5 Shortcut Items That Will Make Your New Year So Much Easier

Dryer balls are an eco-conscious laundry doer's secret weapon: You can use them for more than 1,000 loads, and they work just as well as disposable dryer sheets, giving you fluffy, static-free clothes, towels and sheets. And while you can use tennis balls or balls made from plastic, wool dryer balls have something else going for them: They're absorbent, so using them shortens the drying process. These new ones from Echoview are handmade from American wool, and you can either use them just as they are or add a few drops of essential oil—relaxing lavender is great for sheets; orange or grapefruit can invigorate workout clothes—before tossing the balls in.