0:00:03 > 0:00:05Take a look around your home.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Can you be sure that every appliance is safe?
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Is everything a company tells you about a product true?
0:00:17 > 0:00:21And are you getting the best value for your money?
0:00:21 > 0:00:24With the help of the country's top experts, we're going to see
0:00:24 > 0:00:28what it takes to test the household products we use every day.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34We'll discover how they're pushed to their limits...
0:00:37 > 0:00:40We'll put the makers' claims on trial.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44And show you how to make your money go further.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48You'll find these products in any ordinary house.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50But THIS is NO ordinary house.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52And no ordinary street.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55This is the Watchdog Test House.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Hello - we're deep inside
0:01:02 > 0:01:05one of Britain's leading science centres.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Here at the Building Research Establishment,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10some of the products and materials
0:01:10 > 0:01:14that we use every day are put to the test,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17to make sure that they're safe, environmentally friendly...
0:01:17 > 0:01:19and that they don't fall apart.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Coming up on today's programme...
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Unsafe upholstery.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28The gentleman had suffered quite severe burns.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30He'd been sitting in a chair that was on fire,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and hadn't been able to get out of that chair in time.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36We're on the road with Trading Standards as they attempt to
0:01:36 > 0:01:39get illegal furniture off the market...
0:01:39 > 0:01:43At the end of the day, if it doesn't comply with the legislation, that makes it dangerous.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Vanish, Ariel, Wizz.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50ALL promise to remove stubborn stains.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52But how do they compare?
0:01:52 > 0:01:56And the energy-efficient homes of the future.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Could they make high energy bills a thing of the past?
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The average energy bill is about £1,300 a year.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04For THIS house, it could be less than £150.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11It's now more than 25 years
0:02:11 > 0:02:14since Fire Safety Regulations were introduced in this country to
0:02:14 > 0:02:18try to reduce the number of people dying in house fires.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Since 1988, there have been rules in place to make sure that
0:02:22 > 0:02:25covers, upholstery and filling materials on furniture pass
0:02:25 > 0:02:29strict flammability tests before they can be sold.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30But despite these laws,
0:02:30 > 0:02:35there's STILL furniture on sale and in our homes that doesn't comply.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Carlisle in Cumbria... In September 2013, it was
0:02:40 > 0:02:44the scene of a devastating house fire.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46The gentleman had suffered quite severe burns.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49He'd been sitting in a chair that was on fire, for whatever reason
0:02:49 > 0:02:51hadn't been able to get out of that chair in time.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Station manager Craig Drinkald was one of the first firemen
0:02:55 > 0:02:59on the scene and he helped to co-ordinate the crews.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04'It was a relatively small developed fire in terms of a building fire.'
0:03:04 > 0:03:06They went into the living room,
0:03:06 > 0:03:07it was very hot in there.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09There was lots of thick smoke,
0:03:09 > 0:03:10quite a low smoke layer.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13As soon as the smoke cleared, they unfortunately discovered that
0:03:13 > 0:03:15someone had died in that fire.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19The victim had dropped a match which hadn't been properly
0:03:19 > 0:03:22extinguished into a waste paper basket.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26It set fire to his armchair - which rapidly went up in flames.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28When we did the investigation, we were able
0:03:28 > 0:03:32to find out that the chair didn't meet current safety standards.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Just cos of the fact of its age - it was quite an old chair.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38We applied a naked flame to it outside
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and it burnt really readily, it gave off thick, toxic smoke.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42It gave off droplets of fire.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45So it actually ADDED to the fire development
0:03:45 > 0:03:46rather than suppressing it.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Just take a look at this footage
0:03:48 > 0:03:50which demonstrates the difference
0:03:50 > 0:03:52between a sofa that meets current
0:03:52 > 0:03:54regulations, and one that doesn't.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56The sofa on the left
0:03:56 > 0:03:57isn't fire-retardant
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and can't be sold legally in the UK.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02It takes just THREE minutes
0:04:02 > 0:04:04to reach life-threatening levels
0:04:04 > 0:04:05of fire and smoke.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06The sofa on the right
0:04:06 > 0:04:08which IS fire retardant and legal
0:04:08 > 0:04:10takes TWENTY minutes
0:04:10 > 0:04:12to reach the same intensity.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15The reason why we've got the regulations is to give people time.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Time so that they can realise there's a fire,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and they can make an escape and unfortunately in this situation,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23the gentleman didn't have time because the fire took hold really quickly.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28But beware - it's not just old furniture which poses this risk.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Modern furniture can fail to comply with the regulations, too.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36And it's up to Trading Standards to seek out these illegal products,
0:04:36 > 0:04:37and remove them from sale.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Today we're going to be visiting some furniture shops
0:04:41 > 0:04:43in the Birmingham area
0:04:43 > 0:04:47that we think might possibly be selling furniture that doesn't
0:04:47 > 0:04:52comply with the Consumer Protection Act, and the furniture regulations.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56A label should be put on the furniture that has a batch number
0:04:56 > 0:04:58on it, which is an ID.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02If they haven't, then we'll probably seize them
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and send them for testing.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07The first shop Hannah and her colleague Sharon are visiting is
0:05:07 > 0:05:12one where they've spotted suspicious furniture on display in the window.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14But what will their closer investigation reveal?
0:05:14 > 0:05:18So this is the label that's got all the information on it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20It's got a batch ID on it.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And it's got the postcode of who's manufactured it.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26This footstool looks OK,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30but a headboard for a bed soon catches Hannah's eye.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31That's made of foam.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And that should have
0:05:34 > 0:05:36one of two labels on it.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Either the longer label which has got all the information on it,
0:05:41 > 0:05:42or the shorter label.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46You can see from this item here, that it's got the short label,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48but there's no batch ID.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53By law, all upholstered furniture must display labels along with
0:05:53 > 0:05:57a batch number which allow it to be traced back to the manufacturer.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00If they don't, not only is it illegal, but it could be
0:06:00 > 0:06:04an indication that the materials used are not fire retardant.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09Later, we'll discover just how much illegal furniture they find on sale in Birmingham.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I have to admit, I'm very disappointed and I'm quite shocked
0:06:12 > 0:06:17really, considering this legislation has been out for a number of years.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19And we'll find out just how dangerous it can be
0:06:19 > 0:06:21when it's taken to the lab for testing.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29Now, we've all been there -
0:06:29 > 0:06:33sometimes your basic washing detergent isn't enough
0:06:33 > 0:06:34to get your clothes clean.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Which is why you might turn to one of the many products on the
0:06:38 > 0:06:43market claiming to have brilliant or amazing stain removal powers.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47But with some brands costing almost five times more than others...
0:06:47 > 0:06:49is it worth spending that much more?
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Yes, Sophie - it's testing time. Today's products?
0:06:54 > 0:06:55Three stain removers -
0:06:55 > 0:06:58all widely available from the major supermarkets.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02The cheapest we could find - Wizz Oxi Fabric Stain Remover
0:07:02 > 0:07:07for £2.50 per kg. A mid-price version - Ariel Stain Remover Powder
0:07:07 > 0:07:11at £8 per kg. And finally, the most expensive we could find -
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Vanish Gold Stain Remover,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17at a pretty precious £12.12 per kg.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21To really put them through their paces, we're going to need
0:07:21 > 0:07:23some heavy-duty stains.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Where better to find them than here?
0:07:26 > 0:07:27Leeds University Rugby Club.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Normally, everyone's just splattered with mud, absolutely caked in it,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34especially with the pitches in the condition they're in at the moment.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37It's a tough job to get rid of all the stains.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Something tells me these seven brand-new T-shirts we've provided
0:07:40 > 0:07:43aren't going to stay white for long.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49A few crunching tackles and triumphant scoring slides later
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and layers of mud begin to build up on the surface of the T-shirts.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58This is what's known in the science world as "particulate staining".
0:07:58 > 0:08:02In this case, the mud and sand get lodged within
0:08:02 > 0:08:06the fibres and structure of the textiles.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The session might be over, but the testing isn't.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12We're not happy to challenge our stain removers with just
0:08:12 > 0:08:13a bit of mud.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16We're adding a little extra as the guys re-hydrate
0:08:16 > 0:08:19from their workout - cranberry juice -
0:08:19 > 0:08:22for what's known as a "molecular stain".
0:08:22 > 0:08:26It's different to mud and sands because it will
0:08:26 > 0:08:29penetrate more deeply within the structure of the T-shirt.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33It will create bonds with the material, with the T-shirt
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and it should be harder to remove because of the chemical bonds
0:08:36 > 0:08:42formed between the cranberry juice and the T-shirts.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45We have our stains, we have the shirts -
0:08:45 > 0:08:47time to put them in the wash.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50To test the three products, we've chosen three shirts with
0:08:50 > 0:08:54a similar amount of staining for both mud and for cranberry juice.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57We're washing them in the same machine,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59at the same temperature, with the same basic washing powder,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03to which we add one of our three stain removing products.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And once they're dry, our volunteers will be giving us
0:09:06 > 0:09:08their opinion on which shirt looks the best...
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And our expert will measure precisely how well each product
0:09:11 > 0:09:13has done at removing the stains.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17We'll bring you the results of all that later in the programme.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24When it comes to product testing, it's not always just about safety.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Here at the Buildings Research Establishment
0:09:26 > 0:09:29it's about efficiency, as well.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Even the Watchdog Test House has helped improve energy use in homes.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Here's Lynn Faulds Wood.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39'Welcome to Watchdog.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43'In tonight's programme, all these people have written to us.'
0:09:47 > 0:09:49With the rising cost of energy bills...
0:09:49 > 0:09:51We could face 17 more years
0:09:51 > 0:09:53of above-inflation increases in energy
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- and water bills. - And complicated tariffs...
0:09:57 > 0:09:58New rules have come into force
0:09:58 > 0:10:01to simplify confusing and often complex tariffs.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07..there's never been a more important time to understand our homes' energy efficiency.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10That's why since 2007,
0:10:10 > 0:10:15all houses sold or rented in this country must have one of these -
0:10:15 > 0:10:17an Energy Performance Certificate.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22This shows how good - or bad - your house is at energy efficiency.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26It also gives advice on how to improve the rating of your home
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and save money.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29And the good news?
0:10:29 > 0:10:33There are now plenty of things around to help you do just that.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Many of which were developed here,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40at the Building Research Establishment.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Founded in 1921, it was one of the worlds first science centres
0:10:45 > 0:10:49dedicated to the development and innovation of buildings.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53There's over 26 million homes in the UK.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Less than 1% of those would actually meet modern energy targets.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Of those, about 8 million would be defined as "hard to treat",
0:11:01 > 0:11:05namely solid walls, draughty windows, poor central heating.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08A typical example?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12This Mansion house at the BRE facility built in 1855.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16It's often difficult in these houses to understand
0:11:16 > 0:11:19where the heat leaves the building and how it leaks out.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23So what we do is take them through a number of tests.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26One such test - thermal imaging.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30The areas where heat is escaping are shown in yellow -
0:11:30 > 0:11:33as you can see, the windows and doors are weak points.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37You don't need an energy performance certificate to see that
0:11:37 > 0:11:39this house is pretty draughty.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42So - in order to help improve the energy performance
0:11:42 > 0:11:47of houses like this, the BRE set up the Victorian Project.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51This house was actually built at the same time as the Mansion house,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55but has been upgraded with various products to demonstrate how best
0:11:55 > 0:11:58we can improve our older homes.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00The key to dealing with these kind of buildings is
0:12:00 > 0:12:02having a fabric-first solution.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05So in this case we've tried to find the best insulation so we're
0:12:05 > 0:12:09not having to reheat that building to make up for the energy losses.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Of course, there are the more familiar measures
0:12:12 > 0:12:16like double-glazing, insulation in the loft -
0:12:16 > 0:12:18even under the floor boards.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23But it was inspiration from an unlikely source
0:12:23 > 0:12:26that has taken energy saving to the next level.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32We've also got insulations that come from NASA where they
0:12:32 > 0:12:36have developed advanced insulations using aerogels and nano technology.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40These are still in development and are still quite expensive
0:12:40 > 0:12:43and you would use them strategically around the building
0:12:43 > 0:12:45for cold bridging and around windows.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48So if you now compare the thermal image of this house -
0:12:48 > 0:12:52fitted with all the latest energy-saving products - to
0:12:52 > 0:12:55that of the Mansion house, you can see the difference a few
0:12:55 > 0:12:57simple energy-saving measures actually make.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Escaping heat is shown in yellow
0:12:59 > 0:13:03the efficient house on the left has hardly any.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Today, of course,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09new houses are designed with energy efficiency in mind.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12This is our Watchdog Test House - otherwise
0:13:12 > 0:13:16known as The Prince's Natural House, run by the Prince's Foundation.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Made from natural materials, it combines traditional design
0:13:20 > 0:13:24principles with all the energy efficient upgrades of a modern
0:13:24 > 0:13:29house. It has high ceilings and triple glazing, aerated clay blocks
0:13:29 > 0:13:34and clay-tile roofing, all to create a low energy, low carbon home.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38But what a house is designed to do
0:13:38 > 0:13:42and how it actually performs can be very different.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44This is known as the 'performance gap'.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47We were particularly interested in whether we could
0:13:47 > 0:13:49actually test it for 18 months, 2 years
0:13:49 > 0:13:53and see whether it actually performed as it was modelled.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Testing an empty shell is one thing -
0:13:55 > 0:14:00but to see how this house truly performed, people had to live in it.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03On site. For twelve months.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06You can actually understand how those people living in it
0:14:06 > 0:14:09found it to live in, we wanted to see what they were actually
0:14:09 > 0:14:13doing that actually enhanced or decreased the performance.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17The good news - the design of this house is performing well.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21So the next step is to get this proven energy-efficient home
0:14:21 > 0:14:23onto the market.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27But it's not just about reducing our energy bills.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29The government also aims to reduce
0:14:29 > 0:14:33green house gasses by 80% by 2050.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Stricter building regulations will mean more energy-efficient homes
0:14:36 > 0:14:38being built in the future.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40But how will they perform?
0:14:44 > 0:14:47This is the BRE's Green House.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50It was designed to be a super energy efficient house
0:14:50 > 0:14:52with zero carbon emissions.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55That means in principle we could disconnect it from the gas
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and electrical supply and it would remain self sufficient in energy.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Solid concrete walls and external insulation prevent heat loss
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and keep the house cool in the summer.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10As well as conserving energy, it also generates its own.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14On the roof it has solar PV panels to generate electricity
0:15:14 > 0:15:16and heat the water.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20And rain water is collected and used for the showers and toilets.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24It's also designed to cope with changes in climate.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26The house is SO good, it would be
0:15:26 > 0:15:29at the top of an Energy Efficiency Certificate.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32In practical terms, across the UK, the average energy
0:15:32 > 0:15:35bill is around £1,300 a year.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39For this house, it could be less than £150 for the year's bills.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Energy bills are expensive because our homes are
0:15:43 > 0:15:47so poorly insulated with draughty windows and leaky doors.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Testing in places like BRE over the years is not just helping to
0:15:52 > 0:15:56cut our carbon emissions, but also our bills.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58So more power to them.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Now, if you own a car, the chances are you've had to
0:16:07 > 0:16:08replace your tyres.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11And it can be an expensive business, particularly
0:16:11 > 0:16:13if you pay more than you need to.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Well, with me is Emma Butcher from What Car?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Is it simply a case of the more you pay, the better the tyre?
0:16:19 > 0:16:20No, not always.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24You need to do your research before you start buying a new tyre.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28That's very easy these days because about 18 months ago,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32some tyre labelling regulations came into force which requires all
0:16:32 > 0:16:34new tyres sold in the UK to have a nice big sticker on them
0:16:34 > 0:16:38which tells you how economical they are and also how effective
0:16:38 > 0:16:40they are at braking in the wet.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The labels use an A to G scale
0:16:43 > 0:16:46so that you can rate how effective tyres are.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49In terms of fuel economy, an A-rated tyre could save you
0:16:49 > 0:16:51about 7.5% in terms of your MPG
0:16:51 > 0:16:54at 50 mph over a G-rated tyre.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00We found that the best rated tyres are in general averagely priced.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02What about winter tyres - is it worth using them?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Yes, definitely, especially if you live in rural areas where
0:17:06 > 0:17:09roads aren't gritted perhaps as frequently as in the cities.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13They can provide really good grip and stability in cold
0:17:13 > 0:17:16and icy conditions below around 7 degrees Celsius.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20In fact, it's not always really expensive to have winter tyres
0:17:20 > 0:17:23because a lot of dealers and garages will store them for you
0:17:23 > 0:17:25and sometimes will fit them for free.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Don't forget, while you've got your winter tyres on,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30you're saving the wear of your summer tyres.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33And talking of wear, if you spend more on a tyre,
0:17:33 > 0:17:34is it going to last you longer?
0:17:34 > 0:17:38It's really difficult to put a mileage on how long your tyre should
0:17:38 > 0:17:41last for, because there are so many different variables.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44That can take into account how you drive, where you drive,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47if you're going very fast or braking a lot,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49whether your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure...
0:17:49 > 0:17:53There are all sorts of variables, so...be careful the way you drive.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Emma, thank you.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Back to those stain removers now
0:18:00 > 0:18:05and the products that claim to get rid of those hard-to-shift marks.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Earlier, we asked a rugby team to scrum down and get dirty for us
0:18:09 > 0:18:13as we put three products of varying prices through their paces.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16How well will they have delivered on their promise?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Time to come clean.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22First, a quick reminder of the products in our test.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23The cheapest product,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Wizz Oxi Fabric Stain Remover for £2.50 per kg. The mid-priced
0:18:28 > 0:18:33Ariel Stain Remover Powder at £8 per kg. And finally, the most expensive
0:18:33 > 0:18:38readily available option - Vanish Gold Stain Remover, at £12.12 per kg.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41We built up a nice layer of mud,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45then added a splash of cranberry juice - to find how well each
0:18:45 > 0:18:47product removed two basic types of stain.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50We looked at particulate stains
0:18:50 > 0:18:54and we looked at molecular stains.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Particulate stains will be physically lodged within
0:18:56 > 0:19:00the fibres and molecular stains will penetrate more deeply
0:19:00 > 0:19:03and form chemical bonds with the material.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07Now for the science.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11This nifty bit of kit is called a spectrophotometer.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15It's designed to precisely measure the colour of materials.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18For each product, Dr Vadran takes a reading from a brand-new
0:19:18 > 0:19:21pristine white T-shirt and compares that to the colour
0:19:21 > 0:19:24of our stained T-shirts - AFTER they've been washed.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28The closer the two results, the better the stain remover has done.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33First up - the Cranberry stain.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38All of the stain removers did a very good job.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43However, by just a tiny fraction, Vanish came out on top.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Wizz, the cheapest product in our test came in second place,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49with mid-priced Ariel coming third, and a narrow win
0:19:49 > 0:19:52for Vanish, our most expensive product.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55But overall, an excellent start for our stain removers
0:19:55 > 0:19:58against the tricky cranberry stain.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Next up - the mud - the stain our experts felt
0:20:03 > 0:20:04they should do best with.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08After one washing cycle, some
0:20:08 > 0:20:13of the mud stains still remained on the surface of the T-shirt.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16All of the stain removers found the mud harder to cope with.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21The T-shirts were heavily stained by mud and the mud
0:20:21 > 0:20:23and sand penetrated really deeply.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Dr Vadran believes that, with a couple more washes,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29they would have removed almost all of the stain.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36Overall, there was a reversal of fortunes for our stain removers.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39This time...the mid-priced Ariel narrowly came out the best
0:20:39 > 0:20:43and Vanish, the most expensive product, the worst.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46But perhaps the most remarkable part of the test was
0:20:46 > 0:20:48the performance of our cheapest product -
0:20:48 > 0:20:51the Wizz Oxi Fabric stain remover.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53It came a close second in both tests, even though it's a third
0:20:53 > 0:20:57of the price of Ariel and nearly a fifth of the price of Vanish.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Stain removers are very similar one to another
0:21:01 > 0:21:04when we compare chemical content.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08So I'm not surprised by the fact all of the stain removers did
0:21:08 > 0:21:12a very good job on removing our stains.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15So the more scientific measurements show how close the three products
0:21:15 > 0:21:19were in terms of stain removing in our test, regardless of price.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22But when we asked our volunteers to say which they thought had
0:21:22 > 0:21:24done the best job, there was one clear, stand-out winner.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- B looks by far the cleanest. - I prefer B, personally.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32I'd say B is the best.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36B has definitely done the best out of all of them.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40In fact, out of the six volunteers,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43five rated B - Ariel - as the best overall.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Aerial told us that they undertake more extensive and robust
0:21:48 > 0:21:51scientific testing in order to make claims about their products.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55But according to our one-off test, all three have done an excellent
0:21:55 > 0:21:58job of getting rid of the stains. So, perhaps you don't always
0:21:58 > 0:22:01need to spend a fortune to get good results.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05I'm impressed with that, considering how much cheaper it is.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08I was surprised at how well they actually got the stains out,
0:22:08 > 0:22:09especially the cranberry juice.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12If it can give me that sort of performance, and clean my stuff,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16my kit, week-in, week-out, then brilliant, I don't see why you wouldn't use it.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Earlier, we heard how sofas and upholstered items should now
0:22:25 > 0:22:29all be fire-retardant and properly labelled at the point of sale
0:22:29 > 0:22:31because of laws introduced in the '80s.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35But as the Trading Standards operation in Birmingham is proving,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37that is not always the case.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Hannah and her colleague Sharon are carrying out
0:22:44 > 0:22:48an inspection of a shop they suspect is selling dangerous furniture.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50They've already uncovered a headboard which doesn't
0:22:50 > 0:22:53comply with labelling regulations.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55It's got the short label.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56But there's no batch ID.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00But what about this stiletto-shaped chair?
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Looking at this piece of furniture,
0:23:02 > 0:23:06I should be able to trace it back to the batch number, to the
0:23:06 > 0:23:11original test house, to the original foam, and to the original cover.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Now...I can't do that, clearly.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18And Hannah's not just worried about the labelling on this chair...
0:23:18 > 0:23:22I'll sit on it. I'm not a test house, but at the end of the day,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26if it's going to start wobbling about...
0:23:26 > 0:23:29And it's not... If this isn't very safe...again,
0:23:29 > 0:23:33it won't pass general product safety regulations.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37In this one store alone, the team find dozens of items that
0:23:37 > 0:23:39don't comply with the law.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42The shop-keeper claims he didn't know the rules,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44but as far as the officers are concerned,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- that's no excuse. - These items will be seized...
0:23:47 > 0:23:49And you're requested to provide me any documentation you have
0:23:49 > 0:23:52relating to the supplier, or testing of these products.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56The poor labelling is an offence, but it doesn't
0:23:56 > 0:24:01necessarily mean the furniture isn't fire retardant to a legal standard.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04That's why it has to be tested to find out.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07So the officers are going to seize as much as they can
0:24:07 > 0:24:09fit into their van.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11Onto the next shop.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14The premise has been visited previously,
0:24:14 > 0:24:15we found on that occasion
0:24:15 > 0:24:18that they had furniture that didn't comply with
0:24:18 > 0:24:20labelling requirements and the company were asked to provide
0:24:20 > 0:24:23documentation to show where they came from.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25We haven't received any information from them
0:24:25 > 0:24:28so we're going to go back into the premise now.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35On arrival, it's clear this could take some time.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Have you got any breadcrumbs?!
0:24:39 > 0:24:41It's massive...
0:24:41 > 0:24:43The difficulty we've got in here
0:24:43 > 0:24:45is that there are so many amounts of furniture
0:24:45 > 0:24:48we couldn't physically spend the time to look through every
0:24:48 > 0:24:50piece of furniture to make sure that it's labelled properly.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54What's more, a quick inspection of just a few of the goods
0:24:54 > 0:24:56has already raised some issues.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59These footstools that we've found are a potential problem
0:24:59 > 0:25:01because there's absolutely no labelling on them at all.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05So we need to find out whether they've been imported or
0:25:05 > 0:25:07whether they've been made in this country.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Because obviously we need to follow that up
0:25:10 > 0:25:14because I can't think of any way these could be traced back to the
0:25:14 > 0:25:17original foam and the original covers.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22The owner explains that the stools were bought as part of a suite.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24What they've said to us
0:25:24 > 0:25:27is that the batch number is actually on the settee or the chair
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and the footstool just comes with it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33But, you know, the label has to be on all the furniture,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35not just the settee, not just the chair.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37It also has to be on the footstool.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41So some footstools will be taken away for testing, along with
0:25:41 > 0:25:43a number of other mislabelled items.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46There goes that shoe again!
0:25:46 > 0:25:49We've taken some of the items that haven't got the appropriate labelling on.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53They've been put in the back of the van and we'll take them up to Yorkshire to get them tested.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59A couple of weeks later and a number of items seized in Birmingham
0:25:59 > 0:26:03have arrived at the West Yorkshire Trading Standards testing labs.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Among them are two of the footstools we saw seized earlier.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Technician Dale Brockbank is preparing to test them.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14He stuffs the material from inside one of them
0:26:14 > 0:26:15into a standard covering.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18He then sets it alight with a gas flame.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22If the foam inside the footstool is fire retardant to the legal
0:26:22 > 0:26:24standard, once the flame is removed,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27the fire should go out within two minutes.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31In fact, in this case, it takes far less time...
0:26:31 > 0:26:36So the filling IS fire-retardant and legally compliant.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39But what about the footstool's corduroy covering?
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Again, the burning should stop by itself within two minutes...
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Only this time the flames spiral out of control...
0:26:47 > 0:26:50The corduroy covering is illegal.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53And it's not alone - here's the second foot stool..
0:26:55 > 0:26:59And finally a zebra-print stiletto chair. This covering
0:26:59 > 0:27:01goes up like a house on fire.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06In fact, of the seven items tested today, only two pass.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09It's worth remembering that lots of different manufacturers
0:27:09 > 0:27:12make products like these shoe chairs and footstools -
0:27:12 > 0:27:15most of them will be compliant with the law -
0:27:15 > 0:27:19even Trading Standards were surprised by today's results.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20I have to admit I'm
0:27:20 > 0:27:24very disappointed and I'm quite shocked, really, considering this
0:27:24 > 0:27:28legislation we've been looking at has been out for a number of years.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30We'll end up going back to these retailers,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and see where these items have actually come from.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38The aim of the game is really to get this furniture off sale
0:27:38 > 0:27:39because at the end of the day,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42if it doesn't comply with the legislation,
0:27:42 > 0:27:43that makes it dangerous.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51If you want more information on the safety of products in your home,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55you can go to our website:
0:27:57 > 0:28:00That's all for today. Thanks for watching.