# Most useless item found in the vast majority of homes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 29, 2016, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687 "2016-06-29T08:23:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/41 "2016-06-29T15:09:52Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m surprised no one has brought this up yet: teenagers. > > Little kids are at least cuddly and fun. Teenagers? Useless. And we all know from having been one! We don’t all have them, though, not enough to be considered “the vast majority of homes”. Even if you have kids not all kids are teens at the same time! But you are so right, not only are they useless but they also cost money. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/42 "2016-06-29T15:25:15Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What about the now ragingly popular, seating area, complete with sofa and chair, in the master bedroom? A natural evolution from making master bedrooms the size of starter homes. I’ve come to hate one or two things about our house, and first on the list is the effing IMMENSE MBR. There’s no good way to shrink it, either with furniture rearrangement or by remodeling. I don’t have a dimension but from standing up on my side of the bed to standing in front of the jake is twenty-three steps. It’s over 50% wasted space. I can see how it might seem like a good idea to fit it out like a studio apartment, just to fill up the acreage. But no, short of making it an (illegal) in-law space, a seating area would never get used. Like the pseudo “chef’s kitchen” in many houses, it’s for buyer wow value and not useful living. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/43 "2016-06-29T15:27:32Z")
I inherited my mother’s food processor. I used it once, to make hamburger meat. It wasn’t worth the cleanup. I also inherited her service for 12 “good” dishes and silverware. They’re lovely, but I have no use for them. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/44 "2016-06-29T15:34:01Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > What do you think the most useless item is that is found in \>95% of homes in your country and the residents of those homes had to pay good money for it is? My vote would be an iron. The whole concept of ironing clothes seems wasteful and useless, as they will look exactly the same after an hour or so’s wear, and for that hour the actual benefit of pressed creases is nothing anyway. We refer to our iron as the Electric Paper-weight; we keep an ironing board and iron despite the fact we haven’t used one in the last 15-20 years. Possibly 30 years. The last time I can recall was to crease some seams for a shirt I was making. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/45 "2016-06-29T15:35:11Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > “In most homes”… a stand mixer. Bought and given as a fashion accessory since you absolutely never see a kitchen glam or remodel show without one. Used once a year or less, usually ineptly because. > > Yes, a few actually get used. But if they weren’t a fashion accessory, they wouldn’t come in nearly ten times as many colors (25-30) as any other kitchen item short of tableware. Maybe it’s my sample size, but everyone I know who has one of these uses it much more than once a year. Then again, maybe everyone I know likes to bake. And we all seem to store them in cabinets, not on the counter. They take up a lot of real estate… In my house, it was the Salad Shooter that my MIL gave me one year for Christmas. In the time it took to get it out, put in the correct blade, and start to use it, I could have my veggies mostly chopped or sliced by hand. For all I know, that stupid thing is still sitting on a shelf in Goodwill. But that really doesn’t count, does it, since I doubt that they’re in the vast majority of homes. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/46 "2016-06-29T15:39:42Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Wait, you let the kids into your room?:eek: > > My parents would have had a fit. Now that you mention it, that is strange. Growing up, we were _never_ in our parents bedroom. I wonder what explains the change? My kids have always hung out with us. Part of it maybe that we spend much more time in our bedroom then my parents ever did. It’s a more multi-purpose room. ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/47 "2016-06-29T15:40:23Z")
I would say books. They just pile up, never to be read again. I know many people who have enormous book collections, that they never touch. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/48 "2016-06-29T15:41:52Z")
Breadmaking machines. They are often given as wedding gifts and people use them maybe once but after that they just stay on the shelf. Bread is so cheap I just cant see going thru the trouble. And add after that the fancy china and crystal. We probably have $2,000 worth of that stuff from our wedding but all its done is sit in the fancy china cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/49 "2016-06-29T15:48:49Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What about the now ragingly popular, seating area, complete with sofa and chair, in the master bedroom? I have a compact-but-comfortable easy chair next to the window in my bedroom, it’s the best reading light in the house in daytime. I once had a loveseat in the master bedroom, and it was nice. We could all go upstairs around bedtime, and one could sit in the loveseat to leisurely chat with the other while preparing to retire, or our daughter could come in from her room for some bedtime socialization. It made for a pleasant, unhurried family interlude at the end of the day. I strongly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/50 "2016-06-29T15:53:12Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > I would say books. They just pile up, never to be read again. I know many people who have enormous book collections, that they never touch. I purged mine a few years back. Occasionally I pass a used bookstore and feel the draw, but I can resist. I admit the Kindle is a great help here. I have 250+ books on one slim little thing. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/51 "2016-06-29T16:16:28Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > I would say books. They just pile up, never to be read again. I know many people who have enormous book collections, that they never touch. A lot of people who have only a few books seldom or never read them. But in my experience, any person who likes books enough to have an “enormous” collection reads those books on an on-going basis. Unless you’re talking about people who collect books like they might collect stamps. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/52 "2016-06-29T16:20:51Z")
Personally, I find nearly everything in the kitchen unnecessary. For mashing potatoes, I use an empty tin can that opened with a ring-pull, which has a 3/16" rim around the top. Punch a few holes in the bottom, the open top mashes potatoes nicely. Warning – very hot, use a potholder. I make cole slaw without a grater. Cut up the cabbage with a big knife, and a potato peeler works fine for grating carrots. I threw my toaster away. I can make toast better and faster holding the bread in a pair of tongs over a hot stovetop ring. Or on a wire rack held with vise-grips. Dairy products come in free recloseable leftover containers, why buy them? ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/53 "2016-06-29T16:28:35Z")
Metric measuring sets usually come with a tiny 1 ml (1/5th tsp. in Imperial) measuring spoon that I’ve never actually seen anyone use. For the vast majority of people, a pinch or a drop is close enough. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/54 "2016-06-29T16:30:58Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > The cat. Kills mice. Earns steak. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/55 "2016-06-29T16:39:54Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > Metric measuring sets usually come with a tiny 1 ml (1/5th tsp. in Imperial) measuring spoon that I’ve never actually seen anyone use. For the vast majority of people, a pinch or a drop is close enough. Sounds like a coke spoon. ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/56 "2016-06-29T16:42:47Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Sounds like a coke spoon. In plastic? I certainly wouldn’t have thought. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/57 "2016-06-29T16:51:17Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Breadmaking machines. > > They are often given as wedding gifts and people use them maybe once but after that they just stay on the shelf. > > Bread is so cheap I just cant see going thru the trouble. > . Love the bread maker. I make fresh bread five days a week, using the timer to have it done just before breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/58 "2016-06-29T16:51:59Z")
Decorative soap. People who have them don’t use them- they’re just for decoration, which means they’re wasted soap. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/59 "2016-06-29T16:58:32Z")
I’ve got a VHS recorder/player in my bedroom that it occurs to me I haven’t touched in at least five years. In the kitchen, there would be the off-brand George Foreman-type grill given to me my dear departed mother that, first time I used it, splattered boiling hamburger fat two feet in every direction. I’ve got to remember to toss that thing out one of these days. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687/60 "2016-06-29T17:13:36Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Decorative soap. > > People who have them don’t use them- they’re just for decoration, which means they’re wasted soap. I’m a bad bachelor: I have a decorative towel. My mom came over and decided to clean everything because my apartment is a mess but I didn’t want her to clean it: “it’s _decorative_: the colors might fade.” But I relented because I do actually use it to dry my hands once in awhile :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useless-item-found-in-the-vast-majority-of-homes/758687.md?page=4)