Home Appliances

Whether you want to protect the environment or protect your clothes from wear and tear, high-efficiency washing machines are picking up momentum in the marketplace. Talk about going green: You'll even save some cash on your electric and water bills.

By Mark Boyer

If you haven't heard of low-water or high-efficiency washing machines yet, you will the next time you go shopping for a washer. They promise to use 40 percent less water and 90 percent less energy than conventional machines. But they cost more to purchase too. Should you get one? We'll weigh the pros and cons.

By Josh Briggs

It's the centerpiece of many festive occasions. It keeps beer fresh and makes it portable. So how is it designed and manufactured? And where does it go when its party days are over?

By Oisin Curran

Does your washer-dryer combo dominate the laundry room? Is the kitchen cluttered with giant machinery? Is your dishwasher cramping your style -- and your space? Things don't have to be so cluttered, and there are gadgets out there you don't have to force into your home.

By Heather Kolich

A clear bottle depicting a pristine artesian well (presumably with some of its contents inside) versus the metal tap in your sink -- which is more enticing? But are those popular plastic conveyances really the smartest choice?

By Colleen Cancio

An informed consumer is a happy consumer. Here's the information to help you decide between a stacked or side-by-side washer-dryer and keep you smiling.

By Emilie Sennebogen

They've been bringing us relief from the heat since the late 1800s, but do you know how ceiling fans really work? And, did you know they can help keep you warm in the winter?

By Jessica Willis

You may not be able to keep up with the Joneses who bought one of those newfangled, oh-so-green front- load washers, but you can still use high-efficiency detergent in your old washer, right? We examine the answer.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Front-load washers and energy efficiency go together like soap and water, but can top-loaders save energy, too? We explore your options.

By Emilie Sennebogen

A cherry red front-load washer might look cool in your laundry room, but when it comes to practicality, the top-loader has a lot going for it. What are its perks?

By Debra Ronca

The Toto Washlet, a toilet seat with a personal spray jet, is marketed as a cleaner -- and greener -- alternative to toilet paper. How does this bidet-like product work to keep you fresh?

By Shanna Freeman

Washers and dryers are some of the most convenient modern appliances around, but they typically have one major disadvantage -- too much space. Washer dryer combos attempt to solve that problem, giving you clean clothes in one cycle.

By Jessica Brown

Whether you think the "clap-on, clap-off" advertisement was hilarious or annoying, the Clapper is one of the 20th century's most iconic inventions. How do a couple of sharp noises turn on your television?

By Tristin Hopper

Instead of throwing away trash, many people use automatic composters to recycle garbage into garden-friendly fertilizer. But are the high cost and potential odors worth the benefit?

By Sarah Grace McCandless

Kegerators store and pour beer differently than standard kegs do, but at a higher price. How do these systems work to produce a perfect glass of beer?

By Thorin Klosowski

Tankless toilets, which conserve water and take up less space than standard models, are common in public restrooms and some urban homes. Are the benefits worth having one in your home?

By Colleen Cancio

The average American family does 300 loads of laundry a year, and most use more than just water to get their clothes and linens clean. How do detergents help lift dirt, sweat and stains out of laundry?

By Emily Frydendall

Cleaning out your gutters can be a tricky, dangerous project. Climbing up ladders and heaving large piles of leaves only increases your risk of injury. What if you had a robot that could clean your gutters for you?

By Meghan E. Smith

If you crave a warm, home-cooked meal, but don't have time to spend hours in the kitchen, a slow cooker may be just what you need. But how do slow cookers work?

By Jill Jaracz

Static cling can be a common nuisance after you've just removed your freshly cleaned laundry from the dryer. How do dryer sheets help your clothes come out soft and static-free?

By Chris Morrisson

If you open up the cupboards of most kitchens in America, you'll probably find bleach. This useful chemical has many benefits -- it can bring out unsightly stains in your clothes or disinfect countertops. But it can also be a dangerous substance.

By Melissa Sandoval

If you have different remotes for your TV, DVR, stereo system and DVD player that are cluttering your coffee table, a universal remote that controls all your electronics may be just what you need.

By Rachel Oswald

Instant messaging is a handy tool, both for fun and for work -- but most of the competing IM services are incompatible. How can one program manage them all?

By Stephanie Crawford

Aquariums are both beautiful and relaxing to behold, so why is it so hard to build one? If you have an all-in-one aquarium, however, chances are that it won't be as difficult as you'd think.

By Ed Grabianowski

When you climb into your car, you click your seat belt into place and know that you're protected in the event of an accident. But when it comes to protecting your infant or young child, you need an all-in-one car seat. These complex appliances are a must-have.

By Bambi Turner