Plus, if you're in the market for a new washing machine, you'll want to see the latest test results from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports tested 69 paints, checking out all kinds of things including how well the paint covers, how smooth the finish is and how it holds up over time.
"The fact is, the best paint for the pros is not always the best paint for a homeowner," says John Galeotafiore of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports says contractors don't always consider how easy it is to clean walls once they've been painted, or whether paint in a bathroom will develop mildew.
Consumer Reports did test for those things and more, and Top-rated for the second year in a row is Behr Premium Plus Ultra. It's available at Home Depot for around $33 a gallon.
But if you're using contractors, don't be surprised if it takes a little convincing to get them to try something new.
"They also develop a relationship with the retailer that sometimes makes it hard to switch brands," say Galeotafiore.
Whirlpool's Vantage retails for $2,000. It has a fancy touch screen with more than 50 different wash cycles, a USB port for software upgrades, and even an illuminated washtub.
Consumer Reports tested the Vantage along with 117 other washers.
"We put all the washing machines through a series of tough tests to see how well they'll perform," said Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman. "And we also want to see about all the bells and whistles, and if they're worth their extra cost."
In the end, testers did like the Vantage, but found you don't have to spend anywhere near $2,000 to get a great machine.
"Well, it was our top-scoring top-loading washer, but another model from Whirlpool did nearly as well. Actually, it only scored one point lower," says Lehrman.
That's the Whirlpool Cabrio. And it uses less energy and washes much faster than the Vantage. For about $660, it's a Consumer Reports Best Buy.
If you prefer a front-loading washer, Consumer Reports rated the $800 Kenmore model 4027 a Best Buy.
