Bath and Laundry

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

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

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

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

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

A flashlight's a flashlight, right? Not so fast. Nowadays, manufacturers are making flashlights with laser pointers, tools, stun guns and all kinds of other gizmos to make your life easier. Now you just have to choose which one to buy.

By Nathan Chandler

Layering is the best way to dress for unpredictable outdoor weather. 3-in-1 jackets combine waterproofing and insulation to provide the best protection against wetness and cold.

By Linda C. Brinson

You could fork over the cash for a regular monthly gym membership to get in shape, but would you really use it? You could tone up with your own all-in-one system at home.

By Josh Briggs

Low-flow toilets have improved since the 1990s. Not only do they save tons of water, they can flush your waste with as little as a gallon of water.

By Barbara Boughton

For a time, toilets were called necessaries, one in a long line of euphemisms used to describe the business end of handling a simple biological process. And now it's necessary to do what we can to conserve water. Enter the dual flush toilet.

By Sara Elliott

We've all heard of a potty break, but have you ever heard of a potty breaking the bank? What's the most expensive toilet in the world made of?

By Josh Clark

Is your wardrobe filled with fabrics like rayon, silk, and wool blends? Tired of those escalating professional dry cleaning bills? The answer may be as close as your clothes dryer. See how home dry cleaning works.

By Ann Meeker-O'Connell

A dryer is actually a very simple device. In this article we'll take apart a clothes dryer and explore how each system works. We'll start by following the air through the machine, then see how the tumbler and fan turn, and finally look at the controls.

By Karim Nice

I have an electric toothbrush. Somehow, placing the plastic-handled brushing unit into a plastic holder/recharger will recharge the toothbrush unit. If no metal electrical contact is made, how can this recharge the toothbrush?

Hard water can be a problem because it causes pipes to clog. Using a water softener can help solve this problem, but how does it work?

By Nicholas Gerbis

The toilet. The john. The loo. The commode. The porcelain throne. No matter what you call it, there's no doubt it's a true technological marvel. Look beyond the commonplace bowl and see what a sophisticated water-handling system your toilet is.

By Marshall Brain

Want to know what happens to your clothes after you give them to the dry cleaner? Do they actually stay dry? Take a behind-the-scenes look at the dry-cleaning process.

By Debra Luhring, Nate Marks & Patrick J. Kiger

A fascinating look inside an electric razor!

By Marshall Brain