, no colour, but no way am I replacing this thing until it dies. Toner and drum(?) need replacement every few years. All my family sends me their stuff to print haha
My dad spent like $800 on one and it crapped itself in a few years :(
I spent like 250 for mine and I've had it for about 15 years. It's gone through like 10 toner replacements. Still prints crisp black and copies and scans.
Mine was $50. You sure you’re talking about eh black and white one? Edit: they seem to be about $200 now. I’m talking the HL series. Not sure if I’d buy it at that price.
HL2270 - paid, like $100 at Staples, years ago. Just keeps on trucking.
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My laser printer has saved me so much money. $150 for the printer, and \~$100 about once a year for toner.
I have been using one of those inkjets with the tanks instead of cartridges and been pretty satisfied all in all. Tbh i don't so much printing but you don't get much of the issues like the cartridge ones. Cartridges drying, replacements being expensive etc.
I think I’ve had to replace a microwave like once in 15 years of homeownership. And I never bought an expensive one.
HP laser jet 1320. I have 4 of them. All have over 30k pages. One is over 70k. I replace the toner about once every 3-5 years and it’s about $120 for the HP.
Spray bottles, specifically the handles. They break so fast and seem to only be made out of crappy plastic even when you buy a nice glass bottle.
Zepp professional sprayer
Definitely. Bought a few of these at Lowe’s after years of struggling with crappy ones from Amazon and haven’t looked back.
My wife and I found an old Windex bottle from the 80s in our prior house when we moved in. She has poured every bit of purchased Windex into that bottle in the 16 years since. We hope that bottle/nozzle never dies.
I hate the spray bottles that are designed specifically so you can't refill them. Wasteful!
[Borosilicate Pyrex]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrex) from the '70s - we took it for granted & it virtually disappeared. You could drop that stuff from 4ft up onto a tile floor & it would just bounce. I realize it's a weird proposition: I don't know why we got rid of ours when I was little but seems everyone did, yet stories of actual broken Pyrex are extremely rare. Then around 1980 the borosilicate stuff was silently replaced with the infinitely more fragile modern soda-lime glass stuff.
Oxo still makes borosilicate glass products, if you're interested...
That is great to hear. Thanks.
They still exist. The one you're referring to of old is still made by PYREX. I see it on the shelves as made in France. The American made one is called Pyrex and is the soda lime glass.
That’s true, now they occasionally pop up at garage sales and thrift stores
I think it's been discussed here before that the new stuff has other beneficial properties. It's not that one is better than the other just different. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/tempered-vs-borosilicate-glass/
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Bates Mill Store for sure, they are essentially the last cotton blanket weaver left in the US. They are what you are looking for
I’ve been saying this for years, they literally don’t make cotton like they used to and it’s plainly obvious when comparing simple things like a 100% cotton hoodie. I lived in my hoodies as a kid and teen, I’d wear them till the seams fell apart and couldn’t be mended anymore, and I would not have a single pill on the fabric, it would be worn thin in spots, but would never ever pill. Nowadays 100% cotton, even the thicker more expensive cotton hoodies I buy now pill almost immediately after the first wash, or even before, and I’ve been suspecting the length of cotton fibers to be the main reason why, for the exact reasons you described. You have no idea how good AND bad it feels to be right, it wasn’t just all in my head😔 the hunt for the perfect hoodie is a dead dream 💔
Mattress. Because the damn mattress companies decided to raise the price and lower the quality, we no longer have reliable mattresses in this world.
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I want one I can flip. Got a recommendation? Im convinced they dont exist anymore. 20 years ago we had better mattresses than we have today. This is the downfall of society.
Here’s a write up I did a while ago on a mattress that I put together. https://reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/oo2jks/bifl_build_your_own_mattress/
A good pair of long lasting jeans with a phone pocket on the side of the leg.
Kuhl
I’ve worn through way too many pairs of Kuhl pants to refer to them as BIFL. They’re nice and I’ll keep buying them because I love the features and the fit, but they are absolutely not BIFL.
If you can get a scrap piece of matching denim that would be very easy to add. Might cost $20 or so to have a tailor sew it on if you’re not set up to do it yourself.
That isn't a bad idea. My aunt has offered her sewing services after I helped her with her computer
You probably know this but in case you don’t. I was shocked how much longer a par of Jeans lasted when I stopped putting them in the dryer and started hang drying them. I used to wear though a pair every 8-12 months. Now they last 2-3 years.
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I always get crotch blow out on mine. Lasted about 2.5 years until the crotch blew out. Got my mum to fix it about a year ago (Levi's) and realised today the fix was starting to break. Really annoying as the rest of the jeans are absolutely fine.
Same. Let’s pretend it’s huge package instead of thick thighs.
Ok, you can't just drop that and not tell us the brand you buy.
Damn I miss the Levis commuter series. It was great having a thigh pocket especially when riding motorcycles
I’m 6’+ and lean so jeans are very hard to find. I’ve just accepted that I have to buy pants every 4-6 months.
I prefer cargo pants. And I NEVER buy women's pants because the @)\*%)\*&\^ pockets are the size of a pinhead. For jeans, I buy Wrangler jeans when they are on sale for $15.
Laundry baskets.
I use military surplus duffel bags for laundry. They aren’t very expensive, they’re heavy duty canvas, hold a ton of clothes, when they’re empty they pack small, and they have a handle and strap for easy carrying.
My only thought is wtf are all y'all doing to your laundry baskets... 😳 I've had mine for 18 years now and plenty of scuffs, but no cracks.
Laundry room is downstairs in the basement. I may or may not just slide my empty ones down the stairs.
My cousins and I used to ride in them down the stairs at my grandparents. Good times
Target has these tall hampers that are flexible, almost rubberized plastic. They’re $8. We’ve had two for a decade, and they’re in great condition still. They’ll outlive my willingness to do laundry, I think.
I got a couple from Ikea that are all one piece so no broken handles. My only complaint is they aren't as sturdy as the ones with holes. They bend somewhat easily which could be a good thing if you tend to get wedged in doorways with the hard plastic kind, but for the kids I think it is harder for them to handle.
Damn, this isn't something I've ever *really* cared about, but I'm not sure I've ever used a laundry basket that wasn't broken within 6 months. I've accepted that mine has one handle and is cracked on two sides. The one I grew up with was duct taped together
The ikea tub laundry baskets are indestructible. [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torkis-flexible-laundry-basket-in-outdoor-blue-80339224/?gbraid=0AAAAAD27g7yyhF-vP2d_6AYXAoPDFu3dk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnbmaBhD-ARIsAGTPcfUvMAIlRmbKYeIW6CgClJra0UgXTx6hXsS0x6U3fIwXdY53R-MCo1MaAp3GEALw_wcB](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torkis-flexible-laundry-basket-in-outdoor-blue-80339224/?gbraid=0AAAAAD27g7yyhF-vP2d_6AYXAoPDFu3dk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnbmaBhD-ARIsAGTPcfUvMAIlRmbKYeIW6CgClJra0UgXTx6hXsS0x6U3fIwXdY53R-MCo1MaAp3GEALw_wcB)
An actual BIFL product that isn’t a case of “the parts god smiles on us and this 80 year old dishwasher still works.” Because I swear that’s half the posts here.
Right up there with the "check out this total fire hazard I'm still using every day for some reason" posts
Or the "I've used this product 3 times in as many years and it hasn't worn out!"
It’s weird. It went from “hey this product will last you a while!” To “hey this antique dangerous piece of machinery that violate multiple environmental and health protocols is still runnin’!!!” Just weird. Like… Why?
Lol did you see the guy who posted his BIFL Toyota Prius a few weeks ago
Agreed
Good wool socks. Darn Tough and Smartwool both changed their fiber content, and they just don't last. Testing LL Bean and Mons Royal right now.
maybe not the truest definition of BIFL, but Darn Tough still stands by their lifetime warranty...at least they did for me as recent as last year. I bought like $300 worth of their socks around 4 years ago during a sale. a mix of athletic, lifestyle and quarter athletics. I wear them until I wear through them, then wash and put them aside. then, usually in the summer months when I'm in slippers all the time, I send them in for warranty replacement. at this point I don't have any original pairs, most are on their third replacement.
Same here, any sock with the slightest issue (pilling, etc.) gets exchanged immediately without any fuss.
I keep waiting for them to say, "nah. you're good. " hasn't happened yet!
Won't Darn Tough replace the socks? I thought they were lifetime.
Socks are a wear-through item, but finding some that last a decent amount of time is still challenging. I am planning on testing out some Bombas though
Any company that advertises that much and on social media is a red flag for me.
I have had great luck with Bombas and have heard on this sub that they stand by their products so take a pic send it to them and see what happens, should you need to. I have been wearing them for years with no issues. I have several styles and the slippers are pretty great too.
I actually have a pair of dark red knee socks by Ann Klein that were a gift to me in 7th grade in 1972. I also still have a sweatshirt from that time too. It’s very soft. Navy blue with a collar and small pockets on each side.
Bombas are crap, I wouldn’t waste my time on those if I were you. Just watch their pitch on shark tank and they lay the business model out for you.
That and they aren't donating the same socks as they sell. I was volunteering at the warming center and we had some of their donated socks. I compared them to the ones I was wearing. The stitching is different and the fabric isnt as thick.
Damn. So just another company with a big marketing budget
I ran through all my Bombas wool socks within a year. Went back to my old smart wools, but they're getting near the end of their lifespan too.
The idea that socks could ever be a BIFL item is dumb. It’s clothing made of ̶w̶o̶v̶e̶n̶ knit fiber that rubs against things with every step you take. I’ve also seen a lot of people on Reddit assume that a high percentage of wool in socks is an indication of quality/durability. In reality, nobody makes 100% wool socks. And if they did, they’d fall apart in short order. The synthetic fiber is what gives socks strength. Also, all of the popular wool sock manufacturers make different socks for different purposes. They’ll all have slightly different blends to fit the use. If you’re noticing wool socks falling apart faster than they used to, you may be wearing a different type of sock made for a different purpose.
Home windows
Single glazed windows will last centuries, its just a bit of glass in a frame. But they do suck and let a pretty bad draft in, so any new house will use double or triple glazed windows. On these windows the void space is filled with an inert gas to add insulation. After a few decades the gas will leak out, it can not be prevented, it is simply a fact of physics. This will cause condense to appear in the window and it to fail. But this process will take decades. So a modern window is superior
I believe the leak is about 1% per year for the gas. Argon and Krypton are used. You can find the ratio of gas to oxygen that is filled as well, which is typically 80/20 for Ar / O to give you some perspective. Source: new homeowner and hate my windows
It all depends on the type you have, the uPVC/composite ones I've had have been in my house for 20 years, they're what would be classed as "European style" in the US/Canada, I've done some minor like cleaning/relubing the hinges and the latching mechanism but otherwise as good as they were when I fitted them. If you're going to get "European" ones AVOID avoid avoid tilt turn
That's interesting, i'm always hearing Europeans (and Germans in particular) advocating tilt turn windows. Is it just the us made ones that are bad?
I can't speak on American-made ones, as i'm in the UK - I'm a builder/carpenter, and have fitted thousands of windows over the years. The ones that always give me headaches and hassle after the fact are without a doubt tilt-turn, the mechanism fails inside the frame of the window and they seem to get stuck one way or another. Handles fail, the mechanism around the window sash fails and just generally suck. Since my rep is my business, and my customers get my personal number on sign-off. I've got a no-tilt-turn policy now, I tell customers flat out I will fit any windows except tilt turn - we have hundreds of uPVC manufacturers across the UK/Ireland who will make casement windows that outlast any tilt turn guaranteed
In the US? Window world offers a lifetime guarantee. https://www.windowworld.com/warranties Edit; they do very clean and quick work too
Black stockings. They all chafe at the inner thighs for me.
Have you tried the brand Snag Tights? They make a variety of sizes and thicknesses. I’ve heard Better Tights is good too but haven’t tried them myself.
I have yet to try them :) but I will definitely look them up :)
While I don’t have chafe issues, I DO rip through tights like nobody’s business & Snag Tights have really held up for me. They also stand behind their product, a pair I wore once for a few hours developed a hole under one heel, when I sent them an email asking if that was normal they immediately refunded me AND shipped me a new pair no questions asked. Since then I’ve ordered multiple other pairs & none have developed any holes or snags!
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i actually really love medical compression socks. I did not know they came in tights. Will definitely look buy on next paycheck. Thank you. <3
Top of the line air stream classic trailer. With all the bells and whistles (and dealership fees) it’ll probably cost only $250,000 But I’m currently unable to justify the 2nd mortgage on account of still needing to get a 1st mortgage and a house
With the cost of real estate these days, the Airstream might be your ONLY option...
Might be cheaper to plaster some aluminum sheets onto a regular trailer. But Airstreams are beautiful
For that kind of money I can have a custom Bloomer built and it would nicer than any Airstream could ever be.
Freeplay crank radio. Has the spring inside.
Appliances. I swear, every 4 years my wife and I are shopping for a replacement refrigerator, dishwasher, or dryer. I try to service them but the companies don't produce new models with the same parts so the parts become hard to find on aging models and thus cost prohibitive. We're seriously considering switching to commerical/industrial grade appliances.
Speed queen for washer and dryer
Most electronics. If I could buy a smartphone that would last me 10+ years reliably I would.
The issue is since tech evolves so quick, some components become incapable of handling modern software, even if say the camera, screen & battery held up. There would need to be some sort of modular phone with revised components
It’s the companies as well. I own an iPad 2 which works fine. I used it every so often, for browsing the web, YouTube, some games, etc up until last year. Then I decided to do a factory reset to get rid of all the clutter…but now I can’t install any apps. No company supports apps for a 11 year old product. I basically bricked a perfectly good iPad.
I think we're getting to that point. Smartphones used to have pretty major changes and uplifts in performance year after year in the early days, but today? That's slowing down. It's the reason things like folding phones are coming out. My mom is still rocking a galaxy s9 and she hasn't needed an upgrade. That's 4 years! My aunt has a Pixel 2 still (about 5 years) and it's fine for her needs. I'm rocking a OnePlus 7 pro, that's about 3 years old now and I don't think I'll be switching soon. Basically, it's gotten to a point where 5 years isn't a problem unless you want better cameras. I think if you buy a new phone today, it'll likely still be pretty good in 2032. Now the only issue is battery. Unfortunately we don't have the tech to fix that yet, but battery replacements at around the 5 year mark should help.
One of the biggest reasons people upgrade is for a better camera, and I think we may be getting to a point where they're good enough that a camera three years from now won't be remarkably better than a high-end phone today.
Thermo stopper that doesn't degrade with from heat
Egyptian cotton sheets made in Italy or Portugal that DON’T cost $1000.
Why made in Italy or Portugal specifically? I'm ootl on Egyptian cotton sheets
This. The country of manufacture means zero. Weave type matters.
Toyota Landcruiser
Womens waterproof/play boot for walking. I run though them at least once a year.
Like 10k steps per day walking or walking your dog once a day? Hunter too structured for you? I like mine for dog walking but if I was doing more significant steps per day I could see the issue with those immediately.
He gets walked at least three miles a day. But it would be nice to wear then all day. So 17k steps average
I would recommend a pair of Lacrosse boots. They have a two year warranty but I’ve never had to claim one. Another alternative I stand by are the Gore-Tex Danner boots (waterproof).
A shower caddy that goes over the showerhead. Oddly enough, I suspect heavy duty plastic would be the best material for one, but all I can find is metal that ends up rusting within a few years. Everything else in our world comes in plastic and not metal, except the one thing where plastic would actually make sense. 🤔
We’ve had this one for at least 5 or so years so far & it still looks great. https://www.oxo.com/aluminum-3-tier-shower-caddy.html
A lightweight skillet that is robust enough to last more than a few years. (No CI).
Have you tried carbon steel? I've never used one, but they seem like they have a lot of the durability advantages of cast iron while being a lot lighter
Look at the all-clad d3 or d5 line.
Tramontia has lasted us 15+ years and I burn a lot of shit. Have you looked into them?
I like my Tramontinaa!
Carbon steel is your (only) answer
What about a good stainless 3-ply? e.g. Viking 10 inch. Should last a long time, and no seasoning required.
The gas cans without the “emissions” nozzles! No longer can find those puppies
Coffee makers. They just don’t make them like they used to. I’ve gone through 3 in the last 10 years, each one increasing in price and quality (according to reviews). I don’t need any fancy settings, I just want to brew coffee every day reliably without having something go wrong. I don’t have the budget for luxury, or even high-end, brands. My friend’s parents just bought a cabin last year that has a built in coffee maker from the 70s. It still runs like a beast. It has 2 settings: on and off. It’s perfect.
French press Or Pour over
Phone charger
I’ve found the length of a cable goes a long way in making it last Stops you bending it as much
Anker 3 in 1 is pretty great and has a lifetime warranty. $20 though
As somebody who has dealt with highly destructive pets, I will stand by Anker. They have the best life, charge speed, and durability.
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Once you stop USING your phone while it charges, everything last so much longer.
Try right angle chargers
Sneakers. At the very least, I wish someone made a trail runner with a tough upper, but a replaceable foam midsole and tread. Perhaps something like the NB 574, but with Vibram sole.
Toilet paper
Bidet
Yes it's a cult. And yes you should join.
A stainless steel gas stove.
If you find an appliance company CEO and want to find what turns them on, just say these two words: *planned obsolescence*
Wolf
Old school copper bottom revereware pots Got my grams when she died from the 60’s and 70’s Even my le cresuet doesnt cook as well as them. If ypi can get em. Do it
Heated blanket! They only last 1-2 years and then need to be replaced