WHTM - Consumer Reports

As-Seen-on-TV Grout Cleaners

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:45:00 EDT

If dirty grout in your bathroom drives you crazy, you may be tempted to try some of those miracle grout cleaners you've seen advertised on TV. Well, Consumer Reports was, too, and it has a few things to tell you before you place your order.

Keeping Produce Fresh

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:19:00 EDT

Tossing out fresh fruit and vegetables that have gone bad feels like throwing money down the drain. A new product called FreshPaper claims to keep produce fresh for two to four times longer.

Latest Car Innovations

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:00 EDT

More and more cars come with safety features like blind-spot monitoring: A light in or near your rearview mirror lights up when something is in your blind zone. And if you drift out of your lane, some cars caution you with a beep.

Generator Know-How

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:57:00 EDT

Superstorm Sandy, which left millions without electricity, turned out to be a real boon for portable generators. But buying a generator is just job one. Consumer Reports says there are important do's and don'ts - from installation to storage.

DIY Cracked iPhone Repairs

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:01:00 EDT

Cracked iPhone screen? There's an app for that! Well, not exactly. But there are online videos on how to fix a broken screen and move on.

Cheap Chromebooks

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:55:00 EDT

If you've been thinking about getting a backup laptop, either for yourself or one that's easy for your kids to use, there's a new kind that's being heavily advertised. It's called a Chromebook.

Deceptive Mortgage Deals

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:50:00 EDT

They arrive in the mail all the time and keep popping up on your computer screen: home refinancing ads that promise rock-bottom mortgage rates and easy approval. They're tempting, but Consumer Reports says watch out: the offers can be misleading.

Eyelash Enhancement Hazards

Wed, 8 May 2013 17:54:00 EDT

Women have been looking for ways to darken and thicken their eyelashes since the days of Cleopatra. And in the spotlight these days, super-long lashes from pop star Adele and rap singer Nicki Minaj.

Securing Your Smart Phone

Mon, 6 May 2013 17:48:00 EDT

If you store sensitive information on your smart phone, losing track of it could spell disaster. A just-released survey by Consumer Reports projects more than 7 million smart-phone owners had a phone that was lost, stolen, or ruined in the last year.

Mechanically Tenderized Beef Risk

Fri, 3 May 2013 18:05:00 EDT

Before you fire up the grill for some great summer meals, Consumer Reports has a caution. The beef you buy may have been tenderized by machines, and that process can introduce potentially deadly bacteria into your food.

Ground Turkey Caution

Wed, 1 May 2013 19:33:00 EDT

Ground turkey can be a better choice. But a just-released Consumer Reports investigation reveals that it can also be a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Does As-Seen-on-TV Sharpener Cut It?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:13:00 EDT

If your knives aren't quite cutting it these days, perhaps you're thinking of getting the Edge of Glory infomercial sharpener. It claims to make your knives like new.

Celebrity Candy Face-Off

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:50:00 EDT

Unreal Candy says it's "reinvented candy without the junk." It doesn't use artificial colors and ingredients such as hydrogenated oils to produce its "unjunked" sweet treats. It's promoted by celebrities like supermodel Gisele, football ace Tom Brady and actor Matt Damon.

Snappy Healthier Crackers

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EDT

Cruise the cracker aisle these days, and you'll see that competition is really heating up for your snack dollars. Sure the old favorites remain, but now there are lower-fat siblings and store-brand twins—not to mention newer flavors.

Great Go-Anywhere Action Cameras

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:22:00 EDT

Catching great action shots from your mountain bike or on the beach is a lot easier these days with cool new video cameras.

Latest in Bluetooth Car Kits

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:32:00 EDT

Most cars now come with Bluetooth technology built in so that you can talk hands-free. Although talking while driving is not ideal, sometimes it can't be avoided.

Paying With Your Smart Phone

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:21:00 EDT

Over the last year, people are starting to pay for stuff by waving, sliding, or tapping their smart phones.

More-Reliable Motorcycles

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:50:00 EDT

Motorcycles offer an exhilarating riding experience and can deliver impressive fuel savings. If you're thinking about getting one, Consumer Reports National Research Center surveyed more than 4,000 motorcycle owners to find some of the most reliable ones.

Big-Name Drug Savings

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:54:00 EDT

Consumer Reports checked out prices of atorvastatin at more than 200 pharmacies, including Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, and Costco, as well as independent and supermarket pharmacies and online.

Save on TV, Phone & Internet

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:24:00 EDT

To save on TV, internet and phone bills, many people get all three services from the same company. Those "triple plays" get you steep discounts, but only for a limited time. Then bills often shoot up. But Consumer Reports says there are ways to save.