🧺Top tested detergents, how often you need to do laundry
Think you do a lot of laundry? Believe it or not, the average family does about 300 loads of laundry per year. That’s about five loads every week! One way to cut back: Don’t wash your clothes as often. But how long can we really go before we need to wash everyday items?
👮Can police ask for your doorbell video? Know your rights
As video doorbells and home security cameras grow in popularity, police departments are increasingly asking for homeowners’ videos. But can they get it without your permission? Consumer Reports breaks down the ways law enforcement can access your videos.
Pregnant women should never eat canned tuna due to high mercury levels, study suggests
A recent Consumer Reports study of mercury levels in five popular canned tuna brands resulted in recommendations that pregnant women avoid eating the staple seafood altogether, citing generally high levels of the neurotoxin in some cans and unpredictable spikes in others.
🔌Nearly half of Americans unaware of incentives for electric vehicles, survey says
With gas prices taking a toll on people’s wallets, Consumer Reports (CR) has a new survey of what Americans think about battery electric vehicles (EVs) and low carbon fuels. The nationally representative survey of 8,027 American consumers, which was fielded in late January and February, is the largest national survey sample in the history of CR, the nonprofit consumer research, testing, and advocacy organization.
3️⃣ ways to take some heat off your electricity bill
Just about everything costs more right now, that goes for our groceries, supplies and anything and everything in our homes, including electricity bills. Experts at Consumer Reports share some simple tips to cut utility costs without sacrificing the comforts of home.
🥩These 3 grills are recommended by consumer experts
Maybe you’re a die-hard fan and grill year-round, but for many of us, spring and summer are the best times for a barbecue. And if your grill has seen better days, Consumer Reports is here with recommendations from its latest tests of charcoal and gas models.
🧟‘Zombie clause,’ ban on nuclear weapons hidden in these tech user agreements
Imagine if you entered a restaurant and the manager asked you to sign a contract blocking you from suing the business if everyone falls ill, and barring you from writing a bad online review. The agreement might even spell out what happens if zombies invade.
💻Add virtual ‘supervision’ over your kids’ screen time and digital content with these settings, apps
Limiting the amount of time we spend glued to our electronic devices can be hard for adults, and it’s especially tough for kids, who often use screens for school, fun and everything in between. But as Consumer Reports explains, the same companies that create these addictive devices are offering new ways to limit screen time, giving parents some much-needed control.
🚗 Passed gas? This hybrid car will pay for itself in 2 years with average price at pump in Florida
With gas prices at or near record highs, if you’re in the market to buy a car right now, fuel efficiency might be high on your wish-list! Consumer Reports explains there are lots of other good reasons, including fuel economy, to consider buying a hybrid vehicle.
🔓Here’s how to save energy, money while doing laundry
Doing laundry isn’t a chore that’s going to disappear anytime soon, and neither are the costs involved in doing it. But as Consumer Reports explains, a few simple, eco-friendly changes (and the right detergent) in the laundry room can help lower your energy bills.
🔓Consumer experts find some security systems can be hacked, disabled
Millions of us rely on home security systems for protection. But what if those security systems themselves are not so secure when it comes to attacks from hackers? Consumer Reports found that some of them can be disabled in a matter of seconds with a process called “jamming,” potentially putting you and your family at risk.
🔓'Candling and Q-Tips’ earwax removal: DIY or no?
Are you one of those people who enjoy watching videos about cleaning out ears? Believe it or not, videos with the hashtag #earwax have amassed over 5 billion views on TikTok alone. And you may be surprised by the ways many people clean their ears. Consumer Reports’ experts put their ear to the ground to find out what the safest methods are for removing earwax.
🔓Before you throw out old, broken tech read this!
Broken laptops, old cell phones, printers that stopped working years ago … Electronic waste is a big problem. One estimate from United Nations’ researchers is that only about 20 percent of it is disposed of properly. Consumer Reports has some advice on how to clear out your tech clutter safely and maybe make a little money.
🔓How to stop those annoying robocalls
The coronavirus pandemic has given phone scammers yet another opportunity to use robocalls to prey on consumers. But some new laws have been enacted to help put a stop to all those annoying calls. Plus, Consumer Reports says there are some simple things you can do, too.
Mazda No. 1 in Consumer Reports 2020 auto reliability survey
DETROIT – Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey. Mazda took top honors for the first time in the survey, which this year included Consumer Reports organization members who own more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2020. Consumer Reports said that the Ford Explorer SUV, redesigned for the 2020 model year, is among the lowest-scoring models of any manufacturer with transmission, electronic, and engine issues. Only the company's Model 3 small car was rated as reliable and recommended by Consumer Reports. Nearly half of the new models have much worse than average reliability, Consumer Reports said.
COVID-19 has people worrying about indoor air quality, can air purifiers help?
Running an air purifier is a good idea to keep dust, smoke and other allergens at bay inside your home. But, if someone in your home is sick, can an air purifier help? Even then, an air purifier isn’t a cure-all. The 830-dollar air purifier from BlueAir is the best and fastest air purifier in CR’s particle reduction tests. This means that a particular air purifier can perform roughly five air exchanges per hour in its suggested room size.
How to fix the most annoying things about masks
And sometimes they’re finding masks to be a bit annoying and uncomfortable. If you wear glasses or sunglasses that are constantly fogging up, a mask with a wire sewn in at the top is your best bet. Next, are you suffering from “mask acne?” When you wear a mask for a long period of time you sweat, which causes bacteria to build up. If you’re having trouble being understood while you’re wearing a mask, CR says it’s not really a matter of speaking louder. Just make sure you’re speaking slowly and clearly, and ask other mask wearers to do the same.
Consumer Reports examines shrinking products
You may have to reduce yourexpectations: many are now just 14 ounces. But Consumer Reports says that it's a way for them to raise prices, too,without being noticed. Some store brands still contain the traditional 64 ounces, but many of the big brands are now only 59 ounces. Consumer Reports says the problem comes down to one of perception. For years,many products came in clearly recognizable sizes––a pound of coffee, a quart ofmayonnaise.