If your pipes are old, like mine, then a retrival tool is also handy. A retrival tool is a cheap long wire looking thing that has a claw looking thing on the end that slides out with a push of a button.
Other good uses are getting things fallen behind the washer or in a tight unreachable spot.

You can get them at any hardware store. I have even found them at dollar stores. They are cheap and usually poorly made of steel wire.