The New Way To Do Your Laundry

According to a Wall Street Journal article, one of the biggest concerns consumers have about laundry detergent is how to best read the inside of a detergent bottle cap for accurate measurements for various sized loads. Thankfully, these new products just about eliminate that problem.

Most Innovative: Method Pump Detergent
Method's streamlined packaging means less space is taken up in your laundry room. Consumers can stop worry about measuring with its pump design: Two squirts cleans a small load, three squirts a medium and four a large wash. You'll get 25 loads from a small bottle and 50 loads from a larger bottle. Plus, who can resist the Peony Blossom fragrance?

Most Unique: Purex 3-in-1 Sheets
Definitely a compact product for the wash, one of Purex's new 3-in-1 sheets is infused with detergent, softener, and anti-static cling, all released at the appropriate times in the appropriate appliance. It goes from wash to dryer. One pack of 20 sheets will do 20 loads, no need for measuring.

Most Bang for Your Buck: Arm and Hammer Gels
Arm and Hammer is a staple in many laundry rooms. Not too far off from traditional liquids, these gels, available as Arm and Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel and Arm and Hammer Essentials Power Gel Laundry Detergent, are the most affordable of the bunch. Why a gel versus a liquid? According to an article in Brandweek, Arm and Hammer reports that its gels are less expensive than comparable liquid detergents, and they are more concentrated for added strength.

Most Intriguing and Possibly, Most Money-Saving Product: Robby Wash Ball by Oransi
With the Robby Wash Ball the detergent itself is in pellet form and is filled into a curious, but cute round object you pop in your wash. It's popular in European laundry rooms, is usable in high-efficiency and traditional machines, but it's only available through mail order.

We Tried It! ShelterPop tried a ball, and it works, even in cold water. A testament to its effectiveness: A pair of deeply soiled boy's goalie gloves came out of a cold wash gleaming white, not grayed-out like in previous washes with regular old liquid detergent. The ball, which retails for $33, lasts for about 120 washes, which for families could mean less than four months, and for kid-free homes, it could last up to a year. For more info on the ball, click here.

The bottom line: Do the math to compare if it's worth switching to a snazzier, space efficient new laundry detergent, or, if you're like some frugal folks, keep on using what works just fine regardless of how big the bottle.