Latest news with #KristinGranero
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
We tried nearly 60 cleaning products last month — here's what we'd buy again
As self-diagnosed clean freaks and home editors with a combined 30 years of experience, my colleague Kristin Granero and I are always hunting for the best cleaning products. We collect countertop sprays like baseball cards and track vacuum launches like it's our job. Actually, as Yahoo's resident housewares testers, it is our job. Not that we're complaining! Since last month, we've been deep in spring-cleaning mode, which has given us a chance to test dozens of new sprays, detergents, scrubbers and other gadgets that are so effective — and fun to use — they make even the dreariest chores a delight. We also revisited some tried-and-true brands (hey there, Windex) that recently came out with cool new products. Scroll on for the 10 household helpers (out of nearly 60!) that earned a coveted spot in our own homes. For more cleaning tips and smart buys, check out our review of the new Bissell Little Green Mini and our guides to the best cordless stick vacuums and the best vacuums for pet hair. Time to clean house!
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Stanley just debuted 3 gorgeous new colors, and you can only buy them at Amazon
As the weather gets warmer, staying hydrated is more important than ever. Whether you're a city stroller or passenger princess, you should never leave home without making sure that something cold and refreshing is always at hand. That's where a reusable water bottle comes in. If yours is looking like it's seen better days, here's some news that will brighten your day — Stanley's just released three new limited-edition colors of its bestselling IceFlow Flip Straw water bottle — Watermelon, Poolside and Strawberry Cream — and they're all available at Amazon for $35. Yahoo Home & Garden Editor Kristin Granero dubbed this design her "emotional support water bottle" last year, noting that it's leak-proof (with the straw folded down), comfortable to carry and low maintenance. As she put it: "I've tried my share of water bottles in my quest to find the best, with the Stanley IceFlow emerging as the one to beat. ... Sometimes it feels like it's become a veritable extension of me!" One of the hallmarks of the IceFlow (and many Stanley products) is its double-wall insulated stainless steel construction, which keeps beverages cold (or hot) for a ridiculously long time. This shopper said they were still sipping ice cold H2O over 24 hours later. There's no denying that $35 is a lot to spend on a water bottle. But plenty of shoppers — and one Yahoo tester — agree that Stanley products are worth the investment. And with a very thirsty summer in the offing, wouldn't you like to have an item this dependable and on trend in your backpack, in your car or attached to your hip with a carabiner clip? We thought to. So, go ahead and drink in these beauties, but don't wait too long — Stanley products definitely still sell out in the blink of an eye. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The best canister vacuum we tested is also my Facebook group's fave, and it's on sale
Have you started your spring cleaning yet? I'll admit, I'm a little behind — an embarrassing admission for someone who makes a living writing about all things home-related! The thing is, I'm stalling because I'm in the market for a new vacuum. Yes, I have both a lightweight stick vacuum and a heavy-duty hand vacuum, and I love 'em both. But sometimes you need something a little more powerful that covers more ground ... er, floor. I started looking into some upright models when I realized that opting for a canister vacuum might be more suitable for my not-so-muscular, five-foot-tall frame. Yahoo Senior Commerce Writer Kristin Granero named the Miele Classic C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum her top canister pick after testing many models. It also happened to be the vacuum many members of the Facebook group I belong to (shoutout to Philaqueens!) recommended. Something else to recommend it: At full price, it's a steep $469, but it's currently on sale for $375 at Amazon. I'd better dust off my cart! Not gonna lie: Even with $94 shaved off, this vacuum is still an investment — but a worthy one. According to my price trackers, this model rarely dips lower than this, and when it does, it's usually by just a few dollars. Plus, you're getting incredible suction with this thing (more on that in a bit) and it comes with multiple attachments to target just about any surface in your home. While I've never owned a Miele vacuum, I do have the brand's dishwasher and can say that it is elite, so I have high hopes for this dust-sucker. Canister vacuums don't get as much attention as their sexier stick, upright and robotic cousins, so here's a little explainer about what sets them apart: "In a canister vacuum, the dust bin is on wheels and trails behind the cleaner head, whereas with a traditional upright vacuum, the dust bin sits in front," says Granero. "The benefit of a canister vacuum is that the wand is freed up and therefore more nimble. And the Classic C1 Turbo is among the most powerful and versatile models we tried." It's also user-friendly: "You just attach the hose to the canister on one side and to the wand on the other, then click the wand into whichever cleaner head base — or attachment — you'd like to use," she explains. "There's a dial on the canister for selecting your desired suction strength depending on the job at hand, along with power and cord-rewind buttons." She adds, "[It] comes with a 0.95-liter canister containing a dust bag, a long hose, an adjustable wand and two cleaning head bases — a bristled brush for hard floors and a TurboTeq brush for carpeted surfaces. It also has three attachments for detailing purposes: a dusting brush, a crevice tool and an upholstery tool." Got pets? I don't, but my hair does shed a lot (sorry if that's TMI!). Luckily, Granero says that "where this vac really outpaced the competition was in our 'passenger pet' test — when we used the TurboTeq brush, it sucked up stubborn pet hair in just a few passes." Among its other strengths? Versatility ("We liked how we could customize the suction settings to optimize for not only different surfaces but different materials in varying heights"), its adjustable pole, "effective" attachments, maneuverability, large capacity and three-tiered filtration system for trapping airborne particles and irritants. Of course, this vacuum does require dustbags, which need to be swapped out, but hey — they make emptying it a lot easier! Granero (and my Facebook group) aren't alone — more than 2,200 Amazon customers say this vacuum deserves a perfect rating. "I've been a self-proclaimed vacuum connoisseur for years — I've sampled the Shark, Dyson, Kenmore and more, each one falling victim to the wear and tear of my three kids and multiple pets," shared one cleaning obsessive. "But enter the Miele, my dream vacuum. Since I welcomed it into my chaotic, post-remodel dust storm in early August 2024, it's been nothing short of miraculous. This powerhouse is reliable, consistent and its suction strength is unreal — it practically vacuums up my frustrations along with the debris! Whether on hard floors or carpet, the Miele performs flawlessly." "This vacuum is seriously amazing," raved another impressed buyer. "It not only got the rugs in my new house looking brand-new, it also got dust off of my lampshades that sticky rollers and damp cloths never removed. Now I'm regretting waiting so long to get this. It makes cleaning so much faster and makes you realize how much dirt and dust you're missing with other less powerful stick vacuums. I'm in awe." "This guy replaced two other vacuum cleaners that we had for carpet and floors," wrote this neatnik. "It works great, with tremendous suction that is very easily adjusted for more delicate rugs, etc. It's nice and light, so easy to use on the stairs and it is much quieter than the old cleaners. I absolutely LOVE how well the air that cycles through the cleaner is filtered before blowing back into the room." "No more cat hair or dust bunnies on my hardwood floor, in the corners or underneath furniture," said a mostly pleased shopper. "This Miele is well made, has strong suction and is lightweight — which I need for my arthritic hands to pull around." Their one note? "The cord could be longer. I have a 1,800-square-foot house, and I thought the cord length wouldn't matter, but I do plug it into different outlets in nearly every room, but I don't mind." "I actually don't hate vacuuming as much as I used to, and I'm vacuuming more," revealed a final fan. "[The] only cons are that now I have to buy bags. Bad for the environment and the wallet, but honestly emptying [my] Dyson, the dirt would go all over the place, in the air, so I don't know how good that was for the environment, either. I [also] wish the cord was longer." And if you're in the market for a reasonably priced stick vacuum, this is the one I use: If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Amazon Spring Sale deals include this portable steamer for only $24
Got a vacation on the horizon? From fancy cruise dinners to roaming city streets, you're going to want to pack smart. While big plans call for great outfits, wrinkled clothes are not invited. Thousands of shoppers (and our home and garden writer) found a tried-and-true solution in the No. 1 bestselling Hilife Clothes Steamer. Best of all, it's down to just $24 during the Amazon Spring Sale. Related: Amazon Big Spring Sale 2025: The best deals from Stanley, Apple, Yeti, Dyson and more — save up to 75% If you're traveling for an out-of-town wedding or need to get wrinkles out on the go, this compact steamer will give you so much bang for your buck. In fact, this is the best price we've seen it marked down to in years — you're saving nearly 50%. That said, this is a lightning deal that'll disappear once it's 100% claimed, so you'll want to act fast. It's popular for many reasons, including its uncomplicated nature, ease of use for travel and fun factor. Yep, "fun" was a recurring descriptor in the reviews. The heat panel is stainless steel, which is anti-rust and anti-oxidation — and it lasts longer than aluminum models. Plus, it has a conveniently long cord. The handheld design and the extra-long 9-foot cord make it a cinch to move around, so you can complete the task quickly, easily and some even say joyfully. The petite size of this 1.7-pound wonder makes it particularly popular for travel — it's like a mobile spa treatment for travel-weary outfits. The Hilife Clothes Steamer isn't just for everyday garb. The manufacturer recommends it for use on everything from wedding dresses to plush toys, and users have loved how it's made fast work of curtains, comforters and more. Here's what Yahoo Home and Garden Writer Kristin Granero has to say: "The Hilife Steamer was incredibly effective at removing the wrinkles from my silky skirt — and that was with only a few passes of steam. For being so powerful, it's also incredibly gentle and fast (it took seconds to heat up and only a few minutes to de-wrinkle my skirt from front to back)." More than 80,000 shoppers are also in love with this steamer. Pros 👍 "Let me tell you, this clothes steamer is like a magic wand for your wardrobe," raved one buyer. "It's like the Harry Potter of home appliances — waving its wand (or nozzle) and making your clothes look like they just came out of the dry cleaners." "This is a great little steamer!" wrote another satisfied customer. "I hate to iron and don't need my clothes absolutely perfect, just nice and presentable, and this does the trick! Very easy to use, quick to heat up and does a great job [of] getting wrinkles out!" A third superfan said, "If you don't have an iron, this is the next best thing. It literally takes one minute for it to heat up, then you are ready for wrinkle-free clothes. I'm obsessed with this." One jetsetter wrote that it was the "best small steamer I've had!" adding: "Heats fast, has great steam output and with the extra long cord, I'm able to hang the garment on the shower rod to steam. Really convenient for taking along on a recent trip." "I used this steamer on my fiancé's wedding shirt and it worked way better than I was expecting!" exclaimed a five-star fan. "I have tried using irons in the past and have actually ruined shirts, so I wanted to give a steamer a try and I was not disappointed! Very easy to use!" Cons 👎 "Easy to use!" echoed a generally pleased reviewer. "I used this for several items of clothing, and I was so pleasantly surprised! The only complaint I would have is that the water runs out too quickly. It still does a lot of clothes, though." A final shopper said it would've been nice if "it had a stand for clothes," but stressed that "it works well and is effective at removing wrinkles." If you are wishing for wrinkle-free clothing at home and on the fly, this may be your $24 ticket. Happy travels! And to keep your clothes clean while you're away from home, these Tide Liquid Travel Sink Packets are good to have on hand: If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Shoppers are ditching their irons for this portable steamer, just $24 for a few hours
Heading on a trip soon? During your travels, you may be planning on exploring a foreign city, indulging in a few special dinners aboard a cruise ship or enjoying evenings out with friends and family on the road. You'll want to pull out your best outfits for the occasion, but a wrinkled look? Probably not the vibe you're going for. A simple solution thousands of Amazon shoppers (and our home and garden writer) swear by is the top-selling (as in, more than 20,000 purchased in the past month) Hilife Clothes Steamer. It also happens to be down to just $24, but only for a limited time ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Related: Amazon Big Spring Sale 2025: The best deals from Stanley, Apple, Yeti, Dyson and more — save up to 75% If you're traveling for an out-of-town wedding or need to get wrinkles out on the go, this compact steamer will give you so much bang for your buck. In fact, this is the best price we've seen it marked down to in years — you're saving nearly 50%. That said, this is a lightning deal that'll disappear once it's 100% claimed, so you'll want to act fast. It's popular for many reasons, including its uncomplicated nature, ease of use for travel and fun factor. Yep, "fun" was a recurring descriptor in the reviews. The heat panel is stainless steel, which is anti-rust and anti-oxidation — and it lasts longer than aluminum models. Plus, it has a conveniently long cord. The handheld design and the extra-long 9-foot cord make it a cinch to move around, so you can complete the task quickly, easily and some even say joyfully. The petite size of this 1.7-pound wonder makes it particularly popular for travel — it's like a mobile spa treatment for travel-weary outfits. The Hilife Clothes Steamer isn't just for everyday garb. The manufacturer recommends it for use on everything from wedding dresses to plush toys, and users have loved how it's made fast work of curtains, comforters and more. Here's what Yahoo Home and Garden Writer Kristin Granero has to say: "The Hilife Steamer was incredibly effective at removing the wrinkles from my silky skirt — and that was with only a few passes of steam. For being so powerful, it's also incredibly gentle and fast (it took seconds to heat up and only a few minutes to de-wrinkle my skirt from front to back)." More than 80,000 shoppers are also in love with this steamer. Pros 👍 "Let me tell you, this clothes steamer is like a magic wand for your wardrobe," raved one buyer. "It's like the Harry Potter of home appliances — waving its wand (or nozzle) and making your clothes look like they just came out of the dry cleaners." "This is a great little steamer!" wrote another satisfied customer. "I hate to iron and don't need my clothes absolutely perfect, just nice and presentable, and this does the trick! Very easy to use, quick to heat up and does a great job [of] getting wrinkles out!" A third superfan said, "If you don't have an iron, this is the next best thing. It literally takes one minute for it to heat up, then you are ready for wrinkle-free clothes. I'm obsessed with this." One jetsetter wrote that it was the "best small steamer I've had!" adding: "Heats fast, has great steam output and with the extra long cord, I'm able to hang the garment on the shower rod to steam. Really convenient for taking along on a recent trip." "I used this steamer on my fiancé's wedding shirt and it worked way better than I was expecting!" exclaimed a five-star fan. "I have tried using irons in the past and have actually ruined shirts, so I wanted to give a steamer a try and I was not disappointed! Very easy to use!" Cons 👎 "Easy to use!" echoed a generally pleased reviewer. "I used this for several items of clothing, and I was so pleasantly surprised! The only complaint I would have is that the water runs out too quickly. It still does a lot of clothes, though." A final shopper said it would've been nice if "it had a stand for clothes," but stressed that "it works well and is effective at removing wrinkles." If you are wishing for wrinkle-free clothing at home and on the fly, this may be your $24 ticket. Happy travels! And to keep your clothes clean while you're away from home, these Tide Liquid Travel Sink Packets are good to have on hand: If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication
