Good Housekeeping Announces 2007 Good Buy Awards

Did you know that a product with the Good Housekeeping Seal means if the product bearing the seal proves to be defective within two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping will replace the product or refund the purchase price? You can check out the web site to see what products on the market have the prestigious seal of approval. The company has proclaimed this policy in each magazine it has published since 1909.

The experts of the institute evaluated more than 2000 products last year to make up a list of 46 nominees. Only 9 made the final cut. Drum roll for the final nine!

1. Quick-Clean Paint Roller: Teflon coated covers by Slur-line covers paint rollers. Takes 2 minutes to wash clean, so one will re-use the covers. Better for the environment and one's wallet. ($9.00 for 3 covers.) Note: everything seems to be Teflon coated from nail polish, pots & pans to paint rollers)

2. Skin Protection: Anthelios SX is the first brand to guard skin against the harmful radiation of UVA and UVB. Apparently, it contains an ingredient used in Europe, called Mexoryl SX that is less likely to degrade in the sun. Yet, good housekeeping recommends consumers re-apply every 2 hours. It is also a moisturizer, that cost $29.00 for a 3.4 oz tube. I am cheap, I will stick with Dr. Andrew Weil's suggestion of using a skin protectant with Zinc oxide in it.

3. Food Safety Favorite: Double U products has invented a digital day counter that attaches to a container and lets you know how many days and hours the container has been opened, so you can eat your food before the expiry date. It is called DaysAgo Digital Day Counter and two counters sell for $12.00. I guess, one has to remember to program the counter first. Good housekeeping refers consumers to FDA's toss out guides and storage chart.

4. The Cat's Meow: Fresh Step Scoop able Cat Litter, by Clorox that uses carbon to absorb nasty cat smells. No more over-powering perfume odors that only mask kitty's stench. Sells for $5 to $12.00. I have been using carbon absorbers in a can to help with dog odors.

5. Tromm Steam Washer: A front load washer that has a no wrinkle cycle that does not use soap, only steam. This washer by LG Electronics wipes out wrinkles in 20 minutes, thus using less energy and spending less money at the dry cleaners. Sells for $1,599. I like this one, but my husband keeps fixing my 20 year Kenmore. I do have a vapor steam cleaner called DWL 5000 AKR that I use to clean upholstery, floors, carpets, windows and steam cleans clothes. It is made in Italy and does not use harsh detergents, only boiling hot steam that destroys most bacteria and germs. I am still sitting on the fence with this product.

6. Comfier Cushion: Desperate Housewife star, Felicity Huffman, designed the Head's up Comfort Pillow, selling for 30 bucks. It has a non-slip flap that you hang over a couch's arm rest or hangs over the back of a chair. I like it, but because I am cheap I may make my own. I have elongated pillows that I could easily sew non-slip carpet backing onto the pillow. Non-slip carpet backing is cheap and can be bought at K-Mart or Walmart.

7. Multi-Function Fridge: The Quatro Cooling Convertible Refrigerator that sells for $2,600 dollars from Samsung can swing both ways. In addition to the standard fridge/freezer compartments the unit has 2 bottom drawers that either function as a fridge or freezer with a push of a button on a given day.

8. In-Car Charger: You don't have to get out of the car to use this charger by Black & Decker, unless your charger is in the trunk. Plug the unit into your cigarette lighter, wait 10 minutes and you're on your way home. I am not clear how far the charge will last. I have left my car door ajar and the car took more than 10 minutes to charge with my charger. Also, remember the charger has to be re-charged once a month, either using an electrical outlet or cigarette lighter. Simple Charge sells for $60.00.

9. Woolite Pod: Tiny Tool, Big Stain Buster, sells for $4.00, my kind of product. All in one, self-contained cleaning product that fits in the palm of your hand. A plastic container to hold detergent, a brush to scrub the set-in stain and a grooming comb to fluff up the carpet. It will even remove ink!

There they are folks, innovative products that are easy to use and a good value. You decide or take the product back if it has the seal of approval from Good Housekeeping within 2 years.