The Home Items That Kept Us (Almost) Stress-Free This Year

This Bearaby pillow adds style and comfort, thanks to its unique design. The medium and large sizes provide therapeutic sensory and stress relief because they’re lightly weighted (just like the brand’s cult-favorite blankets). They’re made of a soft cushiony foam, and because the colors aren’t too bright, these pillows will add a calming, subtle statement. ($79+, Bearaby)

Your arms will thank you as this is able to hit the parts of your shower that they can’t reach. This tool extends, so you don’t have to get on a chair or balance on your tippy toes. The head pivots to hit corners, too. Every nook and cranny? Covered. ($15.99, Amazon)

Single-use paper towels? No thanks. You can use these cellulose cloths all around the house since they’re incredibly absorbent and fast-drying. One can last up 100 washes before being composted. Customers rave about how easy they are to use and their quick-drying nature. ($17.45/10 pack, Amazon)

Flowers liven up a space, but are so fleeting. Buy some with staying power, like these handmade felt options. They come in a variety of different flower combinations (our favorite is the cherry blossom bouquet) so you can pick one that best matches your  home decor. Each piece has been dyed, cut, and stitched by hand, by female artisans in Nepal. ($60+, Food52)

Each head is prefilled with cleaner, so you don’t have to reach for an extra bottle or have to deal with touching bleach. You can toss the head once you’re done. Forget a grimy brush sitting in your bathroom. ($11.98+, Amazon)

If you love to bring your furry best friend along for the ride, keep your seats protected and hair-free with this seat cover. It’s water resistant, can be vacuumed, and won’t slip around if they’re moving from window to window to stick their head out. ($59.90, Amazon)

Set these along your patio deck and let them light your way at night. They take four to five hours to charge and turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn. If you don't have a railing to screw these onto, snag these solar lights that can lie flat on the ground along your walkway instead. ($29.89+, Amazon)

Introducing the brand our editors (and readers) couldn’t get enough of this year. Dirty Labs’ Signature Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent targets stains and odors and is safe for sensitive skin. It’s also free of dyes, sulfates, parabens, and all California Prop 65 chemicals. Skimm’rs’ favorite happened to be a scented one with notes of magnolia, cedar, and bergamot, but if you prefer an unscented option, check it out. PS: Read up on our full review of the brand. ($26.10+, Amazon)

This step has a grip top so you can feel safe while reaching the top shelf; no slipping or sliding here. Plus, it can hold up to 300 pounds and folds away for easy storage. Keep it in your kitchen, your closet, or both. ($18.01, Amazon)

Yes, you could use these to make cupcakes or muffins, but they could also be travel toys, bath toys, houses for tiny Lego people, or a fun way to change up your meal- or snack-time serving options. Fill them with berries, puffs, crackers, cheese, chocolate chips, or whatever else your little snackers enjoy…then run them through the dishwasher and repeat. ($8.54/12-pack, Amazon)

This slap-on-style magnetic wristband fits any wrist, keeping essential small tools right where you need them — on hand. It's a simple tool, but one that makes those home improvement projects just a little bit easier. ($16.99, Amazon)

Want to burn your candle without worrying about a flame? Check out this sleek accessory that’s under $40. It comes with two 50-watt halogen bulbs that will melt the wax of your candle when you place it on the lamp's base. It’ll emit a cozy glow and your place will smell great. Forget having to put out any fires. ($35.99, Amazon)

These 100% New Zealand wool balls go in the dryer with your sheets and towels to soften, dewrinkle, and reduce drying time. They’ll last for loads and loads, and are much more eco-friendly than tossing out dryer sheets after a single use. ($8.99/4-pack, Amazon)

If your sink tends to fill up during the day and you don’t want to make space for a colander on pasta night, this silicone strainer is for you. Just clip it right onto your pot once the pasta’s done cooking, pour out the boiling water, and ta-da…that’s it. Put the strainer in the dishwasher for easy cleanup, too. ($14.99+, Amazon)

It’s time to add The Pink Stuff to your Sunday Reset rotation. This paste works on pretty much everything — from dishes and stovetops to toilets and bathroom tile. And if you have any marks, or stains (hello, markers and crayons ) that don’t seem to be coming out, give this a try. We love it for cleaning jewelry, too. ($3+, Amazon)

Instead of placing your shoes side by side on a rack, these slots let you store them on top of each other. You can adjust each individual unit to four different heights, so you can fit your tallest heels and flattest sneakers and everything in between. The slots have grooves on them that’ll prevent your shoes from falling off. Plus, it’s made of nontoxic material and can be cleaned easily with water and soap. ($33.99/20-pack, Amazon)

This multifunctional tool allows you to quickly remove leftovers from plates, collect crumbs off countertops, push food into garbage disposals, and even clear excess water in your kitchen or bathroom — instead of having to use your bare hands. It has a sturdy grip and a slightly flexible edge to really get into dish crevices. Plus, the curved edge makes it easy to clean pots and pans. Psst…peep our full review of this product and more from OXO. ($7.99, Amazon)

Time to remove dirt and grime with major ease. This spin scrubber is cordless and battery-powered, so you can move around no problem. Pick from one of the four head attachments and get in there. It’ll work on tile, tubs, and even in your kitchen. PS: Check out full review for more details. Happy cleaning. ($54.89+, Amazon)

There’s nothing sweeter than a little after-dinner ice cream. Except having a personalized spoon to eat it with. These engraved spoons for dad or grandpa will ensure there’s no confusion come dessert time. Too. Cute. ($9.58, EngravingForever via Etsy)

These hand-poured ones burn between 60 to 80 hours and take some cues from the stars. There’s a candle for every day of the year, each with a custom scent and personalized info like personality traits and a tarot reading. Perfect for the person in your life who never skips their daily horoscope. ($59.99, Birthdate Co.)