The Good Housekeeping Research Institute reviews thousands of products each year, but only the most revolutionary, problem-solving gadgets receive the top honor of winning a VIP (Very Innovative Product) Award. We took a look at award winners from the past decade to find some of our favorites that we still use today.
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| Stuart Tyson/Studio D |
Brooks Brothers No-Iron Shirt
Ironing clothing can be the most time-consuming part of the laundry process, so in 1999, we were excited to discover that the Brooks Brothers No-Iron Shirt is truly wash-and-wear. We boldly proclaimed that “Your husband can pluck it from the hot dryer and walk out the door.” The secret to its design is a “baked” in finish, which eliminates wrinkling.
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Huggies Little Swimmers
Unlike plastic- or rubber-lined swim pants for babies and toddlers, these throwaway winners “won’t swell in water or droop on land.” We lauded the bright, colorfast covers on Huggies Little Swimmers and they swam to the top of our list in 1999.
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Olay Daily Facials Cloths
These all-in-one towelettes became part of our skincare routine in 2001. Daily Facials Cloths “create enough suds to take off makeup, even mascara,” providing a quick-clean fix on nights when you’re too exhausted to wash your face with cleanser. Unlike other wipes, they won’t leave your skin dry or with an oily residue.
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OXO Measuring Cups
Whether you’re baking a cake or whipping up waffles, it’s important to measure precisely. But to get an accurate reading, you need to check the markings at eye level. Not so with OXO cups: “A quick glance at the inside strip shows the exact amount as you fill the cup,” allowing us to take perfect measurements faster in 2002.
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Crest Whitestrips
In our tests, Crest Whitestrips lightened teeth an average of three shades, giving us something to smile about in 2002. If you’re tired of coffee-stained teeth, use this product twice a day for quick results.
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Dutch Boy Twist and Pour Paint
Does your leftover paint dry out by the time you’re ready to touch up? We solved this problem in 2003 by using Dutch Boy’s Twist and Pour latex paint, which has twist-on-lids to keep paint fresh and a handle and spout to reduce spills.
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Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice
Rice from the microwave that’s actually delicious? You’re skeptical, but trust us: Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice was a tasty time-saver in 2005. It cooks in only 90 seconds.
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| Stuart Tyson/Studio D |
Tide To Go Pen
Whether you’re heading out for work or play, take along this tiny stain remover. In a 2006 Good Housekeeping Research Institute test, the Tide To Go Pen “safely erased most fresh, nonoily drink and food spots such as red wine, tomato juice, ketchup, and coffee.” It even works on silk!
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| Stuart Tyson/Studio D |
Target Pharmacy’s ClearRx Bottle
Finally, we found a prescription label you can read without your glasses in 2006. The drug and dosage info on this bottle is printed in large letters, it has colored rings to help identify medicines, and even comes with a card highlighting side effects and warnings.
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| Stuart Tyson/Studio D |
Wii Fit
In 2009, even the most committed couch potatoes enjoyed “standing on the Wii Fit Balance Board and following on-screen instructions for yoga, aerobics, strength training — even walking a tightrope and hula hooping.” You earn points for good performance, and get feedback on how you can improve.
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| Stuart Tyson/Studio D |
Scotch Fur Fighter
We won the war against pet hair in 2009 with the Fur Fighter, which “has a textured pad that grips and removes virtually every hair — even ones deeply embedded in the fabric.” Once a sheet is full, just throw away and replace.
Source: Yahoo! Shopping
