Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Our brand-new guide to curtains

Plus: The case for traveling with a toilet stool
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The Recommendation

April 30, 2025

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Our brand-new guide to curtains

Six different curtains hanging together.
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter

Great curtains don't just offer privacy and light control — they also set the tone for the whole room, adding personality and pizazz. Going for something bohemian and casual? Consider one of our new favorites: A two-tone striped cotton set with tasteful fringe. Or if cottage-core-chic is more your vibe, we are especially enamored by a cheery gingham set that's "so soft you could sleep under them."

Like an outfit for your window→

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What's new at Wirecutter

Gifts for Moms picks displayed on a lilac backdrop, featuring an orange flower, green clogs, a lotion bar, a mug, linen hand towels and more.

46 excellent gifts for the mom in your life

Including a Meyer lemon tree and fashionable sweats→

Triptych with images of Laine Dubin, Martinus Evans, and Raven Saunders.

How to prevent chafing, according to elite athletes

They recommend sweat-wicking bike shorts, anti-chafe balms, and a spray to protect your feet→

Four satellite messengers shown together.

Stay connected, even when your phone fails

Satellite messengers serve as an insurance policy in the best cases and a lifesaver during the worst→

A person sitting on a toilet with their feet resting on a Folding Portable Camping Hiking Stool.

The case for traveling with a toilet stool

One Wirecutter writer calls it a "game-changing vacation essential"→

Plus: How to "detox" your kitchen

A blue monochromatic illustration of a cooking spoon and a turner inside a bubble, in front of a blue background.
Image: NYT Wirecutter; source photo by iStock/Schatzif

If you're trying to reduce your exposure to plastics and non-stick coatings without causing yourself total panic or stress, sustainability editor Katie Okamoto and kitchen editor Marilyn Ong have some advice on where to focus your energy.

One suggestion they share in this week's episode of The Wirecutter Show: Determine your "exposure budget." Which products and materials do you want to focus on eliminating, based on how important they are to you? Then, prioritize replacing those things with kitchen gear that will last. Have an air fryer with a non-stick basket? Swap it for a toaster oven. Or, replace plastic food storage containers with glass ones. These alternatives can pose fewer health concerns — and many will last a lifetime.

Your daily deal: A luxe set of silk pillowcases

Lilysilk 25 Momme Oxford Envelope Luxury Pillowcase.
Lilysilk

A luxurious sleep upgrade for your (or perhaps the mom in your life's?) bedroom: a set of lustrous, weighty, and durable silk pillowcases. Compared with the competition, these pillowcases hold up well in the wash, taking on an almost matte finish that makes them less slippery and more comfortable to sleep on.

These silk pillowcases make a great gift — and they're on sale right now→

Thanks for reading.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can't always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

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