In a nationwide survey conducted for SDA by International Communications Research, 49% of respondents reported that they have never read the directions on a laundry detergent package. SDA regularly tracks the nation's cleaning attitudes and behaviors in its National Cleaning Surveys.

 

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Other results from the survey included:

 

• 35 % of adults sometimes read the directions and 16% always read them.
  
  
• 60 % of women have read instructions at least once, versus only 42% of men.
  
  
• 43 % of total respondents feel they simply don't need directions on doing laundry.
  
  
• Parents rank grass stains (31%), food (17%) and mud (17%) among the toughest stains their kids (k - 12) bring home from school.
  

"When it comes to doing the laundry, read the package label and follow the directions on the care tags of the clothes," said Nancy Bock, SDA vice president of education. "It's the way to get the best possible results — wash after wash."

What New Trends in Products Offer

A few of the laundry product trends that help make laundering faster, more effective and pleasant include:

 

• Detergents and fabric softeners with color protection — these products work best if you use them from the start with new garments. They help keep the original color from pulling a disappearing act.
  
  
• Pre-measured detergent tablets, which take the measuring factor completely out of the equation! These handy, solid tablets are portable, light, and dribble-free — if you can toss, you can wash.
  
  
• Detergents specially formulated to keep dark clothes dark.
  
  
• Bleach pens that target stains with a fine point applicator for effective treatment.
  
  
• "Spa-treatment" laundry detergents that pamper clothes with aromatherapy scents.
  
  
• Wrinkle releasing sprays relax and smooth fabrics without the use of an iron.

 

About ACI

The American Cleaning Institute℠ (ACI - formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market.  ACI  members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers.  ACI and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.