As the weather turns cold, chances are you're exercising at the gym or health club more often. And that means your workout clothes are probably spending long days in the locker between washes. Especially if you use synthetic workout gear with wicking fibers, you may be noticing some particularly rank odors—even after you do finally run the clothing through the wash. The condition is known as "permastink," and if left unchecked, it can definitely make you less welcome in the workout room. Fortunately, there are ways to combat the stink.

Consumer Reports' laundry detergent tests, as well as separate industry studies, have shown that soaking smelly workout gear in water with detergent and sodium percarbonate (aka OxiClean) can help reduce odors. Several products marketed as sports detergents are specially formulated with these ingredients to tackle tough odors. We tested one of them several years back—WIN High Performance Sport Detergent—and found it to be most effective when clothes were soaked for two hours in a half cap of the detergent and 2 gallons of warm water before washing.

Soaking helps eliminate permastink because it gives the detergent time to separate body oils from the fabric while the sodium percarbonate tackles the foul odors. Most washing machines have a soak cycle intended for this type of pretreatment. Any detergent that contains Oxi should give you results. One very good option from our current laundry detergent Ratings is OxiClean Laundry Detergent, 14 cents per load, which was also tough on grass stains and blood in our laundry detergent tests. You might also try the All Free Clear Oxi Active, 14 cents per load. It scored a bit lower overall, but it was particularly tough on sweat stains, which of course is where permastink begins. 

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Getting ready for the holidays may seem like an overwhelming job but it doesn’t have to be. The experts at Consumer Reports have broken down a typical holiday to-do list into little jobs to tackle over the next few weeks. If you start right now, you won’t be scrambling to get stuff done at the last minute. Here are seven things you can do in the next two weeks to ease your way into the season.

Light up entrances. Double check that doors and pathways are amply lighted, especially if you usually use the side or back entrance. For porches and posts, we recommend the Cree 9.5-Watt (60W) A19 Warm White Dimmable LED, $8.50. It warms up fast, works in enclosed fixtures, and works with timers, photo cells and motion sensors. For security lights, consider the Great Value 90W PAR38 LED Soft White Non Dimmable, $22, sold at Walmart, which was a winner in our lightbulb tests. Or you can pay more for the TCP 17W PAR38 Flood LED, $40, if you prefer a bulb that that works with a timer,  photo cell, and is motion sensitive.

Inspect your appliances. It might take a few weeks to repair a major kitchen appliance or get a new one, so now’s the time to make sure yours aren’t about to conk out. A cold oven could be the result of an iffy circuit board or igniter switch, and inoperable burners or elements could be caused by a bad receptacle. If your range is beyond repair, check the results of our range tests. You’ll find some top-performers at good prices including our top-rated electric smoothtop, the LG LRE3083SW, $800. For gas, consider our CR Best Buy, the Frigidaire Gallery FGGF3032MW, $775.

Consider buying a freezer. A separate freezer can store frozen cookie dough, stock, and other make-ahead stuff, saving time during the holiday crunch. And throughout the year, it can lighten your food budget by providing storage for bargain bulk purchases. Upright freezers take up less floor space, and many self-defrost, so you won’t need to thaw out the unit. Our freezer testers’ pick: the Whirlpool EV161NZT, $700. Chest freezers typically cost less, offer more usable space than uprights, and are less likely to cause freezer burn. We like the Frigidaire Gallery FGCH25M8L[W], also $700.

Sharpen your knives. Sharp blades make all of the chopping, slicing, and carving to come faster and safer. You can use the honing steel that came with your knife set or go for a professional sharpening, which can cost $5 or less per blade. Need some new knives? Two top knife sets from our tests are the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Professional “S,” $315, and Ginsu Chikara, $75. The knives in these sets are available as individual pieces, so you can buy only what you need.

Fireproof your home. If you burn wood fires in your fireplace, an annual checkup is a must. The nonprofit Chimney Safety Institute of America can steer you to a certified sweep, who will probably charge $150 to $300. Also remember to extinguish candles when leaving a room or before going to bed at night.

Arm the alarms. Your home should have a smoke alarm on each level and in all bedrooms and hallways. In our smoke alarm tests, dual-sensor models quickly detected fast, flaming fires as well as smoky, smoldering ones. We recommend the Kidde PI9000, $23. You should also keep a full-floor fire extinguisher on each level of your home, plus a supplemental one in the kitchen.

—Adapted from ShopSmart

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The trend of adapting restaurant appliances for home cooks continues with built-in convection steam ovens that promise speedy, automated cooking and gourmet results. Whether they can deliver is another matter, as Consumer Reports discovered in its kitchen range tests.

The Thermador PSO301M and Wolf CS024 each cost around $4,000, but we were underwhelmed by their performance. They were good at steaming fish and quickly cooking tasty ribs. And the steam yielded crispier-than-usual top crusts when we baked bread, though the improve­ment was more subtle than we expected.

But the briskets we made in these pricey ovens turned out tough or looked unappetizing. Certainly, adapting a favorite recipe will take some trial and error. In fact, these devices are designed to supplement your regular range or wall oven; both have a much smaller capacity. And neither steam oven is self-cleaning. You have to wipe the interiors, which get moist, dirty, and greasy.

Another option. But let's face it, $4,000 is a lot to pay for a second oven. If you're willing to pay that much, you may want to consider our top-rated 36-inch pro-style range, the KitchenAid KDRU763VSS, $6,000, which comes with a steam option and scored very well overall in our range tests. The oven is large and the self-cleaning cycle works like a charm.

—Kimberly Janeway (@CRJaneway on Twiter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Mayonnaise is in the news after Unilever, maker of Hellmann's, filed suit against Hampton Creek, accusing the San Francisco startup of false advertising on the grounds that its Just Mayo sandwich spread isn't actually mayonnaise. According to the Food & Drug Administration, any product that calls itself mayo must include at least one egg-yolk containing ingredient. Just Mayo is made with pressed Canola oil, water, lemon juice, vinegar, and several other non-dairy ingredients. Consumer Reports hasn't tested Just Mayo, but we have evaluated several egg-based mayos. Turns out, Hellmann's is right to be concerned about the competition.      

In blind taste tests, our sensory panelists found Target's Market Pantry mayonnaise to be just as creamy and well-balanced as Hellmann's. For Costco members, the Kirkland Signature real mayonnaise was judged to be about as good as Hellmann's. The same goes for Walmart's Great Value real mayonnaise, with its Hellmann's-like taste and texture. Store brands typically sell for about 20 percent less than name brands, so you could save a few bucks each month, depending on your household's mayo consumption.  

We also tested mayo products from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. The Trader Joe's mayonnaise was more sour than Hellmann's and not as tasty. Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value mayonnaise was similar to Hellmann's though a bit saltier. However, this product has been reformulated since our last taste test.  

Or make your own. If you really want to save on mayonnaise, and have total control over the ingredients, consider making your own. A blender or food processor can both do the job. In our blender tests we found that blenders with variable-speed settings, like Vitamix Professional Series 750, $650, and the Waring Xtreme MX1000R, $350, are particularly good at emulsifying ingredients on their lower settings. The advantage with food processors is they often have feed tubes with a small hole in the bottom, which allows you to add in the oil slowly and consistently. In our food processor Ratings, the Cuisinart DLC-2011CHB Prep 11 Plus, $180, is one highly-rated food processor with this feature.

More condiment comparisons. To see how Heinz ketchup and other foods fared in our national vs. store brand match-ups read, "Store brands to savor."

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)    

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Do you know any laundry enthusiasts? Have you ever seen a reality TV show where fun-seeking young people spend nights doing laundry rather than partying at the Jersey Shore? Washing and folding laundry isn’t fun, but front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders have raised the performance bar and offer advantages over top-loaders with agitators. And yet agitator washers are still the best sellers.

That’s because they’re typically cheaper and faster. Most agitator top-loaders tested by Consumer Reports are less than $600 and do a normal wash in 40 to 50 minutes using the heavy-soil setting. “But they score lower in our tests as they generally don’t wash as well, have smaller capacities, use a lot more water, and extract less of it so dryer time is longer,” says Emilio Gonzalez, the engineer who runs our tests of washers and dryers. Vibration isn’t a problem for agitator washers, but noise is and most aren't so gentle on fabrics.

The best from our tests. If you’re set on buying an agitator washer check our washing machine ratings. The $580 Whirlpool WTW4850BW is the only top-loader agitator washer to make our top picks. It was one of the few to deliver impressive cleaning, used the least water, and cycle time was 50 minutes on the heavy-soil setting. Our ratings include agitator washers from Amana, Frigidaire, GE, Hotpoint, Kenmore, Maytag, Roper, and Speed Queen. Most scored good in capacity, meaning the washer held about 15 to 19 pounds of laundry. Very good indicates that the washer fit about 20 to 24 pounds.

You may be able to improve cleaning by using a more aggressive cycle, such as a heavy-duty cycle, but that can extend wash time. A good detergent helps. Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release was the best we tested, but expensive, and Member’s Mark Ultimate Clean from Sam’s Club and Wisk Deep Clean cost less and are top picks from our laundry detergent Ratings. 

If you're considering an HE washer. If you're interested in taking an HE top-loader for a spin, the LG WT1001CW, $650 is worth considering. We named it a CR Best Buy. Washing performance and water efficiency were excellent in our washer tests and energy efficiency was very good. Normal wash time, on heavy soil setting, is 70 minutes.

The only front-loader on our top picks list that costs under $1,000 is the Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, which sneaks in under that price tag at $950. Washing performance and energy and water efficiency were top-notch in our tests and cycle time is 75 minutes. For more choices see our full washer Ratings and recommendations and consider the best matching washers and dryers in our tests.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Life is humming along and then your 12-year-old washer breaks, and as the dirty laundry piles up you find out that the repairs will cost more than half the price of a new washer. Next thing you know you’re standing in some store and wondering if your vision is suddenly blurred or does the sticker on that front-loader really say $1,600? Sadly it does. But you can get clean laundry for half that. Here’s a look at six impressive washers from Consumer Reports’ washing machine tests that cost $800 or less.
 
Top-loaders
These high-efficiency (HE) washers use a lot less water than conventional top-loaders—the kind with the center agitator—and spin faster, cutting dryer time and saving energy. Use an HE detergent. Regular detergents are too sudsy for HE washers and can extend wash time as more rinsing may be needed. Our top-rated HE detergent is Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release. Here are four top-loaders to consider most of which fell just shy of our top picks list.

• LG WT1001CW, $650 and a CR Best Buy
• Maytag Bravos XL MVWB725BW, $800
• Kenmore 28102, $700
• LG WT1101CW, $700

Front-loaders
Front-loaders usually cost more than HE top-loaders. The best front-loaders clean better and use even less water than the best HE top-loaders. Front-loaders spin faster than HE top-loaders so more water is typically extracted, reducing drying time but front-loaders generally have longer wash cycles. And of course, use HE detergents. Here are two models to consider that were impressive in our tests.  

• Kenmore Elite 4147[2], $700
• Electrolux IQ Touch EIFLW50L[W], $800
  

For all the details on test results and features, see the results of our washing machine tests. Be sure to note the capacity scores. Manufacturers keep increasing capacities so that you can do more laundry at one time so we updated our capacity scores. A machine now needs to hold about 25 or more pounds of laundry to earn an excellent capacity score. Most families can get by with a machine that’s rated very good or even good in capacity. Very good indicates that the washer fits about 20 to 24 pounds of laundry. A good score means the washer holds about 15 to 19 pounds.

—Kimberly Janeway (@CRJaneway on Twitter)

Find a laundry pair that fits all your dirty laundry. The quietest duos tend to cost more but if your machines live in the basement you can spend less and still get top performance. Here are the best matching washers and dryers from Consumer Reports' tests.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Dealing with dusty decorations, polishing Grandma’s beloved silver platter, getting last year’s candle wax off menorahs and candlesticks, cleaning stained tablecloths—there’s always plenty to do around the holidays. So we asked our cleaning and textile experts how to make the prep work easier and faster. They offered advice about what to do before company arrives and after the last guest has left but their stains remain.

Removing wax from candlesticks and menorahs
Place silver or other metals in the freezer until the wax hardens, then gently scrape it off with a plastic spatula. If wax remains, pour boiling water over the item or immerse it in a pot of boiling water, making sure any felt covering on the base remains dry. For glass or wood, point a blow-dryer at the wax and then blot the melting wax with a paper towel, but be careful not to overheat wood because it can crack.

Freshening up sheets, towels, and linens
There’s no need to rewash clean guest room sheets and towels that haven’t been used in months. Just toss them in the dryer on low heat for 15 minutes. And if you don’t want fold lines on your freshly ironed tablecloths, roll them up on empty wrapping-paper tubes.

Dusting an artificial Christmas tree
Set up the tree and spread out a sheet at its base to catch debris. Cover the vacuum’s upholstery attachment with a piece of hosiery or mesh netting fastened with a rubber band. Starting from the top of the tree and moving down, gently vacuum on the lowest setting, holding the attachment about an inch away from the branches to remove dust and cobwebs. Still dingy? Check the manufacturer’s website for any wipe-down tips.

Dusting artificial wreaths
Hold a blow-dryer, set on a low speed and the cool setting, about 10 inches from the wreath and then fluff. A soft feather duster may also work, or try the Christmas tree dusting tip.

Cleaning glass ornaments
Surface decorations are usually applied with water-soluble paint, so avoid treating them with soap, water, and cleaning solutions. Use a soft feather duster instead.

Caring for silver
Remove tarnish with a polishing mitt or by applying silver cleaner with a damp sponge; buff dry. Washing by hand is usually recommended, but there are lots of no-nos to keep in mind.

• Don’t soak silver for long periods because non-silver parts can rust. And the salt and acids in leftover food particles can stain or pit the silver.
• Never wash silver and stainless together because a chemical reaction between the metals can cause pitting.
• Avoid lemon-scented detergents because they can damage silver.
• Never pour detergent directly on silver. Instead, add a mild detergent to water, wash and rinse thoroughly, and dry right away with a soft cloth to prevent spots.
• Don’t leave silver out; air accelerates tarnishing. Instead, store silver in a clear, heavy, sealable plastic bag

Once the guests are gone and all the dust has settled, it’s time to survey the damage. It pays to act quickly, even with messes that have been there for a while. Another rule of thumb: Always blot stains on carpets, napkins, clothing, and the like, because scrubbing can damage their surfaces. Below are specific treatments for seven common problems. Whatever the recommended cleaning solution, try it first on an inconspicuous spot, and follow any care-label instructions that apply.

Headache: Wine and soda on fabrics or carpet
Cure: For white wines and clear sodas, launder washable items as soon as possible. Blot carpet with water, apply our homemade detergent solution (1 teaspoon of a mild clear or  white dishwashing liquid without bleach in 1 cup of warm water), and blot again with water. For red wine, follow the same instructions and then dab with 3 percent-strength hydrogen peroxide. For colas on carpet or fabrics, blot with our detergent solution and, if needed, then try our vinegar solution (⅓ cup of white vinegar with ⅔ cup of water). Blot with warm water, and if a trace remains, dab with 3 percent-strength hydrogen peroxide.

Headache: Christmas tree sap on carpet or upholstery
Cure: Whether your tree is a pine, fir, or spruce, the sticky sap is basically the same, according to a tree expert at Cornell University. Blot sap with isopropyl rubbing alcohol to dissolve it and then use our detergent solution. Blot carpet or upholstery with the solution, then blot with clean water. Dry with a white cloth.

Headache: Chocolate on carpet or fabrics
Cure:  Scrape off excess. blot carpet with our detergent solution. If the stain remains, try the vinegar solution. Dry with a white cloth. For washable items, use your washer’s soak cycle and one of our top-rated detergents that’s tough on chocolate, such as Wisk Deep Clean, then wash.

Headache: Cranberry sauce on fabrics or carpet
Cure: Scrape away excess. Pretreat washable tablecloths and other fabrics with Resolve stain remover, launder, and line dry. If the stain persists, dab with 3 percent-strength hydrogen peroxide and line dry. For carpet and upholstery, blot with our detergent solution. If the stain remains, use 3 percent-strength hydrogen peroxide. Repeat with clean white cloths until none of the stain transfers to the cloth. Then blot with water to remove cleaning solution. Dry with a white cloth weighted down with a stack of books.

Headache: Gravy on table linens
Cure: Scrape off excess with a spoon. Pretreat with a Fels-Naptha paste or Resolve stain remover and wash. Do not put items in the dryer until the stain is gone or it will be even harder to remove it.

Headache: Lipstick on cloth napkins
Cure: Blot with acetone-based nail polish remover. If the stain remains, apply our homemade detergent solution, then rinse.

Headache: Candle wax on tablecloths
Cure: Pour boiling water through the washable fabric from a height of  12 inches (the height increases the velocity of the water, helping separate the wax from the fibers). For fabric that can’t be washed, sandwich it between paper towels and apply a warm iron; repeat with a clean towel until the wax is lifted.

For more tips as well as dozens of gift guides see our Holiday Gift Guide. You'll also find the results of Consumer Reports tests of hundred of holiday items.

This article appeared in the December 2013 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

More than 140 Consumer Reports experts work overtime, analyzing everything from health clinics to hair dye, but we rely on you to share the surprising strategies that make your life a little easier. Send your top time- or sanity-saving tips to readertip@cr.consumer.org. If we choose yours to publish in the magazine, you'll win $100. (Get all the details below.)

Here are some of our favorites.

Ony you can prevent dryer fires

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, the leading cause of home clothes-dryer fires is a failure to clean the machine. I take a used dryer sheet to wipe out the filter. Static cling quickly clears the filter of all lint.—Jerry Dworkin, Irvine, CA

Our experts add: Regular filter cleaning is a great start. You should also make sure that you’re properly clearing lint from inside, beneath, and around the dryer and that your appliance has the right kind of vent. Learn more about protecting your home from a dryer fire.

Shine your stove like your SUV

‘Instead of using oily polishes on my stainless-steel appliances, I clean and apply car wax once a month. It provides a clear barrier that holds its shine, and spills need just a quick wipe with a clean cloth.'—Nick Crosby, Branchburg, NJ

The airport lifesaver

A three-outlet, 6- or 12-foot extension cord, and an outlet multiplier have saved me in a number of crowded airports. They don’t take up much space in a carry-on, enable you to share with other travelers—not to mention to sit farther away from the socket—and come in handy at less up-to-date motels.—Mike Stockman, Swampscott, MA

Use to cook, and clean

I use olive oil to polish my stainless steel.— Amy James, via Facebook     

Multitasking scrubbers

I use bread tabs (not the wire ties) to scrape off baked-on stuff on my pots, pans, or cookie sheets . . . makes it easier to clean them.—Mildred Sparks Douglass, via Facebook 

I use the plastic net bags that onions come in as pot scrubbers.—Mary Lou Hazlewood, via Facebook 

By submitting material for publication, you grant Consumers Union of United States Inc. and its affiliates, partners and licensees unlimited use of the material and your name and address, and the right to modify, reproduce and distribute the material in any format or medium. We may contact you via phone, e-mail or regular mail regarding your submission. If we select your submission for print, you will receive $100.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The cooking season is here and with it comes hours of slicing and dicing to prepare meals for the holidays and other large gatherings. To help you speed through your food prep, Consumer Reports found some great gadgets and countertop appliances that did well in our tests. Use them to do some of your chopping ahead of time. Depending how far you work in advance, you can freeze or refrigerate certain ingredients until you’re ready to assemble your dishes (check the recipe first). Here’s some low-cost kitchen gear that’ll speed up your work so you can enjoy your guests.

Best chopper for onions
The Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus DLC-2A, $40, is a 3-cup chopper that combines very good value with solid performance. In our food processor tests, it was particularly adept at chopping almonds and onions, and at grating hard parmesan cheese. Other machines were better at puréeing. The Cuisinart Mini Prep is perfect for kitchens with limited counter space.

Peelers for potatoes
The Kyocera Perfect Peeler, $18, has a comfortable handle and sharp ceramic blade that adjusts to left, right, and center positions. While vertical blades are tried and true, some of our testers prefer horizontal blades such as the Kyocera's for right- or left-handers. The Oxo Good Grips Serrated Peeler, $8, has a more familiar vertical blade. Testers described a smooth cutting action with the two-sided serrated blade on the swivel peeler. It was able to peel cleanly without a lot of pressure.

Knife sets for slicing and dicing
Our top-rated kitchen knife sets can cost up to $600 but for $75 you can buy the Ginsu Chikara. For some, the name Ginsu is synonymous with hammy 1970s-era infomercials, but this is a serious cutlery company. Its 8-piece set offers incredible value, providing the cutting performance and handle comfort of knives costing three and four times as much. The set includes a chef’s and santoku knife, but not a slicer.

Zester without the mess
Although it’s shaped like a lemon, the Better Blade ZestNest, $15, was a winner in our tests. It has a sharp blade and easy-grip case that holds one-third cup zest. Conventional zesters, with a handle and curved metal end, are easy to use and a grater-style zester can work fast. The ZestNest combines both virtues and stores extra zest. The downside: You can’t see how much zest is in the nest.

Garlic press that doesn’t clog
The Oxo Good Grips garlic press, $16,  has a large garlic chamber, ergonomic grip, and built-in rubber pad that cleans the small holes. The lever-style garlic press lets you mince cloves with minimal pressure. We also tested the Joseph & Joseph one-piece garlic rocker that eliminates moving parts but it can trap garlic in its mincing holes as you rock it over the cloves.

Mandolins for thin slices
You can pay $100 or more for a mandolin but the slicers in our tests ranged in price from $18 to $25. In our tests slicing tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and zucchini, we preferred the Zyliss, $20. We found the Zyliss easy to use and clean and it produced slices of a consistent size. To protect your fingers from the blade, it has a retractable blade guard and a safety lock. And the Zyliss is dishwasher safe.

Graters for cheese and more
Oxo Good Grips also makes an $18 box grater that our testers found convenient. It has multiple grating surfaces, a soft grip, nonslip base, and an optional storage container with measurement markings. Box graters offer the best combination of stability and grating options but can be bulky. Consider adding a smaller, handheld rotary grater for tableside grating of hard cheese. Models with a sealed cap let you store cheese inside.

More choices. For more great kitchen gear, see our full Ratings and recommendations for food processors, blenders, knives, and cookware.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

For more tips on how to get ready for the holidays without stressing out, check our Holiday Planning & Gift Guide. You'll find lots of suggestions for top-rated gifts from Consumer Reports' tests.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

You’ll find lots of holiday festivities at most outlet malls—carolers, cocoa, Santa and his photo-snapping elves. And for the fifth year in a row, shoppers at the Outlets at Anthem mall in Phoenix can get a neck ache taking in the nation’s tallest Christmas tree. (It was 115 feet last year, 39 feet taller than the tree at Rockefeller Center.)

But are outlets the best place to do your shopping over the holidays—or any time of year? To find out, Consumer Reports surveyed 15,789 readers who made 25,441 visits to outlet stores. The results—shown on our Ratings chart—rank 53 of the biggest outlet chains on value, quality, selection, and help. We also hit the outlets ourselves, spending more than $2,600 on kitchen appliances, cookware, electronics, food, luggage, and kids’ clothing.

The takeaway: Some outlets offer serious bargains on well-made merchandise sold by a knowledgeable and solicitous staff; others stock so-so goods at so-so prices. And, surprise, we found a few items at retail stores that cost less than identical outlet items. 

Outlet malls certainly are big business—and getting bigger, because even though the worst days of the recession are over, consumers still demand bargains. From 2006 through 2012, the amount American shoppers spent at outlet centers grew 41 percent, vs. 9 percent for traditional malls. By the end of this year, 50 new outlet centers will have been built since 2006; only three new retail malls have opened in the past eight years. The industry estimates that consumers will spend $42 billion in outlet stores this year, up from $24.3 billion in 2012.

Read about the outlet mall items that were worth it and those that weren't. And use our 8 time- and money-saving tips for outlet mall shopping.

Outlet shopping has also become more convenient. In the past, centers were built far from full-price stores in big cities to avoid competing with them. But retailers have seen that outlets actually complement their retail business, so more chains are building in or close to big cities, says Linda Humphers, editor of the trade publication Value Retail News.

But for many of us, it’s still a schlep. In our survey, 34 percent of outlet stores where readers shopped were more than 50 miles from their home; one in five were more than 100 miles away.

The goods are mostly good

Overall, 67 percent of our readers said that they were completely or very satisfied with their experience, up from 60 percent in 2010, the last time we did an outlet survey. That’s on par with our readers’ scores for general-­merchandise stores such as Costco, Kohl’s, and Target. And shoppers liked a range of stores. Their top-rated choices: Bon Worth, L.L.Bean, Haggar, Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh, Jockey, Bose, Coach, Vitamin World, and Bath & Body Works.

Still, surveyed shoppers had a few gripes. For example, 8 percent said they found a poor selection of styles, sizes, or colors, and 6 percent complained that the quality of the merchandise was lower than they expected.

And you might be surprised to learn that not all stores at outlet malls are actually outlets. That was our reaction when a clerk at a Harry & David store told us that although its 48 locations are mainly in outlet malls, those shops are actually retail stores. By the industry’s definition, an outlet center is a shopping center in which most of the individual tenants are owner-operated outlets.

During the leasing agreement process, developers usually require tenants to maintain a certain percentage of merchandise that is sold at a discount compared with retail-store prices. Indeed, the nine items we purchased at the Harry & David store were discounted, though only by 10 percent.

Today you’ll find fewer “seconds” at outlets than a few years back, and more goods made just for the outlets. Because most goods are now manufactured overseas, damaged items are weeded out before they’re shipped to the U.S. In addition, retailers have become better at forecasting demand, which has led to fewer production overruns, says Karen Fluharty, a partner at Strategy & Style Marketing Group, a retail consulting firm.

Made-for-the-outlet goods are usually tweaked so that they can be offered at a lower price. In general, we’ve found full-price versions were a bit better because of details or materials that could bolster comfort, appearance, or longevity. But in most cases, the outlet versions were fine. A bag we bought at a Coach outlet, for example, lacked a retail version’s embossed leather, more comfortable handle, and curved zipper that allowed it to open wide for easy access. Yet our textile expert found that both bags were well-made. “Retailers may change the product slightly to reduce their cost so they can sell it for less, but they still stay true to their brand quality,” Humphers says.

At Bose, we found many returned products that the company had refurbished. Some of the food at a Harry & David’s store differed from its website offerings, including the fact that the store had no fruit in stock. But for some housewares and children’s goods, we found identical items at retail stores: a girl’s outfit, a boy’s backpack, a dinnerware set, pots and pans, and a casserole dish.

Are the discounts true markdowns?

Most of our readers were happy with outlet deals. Sixty-four percent of store visits yielded a great value, and at 34 percent of stores prices were much lower than sale prices at regular stores. Readers’ picks for superior value: Bon Worth, L.L.Bean, Haggar, OshKosh B’gosh, and Izod.

Most of the goods we purchased were 3 to 72 percent less expensive at the outlets than similar items we bought at retail. But about 17 percent of readers said prices were higher than they expected, the top complaint we received about outlet shopping. And three items we purchased—a girl’s outfit at OshKosh, and a dinnerware set and pots and pans from Kitchen Collection—cost 6 to 29 percent less at regular stores. The boys’ backpacks we picked up at Old Navy were the same price at the retail and outlet store.

As for selection at outlets, 38 percent in our survey said it was as good as at regular stores, and 25 percent said there was a wider selection of goods. When we shopped at CorningWare Corelle, which got very good marks for selection, we found many more dish and dinnerware options than the handful available in stores that carry those brands, including Sears, Target, and Walmart.

Service received similarly good scores, with just 14 percent of respondents calling outlet service fair, poor, or very poor, down from 20 percent in 2010. And there may be more amenities to look forward to because many outlets are expanding their centers’ offerings to entice families to linger. In addition to the holiday celebrations, look for new upscale restaurantsand food trucks, movie theaters, and art and music festivals.

We bought 32 items at 20 stores in the New York metro region. Then we compared prices and had our purchases inspected by our lab experts. 

5 outlet items that were worth it

5 outlet items that weren't worth it

Compare prices first. Just becausean item’s at an outlet doesn’t mean it’s a bargain. Do a price check via smart phone or computer before you buy.

Time it right. Price slashing generally takes place on holidays and during traditional retail sales periods, including Black Friday. If you can, plan your trip for Tuesday through Thursday, when there are fewer shoppers. And shop early in the day, when merchandise hasn’t been picked over.

Plan your trip. To avoid wasting time and missing bargains, log on to your local outlet center’s website and download a map before shopping. The typical outlet mall today covers more than 400,000 square feet and has 100 or more stores.

Get the coupon book. While you’re on the website, look for printable coupons. Some centers charge a fee fora book of coupons on-site, but you can generally download it free by signing up for the rewards program. Or go to customer service to get a hard copy.

Check out rewards programs. You can get exclusive, personalized coupons and sale offers. At the website for Tanger, which operates 40 malls nationwide, a one-time $10 fee earns you free gift cards once you hit certain spending levels, free coupon books that you can access on your mobile device, exclusive Web offers, and more. At Simon, which has 68 outlet malls across the U.S., if you sign up for the free VIP Shopper Club you get a free coupon book, sales alerts, and exclusive coupons.

Use apps. PriceGrabber and Red­Laser, for example, scan bar codes and search for better deals online and in nearby stores. And see whether the outlet mall has its own app. Tanger’s, for example, displays exclusive offers that pop up when you’re nearby.

Seek other discounts. Ask about any additional perks for AARP members, college students, or military members. On Tuesdays at Simon outlet malls, shoppers 50 and older get 10 percent off at participating stores.

Know the return policy. Most regular retailers won’t take returns from outlets. And most outlets don’t have an online presence, although J.Crew Factory and Saks Off Fifth do; outlet stores might not take returns from their websites.

This article also appeared in the December 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

To call Costco a store is an understatement: While stocking up on paper products and pantry staples, the retailer’s 74.5 million cardholders can also get an eye exam, book a cruise, and even buy life insurance. Its fans are fiercely loyal, and its critics (members and nonmembers alike) have strong opinions about everything from its annual membership fee to its food court’s switch from Coke to Pepsi. When we announced that Costco’s CEO, W. Craig Jelinek, would field reader questions, the e-mails and Facebook messages poured in. Here, a selection of his answers.

Q. Has Costco considered letting nonmembers shop there—perhaps once every few months?—Yuval Fleming, Kent, WA

A. It’s not a workable possibility. First, we believe it would compromise the under­lying premise of the membership concept. Second, the basic $55 annual fee covers a variety of membership, administrative, and operating costs, thereby allowing Costco to sell merchandise at ever-lower prices. Costco’s average merchandise markups are in the 11 percent range, compared with other retail-format markups ranging from 20 percent to more than 100 percent. The annual cost of membership is dwarfed by the annual savings.

Q. I enjoy products from Costco’s Kirkland Signature store brand, but I feel some get dropped prematurely, before they’re given a chance to click with consumers. What’s the criteria for whether a Kirkland product sticks around?—Thomas Gruber, Seattle

A. The basic criteria for a new Kirkland Signature item: It must be as good or better in quality than the comparable branded item, and it can be offered to our members at a price at least 20 percent lower than we would sell the branded item. We try to ensure all of our members are able to try the new item through our demo/sampling program. After nine months to a year, we measure its weekly sales generated per building. If it doesn’t meet targets, we delete the item—as we would any item we sell.

Q. Costco sells everything in huge sizes—except clothes. Thirty percent of Americans are seriously overweight, yet for all the 5-pound cans of cheese sauce and 24-count packages of ice-cream bars, there is almost no plus-size clothing in the stores. What gives?—Jenny Reiswig, San Diego

A. Over the past year, we have tested apparel items in plus sizes in about 60 percent of our U.S. warehouses; moving forward, we have decided to focus on expanding plus-size assortments on Costco.com. Current women’s items include Kirkland Signature active wear, Gloria Vanderbilt pants and shorts, as well as various styles of dresses, tanks, and tops. For men, the focus is also on carrying a year-round assortment of big and tall items on Costco.com, including Kirkland Signature dress shirts, wool dress pants, casual cotton pants and jeans, and soft-shell jackets.

Q. As a corporation making billions of dollars in profit each year, you are benefiting from shrimping exploitation in Thailand. Those fishermen are forced to work without pay on fishing boats, sometimes for years on end. They work 20-hour shifts and endure beatings. Will you institute a zero-tolerance policy on slavery?—Carole Shelton, Auburn, CA

A. We are very aware of recent media reports concerning labor abuses in the Thai fishing industry. The agreements that Costco has with its suppliers prohibit, among other things, use of slave labor. We are committed to working with our suppliers of Thai shrimp to require them to take corrective action with respect to poor labor practices. This commitment so far has involved visits by our buying staff to Thailand and discussions with the Thai government, our suppliers, and other industry participants. We are continuing those discussions.

Q. Why, in the name of all that is holy, don’t you have an express lane in your warehouses? Often I buy two items only to be stuck behind people with two over-full carts.—S. Culos, Toronto

A. Costco’s ability to sell merchandise at incredibly low prices is based on adhering to various operating disciplines at every turn. Instead of having an express line—that often would be open but without a member in line—we have invested millions of dollars to speed up the entire front-end process. Our policy is “no more than one (member) in line and two (members waiting) behind.” The average completed front-end transaction is just over 1 minute.

Tell us which chief executive—or company—you want to hear from at q-and-a@cr.consumer.org. And our QA& with MAry Barra, the CEO of GM.

This artlcle also appeared in the December 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Gearing up for your holiday shopping? You might think that because you faithfully compare prices online before buying, download coupons to your phone, and watch for deep discounts on yesterday's inventory as new models appear in stores, you're getting the best deals you possibly can.

Still, deep discounts for some products go by the calendar. Consumer Reports product research experts, who track prices all year long, have compiled a list of items that are typically discounted most deeply in November.  

––Mandy Walker

You should be able to find great prices on a variety of baby products this month, including strollers. First and foremost, you want your baby to be safe and comfortable in her stroller. But think about yourself, too, since you're the one who'll be pushing it. Subscribers will notice in our Stroller Ratings that there's a wide price range among types and brands. What makes one stroller worth $100 and another $1,000 or more? Several things drive up the price–such as accessories–but we've found good models in a wide range of prices.

Shopping tips:

For stroller shopping tips, check out our buying guide.

Like last month, you'll find great deals on these wheels in October, because we're approaching the end of the riding season in many places in the country.

Shopping tips:

For more shopping tips and information about different brands, see our bike buying guide. And read our bike helmet buying guide to make sure you get the best fit (subscribers can read our Bike Helmet Ratings). 

Shopping tips:

The right camcorder features are important. That's true whether you're considering a standard definition or high-def model. If you want better quality and more options, consider a full-size model. If you need a smaller, more portable model—or if you're an athlete or adventurer who loves to capture action footage—then consider an action cam. 

Give some a try. In the store, try different camcorders to make sure they fit your hand and are comfortable to use. Most camcorders are designed so that the most frequently used controls—the switch to zoom in and out, the record button, and the button for still photos—are readily at hand.

Use our camcorder buying guide to discover which features are most important to you. We also have unbiased Ratings based on our lab tests, plus camcorder reviews to help you choose the best model at the right price.

Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.

Like bikes, it's the end of the season for grilling (even though some of us have been known to clear a path through the snow to do some wintertime grilling), so you'll find some deep discounts on the stock still in stores.

Shopping tips

Think about size. Match the grill's cooking area to the number of people you typically feed. Remember, manufacturers might include racks and searing burners when tallying cooking area. Our measurements are based on the main cooking area and how much food it will hold.

Think about space. Next factor in how much area the grill will take up on your patio or deck. Some of the grills we tested are a whopping six feet wide.

You'll find more shopping tips in our grills buying guide. (Subscribers can find our recommended models in three different size categories in our Ratings.)

In today's competitive market, GPS prices have come down to the point where even budget units include features previously available only on more expensive models (and not available on some apps), such as the ability to speak street names, issue speed warnings, and provide reality view, graphically representing major intersections. Shoppers looking for navigational aid can choose from many types of GPS devices, including aftermarket portable or in-dash units, cell phones, factory-installed in-dash units, telematics systems, and even laptop computers.

All GPS types advantages and disadvantages, as our GPS buying guide points out, and choosing the right one for you depends on your needs and budget. Subscribers can get a list of recommended models and our GPS Ratings.

Shopping tips:

Do some research. Before you buy a GPS navigator, think about your typical driving conditions, how often you're in unfamiliar areas, and figure out which features are most important to you. For example, if you often encounter traffic congestion on your commute, choosing a nav system with real-time traffic information can help you avoid traffic congestion, accidents, or road construction, and plot a route around it before you even get to the trouble area.

Think about where you'll use it. If you're buying a new car, check to see if a built-in system is available and how much it costs. These are nicely integrated into the car, but they are typically far more expensive than portable systems, initially and for subsequent map updates. Still, if most of your driving is done in one car, you might be happier with a built-in system. If you often fly to new places and rent vehicles, or if you own more than one car, a portable system might be the way to go, especially with prices for entry-level systems starting at less than $100.

Early holiday shoppers will find great sales on toys this month, although you may not find discounts on the hottest playthings (such as a singing Elsa from "Frozen" doll). The right toy can make key developmental stages more fun—or your child and for you. Our toy buying guide can help you to find age-appropriate toys for your baby—and to learn what you can do to play up their important lessons.

Shopping tips:

Consider the classics. Don't overlook toys such as stackable plastic "doughnuts," shape sorters, building blocks, and interlocking plastic oversized beads for very young children. There's a reason that they've been around so long. For more clues about what toys your child might like, take note of what toys he or she gravitates to on play dates and/or at day care.

Shop around. Browse stores, catalogs, and Web sites for other ideas. Also, ask for suggestions from parents who have children of similar ages.

It's possible to find good TVs selling for a few hundred dollars, while others go for several thousand, and there are many sets that fall in between those extremes. Screen size, features, brand, and more affect the price. Our TV buying guide will help you get the most bang for your buck, no matter how much or how little you want to spend. The video below outlines even more ways to save.

Shopping tips:

It's hard to judge TVs well in stores. That's because TVs are usually set to a Retail or Store mode, which pumps up brightness and color to a level that looks great under fluorescent lights. Subscribers should consult our TV Ratings before hitting the stores to make sure you get a set that performed well in our lab tests.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

You might think of Walmart as the place to shop for groceries and stock up on paper towels and detergent. And you wouldn’t be alone. Consumer Reports' survey of 27,208 readers found that 28 percent shop at Walmart supercenters. If you’re one of them, check out the store's Great Value LED and CFL lightbulbs. After 3,000 hours of testing in Consumer Reports lightbulb labs, they scored excellent and were named CR Best Buys, offering good value and great performance.  

Great Value 60W Soft White A19 Dimmable LED, $10
Replaces: 60-watt incandescent
Watts used: 11
Our tests found: It casts a bright, warm yellow light evenly all around. Not all A19 LEDs can do that. A19? A fancy way of saying it’s a general-purpose lightbulb.
Claimed life: About 23 years when used 3 hours a day.
Use in: Lamps, enclosed fixtures, and outdoors if it won’t get wet.
Need to know: It works with a timer, motion sensor, or photocell.

Great Value 14W 60W Soft White CFL, $1.25
Replaces: 60-watt incandescent
Watts used: 14
Our tests found: It gives off a bright, warm yellow light.
Claimed life: Around 9 years when used 3 hours a day.
Use in: Lamps, for sure, and Walmart says you can also use in fully enclosed fixtures and outdoors if the bulb is protected from moisture.
Need to know: Frequently turning CFLs on and off shortens their life, so choose your sockets wisely. CFLs take time to fully brighten especially when they are cold. This spiral CFL took about 26 seconds to reach full brightness at a room temperature of about 72° F. And like most CFLs this one isn’t dimmable. The bulb package didn't state if this CFL can be used with a motion sensor, timer, or photocell, but most CFLs cannot.

Great Value 65W BR 30 Soft White Dimmable LED, $11
Replaces: 65-watt BR30 incandescent
Watts used: 12
Our tests found: This top-rated LED floodlight scored a 99 out of 100. It casts a wide beam, providing a bright, warm yellow light.
Claimed life: Nearly 23 years when used 3 hours a day.
Use in: Recessed and track lights. Can be used outdoors if it won’t get wet, according to Walmart.
Need to know: Dimmable and also works with a timer, motion sensor, or photocell.

Great Value 90W PAR38 Soft White Nondimmable LED, $22
Replaces: 90-watt PAR 38 incandescent
Watts used: 17
Our tests found: This spotlight casts a bright, white light.
Claimed life: About 23 years when used 3 hours a day.
Use in: Hard-to-reach outdoor fixtures if protected from moisture, under eaves, for example.
Need to know: You can use it with a motion sensor, photocell, or timer.  

Like most LEDs and CFLs we’ve tested, these bulbs have a color-rendering index of 82 or 83. CRI indicates the light’s effect on how the color of objects and skin tones appear and ranges from 0 to 100. The higher the number the more accurate the light (incandescents have a CRI of 100). Our lightbulb Ratings include dozens of LEDs and CFLs from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and beyond. Prices of LEDs keep dropping and you can check online for rebates from your utility company.

—Kimberly Janeway  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Kitchens are considered the heart of the home but they’re also home to a lot of equipment that can pose safety hazards. Cooking fires top the list of things that can go wrong in the kitchen followed by injuries from knives, cookware, food processors, microwaves, and blenders. Fires related to cooking peak over the holidays—Thanksgiving has three times the average cooking-related fires. Here are some tips from safety pros and the experts at Consumer Reports that will keep you out of the emergency room and safely at home over the holidays.

Cooking fires
Fires involving cooking equipment account for two of every five reported home fires. Unattended cooking equipment accounts for one in three fires and half are ignited by fat, grease, oil, or related substances, according to the National Fire Protection Association. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, take a minute to bone up on these safety tips.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting, remain at home and check the food often. Set the timer as a reminder.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—pot holders, towels, food packaging—away from the stovetop.
• Always keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the burner.
• If a fire starts in the oven, turn it off and leave the door closed.
• If the fire gets out of hand, leave the house and call 911.
• Keep a fire extinguisher with a minimum 5-B:C rating on hand.

Knife cuts
Lacerations caused by knives of all kinds (not just the kitchen type) affected more than 350,000 people in 2012, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Dull knives are actually more dangerous than sharp ones, because they require more pressure to use and their worn edge can cause the knife to slip off food and into your fingers. To avoid injuries:

• Keep knives sharpened.
• Use a cutting board that doesn’t have a slippery surface and put a damp towel under it to prevent it from moving.
• Cut away from your body, keeping the fingers of the hand holding the food curled toward the palm.
• Store knives in a block, not in a drawer, where they can easily slice fingers.
  

Range tipovers
Almost 40,000 people were injured from these appliances. Kids are especially at risk if they’re not supervised and climb on an open door, causing the range to tip over. To prevent injuries:

• Install an anti-tip bracket if your current range does not have one to ensure that it is securely in place.
• Never place heavy roasts and other food on an oven door that’s been left open.
• Drape a towel on the oven handle while a pan is cooling to remind you that it’s still hot.

Shattering cookware
More than 37,000 people were injured from using cookware. Hot handles can burn and sometimes glass cookware can shatter. Heed these no-nos:

• Don’t take the dish directly from the freezer to the oven or vice versa.
• Don’t put the dish directly on a burner or under a broiler.
• Don’t add liquid after the dish is hot or put a hot dish on a cold or damp surface.
• Stop using a dish that’s chipped or cracked.

Food processor lacertaions
They caused more than 21,000 injuries, including cuts from the blades. To prevent injuries:

• Don’t leave motorized models on for a long time; they can overheat.
• Never reach into a slicer or a chopper. There is no need to hand wash and subject your fingers to injury; many parts are dishwasher-safe—including blades.

Microwave oven burns
More than 10,000 people were hurt using microwaves. Burns were most common. To avoid injuries:

• Be careful when removing a wrapper or cover on a microwaved dish; steam can escape and cause a nasty burn.
• Food can heat unevenly in a microwave, so use caution when touching or tasting.
• Let food cool for a minute or two before removing it from the microwave.
• Boil water on the stove. Superheated water in the microwave may appear placid but can violently erupt.
  

Blender injuries
More than 9,600 injuries occurred involving blenders. Immersion blenders are great for soups because they blend directly in a pot, but recent reports show that injuries are growing with the use of those small appliances. To prevent injuries:

• Avoid the temptation to put your hand inside, especially if it’s plugged in. Most blenders don’t have safety interlocks, so you could accidentally turn it on and mangle your hand.
• To clean blades without touching them, add dishwashing detergent and hot water to the container and let it run on high for a minute. Unplug, then rinse.
  

—Adapted from ShopSmart with additional reporting

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

We're still weeks away from Thanksgiving and the four-day Black Friday bonanza, but at Walmart the holiday-sales season starts on Nov. 1 when it institutes price "rollbacks" on 20,000 in-store and online items, including popular electronics and toys. Among the deals: an XBox One game system for $349, down from $399, a 46-inch Samsung HDTV for $528, $50 less than its usual price, and a Dell Inspiron Touch notebook PC with a 15.6-inch screen for $479, down from the regular $549.

The same-day, online-only specials include a 50-inch Sceptre LED/LCD TV for $349, $30 less than the usual $379, and a 9-inch RCA tablet for $69 instead of $89.

Then, on Nov. 3, Walmart will hold a 24-hour cyber event, offering online deals on 15 items it claims will be sold at "Black Friday- and Cyber Mondaylike prices." Those deals include a 48-inch Sony LED/LCD TV for $348, down from $448, and a 40-inch Element LED/LCD TV for $199, a big drop from its usual $298 price. A 7.85-inch Nextbook tablet will be available for $49, half its usual price. You can get same-day pickup at a local store.

Find out the best places to shop for with our electronics store buying guide and Ratings. And check our Holiday Gift Ideas page.

During a conference call with the media on Oct. 30, Walmart was mum on its plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Walmart executives instead focused on other initiatives, such as free shipping (on online orders of $50 or more) and Search My Store. This feature on its mobile app lets you search for almost any item carried in a Walmart, check its availability, location, and reviews. The feature is available only for Android phones but will be rolled out to iPhones in mid-November.

Walmart was also noncommittal on a decision to match competitors' online prices. Just hours before the conference call, the The Wall Street Journal reported that Walmart was testing a price-matching program. The executives said only that while price matching is being considered, no decision has been made.

Last year, Walmart didn't release its Black Friday sales until the second week of November, though it did have some pre-Black Friday deals a week earlier. Keep checking back for all our Black Friday coverage, including evaluations of the best deals.

—James K. Willcox

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

On Halloween you'll come across superheroes and princesses, ghosts and witches. You'll also see little monsters, perhaps your own, covered with chocolate, makeup, gum and other sticky stuff. Removing it can be a nightmare. At Consumer Reports we've found that some stain treatments, all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergents work better than others. Here's some tips for post-Halloween cleanup.

We rate all-purpose cleaners on their ability to remove soap scum and four food stains: mustard, ketchup, grape juice and solid shortening. Both Pine-Sol Original and Lysol all-purpose Cleaner with Bleach were very good at removing food stains. And if you end up with soap on your windows, Pine-Sol did very good at removing soap scum as did four other cleaners: Seventh Generation Natural All-Purpose, Clorox Clean-up with Bleach, Just the Basics from CVS, and Trader Joe's Multi-Purpose cleaner. Here's how to remove some other common stains.

Pumpkins and apples. These stains should be treated immediately, advises Tide on its website. Remove any fruit and run cold water over the stain. Rub the stain with laundry detergent and rinse. Launder the item as soon as possible using the warmest water that is safe for the fabric.

Chocolate. Soak the garment in cold water and treat with a pre-wash stain remover, advises Tide. Then launder in warm water. Rinse to make sure the stain is fully removed. If it remains, re-soak in cold water for about 30 minutes and repeat laundering.

Gum. Tide says if the stain is fresh and the gum is still stuck, apply some ice to harden the gum residue. Next, remove gum by cracking or scraping with a dull knife. Rub the stain with a heavy duty liquid detergent. Rinse in hot water. Repeat if necessary, then launder and inspect the stain. You might have to repeat the process if the gum is not fully removed.

Wax. If candle wax has dripped onto fabric, Tide recommends this technique. First, remove the wax by scraping it with a dull knife, shaking off the residue. Place the fabric face down on a white paper towel and place another paper towel on top of it. Press with a warm—but not hot—-iron, being careful to keep the iron on the paper towel. Keep changing the paper towels as needed until no more stain transfers. Finally, pre-treat then wash in warm water with your usual detergent.

Ketchup. Blot with a detergent solution (see below). If the stain remains, try a vinegar solution (also below). A solution of three percent hydrogen peroxide may help remove the last traces of the stain.

Eggs. Blot with the detergent solution. Rinse with cold water. An enzyme detergent may help remove the stain. Don't use warm or hot solutions as they will just cook the egg.

Grass. In Consumer Reports tests we found five stain treatments that were successful at removing grass stains including products from Resolve.

Glue. Blot with water, if the glue remains try the detergent solution. Soaking washables in warm water until the glue softens may also help.

Lipstick on fabric. Blot with acetone-based nail-polish remover. Then try a store-bought cleaning solvent, such as Afta or Goo Gone. If that doesn't work, try the detergent solution, then rinse.

Stain treatments
In Consumer Reports' past tests of stain treatments we found that most laundry pretreatments do help somewhat. We recommend Resolve Laundry liquid, a CR Best Buy, and Shout Advance Action, a gel. We also tested on-the-go stain removers and found that the best ones removed or greatly reduced the appearance of the stains on most of the cloth swatches we tested. The top three were tied: CVS On the Go, Tide to Go and Walgreens Clean to Go.

Make your own
You can also create your own cleaners with these two recipes.
Detergent solution. Mix one teaspoon of a mild clear or white dish washing liquid--no bleach--in one cup of warm water.
Vinegar solution. Mix one-third cup of white vinegar with two-thirds cup of water.

Best laundy detergents
After you've removed the stain, wash the costume or clothing using one of Consumer Reports top-rated laundry detergents. Our top powder is Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative, the top liquid is Tide Ultra Stain Release, and our top laundry pods are All Mighty Pacs Oxi.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

As cute as it may seem to dress your feline friend or canine companion in a Halloween costume, a frightened dog in a cape is nobody’s idea of fun (especially not the dog’s). Of course, you have to keep kids safe on Halloween, but it’s equally important to recognize the dangers that abound for pets around this time of year. For starters, keep the candy bag away from Fido and Fluffy.

Candy can be toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate—and even seizures. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination, and seizures.

A parade of trick-or-treaters knocking on the door can also be disconcerting for a pet. Here are some guidelines from the Humane Society of the U.S.  and the ASPCA  for keeping pets and the people around them safe at Halloween.

• Keep your pet in a quiet place, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities.  Dogs and cats can become frightened or agitated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors.
• Cats—black ones in particular—often fall victim to pranksters. Keep them safely indoors.
• Place live flame decorations like candles and jack-o'-lanterns out of your pet's reach. Curious cats or rambunctious dogs can easily knock over a candle with a paw or a wagging tail.
• Don't leave wrappers around. Ingesting tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.
• Don't let the family dog accompany the kids on their trick-or-treat outing. Children may have a difficult time handling a pet during the festivities and your pooch could get loose, especially if she is spooked by neighborhood goblins.
• Keep decorations that pets could chew on—like streamers and fake spider webs—and wires and cords from electric decorations out of reach. If pets chomp on Halloween decorations they could choke or become ill and, if they chew on electrical cords, they risk a potentially deadly electric shock.
• IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.
• If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435, the ASPCA's poison control hotline. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Daylight Saving Time ends throughout most of the United States at 2 a.m. (your local time) this Sunday Nov. 2, when you turn back the clock one hour. For many, the fall back to standard time means an extra hour of sleep. But that's not the case for all of us. A study published by Sleep Medicine Reviews suggests that there is very little evidence that we get that extra hour of sleep. And if we do, it's hardly enough to help offset the sleep deprivation many of us endure.

Here's what to do this weekend so that you're raring to go at work or at home on Monday.

Check settings on devices. Some TVs can automatically adjust their clock based on time signals broadcast by local PBS stations. But those signals can be inaccurate, and they're not available everywhere. If you want to disable that feature, refer to your owner's manuals. If your TV clocks don't fall back on their own, reset the time manually.

Budget more time for TV recording. Clocks in TV set-top boxes will be adjusted automatically by your service provide. But if a clock fails to fall back, your scheduled recording will start and end an hour earlier than than you want. Add at least another hour to any recordings scheduled for the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Bring in a backup. Don't rely on the alarm clock in your smart phone to wake you on Sunday morning. Use an old-fashioned alarm clock as a fail-safe.

Check all the clocks around your house. Don't assume that the clock on your microwave oven, coffeemaker, range, thermostat, or streaming media player will fall back on its own. Adjust those clocks manually. (Get the exact time at www.time.gov.)

If the weather is nice on Sunday, get outside. A little sun on your face can resync your body's circadian rhythm. And, finally, to make the time transition as smooth as possible, try to stick to your routine, including eating at the usual time and going to sleep at your regular hour.

If you get up early on Sunday, tick these off your to-do list:

Check the battery on smoke and CO alarms. You don't want these important safety devices to be inoperable.

Clean vehicle headlights. It gets dark earlier, making lights that properly illuminate that much more important. (Also see our cold-weather survival guide for your car.)

Seal gaps and cracks around your home. Preventing cold air from entering via gaps around a chimney, ductwork, and points where electrical and plumbing lines pass through the house will help trim your heating bill this winter. For more advice, read about 8 fall home repairs you can’t afford to ignore.

Clear the clothes dryer vent. Every year $80 million in property damage is caused by clothes dryer fires, many of which are ignited by lint build-up in or around the machine. An inexpensive tool such as the Lint Lizard and a good vacuum cleaner will help solve lint build-up in your dryer.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

You have better things to worry about during the holiday season than how your kitchen equipment will perform when you're whipping up a celebratory meal. You have time now before the big feast, so do yourself a favor and check out what you have on hand. If your cooking toolbox could use some sprucing up, take a look at these great gadgets.

P.S. Some of them make good gift ideas, too.

1. Ginsu Chikara knives

A good knife may be the most important piece of equipment in your kitchen—and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. At about $75, this 8-piece set is a great value and a Consumer Reports Best Buy. The cutting performance and comfort level are at the same level as sets costing three to four times as much. While the set doesn’t have a slicer (carving knife), it does have a santoku, a cross between a chef’s knife and a cleaver, that will give you a perfect carved turkey or roast.

2. Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-inch pan

Has the nonstick pan in your cabinet become “sticky?” If so, pick up this inexpensive but high-performing pan. A Consumer Reports Best Buy (about $40), it scored Excellent for even cooking and food release and Very Good for ease of cleaning.

3. Cutting board

Inspect the boards you have, and get rid of any with deep scratches where bacteria can hide. You need at least three boards: one that’s dedicated to raw meat, one to chop vegetables, and one for cooked meat. Consumer Reports’ food safety experts recommend you choose one made out of polypropylene or another dishwasher-safe material for raw meat, but for produce and cooked meat, it’s your choice.

If you use a wooden board, wash it by hand in hot soapy water after you use it. To remove odors, rub the board with half a lemon and rock salt. Rinse and then give your wood board a little conditioning by rubbing the lemon rind over the board.

4. Meat thermometer

Consumer Reports’ tests show that digital thermometers are the most accurate. With an instant-read model, all you have to do is turn it on and stick it in the meat near the end of the estimated cooking time. If you don’t want to keep opening the oven door to check the temp, opt for a leave-in model. It stays in the meat recording temps via a long cord and sending them to a countertop base unit. The CDN Proaccurate TCT572 was the best of the instant-read models we tested. The downside is its $80 price. Another smart pick at $18 is the Polder Stable Read THM-379. For leave-ins, we like the $45 Oregon Scientific Wireless BBQ/Oven AW131. 

5. Tongs

Possibly the handiest kitchen tool around, tongs can be used to flip meat or vegetables, serve salads, sauté foods, juice citrus, plate pasta, reach to grab something in the back of the oven, and so much more. Silicone tipped tongs can be used with nonstick pans. A pair that locks in the closed position makes for easier storage.

6. Roasting rack

Add a rack to your roasting pan and the bottom of your roast or bird won’t be soggy. Racks help with even cooking, browning, and crisping. Get a nonstick one to make cleanup easier. 

7. Kitchen twine

Trussing your turkey or tying up your roast is all about presentation—key if you want your guests to ooh and aah when you present the main course. Poultry wings and legs stay close to the body and roasts hold their shape during cooking. Be sure to use only twine specifically sold for use with food, made out of cotton or linen. Synthetic materials can melt into your food.  

8. Storage containers

The best part of Thanksgiving? Leftovers. Make sure you’ve got somewhere to put them. Opt for glass or BPA-free plastic containers. Consider, too, buying a pack of disposable containers so you can send your guests home with the fixings for a terrific turkey sandwich.

—Trisha Calvo

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Today’s homebuyers have the potential to save a lot of money on their utility bills by focusing their search on homes with such energy-saving improvements as new windows, Energy Star appliances, solid roofing, and good insulation. While location and house size may be your first must-haves, it pays to ask about energy-efficient upgrades and some newer homes may even be Energy Star certified. Here are six things to ask about when touring a house, including tips from the Department of Energy.

New windows are a win-win
Drafty windows are one way that money flies out of your wallet. In the winter, cold air gets in and in the summer, heat seeps in causing your heating and air conditioning system to work overtime. Installing new windows after you move in can cost $8,000 to $24,000, which just adds to the cost of the house. Energy Star-qualified windows can lower your energy bills by 7 to 15 percent. That’s $27 to $111 a year for a 2,000-square-foot, single story home with storm or double-pane windows. New windows also make your home quieter and more attractive and don’t need painting.  And they’re easier to clean than old windows.
Full window Ratings and recommendations

A good roof over your head
One of the most vulnerable parts of a house is the roof, which can sustain damage from wind, snow, ice, heavy rains, and fallen trees. If the roof hasn’t been properly maintained by the seller, it can fall prey to the elements leading to costly repairs for the buyer later on. Make sure you get a thorough inspection of the roofing and flashing and, if repairs are needed, try to negotiate that as part of the sale price. Ask the homeowner if the roofing materials are Energy Star-qualified. Energy Star products reflect more of the sun's rays and can help reduce the home’s peak cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent.
Full roofing Ratings and recommendations

Energy-miser appliances
Today’s appliances use a lot less energy and water than the ones you grew up with. Energy Star refrigerators use 20 percent less energy and Energy Star dishwashers use 10 percent less energy and 18 percent less water, according to the DOE. Then there’s the laundry room, where an Energy Star washer can save a bundle by using 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than regular washers. But don’t stop there, water heaters use substantially more energy than any other appliance in the house. An Energy Star-certified gas storage water heater can save a family of four $65 per year.
Full appliance Ratings and recommendations

Lower flow in the bathrooms
A lot of water flows through the bathroom and the cost of the water itself plus the expense of heating it adds up fast. Ask the seller if the bathrooms have low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads that meet federal WaterSense standards. Toilets use more water than anything else in the house, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Older, inefficient toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush while WaterSense models use 1.28 gallons or less. A newer toilet can reduce water use by 20 to 60 percent and  save more than $110 per year in water costs, depending on the rate where you live.
Full toilet Ratings and recommendations

Insulation from future problems
Properly installed insulation in the walls, floors, and attic can keep your home comfortable in any region or season. So ask the seller if the insulation has been upgraded. Extra insulation in the attic guards against ice dams by preventing heat from escaping. When it does, it can melt ice and snow on the roof, which then refreezes into ice dams that cause water to back up into the home. If you’re looking for a home in a cold climate, ask the homeowner if any ice dams or damage have occurred in the past.

An energy audit or score
Of course, you wouldn’t buy a house without a thorough inspection. In addition to being an energy hog, it may have other problems such as termite damage, bad wiring, or other problems that could cost you a lot to correct. Ask the seller if the house has been through an energy audit recently or has a home energy score, which is similar to a vehicle's mile-per-gallon rating. Newer homes that meet Energy Star standards will have a label on the circuit breaker box.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.