Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more
She is one of the most popular cleaning and decluttering Instagram influencers, but just how many of Stacey Solomon's gadgets are actually worth purchasing? In what feels like every other week, the former X Factor contestant promotes a different homeware gadget to her six million followers, with everything from grape cutters to robot vacuum cleaners and a massaging bath mat making an appearance.
According to interior design expert Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One House, however, they are not always what they are cracked up to be. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the expert said: 'Social media has somehow convinced us we need a gadget, dispenser or 'life-changing' storage hack for every tiny inconvenience in life. But as an interior designer, I think a lot of these influencer-loved products end up cluttering themselves. People are buying products for the fantasy of being organised rather than for how they actually live, and before long the home starts looking like a branch of The Container Store exploded in the utility room.'
Read on to discover which of Solomon's recommendations are worth a purchase, and those to steer clear of.
Grape Cutter
The former X Factor contestant raved about a £8.80 grape cutter for toddlers from Amazon on Instagram. The grape cutter can also be used on cherry tomatoes and blueberries. Jordana commented: 'TikTok has become obsessed with solving problems nobody really had in the first place. Unless you are cutting grapes every single day for toddlers, I think most adults can probably cope with a knife.' The expert's verdict: Completely unnecessary.
Euhomy Ice Maker Machine
The 36-year-old said she was influenced by her sister to purchase the £89.99 EUHOMY Ice Maker. This machine can make nine ice cubes in as little as six minutes. Jordana said: 'This reminds me slightly of the rice cooker debate. At some point I think we have to ask ourselves whether we genuinely need a separate appliance for every tiny task in life. Unless you regularly host parties or use huge amounts of ice, this is probably another bulky gadget destined to take over your kitchen worktops before eventually being shoved in a cupboard.' The expert's verdict: Regret for most people.
Shark StainForce Cordless Stain-Destroying Spot Cleaner
Stacey showcased the Shark StainForce Stain-Destroying Spot Cleaner in action to her followers. Shark's stain remover is cordless and weighs less than 1.3kg. Jordana praised it: 'This is one of the few viral cleaning products I actually think deserves the hype. If you have got children, pets, cream carpets, beige sofas or anyone in the house capable of spilling red wine, this genuinely earns its place.' The expert's verdict: Worth it.
Sundu Steamer
The influencer's portable Sundu Steamer is available from Amazon for £29.99, on sale from £49.99. Jordana noted: 'I think this newer generation of compact steamers is definitely better than older versions that barely did anything at all. They are small, easy to store and ideal for London flats where nobody wants to drag out an ironing board every morning. They are also great for refreshing clothes quickly and helping with bacteria and odours. That said, I still don't think steamers fully replace a proper iron. They give the illusion of being crease-free from a distance, but they rarely achieve that crisp, polished finish an iron does. I see them more as a convenient shortcut rather than a complete replacement.' The expert's verdict: Useful, but not a replacement for an iron.
Wrapping Paper Cutter
Stacey raved about the £9.99 wrapping paper cutter that has 'saved her so much time'. Amazon's £9.99 includes two cutters. Jordana dismissed it: 'This feels like something people buy after watching one overly aesthetic Christmas wrapping video online. It will get used once in December, then disappear forever into the kitchen junk drawer with old batteries, takeaway menus and mystery cables.' The expert's verdict: Drawer clutter.
Shark VacMop 2-in-1 Cordless Hard Floor Vacuum Spray Mop
Stacey said the Shark VacMop Cordless 2-in-1 Vacuum Mop is 'lightweight' and 'incredible'. This product vacuums and mops with one disposable pad for complete hard floor cleaning. Jordana commented: 'I can absolutely see the appeal of combining two jobs into one product, especially for busy family homes. But modern houses are becoming overrun with cleaning gadgets. If this replaces several products, brilliant. If it joins the other six appliances already living in the utility cupboard, probably not.' The expert's verdict: Potentially worthwhile.
Home Surfing Massage Bath Mat
Stacey said the Home Surfing Massage Bath Mat is 'amazing' and told her followers she wished she opened it sooner. This product is designed to aid muscle pain. Jordana was sceptical: 'This feels like the sort of product designed to convince exhausted women they are one bath mat away from becoming a wellness guru. For nearly £140, I would personally rather invest in beautiful towels, good lighting and a bathroom that actually feels calm and luxurious.' The expert's verdict: Wellness influencer nonsense.
Amazon Grocery Bag Holder Dispenser Wall Mounted
The influencer used the £9.29 Bag Holder Dispenser from Amazon to store her underwear. The bag dispenser can also be used for underwear. Jordana explained: 'I did see Stacey Solomon's version of this, and while I completely understand the idea behind wanting systems that make life easier, I also think social media has made people feel like every single household item now needs its own dedicated storage solution. My issue with this is that it actually looks more like a headache than a solution. You cannot properly see what you are looking for because everything is grouped together and dispensed out one by one like tissues from a box. Most women choose underwear depending on the outfit they are wearing, the colour, the fabric or the style. One day you might want seamless underwear, the next a thong, the next a brief. I am not convinced randomised underwear dispensing is really improving anyone's life. At some point organisation starts becoming clutter itself, and this feels like one of those moments.' The expert's verdict: Peak performative organisation.
Kärcher Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The robot vacuum cleaner is currently on sale down from £349.99. Jordana shared her thoughts: 'I know robot vacuums have a huge fan base, and the technology definitely seems to be improving compared to the earlier versions that spent hours repeatedly bumping into skirting boards. But if I am honest, they still slightly freak me out. There is something unsettling about them silently appearing around corners or randomly popping up in rooms when you least expect it. That said, I can absolutely see the appeal in larger open-plan homes where they can properly navigate the space. I am just not fully convinced they suit the reality of busy British homes with stairs, rugs, cables and furniture everywhere.' The expert's verdict: The technology is improving, but they still slightly freak me out.
