Bath and Laundry

Doing laundry is bad enough without having to worry about choosing the right detergent. So which is best? Or does it even matter?

By Jeremy Glass & Sascha Bos

The bathroom appliance that Europeans embrace and Americans pooh-pooh could be beneficial to our health and to the health of the planet.

By Jesslyn Shields

You should never, ever flush tissues. What else?

By Laurie L. Dove

It's not just loud and annoying — a fan is necessary to help stop mold and mildew in the bathroom. But you have to use it correctly.

By Nathan Chandler

Sales of bidets are up in the U.S. Could they finally make a splash in a country that's mostly resisted them?

By John Donovan

It's an absorbing topic: Where did toilet paper come from, how is it made and why did it take so long for people to start using it?

By Nathan Chandler

We all have the same bodily functions, but the way we handle them differs depending on the facilities you encounter around the world. What types of toilets might you see on your worldly travels?

By Susan Batten

Who knew that choosing a washer and dryer set could be such a difficult and involved decision? Keep reading to learn why the front-loading variety might be perfect for your family's laundering needs.

By Alia Hoyt

While the ease of washing clothes has gotten very high, so has the use of water and energy to get those clothes clean. How much water does washing one load of laundry use?

By Sara Elliott

Get ready to set your machine to perm press ... meaning, what? We'll explain this handy-dandy dryer and washing machine setting.

By Sara Elliott & Yara Simón

Front-load washers are all the rage right now, but high-efficiency top-load washers have five features that sill beat their shiny new counterparts.

By Sara Elliott

Waterless urinals still haven't quite broken through to the mainstream, but they can save users billions of gallons of water over standard models. Read on to find out how they work, and stay safe and sanitary.

By Matt Sailor

The price tags on some of the newer high-efficiency washing machines might cause you to hesitate. But if you look at the costs of running a washer over the long haul, something that uses less energy becomes a bit more appealing.

By Laurie L. Dove

If you have a high-efficiency washing machine, you'll need high-efficiency detergent -- or else you might find a mountain of suds in your laundry room. Which brands are best?

By Alia Hoyt & Debra Ronca

Washer/dryer combinations are compact and convenient for small spaces, eliminating the need for two separate machines. But are they really as energy efficient as they seem?

By Echo Surina

Buying a new household appliance is usually a long-term investment, whether you're replacing an old unit or setting up home for the first time. Before you buy a clothes dryer, though, you need to understand the difference between the two types that are most commonly available: gas and electric.

By Cherise Threewitt

Your clothes dryer is one of the highest energy-consuming appliances in your home. But even with all the energy-saving appliances on the market today, do high-efficiency dryers exist?

By Carol White

Should you replace your washing machine or repair it? The answer would be obvious if it were something less price like a toaster. But we can help you reach a sound decision.

By Victoria Vogt

Whether you want to protect the environment or protect your clothes from wear and tear, high-efficiency washing machines are picking up momentum in the marketplace. Talk about going green: You'll even save some cash on your electric and water bills.

By Mark Boyer

If you haven't heard of low-water or high-efficiency washing machines yet, you will the next time you go shopping for a washer. They promise to use 40 percent less water and 90 percent less energy than conventional machines. But they cost more to purchase too. Should you get one? We'll weigh the pros and cons.

By Josh Briggs

You may not be able to keep up with the Joneses who bought one of those newfangled, oh-so-green front- load washers, but you can still use high-efficiency detergent in your old washer, right? We examine the answer.

By Emilie Sennebogen

The Toto Washlet, a toilet seat with a personal spray jet, is marketed as a cleaner -- and greener -- alternative to toilet paper. How does this bidet-like product work to keep you fresh?

By Shanna Freeman

Washers and dryers are some of the most convenient modern appliances around, but they typically have one major disadvantage -- too much space. Washer dryer combos attempt to solve that problem, giving you clean clothes in one cycle.

By Jessica Brown

Tankless toilets, which conserve water and take up less space than standard models, are common in public restrooms and some urban homes. Are the benefits worth having one in your home?

By Colleen Cancio

The average American family does 300 loads of laundry a year, and most use more than just water to get their clothes and linens clean. How do detergents help lift dirt, sweat and stains out of laundry?

By Emily Frydendall