Traditionally, consumers seeking high-efficiency laundry turn to front-loading machines. In fact, the survey uncovered that more than a third of consumers agreed that top-load washers use more energy than front load machines — a common misconception in today’s marketplace.

“Historically, front-load laundry pairs have led the industry in capacity and efficiency,” said Mary Zeitler, home economist, Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, “but nearly three-quarters of American households rely on top-load laundry configurations. Now, as more families look to save on energy, water and utility costs, it is important to understand that they can enjoy the best of both worlds.”

High-efficiency washing machines use up to 50 percent less energy than traditional models by washing clothes in a smaller pool of water. With less water in the cycle, the machine needs less energy to heat the clothes. Additionally, HE machines spin clothes at a faster rate and extract more water, thus reducing the amount of time required in the dryer.

“Now that high efficiency is available in both configurations, it is important that consumers understand the difference between a high-efficiency machine and other models,” said Zeitler. “Since an HE machine has such a tremendous impact on household energy and water bills, I recommend consumers seriously consider these models when replacing older machines. The savings add up fast.”

With proper maintenance on their HE machines, consumers can ensure peak efficiency and energy savings for years to come. It is best to use only HE detergent with HE washers to prevent oversudsing and build-up of residue. Futhermore, it is best to run full loads, but not overload the washer, to make sure clothes come out clean.

Whirlpool brand now offers two of the most eco-conscious top-load washing machines on the market — the Cabrio HE washer and an updated “Classic” conventional washer, in addition to the popular front-loading Duet model. All three models are ENERGY STAR qualified and use at least 50 percent less water and energy than conventional machines.

For more information on high-efficiency and HE laundry, consumers can log onto http://www.whirlpool.com.

Oil Gone Easy – a natural, bio-remediation product is now available by the quart for homeowners to safely clean oil-stained driveways, concrete, garages, and even soil.

Oil Gone Easy, now available to consumers, is the product that was used to help clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, and other spills on land. It’s been proven to work for oil spills – and now homeowners can use a highly-effective product to clean up oil spills at home.

Oil stains on the driveway are unsightly, and can be tracked into your home — exposing your family to petroleum while damaging your floors and carpets. If you keep tools in your garage such as weed trimmers and lawnmowers, they can drip oil or fuel and leave stains and petroleum smell in your garage.

Up until now it’s been difficult to eliminate oil spills. Common methods such as using rags, sand, or even kitty litter don’t actually eliminate the hydrocarbon contamination, nor do they remove the stain.

Bioremediation is a natural process at oil spill sites where bacteria break down fuels into harmless by-products like water. New products are available now that speed up this process. While bioremediation is EPA-approved, oil-spill tested, and a green method for actually breaking down hydrocarbons, it has only just now become available to consumers

Oil Gone Easy S-200 uses special nutrients to attract microbes to the spill, which then break the oil down into water. It takes about a week to completely remove an oil stain. Oil Gone Easy S-200 “recruits” local bacteria to work on the oil stain and its liquid form encapsulates the fuel spill immediately, preventing it from evaporating (or even washing away in rain) or seeping further into the ground.

It also promptly eliminates the petrochemical odor – and biodegrades quickly after completely removing the oil spot.

For more information visit http://www.oilgoneasy.com.

Another step people are taking is to buy eco-friendly or more natural products for their homes. A recent Yahoo green living survey found that 57 percent of respondents have made green purchases within the last six months.
There are simple and affordable steps you can take around the house that will help improve the environment of your home as well as the earth.

Step One: Understanding Natural
A growing number of companies have come out with “green” or “natural” products. But because these terms do not have regulated definitions or standards, it’s important to know what label claims mean when making buying decisions.

For example, when The Clorox Company introduced its line of Green Works natural cleaners, it listed all ingredients on the label and defined what it means by natural: ingredients that are plant-based, biodegradable and not tested on animals.

Check a company’s Web site and look for product reviews for more information about the products you want to buy to see if they live up to their claims.

Step Two: Take Simple Steps
You don’t have to give your home a top-to-bottom instant makeover. Take small steps to make your home more energy efficient and natural. Each one you take makes the next one easier.

Here are some simple steps to get you started:

• No running on empty. Load the dishwasher after every meal, but only turn it on when it’s totally full. Running several smaller loads instead of a full load wastes both water and energy.

• Foil spills. Line the oven, broiler and burners with aluminum foil for easier (and less harsh) clean up.

• Green cleaning. Use natural cleaning products made from plant-based ingredients. Josh Dorfman is a green lifestyle expert and author of “The Lazy Environmentalist.” He places several Green Works natural cleaners on his “50 Best Green Products” list. “I like the Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner and Natural All Purpose Cleaner,” he says, “because they’re natural cleaners that are also effective in getting the job done.”

• Think reuse! Recycling is great, but it still consumes a lot of energy. Before you toss, ask yourself: “Is there anything else I can use this for?” (Storing toys, sorting change, craft projects, etc.)

• Buy recycled. For paper product must-haves, purchase recycled, unbleached paper towels or napkins. Kitchen trash bags made from recycled materials are becoming more widely available as well.

• Car smarts. Save water by cutting the number of times you wash the car each month, and make sure to turn off the faucet between rinses. And think twice before hopping in the car for a ride to the store. Try shopping once every one or two weeks instead of making multiple trips for just a few items. Limiting the number of trips helps save gas and money.

Step Three: Get the Family Involved
It’s easier to make changes in the household routines if everyone is on board. Talk about why you want to make these changes. Get feedback from the kids on what steps you can take together to make your home healthier and greener. Everyone can pitch in: have the kids help with online research and decisions about new products. Even the littlest ones can help sort the recycling.

Making your home a little greener will not just make you feel better about your home, it will make your home a better place to live. For more tips on greener living, visit greenworkscleaners.com.

In the Know
Here are some definitions of terms associated with green and natural claims.
Renewable Resources: A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate that’s equal to the rate of consumption by humans.

Biodegradable: A biodegradable material is something that has the ability to safely and relatively quickly break down into the raw materials of nature and disappear into the environment.

Sustainable: A sustainable product is something made from renewable resources, which means they can grow back quickly and can be harvested with minimal harm to the environment.

Petrochemicals: Petrochemicals are chemical products made from raw materials of petroleum.
Definitions courtesy of the makers of Green Works Natural Cleaners.

There are many easy things you can do to make your home a cleaner, greener place to live.
Living Room: One of the easiest ways to save energy is to turn off the television when you leave the room.

Kitchen: Use kitchen cloths, napkins or hand towels made from bamboo or organic fibers. They are made from renewable resources.

Bedroom: Use rechargeable batteries for toys and electronics. If you use disposable batteries, be sure to recycle them properly.

Bathroom: Save water by placing a bucket in the shower or tub while waiting for water to get warm. Use it for watering plants or rinsing dishes.

Yard: Clothes dryers are one of the least energy efficient household appliances. On a sunny day, line-dry your laundry.

- Courtesy of Family Features – Materials Courtesy Clorox Green Works
Recycling photo: Getty Images