Archive for August, 2011

Laundry is something I think a lot about.  It’s hard not to when you have three kids and an active husband.

I want laundry products that are effective and healthy for my family and the environment.  BUT, they also need to be affordable.

Little by little, I have been trying to wean myself away from using dryer sheets, since I worry about chemicals and their impact on my family and the environment.  In the past, I’ve checked out a few of the “earth-friendly” brands at the store and gasped at the price.  Totally not happening.

The trouble is, there are still times when I really like using dryer sheets… and hate to go without them totally.

A few weeks ago I received a package of Arm & Hammer Essential Fabric Softener Sheets in the mail as part of the Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge.  Before opening the box, I didn’t know one thing about Arm & Hammer’s dryer sheets.

So I was happy when the box read:  “Naturally Derived Softeners” and “Biodegradable Softening Agents” Oooh, I like the sound of that.

The box was even made from 100% Recycled Paperboard and 35% Post Consumer Content…  better still.

I opened the box to find that the sheets seemed to be made to lessen their environmental impact.  They are less dense, thinner and smaller than the brand of sheets I buy.  Would that mean it wouldn’t work as well?  I aimed to find out.

On first impressions, the only downside was the smell.  It boasted a Lavender (one of my favorite smells) and Linen Scent.  But the perfume of the open box was a bit strong for my sensitive nose.

The real test would be the way a dried load of laundry smelled.

The warm laundry coming out of the dryer was a pleasant surprise.  The previously strong sent had mellowed to a much lighter clean scent on the clothes.

I was also happy that there was no static cling.  When you live in a dry environment like me, that’s a big deal.  And the clothes felt nice and soft.

So far, Arm & Hammer Essentials Dryer Sheets was a more environmentally friendly option, that did a great job softening clothes and preventing static cling, but what about price?

I compared the price of Arm & Hammer Essential Fabric Softener Sheets with popular eco-friendly brands at my local supermarket.  The price comparisons were stunning.  Arm & Hammer sheets were a fraction of the cost per box and had a much higher sheet count.  So, just for fun, I compared the Arm & Hammer Fabric Softener Sheets with a major competitor (not eco-friendly).  Again Arm & Hammer was cheaper with a higher per box sheet count.  That’s even before adding a coupon. Awesome.

My conclusion:  Arm & Hammer Essential Fabric Softener Sheets are great value.  They aren’t perfect in the eco-friendly department, but they are a great move in the right direction… especially when you compare costs.  They do a great job on clothes.  The box of sheets smells a bit perfumey for my taste, but the dried clothes smell nice, so that’s not much of an issue.  All in all I’m very happy to switch and save.

And now for a giveaway!

The nice folks at Arm & Hammer have provided another $25 Visa Gift Card for one lucky person today.

To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment on this post answering, “What’s your favorite scent?”

Do you love the smell of lavender, or is it hot baking bread?  How about your kids just out of the bath or the smell of a rain storm in summer?  Those are some of my favorites.

The Rules:

• Contest closes on Thursday, August 25th, 2011 10:00 MDT

• Only one comment per person please.

• Random winner will be announced on Friday, August 26th

Be sure to head over to the Arm and Hammer Switch and Save website and enter for a chance to win $25,000!

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This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is paying me to try different products. Save $1.00 on ARM & HAMMER Essentials Fabric Softener Sheets. Then head over to The Switch & Save Challenge to keep up with all of the bloggers and enter to win $25,000.

It’s the same every year.  My girls can hardly wait for school to start.  They get a bit nervous, yes, but mostly the start of school is a fun time.  They love new clothes.  They love shiny new pencils and notebooks.  They love the productive routine of school and more time with their friends.

My son is a different story.  He does not do well with transitions.  He becomes surly, nervous and anxious in the week or so before school starts.

He hates giving up his fun (and lazy) summer days.  He dreads the structure and the need to sit still for hours each day.

He worries that his friends won’t be in the same class or that he won’t like his teacher.

One way to make the transition easier for my children is to have traditions- things we do each year- that get them ready for the big day.

Here are a few Back to School tradition ideas:

• Have a special family Back to School dinner the night before.  Talk about school.  Ask what the kids are excited about.  Encourage them to talk about what makes them nervous.  Some of the best conversations our family has are over food.

• Make getting school supplies a fun affair-  Every year my kid’s grandparents take them out to buy school supplies.  They look forward to spending quality time with them and getting just what they need to start the year.

• Our friends have a big neighborhood Back to School Movie Night under the stars party.  So fun.

• Make a time capsule.

• Lay out their nice first day of school outfit the night before.

• Make a yummy lunch and be sure to include an encouraging note.  My mom did that every year.  I don’t remember what she wrote… but I remember how her notes made me feel.

• Bake a batch of cookies hot out the oven for when the kids come home on the first day.  This is another tradition from my mom that I’ve carried on.  We talk about their day over a glass of milk and warm cookies.

And one last tip that really help kids get ready for school:

• Start the school bedtime routine about a week before school starts.  It’s a challenge for kids to transition from the late night bedtimes of summer!

School starts for us next week.  And those are a few simple things we’re doing to help the transition.

It seems that summer went by way too fast, but ready or not, here we go.