Home Appliances

When we change our baby's diaper, he often has what we politely refer to as "crystal butt." There are little clear crystals on his bottom. It seems like they come from his diaper. Do you know what these crystals are?

You might have heard that fluorescent bulbs are supposed to be more efficient than normal light bulbs, but is this really the case?

How do candles work? What keeps the wick burning, seemingly forever, when the same twine would completely burn up in a matter of minutes if it weren't engulfed in wax? Why won't the wax burn without a wick?

Just reading a power bill is a tricky way to determine what appliances are using the most power. Learn what appliances are sucking your pockets dry.

Heating pads are made of a plastic pouch and a clear liquid. Inside the pouch is a metal disk that when clicked crystallizes the liquid causing it to heat up. Find out how heat pads work.

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?

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a fluorescent light and a neon light? We'll explain both technologies in this article.

Chances are your power company in your area advertises a "time-of-use" program. But what exactly does this mean and can you really save on your power bill by signing up for this type of service?

We use ice to cool many things from drinks to desserts. But what if ice could cool your home? Take a look at how much would be needed to keep your home comfortable during the dog days of summer.

The color of the back part of your refrigerator really has nothing to do with being visually stimulating, so why did the back of your fridge arrive painted black?

I have read that it is possible for people to listen in on baby monitors. Is this true? Can people hear my baby monitor?

Fluorescent starters are used in several types of fluorescent lights. The starter is there to help the lamp light.

What causes the loud banging noise in my home's pipes? For example, when I turn off the faucet I hear it. Is there a way to prevent it?

We use electricity everyday to run a number of appliances and lights. So how much does it cost per hour to power something like an electric blanket?

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

You refrigerator is already cold, right? So then, why does it need a fan? Find out in this article.

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

You probably don't give your water heater much thought until your shower goes cold but it's an important appliance in your home. If your water heater's temperature is off, you'll want to learn how it works, including how to turn up your hot water heater.

By Sara Elliott & Talon Homer

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

For many people, their bathroom scale is an indispensable part of watching their weight and keeping healthy. Learn how your weight – no matter how much or how little – is evenly distributed to provide an accurate measure of your weight.

By Marshall Brain

Microwave ovens are popular because they cook food in an amazingly short amount of time. They are also extremely efficient in their use of electricity because a microwave oven heats only the food -- and nothing else.

By Marshall Brain

Washing machines make the work of getting your clothes clean so much easier than laundering them by hand. How do these machines mix duds and suds so effectively?

By Stephanie Crawford

Make your kitchen feel like new with our instructions on sharpening knives and scissors; fixing china, porcelain, and glass; making a polish for brass, silver, and copper; and making new potholders out of old towels.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Ribs, chicken and lots of barbecue sauce. Steaks, burgers, hot dogs and assorted veggies. Summer is prime grilling season. Ever wonder how these treats get so tasty?

By Jeff Tyson