Buzzword: Bamboo-zle

What it means. Bamboozle means to deceive, dupe, or hoodwink. But this green-era alt spelling of the term—bamboo-zle—adds a new meaning, specifically covering dubious claims made by manufacturers of bamboo clothing and textiles. Bamboo-zle is akin to greenwashing, another of our Buzzwords.

Why the buzz? The Federal Trade Commission this week charged four clothing and textile manufacturers with making false product claims about bamboo-based products. In its August 11 press release, the FTC said the "bamboo-based textiles, actually made of rayon, are not antimicrobial, made in an environmentally friendly manner, or biodegradable." Sami Designs, LLC, Jonaeno, CSE, Inc.(d.b.a. Mad Mod), and Pure Bamboo, LLC have settled the FTC's complaints, but litigation continues against The M Group, Inc. (d.b.a. Bamboosa).

"When companies sell products woven from man-made fibers, such as rayon, it is important that they accurately label and advertise those products—both with respect to the fibers they use and to the qualities those fibers possess," said David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, in the release.

While rayon, an artificial fiber, can be created from the cellulose found in plants and trees, including bamboo, it's processed using a harsh chemical that releases air pollutants. In our past tests of towels, cotton and bamboo blends were softer after washing than all-cotton towels, though they were also more expensive.

Another popular bamboo product, flooring, is a bit more environmentally friendly than wood, since bamboo, a fast-growing grass can be harvested in as little as four years. (That's a bamboo forest shown.) In our latest report on nearly 50 flooring products (full story and ratings available to subscribers), two bamboo products outperformed other wood alternatives.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're planning to remodel your kitchen with new flooring, cabinets, or appliances, check out our recently updated Kitchen-Planning Guide.

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Honeywell Prestige Comfort System HD thermostat

With the new Prestige Comfort Systems thermostat, Honeywell has introduced what it says is the world's first full-color, high-definition, touchscreen thermostat. It's part of the Prestige Comfort System that the manufacturer claims can cut your annual heating and cooling costs up to 33 percent by helping you better manage your heating and cooling system(s).

Honeywell claims this thermostat is completely intuitive—no owner's manual needed. The thermostat programs itself after you answer questions that appear on the screen, such as the time you wake up and when you hit the sack. A three-part Prestige Comfort system, which includes the Portable Comfort Control and the Wireless Outdoor Sensor, costs $200 to $700, installed, depending on the size of your home (price varies depending on the number of zones and thermostats installed).—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read our latest report on thermostats.