Best Bets

Photo: Mitchell Feinberg

The Best Bet
More than midway through the summer, those once-white shirts and snowy dresses are looking a little fatigued. Although it’s tempting to hit them with bleach, beware: It can easily dissolve delicate voiles and pimas. Instead, restore their eye-dazzling crispness with blueing, a century-old approach. A few drops of Bluette’s indigo liquid in the wash water and your whites will stay bright through the Labor Day homestretch ($3.59 at Fine Fare, 545 Grand St., nr. Jackson St.; 212-505-8345).

Photo: Davies + Starr

The Quietest Blender on the Market
From industrial designer Konstantin Grcic, it purées, blends, and crushes ice in a non-deafening way, even at the highest setting ($149 at Bed Bath & Beyond, 620 Sixth Ave., nr. 18th St.; 212-255-3550).

Photo: Davies + Starr

The Anti-Floppy Summer Hat
Lola’s straw fedoras are light, breathable, and provide excellent sun protection with minimal hat-head and maximum coolness ($160 at Verve, 353 Bleecker St., nr. 10th St., 212-691-6516).

Photo: Courtesy of Boon

A Toy That Tidies Up
This frog’s detachable back functions as a scoop, drain, and storage for bath or pool toys and can be mounted on any wall ($34 at Giggle, 120 Wooster St., nr. Prince St.; 212-334-5817).

Photo: Davies + Starr

Nice on the Eyes, and on Bare Feet
Koko Company’s outdoor mats make an unlandscaped yard or unkempt stoop more presentable and look good enough to bring indoors ($75 at Domus Unaffected Living, 413 W. 44th St., at Ninth Ave.; 212-581-8099).

Photo: Davies + Starr

Eliminate Noise Pollution, Discreetly
The newly downsized version of Bose’s popular QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones are just as effective but far more portable ($349; Shops at Columbus Circle, nr. 60th St., third fl.; 212-823-9314).

Best Bets