Consumer

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The economy is forcing more people to spend time around the house these days. Every year, new products come out to make life easier, and many of them are featured at the International Home and Housewares Show.

The trade show is in progress through Tuesday at McCormick Place, but it's not open to the public.

But Diana Smoljan of the Housewares Show visited CBS 2 on Tuesday, March 24, with an assortment of new items that were unveiled at this year's show. Here's a list:

Tulz – fruit/veggie saver containers – colored and shaped like them item being stored, i.e. red tomato shaped, purple onion shaped, lime green etc. 3.99 – 4.99; available in June. Great way to save half fruits and veggies and not get them lost in the fridge.

Bodum – Presso double wall glasses; insulated clear glass with colorful heat- resistant bands; new product and great way to spice up a cup of coffee at home; 25.00 – 6oz; 30.00, 12 oz.; available late spring

Gravity shakers – in similar 21st century colors, tilt toward the food and they work automatically, no muss, no fuss; bright colors accent any table; excellent for at-home entertaining during this slow economy. 29.95, available late spring.

LS ARTS – handblown artisan glass wine stoppers; beautiful, one of a kind stoppers that make great housewarming gift with a bottle of wine, especially during a time of increased home entertainment. Nice keepsake – $10-12 ; available now.

Built products – The new wave in portable totes; from fishnet wine tote, to lunch carrier, market bags and more; made of neoprene (wet suit material), machine washable, very durable, very stylish; several lines in 21st that century design and bright happy colors; very HOT new product line.

Orka – silicone products that resist heat up to 475 degrees; dishwasher safe, bright colors, multiple, counter worthiness,

Trivet – two-in one tongs

Prepara - Pop saver – ceramic bowls with built in silicone lids that simply flip up and down to creat a seal , i.e. one-handed function; beautiful colors, can store anything from nuts to herbs to grated cheese with beauty and leave them on the counter; fits an age when people want to leave commonly used stuff out and ready to use $20.00, available now.

Spray Mister – for oil spraying and making infusions, what makes this one different is it dishwasher safe materials for thorough cleaning; esp. important for infusions, which mix ingredients and can lead to contamination when cleaning is not thorough enough. $20.00, available now.

Pyrex – Magnetic measuring spoons – never lose a spoon from the set again; magnets contained inside the plastic avoids rust and extends product life; the magnets keep the set together no matter what.

Eneloop – rechargeable batteries that can be charged for 1,000 times the use of regular alkaline batteries. Save money, save energy; green product for 21st century. $17.00 for the set of two batteries and a plug-in charger.

Viatek– Veggie Peel – A new way to peel anything from potatoes to carrots and have the peelings perfectly stored in an attached container that's easy to dump and reattach.
No peels in the kitchen sink, no peels on the floor. Invented by a lady who works in her kitchen all the time. $14.99 available now.

Zadro - Sunlight 365 Aura – sunlight simulator. These kinds of products are very valuavble for people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder and general doldrums from the lack of sunlight in the winter and early spring. Most of these are huge and difficult to place on a desk or counter. This hand-size device produces 10,000 lux, the rating necessary to produce the beneficial light affects and can be adjusted for intensity.

Fit and Fold – a new way to easily fold fitted sheets for storage as well as idneitfying corners for correct fit. Mom and pop company; the inventor was with Best Buy and then went out on his own with venture capital from family and friends to put this product to market. Anyone who has tried to fold these things knows how useful this product will be.
$9.99 available now.

Ravi – wine cooler. Yeas, there are wine coolers out there, but this is the only one that fits into the top of the bottle and instantly cools wine to drinking temperature. A coil enclosed in a waterproof casing is placed in the freezer and then put into the top of the bottle. When the wine emerges, it's perfectly cooled. Last for hours.

Oregon Instruments – the clock with a screen that changes automatically as the user turns the frame to fit a certain space. High design, wood frame than can accent any room and a unique screen that shifts as the frame is shifted.

Germ Guardian – humidifier; space age design makes it look retro, but the colored digital display is 21st century. Multiple setting for hot or cold air and a patented, silver-imbued tank that prevents mold and bacterial growth for cleaner mist and better room. $179.00, available now.

Oxo _TOP containers – new storage units for anything in various sizes and a unique seal that contains any liquid without leaking. Dishwasher safe, very durable, brand new. $3.00 to $20.00, available now.

BacTrac – portable, personal breathalyzer. A palm sized device that is esay to use and accurate. Always know before you drive whether you should or not. Virtually instant read out. Use the BacTrac, then go find your designated driver. $79.99

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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