The claim. Hate scrubbing your shower? The Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner, a battery-operated appliance selling for about $25, is supposed to do the job for you. You hang it on your showerhead and, after the last shower of the day, press the "on" button. Cleaning solution whirls from a sprayer, combines with leftover shower water, and "automatically cleans your whole shower!" It's best to start with a clean surface; still, the device supposedly "will provide a noticeable reduction in existing mildew stains and soap-scum deposits in as little as two weeks when used on a daily basis."

The test. Twelve panelists took Bubbles home to shower stalls and tubs with dirt, scum, water stains, mold, mildew, or some combo of the above. Only one person cleaned her shower before using the device. We asked panelists to use it daily and not to clean their showers in the usual way during testing. They used the device for a month, took pictures weekly, and filled out a questionnaire.

CR's take. It's a dirty job, and judging by our panel, Bubbles might not do it. Eight of 11 panelists said their showers showed no improvement or were somewhat worse (the 12th couldn't comment, because it wouldn't hang on her vertical showerhead). The device missed some areas. Just to check its range, one person lined her stall floor with newspaper, which became wet in only one spot, directly under the cleaner. Another complaint: It left spots, streaks, or stickiness on walls and shower doors. Two panelists said the cleaner worked pretty well; one thought it was so-so. But for most, it was no-go. Save your money and use elbow grease.