Q. Is there a way to whiten white acetate fabric that has turned dingy/yellow?

A. I’m a little confused by your title as acetate usually is a little more “frail” than rayon. Have you tried just a normal wash (with the acetate garments by themselves)? Acetate can occasionally pick up stray dyes. Maybe a good warm wash with detergent and a more mild oxygen bleach like our Clorox2® Stain Fighter & Color Booster would help. Still some lingering yellowing? Try a 1-hour presoak with Clorox2® Stain Fighter & Color Booster and follow label instructions.

If you want to try something a little stronger, it would be Clorox® Regular-Bleach. For this, I would recommend you do the quick Bleachability Test (2 tspn Clorox® Regular-Bleach in 1/4 cup water; apply a drop on a hidden colored area like inside seam, hemline or cuff; wait 1 minute and then blot with towel); no color change means it is safe to use bleach on the item. Any color change could also show you the amount of change in color that likely will occur if you proceed with the liquid bleach usage. You can see a demo on my blog (http://www.drlaundryblog.com) in the video Laundry 101. Want to proceed? Try a presoak (1/4 cup Clorox bleach per gallon of cool water for 5-10 minutes), then wash in warm water using detergent and 3/4 cup Clorox® Regular-Bleach. It may take a couple of treatments to achieve your desired result.

After either treatment, I would consider air drying to maintain the garment’s shape and minimize shrinkage potential.

According to the trade website Brandweek, Seventh Generation is issuing a 30-day challenge to bloggers in July to wash laundry in cold water and then line dry.

This challenge will …

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The classic kitchen has made a comeback.
Photo: Eric Roth. Architects: Carpenter & MacNeille

Summer's a time to kick back and relax, but at Consumer Reports this time of year also signals the return of our special section on kitchen remodeling and our revamped Kitchen-Planning Guide, which highlights the latest trends and top-performing products from our tests.      

As you plan your kitchen project, think enjoyment, not
resale value. Kitchen remodeling today is all about what you need,
rather than some over-the-top designer's
checklist that makes slabs of fine Italian
marble, a butler's pantry, and gargantuan appliances seem as necessary
as a refrigerator
and range.

"People aren't settling for less,
they're just realizing that they don't need so much excess," says Laura DuCharme Conboy, an architect in La Jolla, California.

We call it the return of the
classic kitchen—one that's welcoming, efficient, and timeless, not
glitzy or supersized. In short,
a room you want to spend time in for years to
come. Read "The Classic Kitchen" for more on this trend.

Budgets vary, so we created kitchen-design schemes at three different price points, including the $5,000 DIY kitchen, the $15,000 project with some assembly required, and the $50,000 let-the-pros-do-it remodel.

We've also included details on kitchen cabinets, reviews of countertops and flooring, and information on the best places to buy appliances.

Steam mops have grown in popularity in recent years, and Shark steam mops are among the most widely searched products on ConsumerReports.org.

So for our brand-new August 2010 issue, with a special section on kitchen remodeling, we recently tested 10 steam mops ($50 to $180) on vinyl floors soiled with a range of common household messes—ketchup, mustard, olive oil, pancake syrup, and others—to see whether any can meet their makers' claims of effortless cleanup of the toughest spills and grime. The video shows are our preliminary testing, as covered in this earlier post.

Tested models, in alphabetical order, are the Bionaire 22499 ($90), Bissell Steam Mop Deluxe 31N1 ($100), Eureka Enviro Steamer 313A ($70), Haan Duo HD-50 ($150), H₂0 Mop Ultra SC-393 ($100), Oreck Steam-it Steam100 ($180), Shark S 3101 ($80), Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 ($120), SteamFast SF-140 ($50), and Steamboy T1 ($100).

After the spills were let to sit overnight, we tested how well the steam mops cleaned the soils and how long they could continuously steam, as well as their ease of use and how much water they left on floors. For comparison, we cleaned the same floor and the same messes using a squeeze mop.

On large spills, the steam mops tended to remove the spills in only one spot and move the rest of the mess to the side with their removable pad. Most manufacturers indicate their steam mops can be used on vinyl, tile, and sealed wood floors, but the heat, steam, and water from these appliances could damage some floors and/or void a flooring warranty. (See our advice for keeping your floors clean.)

Read our review of steam mops for more details on testing, and check out our full ratings of steam mops (available to subscribers).

Essential information: Read our latest review of flooring.

As your Laundry Guide, I hate to admit how long it has been since I used my iron. I choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle, like my summer linen shirts to be soft and seldom drag out the starched company tablecloths. But when my son’s shirt needed a touch up before he attended a wedding, I found – to my dismay – that my iron was sputtering water. Never fear. It was white vinegar to the rescue. Learn how to get your iron clean as a whistle!

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Here are the laundry products I found on sale this week:

Walgreens:Clorox 2 24 loads %5.99; Woolite 25 loads $5.99; OxiClean Stain Remover 56 oz. $5.99; Spray ‘n Wash 22 oz. 2 for $5.00; Suavitel Fabric Softener Buy 1 at $2.99 get one Free (Limit 4); Sun 2x Laundry Detergent 75 loads $3.49 (Limit 2); Army & Hammer 2X Laundry Detergent 26-32 loads Buy one at $6.99 get one Free (Limit 4)

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Is your garden overflowing with zucchini yet? It won’t be long until you’re leaving zucchini in neighbor’s mailboxes and slipping it into everything from hamburgers to cupcakes. So, I thought you’d enjoy this cool, summer soup. Dribble a bit, just follow the links to remove the stains!

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Sears has extended its layaway program to major appliances.

"For customers who haven't taken advantage of the government rebate program, Sears' layaway presents the opportunity to purchase more efficient appliances, while managing their budget," said Susan Ehrlich, president of Financial Services for Sears Holdings, in a news release. Read our update on the cash for appliances rebate program from earlier today.

The Sears layaway program carries a $5 initiation fee and requires a down payment of $15 or 20 percent at the start of the contract. You then make biweekly payments for the length of the eight-week contract. Before you sign up for layaway, read full details of the Sears layaway program (PDF).

If you're in the market for new major appliances, use our free buyer's guides to dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and others, which you'll find on our appliances page. You can save yourself some money on appliance purchases by taking advantage of cash for appliances and other incentives.

In our 2009 Appliance Shopper Satisfaction Survey of more than 21,000 readers conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, all nine retailers of major appliances did well, and Sears was about average. You'll find full details from our report on the best places to buy large and small appliances in our special section on kitchen remodeling in the August 2010 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands next week.

—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Check out our cash for
appliances buyer's guides to air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters. To stay on top of
the latest cash for clunkers for appliances news, follow us at Twitter.com/CRHomegarden.

$108 million

Amount of the rebates distributed so far to consumers nationwide through the U.S. Department of Energy's $300 million cash for appliances rebate program, which kicked off in late 2009 and continues in 32 states and U.S. territories. Tennessee's program will  begin no later than July 14. The District of Columbia and Nebraska will also launch theirs in July. Guam's program was supposed to start in late May, but its status is unclear.

Some states zipped through their cash for appliances allotment. It seems that the cash for appliances program has been more successful in states that provided point-of-purchase rebates, such as Illinois, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as rather than mail-in ones.

But the rebate activity has been sluggish in others, epitomized by the slow pace in California. That state's cash for appliance program, run by the California Energy Commission, received $35.2 million for rebates on air conditioners (up to a $50 rebate), refrigerators ($200), and washing machines ($100). But as of this morning—more than two months after the program started—almost $23 million remains State officials hope summer heat will spur demand for rebated room air conditioners. Read more on California's cash for appliances in this article in the Los Angeles Daily News.

From the appliance-industry perspective, cash for appliances is having an impact. Year-over-year appliance shipments rose 20 percent in April 2010, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. And the NPD Group, a market-research company, reports that sales of major appliances generated double-digit dollar and unit growth of 16 and 12 percent, respectively, from January to May 2010 compared with the same period a year earlier.

The appliance industry is lobbying Congress for an extension of cash for appliances and would prefer the program to be managed on a national scale as opposed to the current state-by-state basis. "We've told the Senate Energy Committee that the program could be even more productive if it was not run separately by 50 states with 50 sets of criteria," says Joseph M. McGuire, president of AHAM. "A national program would allow manufacturers and retailers to leverage their promotions and marketing resources more effectively."

—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Check out our cash for
appliances buyer's guides to air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters and find the best places to buy appliances. To stay on top of
the latest cash for clunkers for appliances news, follow us at Twitter.com/CRHomegarden.

Are you ready for a road trip? Time to pile the kids and the dog in the car for a 14-hour drive to one of America’s wonderlands? Unless you are visiting a nudist colony, you’re probably taking along some clothes and clothes can mean laundry. I know that laundry is never part of your travel plan but I’ve put together a few tips in case it becomes an inevitability. And you might even get an idea on how to plan ahead to avoid doing laundry at all, even with one small bag!

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Throughout the weeks I have shown specific items by the company Greenway Home Products and Laundry Lift. There is a new video available so you can see what the company is all about and their products, also how they help you make your drying process more environmentally friendly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KETR6f39_4

Have a happy—and safe—4th of July.

The 4th of July holiday is just over a week away. Enhance your Independence Day celebration with the advice below.

Spruce up your outdoor space. With Independence Day falling on a Sunday, take the time on Saturday to clean or repair your deck and replace or refurbish outdoor-furniture cushions. When you've got more time, consider these low-cost yard makeovers.

Avoid bug bites and sunburn. Our tests have revealed the insect repellents and sunscreens that offer good protection. Steer clear of insect repellent-sunscreen combination products for these reasons.

Be a better griller. Enhance your grilling with the buying and cooking advice from our recent Facebook video chat. Try these easy, delicious grilling recipes, Bobby Flay's perfect burgers, and these World Cup-themed international favorites. Use these food-safety tips and a meat thermometer.

If your grill's a goner, read our June 2010 and July 2010 reviews of gas grills and check out our free buyer's guide to gas grills and ratings (available to subscribers).

Enjoy the treats of summer. Wash down your 4th of July feast with summer-suitable wines (served at the right temperature) homemade seltzer, or icy concoctions you make with a blender that excels at summertime drinks. Top off the meal with top-rated ice creams.

Stay safe. Here's hoping your holidays filled with lots of good times with family and friends. Keep these safety tips in mind for fireworks and swimming.

Essential information: Our Lawn & Garden Guide offers many more ways to make the most of your outdoor spaces. Discuss more outdoor cooking ideas in our grilling forum.

Topten allows you to compare appliances.

In September 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed the Super Star program, an enhancement to  Energy Star that would highlight the top 5 percent of energy-efficient models in a product category, as opposed to the 25 percent of models Energy Star is supposed to encompass.

The Super Star program is still at the market-research phase, according to a top official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which coadministers Energy Star with the Energy Department. It will be at least another year before a federal top-tier program kicks off.

That's opened the door in this country for Topten, a Web-based consumer guide to the most energy-efficient appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and lighting, as well as office products, consumer electronics, and automobiles. The 10 most efficient products in a category are covered, though since recently qualified models can be included, you might end up seeing
more than 10 options in a category.

The nonprofit Topten International Group consortium's program will launch an American version this October, according to Topten
USA's executive director, Norman L. Dean. Topten, which debuted in Switzerland in 2000 and has expanded to 16
European
countries, is also scheduled to start this fall in China and Hong Kong.

Topten USA will initially cover dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, room air conditioners, washing machines, and water heaters, plus cars, desktop and laptop computers, and televisions.  The photo shows the type of model comparison you can do on the site, in this instance between a Topten refrigerator and an average inefficient non-Topten model (with the sad face).

One value of Topten for you as a consumer is that it addresses the yes-or-no qualification that's inherent in Energy Star. With Energy Star, products simply qualify or don't—there's no distinction among models in a category. Note than you can use the energy-efficiency scores from Consumer Reports or the information on the EnergyGuide label to compare the efficiency of particular products. Read "Overhaul of Energy Star Product-Certification Process Represents Progress, but DOE and EPA Have More to Do" for background on other issues facing the Energy Star program.

"There can be a factor of two or greater between Energy Star products. That means one washer can use twice as much energy as another, but both will have the Energy Star label," says Dean about one advantage he sees in Topten. Dean also notes that Topten also expects to review products more quickly than Energy Star, every three to four months.

As Topten gears up for its American debut, it will be interesting to see how Energy Department and EPA react, perhaps tweaking Energy Star or hastening the start of Super Star.

—Daniel DiClerico

Essential
information: Check out our cash for
appliances buyer's guides to air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters and find the best places to buy appliances. To stay on top of
the latest cash for clunkers for appliances news, follow us at Twitter.com/CRHomegarden.

Q. I recently cleaned the inside of our tent trailer (the inside of the canvas) with bleach because I noticed some mildew or mold spots on the ceiling above the bed. It’s a rubber backed canvas on the ceiling. I simply put some Clorox in a bowl, along with some water – I’m guessing about 2/3 Clorox, and 1/3 water, and sponged it on.

I’m worried now that I did not dilute the solution enough, because I left the sponge in the bowl for a couple of days and it disintegrated. I’m sure the Clorox is dry in the trailer. Do you think I need to rinse it down even if it is dry? I’m worried about the Clorox damaging the fabric. Thank you.

A. Below, I have provided the recommended approach for dealing with mold/mildew stains from our Clorox® Regular-Bleach EPA back label. Your canvas tent should be similar:

Several differences exist between your approach and the recommended one:

• Note the ratio of liquid bleach/water is much less than you used (1/16 vs your 2/1). A little liquid bleach goes a long way.
• Also note the rinse step after the 5 minute contact time. This allows any unused bleach to be rinsed off.
• We don’t recommend using a sponge since they are cellulose and can be attacked by the bleach. The stronger the bleach solution, the faster the degradation.

So I would good back and do a couple of rinses with cool water. By now the bleach has degraded, but this should allow you a chance to confirm that the problem has been eliminated. If not, you now have the tools to do the follow-up work. Inspecting the interior will also help determine if any damage is likely to occur.

When I found this image, it took me back to my childhood of starched dresses and Keds for summer. Taken around 1955, the image shows a little girl helping with the laundry. I really don’t remember my first laundry experience but I’m sure it was my mother who taught me how to sort laundry and use the washer. I do remember learning to iron by starting with handkerchief and pillowcases. I moved on to my doll’s clothes before Mother allowed me to do “real clothes”.

Who taught you to do laundry? Share your story whether you learned at your mother’s knee, from a college roommate or by trial and error. I love a good story!

(Photo: Tom Kelley/Getty Images)