Life Life Strategies An Air Conditioner That's Pretty Enough to Show Off, and More Clever Items to Upgrade Your Life This Week By Martha Upton Martha Upton Website A former associate editor at Real Simple, Martha Upton began her four-year tenure at the magazine in 2018. She spent a majority of her time researching and testing products for the "Clever Items" column. Prior to joining Real Simple, she spent six months completing a fellowship at Esquire, where she wrote men's commerce stories for online. Martha earned a master's degree in magazine writing from New York University. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on August 5, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos This week, we're all about items to increase sustainability in your household, from an air conditioner that uses less energy to toilet paper that is completely tree-free. We've also thrown in a sarong for beach vacations and a streaming service for superior playlists. 01 of 06 The Windmill AC courtesy $395; windmillair.com An air conditioner that's not an eyesore? We're in. This in-window unit is incredibly easy to install and uses an earth-friendly refrigerant as well as being more energy efficient. Connect your phone to the app so you can turn it on and off from wherever you are. 02 of 06 Leather Fly Swatter courtesy $18; shoppe.amberinteriordesign.com Beauty meets practicality with this chic fly walloper. It has a beechwood handle and leather swatter that's stain resistant and wipes off easily. You won't mind hanging it amid your home decor so it's easily accessible. 03 of 06 Reel Tree-free Toilet Paper courtesy $18; target.com Made from 100 percent bamboo, these 3-ply rolls are biodegradable and fragrance- and dye-free, which is not always the case with your run-of-the-mill roll. There's not a single shred of plastic involved in the packaging, either (even the tape!), so you'll really up your sustainability game. 04 of 06 Sunshine Tienda Tiki Island Sarong $52; sunshinetienda.com Sarongs are back, baby. Tie this adorably-printed 100 percent cotton version around your waist after a dip in the ocean, fashion into a head scarf, or wear it over a short skirt. 05 of 06 Scrub & Throw courtesy $15 for 30-pack, scrubandthrow.com No more soggy, germy sponges laying next to the sink. With this box, you get thirty 100 percent biodegradable sponges so you can use a new one each day of the month. The sponges have a soft and a scrubby side. Just toss when you're done. 06 of 06 8tracks COURTESY $5 per month; 8tracks.com With playlists like "Hipster Hip Hop" and "It's Time To Have Fun In The Sun!" there's a reason this streaming service has become the best place to discover new and exciting music: the playlists are incredibly specific. If you're having work-from-home-induced playlist fatigue, try it for 14 days for free. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit