Can a Steam Mop Kill Germs?

Cannon explains that viruses, in general, are very susceptible to heat. “Viruses come ‘shrink-wrapped’ in a layer of fat that helps them to survive in our bodies by acting as a type of stealthy covering,” she says. Spikes on the outside of this fat layer allow it to latch onto and enter your body’s cells….

Read More

This Is Why You Should Try Ultralight Backpacking (2025)

I first encountered the ideas of ultralight backpacking in 1994, in an article in now-defunct (and much-missed) Backpacker magazine. It was titled “Less is More,” by Mark Jenkins. (I still have a PDF copy I scanned years ago.) Jenkins wrote about a long trip across Europe and Africa. By the end, he and his traveling…

Read More

How to Get the Used EV Tax Credit Before It Expires

This credit has been in place since the passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but it was removed as part of a new budget reconciliation bill, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For now, buyers can still claim the tax credit on eligible used vehicles. However, the upcoming expiration date doesn’t mean…

Read More

Is Age or Mileage More Important When Buying a Used Vehicle?

Car shoppers often face the dilemma of being drawn to an older model or even a high-mileage model that’s otherwise a perfect match for their budget, needs, or tastes. This is especially true in today’s market, where vehicle selection is haphazard and late-model, low-mileage cars are in short supply. So if you have to compromise,…

Read More

7 Best Automatic Litter Boxes (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Compare Our Picks Others We Tested Photograph: Kat Merck Els Pet Orbitie for $260: This is one of the least expensive lidded automatic litter boxes. It functions much like the more expensive models, with an internal 65-liter-capacity orb that rotates and catches clumps with a plastic grate, depositing them into a bag-lined box below. The…

Read More

5 Best Bike Racks, Tested by Our Experts

We decided on a sampling of hitch-mounted platform racks, including a low-priced option designed with heavy electric bikes in mind and one intended for serious cyclists who anticipate regular use. We also evaluated low- and high-priced hitch-mounted hanging racks.  We ordered the racks online, assembled them in the Auto Test Center main garage, and tried…

Read More