In lieu of the somewhat-recent news about some states banning the sale of dish detergents that include phosphates, we thought we’d weigh in on the matter.

Some laundry detergent also include phosphates. Phosphates, in large quantities, have a toxic effect on aquatic life, and thanks to some careless sewage practices, fish are paying a heavy toll. As far as I know, professional dry cleaners do not contribute to this problem. However, they do their own damage (see: perchloroethylene). Dry cleaning and laundry detergent both get a Mr. Yuck sticker. Not Woolite® Dry Cleaner’s Secret!

Look, we’re well aware that Dry Cleaner’s Secret doesn’t solve all your laundry problems, but try working it into your laundry schedule. Instead of laundering your clothes after one use, freshen them up with a dry cleaning cloth instead. This will help them last longer and you’ll play less of a hand in man’s destruction of nature. And you’ll make us happy.

Ok, so I thought myself relatively savvy when it came to matters related to laundry – specifically how to do laundry cheaper. But, this is total news to me – the tankless water heater. Where in the world did that awesome little appliance come from?

Check this out: With a tankless water heater, you can heat water on demand. That means less energy is used to continuously heat a tank full of water, so you’re saving money on your energy bill. Of course, there’s a small catch – tankless water heaters cost roughly $200 more than a standard water heater. But considering how expensive your gas or electric bill can be each month, you’re still saving money in the end. PLUS, the government is shelling out $1,500 tax credits for going tankless. You know what that means to me? Tankless water heaters are free! Am I wrong in my thinking? I don’t think so.

Thanks to KerryGoldPlumbing.com, here’s an illustration that explains how they work:

The great value of Woolite Dry Cleaner’s Secret may not be the only fear for dry cleaners nowadays. A ninja — yes, a ninja — attempted to rob a dry cleaning business in Massachussets on Tuesday. He waved his sword at the register and demanded the money. The clerk said she couldn’t open it, proving the ninjas stealth and skill ineffectual against quick thinking. This all happened after the ninja reportedly went into a nearby convenience store, prompting the clerk to call the police. When he saw the clerk on the phone, he removed his mask and asked “Are you calling about me?” That’s when he decided to move on.

There are very few perks about this recession. Jobs are slim, wallets are slimmer — but it’s good to know that you can always have nice, fresh clothing for no cost.

First Professional Cleaners in Manhattan is keeping unemployed New Yorkers clean while they search for work. A sign in their front window reads: “If you are unemployed and need an outfit clean for an interview, we will clean it for free.” Apparently, this offer has been good since September 11, 2001 — only now it has more relevance, all things considered. The shop’s owner, Carlos Vasquez, says he makes good on as many free cleanings as he can afford.

A South Bronx, New York laundromat does a lot more than just wash your clothes, according to a New York Times article. Dios Restaura (God Restores) is owned and operated by Jacinto de la Cruz who has turned his family business into a sort of neighborhood mission.

The nearly 100-machine laundry’s reading material sits as stacks of religious scriptures, including a bible and a sign that reminds patrons to “Stop and Praise God.” Surprisingly, the store is open on Sundays, though someone else covers the shift. Mr. de la Cruz (whose name, interestingly, translates from Spanish as “of the cross”) is off preaching around the neighborhood.

Just thought we’d share this interesting twist on the old saying “cleanliness is Godliness.”

Tide® laundry detergent has sent the Tide CleanStart™ Mobile Laundry truck to Waterloo, Iowa to help the families affected by the recent flooding. The program developed by Tide in partnership with America’s Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network, is designed to help natural disaster victims in the wake of such destruction as Hurricane Katrina and the California wildfires.
“Food and clean clothing are among the most basic essentials people need in times of disaster,” says Vicki Escarra, president and CEO for America’s Second Harvest.
The CleanStart truck is currently in Waterloo, Black Hawk County where the flood recently destroyed thousands of homes, leaving many without shelter and basic needs like clean clothes.
Waterloo is considered a central location for several towns in the state hit the hardest by the floods. Families are able to drop off their laundry to be washed, dried and folded for free by the service’s team. The truck is equipped with 32 washers and dryers capable of completing 300 washes and dry cycles a day.
Read the entire Press Release.

According to a survey conducted by Woolite Carpet, most American women want the quickest, easiest solutions to home care (apparently spending an entire weekend cleaning lost its luster!). The survey included 1,000 women from across the country, and yielded some interesting results.

• It’s all about looks – 71 percent of those polled said it’s more important that their home looks tidy and clean versus being thoroughly clean.
• What lies beneath – 53 percent admit they have covered up a stain or mess on their carpet, and 41 percent have actually moved a heavy piece of furniture like a bookcase or TV stand to cover up a stain.
• Many are giving up on cleaning altogether – 59 percent are more likely to toss out a stained rug or floor mat rather than get it cleaned.
• Not so livable – it’s such a hassle to keep the living room clean that once the task is done, those surveyed said they are resistant to resuming their normal habits. In the days after tackling this room, eating (44 percent), wearing shoes (42 percent) and drinking (36 percent) are off-limits.

From the development stage of The Westin Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, Starwood Hotels considered sustainability. All laundry water is recycled into irrigation for watering the gardens and plants in and around the hotel, and guests will be offered the option of keeping their same bedding for the duration of their stay, to avoid over laundering and wasting water and energy. Additionally, all chemicals used at The Westin Dubai will be biodegradable, and all waste will be sorted and recycled.

The hotel is expected to open in May 2008.

Much to all of our surprise, there’s a laundry detergent that’s specially formulated to wash athletic gear with moisture wicking fabrics like Nike Dri-Fit, Under Armour, and Coolmax; Win High-Performance Sport Detergent. Not sold? Well, Michael Phelps and the gang use it, supposedly, so it must work, right? I don’t know… I’ve never had any problems with my conventional detergents. Maybe it’s because I haven’t experienced the bacteria slashing power that Win yields!

Give it a try then give us a yell. We’re curious.