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How bright is Clorox Smart Seek Bleach?

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How bright is Clorox Smart Seek Bleach?

Clorox Smart Seek Bleach is "specially formulated to get whites white, but leave the colors alone," according to its manufacturer. The additive is intended for mostly-white garments, such as white tees with a printed insignia or your favorite sailor-stripe sweater. Unlike most color-safe bleaches, which consist largely of sodium percarbonate (also-know-as "oxi"), this new Clorox product contains actual bleach, known chemically as sodium hypochlorite. It supposedly uses just enough to remove stains from whites without affecting "most" colors. Whether it works as advertised depends on your definition of most. Here are the details from Consumer Reports' test. 

We tested the Clorox Smart Seek Bleach against plain detergent and detergent plus traditional Clorox Bleach. Our test fabrics included two sets of white cotton prints with distinct colored patterns and two sets of black-and-white prints. We also used one yarn-dyed, cotton-blend fabric with color blocks. We ran each batch three times to determine any progressive color change due to bleaching.

The results. The two colored prints washed with Clorox Smart Seek Bleach faded less than those washed with regular Clorox. But compared to regular detergent, the fading was worse with the two cotton prints. The Clorox Smart Seek Bleach resisted fading as well as regular detergent with the cotton-blend fabric and the black and white fabrics, all of which showed no visible bleaching. As for whitening power, the Clorox Smart Seek Bleach and regular Clorox Bleach were both effective. 

Bottom line. Clorox Smart Seek Bleach lives up to its claim with certain fabrics. But you definitely need to test for colorfastness, as the lable on the bottle recommends, by applying a drop of Clorox Smart Seek Bleach to a hidden area of the garment, rinsing after 2 minutes. If you're fastidious about laundry, you might not mind keeping track of which garments pass the colorfast test. Others may find that more trouble than it's worth. If that's you, consider a top pick from our laundry detergent Ratings, such as Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release. Products with oxi, like the All Mighty Pacs Oxi, can also help brighten whites without fading colors.

It also helps to wash mostly-white garments in cooler water, and be sure to transfer them to the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is complete, since color dyes tend to run if they're left to sit while wet.                  

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)    

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

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What size snow blower do you need?

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What size snow blower do you need?

Predicting the weather is an iffy proposition at best. This winter two leading sources, The Old Farmer’s Almanac and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have starkly different forecasts. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a “teeth-chatteringly cold winter,” while NOAA says that for much of New England and the Southwest, warmer temperatures should prevail. The rest of the country stands a roughly equal chance of being tolerable vs. intolerable. Having a snow blower definitely makes winter more tolerable. Here are some suggestions from the experts at Consumer Reports based on the amount of snow you typically get.

For up to 4 inches of snow

Get a shovel. Using a snow blower on minimal accumulations is an exercise in frustration.

For up to 12 inches of snow

Single-stage gas snow blowers cost almost as much as some two-stage units, which tend to be more capable. But the Toro Power Clear 721E, $570, has raised the bar for this category with impressive speed and power for plow piles; it falls short only in throwing distance. Single-stage models also are easier to store in a garage. For a bit less money, the Toro Power Clear 621 38451, $500, offers almost as much oomph for plow piles. Our preliminary repair-history data indicate this brand is relatively reliable.

For up to 18 inches of snow

Lighter-duty two-stage models have the same impeller and auger as larger models, and they’re a bit easier to store—though the going is slower. The Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 31AH54Q, $1,100, costs more than most others but has the same second impeller as larger units and was as effective against plow piles. Its freewheel steering makes handling excellent.

For hundreds less, the Craftsman 88173, $680, sacri„fices some throwing distance and helpful features such as single-hand controls and single-lever chute adjustment; also, our preliminary data show this brand to be more repair-prone than others. You get both the single-hand and single lever features from the more expensive Toro Power Max 724 OE 37770, $800.

For up to 24 inches of snow

The two-stage models in our tests combine an auger for scooping up snow with an impeller that hurls it out of the discharge chute. The 30-inch Cub Cadet 31AH57S, $1,500, and the 28-inch Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q, $1,300, come with a second impeller in front that helps power through dense plow piles, along with easy control and heated handgrips.

Also worth a look is the Ariens 921032, $1,300, a 30-inch machine at $200 less than the Cub Cadet. Do your neighbors complain about your noisy snow clearing? The 26-inch Craftsman 88694, $900, was noticeably quiet without sacri„cing performance. Note, though, that our preliminary data show this brand to be more repair prone than others.

Got more snow?

If you typically get more than two-feet of snow at a time, consider hiring a plow guy. But first do the math. We did in "Should you buy a snow blower or hire a plow guy?"

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

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Reader tip

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Reader tip

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.

De-stink your sink

Just dump lemon or any other citrus peels into the garbage disposal and pulse it a few times. You’ll scar the peels, releasing the fragrant citrus oil. Don’t overdo the pulsing so that the peels can sit overnight to counteract the stinky smell. Once the citrus aroma is gone, just run the disposal until the peels are completely shredded and flushed.—Jerry Tambayong, Sherman Oaks, CA

Our experts add: Remember that the source of those odors is residual food or hardened grease that wasn’t thoroughly flushed away. Be sure that you’re operating the disposal regularly, then flushing it with hot water. We suggest that before you try Jerry’s remedy, you contact the disposal manufacturer for recommendations.

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.

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5 secrets to a long-lasting kitchen

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5 secrets to a long-lasting kitchen

The average kitchen lasts twice as long as most marriages, according to a survey released today by Houzz, the home design website. Sixteen-plus years is the lifespan of a typical kitchen, compared with eight years for the average U.S. marriage. We're not relationship experts, but Consumer Reports can help you create a functional, stylish kitchen that will stand the test of time. Come to think of it, that could actually help maintain a happy marriage.  

Choose reliable appliances. Each year, we survey tens of thousands of subscribers about their recent appliance purchases to see which brands are most and least repair-prone. Often times, a brand will excel in one product category but not another. For example, Samsung bottom-freezer refrigerators do very well, but not its dishwashers. So before you settle on your kitchen appliances, check our brand reliability charts for cooktops, dishwashers, ranges, refrigerators, and wall ovens to steer clear of any lemons. 

Pick durable surfaces. You might have to spend a bit more, but installing countertop and flooring materials that stand up to our tough tests will pay off in the long run. Granite has been the most popular countertop for years, in part because of its durability. But quartz does slightly better in our countertop Ratings, plus it doesn't require sealing. Stay away from butcher block, concrete, and marble, all of which are susceptible to cutting and chipping.  

As for flooring, hardwood continues to be a popular look in kitchens. It's worth paying more for prefinished solid wood flooring, since the factory finish tends to last longer. Factory finishes are also warranted by the manufacturer. But don't rule out vinyl. It performs best overall in our flooring Ratings, and it's available in some convincing faux-natural patterns, such as the Shaw Matrix Regency Gunstock Oak LX90100706, available at Lowe's for $2 per square foot, about a quarter of the cost of real wood.

Don't skimp on the cabinetry. Given the wear and tear cabinets take, quality construction is essential. But you don't have to drop tens of thousands of dollars on custom units, according to our kitchen cabinet buying guide. Semi-stock cabinets, and even some stock products, now have the hallmarks of durable design, including drawers with solid-wood sides, dovetail joinery, and a plywood bottom that fits grooves on four sides; doors with a solid-wood frame surrounding solid-wood or plywood panels; boxes made of 1/2- to 3/4-inch furniture-grade plywood; and full-extension drawer guides.

Invest in the right finishes. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a designer kitchen faucet and even more on the sink. But you'll save big on a simpler look with a durable finish. In our faucet tests, models with a PVD finish, short for physical vapor deposition, fended off our best attempts at scratching them. In our sink tests, stainless steel models were best as resisting stains, abrasion, and heat. Thicker stainless steel sinks didn't perform any better than thin ones, so you can probably save some money there.

Keep it clean. A tidy kitchen is more pleasant to be in, and it will hold up over time. Tomato stains on a smooth cooktop can cause corrosion, while dirt on floors will deteriorate the finish. Pine-Sol is our top-rated all-purpose cleaner by a wide margin. For routine care of a smoothtop cooktop, use a cleaner made especially for the appliance. Cerama Bryte and Cooktop Magic combined value and performance in our latest tests.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)       

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

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Potato latkes face-off: Box grater vs. food processor

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Potato latkes face-off: Box grater vs. food processor

Eating latkes, aka potato pancakes, is the favorite part of Hanukah for many people. But making them, oy vey (or not so much fun). While traditionalists love the taste of latkes made with a box grater, you can’t beat a food processor for speed, ease, and safety— and no scraped knuckles.  Consumer Reports has tested both graters and food choppers and processors so here’s the news on whichever tool you choose.

By hand

In our tests of kitchen gadgets, we found three that will help with the latkes. For peeling potatoes, we liked the Kyocera Perfect Peeler, $18, which has a comfortable handle and sharp ceramic blade that adjusts to left, right, and center positions. The blade is horizontal. If you prefer the more familiar vertical blade, opt for the Oxo Good Grips Serrated Peeler. It only costs $8.

On to the shredding. 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. Do you add onions to your latkes? Then opt for the Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus DLC-2A, $40, a 3-cup chopper that combines very good value with solid performance.

By machine

The Breville BFP800XL/A, $400, aced our shredding and chopping tests, perfect if you shred half of the potatoes and then do a coarse puree on the other half with the metal blade. Plus its 16-cup capacity means plenty of latkes to go around. The Cusinart Elite Die-Cast, $300, also holds 16 cups and was very good at shredding in our tests.

A recipe for “Crispy Potato Latkes” by America’s Test Kitchen recommends “shredding the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater” and adds if you decide to use a food processor, make sure to “cut the potatoes into 2-inch lengths so you’re left with short shreds.” And may we add, don't forget to pass the sour cream and applesauce.

—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman

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

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Space heaters that keep you and your room cozy

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Space heaters that keep you and your room cozy

Heating an entire home with electric heat is an expensive option, but for anyone who complains about routinely shivering in a certain room, or even a certain chair, the gift of an electric space heater might be warmly received. (Or buy one for yourself.) Here are a few top picks from Consumer Reports' latest space heater tests.

The latest crop of space heaters we’ve tested have improved safety features, such as a switch that shuts the heater off if it’s tipped over or it overheats. Space heaters, after all, still account for roughly one-third of all home heating fires and more than 80 percent of associated deaths, so you can’t buy one without doing a little homework.  And although many we tested were less hot to the touch than in the past and have plastic rather than metal grates, burns to the hands—particularly among kids—remain common.

Vornado AVH2, $100
Fairly quiet running, fast heating, and a five-year warranty are among chief strengths of this electric heater. You also get mechanical controls mounted on top for easy accessibility, a plus since there’s no remote control, and multiple fan speeds. This unit also remained relatively cool to the touch, with venting from the rear as opposed to the bottom, where a thick rug could inhibit airflow. But there’s no countdown timer.

Holmes HFH436, $40
The least expensive of our picks, this diminutive model weighs just two pounds but was quick at heating a room. Besides safe operation, it also offers two less-common features: a startup timer with a clock, so you can heat a room on a chilly morning before you get up, and a ground-fault circuit interrupter plug—for better shock protection around water. On the minus side, spot heating was mediocre, and for the bargain price you lose some other important features, such as multiple fan speeds, oscillation, and a remote.

Crane EE8075O, $90
Want fake flames in a heater you can easily take from room to room? This Crane was impressively quick at both room and spot heating and comes in a choice of three colors to help it blend in with the décor. Its surface remained relatively cool to the touch. What you don’t get for the price are more than two fan speeds, a timer, and a remote. But while the warranty is only one-year, online reviews appeared mostly positive.

Honeywell HZ-980, $190
This Honeywell electric heater did best of all the larger-room units we tested at both quickly heating a room and a person sitting in front of it. As with all the other large units we tested, it ran fairly quietly at the higher of its two speeds. It lacks the fake flames of the “Amish” heaters in our Ratings, the $300 Heat Surge Accent EV.2  and $400 Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow EV.2, but it was easier to use than both models of that brand—thanks to top-mounted, touch-screen controls we found easy to use. It also has a remote control and a countdown timer.

Not sure how to shop for a space heater? Check out our free buying guide before checking our Ratings of more than two dozen models. A handy reminder: Consumer Reports Online is available in one-month as well as one-year subscriptions.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

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Shipping comparison: FedEx vs. UPS vs. U.S. Postal Service

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Shipping comparison: FedEx vs. UPS vs. U.S. Postal Service

Theres little doubt that Santa Claus operates the world’s most efficient package delivery system—his sleigh travels at rates of up to 1,800 miles per second as he delivers toys to good little girls and boys.

Unfortunately, though, he’s booked solid for the holidays. So if you have gifts destined for far-flung places, you’ll have to use one of his helpers—a package delivery service—to handle the task of transporting them for you.

We put FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service to the test to see which can get your packages to their destinations most economically and quickly. Get details on our review, below, and find out whether expedited shipping is worth the splurge.

FedEx

UPS

USPS

5.0

5.0

5.0

For Santa to deliver all those packages, he has to zip around the earth a minimum of 187 times, according to Michael Trick, a senior associate dean at Carnegie Mellon University. Package shippers require more people, bigger fleets, and more-advanced logistics to deliver your packages.

All three services deliver to the 193 million residential addresses in the U.S. and most of the 262 countries, territories, possessions, and dependencies recognized by the U.S.

FedEx

UPS

USPS

3.5

3.5

4.3

Mailing your packages early increases the chances they’ll arrive on time. The three big shippers accept packages on as many as 307 days. During the holiday season—Nov. 1 to Dec. 31—they’ll take your packages on about 50 days. For deliveries, the USPS will deliver Priority Mail Express every day, including Sundays and holidays, for a surcharge. FedEx delivers on Saturdays for an extra charge; it also has same-day delivery service 365 days per year, but we did not include that in our comparison because we considered it a novelty that’s overpriced for cost-conscious consumers.

FedEx

UPS

USPS

1.0

1.0

3.0

For the 2013 holiday season, the countless packages didn’t arrive on time because of poor weather conditions; this situation was made worse by a crush of shoppers sending gifts late. Still, given the steep prices for overnight and second-day service, on-time delivery is critical. UPS and FedEx wouldn't tell us about their track record, which hurt their score. The USPS says 87.5 percent of package deliveries were made on time in 2013. If FedEx and UPS did better, wouldn’t they want to crow about it?

FedEx

UPS

USPS

3.0

1.0

3.0

We set up a crisscross pattern of deliveries between 25 pairs of cities from coast to coast and to Honolulu and Anchorage, Alaska, and researched the least expensive prices for each. We did that for next-day standard, second-day, third-day, and ground delivery. (An assumption was that if your package were 5 pounds or less, you’d choose next- or second-day service, and if it were 20 pounds, you’d opt for more economical three-day or ground delivery.) The USPS was cheapest 92 percent of the time for next-day and second-day delivery. For third-day and ground delivery, FedEx was cheapest. In no case was UPS the least expensive.

FedEx

UPS

USPS

3.1

2.6

3.8

In the 1947 movie “Miracle on 34th Street,” the postal service came to Kris Kringle’s rescue by delivering proof that he really was Santa. When it comes to picking the best way to send your holiday gifts, we find that the USPS should be your choice. (Kudos to the USPS for disclosing its on-time performance statistics.) Otherwise, compare FedEx and USPS prices. 

This review is based on an evaluation by the Consumer Reports Money team, using a 1-to-5 scale, where 1 is the lowest possible score and 5 is the highest. Individual scores are averaged within category, and the category scores are averaged to produce the overall score. The scores here are not Ratings. This article also appeared published in the December 2014 issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser

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

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Keurig 2.0 pod coffeemaker rejects older K-Cups

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Keurig 2.0 pod coffeemaker rejects older K-Cups

Keurig says its Keurig 2.0 brewing technology delivers “game-changing performance and function” along with “unprecedented beverage choice.” But the company’s use of digital rights management technology (DRM) to block you from using older or unlicensed K-Cups has prompted a groundswell of protest—including online hacks on how to fool the machine into accepting your K-Cup of choice. Consumer Reports hasn't tested the hacks but the Keurig 2.0 Brewer K550, $200, is in our labs now.

Since Keurig first announced its Keurig 2.0 system in August, almost two years after the company’s original K-Cup patent expired, the company has converted all of the K-Cup beverages it sells to the new, protected format. This was intended to ensure that only products from Keurig and its licensees can be used in the Keurig 2.0. (Say goodbye to refillable K-Cup adapters, too.)

As for the machine itself, customers new to single-serve coffeemakers might appreciate the expanded range of serving sizes the Keurig 2.0 K550 offers. The smallest serving is 4 ounces, appropriate for an espresso K-Cup, but if you remove the drip tray and align the included pitcher, you can use one of the new, larger K-Carafe capsules and make up to 30 ounces. Once the machine recognizes the pod, brewing is one-touch unless you need to change portion sizes.

Scores for the Keurig 2.0 K550 so far track closely with the pre-2.0 Keurig VUE V500, $120, which fell a bit short of our recommended models because the first serving takes longer than subsequent ones. On the plus side, servings were consistent in size and temperature; the machine was also very convenient to use. Like all the pod coffeemakes in our tests, the Keurig VUE V500 scored mediocre for coffee taste. We haven't completed our taste tests for the Keurig 2.0 but the company claims its technology optimizes the machine to the “recommended, customized setting for that particular beverage.”

Considering a pod coffeemaker as a gift? You can already see how well the six models awaiting taste tests did for speed, convenience, and other criteria, and we’ve also fully tested more than 30 other models. Check our coffeemakers buying guide to see all the types of coffee machines on the market today. If you're a real coffee lover, opt for a drip coffemaker for a more robust brew.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

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Don’t let holiday stress keep you up at night

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Don’t let holiday stress keep you up at night

The holidays can bring much joy and cheer, but the hustle and bustle of the season can also bring some stress… and with it, difficulty falling asleep, or insomnia. If it happens to you, it can be tempting to automatically reach for a medication like zolpidem (Ambien and generic), but improving your sleep routine is a safer, more effective way to help you get your zzz’s.

First step: Turn off the screens—computers, smartphones, TVs—while in bed, and ideally an hour or two before you plan on going to sleep. Stop working or doing any stressful activities 2-hours before bedtime. Late-night workouts, drinking caffeinated beverages, smoking, late meals, and even alcohol too close to bedtime can also keep you awake. If you do any of these, be sure to do them earlier in the evening. Keep your bedroom quiet and dark.

Trying to battle insomnia without drugs is especially helpful for people with chronic insomnia. Studies show that doctors who have prescribed working with a sleep therapist to change a person’s sleep habits (also known as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) can help 70 to 80 percent of people. And doing so appears to be at least as effective as sleeping pills. In a few studies, a combination of the two has helped people the most.

Should you work with a sleep therapist, you might be directed to get up at the same time every day. Or you might have your actual time in bed restricted while you “relearn” to associate being in bed with sleep. You might also learn relaxation techniques and mental tricks to help you get to sleep or to remove anxiety about having insomnia.

See our Best Buy Drugs report for more on treating insomnia

In fact, these methods have proven successful enough that, just in time for the holidays, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine announced that it recommends doctors skip medications as the sole insomnia treatment when possible in their new Choosing Wisely list of Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question. Instead, the new initiative urges physicians to reserve prescription sleep drugs like Ambien and Lunesta as part of an overall insomnia treatment that should also include CBT.

If you and your doctor decide that part of your treatment is to include a prescription sleeping pill, our Best Buy Drugs analysis recommends generic zolpidem as a Best Buy. This is the less expensive, generic version of the drug Ambien. Seven pills cost $16 to $17, depending on the dose and where you buy them. But beware: Zolpidem, like other insomnia medications, can cause side effects including daytime sleepiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, and could actually worsen your insomnia. Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, sleep-eating, memory lapses, and hallucinations have also been reported. The risk of developing a dependency on the drugs is also a problem. People who are age 55 or older should be cautious about taking any sleeping pills because they are at higher risk for all the side effects from these medicines.

Meanwhile, if your insomnia has lasted a night or two, you could consider nonprescription drugs containing an old-school antihistamine that can cause drowsiness as a side effect. For example, diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl, but also sold as a sleep aid under the brand names Nytol and Sominex and as a generic) or doxylamine (Unisom and generic)—might help you get some rest. But don’t use them for more than a couple of nights because they can cause next-day drowsiness, confusion, constipation, dry mouth, and urinary retention. And, like with all sleeping pills, they should never be taken with alcohol, so skip these drugs if you’ve tried soothing your stress with a glass of spiked eggnog.

Why it's not safe to take drugs like Unisom long term

—Steve Mitchell

More holiday gift ideas and tips

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

This article and related materials are made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by the multistate settlement of consumer-fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).

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

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Worries about spending and bills loom as holidays approach

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Worries about spending and bills loom as holidays approach

With Hanukkah just underway, and Christmas and Kwanzaa a week away, most people are cool, calm, and collected as this festive season kicks into high gear, according to the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Poll*. But for 35 percent of Americans, the holidays remain a source of at least some angst. For 10 percent, the stress is overwhelming.

Among those fretting over the holidays, the top worry is not having enough money to cover expenses, cited by 56 percent of respondents. Insufficient time to buy gifts was a distant second (18 percent). Other concerns include getting holiday greetings out in time, travel, an obligation to attend parties, and anxiety over having to host too many people.

Many consumers remain wary of celebrating beyond their means. Forty-four percent of Americans expressed at least some concern about overspending this holiday season; approximately 20 percent were very or extremely concerned about going overboard.

Our holiday polls reveal more surprising trends: Find out what the worst holiday gift you can give is and how much shoppers are ready and eager to spend this holiday season.

That pragmatism is reflected in this season’s gifting trends. Overall, three-quarters of respondents told us they’d rather receive a practical present than a luxury splurge. And if given a choice between getting cash or a gift card, 60 percent said they would take the cash. (FInd out why gift cards shouldn't top your holiday shopping list.

When it comes to giving, 57 percent said they’re buying clothes, shoes, and fashion accessories for those on their list; 51 percent are giving gift cards; 44 percent, toys; 30, percent, cash or check. Only 20 percent intend to buy jewelry.

In what might be perceived as a jab at nostalgia and tradition, natural trees are out and artificial ones are in this year. Among those who celebrate Christmas, 60 percent said they’d rather have a fake. We can only speculate why. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that despite a higher initial cost—an average of $81 vs. $35 for the real deal, according to the National Christmas Tree Association—an artificial tree has a longer life cycle than a one-and-done balsam, fir, spruce, or pine. (Read about what to look for in an artificial Christmas tree.)

Our survey also reveals that most Americans tend to be generous homebodies. Sixty-nine percent said they would rather stay home during the holiday season than go out more often. Fifty-five percent said they would prefer to open up their homes and hearts to host out-of-town guests than have them stay elsewhere. And when the holidays do come to an end, what do people most look forward to? Getting their houses back in order (cited by 23 percent of respondents), getting their spending under control (16 percent), and, predictably, eating more healthfully (12 percent).

Gift gaffes

Since this is, after all, the season for giving, we asked Americans about their most memorable faux pas relating to the exchange of gifts. The most often committed blunder: leaving the price tag on the present (a cringe-worthy slip-up committed by 18 percent of respondents).

Fortunately, not many made the other mistakes we asked about, including regifting an item to the person who gave it to you (5 percent); putting the wrong name on the package (5 percent); and giving too many people who know one another the same present (3 percent). Respondents also blushed at giving recipients defective or discontinued products, expired foods, and luxury-brand knockoffs.

—Tod Marks

 

What Americans plan to give this holiday season

Clothing, shoes, fashion accessories

57 percent

Gift cards

51 percent

Toys

44 percent

Cash or check

30 percent

Books

27 percent

Food or wine

25 percent

Jewelry

20 percent

Electronics accessories (headphones, cases)

19 percent

DVDs or Blu-ray discs

19 percent

Video games

18 percent

Personal electronics (smart phone, tablet, E-book)

16 percent

Pet toys

15 percent

Major electronics (TV, computer, video-game system)

12 percent

Home furnishings/décor items

12 percent

Small appliances (coffeemaker, toaster)

10 percent

 

More holiday gift ideas and tips

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

About the poll: Results are based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,500 adults conducted in early December 2014 by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Percentages exceed 100 because respondents could include multiple responses.

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

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The best shovels for heavy and light snow

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The best shovels for heavy and light snow

Everyone who gets any amount of snowfall needs a shovel in their winter arsenal. Even if you own a snow blower, you’re still going to need to shovel. That’s because certain spaces are too narrow to maneuver a snow blower, you may find that there’s no place to hurl the snow, or a dense plow pile may prove too much for a small machine. Here’s what to look for in a shovel:

Don’t cheap out. Expect to spend $30 to $35 for a decent model.

Look for the ‘D.’ A D-shaped handle is much easier to control than other types, especially if the load is unbalanced. Be sure it fits your hand while you’re wearing gloves.

Think twice about ergonomic versions. They’re supposed to help you bend less, but the bend makes it hard to throw snow to the side—and will be too much for some wrists.

For light snow: Get the bend. Shovels that have a little bend in the scoop are fine for light accumulations. You shouldn’t even have to lift the shovel. Just shove the white stuff to the side.

For heavy work: Go with the curve. A deeply curved scoop, especially with supported sides, helps clear snow faster. A fiber-core handle is lighter than wood. Metal is more rigid but adds weight.

Buy a deck-only shovel. Devote a single plastic shovel with no steel on the leading edge to clearing decks and other delicate surfaces.

And some tips on shoveling

Play it safe. Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Pace yourself.

Use cooking oil spray. Spritz it on the scoop before you shovel; it helps snow slide off more easily.

Top-rated snow blowers

If you prefer a snow blower, here are the top three from Consumer Reports' tests of two-stage and single-stage gasoline models. None of the electric models in our tests made our top-picks list.

Two-stage gas

Compact two-stage gas

Single-stage gas

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

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Don't let pet allergies ruin your holiday

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Don't let pet allergies ruin your holiday

For people with pet allergies, holiday gatherings at homes with furry, four-legged animals can turn an otherwise good time into a nightmare of itchy, red, watery eyes, and endless bouts of sneezing—less “Ho Ho Ho!” than “Achoo Achoo Achoo!”

Thankfully, whether you’re the host with a pet or the person with allergies, there are things you can do to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and keep your focus on enjoying the company of friends and family.

If you’re hosting people with pet allergies:

  • Remove your pet from the home while people are visiting.
    If possible, remove your pet from your home before you begin to clean and set up for your gathering, and for the duration of the event. If you cannot remove your pet, confine him or her to one room before preparations begin.
  • Clean, clean, clean.
    It's a common assumption that pet hair is the cause of allergic reactions, but the main culprit is actually proteins in pet dander, tiny flecks of shed skin that settle onto wood floors, rugs and carpeting, furniture, and clothing. To reduce allergen levels in the home vacuum thoroughly. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) recommends using a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Vacuum rugs and carpets extra carefully, and don’t forget to vacuum drapes, couches, and chairs thoroughly as well.
  • Consider a room air filter.
    In 2010 an expert committee from the AAAAI published a review of studies on the effects of room air filters on allergies. The panel concluded there is evidence the filters provide some benefit to pet allergy sufferers, although improvements were generally seen after long-term use of the filters. Still, if you have an air filter it cannot hurt to place it in the main room where you'll host your guests.
  • Stock up on antihistamines.
    It may not be the sexiest gift, but your guests will appreciate it if they forget to bring their own!

If you have a pet allergy:

  • Be prepared.
    Don’t know whether a home you are visiting has a pet or not? Call and check with the hosts.
  • Use the right drug.
    To prevent sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a runny nose, the best first line of defense is often an over-the-counter antihistamine such as cetir­i­zine (Zyrtec and generic), fexofenadine (Allegra and generic), or loratadine (Claritin and generic). A prescription steroid nasal spray, such as fluticasone (Flonase and generic), may be effective as well (ask your doctor).

—Ian Landau

More holiday gift ideas and tips

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

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

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Best everyday cleaning products for special events

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Best everyday cleaning products for special events

Before shopping for food for your holiday baking and cooking, make sure you have enough cleaning supplies on hand, especially if you’re expecting house guests. This is the week to stock up on paper goods, detergents, and other cleaners so you have room in your shopping cart for a roast, veggies, and other fresh ingredients on your next supermarket outing. Here are the best paper goods and detergents from Consumer Reports tests plus some to skip.

Laundry detergents

Dishwasher detergents

All-purpose cleaners

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Facial tissues

Need something that's not on this list? Check our recent report on "The best everyday products" at your local supermarket and the big box stores.

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

What to Get & What to Forget At ...

Catch up with our series on what to get and what to forget at the big box stores including:

Costco,  Home Depot,  Lowe's
Sears,  Target,  Walmart

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

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Sen.se Mother monitoring system promises to keep an eye on your life

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Sen.se Mother monitoring system promises to keep an eye on your life

The Sen.se Mother ($299) is a home and personal monitoring device. By checking a website or your smart phone, you can monitor the temperature in the house to see if the air conditioning or heat are working, for example, or find out whether a door has been opened and closed. You can also keep tabs on family members, to know whether they have taken their medication, among other things.

It's an intriguing example of the "connected home" and the "Internet of things," buzzwords you'll be hearing more often. Sen.se Mother does some things fairly well, and it could give you peace of mind. But our tests found some shortcomings that indicate it's not quite ready for prime time.

What it is

The system consists of a bulbous Mother base unit and four small, battery-powered sensors called Motion Cookies. The base must be hardwired with an Ethernet cable to your home network; it doesn't work on Wi-Fi. The Cookies communicate wirelessly with the Mother unit using the ISM band (Industrial Scientific and Medical band). Sen.se says the range of the device is 65 feet inside a home and 164 feet in an open space. 

The Mother base unit has a red smile and eyes that can be programmed to be any of eight different colors (which is interesting and a bit creepy). You can turn on the base unit or put it to sleep by touching it between the eyes. 

The Cookies can measure and report temperature and movement, via a built-in thermometer and a three-axis accelerometer, respectively. You program each Cookie to track certain kinds of information using Sen.se's apps, which currently include Door, Walk, Temperature, Sleep, Medication, Teeth, Presence, Cartoon, Check, Coffee, and Battery. Eventually, Fridge, Drink, and Plants apps will be added.  

All of the apps require that a Cookie be used in some way—carried in a pocket, attached to a valuable item, strapped to a medicine bottle, or screwed to a door, for example. The kit includes holders, straps, and a putty-like adhesive for attaching the Cookies to items. The Cookies measure and transfer the data to the Mother, which then sends it on to the Sen.se website and to an app on your smart phone. For instance, if you attach a Cookie to your child's keys, the base unit would sense when she arrived home and alert you. 

Each Cookie can monitor and report its battery level and temperature (they use CR2016 batteries). You can put multiple apps on one Cookie, but note that each Cookie can host only one app that relies on motion. Additional Motion Cookies can be purchased (four for $159) and added to the Mother unit, up to a total of 24 Cookies.

A Cookies senses motion using its accelerometer, and the app determines if the motion meets its definition of an action. For example, the Walk app counts the steps taken by someone carrying or wearing a Cookie. The magnitude and frequency of the motion is used to determine whether the user is walking or running, and the values set during the initial setup (such as stride length and weight) allow the app to calculate distance and calories.  

How we tested

We set up the Mother in a lab with Internet access. Since it needs to be hard-wired into the same network as your computer, we added an extra router to split our Ethernet port. That is probably a requirement for most installations, if you even have Ethernet cables in your home. (Mother does not work over Wi-Fi.)

We plugged in the base unit, and touched it between the eyes to wake it up and get it going. Then we set up the Cookies: added batteries and renamed all the devices. (They come with unique default names. The base unit was “Lisandra Marcene," and the Cookies were “cool sheker,” “clever fruit,” “tender peanut,” and “double life.”)

We set up each Cookie with a few of the apps. We assigned Temperature and Battery to each, then Door, Walk, Medication, and Check, one for each of our four Cookies. We configured the apps to create alerts and relay them by e-mail, text, and sounds, and to send summaries by e-mail.

After choosing the apps, we placed the Cookies near the base unit for programming. When that was finished, we opened and closed the door, walked around, took our fake medicine, and rattled our valuables, and generally played with the Cookies. They can be re-programmed easily, set to do a different task, but only one task at a time—a process which we also tried.

What we found

Generally, the Mother devices work. The information collected by the Cookies, available to view on the website and on the Mother app on our smart phone, was nicely presented, colorful, interesting, and somewhat useful. But the biggest limitation was sensitivity.

For example, when we moved the door softly, we did not trigger a notification from the attached Cookie that the door had been opened and closed—not very good if you are need an immediate notification when, say, your elderly parent gently opens the door and wanders off.

Another limitation was specificity of movement, which isn't really explained in detail in the setup. For example, the Medication app allows you to choose your medicine container type: bottle, box, blister pack, or pill box. But the instructions don’t say that medicine is considered "taken" when a bottle is tilted more than a certain amount. So it is unclear which setting is best to use.

The batteries in the Cookies were an issue as well: They started to go dead almost immediately. The one we renamed “Blue Cookie” was especially problematic; it used up our replacement battery in just about a week—bad news at $2.99 a pop. And unfortunately, e-mail we sent to the manufacturer for support has gone unanswered.

The ability to send text message alerts, a feature that we particularly liked, stopped working partway through our tests: The number of text messages you can send as alerts is limited, and when we used up our allotment, we were not able to buy more. The literature states that extra messaging is available in the Web store, but we could find only the base kit and extra cookies for sale there.

Bottom line

The concept shows promise, but the Mother and her Cookies are not really ready for prime time. The system is useful if you need to monitor certain aspects of your life: say, your elderly parents’ movements within their home, so that you can check on them without calling. But the battery problems, low sensitivity, and poorly maintained website mean that this product needs refinement before it is truly useful.

Other home-monitoring and automation systems have much more specificity in their devices, such as door alarms that are actual switches and are not dependent on the door being moved briskly. The Mother’s attempt to make one device fit all uses means that those uses have limitations. Perhaps Sen.se will eventually design and sell Cookies for specific tasks. But for now, it's closer to being the toy it resembles than to a dependable home appliance.

—Bernie Deitrick  

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

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The best baking chocolate for your holiday treats

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The best baking chocolate for your holiday treats

When it comes to baking chocolate, how do you know which one to choose? Things have come a long way since old-time supermarket brands like Baker’s were pretty much the only option. Today the baking aisle is stocked with chocolates that have cocoa contents of 70 percent or more.  

The right type to use in cooking depends on the recipe. “Unless a recipe specifies high-percentage chocolate,” says Alice Medrich, author of “Seriously Bitter Sweet” (Artisan, 2013), “stick with chocolate in the 54 to 60 percent cocoa range. Otherwise you’ll have to adjust other ingredients.” That means you can go with cheaper brands.

Here’s what else you need to know about baking chocolate to make delicious holiday treats:

Unsweetened

What it is: Also known as bitter chocolate, it doesn’t have sugar, flavorings, or added fat. It’s composed only of chocolate liquor—the ground-up nibs or the roasted and hulled cocoa beans— a paste that is solidified into bars.

Best for: Any recipe where you want a strong chocolate flavor, especially brownies and fudge. It also makes tasty hot chocolate.

Bittersweet and semisweet

What they are: Technically, they’re the same. And if they have similar percentages of chocolate, they can be used interchangeably in recipes. Both types are made with sugar and at least 35 percent chocolate liquor.

Best for: Brownies, cakes, and other baked goodies. They’re also good melted into dips, sauces, cake glazes, and hot chocolate.

Cocoa powder

What it is: Unsweetened chocolate liquor that is processed to remove most of the fat, then ground into cocoa powder. You can buy natural or Dutch-process, which has been treated with alkali to make it darker and less acidic.

Best for: Brownies, genoise, and chocolate sauce. Natural or Dutch-process cocoa can be used interchangeably as long as the recipe doesn’t call for baking powder or baking soda. Baked goods that call for baking soda require natural cocoa or the batter might not rise.

Milk

What it is: Milk chocolate is made with at least 10 percent chocolate liquor plus at least 12 percent milk solids (including milk, cream, and condensed milk) with added sugar, cocoa butter, and butterfat. Look for 32 to 45 percent cocoa for a more chocolaty flavor.

Best for: Snacking.

70 percent plus cocoa

What it is: High-percentage chocolates have less sugar and more chocolate liquor—at least 70 percent—which makes the flavor more intense. But higher-percentage chocolate can soak up liquid in a batter, resulting in drier brownies and cakes, grainy mousses, and curdled ganaches.

Best for: Snacking and in recipes calling for higher-percentage chocolate.

White

What it is: It has none of the cocoa solids that make up the dark stuff, only the fat. By definition, it’s at least 20 percent cocoa butter, 14 percent milk solids, and no more than 55 percent sugar. Vanilla and other ingredients are added. But check the ingredients to be sure you’re getting real white chocolate; don’t buy anything that has fats other than cocoa butter, such as palm oil, says Maricel Presilla, a chef and the author of “The New Taste of Chocolate."

Best for: Fruity desserts. Think cranberry and white chocolate chip cookies. Pastry chef Anna Markow of Amali in New York City says the subtle, sweet flavor balances the acidity in fruit.

Chips

What they are: The chocolate in most chips is made with less cocoa butter than bar chocolate, so they hold their shape when they get hot rather than melting.

Best for: Toll House cookies. But chips can also be added to cake or muffin batter and scone dough.

Cocoa nibs

What they are: The crunchy pieces are hulled, roasted, and crushed cocoa beans. When ground, the nibs turn into the liquor and butter used to make all forms of chocolate.

Best for: Seasoning and baking. They add a sharp chocolaty taste and crunchy texture to baked goodies. They’re also a great ice cream topper.

Smart swaps when you don't have the right chocolate

In a pinch, different types of chocolate can be substituted for one another in recipes, although you might not get exactly the same results. Here are some simple swaps from Joyofbaking.com.

If you don't have  ...   Swap in ...
1 ounce of semisweet chocolate 1/2 ounce of unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon of sugar
1 ounce of milk chocolate 1 ounce of semisweet plus 1 tablespoon of sugar
1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate 3 tablespoons of unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-process) plus 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter or vegetable
3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate (reduce fat in recipe by 1 tablespoon)

3 tablespoons of Dutch-processed cocoa powder 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate plus ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda (reduce fat inrecipe by 1 tablespoon)
Melting and storage tips

 

Safer melting
Chocolate burns easily, so use a double boiler or improvise by placing a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Be careful that water doesn’t bubble up into the chocolate during melting. Even a tiny splash can make it gritty and grainy. Break bars into smaller pieces for quick and even melting, and stir until shiny and smooth. The quick and easy way to go: Zap it in the microwave.

Store it right
Keep chocolate in a cool, dry spot; heat and moisture can cause discoloration or affect baking results. You can also store doublewrapped chocolate in the fridge or freezer. Dark chocolate can last for years; milk chocolate and white chocolate should be used within a year because of their milk content. All chocolate can pick up odors, so don’t keep it near anything stinky.

More holiday gift ideas and tips

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.


A version of this article appeared in the December 2014 issue of ShopSmart magazine.

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

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Some stores improve holiday return policies

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Some stores improve holiday return policies

If that sweater you bought online as a gift for a famiy member doesn't fit or is received with a less-than-enthusiastic response, you're in luck. There's a better chance this year that the online retailer will pay for return shipping.

That’s one of the findings of this year’s retailer return policy survey by ConsumerWorld.org. “Many online stores have begun offering free returns whereby the store pays the return postage for unwanted items, but sometimes only in certain categories,” read the website’s statement announcing the survey results. The statement includes a list of major retailer return policies.

Overall, however, most retailer policies remain the same as last year.

ConsumerWorld.or found that some stores are offering paid return shipping and longer return periods that allow items purchased in November to be returned from mid- to late January.

For instance, Sears has widened its return period for items purchased as early as Nov. 9 instead of Nov. 17. Marshalls and T.J. Maxx have extended their return deadlines by two weeks, to Jan. 23, according to the survey.

Among the retailers that pay for return shipping are Nordstrom, Old Navy, Saks, and Target. Others offer the perk only on certain products, or they have restrictions, including Macy's, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s. Amazon offers free return shipping on certain fashions, ConsumerWorld.org reported.

The site also listed some unusual return policies. For instance, Walmart gives customers without a receipt the option of receiving a cash refund for items that cost less than $25; for ones that cost more, the store issues a shopping card or an even exchange. Target REDcard holders get 30 extra return days to return items.

Try our 5 tips for navigating holiday hurdles and use these tricks for getting the most from your credit cards when holiday shopping.

What to do

Whether shopping online or in a walk-in store, check the return policy carefully before buying, which isn't always so easy. The policies of the dozen retailers ConsumerWorld listed spanned 45 pages and more than 20,000 words. Be on the lookout for restocking fees and language that makes all sales final.

When giving a gift, it’s best to give a copy of the original receipt, so the recipient can be sure that he or she is being given the full amount you paid. Gift receipts typically don’t show the amount. In the past, we’ve seen some retailers give only the most recent sale price.

If you receive a gift you don’t want, don’t open the packaging, if possible. Otherwise you might not be able to return the item. ConsumerWorld also found that Express and Bloomingdale’s won’t allow certain clothing to be returned if the tags aren’t in place.

—Anthony Giorgianni

More holiday gift ideas and tips

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

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

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Keep it safe when using your snow blower

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Keep it safe when using your snow blower

Shoveling snow can have its own hazards if you’re not in shape, but the machine you need for the fastest, most thorough clearing presents risks even for those in fine shape. Here’s some safety advice from the experts at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the outdoor-gear industry’s trade group, and Consumer Reports:

Clear the way. Before it even snows, clear the pathways you intend to use. Snow can hide objects that could clog the snow blower’s chute, cause damage to the machine, or even injure people nearby. Remove doormats, sleds, boards, wires, and other debris.

Dress for the job. Wear adequate winter garments and footwear that can handle slippery surfaces. Put on safety glasses, and avoid loose-fitting clothes that could get caught in moving parts. Tie back long hair. Use hearing protection.
 
Handle fuel carefully.  Move the snow blower outdoors. Before you start the engine, while it’s still cold, fill up the fuel tank using a non-spill container with a spout. (Be sure to add fuel stabilizer to the gas, preferably one designed to withstand the effects of ethanol in the gas, before fueling up.) Never add fuel to a running or hot engine, and never smoke around fuel. For storage, keep fuel in a clean, dry, ventilated area—never near a pilot light, stove, or other heat source.

Keep yourself in plain sight. With the shorter daylight hours during winter, homeowners frequently clear snow during darkness, either in the early morning or in the evening. But while you’re clearing snow at the end of your driveway, drivers of oncoming cars might not see you in time—and if you’re wearing adequate hearing protection, you might not hear them. Use your snow blower’s headlight if it has one, and attach reflective tape to your snow blower (some models come with it) or to your own coat.

Watch those moving parts. The chute can get clogged either from dense snow or something you didn’t know was under the snow. Never put your hands inside the auger or chute, the source of most snow-blower injuries. Most snow blowers come with a clearing tool, but you also can use a broomstick or another stiff tool. Be sure to turn off the machine before trying to unclog or repair it. Wait for moving parts to stop, and disconnect the spark-plug wire or power cord.

Aim carefully. It’s not uncommon that you need to adjust the chute’s direction as you move closer to the end of your driveway. Never throw snow toward people or cars. (Kids and pets should already be far away from where you’re working.) And don’t let anyone stand in front of the snow blower while it’s running.

Use extreme caution on slopes. Hilly ground invariably makes clearing snow more challenging. You’re better off not trying to clear steep slopes unless you have a track-driven model such as the $1,100 Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP 31BM73R. Whatever you’re using, be cautious when changing direction, and don’t clear snow across the face of a slope.

Know where your cord is. If you have a corded-electric snow blower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times. Otherwise, it’s easy to trip or run over the cord, both of which could land you in the ER.

In general, it helps to refresh your knowledge of the snow blower at the start of each season. (If you’ve misplaced your owner's manual, most are available online.) And be sure you’re keeping up the maintenance to ensure the snow blower is ready when you are.

Looking for a new snow blower? A few are still available in stores, but inventories are quickly growing slim. See our buying guide if you’re unfamiliar with the types, and check out our Ratings of 114 models so you know what you’re getting. Our top gasoline-powered picks include the dual-stage Ariens 921032, $1,300, and Craftsman 88396, $1,200, both with 30-inch clearing widths, and the single-stage Toro Power Clear 721E, $570.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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

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5 easy kitchen updates for $250 or less

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5 easy kitchen updates for $250 or less

After thousands of meals, your kitchen may be looking a little dingy and you may not have the $19,000 that the average homeowner spends on a kitchen remodel to fix it. Still, there are a few things you can do that’ll brighten your space until you have the money and time for a full refresh. Here are five updates that cost $250 or less. Why not try one this weekend?

Consider a spot of color, $200

A few prominently placed bursts of bold color can work wonders by drawing the eye away from less attractive features. Pick furnishings like  bar stools, small appliances, and accessories in bright shades, and don’t forget the often-overlooked kitchen window, an ideal place to add color and pattern.
Tip: For window treatments, be sure to buy machine-washable fabric, so you can periodically nix cooking grease or lingering smells. Look for deals in the remnant rack at the fabric store; instead of paying custom prices, use iron-on hemming tape and clip-on rings to make your own.

Install a focal-point fixture, $100

Choose one prominently located fixture, like the one over the kitchen island, and replace it with a show-stopper. Think bold color, an eye-catching design, or the sparkle of crystal. There are many online sources for light fixtures at reasonable prices (three great examples: lightinguniverse.com; lampsplus.com; progresslighting.com) but you might fare even better on Craigslist.org or by trolling local flea markets. Even if you have to pay an electrician to rewire a nonworking fixture, the price will probably still be right.

Add an island, $250

A custom-built island combines style and storage with a sometimes-hefty price. Save by opting for an unfinished or ready-to-assemble island and doing part of the work yourself. You’ll find a wide variety of doors, drawers, and countertops in different configurations, starting at around $150 at sources like unfinishedfurnitureexpo.com, amazon.com, or JC Penney.
Tip: Before you buy, make sure you have enough room to fit the island comfortably; you should have a 36- to 48-inch wide clearance on all four sides.

Update the hardware, $100

Installing new hardware is probably the simplest cabinet update. To avoid having to fill a bunch of screw marks, be sure to measure the distance between the holes after you remove the original hardware, and then choose new styles that match that size. There are plenty of places to buy new knobs and pulls, but you’ll find bargain prices in the hardware aisle (not the cabinetry aisle) of your local home center, online (try overstock.com), and at Ikea.

Paint high-impact areas, $100

You probably know that you can give old cabinets new life with a pretty new finish. But before you commit to what can be a painstaking project, especially if you’re hoping to transform your whole kitchen, think about focusing the power of color on a single area. Choosing an unexpected hue for one section—around the sink, say, or on an island, or both, can make a surprisingly big impact, with a lot less work than tackling an entire room of cabinets.

Top paint picks from our tests

When selecting an interior paint, you can’t go wrong by shopping at your local home improvement store. The best paints in Consumer Reports' tests are sold at Ace, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and your local hardware store. Here’s the details.

Independents and dealers

Home Depot

Ace Hardware

Lowe’s

—Adapted from Consumer Reports Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide

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

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What to do when product repairs go wrong

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What to do when product repairs go wrong

You’ve done everything you can thing to make sure that a product repair goes right. Yet, now that the technician is done, you’re having the same problem, or maybe there’s a new one. So what should you do when product repairs go wrong? (Read our earlier article, "Don't Be a Product Repair Victim.")

First, your rights likely depend on whether the technician acted reasonably and on what the contract or work order says. If the repair was unsuccessful but the technician took reasonable steps to diagnose and fix the problem, you may not be legally entitled to anything.

“Service providers don’t guarantee that everything will go perfectly. They guarantee that they’ll do it as a reasonably competent person would in that profession,” says Richard Alderman, who heads University of Houston’s Consumer for Law Center.

It’s another matter if the technician was negligent or, even worse, engaged in fraud, says Daniel Blinn, managing attorney of the Rocky Hill, Connecticut-based Consumer Law Group.

In November, for example, the Maryland attorney general’s consumer-protection division ordered an appliance-repair company in that state to return $100,000 to customers for repairs that it did not complete or that were unnecessary. The company told one woman that her washing machine needed a control board that would cost $43 even though the real reason her machine wasn't working was that a quarter was stuck in the appliance's water pump, the state determined.

It also can make a difference if the contract guarantees that the repair will fix the problem, as opposed to, say, simply replacing a part, says Blinn.

Tell us about your product-repair history it for a future report. And read our repair or replace advice to find out when you should fix it and when you should nix it.

Here’s what to do

Research the issue. When product repairs go wrong, it can be difficult to tell whether a technician acted reasonably. Consider posting the details of the repair issue on one or more message boards for your product and see what others say. You might even get some comments from professionals.

Complain to the repairer. Even if you think the technician was negligent, start by being nice. “If they’re a solid, reputable company they want you to be taken care of,” says Randy Carney, executive director of the Professional Service Association, which certifies independent appliance repairers.

Here’s what to expect

If you believe the technician was negligent or dishonest. You might be entitled to so-called expectation damages, an amount necessary to put things the way they would have been had the job been done correctly, Blinn says. The same goes if you have a written guarantee that the repair will fix the problem.

You also might have a right to so-called consequential or incidental damages when a product repair go wrong, especially if the technician’s negligence caused you to suffer a loss beyond the cost of the repair. And if there was fraud, you may be able to collect double or even triple damages, as well as legal fees.

But hopefully it won’t get to the point where you’ll need to enforce your rights. Make a reasonable argument. If the technician works for a company with higher-ups, ask to speak to a supervisor.

If you think the technician acted reasonably. As complex as a diagnosis or repair might have been, a company should be open to negotiation if it didn’t fix the problem. For instance, it might agree to charge you only its wholesale cost for any additional parts and/or forgo another labor charge or diagnostic fee.

Call in another repair company. If the first shop won’t budge, call in another shop. If you do, get a detailed work order, and keep your receipt. Those can help you show that the initial repair wasn’t done correctly and prove your damages. Also, don’t throw out any replaced parts that you kept—they're useful evidence when product repairs go wrong

Complain to a third party. If you’re unable to get satisfaction, it’s time to seek help from third parties, such as the Better Business Bureau. You can also file a complaint with your state or local consumer-protection agency or the entity that licenses or registers the repairer, such as an occupational licensing board. In some states, car-repair shops are overseen by the department of motor vehicles.

Dispute the charge. If you paid by credit card, try disputing the charge. But keep in mind that a successful chargeback doesn't prevent a company from initiating legal action you or reporting you to credit agency.

Consider legal action. Ultimately, when product repairs go wrong, unresolved complaints end up in small-claims court. Nolo.com has a lot of free information about small-claims court, including state-by-state charts that show the rules and dollar limits for disputes, which vary by jurisdiction. Consider consulting a consumer attorney, especially if the dispute involves a significant amount of money.

—Anthony Giorgianni

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

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Best dishwasher detergents for big dinners

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Best dishwasher detergents for big dinners

Lots of people enjoy cooking the holiday meal. But cleaning up after? Not so much. The last thing you want is to have to run the dishwasher a second time because it didn't do the job on your leftover-smeared dishes, greasy pots and pans, and messy silverware. A top-rated dishwasher is key, but you also need to choose the right dishwasher detergent. We see a wide range of performance in our tough tests, which are meant to simulate a detergent's worst nightmare. The following picks, each with specific strengths, should get the job done. 

Best all-around The Cascade Complete ActionPacs, 29 cents per load, earned the best overall score in our tests. It was tough on dishes, silverware, and pots, plus it didn't leave behind water spots or white film. The Cascade Complete Powder, 21 cents per load, is our top-rated powder, though it wasn't quite as effective on pots and pans.   

Warehouse club winner Store brands are starting to rival the big name brands, which can mean big savings. Case in point: the Member's Mark Ultimate Clean Dishwasher Pacs cleaned dishes and pots nearly as well as the top-rated Cascade and it costs just 10 cents per load. The Kirkland Signature Dishwasher Pacs, 9 cents per load, also performed very well overall.

Cleanest dishes Not a warehouse club member? Two detergents sold everywhere deliver the most sparkling results on glasses and dishes. Finish Powerball Tabs, 18 cents per load, and Finish Gelpacs, 21 cents per load. They're also excellent at resisting water spots, so your glassware should come out crystal clear. But as for pots and pans, results were mediocre.                

Bargain buy Gel dishwasher detergents are the least expensive, but most of them had serious struggles in our tests. The one exception is Palmolive eco+, which was tough on dishes and superb at resisting water spots. Its cleaning performance was merely so-so on pots, so you may want to wash those by hand if you go for the Palmolive.                     

Green champ Lots of detergents make green claims. But the only one that performed well enough to make our winner's list is the Seventh Generation Powder, 19 cent per load. It had an even harder time than the Palmolive with pots and pans, but it was excellent in every other way. One green-claiming detergent to avoid is the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Auto Dish Pacs, which came in dead last among single-dose detergents and also costs the most.   

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

How to get your dishes super clean

Best dishwashers for after the holiday feast

Best inexpensive dishwasher detergents

Don't waste time and money prerinsing your dishes

How to remove white haze from your good dishes

You're probably loading your dishwasher wrong

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

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