These five winners stood out from among the 1,650 products that Good Housekeeping Research Institute evaluated in the past year.

Flexible Grilling Skewer from Fire Wire, $15 for two

From the why-didn't-they-think-of-that-before? file: This 27-inch wire skewer makes cooking up kebabs virtually hassle-free.

Meat and veggies slide right on, and the whole thing coils to fit easily into a bowl or resealable bag for marinating.

Once the grill's going, the skewer can be snaked around other foods.

Steam Dishwashers from LG, $1,049-$1,399

Do you run separate cycles for crusty pots and pans, and delicate glasses that you want to protect from chipping? Or run a full wash cycle for stored dishes that are more dusty than dirty?

Machines in this new LG line are the only ones that let you select different water-spray settings for the top and bottom racks.

They're also the first to have a short steam-powered freshening cycle for quickly and gently cleansing china of dust and film — while using less than one-third the water of even the quick wash cycle.

2 in 1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner from Carbona, $8

Grimy oven racks are a pain to wash. And after a season of barbecues, grill grates can be even worse.

This simple kit lets you ditch the scrub brush and soak away the burned-on crud.

The oversized plastic bag is roomy enough for two racks or grates — put them in, pour in the cleaner and let sit overnight.

Any residue that hasn't dissolved by that point can be sloughed right off with a scrubby sponge.

Travel Chair and Cocoon Bunk Sack with Insect Shield, $60 and $30, respectively

Whether camping in the wilderness or sitting on the sidelines of your child's soccer game, you'll want this portable chair as your perch.

An insect repellent embedded in the fabric keeps biting bugs from ruining your good time (and is also EPA-registered and appropriate for use by children and pregnant women).

The bunk sack has been similarly treated for a no-itch night under the stars.

Hall of Fame Award: Swiffer Sweeper from Procter & Gamble, $11 for a starter kit and $4.79 for refills

A goodhousekeeping.com poll asked readers: Which product has stood the test of time and made a significant improvement in your daily life? The Swiffer Sweeper came out on top — and Good Housekeeping is not surprised. It truly has changed the way we clean.

The cloth whisks up dust and hair better and faster than any broom bristles can, and with less hassle than hauling out the vacuum requires.

Used with wet cloths, it's even an efficient mop stand-in. Plus, the low-profile head ducks under furniture. How did we live without it?

ON ANOTHER MATTER ...

Getting ready for high school's most crucial exam doesn't have to cost a fortune in prep classes. Save with these budget-wise study strategies. Get practice via e-mail. Teens can sign up to receive the College Board's Official SAT Question of the Day. Download an i-app. The free SAT Vocab Challenge Lite app for iPhone and iPod Touch quizzes kids on the most common SAT words. Subscribe to prep podcasts. The Princeton Review's Vocab Minute introduces challenging words in catchy 60-

second songs that your kids can download on iTunes. Add vocab apps on Facebook. Options like Word Challenge and Scramble can boost verbal scores, too.

Recalls Alert

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC's toll-free hotline, 800-638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

PRODUCT/VEHICLE PROBLEM

Evenflo ExerCaucer 1-2-3 Tea for Me Activity Learning Centers, sold at Toys "R" Us and juvenile-product stores nationwide from December 2007 through March 2009 for about $70.

The candle flame attached to the top of the cake toy can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Consumers should immediately remove the cake toy from the product and contact Evenflo to receive a free replacement toy. For more information, call Evenflo at 800-233-5921.

2010 Volvo XC60The fuel-line rail cover that protects the fuel lines under the vehicle may not be properly attached, exposing the fuel lines to damage. This may result in a fuel leak, which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Dealers will inspect and repair, free of charge. For more information, call Volvo at 800-458-1552.