All posts by: Scott Nyerges

Keeping your lap (and laptop) cool


The other day, we blogged about laptop computers and how they can get hot enough to toast your skin or fry your PC's innards if too much heat builds up. One way to avoid toasty thighs and baked Macbooks is to use a laptop cooler pad, sometimes called USB cooling pads or chiller mats . These simple devices are just what they sound like: thick plastic or metal platforms with a built-in fan, typically powered by your computer's USB port, designed to sit on your lap (or desk) and keep the underside of your notebook cool. But how well do they work? We looked at laptop cooler pad reviews to find the best cooling pad.

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How NOT to clean your computer keyboard


Chances are, your computer keyboard is filthy, the keys a magnet for the dirt and oil on your fingertips, the crumbs from that afternoon snack you had at your desk, the gunk that floats through the air, whatever. Moreover, all of those little nooks and crannies are the perfect hiding place for dirt and grit. Given how dirty our hands and fingers can get during the course of an average day, it's no surprise that researchers say computer keyboards can be a haven for bacteria.

One way NOT to clean your keyboard is to grab a disinfecting wipe, saturated with cleaning fluid, and scrub the keys. You'll get those keys clean, but the excess fluid will drip into the keyboard's electronics and likely short out some or all the connections. We know that from firsthand experience. 

So, how do you clean your computer keyboard the right -- and wrong -- way? Read on...

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Clean and green: Choosing an eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner


Cleaning the toilet bowl is nobody's idea of a good time, but fun or not, it's a necessity. If you're looking for an eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner, there are a number of green products available. But how do you choose the best toilet bowl cleaner, and is one really better than another? We found several toilet bowl cleaner reviews online that focus on green products, as well as a few quallity resources to help you make that toilet bowl shine without using harsh chemicals.

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A brief guide to choosing and using plastic wrap


Plastic wrap for food has been with us for more than 50 years. What began -- like many innovations -- as a labratory accident is now a common household product. That discovery, polyvinylidene chloride, became the stuff of Saran Wrap, the first commercial plastic wrap manufactured for food. Today, Saran Wrap -- along with Cling Wrap, Stretch Tite and good, old generic plastic wrap -- can be found in most kitchens.

Despite this ubiquity (or perhaps because of it), there's not a lot of information on choosing the best plastic wrap. Most of the reputable information about plastic wrap that we found online centers on issues of food safety and plastic wrap alternatives like aluminum foil and glass. Only a few of our go-to professional sources have conducted plastic wrap comparisons. So rather than try and simply recommend a best plastic wrap based on a few resources, we offer a brief buyer's guide to plastic wrap.

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Dear ConsumerSearch... Answering reader questions and comments


We at ConsumerSearch welcome reader feedback, be it a question, a comment or a complaint. From time to time, we like to answer reader mail on the blog; in some cases, the particular question or comment is a common one. Read on for a sampling from the ConsumerSearch inbox. In some instances, letters have been edited for length.

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Fast facts about slow cookers


When it comes to choosing a slow cooker, you have many brands to pick from. But one manufacturer, Hamilton Beach, stands out when it comes to producing what pros and consumers alike say are the best slow cookers available. Three Hamilton Beach slow cookers make the list of Best Reviewed products in our latest report update. What we found most surprising was that a previous Best Reviewed pick, the All-Clad 99009, has fallen sharply out of favor with some consumers.

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You have questions, ConsumerSearch has answers


It's time to dip into the ConsumerSearch mailbag again and answer some reader email. Whether it's a question, a comment (or even a complaint), we love to hear from users, and we love helping them find solutions to their problems. Read on for a sampling of the latest notes from our readers.

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More from our mailbox


We at ConsumerSearch welcome reader feedback, be it a question, a comment or a complaint (we answer the complaint letters too). We do our best to find the answers, even if it's not something we're currently covering, and we're happy to hear suggestions about what you'd like to see us cover in the future. Here's this week's batch of stumpers.

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Dear editor... questions from readers and some answers


Like many publications and websites, we at ConsumerSearch welcome reader feedback, be it a question, a comment or a complaint. From time to time, we like to answer reader mail on the blog; in some cases, the particular question or comment is a common one. Read on for a sampling from the ConsumerSearch inbox. In some instances, letters have been edited for length.

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Small appliances to make your dorm room feel like home


Small appliances like a microwave, a coffee maker and a mini fridge are fairly small investments that go a long way toward making life in a college dormitory more comfortable. Whether you need to fuel a late-night study session or just want to keep all that Red Bull cold, choosing the best small appliances for your dorm room is easy. ConsumerSearch has number of reports that will make it simple to furnish your room with all the comforts of home. Read on...

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