Garden hoses can be unwieldy so the promise of a lightweight, expandable hose that takes up little space was hard to resist. Consumer Reports tried out three 50-foot models of this new breed of garden hose, which weighs as little as one pound and stretches like an accordion to roughly three times its original length with the water on. And while the so-called pocket hoses don't really fit in your pocket, they live up to most of their claims.

The hoses we tested were the Pocket Hose, $28, FlexAbleHose, $39, and DAP XHose, $48. All prices include shipping. In our kinking, twisting, slashing, and freezing tests, the hoses lived up to most of their TV infomercial promises. We even found a clear winner, the Pocket Hose, if you want higher flow far from the spigot but have wimpy water pressure.

The hoses resist kinking and bursting. None lost flow when folded, twisted, or knotted—a problem with the conventional hoses we bought for comparison. And none burst until we boosted water pressure to more than 200 pounds per square inch (psi), much more than the 40 to 80 psi that's usual in most homes.

Though small nicks we made in the hoses created weak spots, they held together until cuts reached about one inch in length. If any part is damaged or the hose leaks, expandable hoses can't be repaired like conventional ones. Their manufacturers warn you to keep them out of the sun when you aren't using them. They may also shrink under reduced pressure. The hoses delivered full flow for car-washing and other jobs at 60 psi with the nozzle wide open. But at 40 psi, they started retracting unless we reduced the flow at the nozzle. The Pocket Hose shrank the least, losing roughly 10 feet of length compared with almost 30 feet for the other two. And because they shrink to their original size when the water is turned off, all three are poor choices for use with sprinklers.

If you're just digging in to your yard work this spring, here's some tricks to reduce the size of your yard and your yard work. Switching from an all-lawn yard to one that's 40 percent lawn and 60 percent trees, shrubs, ground cover, and hardscape will cut your water needs by 20 to 50 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. You may not even need a hose, pocket-size or otherwise.

A hot summer forecast—and air-conditioner prices that are going up with the mercury—could mean an early run on window units. But you needn't wait and sweat it out: Consumer Reports testers just named 15 top room air conditioners that include several small and mid-sized models priced at around $200 or less. But the volume of some we tested could keep you up at night. And a few might have you struggling with less-than-intuitive controls.

Small-space winners. Small air conditioners are best for spaces no larger than about 300 square feet. The Frigidaire LRA067AT7, a CR Best Buy at $170, cooled consistently and quietly in our temperature-controlled chamber. But you may want to think twice about the relatively raucous Frigidaire FRA054XT7, $175, if you're a light sleeper. Its thumb wheel control for venting air also proved slower and harder to use than the usual lever.

Mid-sized money-savers. Air conditioners this size cool spaces up to roughly 400 square feet. The Sharp AF-S85RX, $200, sold at Costco, is one of two CR Best Buys in this group and can handle these larger areas for about the same price as many smaller units. The Sharp is also relatively light--a plus when hoisting a room air conditioner into the window for summer cooling, and lifting it out again for winter storage. Another winner, the LG LW8010ER, $220, had impressive power for cooling and moisture removal that was compromised only by a little more noise at high speed.

Large and in charge. Got between 350 and 650 square feet to cool? The Frigidaire FRA106CV1, $320, is a new CR Best Buy among large air conditioners. It's cooling performance was excellent and it recovered well under brownout conditions. But it was middling for noise so you may not want to install it close to where you watch television. Another CR Best Buy, the LG LW1210ER, also $320, offers lots of cooling power but it too was noisy at high speed and weighs 82 pounds, the most for the large units we tested.

For more efficient cooling determine how many square feet you need to cool—too many BTUs can make a room cool, but it will still feel clammy because not enough moisture is being removed from the air. For more on how to keep cool, read our report, Air conditioners that keep you and your wallet cool.

It's never been wise to play around with lead paint, the kind kicked up during the renovation of homes built before 1978. Nowadays, doing so can be costly in more ways than one, as the Environmental Protection Agency continues to fine violators of its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP).

The Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires contractors to use lead-safe work practices to ensure that lead dust isn't left behind after renovation, repair, and painting work. Lead exposure can cause a range of health effects, including behavioral problems and learning disabilities, as well as seizures and death. Young children are at the greatest risk because their nervous systems are still developing.

This week, the EPA announced enforcement action against the following companies:

• Groeller Painting, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri.
• Albracht Permasiding and Window, Co. of Omaha, Nebraska.
• Midwest College Painters, LLC of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
• ARK Property Investments, LLC of Richmond, Indiana.
• Henderson & Associates Services of Largo, Florida.
• Home Resources Management, LLC of Columbia, Tennessee.
• Camaj Interiors & Exteriors of Jacksonville, Florida.
• Cherokee Home Improvements, LLC of Church Creek, Maryland.
• Window World of Harford located in Belair, Maryland.
• EA Construction and General Contracting of West Chester, Pennsylvania.
• Roman Builders of Morton, Pennsylvania.
• Accolade Construction Group, Inc. of New York, New York.
• PZ Painting of Springfield, New Jersey.
• Creative Renovations of Brooklyn, New York.
• Reeson Construction of Webster, New Hampshire.
• New Hampshire Plate Glass Corporation of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
• CM Rogers Handyman of Manchester, New Hampshire.

The companies were assessed with fines ranging from $23,000 to $37,500. While the clients who hired them aren't culpable, they will have run the potentially greater risk of exposure to harmful lead dust. That's why it's essential to ensure that any contractor you hire to work on a pre-1978 home is properly trained and certified.

And if you're repainting your home, check our paint Ratings for finishes that deliver top performance while also containing the lowest levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), other toxins that, like lead, can be harmful to your health.

With the unofficial start of summer just a few weeks away, now's the time to do a thorough safety check around the yard to prevent the slips, trips, falls, burns, and other accidents that each year send tens of thousands of people to the emergency room. A recent outdoor safety survey of nearly 1,300 adults by the Consumer Reports National Research Center revealed the top danger spots.

The good news from our survey is that most Americans play it fairly safe outdoors. But there are areas where we appear to let our guard down and, as everyone knows, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Take grilling—the most popular outdoor activity in our survey. Only two in five homeowners keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and just one in five use a nonflammable pad to protect their deck from heat elements. Those factors contribute to the approximately 8,600 home fires each year involving grills, barbecues, and hibachis.

Our survey also asked about swimming pools, trampolines, lighting, deck structures, and fire pits. That last outdoor feature has become incredibly popular, with more than a third of our respondents saying they own one. But along with patio heaters, fire pits caused an estimated 2,900 injuries in 2011.

Read the full outdoor safety report to learn all the ways to safeguard your family and guests this summer, including:

• Check the deck;
  
• Contain outdoor fires;
  
• Provide sun protection;
  
• Play safely;
  
• Light the night;
  
• Guard your grill;
  
• Play it safe in the pool, and
  
• Safegaurd swing sets.
  

If you'll be doing yard work, hiking, or just sitting on the lawn in the spring loveliness this weekend, be aware that you might not be alone out there: It's tick time again.

Reports out of several states indicate that tick season is off to an early start in many areas, driven partly by a mild winter and warm spring. Bites from the tiny deer ticks prevalent in the Northeast and upper Midwest can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses. And ticks in other areas can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis, another bacterial disease.

So it's important to start taking precautions now that you might normally associate more with summer, like tucking your pants into your socks or spraying your clothes down with deet before doing yard work. Here are specific steps for staying tick-free and safe all season long:

• Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes when walking through wooded or grassy areas. Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks.
• Spray clothing and exposed skin with an insect repellent containing up to 30 percent deet or another effective bug-repelling ingredient. See which insect repellents were rated tops in Consumer Reports' last tests. Follow the directions on the label and rinse the product off when you get back inside.
• Inspect your skin when you go indoors, including your armpits and groin. If you find a tick attached, use tweezers to gently remove it, taking care to get the whole body out, including the head. You might want to save the tick in a plastic bag in case it needs to be tested later for Lyme disease or other bacteria.

The ticks that carry Lyme disease usually have to feed on your body for at least 36 hours in order to transmit it. So if you're vigilant about searching for and removing ticks, you can greatly reduce your risk. Call your doctor if you develop symptoms that could indicate a tick-borne illness, including a circular "bullseye"-shaped rash, fever, muscle aches, or joint pain.

There are just a few things to know about Mother's Day. First, remember the holiday. This year Mother's Day takes place on Sunday, May 12, so you don't have many shopping days left. Second, book a table. Restaurants are packed on Mother's Day, so if you're going out to celebrate, get on Yelp, OpenTable, or some other dining site now. And third, don't limit yourself to the classics and the clichéd. When choosing a Mother's Day present, the sky's the limit, as you'll see below in our selection of gifts for the mom who . . .

Wants to stream video. The updated Roku 3 ($100, shown) is one of the best streaming-media players. It offers tons of content, including more than 750 channels, plus a faster processor for speedier loading and a new graphically rich interface. Our favorite feature is a headphone jack built into the remote. If Mom gets all her content from iTunes or the Apple iCloud, the Apple TV ($99) might be a better choice.

Longs for peace and quiet. The Bose QuietComfort 15 over-ear headphones ($300) provide very good sound quality and excellent noise reduction. You can also use the noise-reduction circuitry without listening to music when you just want to muffle the din. Yes, they're expensive--but isn't Mom worth a quality pair of headphones?

Shoots like a shutterbug. The wireless capability on the Nikon CoolPix AW110 point-and-shoot ($350) makes it easy to snap a shot, then immediately send it to a nearby smart phone or tablet. The AW110 can withstand rough-and-tumble handling, including falls and dunks in water, making it ideal for the beach, pool, and the great outdoors. Check out other digital cameras we've reviewed.

Reads voraciously. E-book readers remain the best way to read digital books. Our recommended models start at $70, but $120 or more gets you a model with a built-in light, such as the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight and Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Without Special Offers.

Desires a tiny tablet. The Apple iPad mini ($329 and up), weighing just 0.7 pounds, lives up to the name. You don't have to trade functionality with this easy-to-hold device—every app works just the same as on the full-sized iPad. It's also much less expensive than the larger version. It lacks a high-resolution Retina but the iPad mini is still easy on the eyes. Check out other tablets we've reviewed.

Plans to get in shape. The Nautilus CoreBody Reformer ($250, shown) lets Mom perform well-rounded routines without bone-jarring motions or muscle-popping weights. The Nike +SportWatch GPS ($200) is a watch-style pedometer that includes a GPS. It's our top-rated pedometer. Also consider a treadmill or elliptical.

Does whole-food juicing. To liquefy the ingredients found in a typical juice recipe, you need to use a blender. The Vitamix 5200 ($450), one of the top scorers in our Ratings of more than 60 blenders, is up to the job. In just a minute, this Vitamix turned apple, carrot, orange, pineapple, ice and water into a creamy concoction with a smooth consistency; it also aces ice crushing and making icy adult libations drinks (good to know if Mom wants to indulge).

Appreciates fine wine. Maintaining a uniform temperature is key to preserving the flavor of any wine. In our tests of wine chillers, the Electrolux IQ-Touch EI24WC65GS ($1,530) delivered very good temperature performance and energy efficiency.

Likes to bake. In our mixer tests, the Breville BEM800XL ($300), KitchenAid Classic K45SS[WH] ($200), and KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS[WW] ($300) were excellent at mixing large batches of cookie dough, kneading bread dough, and whipping cream, The Breville has a bevy of features, including a leaf beater with a flexible edge that scrapes the bowl as it turns, easy-to-use 12-speed control dial with an indicator telling you what speed is right for various tasks, a timer, and a lift-assist handle.

Insists on a fresh cup of coffee. The DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo EDG200T single-serve coffeemaker ($100, shown) shares some features with other tested models of the same brand, but the penguin-shaped unit costs less. It's fairly easy to use, refill, and clean, and it delivered both the first and subsequent cups with little delay. You can even adjust brew strength for the Nescafé-brand capsules you have to use. Check out other coffeemakers we've reviewed.

Green may be all the rage on the runway. But when it comes to the outside of your house, think blue if you're selling and more neutral colors if you're staying awhile. Experts we talked to about colors that help sell a house say traditional trumps trendy. No matter what color you choose, pick a paint that lasts. In Consumer Reports tests of exterior paints, the best still looked excellent after six years and very good after nine.

House colors that sell. "We're seeing more demand for mid-tone blues, between colonial and royal, combined with a return to tan for the trim work," says Debbie Zimmer of the Paint Quality Institute, which is part of Dow Chemical. "We also see more monochromatic schemes, taking one color but mixing different shades and tints for the trim." But deep tones need extra thought: "You don't want people to feel they're walking into a black hole."

Door colors that make a difference. Trendy options span the spectrum between lemon yellow and mid-orange (think Gorilla Glue packaging) to somber colors like burgundy and olive. But garish hues like school-bus yellow or fire-engine red are a no-no, Zimmer adds.

Shades that endure. Whites, grays, and tans are safe choices for lasting appeal. "White with black trim remains a favorite almost everywhere," says Dominic Cardone of the National Association of Realtors. For inland communities, think earth tones, he says; for shore towns, it's pastels.

After you select your color, make sure you get the right finish. Flat and satin finishes are best for siding because they hide flaws by reducing reflections. Semi-gloss paints add some shine to doors and trim, providing visual contrast. Our highest scoring flat exterior paints are California Paints Fres-Coat Velvet Flat, $42 a gallon, and Sherwin-Williams Duration Flat, $63. Sherwin-Williams also topped our picks for satin and semi-gloss exterior paints but paints from Pratt & Lambert, Glidden and Behr (Home Depot) weren't far behind. For full Ratings see our paint buying guide.

Things are getting a bit messy in the detergent aisle. More laundry detergent containers are starting to resemble food packaging, of all things, and if that doesn't throw you the labels might—gluten-free and vegan claims? Consumer Reports' latest laundry detergent tests found some clear winners and some confusing containers.

Rockin' Green Classic Rock powder detergent was mediocre at cleaning in our tests, but its gluten free and vegan claims stood out. Gluten is used as a "filler" agent in detergents and although celiac patients don't have to avoid touching gluten, some people with gluten sensitivities may benefit from avoiding contact, says Jessica Krant, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and a member of Consumer Reports' medical advisory board. "People with unusual skin rashes or irritations may be reacting to a gluten sensitivity without knowing it," says Dr. Krant, adding that manufacturers aren't required to list gluten on home or personal care products. As for the vegan claim, the Federal Trade Commission hasn't defined vegan for any products and the only rationale we found on Rockin' Green's website is a statement that it doesn't test its products on animals.

Back to the bottles. Ology 2X HE liquid detergent was also mediocre at cleaning but the bottle caught our attention. It reminded us of maple syrup. And then there are the large clear containers that look more like a cookie or candy jar but are filled with brightly colored liquid detergent pods, such as the Tide Pods and Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs (both recommended detergents). They're eye-catching and might look tempting to children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that exposure to laundry detergent pods, especially among kids ages five or younger, is an emerging public health hazard. Always store these products out of sight and reach of children.

The bottom line. Tide Ultra plus Bleach Vivid White + Bright powder was the best of the 78 detergents we tested. It's for high-efficiency top-loaders and front-loaders and was superb at cleaning in both warm and cool water, but it's the most expensive of the recommended detergents. Wisk Deep Clean is our top pick for conventional top-loaders and scored very good overall on cleaning. To find the best detergent for your washer type, check the results of our laundry detergent tests where we have winners in powders, liquids and pods/packs.

A growing list of free websites and smart-phone apps can help you narrow your choices of paint colors, figure out how much paint you'll need—and even "paint" your house before you open a can. When you're ready to buy make sure you get a paint that can weather the elements. Not all do, as Consumer Reports discovered in its exterior paint tests.

Guessing gallons. The Paint Quality Institute has a helpful paint calculator for gauging how much paint or stain to buy. A project planner also offers tips on choosing colors, prepping, timing, safety, cleanup, and more.

Virtual painting. Major brands, from Behr to Valspar, offer tools on their websites that let you upload a photo of your home and try various colors before you commit.

Digital color-matching. Free apps let you photograph a house color you like and digitally match it with a brand's offerings. Valspar also offers color consultations with a professional consultant. The apps typically download via iTunes, though they won't work on every device. Here are some major ones and the devices they work with:

• Behr ColorSmart (iPhone, iPad, Android)
• Benjamin Moore Color Capture (iPhone, Android)
• Glidden on the go (iPhone, iPad)
• Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Studio (iPhone, iPad, Android)
• Valspar ConnectLive (iPad, with iPhone on the way)

Whichever color you like, try actual samples on your siding, since virtual paint can look different in the real world. Flat and satin finishes are best for siding because they hide flaws by reducing reflections and semi-gloss paints add some sheen to doors and trim. In our exterior paint tests, 14 stood up to our tough weathering tests and made our list of top paint picks including at least one from every brand mentioned above.

It's National Home Remodeling Month but don't make the mistake that many homeowners do when they attempt home repairs for which they have neither the skills nor the know-how. Doing so can cost you time and money or even put you in the hospital. Repainting the dining room is likely doable but rewiring the chandelier, probably not. The National Association of Home Builders says there are some jobs that are best left to professionals.

"Remodeling can be complex and often times full of surprises, even for experts like our members," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, a remodeler from Houston. Here are some of the hurdles, according to the trade group:

Hidden costs. Some of the products available for the do-it-yourself market, although they carry name brands, aren't the same quality available to contractors. It's also important to verify the terms of the product warranty. Many warranties become void by improper installation.

Safety. Without the proper training and preparation, a do-it-yourselfer can, and has, landed in the emergency room. Unfamiliarity with new tools and techniques can lead to life-threatening accidents. A good rule of thumb for any homeowner is to avoid projects that require a license, such as electrical or plumbing, or those that involve structural changes to walls, roofs or floors.

Time. Troubleshooting unexpected issues often takes more time and expertise than originally planned. Hiring a professional will ensure that you have a contract with a completion date and that the remodeler will bring in whatever help is necessary to get the job finished on time.

Even if you hire a contractor, you can direct him to use the materials you want. Check the results of Consumer Reports' tests of paint, flooring, roofing, siding, decking and more to find the brands and materials that held up best.

If the spring showers haven't already forced you into a dehumidifier purchase, the dog days of summer to come should. New models often appear in late spring and early summer, so be on the lookout for sales and in-store promotions. Delay too long and you might have to settle for a less-than-optimal dehumidifier—either a unit that's sized incorrectly to your needs or one that comes up short in Consumer Reports' dehumidifier tests.

Our engineers test dehumidifiers in a temperature-controlled chamber, measuring how much water they pull from the air at 80 degrees F and 60 percent relative humidity as well as 70 degrees F and 70 percent relative humidity. We also check to see how closely their humidistats come to maintaining desired humidity levels.

It's important to choose the right size dehumidifier. Large-capacity models remove moisture quickly and efficiently in tough situations, say, an especially wet basement. For small or damp spots a medium-capacity model will probably do the job with less cycling.

Frigidaire leads in both the large and medium capacity models in our dehumidifier Ratings, though we also like models from Soleus Air and Haier. Pay attention to the features. For example, if you plan to keep the dehumidifier in a basement with a floor drain, a hose connection lets you divert the condensed water directly to the drain so you don't have to empty the bucket. In a basement without a floor drain, a dehumidifier with a pump can send water up through a window or to a slop sink.

For additional tips, check out our dehumidifier buying guide video.

As refrigerators have gotten bigger and better—often boasting more than 30 cubic feet of claimed capacity and neat features like LCD displays and seltzer water dispensers—prices have also increased. Nearly half of the 60-plus models on our list of recommended refrigerators cost $2,000 or more, and you can easily spend many times that on a pricey built-in. But there are also plenty of less-expensive, yet still high-performing models to choose from. Here are five to consider if money is a concern.

Whirlpool WRT771REY[W], $1,100
Top-freezers cost less than other types of refrigerator, retailing for as little as $600. But the super-cheap models are as no-frills as they come. Spending more on this Whirlpool gets you features more common with pricier refrigerators, including an external water dispenser, spillproof shelves, and touchpad controls. The top-freezer performs well too, delivering very good temperature control and quietness, and superb energy efficiency.

Kenmore 7201[2], $1,550
A lot of popular French-door bottom-freezers cost between $2,000 and $3,000. This 36-inch-wide Kenmore sells for less, while delivering superb temperature control and exceptional energy efficiency. It's also fairly quiet and serves up a respectable 16.9 cubic feet of usable capacity. Other pluses include pullout shelves and bins, a temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, and an alarm that tells you when the door is ajar, reducing the risk of food spoilage.

Whirlpool Gold GX5FHDXV, $1,600
Paying more for this 36-inch-wide French-door bottom-freezer from Whirlpool gets you slightly better storage options, including pullout shelves and bins. It also boasts excellent temperature control and energy efficiency. On the downside, it's noisier than other top-rated French-door refrigerators, something you may notice if your kitchen is part of an open floor plan with living spaces within earshot.

Amana ABB2224WE, $1,350
Want a conventional bottom-freezer? This 33-inch-wide Amana is one of the roomiest in the category, boasting 16.4 cubic feet of total usable capacity. Gallon door storage in the refrigerator and pullout shelves in the freezer facilitate storage. Other pluses include an icemaker, touchpad controls, and a freezer light, though it lacks a temperature-controlled meat bin.

Samsung RS265TD[WP], $1,300
A side-by-side is the way to go if you want a narrow door swing, perhaps to save space in a galley-style kitchen. This well-priced Samsung boasts 18.1 cubic feet of usable capacity, thus making it one of the roomiest in its category. It's also one of the quietest. Notable features include through-the-door ice and water dispensers, spillproof shelves, and touchpad controls. It doesn't come with a temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, but its dual evaporators help maintain higher humidity levels in the fresh-food section.

A cold beer may already be your go-to barbecue beverage. But like wine, different types of beer taste better with some foods than others. Here's our experts' beer menu for which types of beer go best with what foods, from pre-party nibbles to dessert (yes, dessert).

Crisp, lighter-flavored beers such as domestic lagers and wheat beers are especially good at washing away the saltiness of chips, pretzels, nuts and other snacks. They also go well with Monterey Jack and other mild cheeses you might be eating while the grill's going. Their flavors are also fine with lighter-flavored food such as salads or grilled chicken, seafood or vegetables.

Craft ales typically have more-intense flavors. Their pronounced bitterness and malt, fruity, and floral flavors complement the strong flavors of burgers, ribs, steaks, sausage, and other fatty foods. The fat can help cut the beer's bitterness. These ales also taste good with flavorful ripened cheeses such as Stilton or aged Gouda. So if you're a fan of India Pale Ales (IPAs), grill some cheeseburgers. Many craft ales also pair well with fruit tarts, cheesecake, or ice cream.

Dark, caramelized malt beers go wonderfully with a slice of chocolate cake or poured over vanilla ice cream.

Consumer Reports is currently testing beer. We expect to have the results of our taste tests of more than 20 beers before the Fourth of July. If you prefer wine, however, we've tested 15 varietals including some picnic-worthy wines in a box all the way up to pinot noirs that cost $40 or more.

Of course, there's no barbecue without a good grill. We found 31 winners in our recent gas grill tests including the small Weber Spirit E-220 4631000, the mid-sized Weber Spirit SP-320 46700401 and the large Jenn-Air 720-0709 sold at Sam's Club.

When you choose a product that's easier on the environment there's often a trade-off, such as a higher price or lower performance. Take washers, for example. Front-loaders use less water and extract more of it than top-loaders, but typically take longer. That's why the Maytag Maxima and Whirlpool Duet front-loaders Consumer Reports just tested turned our heads. They did an excellent job in 45 minutes.

"That's much shorter than our previous top-rated front-loader (100 minutes) and quicker than even the best top-loaders," says Emilio Gonzalez, the engineer who runs our tests of laundry appliances. "The cleaning performance and energy efficiency these machines are getting is impressive and we haven't seen any trade-offs, like more aggressive tumbling that's tough on fabrics."

The Maytag Maxima XL MHW7000AW, $1,150, tops our Ratings of 100-plus washers and is recommended. It was excellent at cleaning our laundry in 45 minutes, using the normal cycle on heavy soil setting. It has a large capacity, offers superb water and energy efficiency, and is relatively quiet. The matching dryer is relatively quiet and also a recommended model. The electric dryer is Maytag Maxima XL MED7000AW, $1,150 and the gas dryer is Maytag Maxima XL MGD7000AG, $1,300.

Maytag is part of the Whirlpool family and the Whirlpool Duet WFW88HEAW, $1,000, front-loader performed nearly as well as the top-rated Maytag. Both washers scored 90 out of 100, but the Maytag was better in our vibration tests. The Whirlpool's price and performance make it a CR Best Buy. The matching dryer is also a top pick. The electric dryer is Whirlpool Duet WED88HEAW, $1,000. The gas version is Whirlpool Duet WGD88HEAW, $1,200.

Learn more about their performance and features by checking the results of our tests of washers and dryers. In addition to front-loaders we test conventional and high-efficiency (HE) top-loaders. HE models don't have an agitator, use less water and extract more of it than conventional top-loaders. So HE washers are more energy efficient and top our Ratings of top-loaders, but they cost more and take longer than conventional washers. Sound familiar?

There's so much more to grilling than burgers, steaks and hot dogs. Fish, veggies, whole roasts, and pizza are also great on the barbecue. But you'll need more than the old burger flipper to whip up those dishes. Special gadgets such as grilling baskets, woks, cooking racks and pizza stones will give you the tastiest and neatest results. But which ones are really worth it? To find out, Consumer Reports' experts tried eight new grilling gizmos and found some big differences in those that are designed to do the same job.

Master Forge stainless-steel topper 267447, $17 (Lowe's)
Best for evenly cooking large quantities of cut vegetables or fish fillets and chicken cutlets thanks to its large surface area. Small surface holes keep food from falling through.
But: The pan has only three low sides, so food can fall off as you're turning it. Food also stuck to the pan a bit, even after using cooking spray.
Tip: Materials matter. Stainless-steel gadgets can be cleaned with steel wool or stainless cleaner. Porcelain-coated tools are more fragile, so use a plastic scrubber.

Master Forge grill wok 25375, $17 (Lowe's)
Best for keeping smaller batches of vegetables or small fish such as shrimp or scallops from going overboard due to its deeper sides and bowl-like shape. The holes are small enough to keep food from escaping while allowing juices to drain.
But: A large amount of food might cook unevenly because it's piled up.

Kenmore grilling wok and tong 15273, $15
Best for sautéing vegetables or fragile or small items on a grill. The folding handle is convenient.
But: Cooking was uneven because of the small surface area of the wok. The handle is thin and uncomfortable to use, and the tongs, which are flimsy, permanently scratched the wok the first time we used them together.

Brinkmann flexible grilling basket 812-9012, $16 (Home Depot)
Best for cooking large quantities of thin fish fillets such as sole or tilapia, or vegetables cut flat such as eggplant or zucchini, because of its 24x16-inch surface area. And you can flip over lots of food with one turn.
But: Whatever you cook has to be exactly the same thickness or the thinner items may fall out when the basket is flipped over. Its large size made it awkward to flip, open to remove food, and wash.

Weber original rib and roast holder, $20
Best for cooking full racks of ribs upright on large grills. A roast we cooked, turning it once, came out just as well as one cooked on a grill spit. The holder is versatile and easy to clean.
But: We couldn't close our medium-sized grill's lid when we placed this big holder front-to-back to hold full racks of ribs because it was too wide.

Brinkmann rib rack, $18 (Home Depot)
Best for cooking several half- or full-sized racks of ribs. Cross-bars on the bottom keep ribs from falling through. The rack was also easy to clean.
But: Its porcelain coating may be damaged by aggressive cleaning, so use a plastic scrubber.
Tip: Remove ribs from racks with tongs and place them on a serving dish, because the racks get very hot.

Weber Style pizza stone 6430, $50
Best for cooking one large pizza or several personal-sized ones. A handle allows you to easily move the stone from the grill or rotate it during cooking to adapt to hotter spots. A holder elevates the stone off the surface, so it's not as likely to crack if placed on a wet surface, for example.
But: The metal holder, like the stone, will be burning hot when moved from the grill, so use oven mitts and caution.
Tip: It's hard to control the cooking temperature with pizza stones, so you have to watch the pizza carefully.

Brinkmann 13-inch pizza stone, $13 (Home Depot)
Best for cooking pizza or flatbread with a crispy crust.
But: Like other pizza stones, it's fragile and can break if exposed to extreme temperature changes (from the grill to a cold or wet counter, for example). It's hard to move because it gets blazing hot and has no handles. And like other pizza stones, this one was difficult to get completely clean once we started using it.

Top grills
We've added new brands, new tests and lots of lower-priced models to our tests of more than 100 gas grills. We found 31 winners in our recent gas grill tests including the small Weber Spirit E-220 4631000, the mid-sized Weber Spirit SP-320 46700401 and the large Jenn-Air 720-0709 sold at Sam's Club.

Painting the outside of your house is a big job and one you probably don't want to undertake yourself. But a new coat of paint can add value to your home so it's worth the investment. And avoiding some tempting shortcuts can ensure you a paint job that lasts 10 years or longer. Here's some tips from the paint pros at Consumer Reports.

Don't buy by brand alone. Frequent reformulations to improve performance and lower emissions may mean that the paint or stain you loved last time doesn't perform as well the next time. Even finishes from the top brands in our latest paint tests varied depending on the line.

Prep properly. No exterior paint will give you a long-lasting coating if you rush the prepping, which matters most. Scrape and sand loose paint. Remove dirt and chalking with a scrub brush or power washer. Remove old caulking and fill cracks around windows, doors, and trim with acrylic caulk. And look for clear skies, low wind and humidity, and temperatures that will be between 50 and 85 degrees F for at least 48 hours so the paint sticks and dries properly.

Put a lid on paint costs. Buying paint in 5-gallon containers instead of 1-gallon cans can cut costs by up to 50 percent. (Figure on 12 to 25 gallons for a 2,500-square-foot house.) Even if you don't, have all your paint mixed at the same time to avoid color variations among cans. Alternatively, mix separate cans in one large container, then pour the paint back into the original cans.

Spray paint. If you're hiring a pro, you could pay 50 percent less to have him spray-paint instead of using brushes and rollers on your house, according to Nick LoGrasso of SNL Painting in the St. Louis area. Spraying uses slightly more paint and requires more time to cover up windows and shrubbery. Still, the actual application is three or more times faster and, presuming you've prepped correctly, puts down a heavier, more consistent coat.

Pick the paint you want. Painters often bargain with stores for discounts on specific brands, so the finish they push may not be the one that lasts longest. Insist on one that did well in Consumer Reports paint tests. The contract should include the brand and line to be used and the number of coats. We recommend two plus a prime coat for paints that require primer.

Need more expert guidance? From our current Ratings, you can't go wrong with the Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin, according to Enrique De Paz, the Consumer Reports program leader who tests paints and stains. "This is the paint I'll be using on my house," he said. "It held up the best in our tests—resisting dirt better than the Behr Premium Plus Ultra Flat and doesn't need a prime coat. I especially like the way the satin looks, with just a hint of gloss."

Before you get started, take a look at our paint buying advice. Then search the latest paint Ratings for the best exterior and interior paints.

It's not the coziest looking chair, but "6 Shades of Grey," the winning entry in a design competition sponsored by Wilsonart, is one of the most inventive uses of laminate you might ever see. Designed by University of Oregon student Katie Lee, the chair will be on display from May 18-21 at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City.

Laminate has gotten much better looking in recent years, thanks to improved printing technologies that allow for convincing faux metal and wood patterns, as well as bright colors and bold prints. Lee used a repeated triangle motif of laminate tiles and canvas for the arms and back of her prize-winning chair. "I have never seen laminate used in this way," said Alison Pulver DeMartino, Wilsonart Director of Marketing Communications.

Based on our tough countertop tests, the chair should hold up well over time, especially against stains, heat, and high impact. Though if Lee wanted to create the most resilient chair, she would have gone with quartz, the top-performing material in our countertop Ratings, ahead of granite, glass and laminate. But then, a quartz chair might be even less comfortable to sit in.

Q: I use disinfectant spray in the bathroom to kill bacteria and other germs. Do bacteria build up resistance to disinfectants like they develop resistance to antibiotics? —John Huxhold Manchester, MO

A: They might. Alcohol, chlorine bleach, and hydrogen peroxide kill many germs and evaporate quickly and completely.

Newer cleaners containing chemicals such as the antiseptic benzalkonium chloride and the antibacterial compound triclosan tend to persist on surfaces. That may allow bacteria to develop resistance to those agents just as they become resistant to antibiotics.

We recommend simple detergents and water for most cleaning, and the old standbys when disinfection is necessary. (Read "The smart person's guide to spring cleaning" and "Tips for spring cleaning the healthy way" for more advice.)

Send your questions to ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.

For as long as we've been testing laundry detergent pods—those convenient, single-use packets—only Tide Pods have cleaned well enough to make our winner's list. But there's a new top pod in our tests of laundry detergents, and it costs about 30 percent less than Tide Pods. The only catch is you'll need a Costco membership to find it. And if you have kids at home, special safety precautions are a must.

Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs, sold exclusively at Costco, scored two points higher than Tide Pods to become our top-rated laundry detergent pod. Both products were very good at tackling grass and ring-around-the-collar in our tough tests, though only the Kirkland was good at removing blood. And Kirkland costs a competitive 14 cents per load, compared with 22 cents per load for the Tide Pods.

The other nine laundry detergent pods in our latest tests didn't do as well. Worst of the bunch was Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Packs Advanced Triple Enzyme, which costs 30 cents per load and managed an overall score of just 35 out of a possible 100.

While the Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs earn our praise for price and performance, we do have concerns about its packaging. As we've reported over the last year, detergent pods pose a serious safety risk to children, who might mistake the colorful, bite-sized capsules for candy. Since pods became commonplace in early 2012, there have been more than 9,000 incidents of exposure involving children age 5 or younger.

Consumer Reports has called on the industry to develop more child-resistant packaging. Proctor & Gamble, maker of Tide, responded by adding safety latches to its plastic containers and making the transition from transparent to opaque plastic. The grape-colored Kirkland pods, however, are packaged in a see-through plastic tub not unlike the containers pretzels and other snacks come in. And small fingers will have no trouble removing the flimsy plastic lid.

And so, while Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs is tops for cleaning, Costco should insist on more child resistant packaging. If you have or care for young children, keep all detergents out of their reach. And if a child does ingest a pod, call the poison-control helpline immediately (800-222-1222).

The past few years have been tough for fans of Oreck vacuums, air purifiers, and other home cleaning products.The iconic brand that introduced lightweight upright vacuums to the market 50 years ago was not as successful with its newer products and last week the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Now it's trying to shore up its finances as Thomas Oreck attempts to buy back the company his father founded and revitalize its product line.

Under ownership by two private equity firms, Oreck introduced a line of upright vacuums called the Forever Series. We tested two of them, the Oreck Forever Series Edge, $600, and the Oreck Forever Series Pilot, also $600. The vacuums were good but not great at cleaning carpets and both had limited lifetime warranties. Oreck told us the motors in the Forever models were rated for at least 25 years, presuming 50 hours a year of normal use. But like most products, the warranties covered only defects, which usually show up in the first couple of years after purchase.

Another venture also proved troublesome. Oreck bought the rights to the Halo UVX upright, which claimed to use ultraviolet technology to kill germs. Unfortunately, Halo's claims had already come to the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. Oreck ended up paying 27,340 checks totaling $698,000 to owners of the Oreck Halo vacuum and the ProShield Plus air purifier, a pair it had called the Flu Fighters in ads the FTC deemed misleading.

While none of the six Oreck vacuums we tested rose to the level of a recommended model, there are plenty of other top vacuum picks to choose from. Our recommended uprights include the Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition U6485-900, $230, and Miele S 7210 Twist, $475, both bagged models, and the bagless LG Kompressor LuV350P, $400. For canisters, consider the bagged Kenmore Progressive 21714 and the bagless LG Kompressor LcV900B, both $400. But before you hit our Ratings of upright and canister vacuums, check out our buying advice. We're also completing testing of hand and stick vacuums.