You’ve seen them advertised on TV, now find out if they really work! We put eight popular TV infomercial products for your home to the test to see if they actually live up to their claims.
Insta Hang
Use: Hanging pictures or other objects on walls.
Cost: $19.95 + $6.95 S&H = $26.90 total
Rating: ★★½☆☆
This picture hanging tool claims to allow you to hang pictures or other items, large or small, instantly while leaving only a small pinhole in the wall when removed. To use, position the tool on the wall and strike the peg dispenser with your hand to insert a hanging peg in the wall.
In our test the Insta Hang pegs didn’t always go in all the way without hammering. In addition, they pulled out of the wall when hanging heavier pictures, making Insta Hang a pricy replacement for a hammer and nails.
Hang Rite
Use: Picture wall hanging guide.
Cost: $9.95 + $6.95 S&H = $16.90 total
Rating: ★★★★☆
Hang Rite is a picture hanging guide tool that allows you to find the location for a nail or other picture hanger on the wall.
To use, place the guide on the top of your picture frame, then slide the marker bar to the location of the wire or hanging bracket on the back of the frame. Next, align Hang Rite on the wall with the top of the guide level with where you want the top of the picture frame, then drive a nail or picture hanger in the spot.
The Hang Rite worked well for marking the location of picture hangers, but the same result can be obtained easily by measuring. (Watch Video)
Half Time Drill Driver
Use: All in one drill bit and driver attachment.
Cost: $14.95 + $7.95 S&H = $22.90 total
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
The Half Time Drill Driver is a reversible drilling and driving attachment tool that allows you to insert a drill bit in one end and a driver in the other, then flip back and forth between the two to reduce the time it take to drill holes and insert screws.
The Half Time drill attachment was cumbersome to use and It had significant wobble when drilling or driving. In our test it took about the same amount of time to use as chucking and removing a standard drill bit and driver.
Flex Seal
Use: Spray on rubber for sealing cracks.
Cost: $14.95 + $6.95 S&H = $21.90 total
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Flex Seal is liquid rubber in a spray can that claims to be able to fill cracks and holes in everything from roofs to gutters to skylights with a waterproof seal once it has dried for 24 hours.
To test Flex Seal we sprayed it on cracks and joints in a sheet metal air conditioner pan, then allowed it to dry for two days. Some of the joints pulled loose and the pan leaked when filled with water. While Flex Seal did a good job of coating, the cracks in the metal seams came back through. (Watch Video)
Grout Bully
Use: Clean and renew grout lines on tile.
Cost: $19.95 + $6.95 S&H = $26.90 total
Rating: ★★½☆☆
Grout Bully claims to clean and renew dirty and stained grout lines in minutes. A built-in applicator is used to apply the product to grout lines on tile. After waiting a few minutes for Grout Bully to dry, you then wipe off any excess.
In our test of Grout Bully on a tile bathroom floor, dirt and discoloration in the grout came back through after the product had dried. While it did cover some of the stains and discoloration, the overall results were disappointing. (Watch Video)
Lint Lizard
Use: Removes hidden lint from clothes dryers.
Cost: $10.95 + $6.99 S&H = $17.98 total
Rating: ★½☆☆☆
Lint Lizard is a clear, flexible tube that attaches to your vacuum cleaner to allow you to reach inside the clothes dryer to remove unseen dryer lint. To use, attach the adaptor to your vacuum cleaner, remove the lint filter from your dryer, and insert the Lint Lizard tube into the filter opening.
In our test the Lint Lizard attached easily to the vacuum cleaner hose, but the tube removed little hidden lint from inside the clothes dryer. (Watch Video)
Worx GT
Use: Combination string trimmer and edger for your yard.
Cost: $99.95 + $26.00 S&H = $125.95 total
Rating: ★★★★☆
Worx GT is a cordless string trimmer and edger powered by a Lithium-ion battery that’s supposed to make fast work of trimming your yard. The lawn and garden tool required assembly, and the instruction manual consisted mostly of pictures, which required a bit of head scratching.
When we put the Worx GT to the test, it preformed well and was easy to change from trimmer to edger. The only problem we experienced was that the self-feeding string mechanism didn’t always work, requiring the string to be pulled out manually. (Watch Video)
Snap 2-0
Use: Garden hose quick release attachment.
Cost: $9.95 + $6.95 S&H = $16.90 total
Rating: ★★★★☆
Snap 2-0 claims to make attaching and removing gardens hoses from faucets and other watering device a breeze by allowing them to slip on and off without screwing. To use, screw one end of the Snap 2-0 fitting to a hose and the other end to a faucet, sprayer, or other watering attachment. The interlocking halves of the plastic fittings slide together or apart, using an o-ring for a seal.
The Snap 2-0 worked well in our tests without leaking. But at almost $17.00 for two fittings, it was a bit pricy for what you received. (Watch Video)
Other Tips from This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini: Homemade Grill Charcoal Starter
To make a homemade fire starter to light charcoal in a grill, simply cut the top off a half-gallon paper milk or orange juice container. Next, cut a few vent holes in the sides of the container near the bottom, put crumbled up newspaper in the container, place it on the grill, fill the container with charcoal, and light the bottom of the container. (Watch Video)
Best New Products with Jodi Marks: Metal Rescue Rust Remover
Metal Rescue is a biodegradable liquid that removes rust from tools and other objects. To use, put rusty item in a container filled with Metal Rescue and allow to soak from two hours to overnight. Metal Rescue is available at The Home Depot. (Watch Video)
Ask Danny Lipford: Hanging Heavy Mirrors
The most secure way to hang a heavy mirror or picture is by driving a 3” long screw into a wall stud. When a stud isn’t available, a toggle bolt provides the most holding power. Start by putting a nut, washer, and toggle on the toggle bolt. Use a screwdriver to make a hole in the wall, slip the toggle through the wall, and tighten up the bolt. (Watch Video)
