15. Microfiber Duster

Why You Need It: “It has that magnetic attraction, picking up dust and pet hair anywhere it lands,” says Julie Edelman, author of The Accidental Housewife (Ballantine, $13, www.amazon.com). Use it for blinds, works of art, and even plants. It requires no cleaning product, and the removable heads can be machine-washed.
What to Look For: A comfy handle and a head with a thick or looped nap to grab the maximum amount of debris.