Do you ever say to yourself: I wish there were a product that would do what I really need it to do?

Good Housekeeping recently asked visitors to its Web site, www.goodhousekeeping.com, to name the features they wanted in cleaning tools to make their lives easier. Then the experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute searched for ones that fit the bill and tested them. Here are the dream products:

The wish: A floor cleaner that can do it all -- from shampooing delicate Berber to scrubbing tile.

The dream product: The Good Housekeeping Research Institute recommends the Hoover SteamVac All-Terrain ($299). What sets this steam cleaner apart from others is its spinning brushes, which work on fast or slow speed (or you can shut them off completely). So the Hoover easily transitions between all water-safe surfaces. In the Institute's tests, the SteamVac All-Terrain performed well on plush and Berber carpets without causing pilling or damage.

The wish: A washing machine that excels at zapping stubborn stains.

The dream product: The Good Housekeeping Research Institute suggests the Kenmore Elite HE5t ($1,500 for washer; pedestal and dryer sold separately). Its unique Stain Treat option starts the cycle in warm water (better for blood and protein-based stains), then gradually gets hotter to eliminate greasy spots, like salad oil. This champ knocks out a variety of spills, all in one load.

The wish: An iron that steams continuously without causing thumb strain.

The dream product: The Good Housekeeping Research Institute says it's the Rowenta Advancer ($160). Flip the switch to High, and this iron will generate pressurized steam -- 30 grams per minute -- until your clothes are crease-free. Additionally, it produces steam not only when the steam-burst button is depressed (as all irons do), but also at regular intervals during regular ironing.

The wish: You don't want to iron.

The dream product: Here, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute says the answer is spending a minute on wrinkle removal as soon as your clothes come out of the dryer. Just spritz them with Niagara Wrinkle Releaser and Odor Eliminator ($3), then smooth out creases and hang up the garments. The spray worked impressively well in the Institute's tests -- even on cotton, the king of crumples.

The wish: A dishwasher that'll save you from scouring gunk for an hour.

The dream product: The Good Housekeeping Research Institute says the dishwasher to consider is the Kenmore Elite Dishwasher With TurboZone Rotating Spray Jets ($1,150). In its tests, Institute staffers washed casserole dishes covered with baked-on beans and frying pans spotted with scorched hamburger chunks -- and the cookware came out spotless. Bonus: A normal cycle with TurboZone's spinning water jets uses less energy than a typical pots-and-pans cycle.

The wish: Prevent socks from being eaten by the dryer.

The dream product: It's maddening to find a single sock in your drawer without its match. To prevent this problem, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute says: Snap up Sock Cops ($9 for 20). These are small plastic grippers that "handcuff" socks together in the washer and dryer. Keep a cup of the Cops near the hamper, so you can clip mates together before tossing them in the dirty-clothes pile.

Got a minute --to clean?

These fast fixes will save hours down the line:

Clogged drains: Mix ¹₄ cup ammonia and 1 quart boiling water. Pour into bathroom and kitchen drains every few months to dissolve grease and loosen clumps.

Shower scum: Get the Casabella Clip-On Squeegee ($11). Last one out of the shower wipes down the tiles with this product, which clips to the showerhead.

Stove splatters: Put pot lids on burners. When sauteing, protect neighboring burners with pot lids. When finished cooking, pop the dirty tops in the dishwasher.

Filthy oven: Fill a glass bowl with ¹₂ cup ammonia Place in cold oven, let stand overnight. The next day, wipe loosened grime with a wet sponge.

On another matter ...

Many light ice creams have the same rich texture as their full-fat counterparts -- and about half the fat and calories. (The real stuff typically has 140 to 150 calories and 7 to 9 grams of fat per ¹₂-cup serving.) But how do the light versions taste?

To find out, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute asked 19 volunteers to blind-sample 15 light vanillas. The hands-down favorite in the regular light ice cream category was Breyers Light Creamy Vanilla. (One tester even exclaimed: "Is this really low-fat?") The highest-ranked no-sugar-added ice cream: Blue Bunny No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Vanilla. It has more calories and fat than its premium light version, which may very well account for the win.

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.

Lasko Ceramic Heaters, sold at retailers, home centers and discount department stores from September 2005 to April 2006 for $20 to $50 (selected models manufactured in 2005). The cord can overheat and pose a fire hazard. Consumers should stop using the heaters and contact Lasko for a free replacement. For more information, call Lasko at (800) 984-3311 or visit www.laskoproducts.com.

2007 Chevrolet Equinox; 2007 Pontiac Torrent: In the event of a crash, the windshield might not be retained, increasing the risk of injuries. Dealers will replace the windshield. For more information, call Chevrolet at (800) 630-2438 or Pontiac at (800) 620-7668.