Last spring, as 41,000 runners made their way through the streets of Dublin in the city’s Women’s Mini Marathon, an unassuming redheaded man by the name of Candid Wueest stood on the sidelines with a scanner. He had built it in a couple of hours with $75 worth of parts, and he was using it to surreptitiously pick up data from activity trackers worn on the runners’ wrists. During the race, Wueest managed to collect personal info from 563 racers, including their names, addresses, and passwords, as well as the unique IDs of the devices they were carrying.

Fortunately, Wueest is not a data criminal. He’s one of the good guys—a security researcher at Symantec, the company behind Norton antivirus software. His experiment was done to expose some of the risks associated with the growing constellation of “smart” devices known collectively as the Internet of Things.

Many of those devices are versions of familiar, even friendly, consumer products: thermostats, refrigerators, light switches, televisions, and door locks. But the new versions connect to the Internet and can be controlled through an app on a phone, tablet, or computer. The smart devices communicate with each other, too, and they offer an appealing level of convenience. Your car can tell your home’s thermostat to turn on the air conditioning as you’re driving home. Your security camera can record a video clip if the smoke alarm goes off. And you can use your activity tracker to control lights in your house.

But that convenience comes with a trade-off: The devices can also send a steady flood of personal data to corporate servers, where it’s saved and shared, and can be used in ways you can’t control. Websites and smartphone apps have been following our activities for a long time, tracking where we go; what we read, watch, and buy; what we write in our e-mails; and who we follow on Facebook and Twitter. But now connected devices gather data from some of the most private spaces of our lives—the bedside table, the kitchen counter, the baby’s nursery.

Read about connected devices and your privacy and use these privacy tips for the Internet of Things.

Without proper safeguards, all of the data that different devices and sites have collected about you can be combined, then exploited by marketers or stolen by hackers. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who released a report on automotive privacy this winter, says the Internet of Things deserves more scrutiny. (Connected cars can share a large amount of personal data.) “Whether it is our cars, our thermostats or our household appliances, if these personal devices are connected to the Internet, they are a potential privacy threat,” he says. “Consumers’ most sensitive information is collected and turned into dossiers that are pure gold in the hands of marketers and pitchmen. We need strong, legally enforceable rules … to ensure personal information is protected.”

Consumer Reports thinks that manufacturers of Internet-connected devices should tell consumers in easy-to-understand language about the types of information being collected by those devices and how that information could potentially be shared, sold, and used. Device manufacturers should also give consumers options to control the collection and use of their data. We also support the work of the Federal Trade Commission, whose recent report on the topic states that the agency “… will continue to enforce laws, educate consumers and businesses, and engage with consumer advocates, industry, academics, and other stakeholders involved in the Internet of Things to promote appropriate security and privacy protections.” The FTC also urges more self-regulatory efforts by industry, as well as better data security and broad-based privacy legislation.

Compared with websites and mobile apps, the Internet of Things is in its infancy, but the relatively modest constellation of products out there is already generating a vast amount of information. According to Cisco Systems, the networking giant, there were almost 109 million wearable devices in use around the world by the end of 2014, generating millions of gigabytes of data each month. Those numbers are sure to balloon. Startups and established technology companies such as Apple, GE, Honeywell, IBM, LG, and Samsung are investing heavily in the race to dominate the Internet of Things. Google has recently been on a multibillion-­dollar buying spree, purchasing the companies that make Nest thermostats, Dropcam security cameras, and Revolv connected-home hubs.

In March, Amazon announced its upcoming Dash program, which invites customers to install Wi-Fi connected buttons around their homes. Pressing one of the buttons will automatically order brand-name household supplies, such as Bounty paper towels and Tide detergent. Amazon already has lined up device makers, such as Whirlpool and Brother, who can build that technology directly into their products so that washing machines can order their own detergent and printers can order ink—all from Amazon, of course.

Companies are also offering incentives for consumers to share information from their devices. John Hancock is giving new life insurance customers a free Fitbit and plan discount in exchange for their fitness data. By design, such devices pay close attention to their owners and log many of the daily activities of their lives. Some of the companies that sell those products currently promise not to use the collected data for advertising and promotion. But in the absence of regulation, that can change at any time. Do you want the disappointing readout on your smart scale to translate into ads for diet plans on your smartphone? Maybe you do, maybe you don’t—but the choice ought to be yours.

For consumers, it’s not always clear what information stays on a connected device and what goes out to the Internet. And when people learn the details, they can get seriously creeped out. When Mattel announced plans to launch Hello Barbie, a Wi-Fi connected doll that holds conversations with children (by using remote servers), parents’ groups cried foul. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood launched a petition aimed at stopping the toy maker from producing the doll.  

The prospect of ubiquitous, data-collecting smart objects troubles many privacy advocates, including Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “The selling and renting of your information is routine, it’s happening all the time, and people can create a biography of you,” he says.

Consumers may or may not worry about being monitored by their appliances—but they need to know if it’s happening. And they need to be aware of how the collected information is being used. But it’s difficult for most of us to determine just what’s going on under the hood of those devices.

Coffeemakers didn’t used to need privacy policies. Neither did dishwashers, thermostats, and cars. Yet today, connected versions of those products come with reams of legal language that you’re asked to agree to. Arguably, you shouldn’t have to read a privacy policy to learn whether an appliance is tracking you—and if you do try to read those policies, you’ll probably find them difficult to decipher.

An analysis by Consumer Reports in cooperation with Georgetown Law’s Center on Privacy & Technology shows that many privacy policies for connected devices are vague, confusing, and sweeping. In the absence of strong privacy laws, that legalese matters, says Alvaro Bedoya, the center’s executive director. “Your privacy protections on these devices largely turn on those policies—the little, fine-print promises that companies make about your data,” he says.

When the effects of policies are revealed, consumers may be surprised, or even shocked. In February the media reported that LG and Samsung smart TVs allowed those companies to transmit household conversations to third parties. At first blush, the technology seemed truly unsettling; if you and your husband argued over your bills during an episode of “The Voice,” would debt-consolidation companies suddenly start texting you?

In reality, sending your living-room chatter to a third-party company is just a matter of technological convenience for the TV makers. One of the features of those high-end TVs is voice control, and no television has the built-in processing power to do complex voice recognition. So when users hit the button on their remotes to engage voice control, the recorded audio is sent out to a partner company. (It’s the same basic technology that enables Apple’s Siri.) But the privacy policies didn’t clearly explain when the TVs were recording or where the voice data was going—nor promise that the data wouldn’t be used for other purposes in the future. The backlash caused Samsung, at least, to clarify its privacy policy, although the technology remains functionally the same.

We found other, more intriguing stuff buried in the policies of several smart-TV makers. Many of the sets automatically monitor and identify video that comes across consumers’ screens, including broadcast TV, streaming videos, and even your own DVDs. Our subsequent investigation found that the TVs send the viewing data to partner companies few consumers have heard of, such as Cognitive Networks and Enswers.

Those companies make no secret of how they plan to use consumer data. In its pitch to advertisers and TV makers, Cognitive’s website describes its business this way: “ . . . we enable TV content providers to increase their revenues by offering enhanced advertising opportunities to their customers. And since they’re using our [Cognitive’s] technology on your [the manufacturers’] TVs, this generates an ongoing revenue stream back to you for every set in market.”

In other words, the manufacturer can sell you a TV, then continue to make money by monitoring what you watch and sending customized ads to you, and also selling the aggregate viewing data to advertisers and content providers. It’s a potential moneymaker for everybody—except you.

Even companies that aren’t trying to directly monetize your data can be putting consumer privacy at risk. Profiles of user habits and behavior stored on company servers could be subject to data breaches, as Target’s and Home Depot’s credit-card files were.

And the devices themselves can be vulnerable to hackers. HP Fortify on Demand, a security business owned by Hewlett-Packard, studied 10 connected products in 2014, including TVs, door locks, and home alarms. Daniel Miessler, the unit’s head of security research, says that eight of the 10 devices did not require a complex password, seven failed to encrypt data during transmission, and six had user interfaces that were so insecure that attackers could reset passwords.

Poking holes in the security of connected-­home devices has become a popular sport among researchers. Last year a security instructor named Joshua Wright took advantage of a vulnerability in Z-Wave, a wireless standard used to automate home appliances. Using the hack, he was able to open smart locks from several feet away.

Researchers at a startup called Synack said they found security flaws in 16 devices they tested, including cameras, thermostats, and smoke detectors. And HP’s Miessler was able to gain control of home security cameras by intercepting and modifying software updates that were being transmitted to the devices.

That type of hacking requires patience and immense expertise—for the first person who attempts it. But hackers share information. Once a vulnerability has been exposed, any malicious actor with a little bit of technical skill can repeat many hacks. Device makers would do well to learn from the lessons of the computer industry. Good digital security is an act of vigilance, and manufacturers need to constantly update the security of their products as new threats emerge.

Concerns about the Internet of Things have not gone unnoticed by government agencies. The Federal Trade Commission issued a detailed report on the subject this past January that recommended best practices for companies, such as building security into devices in the design process and requiring strong passwords. Then in March the FTC announced the creation of a new division devoted to those products, declaring that from a security and privacy perspective, particular challenges were posed by “the predicted pervasive introduction of sensors and devices into currently intimate spaces—such as the home, the car,” and wearables.

But laws and policy move slowly, and technology evolves quickly. In March, Facebook launched a platform to help developers create apps for connected devices. Imagine what could happen if the company that mastered the science of turning personal relationships into corporate profit was monitoring the relationship between you and your smart fridge.

“The Internet of Things is perhaps the clearest example of how technology is outpacing our privacy laws,” Bedoya says. “Our laws just aren’t ready for it.”

For now, it’s up to consumers to shape the future of these technologies, by buying only products they feel comfortable with—and speaking up when they don’t like what they see. Smart televisions offer convenience; they can also collect data to help TV makers target viewers with advertising. That may be an acceptable trade-off for some consumers but not for others. As the Internet of Things expands and policies shapeshift, the best consumer-protection advocates may be consumers themselves.

This article also appeared in the June 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The convenience of laundry detergent packets has a dangerous downside: Since their introduction in 2012, tens of thousands of children have been exposed to the colorful, bite-sized packages, leading to hundreds of hospital visits for injuries that include seizures, vomiting, and respiratory arrest. ASTM International, the non-profit standards-setting organization, is developing a voluntary standard designed to make the packets safer. Consumers Union, the public policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, joined other consumer groups this week in casting a negative vote for the initial proposal, arguing that its protections don’t go far enough.

The standard calls for child-resistant outer packaging and clearer warning labels. Those are two positive changes, but other tough protections are needed, especially since many children gain access to loose packets that have been removed from their original container. That includes the one known fatality, involving a 7-month old Florida boy who ate a laundry packet that had been left out on the bed where he was sleeping.

In light of this, we believe the ASTM standard should address the potential failure of outer-package deterrents by also requiring the laundry packets themselves to be individually wrapped. Several varieties of single-use dishwasher detergent, including Finish Powerball Tabs, use this packaging method, so we know it’s feasible. We would also support ASTM efforts to fully adopt requirements (based on those already adopted by the European Union) that address the taste and burst strength of the film covering each packet. That way, even if a child were to access a laundry packet, the chance of actual exposure would be reduced.

With another 30 or so children being exposed to laundry packets each day, we’re hopeful that ASTM will take our position into consideration as it moves the voluntary standard to the next stage. Meanwhile, we continue to support the Detergent Poisoning And Child Safety (PACS) Act of 2015, introduced earlier this year in the House and Senate.     

If you have kids or take care of young children, keep detergent packets out of their reach. And if a child does ingest a packet, call the poison-control helpline immediately at 800-222-1222.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Whether you've got a beefy lawn tractor or a small walk-behind mower, your mowing will go easier and be more effective if you follow a few simple rules. Old mowers can power on if you keep them maintained. And if you need a new mower, check the results of Consumer Reports' latest mower tests where you'll find top push, self-propelled and riding mowers. Here are some tips from our pros:

Maintain the mower. Have your mower blades sharpened monthly, or at least twice during the mowing season. And clean out clippings and debris after mowing to maintain cutting quality and prevent rusting.

Plan your cut. Mow only dry grass. And don’t mow too quickly, especially if you’re using the mulching feature on your mower or tractor, because mulchers need extra time to process the grass. Try to alternate directions when you mow; that helps disperse clippings for a cleaner, healthier lawn.

Let the lawn go brown. The color change is merely an indication that the grass is entering a natural state of dormancy to conserve nutrients. It should green up again after the next rain. Only when grass turns from tan-brown to straw-colored do you need to water it.

Take care on slopes. In addition to being dangerous, driving mowers at higher speeds and making sudden turns over hills tends to tear up turf. With a walk-behind mower, mow side to side. With a tractor or rider, mow straight up and down slopes unless your manual says otherwise. Go especially slow down hills if you own a zero-turn-radius mower.

More on mowers

• Best and worst walk-behind mowers
• The best riding mower for your property
• Keep your mower going for 15 years or more
• Tips from the pros on essential lawn gear

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Spend $300 or less on a gas grill, as most Americans do, and it will probably be at the curb in three years. For $450 to $1,000 you can get a grill that delivers impressive or even top performance with some midgrade stainless steel and sturdy construction. At $1,000 and up, cooking performance may not be better than the top midpriced grills Consumer Reports has tested—and it can be worse—but expect superior construction and more features.

Grills $1,000 to $2,600 are mostly stainless or even all stainless and are sold at specialty stores and at the websites of big box stores. Higher quality stainless and thicker grates made of stainless steel or cast iron are part of the deal, and so are burner warranties of 10 years or longer and added features, such as independently controlled burners, LED lights on the interior or controls, and a pull-out tray for the propane tank. Here’s a look at some high-end gas grills that we’ve tested that offer impressive performance. They’re also available in natural gas versions or you can buy a natural gas conversion kit.

Midsized grills (fit 18 to 28 burgers)

• Napoleon Prestige P500RSIB, $1,500
• Vermont Castings Signature Series VCS325SSP, $1,350

Large grills (fit 28 burgers or more)

• Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB, $2,600
• Kenmore Elite 3358, $1,800
• Napoleon Mirage M730RSBIPSS-2, $1,650
• Weber Summit E-670, $2,500
• Vermont Castings Signature Series VCS524SSP, $2,500

Our gas grill Ratings have the details on every model and you can use the compare tool to look at five models at a time. Reviews from our readers offer useful information and so does the gas grill buying guide. Questions? Feel free to e-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org.

—Kimberly Janeway 

Spending more time outside? Here's our outdoor entertainment guide on how to find the best gas grills, furniture, fire pits, and wireless speakers for your backyard. It's a good idea to paint or stain your deck before party season begins.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

A chain saw can be an intimidating power tool and to be safe you need to learn how to handle one. Maintaining a gas-powered handheld chain saw takes some expertise—you need to keep the chain tensioned, sharp, and oiled, and replace it now and then. Unless you own a large piece of property with lots of trees, the hassles of ownership may outweigh the benefits. If so, you’ve got plenty of options that will work for all but the biggest jobs. Here are three other tools to consider:

Bow saw

Even if you have a well-running chain saw, sometimes you just need to make a quick cut or two. A bow saw can handle many of the same cuts while saving wear and tear on a chain saw. Bow saws are capable of handling up to about a 10- to 12-inch tree, and replaceable blades mean that there’s nothing to sharpen. Look for a minimum 24-inch blade—smaller ones are suitable only for small branches—or even 30-inch. You'll need a sturdy blade guard for safe storage between cuts; lightweight guards tend to break easily. Some saws have hand guards to protect your knuckles.
Cost: $25-$45 for a quality 24-inch saw. Extra blades cost about $10.

Lopper

With long handles and pincers, loppers are great for snipping off lots of small branches and twigs in a slower, safer way than you might with a power tool. Loppers typically handle branches and roots up to 1 ½ to 2 inches and come with anvil or bypass blades. The latter are claimed to offer easier cutting, though we haven’t tested the claim. Want more power for slightly larger branches? Consider the corded-electric Black & Decker Alligator Lopper LP1000, $75. It cuts branches up to about 4 inches but, like a chainsaw, requires the usual chain maintenance.
Cost: $20-$35 for a typical hand-operated tool

Reciprocating saw

Suitable for cutting lots of branches in a hurry, these powered saws are also just right for cutting out roots in places where the blade might get damaged when in use.  Reciprocating saws typically come with 3-inch blades (for other materials as well as wood), but for about $3 each you can buy replacement blades up to 9 inches for wood or branches up to about 6 inches. Cordless models cost more than corded, and they’re more maneuverable.
Cost: $100-$200 for a cordless model with battery; $65-$120 for most corded models.

When only a chain saw will do

All three of these tools are a handy backup to a chain saw as well as a replacement for more modest tasks. But when you need a chain saw, you’ll know it. Our chain saw Ratings of more than 40 models includes heavy-duty gas models such as the Echo CS-590-20, $400, lighter-duty gas models including the Stihl MS 180 C-BE, $230, the corded-electric Worx WG303.1, $100, and the battery-powered EGO CS1401, $300. For more information, be sure to check our chain saw buying guide.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The average yard contains 10 times more chemicals per acre than a typical commercial farm. You can make your lawn less toxic by skipping the nitrogen-rich, fast-releasing fertilizer. Instead, mulch grass clippings when you mow and apply compost once or twice per year.

But what about all of the weeds that can ravage a yard, especially during the summer months? Thick, healthy turfgrass is the best defense because it won’t allow weeds to take root in the first place. Overseeding thin spots in the lawn will help maintain a thick carpet. In garden beds, a layer of mulch, whether bark chips or mulched leaves, will keep weeds down and retain moisture in the soil.

Even with those precautions, some weeds are bound to infiltrate your property. Blasting them with Roundup isn’t the best idea because the health effects of glyphosate, an active ingredient, and other herbicides like it aren’t fully understood. (The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, recently determined that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen.)

Here are 10 common weeds and pests that plague homeowners nationwide, along with chemical-free measures that should be effective in bringing them under control. For more information, go to the websites of Beyond Pesticides and the Great Healthy Yard Project.

Dandelion

What is it? A perennial weed whose common yellow flowers turn to windblown seed.
Telltale signs. Though a handful of dandelions is no big deal, a lawn that’s ablaze in yellow has underlying problems that need to be addressed.
How to treat. Like many broadleaf weeds, dandelions prefer compacted soil, so going over the lawn with a core aerator (available for rent at home centers) might eradicate them. It also helps to correct soil imbalances, especially low calcium.

Barberry

What is it? An invasive shrub with green leaves and yellow flowers, often found in yards near wooded areas.
Telltale signs. Left unchecked, the shrub’s dense thickets will start to choke off native trees and plants.
How to treat. Cut back the stems and paint their tips with horticultural vinegar or clove oil (repeated ­applications may be needed). ­Burning the tips with a weed torch might also work.

Crabgrass

What is it? An annual weed with a spreading growth habit. It’s common in the Northeast, in lawns with poor soil conditions.
Telltale signs. Lots of bald spots, especially after the first freeze, when crabgrass dies off.
How to treat. Have your soil tested. Lime or sulfur may be needed to adjust the pH. Aeration is also recommended. Corn-gluten meal, applied in early spring, can be an effective natural pre-emergent herbicide.

Kudzu

What is it? An aggressive climbing vine that’s common in parts of the Southeast and the Midwest.
Telltale signs. The thick vine forms a canopy over trees and shrubs, killing them by blocking out sunlight.
How to treat. Pull out the vine and, if possible, its taproot. Be sure to bag and destroy the plant or its vines will regerminate. If the root is too thick, paint the stump with horticultural vinegar or clove oil repeatedly, or burn it with a weed torch.

Canadian Thistle

What is it? An aggressive creeping perennial weed that’s found throughout the U.S.
Telltale signs. Look for outbreaks in vegetable gardens, particularly those with peas and beans.
How to treat. Repeated hand weeding and tilling of the soil will weaken its extensive root system. Planting competitive crops, such as alfalfa and forage grasses, will keep it from returning.

Fig Buttercup

What is it? A perennial weed with yellow flowers and shiny, dark green leaves. It’s common in many parts of the East, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest.
Telltale signs. The weed will start to crowd out other spring-flowering plants. It can also spread rapidly over a lawn, forming a solid blanket in place of your turfgrass.
How to treat. Remove small infestations by hand, taking up the entire plant and tubers. For larger outbreaks, apply lemongrass oil or horticultural vinegar once per week when the weeds first emerge. It might take up to six weeks to eradicate.

Phragmites

What is it? An invasive grass species found nationwide, especially in coastal wetlands.
Telltale signs. Dense weeds can crowd out other plant species without providing value to wildlife.
How to treat. Cut back the stalks and cover the area with clear plastic tarps, a process known as solarizing. Then replant the area with native grasses.

Grubs

What are they? A variety of white C-shaped beetles that live in soil and feed on plant roots.
Telltale signs. Large, irregular sections of brown turf that easily pull away from the soil.
How to treat. Release beneficial nematodes into the soil each year; these tiny roundworms feed on grubs. Milky spore powder works longer-term on Japanese grub beetles. If you’re up for raising chickens, they eat grubs.

Chinch bugs

What are they? Insects 1/6-inch long with a gray-black body, white wings, and reddish legs.
Telltale signs. Copper-colored patches, usually seen during the summer months.
How to treat. Give the lawn a little extra water. Prevent thatch by not overfertilizing or cutting grass too short. Remove thatch with a dethatching rake. For small infestations, drench area with soapy water and cover with a white sheet; the bugs will cling to it, making disposal easy.

Bagworms

What are they? The larval stage of moths, these worms, a half-inch to 3 inches long, hang from the branches of evergreens and ornamental plants.
Telltale signs. Early signs include brown or stressed needles and leaves. Heavy infestations can defoliate a tree or shrub.
How to treat. Plant asters or black-eyed Susans nearby. They attract bagworm-killing insects, such as parasitoid wasps and tachinid flies. For major outbreaks, apply Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacterium sold at most garden stores.

When faced with just a few weeds, it’s best to remove them by hand. Mechanical tools keep you off your knees, though in the past we found they couldn’t always pluck weeds with long taproots, especially from highly compacted soil.

Diane Lewis, whose Great Healthy Yard Project shows homeowners how to maintain attractive yards without chemicals, likes Fiskars’ uproot weed remover, $30. With its step-down and pullback action, the tool’s stainless-steel tines are designed to pull up the weed and root system. “After a good rainfall is the ideal time,” Lewis says, “since the loosened soil will give up the whole weed.”

Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the June 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Q. I’m about to replace my 10-year-old Kenmore HE3t front-loading washing machine. I’m leery of another front-loader because of my constant battle with mold. Have new front-loaders been cured of that problem, or should I change to a top-loader?—Karen Corson, Bel Air, MD

A. Manufacturers have taken various steps to alleviate the problem some front-loading washers have had with mold. That said, because multiple factors could have led to your problem, we can’t guarantee that it won’t happen again. If you’re still interested in a front-loader, read the user reviews on individual model pages for the front-loading washing machines that we review to see whether anyone has encountered a mold problem in a model you’re considering. There are a number of HE top-loaders we recommend, but they don’t achieve the same level of performance in our tests that front-loaders do. They may have advantages over front-loaders, however, in terms of loading and unloading, and fewer potential vibration issues.

For more information check our washing machine buying guide and Ratings and watch our video below.

Send your questions to ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.

This article also appeared in the June 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Susan Hable approaches color as a textile designer and artist, not an interior designer, and is the author of the recently published “A Colorful Home: Create Lively Palettes for Every Room.” But it’s not just her artistry and expertise that draws you in. When talk turns to the challenges of picking paint colors for walls, she offers terrific advice but adds, “At the end of the day it’s just paint. It’s not life or death and it should be fun.”

For Hable, there are two approaches to color in a space. Minimal spaces are white rooms that drop in a burst of color; maximalist rooms are wrapped in color, a full commitment. And where does choosing paint colors go wrong? “Looking at the small paint chip and not thinking that you’ll be engulfed in this color is a big mistake,” she says. And so is painting the walls bright and colorful in a child’s room when children already have many bright and colorful things in the room. “So the walls don’t have to do this,” Hable says. “If orange is a favorite color you can use color a few steps down that will enhance it, like a pale coral wall.” Here’s some advice from Hable’s book and our chat with her.

Look to your favorite things

Create a palette for your home by gathering up four or five of your favorite objects. You’ll start to notice that you’re drawn to certain colors. Then pick four or five colors from this group to start a palette.

Step outside

A store’s lighting will affect your take on the colors shown in paint chips so step outside the store to get another look in natural light and a better feel for the color’s undertones.

Factor in finish

The paint’s finish absorbs light or reflects it, says Hable, adding that high gloss walls draw your eye up and adds impact while a more matted, eggshell paint has a softer appeal for open space.

Zero in on the palette’s core color

Paint sample colors on heavy paper to use as your backdrop. Add in inspiration you’ve collected—swatches, natural elements, and spices—to figure out the combinations you want to create. Live with the palette for a few weeks, observing the effects of changing light on the colors throughout the day and swap colors, as you like. Happy? Now you can translate the palette into a room.

Think how you want to feel in this space

“I’m not afraid of color but consider that you are going to be wrapped in this color,” says Hable. “There are emotions that come with colors and how they make you feel. A red room to sleep in?” She leans to pale blue since she finds it calming. Do you want to feel calm, relaxed, happy, or energized in this room? And how will you use this space, what activities will occur here?

Consider the room’s location

Take a look at what the room connects to and what the room you’re going to paint looks like from other rooms. “I like rooms to flow somehow. I stand in each room and see the color in the next room,” says Hable.

Be patient

 “I came about a pale pink room after many tries,” she says. “Buy the small paint samples and test on your wall. Let it be there for a day or two. If you’re trigger happy and pick a paint you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak, even interior designers take their time.” Paint big swaths in different areas of the room and notice the effects of the changing light throughout the day.

And as Hable says, have fun. Check out our interior paint Ratings to find the best and worst paints we tested. Our ratings include Behr, Valspar, Clark+Kensington, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Farrow & Ball, and more. Our tests found that a brand's flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss paints perform similarly overall, so we've combined the scores to make it easier for you to compare. Questions? E-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Keeping track of when to change the oil, sharpen the blades, or replace the filters of your riding mower used to be a combination of checking the mower's hour meter and following guidelines in your owner's manual. But now MTD is giving owners of their latest Cub Cadet tractors the option to use their smartphone and a Cub Connect app to help schedule routine maintenance.

Setting up the Cub Connect app with the Cub Cadet XT tractor Consumer Reports tested was no trouble. The module is built into the hour meter in many of the brand’s latest models, and it connects via Bluetooth to the Cub Connect app, which can run on iOS or Android phones. In little time we could spot-check maintenance needs, and the app lets you take the lead on who does the necessary upkeep.

Like to do it yourself? The app shows you how, step-by-step, with videos where appropriate. You also get a parts list for any given procedure, and a way to order them online. Prefer to have your local dealer do the work? The app will help you locate dealers and schedule a tune-up.

During our tests, we observed what the app was tracking and saw the air filter (replaced every 100 hours), engine oil (change initially after five hours), blades (sharpened every 50 hours), and battery. There are also scheduled tasks recommended for every 10, 25, 50, and 100 hours. Once you’ve completed a task, you reset the monitor for that task, and the app will log it as completed.

The app is designed to operate more in the background than in your face—nagging isn't part of the program. And if your phone is out of commission or off while charging, it’s no problem: The meter in the tractor will keep track of the hours and update the app once you reestablish contact.

The one caveat to mention is that Cub Cadet is among the more repair-prone brands of lawn tractors and zero-turn-radius riders. Perhaps with regular use of the Cub Connect app, you could help the odds that your machine will last as long as it should.

Be sure to check our lawn mower buying guide if you’re in the market for some new gear. Top picks from our riding mower Ratings include the 42-inch John Deere X300 lawn tractor, $3,000; the 54-inch, wide-deck Craftsman 20445, $3,500; and the 42-inch Troy-Bilt Mustang 42" 17WFCACS, $2,300, a zero-turn-radius rider.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Consumer Reports analysts track prices all year-round, so we can tell you when things are at their deepest discounts, month by month. If you crave a new MP3 player, carpeting, or a lawn mower, you can find great deals on them in May.

Planting May flowers? This is the month many of us can finally get out and work in our yards and start exercising outdoors; luckily you'll also find great prices on athletic apparel and shoes. Nature-lovers will benefit from sales on outdoor gear such as camping equipment.

Small consumer electronics and cordless phones will be discounted, and you can find lower prices on mattresses. This year you'll also find some deals on hybrid cars.

If you're in the market for any of those discounted items, we've got shopping tips and buying guides that can help you find the right models. Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? Check our calendar of deals.

––Mandy Walker (@MandyWalker on Twitter)

Our panelists have logged thousands of miles evaluating running, walking, and cross-training shoes. We've tested them on pavement, in gyms, and in our labs, too. We've checked whether the front of the shoe flexed enough to let you push off easily with the ball of your foot. And we've measured stability (control of ankle motion), shock absorption at the forefoot and heel (where the impact is greatest), and breathability (the ability to dissipate moisture).

Shopping tips:

Weight matters. The lighter the shoe, the better—as long as cushioning and stability don't suffer. For more tips, see our athletic shoe buying guide.

Time it right. Ask salespeople at your favorite retailers when markdowns tend to occur. An associate at Kohl’s, for example, told us they typically mark down the most stuff on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. And don’t forget about outlets. Additional price slashing generally takes place on holidays, including the 4^th of July. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, when there are fewer shoppers. Plus that’s often when new merchandise is delivered.

About 40 million Americans go camping each year. That's more than the number who play golf.

Shopping tips:

Consider size carefully. When we tested tents in the past, we found you'd be wise to doubt most tents' claimed accommodations. If a package says the tent fits eight people, that may be true only if they're stacked like cordwood or stash their gear in the car. Also keep in mind that large tents can weigh more than 30 pounds and often require two people to set up. Small tents generally weigh 6 to 11 pounds, but they can feel confining.

Shop around. To find the best tent for you and your family, visit several stores, including big box stores such as Sears and Walmart, and sporting-goods chains. You can also buy online, but set it up in a store first to see how easy it is to put up and and walk (or crawl) inside to check how many people it will comfortably fit. While you're at the store, see if the staff will beat any deals you found online.

Even the most luxurious carpet doesn't have to cost a fortune. Shop around to find carpet that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Shopping tips:

Get a complete quote. Always request separate pricing for materials and installation so you can make an "apples-to-apples" comparison among different suppliers.

Think about carpet care. The wrong carpet may wear out quickly, fade, or show stains that resist your best cleaning efforts. Our carpet cleaner buying guide lists the pros and cons of DIY carpet cleaning versus hiring an expert. Our Ratings of carpet cleaning machines show which ones did best in our tests. We also have stain-fighting tips in our carpet stain remover buying guide, and Ratings of the most effective stain-removing products. And we've found that upright vacuums, especially with a bag, clean carpets best.

Our tests show that many new cordless phones have very good overall voice quality. Some are excellent, approaching the voice quality of the best corded phones.  

Shopping tips:

Give it a try. In the store, hold the handset to see whether it fits the contours of your face. The earpiece should have rounded edges and a recessed center that fits nicely over the middle of your ear. Check the buttons and controls to make sure they're reasonably sized and legible.

Get some backup. Most cordless phones won't work without electricity unless they have some kind of power backup system. Look for a compartment in the charging base for a spare handset battery pack or for alkaline batteries for base-power backup. For more shopping tips, see our cordless phone buying guide.

Lower gas prices have cooled car buyers' interest in hybrids. To lure them back to showrooms, automakers have rolled out some of the biggest incentives in the industry on hybrids and electric cars. Some of the deals won't last through this month, but a couple will be around through early July.

Shopping tips:

Check our fuel economy figures. Hybrid technology comes in many forms, and not all hybrids are ultra efficient. Our data show that full-hybrids (those capable of driving on electric power alone for at least short distances) yield the biggest improvements in fuel economy.  

New vs. used If you're considering whether to buy a new or used hybrid, there are several factors to consider. The most important may be obsolescence. Hybrid technology is moving at almost personal-electronics speed. Reliable used hybrids can be a welcome alternative. The used-car market is about three times the size of the new-car market, so there's plenty of choice out there. For more tips, check out our Hybrid/EV buying guide. Subscribers can find out which models shine in our Ratings.  

While you're checking out the great deals on mowers this month, read our buying guide to decide which type of mower fits your needs; subscribers can find our recommended models in each category in our Ratings.

Shopping tips

Don't be swayed by numbers. Our latest tests confirm that more horsepower doesn't necessarily mean higher-quality mowing. Mower manufacturers have swapped horsepower numbers for engine-size and torque specifications, but even those don't guarantee better results.

Consider your lawn. A gas or electric push mower is fine for a small lawn. But you'll probably prefer a self-propelled gas model for slopes and a lawn tractor for a lawn one-half acre or larger.

Manufacturers usually modify innerspring mattresses for different sellers, changing the color, padding, quilting pattern, and so forth. Then each seller can call the mattress by a different name. Because such mattresses are at least somewhat different, and the names vary, you can't comparison shop. (A big chain such as Sears or Bloomingdale's has the same model names for the same beds at all of its stores, usually at the same price.)

Shopping tips:

Take them for a spin. Buy at a store, not online or over the phone, unless you've already tried the identical mattress in a store. A product manager for Tempur-Pedic told us that more online customers return their mattresses than shoppers who buy in a store.

Shop back to front. Start out with the least expensive bed from a few top brands, and work your way up in cost. Stores keep the priciest models up front, so head to the back of the store first. Our mattress buying guide contains lots of additional shopping tips. We put mattresses to tough tests; you can see which ones came out on top in our Ratings.  

Early fall is a good time to buy many small consumer electronics such as MP3 players, DVD players, and Blu-ray players. As with many items you buy, deciding which ones are right for you depends on which type fit your needs and come with features that are important to you. Our buying guides can help; for example, we have one for MP3s, DVD players, and Blu-ray players, and a list of other electronics guides. Subscribers can also access our ratings of MP3s and Blu-ray players.

Shopping tips

Give them a try. For example, whichever type of MP3 player you choose, make sure you'll be comfortable using the device. Look for a display that is easy to read and controls that can be worked with one hand, useful features iPods lack. When it comes to home theaters, audition systems in the store and ask about a return or exchange if the one you buy doesn't suit you.

Consider online retailers, too. In recent years, the Consumer Reports readers we've surveyed who shopped online were more satisfied overall than those who shopped at a walk-in store. In fact, websites as a whole outdid walk-in stores for quality, selection, and price.

Wondering where you should go to get the best deal on electronics? Watch the video below to find out.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The sudden death of Silicon Valley executive Dave Goldberg is a tragic reminder of how dangerous exercise equipment can be. The 47-year-old Goldberg, who was on vacation with family and friends in Mexico, died on Friday, reportedly of head trauma and blood loss after falling off a treadmill. Between their powerful motors, fast-spinning belts, and dangling cords, treadmills cause tens of thousands of injuries each year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many of the injuries involve children, though adults are vulnerable as well, as this latest tragedy shows. The following safety tips from Consumer Reports’ exercise experts will help minimize the risks, whether you’re operating a treadmill at home or at an outside gym. 

Clear the area

Some of the most dangerous treadmill accidents involve people who loose their footing and end up pinned between a wall and the machine, whose spinning belt can cause serious skin burns and shearing. Clearance requirements vary by machine, so always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. If that information isn’t available, a good rule of thumb, according to ASTM International, a standard setting organization, is to leave at least 6 1/2 feet of free space at the back of the treadmill and about 1 1/2 feet at either side.        

Use the safety key

Even with adequate clearances around the treadmill, you should always use the safety key that’s found on all machines. One end plugs into the console and the other end clips onto your clothing. If you fall, the key will pop out of the console and the treadmill should come to a safe stop. 

Straddle the deck

Avoid starting the treadmill while standing on the belt. The motion could catch you by surprise and knock you off balance, sending you flying. Get into the habit of straddling the deck and allowing the belt to start moving before stepping on it.  

Keep your head up

If you’re new to the treadmill, you may be tempted to look at your feet as you run. But looking down (or off to the side) can cause you to lose your balance and fall. Always keep your head up and look ahead at the console or another focal point in the room.

Don’t overdo it

Keep track of your heart rate while you exercise. Many treadmills have hand contact heart rate monitors or you can use a separate monitor with a chest strap. We prefer chest strap monitors because they’re generally more reliable and you don’t have to worry about holding onto contact sensors while running, which can present its own balancing challenges.  

For normal healthy people, working at a moderate level of intensity is recommended. That means a target heart rate of between 64 and 76 percent of maximum heart rate (which is 220 minus your age). To work at a vigorous intensity, you should have clearance from your physician or have been exercising for a while. If you experience any signs or symptoms associated with heart attacks (chest pain, left arm or jaw pain, or numbness or dizziness) stop immediately and seek medical attention. 

Come to a complete stop

Trying to save time by hopping off the treadmill before it stops is another possible cause of injury. Always let the belt come to a complete stop before dismounting. It’s also important for you to know where the emergency shut-off button is located on the machine so that you can disable it immediately if necessary.

Keep children away

Children between the ages of 1 and 6 sustain more injuries from treadmills than any other age group. The injuries are often caused by falls leading to contusions and abrasions after the machine is accidentally turned on. Always remove the safety key and keep it out of reach when the treadmill is not in use. There have also been cases of children dying by asphyxiation after their necks become entangled in electrical wires hanging from the control panel. So the best policy is to keep children away from your home treadmill at all times.         

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The race for space on your counter is on. Big brands like KitchenAid and Electrolux are launching lines of small appliances to complement their large ones. And both new and established brands are coming up with clever ways to help you prepare and cook tasty meals.  Consumer Reports has tested a variety of small specialty appliances to see which deserve a place on your counter and which don’t. Here’s the details.

KitchenAid Multi-Cooker

We paid $400 for the 4-quart KitchenAid Multi-Cooker and an optional Stir Tower accessory.  KitchenAid claims it, “delivers consistent culinary results with more than 10 cooking methods for amazing versatility.” Pre-programmed settings are sauté, sear, soup, yogurt, risotto, rice, boil/steam, simmer, keep warm (up to 24 hours), and slow cook low and high.
Worth the space? We caramelized onions (yum!) and cooked chili, ham, grits, and much more.  The KitchenAid Multi-Cooker might be just the right gift for the person who likes to cook.
Read the full story.

Stirio Hands-Free Stirrer

The Stirio Hands-Free Stirrer, $54, “clamps onto your pot and will stir any food; for example, porridge, risotto, or stew, while you can put your feet up and enjoy a glass of wine or set the table.” The Norway manufacturer, Unikia, also claims that Stirio is safe to use with nonstick coated pots, the rechargeable motor provides at least one hour of stirring before you recharge it, the motor is “silent.”
Worth the space? Stirio works best on sauces and soups, which usually don’t require constant stirring. Making risotto was a challenge and Stirio wasn’t that quiet.
Read the full story.

Ronco Ready Grill

Ronco claims the $120 indoor grill makes delicious, grilled meals in just 20 minutes. Ronco says the smokeless grill offers true grilled flavor and that it even cooks frozen foods straight from the freezer. The removable grill basket and drip tray make cleanup a snap.
Worth the space? We tested the Ronco by cooking fried chicken, French fries, steak, sausage, bacon, toasted cheese sandwiches, and burgers and found the Ronco grill preheated fast, cooks much faster than a regular oven, and was even faster than a convection oven.
Read the full story.

Philips Digital Airfryer

Philips claims this odd-looking appliance “fries, bakes, roasts, and grills with a tablespoon of oil or less.” It says the $349 appliance cooks fast with perfect results, and that it’s easy to use.
Worth the space? Testers were sad to see the Philips Airfryer leave our labs. It quickly preheats, cooks much faster than a regular oven and turned out delicious meat and potatoes. The instructions suggest cutting cooking times in half and reducing conventional oven temperatures by 70° F for pre-made packaged foods, but you’ll have to experiment.
Read the full story.

Wolfgang Puck Pressure Oven

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck wants families to gather at the dinner table and enjoy a great meal together. He admits that’s hard to do, and his solution is the Wolfgang Puck Pressure Oven, $250. Puck promises that you can cook extraordinary meals just like he does and that food cooks in one-third the time. He adds that the $249 Pressure Oven can replace your oven, toaster, and microwave.
Worth the space? It works, but not as dramatically as claimed. And don’t give away your toaster or microwave yet. The manual for the Wolfgang Puck Pressure Oven says it takes 7 minutes for lightly toasted bread—most toasters pop up medium toast in about 2 minutes—and a cup of water won’t come to a boil like it does in a microwave.
Read the full story.

Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker

Fuss-free functionality is still the biggest appeal of slow cookers. You simply add in the ingredients, turn on the cooker, and some hours later, dinner is served. Now Crock-Pot, the brand synonymous with slow cooking, is rethinking the product with the WeMo-enabled Smart Slow Cooker, the first slow cooker that you can control and monitor from your smartphone.
Worth the space? The smart Crock-Pot, $150, did a fine job of heating water and it also turned out a pretty nice beef stew. But so did lower-cost models without the connectivity.
Read the full story.

BakerStone Pizza Oven Box

What if you could turn your gas grill into a gourmet pizza oven for about $150? The BakerStone Pizza Oven Box is supposed to do just that, and fast, turning out pizzas in two to four minutes. The grill pros and pizza master at Consumer Reports ate a lot of pizza to put these claims to the test.
Worth the space? The pizzas took about four minutes to bake in the box and less time to devour.
Read the full story.

Remington iCoffee

The Remington iCoffee, $150, looks like a conventional drip coffeemaker with a giant basket. But the differences are more dramatic. While a traditional drip coffeemaker showers the coffee grounds with water from above, the iCoffee uses SteamBrew, a process that uses hot water jets to soak and stir the grounds in a swirling soup, akin to a French press.
Worth the space? At the beginning and end of the brewing process, the machine plays notes from Mozart’s "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" perhaps a suggestion that you and your coffeemaker will make beautiful music together.
Read the full story.

Cuisinart Steam Advantage CSO-300

The Cuisinart Steam Advantage CSO-300, $300, looks like a regular toaster oven, which means its size limits you to cooking one dish at a time, but it has a removable reservoir that you fill with tap water. The results were impressive in our tests. When set to 450° F steam-bake mode, the Cuisinart cooked a fairly evenly browned 4-pound chicken in about 40 minutes—half the time needed for a conventional electric oven set to 350° F.
Worth the space? We liked the chicken but didn’t save any time cooking rice or broccoli, compared to when we prepared them on a cooktop and in a microwave. Our steam-baked loaf of bread was slightly crispier than the bread turned out by a conventional oven.
Read the full story.

Breville Juice Fountain Elite

Breville makes a lot of exceptional small appliances, including our top-rated food processor, the Breville Sous Chef BFP800XL/A, and our number one toaster oven, the Breville Smart Oven BOV800XL. It can now add juicer to the list of things it does well, after the Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL/B, $300, landed on our list of top juicer picks.
Worth the space? Breville's extractor-style juicer cranked out very good juice, plus it has many of the convenience features we look for, including an extra-wide feed tube, which means less cutting up of fruits and vegetables, plus a separate juice jug and pulp container.
Read the full story.

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

Blenders
Coffeemakers
Food processors
Microwaves
Mixers
Toasters

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The deep-voiced announcer on a current John Deere commercial makes it plain: “When it’s time to pick a mower, you gotta get on one,” a practice Consumer Reports routinely recommends. The commercial ends with the company's slogan, "Nothing runs like a Deere." But in our tests we discovered that even though John Deere lawn tractors and riders are among the best you can buy, some run a little better than others.  Deere's dealers sell machines that you can't find at your local home center. Here's the difference.

At the dealer

Select Series X-class John Deere lawn tractors ($3,000 to $4,000), sold by authorized dealers, have long been top picks in our lawn tractor Ratings. The John Deere X300, John Deere X304, and John Deere X310 sport twin-cylinder Kawasaki engines, considered among the longest-lasting; heavier-duty transmissions that are well-suited to towing or pushing; and sturdy construction you can feel when you're driving it.

At home centers

Deere's D-class tractors such as the John Deere D125 or John Deere D110, sold at Home Depot and Lowe’s, typically make our top picks list yet cost under $2,000. These models feature Briggs & Stratton engines, capable transmissions, and lighter-weight construction all-around. Unfortunately, while you can sit on one at the home center, you can’t give it a test drive except on certain “demo days.”

How to compare

If you’re committed to the Deere brand, which is among the most reliable lawn tractors, you can visit an authorized dealer to get some perspective. Dealers, especially those that service machines sold at home centers, often stock D-class as well as Select-Series tractors. So you can drive tractors of both tiers to see which you prefer. True, the Select-Series tractors cost more. But in addition to their sturdier parts and construction, dealer-sold machines have warranties that are twice as long.

An affordable option

The attraction of home-center tractors, of course, is the price but Deere fans will be happy to hear there's an in-between choice—the John Deere Sport Series S240—that's not a compromise. You can buy it at the dealer for $2,500. This recommended model offers a twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine and other components similar to what you find in the Select-Series tractors. But it’s built on a D-class frame.

Our lawn tractor Ratings represent 10 brands, including Deere. If it's been years since you last shopped for mowing gear, be sure to see our mower buying guide.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

When you invest hundreds of dollars in a cookware set, you expect it to last. And it will if you treat it right. Scouring and abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface of your pots and pans causing food to stick. Here are some tips from the experts at Consumer Reports on how to care for six common types of cookware.

Aluminum

Wash as soon as possible after use, and dry thoroughly to avoid pitting. Aluminum dulls easily, so occasionally shine up the surfaces with a soapy scouring pad.

Cast iron

Season cast-iron cookware before using it. Brush the sides of a pot, pan, or saucepan with unflavored vegetable oil, then pour in enough oil to cover the bottom. Heat in the oven at low temperature for an hour. Remove, let cool, pour out the oil, and wipe away any residue with a paper towel. After each use, wash with hot water and dishwashing liquid, and dry thoroughly to prevent rusting. If you notice rust spots, scour with steel wool and a little vegetable oil.

Copper

Instead of scouring, which can destroy the tin lining, wash pots and pans with warm water and dishwashing liquid and soak in the same solution, if necessary, to remove baked-on food. Clean the exterior of the cookware with a solution of white vinegar and salt, then rinse and polish. Or use a commercial copper cleaner.

Enamel

Aluminum, cast-iron, or pressed-steel pans and baking dishes covered with enamel can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scrub pads to prevent scratching.

Nonstick

Check care instructions. Most are not meant to be washed in the dishwasher and are easily cleaned with hot water and dishwashing liquid. Use plastic or nylon scrubbers on burned-on food.

Stainless steel

Wash stainless steel with detergent and water as soon as possible after use to reduce the chance of staining. Don’t use scouring powder or steel wool, which may scratch surfaces and leave them prone to staining, and don’t leave stainless-steel pans to soak for long periods, because mineral salts in the water may cause them to pit.

Best cookware from our tests

Consumer Reports tests pots and pans for cooking evenness, durability, ease of cleaning, and handle comfort and sturdiness, among other factors. Non-stick cookware tends to do better in our tests but if you’re a committed user of cast iron, copper, or other types of cookware, be sure to treat it right.

10-piece cookware sets

• Swiss Diamond Reinforced, $600
• Calphalon Simply Nonstick, $200
  

10-inch frying pans

• Swiss Diamond Classic, $90
• Scanpan Classic, $90
• Calphalon Simply Nonstick Omelette Pan, $40

For more choices see our full cookware Ratings and recommendations.

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

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The subject of formaldehyde emissions from laminate flooring has gotten a lot of attention lately. It began in early March, when the CBS news program, "60 Minutes," reported that retailer Lumber Liquidators was selling laminate flooring with formaldehyde emissions several times higher than California’s standards for flooring sold in that state. Lumber Liquidators has denied the accusations but nevertheless is pulling all Chinese-made laminate flooring from its inventory, pending its review. And the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating the issue.

Why does this matter? Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound considered a carcinogen. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has spent years pushing for a national standard based on California’s, which sets the strictest limits of any state.

While Consumer Reports tests flooring, it hasn't tested the specific products mentioned in the "60 Minutes" report, and our flooring Ratings do not include laminates from Lumber Liquidators. But if you’re concerned, here’s what you need to know:

Where formaldehyde is used. The flooring in question is laminate, which is composed of a plastic image glued over layers of wood or plastic. The adhesives that bind the layers often emit formaldehyde. In addition to laminates, products that emit formaldehyde include engineered-wood flooring, furniture that uses medium-density fiberboard or permanent-press upholstery, urea-based varnishes, spray-foam insulation, and combustion sources such as gas stoves, wood-burning fireplaces, and cigarettes.

Minimizing your exposure. Formaldehyde emissions are highest when products are new and diminish over time. Noticeable health effects from formaldehyde exposure include nose and throat irritation, a burning sensation in the eyes, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. (Sufferers of asthma, bronchitis, and other conditions can be especially sensitive.) And long-term exposure is associated with cancer in humans. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) says that most laminate and engineered-wood flooring labeled as compliant with the state’s formaldehyde limits meets those standards.

Cautions on DIY testing. If a physician has advised that you might be sensitive to formaldehyde—or you’re concerned about the long-term threat—call in a professional to evaluate your home. CARB hosts a list of approved companies, nearly a dozen of which are U.S.-based; however, not all test private homes. And although you can buy home test kits and send results to a laboratory, the CPSC has not endorsed the accuracy of such products.

Before you buy. There are alternatives to flooring products known to contain formaldehyde including solid-hardwood, vinyl, linoleum, and tile floors. If you are shopping for laminate or engineered-wood flooring, ask about products made with resins certified as Ultra-Low Emission Formaldehyde, ULEF, or No Added Formaldehyde, NAF. (In California, such flooring or its packaging are required to be labeled as such.)

Other ways to minimize exposure. If you’ve purchased laminate or engineered-wood flooring and haven’t installed it yet, CARB suggests you leave it in the garage or beneath a covered carport to let it off-gas for a week to 10 days, presuming the flooring is CARB-compliant. If it isn’t compliant, it might need more time before residual odors dissipate or respiratory irritation is minimized.

Consumer Reports is concerned about the testing results of the Lumber Liquidators products discussed in the "60 Minutes" report, and will be conducting its own tests on formaldehyde emissions for some of the laminate, engineered-wood, and bamboo flooring in our flooring tests, which we plan to publish later this year. We also look forward to seeing the results of the CPSC’s investigation.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Testers

Yard and garage sales augur spring just as sure as robins, daffodils, and shortstops. They can be a great way to declutter while making a little cash. But for all their effort, are they worth your time? We did a test to find out. 

Twelve households around Consumer Report’s Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters

To determine the median time it takes to hold a yard or garage sale, plus the median profit and hourly “wage” for a sale.

Step 1. Cleaning out closets, attics, garages, and other spaces took from 2 to 20 hours, participants reported.

Time: 6.54 hours

Step 2. Publicity included word of mouth and making and posting signs. Several sellers participated in a town or neighborhoodwide sale, which cut the time and money spent on promotion. Lynda Hammond, author of "The Garage Sale Gal’s Guide to Making Money Off Your Stuff" (Gibbs Smith, 2011), suggests making signs no bigger than 15x15 inches that simply say sale, with an arrow. Advertise on Craigslist, eBay Classifieds, GarageSaleHunter, and YardSaleSearch, and local news sites such as Patch. Mention the categories of items for sale. Post your sale on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social-media outlets.

Time: 0.5 hours

Step 3. Organizing and pricing took from less than an hour to 6 hours. Hammond maintains that pricing is time-consuming and stressful. She suggests merely asking buyers for their best offer, which could be higher than you anticipate. But our nonscientific analysis of the 12 yard sales showed the median time for pricing in advance was just an hour. One seller saved time with preprinted price labels found at a dollar store. Another priced similar items identically: all kids’ shirts, 25 cents; all kids’ pants, 50 cents. “I really wanted stuff to go, so we kept our prices low and told all comers that we were willing to bargain,” a seller said.

Time: 1 hour

Read more from Consumer Reports on the best ways to sell your stuff.

Step 4. Setting up took half an hour to 5 hours. One seller stockpiled bags and boxes so that customers could carry items easily. Another mentioned the importance of having dollar bills and coins on hand for change. Other tips: Examine your sale goods; you may find lost dollar bills or keepsakes in pockets and corners. Organize items in one place for quick transfer outside on the morning of the sale.

TIME: 2.24 hours

Step 5. Most participants held their sales on just one weekend day. But Hammond recommends including a weekday and starting early—say, 6 a.m. on a Thursday or Friday—to snag commuters on their way to work, and parents after they drop off their kids at school. “You’ll have few other sales to compete with, and you’ll get serious shoppers,” she says. One seller let her kids set up a lemonade stand to make their own money and attract customers.

Time: 6.56 hours

Step 6. Breaking down and cleaning up took from 15 minutes to 3.5 hours. A seller who holds frequent sales puts unsold items back into labeled bins to be ready for the next sale. But most others donated their leftovers. (Those who itemize can find values for used goods at salvationarmyusa.org.) One seller said she fills bins with discards throughout the year for donation or another yard sale.

Time: 1 hour

The most profitable participant netted $956, based on 20.5 hours of work, which translated to an hourly “wage” of $46.63. Four sellers earned less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The lowest hourly “wage” was $4.32; that person netted $80 for 18.5 hours of work.

Net earnings: $220

Time: 17.84 hours

Hourly ‘wage’ (net earnings/time spent): $12.33

This article appeared in the May 2015 issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

It’s time to trash some housecleaning remedies that have been passed down for generations yet produce iffy results or, worse, create more work. Consumer Reports asked some cleaning-industry experts about the effectiveness of 10 timeworn tips and here’s what they said.

Myth: Newspaper does windows well

Fact: Wet newspaper tears easily and the ink can transfer to window trim, leaving more to clean. “We use microfiber cloths to clean glass,” says Debra Johnson, home cleaning experts for Merry Maids, a national franchise. “They’re the best at cleaning without streaking.”

Myth: Coca-cola belongs in the toilet

Fact: Coke isn’t “it” when it comes to cleaning your toilet bowl. “Coke is acidic, so it could be effective at removing hard water stains,” says Johnson. “But even the Coca-Cola website recommends using other options.” Derek Christian, owner of My Maid Service, a home cleaning service in Ohio and Texas, prefers traditional cleansers as well. “The soda could actually darken stains and the sugar could encourage bacteria.”

Myth: Handwashing dishes is better than using a dishwasher

Fact: If your dishwasher is a decade old, this may be true, but today’s models beat handwashing by a mile. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star website, using a dishwasher that bears the Energy Star label can save some 5,000 gallons of water, more than $40 dollars in energy costs, and 230 hours in personal time over the course of a year, versus handwashing. And, because dishwashers heat the water to 140°F, they’ll sanitize the dishes, too.

Myth: Coffee freshens garbage disposers

Fact: “Coffee grounds may act as a mild abrasive, removing gunk from disposer blades,” says Christian. “But baking soda is a better choice: It’s also mildly abrasive, and because it’s a base it will counteract all the smelly acids that we put down the drain.”

Myth: Vinegar cleans everything

Fact: “Vinegar is an acid, so it can cut through dirt and can kill bacteria, but only if you use it at full or nearly full strength,” says Christian. “Most people put a capful in a bucket of water, and that doesn’t do much.” The acids in vinegar can damage natural stone and wood surfaces.

Myth: Hairspray removes ballpoint ink

Fact: This may have been true years ago, when hairsprays were formulated with more alcohol (which does remove ink) than they are today, but not anymore. “Today’s hairsprays are full of stiffeners and hardeners that will just make the stain worse,” says Christian. “Just use rubbing alcohol. It’s far less expensive than hairspray, and doesn’t include any extra ingredients.”

Myth: Bleach cleans everything

Fact: “Bleach actually doesn’t ‘clean’ anything—because it doesn’t remove soil,” says Christian. “It can lighten stains, making things look cleaner, and it kills bacteria, so it’s better as a sanitizer than as a cleaner.”

Myth: Feathers make great dusters

Fact: Genuine ostrich-feather dusters do attract dust, but they’re expensive and are generally not as effective as lambswool or microfiber options. “Most feather dusters just spread the dust around,” says Debrah Vanchura, cleaning pro and owner of Helping Hands in Portland, Ore. Also, they tend to drop feathers—leaving you more to pick up.

Myth: Cleaning solutions work instantly

Fact: Nope. “At Merry Maids we recommend allowing any cleaning solution to sit on the surface for two to three minutes,” says Johnson. “Always follow the directions on the product’s label. Some solutions, like disinfectants, need a full ten minutes to truly kill bacteria,” Christian adds.

Myth: String makes the best mops

Fact: Industrial-style string mops may look impressive, but studies have shown that microfiber mops are about 20 percent more effective at removing dirt and bacteria, says Christian. “String mops are very absorbent, so they’re great at cleaning up big spills,” he says, “but if you want to make sure you’re not leaving anything behind on the floor, use a microfiber mop.”

—Adapted from Consumer Reports How to Clean (Practically) Anything

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

When you buy a gas grill you expect it to work and work safely. When it doesn’t, you have to hope that customer service will quickly resolve your problem. Brinkmann delivered on its promise. The manufacturer said a replacement crossover channel would fix the safety problem Consumer Reports’ testers found on the Brinkmann 810-6230-S gas grill, and it did.

We bought this grill for $130 at Home Depot and it’s also sold at Albertsons and Hy-Vee. Our recent tests found that this small gas grill failed our drop-lid test after flames on one of the grill’s two burners occasionally went out when on the low heat setting. This occurred on both samples we tested. For details, read “Brinkmann grill fails Consumer Reports’ safety test.”

This test failure poses a safety risk and while the risk from this situation is low and there are no reported injuries, no gas grill should have this flaw. Bradley Gleaton, director of quality control for Brinkmann, said he did not believe this issue posed a risk, but they have improved the grill’s crossover channel as a result of our test findings. We called Brinkmann’s customer service (800-527-0717) and requested a crossover channel. It arrived 10 days later and we found it was easy to install, even though it arrived without instructions, and it fixed the safety problem. The owner’s manual has information on the crossover channel in the burner maintenance section and you can watch our experts show you how to properly install it.

A tip of the hat to Brinkmann and Home Depot

Ninety-nine percent of these grills are sold at Home Depot, says Brandon Gleaton, vice president of sales at Brinkmann. “Due to the ‘Do Not Buy’ rating on model 810-6230-S we decided to quarantine the item,” he says, adding that they’re replacing the crossover channels for all grills in stores and distribution channels and these boxes will bear a green sticker and be in stores by late May. Until the revamped grills are available Home Depot has put a stop sale on this grill, meaning their checkout system won’t allow it to go through the registers, says Stephen Holmes, a spokesman for the retailer. Grills currently being made include the new crossover channel and will have a yellow sticker on the carton, says Brandon. Consumer Reports’ policy is to keep the Do Not Buy status until we can buy and test this grill and it passes our safety test. We intend to buy it as soon as it becomes available, so check back for updates.

Shopping for a grill?

We tested over 100 gas grills to find the best and worst—prices range from $140 to $2,600. See our gas grill Ratings and use the gas grill selector to filter your results by brand, size, and price. Our buying guide offers tips to help you choose. Any questions? E-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org. 

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

In a victory for consumers, Keurig Green Mountain is bringing back the refillable My K-Cup, which was discontinued with the debut of Keurig 2.0 machines last year. The backlash was fast and furious and sales of the new pod coffeemakers dropped a stunning 23 percent. “We took it away because My K-Cup wasn’t going to work with our new system,” said CEO Brian Kelley in a call with market analysts. “Quite honestly, we were wrong.”

Keurig’s problems began last August when it introduced Keurig 2.0 machines that only accepted pods made or licensed by Green Mountain. To do that, the machines employed digital rights management (DRM) technology that blocked coffee drinkers from using older or unlicensed K-Cups.  From a business standpoint it made sense—Keurig makes its money on pods not coffeemakers—but from a customer service standpoint, it was a misstep.

The company explained that by recognizing which pod the machine is brewing,  the Keurig 2.0 would provide “the recommended, customized setting for that particular beverage.” Other brands, such as the Bosch Tassimo, do the same thing, but they don’t have the brand loyalty of Keurig. The new design meant obsolescence for older K-cups and refillable K-cup adapters that you can use with your favorite coffee. Hackers had a field day.

In truth, bringing back the refillable K-cup doesn’t do much for folks who want to use a Keurig machine to brew conventional ground coffee. That’s because single-serve machines use a brewing process that sends a shot of hot water through the pod in a process similar to electric cappuccino makers. By contrast, coffee ground for drip coffeemakers is meant to be immersed in near-boiling water for about 5 to 6 minutes per industry recommendations. In other words, coffee from a pod coffeemaker typically doesn’t taste like what you pour from the carafe of a drip machine.

By bringing back a refillable K-cup adapter that the Keurig 2.0 will recognize, the company has provided a back door to loyal Keurig customers who may still have cases and cases of unused pods. Popping in a pod offers the most convenience, of course. The next best thing: Slicing open a pre-2.0 pod and pouring the grounds into the My K-Cup.

We’ll see if Keurig’s reversal will be enough for the company’s fan base. Machines from other brands, after all, fit the older Keurig pods just fine. These include the Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG5, $80, and Cuisinart SS-300 Compact Single Serve, $130. While neither matched our recommended models on a number of points, they scored impressively overall. Be sure to check out our coffeemaker buying guide before checking our coffeemaker Ratings of more than 30 pod machines and nearly 100 other coffeemakers.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Would you rather be eaten alive by mosquitoes and ticks that can carry debilitating—and even deadly—diseases or douse yourself in harmful repellents full of potentially dangerous chemicals? Almost three-quarters of Americans say they worry more about insect-carried diseases, such as West Nile and Lyme as well as newer threats like chikungunya and Powassan, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey of 2,011 U.S. adults.

Here’s the real dilemma, though: Most people also say that safety is key when they choose a repellent, but only about a third think the products now on the market are safe for adults. Even fewer—23 percent—think the repellents are safe for kids.

If you’re conflicted about what to do, we have good news: For the  first time ever in Consumer Reports’ tests of insect repellents, new, safer products—made with milder, plantlike chemicals—were the most effective. (Check our insect repellent Ratings and buying guide.) The top scorers outperformed products that contained deet, a chemical that did best in our previous Ratings but can cause serious side effects.

The active ingredients in the top repellents are chemically synthesized compounds that are similar to or come from natural ingredients. The secret sauce in the best-scoring Sawyer product is picaridin; in the Repel it’s oil of lemon eucalyptus. They are not side-effect-free, but “those problems are much less severe than deet,” says Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., executive director of Consumer Reports’ Food Safety and Sustainability Center. “Still, all repellents should be used sparingly and only for the time you need them—especially on children and older people.”

That’s why an effective bug-avoidance strategy requires a full arsenal. Our new tests identify  non-chemical approaches that offer some relief (setting up a fan on your back patio, for example) and those that don’t help much if at all (think citronella candles, wristbands, and “all-natural” products with geraniol, lemongrass, and rosemary oils).

Find out which insect repellents is best at keeping bugs at bay.

To find effective spray-on repellents, we went to an outside lab and tested 15 pump sprays and aerosols. The products contained deet, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, a chemical called IR3535, and products made with natural plant oils.

Our brave testers had a different repellent applied to each of their forearms and, 30 minutes later, reached into an 8-cubic-foot cage containing 200 disease-free, female mosquitoes in need of a blood meal to lay their eggs. We used culex mosquitoes (the kind that transmit West Nile and are most active between dusk and dawn) and aedes (a variety that likes to feed on humans, is active all day long, and carries chikungunya). Our experts watched and recorded bites every hour.

A repellent failed if a tester was bitten two or more times in one 5-minute session, or once in two consecutive sessions. For ticks, we marked each tester’s bare arms with three lines, then released, one at a time, five disease-free deer ticks to crawl on them. The repellent failed if two ticks crossed into the treated area.

The top-performing products contained 20 percent picaridin and 30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus. They kept mosquitoes and ticks away for at least 7 hours. Two deet products also earned at least Very Good scores, and the repellent that was 15 percent deet outperformed the 25 percent deet product, possibly because of its inactive ingredients. The IR3535 products didn’t make our list of top sprays. Some of the plant-oil products couldn’t ward off the aedes mosquitoes for even half an hour.

Deet (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) has been the go-to insect repellent since it was introduced in the 1950s. But consumers are still confused by it: 64 percent of people we surveyed admit that they don’t know how much deet a repellent should contain for it to be considered safe. And balancing safety and effectiveness is tricky. Products with 15 percent or more deet do work, though concentrations above 30 percent are no better, past tests have found. And deet, especially in high concentrations, can cause rashes, disorientation, and seizures. That’s why we say you should avoid repellents with more than 30 percent deet and not use it at all on babies younger than 2 months. But go too low—such as 7 percent deet—and it won’t stop bites for long.

Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus—two repellents introduced in the last decade—make good alternatives to deet. Here’s why.

They work. The repellents we tested that contain 20 percent picaridin and 30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-Menthane-3,8-diol) warded off mosquitoes for at least 7 hours and kept deer ticks away for at least 6 hours. But the concentration is important: A spray that contained just 5 percent picaridin performed worse than the 7 percent deet product we tested.

They’re safer. Picaridin is made to resemble the compound piperine, which occurs naturally in black pepper plants. Oil of lemon eucalyptus comes from the gum eucalyptus tree. Both have less serious side effects than deet has. Oil of lemon eucalyptus can cause temporary eye injury. The Food and Drug Administration says it should not be used on children under age 3. Of the two, picaridin is a better choice for kids, although it can cause some irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs.

Proper use is essential, even with safer products. That means:

• Apply repellents only to exposed skin or clothing (as directed on the product label). Never put it on under clothing. Use just enough to cover and only for as long as needed; heavy doses don’t work better.

• Don’t apply repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.

• When applying to your face, spray first on your hands, then rub in, avoiding your eyes and mouth, and using sparingly around ears.

• Don’t let young children apply. Instead, put it on your own hands, then rub it on. Limit use on children’s hands, because they often put their hands in their eyes and mouths.

• Don’t use near food, and wash hands after application and before eating or drinking.

• At the end of the day, wash treated skin with soap and water, and wash treated clothing in a separate wash before wearing again.

Mosquito-borne diseases

West Nile was reported in 47 states last year and killed 85 people in the U.S. Chikungunya isn’t as widespread—yet—or as deadly. Of the almost 2,500 cases reported in the continental U.S. since January 2014, there were no deaths, and only 11 cases were from bites received in the continental U.S. (all in Florida). The rest were brought back from the Caribbean, Asia, or Africa. But experts worry that chikungunya may be prone to large outbreaks in urban settings. The mosquitoes that carry it bite all day long. Plus, roughly 70 to 90 percent of infected people develop symptoms, compared with 20 percent of those infected with West Nile.

What to do. See a doctor if you develop signs of either disease: fever, headache, and body aches for West Nile; and fever and joint pain for chikungunya. Both are viral, so antibiotics won’t help. But over-the-counter pain relievers can ease symptoms.

Tick-borne diseases

Lyme disease affects about 300,000 people each year, mostly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. But that geographic reach is expanding, and doctors in new areas may be less familiar with the disease. Other tick-related diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, most often in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri; babesiosis, in the Northeast and Upper Midwest; ehrlichiosis, in the Midwest and South; and an emerging virus, Powassan, mainly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.

What to do. See a doctor if you develop a bull’s-eye rash accompanied by flu-like symptoms, which indicates Lyme. Prompt treatment can stop the infection and prevent more serious complications, such as joint pain and facial paralysis (Lyme disease); heart, joint, or kidney failure (Rocky Mountain spotted fever); blood clots and bleeding (babesiosis); difficulty breathing or bleeding disorders (ehrlichiosis); and neurological problems (Powassan).

This article also appeared in the July 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.