What’s new in small appliances: 2008 Housewares Show wrap-up

The 2008 International Home & Housewares Show (IHHS) recently took place in Chicago. Michael DiLauro, a product-information specialist for Consumer Reports, describes some interesting products and trends.

Smaller appliances are taking on multiple personalities, as manufacturers are incorporating multiple functions into their products. Makers are also adding enhanced programmability to their wares, allowing you to fine-tune the process, say setting the brew strength on a coffeemakers. Some of these countertop devices are also getting bigger screens and brighter displays with backlit LCDs.

Technology continues to reign, as appliances add electronic controls that prevent temperature spikes, keeping the heat consistent over the cooking process. (Learn what's behind this technology.)

Manufacturers are also trying to blend some of their smaller appliances seamless into home décor. Consumers don’t want their room air purifiers and cordless handheld vacuums, for example, to stand out when they’re plugged in.

With consumers expected to spend less this year, small-appliance makers were touting the cost-saving aspects of their products. Slow cookers, claimed one company, use about 3 cents per hour compared with 25 cents per hour for a wall oven. Vacuum sealers were also being pitched as way to lower food costs.

Pod-style coffeemakers continue to grow in popularity with Nespresso and Tassimo poised to take the lion’s share of both the coffee-pod and -maker market. Learn more about espresso makers.

Speaking of coffee, I knew the IHHS was trendy when I found myself drinking an espresso alongside celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck at the booth hosted by Illy, known for its espresso machines and coffee. The Italian company’s booth (shown) was actually the coolest part of all, since it’s a fully functional sustainable home built within a shipping container. Called the Push Button House (shown), it takes about 90 seconds to fully open and transform into a home with a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, living room, and library.

Induction burners are becoming more common, though you might not need or want to buy a new cooktop just to take advantage of this emerging technology, which has performed highly in our tests, excelling at cooking speed and energy efficiency. The new portable induction cooktop from European appliance maker Fagor might make sense for you as a complement to an existing range or standard gas or electric cooktop. (Note that induction cooktops require cookware made of cast iron or enameled steel. Some stainless-steel cookware will work but aluminum or copper products will not.)

The $200 unit (shown), which measures 12x14 inches and weighs 8 pounds, includes many of the standard features found in a built-in induction cooktop at a fraction of the cost, around $1,700 for a four-burner model.—Michael DiLauro, Product-Information Specialist

Mowing their way to decreased air pollution

Aiming to reduce emissions from lawn mowers in their state, some California agencies are offering residents a good deal on an electric lawn mower.

As part of the annual Mow Down Air Pollution program, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD; logo shown below), among others governmental entities in the state, will provide residents a new Neuton rechargeable cordless lawn mower at a heavy discount when they trade in a working gas-powered mower. (Prices differ statewide. The AQMD is charging $100; the SMUD, $189.) The 24-volt Neuton electric mower, with a retail price of $400, is a lot quieter than a typical standard mower and will run for 45 to 60 minutes on a 12-hour charge, according to officials with the AQMD. We’ve tested the 24-volt Neuton EM 5.1 (shown), $350. It earned an overall good in our Ratings.

The AQMD effort, now in its sixth year, is the largest in the state, according to spokesman Sam Atwood. Southern California residents have exchanged about 4,000 mowers per year through the AQMD, says Atwood, who adds that by the end of 2008, the program will have kept 116 tons smog-forming hydrocarbons out of the air. “In one year, a single older mower will pollute as much as 43 new cars each driven 12,000 miles per year,” notes Atwood. As part of the SMUD’s program, now in its 12th year, residents have bought almost 10,000 electric mowers and emissions have been reduced by 99.5 tons.

Each California agency funds its program differently. The AQMD, for instance, pays for the Mow Down Air Pollution efforts through its Air Quality Investment Program. Find out whether a mower exchange is being offered in your area by checking with the department of environmental protection in your state or a county or local agency.

The AQMD will run seven mower pickups throughout Southern California this spring. People who have preregistered to buy a mower online or by phone drive up to the location with their old mower; someone removes it from their car; and a new boxed Neuton mower is loaded in. “They never have to leave their car and the whole things takes about 10 minutes,” says Atwood.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: If you’re considering an electric mower, remember that a higher-voltage machine doesn’t guarantee better cutting performance. We recently tested the 48-volt Craftsman 37048 cordless mower, $400, and the 60-volt/12-amp Remington MPS6017A, $450 (you can use it with or without a cord). But the top-rated 24-volt Black & Decker CMM1200 cordless electric outcut both models. Get more information about electric and gas mowers and lawn tractors, and use the expert advice in our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide to help your lawn look its best.

Tip of the day: Get your lawn mower or tractor in shape for spring

Spring’s a great time of year, especially for us cold-weather-climate inhabitants, who are now emerging from winter hibernation. Greeting us are early-flowering bulbs, budding trees, and chirping birds. Add to that inviting tableau a lawn that needs attention.

Before you pull the start cord on your walk-behind mower or turn the key on your tractor and get your yard in shape, follow these equipment-maintenance tips from Peter Sawchuk (shown below at our Florida testing facility), Consumer Reports’ resident mower expert and watch our video (right) on the features to look for in a lawn mower.

Fuel: Start the season with fresh gasoline. Gasoline can deteriorate in as little as one month, loosing firing power, clogging up the carburetor, and making starting difficult if not impossible. If you have not already drained the fuel from the tank or used gasoline stabilizer last fall, empty out the old fuel. It’s a messy but important job.
• Tip: Add stabilizer to your fuel whenever you buy gasoline for your mower or tractor, not just at the end of the mowing season. This simple step will keep the fuel fresh all the time. Note that environmental additives in gasoline in some parts of the country can cause it to break down and form a “varnish” even after a short time, resulting in hard starting and an expensive carburetor cleaning.

Battery: Fully charge the battery on your tractor. The charging system on most lawn tractors is not capable of fully recharging a low battery. Periodically recharge your battery over the off-season, if you don’t it could fail sooner that it otherwise would.

Oil: If you didn’t change the oil last fall before you put your machine to rest, do so now. A lack of lubrication is the fastest way to permanently damage your engine, so put in fresh oil and keep an eye on the oil level throughout the mowing season. Too little oil can damage or destroy the engine by leaving parts unlubricated in a hot environment. Too much oil can also cause problems by preventing proper lubrication.

Deck: Hose or scrape off old clippings from beneath the deck. Built-up clippings will significantly reduce mulching performance by blocking the recutting action necessary for good mulching.
    To easily clean a mower deck, turn the mower on up on its side with the carburetor and air filter facing upwards to eliminate lubrication oil from getting into the fuel system and use a hose and scraper. If the cap on your mower is vented, remove the cap, lay on two layers of plastic wrap, and then put the cap back on. (Remove the plastic wrap when you’re done cleaning.)
    To clean a tractor deck without having to remove it, use a set of ramps like those you’d use to change the oil in your car. Drive the front wheels up on the ramp for access to the underside of the deck and then use a hose and scraper.
• Tip: After cleaning, spray silicone lubricant on the inside of the deck to reduce clipping build up and for easier cleaning. During mowing season, remove clippings after each time you cut the grass, when they are moist and easy to remove. This simple move will save you time in the long run and give a better cut.

Blade(s): Get the blade(s) sharpened before you start cutting. A dull blade will damage the blades of grass, stressing the plants and keeping your lawn from looking its best and maybe even causing the grass tips to turn brown. A dull blade will cause your mower to burn more fuel and make you work harder and longer. Sharpen the blade(s) once a month or more frequently for heavy cutting conditions, especially in areas with small stones or sand.
• Tip: Buy a second blade or a second set of blades. This way you’ll always have sharp cutters on hand.

Spark plug and air cleaner: New spark plugs are cheap. Change it every year for best engine performance. On a gas engine, replace the carburetor air filter if it's paper. Wash a foam filter in soap and water, rinse and squeeze dry, then lubricate it with engine oil and squeeze it dry again before you reinstall it.

Moving parts: Lubricating moving parts, including cables and wheels. Check your owner’s manual for detailed information.

Essential information: Mow safely, and check out “How to fix the top 10 lawn problems” for expert advice on how to get a great-looking lawn. If you need to replace your mower or tractor, read "Faster and friendlier." Then use our Ratings of push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and lawn tractors (available to subscribers) to find the best model. You'll find more information on lawn gear and ways to keep your yard looking its best in our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide.

America takes on spring cleaning

Nearly 77 percent of Americans will undertake some type of spring cleaning this year, according to a recent survey by the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), a cleaning-products trade group. Men and women tackle these seasonal chores, though more women (86 percent) than men (68 percent) tidy up behind furniture, wash windows, clean appliances and floors, and tend to bedclothes/linens.

Not surprisingly, many survey respondents admit to not liking the task, which is nowhere near as fun as that other rite of spring: the start of a new baseball season. Indeed, nearly a third of respondents would pay $100 to hire someone to do their cleaning for them.

I’d have thought that more people would give up household cleaning, but it seems that Americans do like this chore: Only 8 percent of respondents to the SDA’s 2004 spring-cleaning survey described house cleaning as a job they dislike, while 88 percent considered cleaning as important to keeping their families happy, healthy and safe; maintaining a presentable home; or providing a sense of satisfaction when finished.

The benefit to spring cleaning? More than 50 percent of respondents feel a thorough cleaning once a year cuts down on their cleanup work the rest of the time.

Seventy-five percent of those surveyed look for product effectiveness as key in the cleaners they buy (they also like multipurpose cleaners), and they also consider cost and convenience when shopping. They’re  increasingly seeking out green or organic cleaning products, like those recently introduced by Clorox and SC Johnson. See our blog on this industry trend.

Consumer Reports, of course, is here to help you get through these annual—and arduous—chores. Refer to our Spring Cleaning Guide for expert advice on keeping your home and your car looking their best. If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, read our latest report and watch the video buying guide at right. And for any heavier-duty tasks in the garage, basement, or workshop, learn about wet/dry vacuums.—Cyndi Schoenbrun, Senior Research Analyst

Tip of the Day: How to use a pressure washer

A recent news story out of Orange County, Florida—a woman was charged with felony child abuse after being accused of having pointed a commercial pressure washer at her 2-year-old daughter—can serve as a reminder that even consumer pressure washers are dangerous when not used properly.

Typical mishaps with pressure washers include chemical burns to the eyes and skin abrasions, and you can also be injured by material shot back at you.

Watch our safety alert video (right) and follow these guidelines when using a pressure washer this spring and summer to protect yourself and your belongings:

• Wear safety glasses or goggles, shoes, and hearing protection.

• Set the nozzle to the widest spray angle that removes the stain.

• Start with the nozzle 2 feet away from the cleaning surface and move closer as needed, but no closer than 6 inches. Practice first by cleaning a hidden area.

• Point the nozzle away from your legs and feet, other people, and pets, as well as lights, air conditioners, and other electrical devices.

• Be wary of using a solid-stream nozzle and setting, which can cause the most harm.

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new pressure washer, check out “Quicker Cleaning for Less.” And read our Spring-Cleaning Guide for advice on tidying up your home, your car, and your life.

Best fabric softeners

Conventional wisdom suggests that you should use fabric-softener sheets in the dryer to lessen static cling, but we found that liquids you use in the washing machine reduced the static charge in a load of synthetic clothing slightly better than sheets did.

Our tests of 12 liquids, eight sheets, a dryer ball, and a reusable dryer cloth revealed one excellent product, Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid, and debunked the belief that fabric softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent. (See our Ratings of fabric softeners, available to subscribers only.)

The loss of absorbency was very noticeable with only Snuggle Concentrate and liquid Snuggle Exhilarations. (More laundry detergents are being formulated with a softener. But in past tests, we found that they left clothes less soft than those laundered with separate detergent and softener.)

Other findings from our tests:

• Products differed mainly in their ability to soften clothes. Some liquids were very good; the dryer sheets were so-so at best.

• The reusable Method Softener Infused Dryer Cloth and the Dryer Max Dryer Balls scored just fair overall. Testers said that laundry dried with them felt more scratchy or stiff than most.

• Costs range from 2 cents per use to 26 cents; we rated some of the lower-priced products very good.

• Past tests have shown that even the best fabric softeners can build up over time, especially on fleece and flannel, which can reduce the flame resistance. Most products warn against use on flame-resistant clothes or kids' sleepwear.

The Consumer Reports take. The best overall softener was Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions liquid (9 cents per load). The manufacturer claims that its package has recycled content and that its ingredients are biodegradable. If you prefer dryer sheets, consider Bounce (5 cents), Gain, (4 cents), or Kirkland Signature (Costco), just 2 cents per load in the 492-sheet pack.

Among the best fabric softeners we tested, many liquids do one load per ounce; Touch Liquid weighs 64 ounces but delivers just 21 loads. The Ultra Gain Joyful Expressions, Ultra Downy with Febreze, and Ultra Downy concentrated liquids give you a few more loads than regular products for the same weight.

If scent bothers you, try Ultra Downy liquid or Bounce sheets, the only conventional products we tested that come in an unscented version.

Essential information: Visit our washing machine page for expert advice on buying and using this appliance. See the full list (in alphabetical order) of tested fabric softeners below.

Greener cleaners go mainstream

In January, the Clorox Company launched Green Works (shown), a line of what it claims are “natural” cleaners. Days later, SC Johnson announced that a new Greenlist label would appear on its familiar blue Windex glass cleaner. Both products are now being rolled out into retailers nationwide. You know the green bandwagon is getting crowded when two behemoths of the household-cleaning industry climb aboard.

No sooner had the companies launched the products than some in the green blogosphere began questioning the safety of the ingredients used in these cleaners and whether they really are just more examples of greenwashing. So we decided to take a closer look.

Clorox Green Works
Clorox says that its Green Works products, which include all-purpose, bathroom, dilutable, glass-and-surface, and toilet-bowl cleaners, are at least 99 percent “natural.” But without a nationally accepted standard definition for that term, the company is using its own. Natural cleaners, Clorox says, are defined as having ingredients that come from primarily plant and mineral materials and contain less than 1 percent petrochemicals. But keep in mind, natural doesn’t necessarily mean nontoxic or nonirritating.

Unlike with many other cleaners, including some from Clorox, you will find a complete list of ingredients on Green Works packaging. That’s significant, since full disclosure is not required by federal law. At the same time, since it can be difficult to judge the potential harmful effects of ingredients you might be unfamiliar with, if you’re concerned about your health and safety, check for warning labels; they are required when a product contains ingredients that are known to cause harm to humans. Four out of five Green Works products carry “caution” labels, which indicate relatively less hazard than “danger” or “poison” labels would.

Four Green Works products carry the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment, or DfE, label (shown). The presence of the label means that the EPA evaluated the ingredients for health and environmental impacts. But it doesn’t signify that the ingredients are harmless; rather the label indicates that they are considered to be the least harmful in their chemical class. Also, since ingredients are judged individually, there is not one clear standard that all products with a DfE label must meet. Consumer Reports is in the process of evaluating the DfE label.

In April, a Sierra Club label will also appear on all the Green Works products. The label will indicate that the products have been reviewed by the club and are environmentally preferable to conventional products. However, the label is not free from conflict-of-interest, as the Sierra Club will receive financial support from Clorox as part of this partnership.

SC Johnson Greenlist
SC Johnson’s Windex Original blue glass cleaner is the first product to carry the company’s Greenlist label. However, the manufacturer claims it has been reformulating several of its products in accordance with the Greenlist process since 2001. Since the company defined the process, it decides what’s green. Basically, with Greenlist, ingredients are ranked on a more-to-less impact scale from 0 to 3. That information is then used to improve the “environmental and health profile” of products by reformulating them with ingredients considered by the company to be less harmful.

For the Windex, SC Johnson says it replaced a 0-rated solvent with a more environmentally responsible material and reduced the levels of volatile organic compounds in the cleaner. VOCs, chemicals found in many household products, can cause dizziness, headaches, and other acute symptoms.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find a complete list of ingredients on Greenlist products since the company is not required by federal law to disclose all the ingredients used. Without this information, it’s impossible for us to tell whether the green or any other claims are true.

SC Johnson also carries cleaning products with the DfE label, indicating they have gone through the government’s screening process for health and environmental impacts. Those products include Shout Trigger laundry stain remover and Citrus Action, Scrubbing Bubbles Soap Scum Remover with Orange Action, Shower Shine Daily Shower Cleaner, and Fantastik Oxy Power multipurpose cleaner.

In the end, the best way to find eco-friendly cleaners—from Clorox, SC Johnson, or any other manufacturer—is to look for products with labels that have been independently verified as green in the Eco-labels Center on GreenerChoices.org. Also read our report on greener cleaners and use the cleaner recipes there at home.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Essential information: For information on Earth Day and greener living, visit our Earth Day Guide.  

March 22 is World Water Day

March 22 is designated as National Goof-off Day, but that date also signifies a more significant event: World Water Day.

While water conservation and quality have been a concern in many parts of the world for years, it wasn’t a mainstream issue in this country when the United Nations General Assembly designated the day during its 1992 Conference on Environment and Development.

But today large swaths of the United States are mired in drought conditions, the water infrastructure is in bad shape in some areas, and according to an Associated Press investigation earlier this month, traces of pharmaceuticals have been found in the drinking-water supplies of 41 million Americans.

The goal of World Water Day is to bring global water issues to the fore. This year’s theme is sanitation, which covers matters like hygiene promotion, sanitary facilities, water quality, and wastewater management. In 2006, the theme was water culture; in 2007, water scarcity.

What can you do about your own water? Start by assessing the quality of your water. Your community water system is required to provide you with an annual Consumer Confidence Report, or CCR, a detailed statement on the quality of the water in your area.

If you’re concerned about water quality and want to buy a water filter, read our latest report. The article covers the different types of filters, which range from carafes that you store in the refrigerator to whole-house systems; the Ratings (available to subscribers) include more than two dozen products.

If you want to conserve water at home, read “50 Ways to Save Water” on GreenerChoices.org and follow the tips here:

• Water your lawn only when necessary. "Watering Basics" offers detailed expert advice.

• Run your washing machine only when it's full. When you’re buying a new washer, refer to our water efficiency Rating to find a model that uses less water.

• Don’t wash dirty dishes by hand or prerinse them before loading your dishwasher. A household that uses its dishwasher almost daily could save up to 6,500 gallons per year by eliminating prerinsing.—Daniel DiClerico

Buzzword: Techorate

What it means: “Techorate” was recently coined by LG Electronics, manufacturer of cell phones, flat-panel TVs, computer monitors, and home appliances, including ranges, refrigerators, and dishwashers. The company defines the term as “the integration of technology into the overall decorative theme of a home.”

Why the buzz? With all due respect to the marketing folks at LG, we see techorate as an anti-buzzword. It’s not that we disagree with the concept—figuring out where to put your TV, say the LG 60PY3D plasma model shown, so that it meshes with your furniture plan can be a challenge. But this design/decorating issue has existed for generations, and flat-panel sets might be easier to work with than the boxy cathode-ray TVs of old.

What’s more, buzzwords—and the trends that generate them—can’t just one day be decreed. They should start out among a small group of people, then find their way to larger groups before eventually going mainstream. “Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do,” wrote Malcolm Gladwell it in his 2000 best seller The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.

As far as we can tell, techorate underwent no incubation period. It simply popped up in an LG press release, alongside the announcement that interior designer Doug Wilson would start working with the company to help consumers imbue their WiFi with proper feng shui. Wilson’s techoration tips are good but hardly merit a spot in the Buzzword pantheon, which includes greenwashing, neuroeconomics, reputation economy, and ruralpolitan.

The most important move in buying a plasma, LCD, or other television set is choosing a quality model. When it comes to highly rated gear, we can’t take LG to task for some of its products. In our latest testing, a plasma and an LCD from LG excelled; for home appliances, LG’s front-loading washers and its over-the-range microwave oven are winners.

Essential information: Read our latest reports on flat-panel TVs, microwave ovens, and washers and dryers.

Q&A: What's the best way to load a dishwasher?

My kids load the dishwasher in a haphazard way and the dishes sometimes come out dirty. Is there a proper way to load a dishwasher?

Careful placement—combined with using an enzyme detergent and a rinse aid—can make the difference between your getting glistening dishes and grungy ones. Note that you can skip prerinsing your dishes. This step wastes time and energy and uses as much as 6,500 gallons of water per year. You can save even more water by running only full loads.

Follow our expert advice to help your dishwasher perform its best and keep your items from getting damaged:

1. Load large items at the sides and back of the dishwasher, so that they don't block water and detergent from reaching other dishes.

2. Place the dirtier side of dishes toward the center of the machine to provide more exposure to the spray. Don’t let dishes or utensils nest, or rest side by side, which can prevent water from reaching all surfaces.

3. Use the top rack for plastic and delicate items that are dishwasher safe.

4. Rest glassware on prongs to prevent breakage. And to prevent chipping, make sure that china, crystal, and stemware don’t touch other items. Don’t machine-wash brass, bronze, cast iron, disposable plastics, gold-colored flatware, gold-leaf china, hollow-handle knives, pewter, tin, or anything made of wood or with a wood handle.

5. Load silverware with handles down but place knives with the handles up. If your dishwasher has an open basket, mix spoons, forks, and knives to prevent them from sticking together.

6. Place items with baked-on food facedown and toward the sprayer in the bottom rack.

Essential information: Read our latest dishwasher report and visit our dishwasher page for expert advice on how to choose the right model and to check out our Ratings (available to subscribers). Continue reading this blog to find out which models we've tested.