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This must-have dorm essential is just $12 on Amazon right now

You can use them for pretty much anything.

This must-have dorm essential is just $12 on Amazon right now

You can use them for pretty much anything.

Dorm life usually means squeezing into twin size beds, maximizing limited closet space, and navigating communal bathrooms. So when you're packing, it pays to be smart. Every item should work hard and earn its spot. We're talking top rated, expert approved essentials to help you settle in and thrive. We're here at the Good Housekeeping Institute to talk about all the back to school essentials you need for your college dorm room. Seymour is the associate director of the textiles Paper and apparel lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. First up on our list, make that rock hard dorm mattress actually sleepable with *** comfy topper. This one's *** top tested Amazon pick, just $36 for *** twin XL. This mattress topper goes on like *** fitted sheet. It's *** five-sided topper. It adds *** little bit of plushness to your bed with *** down alternative fill and *** polyester cup. Makes it really easy to take care of. It's entirely machine washable and dryer safe. These next two picks are also Amazon finds. First, this $27 shower caddy. This one's *** great pick, super spacious, tons of area for all of your toiletries, stretchy side mesh pockets, and it even has *** transparent pocket in the front. It also has this convenient hook, so you can hang it on the shower and make sure it stays totally. Drive and this $33 rolling laundry basket takes the hassle out of wash day. It has *** wheel so you can easily push it to and fro while also having candles. You can pick it up too, and the stretchy side pockets are perfect to hold your detergent and dryer sheets. The wheels also lock in place so that way if you're in the laundry room, you don't want to roll away from you, you can just lock the wheels and then it'll stay put and it also is totally foldable so you can store it when you're Not using it. When it comes to *** microwave, don't skimp on quality. This Good Housekeeping approved pick by Hamilton Beach costs about $90 at Walmart. The kitchen appliances lab recommends Hamilton Beach microwaves because they're great value while also packing *** punch. This one has 1000 watts, which is regularly only seen on pricier models. It has 6 included presets. It's easy to use and it's pretty compact too, so it fits nicely in *** dorm room. Need more ideas, bed risers and under bed bins give you bonus storage, slim velvet hangers save space and keep clothes from slipping, and for decorating, come man hooks like you hang things without damaging walls. Reporting in Washington, I'm Amy Lowe.
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Updated: 7:57 AM CDT Aug 13, 2025
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This must-have dorm essential is just $12 on Amazon right now

You can use them for pretty much anything.

Good Housekeeping logo
Updated: 7:57 AM CDT Aug 13, 2025
Editorial Standards
My daughter leaves for college in a few weeks, so I've been in full-blown dorm shopping mode for what feels like months now. One of the first things I purchased for her? A variety pack of Command hooks. If you forgot to put this essential on your dorm shopping list, the 19-piece pack is on sale on Amazon for just $12 right now (which, by the way, is the same price it was during Prime Day).What makes Command hooks so useful — and the reason we consider them a dorm room essential — is that when used correctly, they shouldn't damage dorm room walls. It's one of the best ways we've found to hang art without nails, because the adhesive strips work well on painted walls, glass and tile. Since some colleges will charge you for any damage done to a room at the end of the school year, this $12 pack could save you a lot of money in the long run.Unsurprisingly one of the most popular dorm essentials among Good Housekeeping readers, this pack comes with eight plastic hooks in three sizes, six hooks designed to hold wires (think small picture frames or string lights) and large and small Command strips. The brand claims that the largest plastic hooks can hold up to five pounds and the wire hooks can handle half a pound.They can be used for so much more than wall hangings, too: My daughter and her roommates have an en suite bathroom, so they could use Command hooks for lightweight shower gear. Larger Command hooks could even hold a towel or create a space for her headphones at her desk. She can even milk her tiny closet space for all it is worth by hanging up things like hats, an umbrella or a tote bag. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up ordering her a few more!Stock Up on More Command Organizers

My daughter leaves for college in a few weeks, so I've been in full-blown mode for what feels like months now. One of the first things I purchased for her? A variety pack of .

If you forgot to put this essential on your dorm shopping list, the 19-piece pack is on sale on Amazon for just $12 right now (which, by the way, is the same price it was during ).

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Hooks Variety Pack
Command
amazon.com
$20.99
$11.97

What makes Command hooks so useful — and the reason we consider them a — is that when used correctly, they shouldn't damage dorm room walls. It's one of the best ways we've found to , because the adhesive strips work well on painted walls, glass and tile. Since some colleges will charge you for any damage done to a room at the end of the school year, this $12 pack could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Unsurprisingly one of the most popular dorm essentials among Good Housekeeping readers, this pack comes with eight plastic hooks in three sizes, six hooks designed to hold wires (think small picture frames or string lights) and large and small Command strips. The brand claims that the largest plastic hooks can hold up to five pounds and the wire hooks can handle half a pound.

They can be used for so much more than wall hangings, too: My daughter and her roommates have an en suite bathroom, so they could use Command hooks for lightweight shower gear. Larger Command hooks could even hold a towel or create a space for her headphones at her desk. She can even milk her tiny closet space for all it is worth by hanging up things like hats, an umbrella or a tote bag.

I wouldn't be surprised if I end up ordering her a few more!

Stock Up on More Command Organizers