0:00:03 > 0:00:05Take a look around your home.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Can you be sure that every appliance is safe?
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Is everything a company tells you about a product true?
0:00:18 > 0:00:20And are you getting the best value for your money?
0:00:22 > 0:00:25With the help of the country's top experts, we're going to see
0:00:25 > 0:00:29what it takes to test the household products we use every day.
0:00:32 > 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 > 0:00:44..and show you how to make your money go further.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48You'll find these products in any ordinary house.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53But THIS is no ordinary house. And no ordinary street.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56This is the Watchdog Test House.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Hello, we're deep inside one of
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Britain's leading science centres.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Here at the Building Research Establishment,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13some of the products and materials that we use every day
0:01:13 > 0:01:14are put to the test
0:01:14 > 0:01:16to make sure that they're safe,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19environmentally friendly and that they don't fall apart.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Coming up on today's programme,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26could YOUR electric blanket go up in flames?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Our whole life seems to have been wiped clean
0:01:29 > 0:01:31from the day of the fire.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Better get it checked.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Instant tanning products - essential for any good bodybuilder.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41But just how well do they live up to their streak-free promises?
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- We've been finding out.- Generally it does look quite even, there's
0:01:44 > 0:01:47not too many streaks in there, it does look pretty good, actually.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51And how effective is the product recall system?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53There's nearly a million products
0:01:53 > 0:01:55that are still unaccounted for,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59are potentially dangerous, and will still be in people's homes today.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Are companies doing enough to warn owners of the risks?
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The electric blanket. Millions of us have one.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13For decades, they've been the winter warmer of choice.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16But do you actually know how old your electric blanket is,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18and have you ever had it tested?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21You might want to after seeing this.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Meet Clive Macdonald.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26Doctor Blanket!
0:02:27 > 0:02:30He's been testing electric blankets for more than 20 years.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34What you find is that it's laid on the bed,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37it's been there for years maybe,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39and we've seen them where they've
0:02:39 > 0:02:41brought it in for testing
0:02:41 > 0:02:43and they're completely threadbare,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46all the wires are hanging out and,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48well - it's just so unsafe.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53At this event in Halifax, Clive is helping Age UK
0:02:53 > 0:02:56to protect the local community.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00In previous years, we've had blankets that have come in scorched,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02they've come in with wires that have
0:03:02 > 0:03:04been frayed, extremely unsafe.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07We're going to screen as many blankets as we can
0:03:07 > 0:03:08and if they are faulty,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11we'll replace them for something that's safe.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I've come to have my electric blanket tested
0:03:14 > 0:03:16because I don't think people always realise
0:03:16 > 0:03:18how dangerous they can be.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Sidney Warden and his wife Teresa certainly do.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Two years ago, they found out the hard way.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28About an hour before we went to bed
0:03:28 > 0:03:30I put the electric blanket on,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32and then I switched it off
0:03:32 > 0:03:34before I got into bed.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35And the bed was nice and warm.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40But at 3am, Sidney was woken up by the smell of smoke.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43The electric blanket was on fire.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45I jumped out of bed and I saw flames
0:03:45 > 0:03:49shooting out from the middle of underneath the bed,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51and just as I got out on to the floor,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54the curtains caught fire
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and flames were shooting up to the ceiling.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01It was only as a result of Sidney's quick thinking that they
0:04:01 > 0:04:03managed to get out of the house safely.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07We were really very grateful to get out alive.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12The Fire Brigade arrived within ten minutes,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14but, as the flames had spread quickly,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16the damage had already been done.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19We've lost of course everything of sentimental value -
0:04:19 > 0:04:21photograph alums,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24mementos of places we've been to,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26our whole life
0:04:26 > 0:04:29seems to have been wiped clean
0:04:29 > 0:04:32from the day of the fire.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Sidney and Teresa were taken in by their daughter Ann who
0:04:35 > 0:04:40they lived with for more than year until their house could be re-built.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43It's not entirely clear what caused the fault with Sidney
0:04:43 > 0:04:47and Teresa's blanket because it was completely destroyed in the fire,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50but the reason for most fires is wear and tear -
0:04:50 > 0:04:55something Clive Macdonald is testing for at the Age UK event in Halifax.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Have you been using this this winter?
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- No.- No, not yet? - Not cold enough yet.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05So the first real thing is to do a complete visual inspection,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09make sure that the element rooting is all nice and even.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Check the cable, make sure there's no breaks or any damage
0:05:13 > 0:05:15to the controller...
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So then we do some power checks,
0:05:18 > 0:05:23just to make sure the controller is working correctly.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Clive's final check is to fire 15,000 volts through
0:05:31 > 0:05:35the blanket to find out if there are any breaks in the circuit.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37All seems well with this inspection.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Good. That blanket is in good order.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45But things soon go downhill.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Right, what's happening there, there's a break in the insulation
0:05:50 > 0:05:52covering the metal element.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Possibly you could get an electric shock from it.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Later we'll be finding out just how many blankets fail the testing.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Unfortunately, it has absolutely no safety features whatsoever
0:06:03 > 0:06:05and it is quite dangerous.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09And we head to this testing laboratory in Leatherhead
0:06:09 > 0:06:12to find out how older blankets stand up to modern-day testing.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Eventually, it could well have caused an electric shock.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17It could even cause a fire.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23The fake tan. Ever had one?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26You certainly don't want to be left looking streaky,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28or let's face it, just a little bit orange.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31So you may well decide to turn to one the many instant tanning
0:06:31 > 0:06:33products on the market,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36which promise to leave you with a natural and flawless-looking tan,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40fragrance-free, which won't rub off on your clothes.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42But how good are they?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Well, Sophie, we're going to look at some of the instant tanning
0:06:47 > 0:06:50products on the market to find out.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52So let's start with the basics.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54What exactly are they, Dr Laura?
0:06:54 > 0:06:55The main ingredients
0:06:55 > 0:06:57are what you'd find in a simple
0:06:57 > 0:06:59moisturising solution.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01And if you add some kind of a brown colour,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05what you get is an instant tanning product.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08And there's two different ways that companies go about this.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10So the first way they do it
0:07:10 > 0:07:13is they add a brown powder called iron oxide.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17Now, iron oxide is more commonly known as rust.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20The other way that companies go about making it,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24rather than adding iron oxide in there, we add colorants.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28These can be simple colorants, just like you'd find in food colouring.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33But whatever way a company goes about making this instant tan
0:07:33 > 0:07:36product, there's certain characteristics that
0:07:36 > 0:07:38people are always looking for.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42They want it to be streak-free, they want an even tone to their skin,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44they want it not to rub off on their clothes.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48They'd like it to be a little bit waterproof just in case you get
0:07:48 > 0:07:50caught out in a shower.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54That's what we want, so time to find out if that's what we can get.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57For the purposes of our tests, we've chosen a range of products
0:07:57 > 0:08:01making the biggest claims that we could find at a range of prices.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03The most expensive
0:08:03 > 0:08:07is the Makebelieve Instant Tan Wash Off Bronzer at £15 a bottle.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10It claims to be streak free, transfer resistant,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13and give a natural looking tan.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16The mid-range product is St Tropez Instant Tan Lotion.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20At £10 a bottle, it claims to be streak free and water
0:08:20 > 0:08:24and transfer resistant with its "Rainmac Technology".
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Finally, the cheapest product we could find is the £4.49
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Solait Instant Bronzer Wash Off Tan.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It claims to provide an immediate, flawless, natural looking tan
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and is - you guessed it - transfer resistant.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40All we need now are some people to try them out on.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Preferably some people that know a thing or two about fake tanning.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Yes, we've called in the big guns -
0:08:46 > 0:08:48literally.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Meet Sam,
0:08:49 > 0:08:50James
0:08:50 > 0:08:51and Austin.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54They're each going to test one of the fake tans.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55I'm pretty much a fake tan pro.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I've been using it for 30 years.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02It does get addictive so generally now I try not to leave the house without it!
0:09:02 > 0:09:04James gets the most expensive Makebelieve.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Austin gets the mid-range St Tropez.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Sam gets the cheaper Solait product
0:09:09 > 0:09:13and lucky Dr Laura gets to be our independent adjudicator.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Although this isn't a rigorous scientific test, they all apply
0:09:16 > 0:09:20the fake tan in a similar method according to the instructions.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22First of all - the streaky test.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25And our most expensive product, the Makebelieve.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29So you've applied your instant tan products now. It does look
0:09:29 > 0:09:33quite even, actually - it has gone on nicely. I can't see many streaks.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Next up, the mid-range St Tropez product.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Generally it does look quite even, there's not too many streaks
0:09:39 > 0:09:42in there, it does look pretty good, actually.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45And finally our cheapest product, the Solait.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48So there's a streakiness there, it doesn't look very even,
0:09:48 > 0:09:53and I must admit of the three of them, yours is the most streaky.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54It was quite hard to apply.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58But I would say this one's clearly the winner on this test.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03So round one and the most expensive product Makebelieve is in the lead.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06On to round two. How even are their tans?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08For this, we need a technological aid.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10This machine measures the colour of your skin
0:10:10 > 0:10:12and displays it as a number.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16We're looking at the number on the left - which measures brownness.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Laura's measuring two different parts of each body builder's skin
0:10:19 > 0:10:21to see how even their tans are.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25The closer the two numbers - the more even the tans.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28For Austin and Sam, what we've seen is there's
0:10:28 > 0:10:31not that much difference between the two different spots on your body.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35So it's quite an even tone you've got across your body there.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Whereas I'm afraid for you, James, there was a substantial
0:10:38 > 0:10:40difference between your arm and your elbow.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43So that would imply that there's different parts of you that will
0:10:43 > 0:10:47come out darker than others and it's not quite such an even tone.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49So after our second test, the St Tropez
0:10:49 > 0:10:53and the Solait products are starting to catch up.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56But these body builders aren't just concerned about streaks
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and even-ness. They want to know their fake tans won't
0:10:59 > 0:11:00rub off on their clothes.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- And they won't run off in the rain. - That's pretty cold!
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Find out the results of THOSE tests, later.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Now, it's fair to say that
0:11:12 > 0:11:15most manufacturers go to great lengths to test the household
0:11:15 > 0:11:19products we use every day and make sure that they're safe.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21So you'd think that if something does go wrong
0:11:21 > 0:11:24and a dangerous product gets onto the market,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27they'd go to the SAME lengths to let you know about it.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29But do they? Here's Lynn Faulds Wood.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33Welcome to Watchdog.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35On tonight's programme,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37all these people have written to us.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44'It was 1991 and I'd been working on Watchdog for six years.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'You'd helped the programme to uncover plenty of potentially
0:11:47 > 0:11:51'dangerous products - but something was bothering me.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55'Why weren't companies doing more to warn the public about faulty goods?'
0:11:55 > 0:11:59I've long thought the recall system in the UK is pretty appalling.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01For a start, there's no real system.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04These were potentially fatal faults.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07We think there's an urgent need for a better recall system here
0:12:07 > 0:12:09before someone is killed.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15'We hoped that appeal would prompt quick and dramatic change.'
0:12:15 > 0:12:17But it didn't.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20In fact, of all the campaigns Watchdog was involved in,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23THIS is the one that I think still needs most work.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Fast forward a few decades and yes,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30recalls do SOMETIMES make the headlines.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- 'Be it cars...'- The world's largest car manufacturer,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Toyota, is now having to recall
0:12:37 > 0:12:41more than 8.5 million of its vehicles worldwide.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- 'Or toys...'- Nearly a quarter of a million Fisher Price toys
0:12:45 > 0:12:48and high chairs are being recalled in the UK and it comes after safety
0:12:48 > 0:12:51concerns were raised following a number of injuries to children.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56But what about the other 400-odd products recalled every year?
0:12:56 > 0:12:59How many of THOSE do you hear about?
0:13:01 > 0:13:03The reality is that only 10-20%
0:13:03 > 0:13:08of recalled products are actually returned.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09And that's because so few of us
0:13:09 > 0:13:12ever hear that something in our home could be dangerous.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Why? Well, the laws surrounding how recalls should be done
0:13:16 > 0:13:18are certainly vague, to say the least.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20The law says that
0:13:20 > 0:13:22a manufacturer must communicate with
0:13:22 > 0:13:24the owners of the product if it's
0:13:24 > 0:13:29practical to do so, but they don't say what "practical to do so" means.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Therefore it's up to each manufacturer to make their own
0:13:32 > 0:13:35decision about what that phrase means to them.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39But not only is the law open to interpretation,
0:13:39 > 0:13:44it doesn't really address the key problem - contacting customers.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Vehicle safety recalls are one of the most effective
0:13:48 > 0:13:50types of recall in the UK
0:13:50 > 0:13:54because when we buy a car, we have to hand over our contact information.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00Manufacturers can also get our information from the DVLA.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03But with nearly every other product, that ISN'T the case.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Unfortunately, most manufacturers don't know who owns their products.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11If you imagine when you buy a hairdryer,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14toaster or a washing machine - most people don't supply
0:14:14 > 0:14:17the manufacturers any contact details.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Which means manufacturers have to hope
0:14:20 > 0:14:23they get your attention another way.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Like notices in newspapers.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30What they have to do is hope that people with the affected products
0:14:30 > 0:14:32will see those notifications and take action.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Not always effective, according to Nicola Millar.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Watchdog reported how her Hotpoint dishwasher blew up
0:14:40 > 0:14:43as a result of a faulty component.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47A faulty component the company was already fully aware of
0:14:47 > 0:14:50as the product HAD been recalled a month earlier.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52I had no clue, absolutely no clue
0:14:52 > 0:14:54that there was even any sort of
0:14:54 > 0:14:58fire hazard with these dishwashers.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00We could have actually died in the fire,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02I could have lost my whole family.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Nicola hadn't seen any of the notices that were published
0:15:06 > 0:15:07in national papers.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Here it is in The Mirror, in black and white.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Not exactly eye-catching, is it?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Hotpoint should have
0:15:15 > 0:15:18gone out of their way to make sure that this was common knowledge.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Hotpoint said safety was their main priority
0:15:22 > 0:15:26and they were continuing to find the outstanding affected products.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29And in fact, the company has done all that they were required
0:15:29 > 0:15:31to do under law -
0:15:31 > 0:15:34a law that's so ineffective that millions of recalled products
0:15:34 > 0:15:37are still unaccounted for.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Among them there's Bosch, Neff
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and Siemens dishwashers
0:15:42 > 0:15:44This Beko fridge-freezer.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48And this other model of Hotpoint dishwasher, the DWF.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Undoubtedly, because of the age of some of these products,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53some of those will have been scrapped by now.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57But what is without doubt is that these three recalls alone,
0:15:57 > 0:16:02there's nearly a million products that are still unaccounted for,
0:16:02 > 0:16:06are potentially dangerous, and will still be in peoples' homes today.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I'm still worried about the recall system -
0:16:08 > 0:16:10but there are things you can do
0:16:10 > 0:16:15to make sure you have a better chance of hearing about recalls.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18For example, if you buy a domestic appliance - big or small -
0:16:18 > 0:16:22it's a good idea to register your details with the company.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26That way if there is a recall, they'll be able to find you.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27You can also check
0:16:27 > 0:16:30if things in your home have been recalled on websites like
0:16:30 > 0:16:32The Trading Standards Institute,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Electrical Safety Council
0:16:35 > 0:16:36and Recall UK,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39which provides information about most recalled products.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44And maybe, just maybe, the changes I called for back in the 1990s
0:16:44 > 0:16:47might finally be coming our way.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49We've had a number of retailers
0:16:49 > 0:16:53and major manufactures have come to us and talked to us about what
0:16:53 > 0:16:56they can do improve their recall effectiveness.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59And some of them have even suggested that maybe
0:16:59 > 0:17:02they could take a leadership role within their industry to show
0:17:02 > 0:17:05how recalls can be made more effective.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Printer ink.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Believe or not, it's one of the most expensive liquids in the world.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17So choosing the right printer -
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and therefore the correct ink - is crucial.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Here to help us understand it all is Richard Headland from Which.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28These things, they're not big, but they cost a fortune. Why?
0:17:28 > 0:17:31They do. We worked out actually that you spend more on ink
0:17:31 > 0:17:32per millilitre
0:17:32 > 0:17:34than you would on vintage champagne.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So this stuff really is phenomenally expensive.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38And, you know, obviously it has to
0:17:38 > 0:17:40be made to certain specifications
0:17:40 > 0:17:43so it's not going to damage your printer, but beyond that
0:17:43 > 0:17:45we really can't see why it's so expensive.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Does it make a difference what kind of printer you buy?
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It does. For example, cheaper printers,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52and you can find some for as little as £30,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56will have a combined colour cartridge and a black cartridge.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Now, a combined colour cartridge,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00as soon as one of the colours in there runs out, like your
0:18:00 > 0:18:03magenta, for example, then you've got to replace the whole thing.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06And that gets really costly over time.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Beyond that, there's also a big difference between
0:18:08 > 0:18:11whether you go for a laser printer or an inkjet printer.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Now, inkjet printers are much better for printing photos, which is
0:18:13 > 0:18:16what most people want them for these days.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19But the thing to be aware of there is they do use a lot of ink
0:18:19 > 0:18:21every time you turn them on and off, so they have to clean
0:18:21 > 0:18:24the print heads and that wastes ink every time you do that.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- Does the amount your print make a difference?- It does, yeah.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30If you're maybe printing for business use in your home office,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33for example, then you're better off with a laser printer
0:18:33 > 0:18:37because it's much more economical in terms of the running costs.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39The printer is more expensive to buy in the first place,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41but it will cost you less in the long run.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44For most people wanting to print photos,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46then you are going to have to buy an inkjet printer.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48There are all kinds of ink cartridges on the market -
0:18:48 > 0:18:52does it make a difference what kind of cartridge you buy,
0:18:52 > 0:18:53whether it's a brand or non-brand?
0:18:53 > 0:18:56If you want to be safe, you can stick with the branded cartridges -
0:18:56 > 0:18:59indeed, while your printer's under warranty, you may want to do that.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01However, outside of the warranty period,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04absolutely no reason not to use non-branded cartridges.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06We do find the results can be variable,
0:19:06 > 0:19:10but you will find some that are as good as the manufacturer cartridges.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12And they cost you a lot, lot less to buy.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- Richard, thank you.- Thank you.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Back now to those instant tanning products.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Earlier, we saw how some can leave you looking streaky,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28despite those claims of a natural and even-looking tan.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32So what happens when they come into contact with a snug-fitting
0:19:32 > 0:19:33white T-shirt?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Now that's another question.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38I can tell you're loving this one, Sophie.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Well, you'll be pleased to hear it's time for that white T-shirt test.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44James is wearing the most expensive instant tanning product
0:19:44 > 0:19:47in our test, the Makebelieve at £15.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Austin has the mid-range St Tropez at £10.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53And Sam, the £4.49 Solait product.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56They each put on these rather large white T-shirts...
0:19:56 > 0:19:58have a quick wriggle around for a minute...
0:19:58 > 0:20:00and then take them off again.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Let's see if any fake tan has come off.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Right, so I can see some instant tan has transferred onto
0:20:07 > 0:20:10all three of your T-shirts there.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Those two products have performed about the same.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18I'm afraid to say this one is clearly the loser.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20When you were putting the T-shirts on,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23did you get any on the outside of the T-shirts?
0:20:23 > 0:20:28Now for your one, yes, we can see there was some on the outside there.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31For yours... Quite a lot has come off of yours.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35I'd say of the three, yours has transferred the least,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38yours has transferred a little more...
0:20:38 > 0:20:39and I'm afraid to say yours
0:20:39 > 0:20:41has transferred an awful lot.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42Very disappointing!
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Although this is just a snapshot, on our test, NONE of the products
0:20:46 > 0:20:49have actually lived up to their claims of being transfer resistant!
0:20:49 > 0:20:50But the most expensive product -
0:20:50 > 0:20:53the Makebelieve - has done slightly better than the other two,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57with the mid-range product St Tropez coming a close second.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00So to our final test - rain.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Or at least, our version of rain.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05The mid-range product - St Tropez - makes big claims about being
0:21:05 > 0:21:08water resistant with its "Rainmac Technology".
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So will that one do much better than the other products,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14which make no such claims? Time to find out.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15SHE LAUGHS
0:21:15 > 0:21:17HE GASPS
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Now, we can instantly see that quite a lot has come off there.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I'll give you towel, so you can dab yourself.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27That was pretty cold!
0:21:27 > 0:21:30We ask our guys to dab themselves with a towel to see
0:21:30 > 0:21:32if any comes off.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34First, the most expensive - Makebelieve.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40Oh, wow - look at that! An awful lot of this product has come off on here
0:21:40 > 0:21:42and it's streaking as well.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Next, it's Austin's turn with the mid-range St Tropez.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Now, your product claims to be water resistant,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52so this will be interesting to see how it does. So, are you ready?
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- OK, let's go.- Good.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08So what we're looking to see is how much comes off onto the towel.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10How much gets transferred.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Let's have a look.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13Wow!
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Quite a lot has come off, there!
0:22:16 > 0:22:20And finally, as Austin goes to dry off, it's Sam and the cheapest
0:22:20 > 0:22:22product, the Solait's turn to face the watering can.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33Yeah.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Quite a lot has come off, I'm afraid to say
0:22:35 > 0:22:39and what it's left behind is really streaking.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I think it's fair to say you might not get the best results
0:22:42 > 0:22:45if you wear ANY of these instant tanning products in the rain.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48St Tropez told us while consumers expect their product to
0:22:48 > 0:22:51withstand light rain, spilt liquids and physical exertion,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54they understand that it will wash away after showering.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58They say their products undergo robust extensive scientific testing
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and user trials to validate ALL claims.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04And add there are many factors that go into the pricing of the product,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07but the cost of the product to consumers is ultimately decided
0:23:07 > 0:23:09by the retailers.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14Makebelieve say their product is not marketed as water resistant.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16They add that evenness is something that the whole industry struggles
0:23:16 > 0:23:20with and further information is available on their website.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22As for Solait,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25they told us their own independent trials gave excellent feedback.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30So overall, the product which has come out on top in our one-off test
0:23:30 > 0:23:33is the most expensive - the Makebelieve.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36But at £15 a bottle, remember that's a whole £5 more than
0:23:36 > 0:23:38the mid-priced product
0:23:38 > 0:23:41and more than three times the price of the cheapest one.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43We'll leave you to judge whether overall,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45it gave three times the performance.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Back now to electric blankets and that testing event in Halifax.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56They've been checking for signs of wear and tear
0:23:56 > 0:23:58and blankets that could be dangerous.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59So what did they find?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04By far the biggest problem with electric blankets is age,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08as the safety features can deteriorate over time.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11In fact, it's the ones that are more than ten years old that
0:24:11 > 0:24:14cause 99% of blanket fires.
0:24:14 > 0:24:20The blanket I brought in today, it's very old, I've had it donkey's years.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I haven't seen one of these
0:24:22 > 0:24:23for quite a while.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25A heated mattress.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I estimate that it's nearly 50 years old.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31But unfortunately it's got absolutely no safety features
0:24:31 > 0:24:35whatsoever, so if a fault occurred on the blanket,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38it wouldn't switch off the electric
0:24:38 > 0:24:39and it is quite dangerous.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45The blanket fails the test - which means it now needs to be destroyed.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50But for every blanket that's seized, Age UK provide a replacement -
0:24:50 > 0:24:52which comes as a relief to owners like Kathleen.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I know that I'm quite safe and that I can use it any time
0:24:55 > 0:24:57and not be frightened.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58There are still,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02we estimate, millions of blankets that are still over 40 years old.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04People just do not throw them away.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08And sadly, they quite often never get them tested.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11And that's certainly true for many of those
0:25:11 > 0:25:14bringing their blankets here today.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18In total, out of almost 100 blankets tested at this one event,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21a staggering 70% failed -
0:25:21 > 0:25:24either due to their age or condition.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26And if you're still not convinced about the need to get YOUR
0:25:26 > 0:25:29electric blanket checked, wait until you see this...
0:25:32 > 0:25:35We've brought this 45-year-old blanket...
0:25:35 > 0:25:37to this testing lab in Leatherhead.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40They're going to show us some of the tests electric blankets go
0:25:40 > 0:25:44through to ensure they conform to British Safety Standards.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47How will it stand up to modern-day testing?
0:25:47 > 0:25:48First up - the flexing test,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52seen here being carried out on a modern blanket.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Brace yourself, it's about to get technical.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57With the flexing test,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00what we're looking for is
0:26:00 > 0:26:02the integrity of the mechanical
0:26:02 > 0:26:05connection of the cord to the unit.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08The metal strands inside the cable can break
0:26:08 > 0:26:12and eventually you could end up with an open circuit inside the wire
0:26:12 > 0:26:16which can then overheat the cable and catch fire.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20For this test, the blanket's control panel is normally
0:26:20 > 0:26:22attached to the flexing machine
0:26:22 > 0:26:27and the cable is bent to a 90-degree angle 10,000 times.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31The cable is then inspected for broken strands inside the wire.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35This test takes five hours, but our old blanket fails
0:26:35 > 0:26:37even before Ray's attached it to the machine!
0:26:37 > 0:26:40That won't take long before that insulation breaks through.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43If somebody touched that when that was in operation,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45you could get an electric shock.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Next - the electrical strength test.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51The standard requires the insulation around the cables to be able
0:26:51 > 0:26:54to withstand 3,000 volts for 60 seconds -
0:26:54 > 0:26:58more than ten times the voltage of your average British plug socket.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02A surge like that might happen if your house is struck by lightning.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Going to wind it up very slowly...
0:27:05 > 0:27:071,000 volts...
0:27:07 > 0:27:10But if the insulation is doing its job, the blanket
0:27:10 > 0:27:13should remain operational despite the extra voltage.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- 2,500... - MACHINE BEEPS
0:27:16 > 0:27:20That beep means the insulation broke down at just 2,500 volts -
0:27:20 > 0:27:23500 volts short of the 3,000 target.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Eventually, it could well have caused an electric shock,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29it could even cause a fire.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32In other words, it's another fail for our old blanket.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37How will it perform in what Ray calls the five-fold test?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Ray attaches a thermometer to the surface of the blanket to
0:27:39 > 0:27:44monitor how hot it gets if it becomes folded whilst in use.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46At the moment, this blanket does seem to be as if
0:27:46 > 0:27:49it would pass without any problems and the temperature
0:27:49 > 0:27:51is well within the requirements of the specification,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55so for a very old blanket, it's passed a very modern test.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01But don't get too excited, because when we compared our old
0:28:01 > 0:28:04blanket with a modern one, a key safety feature was missing.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Here you can see what's called a melt layer that's
0:28:07 > 0:28:10found inside the wiring of modern blankets.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Our old blanket didn't have one,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15and yet they're an essential safety feature.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20If anything happens and the blanket overheats,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23that layer will melt and the protection system in the blanket
0:28:23 > 0:28:26will pick that up and operate and the blanket either doesn't cause
0:28:26 > 0:28:31a fire, doesn't electrocute anybody and switches off in a safe position.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39If you want more information on the safety of products in your home,
0:28:39 > 0:28:44you can go to our website...
0:28:46 > 0:28:49That's all for today. Thanks for watching.