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Ready for a Cold Dip in the Washer?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:02:53 +0000

According to Appliance Magazine, Procter & Gamble, manufacturer of Tide, Gain and Cheer, has formed a strategic partnership with the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy to publicize the environmental and energy savings benefits of washing laundry in cold water. The Alliance will work with P&G's natural resource education initiative, Future Friendly, to provide consumers with the information on converting from hot/warm water washing habits to cold water washing.

There is significant potential energy savings that comes from using unheated, or less-heated, water in the wash cycle. Heating water can account for up to 80% of the energy used per wash load in the U.S. Moving to cold water washing - nationwide in the United States - could reduce CO2 emissions by 11 million metric tons annually.

"Energy efficiency doesn't always require huge investments or new equipment, but it often requires education," said Kateri Callahan, Alliance to Save Energy President. "If we can overcome consumer barriers to cold water washing, consumers would find it easy to be more energy efficient and to reduce their home energy bills. With just the switch of a dial, cold water washing is one of the simplest ways to save energy and money and benefit the environment."

P&G and its Tide brand committed to reaching 100 million U.S. households by Earth Day 2013 with educational information highlighting the energy savings and CO2 reduction benefits of cold water washing. This effort will help P&G realize its stated sustainability goal of converting 70% of the world's wash loads from warm/hot water washing to cold by 2020. Tide has marketed its Coldwater wash detergent in the United States since 2005 and the detergent now accounts for about $150 million in annual sales, but that's still a small share compared to $1 billion in annual sales for the regular Tide brand.

Vote for the Best Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener and Washer and Dryer for 2012!

The Nominees for Best Washer and Dryer Are - Vote Now!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:27:14 +0000

From January 18 until February 15, 2012 you nominated your favorites for Best Laundry Detergent, Best Fabric Softener and Best Washer and Dryer in the 5th Annual About.com Readers' Choice Awards.

The nominations have been tallied and the top five nominees have been selected in each category and it is time for voting to begin. The voting period will be from Wednesday, February 22 until Wednesday, March 21, 2012. You may vote once per day. The winners be announced on March 30, 2012. For more information, see About.com Readers' Choice Awards 2012.

The Nominees For Best Fabric Softener Are - Vote Now

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:22:09 +0000

From January 18 until February 15, 2012 you nominated your favorites for Best Laundry Detergent, Best Fabric Softener and Best Washer and Dryer in the 5th Annual About.com Readers' Choice Awards.

The Nominees For Best Laundry Detergent Are - Vote Now!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:15 +0000

From January 18 until February 15, 2012 you nominated your favorites for Best Laundry Detergent, Best Fabric Softener and Best Washer and Dryer in the 5th Annual About.com Readers' Choice Awards.

This is your opportunity to play a role in selecting the best of the best. You are encouraged to actively campaign for your favorite nominees on your own Websites or blogs, as well as social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and others.

Need to Save Money? Make Your Own Laundry Products

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:05:29 +0000

With the price of gasoline soaring, all of us are looking for ways to cut some costs in other areas. One way to save is to make your own laundry products - detergent, fabric softener...

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Monday Laundry Day Q and A: Dryer Heats Up When Not Running

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:09:10 +0000

Every week I get questions from readers about how to handle laundry stains and problems. I'm sure that many of us have experienced the same problems and asked the same questions. So, I'm sharing a Laundry Q and A every Monday, the traditional laundry day. Hope you find it helpful!

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Laundry Detergent Deals On Sale: February 19-25, 2012

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:34:07 +0000

Here are the laundry deals I found on sale this week:

Walgreens: All Laundry Detergent 28-40 loads 2 for $7.00; Shout Stain Remover 22 oz. 2 for $6.00; Xcel Laundry Detergent 41-50 loads 2 for $5.00

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Laundry Stain Removal Saturday: Sirloin Italiano

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:04:21 +0000

When winter winds are really blowing, I want something hot and hearty to eat. This is not the time for frosty salads and chilled pastas at my house. I think you'll enjoy this flavorful recipe and if you splash a bit while cooking or eating, just follow the links!

Sirloin Italiano

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

2 tablespoon chopped flat Italian parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

6 small sirloin steaks - about 3 ounces each

2 tablespoons pure olive oil

1 cup dry red wine

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained

4 cups cooked linguine

In a small bowl, combine garlic, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Pound sirloin steaks to 1/2-inch thick. Spread garlic mixture on one side of each steak and roll up. Tie with cotton string. Add oil to large skillet and heat. Add the steak and cook over medium high heat until browned on all sides. Lower heat and allow steaks to cook until desired level of doneness. Place steak on a plate and keep warm. In the same skillet used for browning, add red wine and tomatoes and heat until the mixture is reduced by half. Let steak rest 5 minutes after removing from pan and slice into spirals. Serve with sauce over hot cooked linguine. Serves 6.

For free nutritional information about this recipe, including calories, visit CalorieCount.

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Win 50 Bottles of Purex Triple Action Detergent for 50 Days

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:02:37 +0000

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Are you feeling lucky? Well, are you?

If you are, then enter the Purex 50 Bottles a day for 50 Days contest to win a free bottle of Purex Triple Action Detergent. Take a look at my review of Purex Triple Action to see if what I thought. If you're a winner, let me know what you're thinking about Purex. Good luck! (Photo: MML)

Tide Pods - Innovation Plus!

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:43:32 +0000

I know that many of you don't find laundry to be as fascinating as I do...but I just returned from a trip to P&G's Beckett Ridge Innovation Center near Cincinnati, Ohio that would change your mind. I made the visit to learn more about Tide Pods - set to the hit the shelves the end of this month. But, I learned so much more about consumers and the work behind a new P&G product. I can't wait to share more about the trip with you.

In the mean time, keep an eye out during the Oscars broadcast for the first showing of the new Tide Pods commercial. It's fun, it's colorful and it Pops!

I'm giving Tide Pods a test today on some laundry and I'll be reporting very soon. (Image courtesy of Tide)