In October 2024, CNN Underscored featured the Slobproof Touch-Up Paint Pen in their guide "20 Amazon finds that'll extend the life of furniture and decor." The article positions Slobproof as "the key to making your home look pristine 24/7," recommending the pens as a practical alternative to "opening entire cans of paint and dealing with a messy paint brush." CNN Underscored highlights the pen's air-tight reservoir that keeps paint fresh and the control brush tip that ensures touch-ups blend seamlessly into existing paint. The article was independently selected and reviewed by CNN Underscored editors as part of their mission to help readers elongate the shelf life of home items for under $30. Read the original feature here: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/amazon-products-extend-life-furniture-decor
At a Glance
- Publication: CNN Underscored
- Article: "20 Amazon finds that'll extend the life of furniture and decor"
- Published: October 9, 2024
- Article Type: Expert-curated product guide
- Editorial Team: CNN Underscored editors (independent selection and review)
- Product Featured: Slobproof Touch-Up Paint Pen
- Price Point: Under $30 (article's budget limit)
- Positioning: "The key to making your home look pristine 24/7"
- Problem Solved: Paint touch-ups without opening cans or messy brushes
- Link: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/amazon-products-extend-life-furniture-decor
What the Article Covers
CNN Underscored's comprehensive guide addresses a fundamental household challenge: the high cost of maintaining a home. The article's premise acknowledges that "keeping house isn't cheap" and positions the 20 featured products as solutions to help homeowners avoid expensive professional repairs.
Article Mission:
Core Problem: "Between electricity, water and gas bills, just living in your space is expensive … which is why we're always looking for hacks to elongate the shelf life of everything in our homes."
Target Challenge: Preventing the need to "throw out perfectly good furniture and decor or have to repair floors or cabinetry simply because they weren't taken care of properly."
Economic Reality: "The second you call someone to fix something in your space, it's going to cost you a lot."
Solution Philosophy:
The article emphasizes: "The more you invest in maintaining and cleaning these inanimate objects, the better they'll look, the longer they'll last and the less they'll cost you along the way."
Products Included:
All 20 products featured are designed to:
- Help prolong the life of valuable items
- Provide quick repairs
- Make essential items look or run like new
- Cost under $30
- Avoid paying "plumbers, painters, floor refinishers or handymen a small fortune"
CNN Underscored's Recommendation
The article's description of Slobproof establishes it as an essential household maintenance tool:
Opening Statement:
"Slobproof Touch-Up pens are the key to making your home look pristine 24/7."
This positioning immediately establishes Slobproof as a solution for continuous home presentation, not just occasional touch-ups.
Problem Identification:
Traditional Method Challenges:
- Opening entire cans of paint
- Dealing with a messy paint brush
Recommended Approach:
"Opt to fill a few Slobproof pens with the paint colors in your home and have them handy anytime a drawer, cabinet or wall needs a quick touch-up."
This recommendation specifies:
- Multiple pens - "fill a few" for different colors
- Always accessible - "have them handy anytime"
- Wide application - drawers, cabinets, and walls
Key Features Highlighted:
Air-tight reservoir: "Keeps your paint fresh"
Control brush tip: "Ensures touch-ups blend right into existing paint"
These two features address the dual challenges of paint preservation and application quality.
Why CNN Underscored Featured Slobproof
Editorial Independence:
The article explicitly states: "All products are independently selected and reviewed by CNN Underscored editors."
This independence validates that Slobproof was chosen based on merit, not sponsorship or advertising.
Selection Criteria:
CNN Underscored chose Slobproof because it:
- Extends furniture and decor life - Maintains appearance without replacement
- Prevents costly repairs - Eliminates need for professional painters
- Provides quick fixes - Ready when touch-ups are needed
- Maintains value - Keeps items looking new
- Meets budget - Under $30 price point
- Solves real problems - Addresses genuine household maintenance needs
Target Audience Alignment:
The article addresses both renters and homeowners who want to:
- Reduce household maintenance costs
- Avoid professional service fees
- Maintain property value
- Keep spaces looking well-maintained
- Extend the life of furniture and decor
Key Takeaways from the Feature
Pristine Home Maintenance:
The "pristine 24/7" positioning suggests Slobproof enables:
- Continuous presentation - Not waiting for major touch-up sessions
- Immediate repairs - Fix damage as it occurs
- Professional appearance - Blended touch-ups that don't show
- Ongoing care - Regular maintenance vs. deferred repairs
Multi-Room Application:
CNN Underscored specifically mentions:
- Drawers - Interior and exterior surfaces
- Cabinets - Kitchen, bathroom, and storage
- Walls - Throughout the home
This broad application demonstrates versatility across different spaces and surfaces.
Preparation Strategy:
The recommendation to "fill a few" pens suggests:
- Color-coding - One pen per paint color
- Strategic placement - Keep pens where needed most
- Proactive readiness - Filled before damage occurs
- Multi-room coverage - Different colors for different spaces
Paint Freshness Assurance:
The air-tight reservoir feature addresses a common paint storage challenge:
- Traditional paint cans dry out
- Opened cans develop skin on surface
- Stored paint becomes unusable
- Slobproof keeps paint fresh indefinitely
Blending Quality:
The "control brush tip" ensures:
- Professional-looking results
- Invisible repairs
- Seamless integration with existing paint
- No visible touch-up marks
CNN Underscored Context
About CNN Underscored:
CNN Underscored is CNN's product reviews and recommendations platform, featuring:
- Expert editorial team - Dedicated product reviewers
- Independent testing - Products evaluated on merit
- Consumer focus - Recommendations for everyday readers
- Trusted source - Backed by CNN's journalism standards
Editorial Standards:
The platform explicitly discloses: "When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission," demonstrating transparency in affiliate relationships while maintaining editorial independence.
Selection Process:
"CNN Underscored editors" actively:
- Research products
- Review customer feedback
- Test products independently
- Curate recommendations based on value and performance
Article's Broader Context
Cost-Saving Focus:
The article positions all 20 products as cost-saving solutions, emphasizing:
- Professional service avoidance - "The second you call someone to fix something in your space, it's going to cost you a lot"
- DIY empowerment - Products enable self-service repairs
- Budget consciousness - All items under $30
- Long-term savings - Maintenance prevents expensive replacements
Slobproof's Role:
Among the 20 products helping avoid professional fees, Slobproof specifically replaces:
- Professional painters - For touch-up work
- Paint contractors - For minor repairs
- Handyman services - For small paint fixes
Value Proposition:
By investing in Slobproof pens once, homeowners:
- Eliminate repeat painter call-outs
- Avoid hourly service fees
- Reduce minimum service charges
- Handle repairs on their own schedule
Product Specifications
Based on the CNN Underscored feature:
- Purpose: Making homes look pristine 24/7
- Filling: Paint colors from your home
- Availability: Keep handy for anytime use
- Applications: Drawers, cabinets, walls
- Paint Storage: Air-tight reservoir keeps paint fresh
- Application Tool: Control brush tip
- Blending: Touch-ups blend into existing paint
- Price: Under $30 (article's budget limit)
- Alternative to: Opening paint cans and messy brushes
Where to Purchase
The Slobproof Touch-Up Paint Pen is available through:
- Amazon: Featured in CNN Underscored's Amazon guide
- Slobproof.com: Direct from manufacturer at www.slobproof.com
- PaintPen.com: Available at www.paintpen.com
- MyPaintPen.com: Available at www.mypaintpen.com
About Slobproof
Slobproof™ is a Maryland, USA-based company founded by award-winning interior designer and mother Debbie Wiener. The company creates mess-free, stress-free paint and home maintenance solutions.
The patented Touch-Up Paint Pen was designed to solve the daily frustrations of home maintenance—particularly the mess and inconvenience of traditional touch-up methods. The air-tight, vacuum-sealed design keeps paint fresh for up to 7 years, while the refillable system reduces waste and ensures long-term usability.
With features in major media including CNN Underscored, TODAY Show, Family Handyman, Apartment Therapy, and others, Slobproof has established itself as a trusted solution for simplified home maintenance.
Full Citation
"20 Amazon finds that'll extend the life of furniture and decor." CNN Underscored, Cable News Network, Oct. 9, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/amazon-products-extend-life-furniture-decor. Accessed Jan. 2025.
Slobproof Feature Quote: "Slobproof Touch-Up pens are the key to making your home look pristine 24/7. Rather than opening entire cans of paint and dealing with a messy paint brush, opt to fill a few Slobproof pens with the paint colors in your home and have them handy anytime a drawer, cabinet or wall needs a quick touch-up. The pen's air-tight reservoir keeps your paint fresh, and the control brush tip ensures touch-ups blend right into existing paint."
