The National Academy of Sciences report that the water that millions of Americans drink to quench their thirst, is making them sick. Its hard to believe that the water that flows through our tap over much of America, is contaminated. Though the density and levels of contamination may vary from place to place.

As per the analysis by The Environmental Working Group, there are around 300 pollutants present in the water that we drink. Water that is provided to our houses contain large amounts of chemicals like arsenic, or some deadly radioactive substances like Uranium. Various other contaminants like fuel additives, illegal and prescription drugs are also present in the water supply. Even dangerous bacteria, mostly found in sewage, can be present in our drinking water.

There have been many confirmed outbreaks of waterborne diseases like Cholera, Typhoid and other gastrointestinal diseases, that not only make Americans sick but few of them die due to severe health complications. As per the research, even bottled water can no longer be considered to be safe, as 40% of bottled water is filled from tap water somewhere. One can no longer ignore the fact that protecting our lives is in our own hands. For more information, view this guide from the National Academy of Sciences.

The only way to protect ourselves is to filter our drinking water. One gets confused regarding the selection of water filters, as there are various types and varieties of water filters available in the market.

Trust me! its really difficult to decide which one to buy? Many questions come to our mind like which one is the right one for my home? or whether water will be safe enough to drink? or whether all the contamination will be removed or not after filtering? That’s where friendsofwater.com come to our rescue.

Friendsofwater.com is a family run website and an online store as well. They provide us various information on several water related issues like the risks related to drinking contaminated water, precautions one need to take regarding our health and several tips to lookout for signs and symptoms of various waterborne diseases. The best part about them is they also send health care professionals to our homes, who help us understand issues regarding health, identifying symptoms of various waterborne diseases and various precautions, one needs to take. They help us recognize the need for filtering water and keeping diseases at bay.

The people at friendsofwater.com offer a variety of water filters, such as the fluoride water filters, for you to choose. One can select the most suitable, from the wide variety range.

Visit the new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) to discover a wide assortment of highly recognized and popular home and living brands (over 2,000 brands and growing everyday). A sampling of the well-known, international brands you’ll find include: Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Le Creuset, Versace, Viking Range and Laura Ashley, as well as more recently launched lines such as DwellStudio, Perry Ellis Bedding and Blissliving Home. It all adds up to a comprehensive online destination, filled with over 200,000 top branded products for every room in the home — from bedding and bath to dining and decor and much, much more.

But top brands and a huge product selection is just the start. New categories have been added too, including pet products; a large selection of high quality nursery bedding, accessories and baby gear, such as CoCaLo; a variety of travel accessories and luggage for any occasion. Be sure to check the site daily for its ever changing “Deal of the Day” and Clearance Center that promise deals like you’ve never seen before. With a focus on pricing its products for today’s cost-conscious, quality-driven consumer, the new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) prides itself on its leading staple of brands offering products at every price point.

The new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) is built on an innovative, technologically-advanced e-commerce platform that enhances the online shopping experience based on real-time consumer demand. The website changes automatically by the day and even by hour based on what customers are buying. New brands and products are added constantly while the existing inventory is continually remerchandized to meet the consumer demand and desires.

The new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) builds on the enormous customer following that started 34 years ago with a single store in West Orange, New Jersey. Recognized as one of the top two home retailers in North America, something that very few home textiles and housewares brands have achieved, the new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) offers consumers the ultimate shopping experience that includes new and noteworthy retail partnerships, from brands that have been trusted for decades to leading brands in contemporary home furnishings, accessories and much more.

About Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com)

The first Linens ‘N Things store opened in 1975 in West Orange, New Jersey, offering high-end linens at discount prices. The company grew to become the second largest specialty retailer of home furnishings and decorative accessories with 589 stores across North America. Now part of the Gordon Brothers Brands and Hilco Consumer Capital portfolio of retail brands, the new Linens ‘N Things hits home with consumers as a popular e-commerce website, featuring top brands, new categories, hot deals, and the ultimate shopping sensation. Poised to become the modern standard in retailing, the new Linens ‘N Things caters to the demands and desires of today’s consumer.

Add a splash of color by planting annuals around the home using the Black & Decker 18-Volt Cordless Electric Cultivator (Item #175332, $99.97). Line the front walkway or fill window boxes with shades that complement the home’s exterior color scheme. Select species that thrive in your area of the country, such as Dahlias and Begonias. Make sure to pay particular attention to the growing conditions around your home, including the availability of water and sunlight, and visit your local Lowe’s to browse through the 2009 Garden Club Select Flowers of the Year, a group of regionally-grown varieties that have been rigorously tested and are guaranteed to thrive in both garden beds and containers.

To make neighbors green with envy, ensure that plants and shrubs are well-nourished. While the three vital elements for lawn and plant growth — oxygen, hydrogen and carbon — are available from the environment, other important nutrients can be supplied through fertilizer. Sta-Green’s 14 Lb. Ultra Lawn Fertilizer (Item #304462, $14.47) will help keep all grass types, from Bermuda to Fine Fescue, healthy and flourishing. For specific outdoor plants, such as roses or rhododendrons, plant foods with targeted nutrients can help each variety bloom to its fullest potential.

Eye-catching lawns also require weekly maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape. If your mower has been in hibernation since last year’s growing season, prep it now for the busy months ahead with a few simple tasks. Installing a new spark plug, cleaning the filter and replacing last year’s oil and gas will have your mower up-and-running in a snap.

ShopSmart Poll:
* Only 7% of Women Hate Cleaning Their Homes;
* Spend Five Hours per Week Cleaning

According to a new poll featured in the May 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, women spend an average of five hours per week cleaning their homes. Surprisingly, only seven percent said that they hate cleaning their home, while 25% said that they love cleaning or find it relaxing.

The poll also found that vacuuming is by far the preferred cleaning task for women (41%), while cleaning the shower or tub (26%) and toilets (25%) were the tasks disliked the most.

see on amazon

Conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, the household cleaning habits poll is part of ShopSmart’s feature on making cleaning easier and saving consumers’ money, which includes a list of the best household cleaners; a roundup of cleaners to avoid; cleaning safety advice; top reader tips; and a guide to tackling the toughest jobs.

“We were surprised to find that women actually like to clean their homes, some even finding it relaxing!” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “Our guide will help make cleaning easier and cheaper by showing women which key items they need to purchase and the ones to avoid.”

BEST Household Cleaners

All-Purpose — Ammonia is an inexpensive good all-around cleaner.

Bathroom — Comet Scratch Free Disinfectant with Bleach is the top rated shower scum buster.

Windows — Windex No Drip works on indoor and outdoor grime.

Dishes — Dawn Direct Foam got the best results in dirty-plate tests.

Metal & Floors — For the best results, pick a product designed for the particular surface.

What NOT to Buy
Antibacterial cleaners — Overuse can result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Drain cleaners — These can damage skin, eyes, lungs and septic tanks, use a Master Plunger instead.

Furniture polish — New furniture is sealed at the factory, making polish unnecessary.

Toilet-bowl cleaners — All-purpose cleaner gets the job done instead.

Oven cleaners — Chemicals are corrosive; use nonabrasive nylon scrubbing pads and baking soda, add salt for tough stains.

Who Does the Dirty Work?
Eighty-three percent of married* women said they do the majority of the cleaning in their household. However, 56% indicated that their spouse or significant other also helps with the cleaning.
Thirty-seven percent of married* women said that they have arguments about cleaning the house.
Over a quarter of women (26%) said that the amount of cleaning their spouse is doing is declining.

What are you Purchasing?
On average, women typically use five products to clean their homes.
Over one-third (37%) of women are purchasing more environmentally friendly cleaning products than last year, while 13% admit they are buying less.

Coming Clean
Thirty-six percent have made areas off-limits to guests because the rooms weren’t clean.
Three quarters (75%) of respondents said their home is as clean or cleaner than the one they grew up in.
* Married includes single, but living as married.

ShopSmart’s Nine Cleaning Tools For Getting At Every Crevice

• Feather duster for cleaning knickknacks, photo frames, and other lightweight objects.
• White cotton gloves for cleaning chandeliers and between the slats of Venetian blinds.
• Disposable Swiffer cloths for cleaning dust magnets like computer and TV screens, all kinds of hard surfaces like tabletops and floors, and even car dashboards. Keep one in your car and do a quick swipe when you’re at a stoplight.
• Scrub brush with a handle for miscellaneous cleaning tasks.
• Microfiber cloth for catching and holding dust.
• Cotton swabs to get into tiny crevices in plastic bath mats, silver, and other small, hard-to-reach spots.
• Tile grout brushes with a single row of stiff bristles for scrubbing between ceramic tiles. Toothbrushes also do the job.
• Lint-free dust cloths made of 100 percent cotton for cleaning easily scratched items; other fabrics used as rags can create lint and are abrasive.
• Lambswool Dusters or dust mops for wiping large surfaces, even walls, to pick up dust and cobwebs. The head can be removed and washed. Or save a few bucks and make a dust mop by wrapping an old cotton rag around the end of a broomstick.

ShopSmart Brand Loyalty Poll Methodology
The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,008 interviews were completed among women aged 18+. Interviewing took place over December 18-21, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3.2% points at a 95% confidence level.

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix.

FINISH(R), the #1 recommended brand by more dishwasher manufacturers, announced today the launch of FINISH(R) Quantum(TM), an innovative automatic dishwashing detergent. FINISH Quantum features a multi-chamber system that is pre-measured and wrapper free, so consumers simply need to drop it in the detergent cup and go. This new technology is the latest innovation from FINISH, the new name for Electrasol(R).

FINISH Quantum features new technology which keeps three powerful active ingredients separated so they can operate at maximum power and release when needed in the dishwashing cycle. Powerful enzymes soften burnt-on food, such as lasagne, so that no stuck-on food remains. POWERMAX(TM) Bleach removes stains, such as tea and coffee, while POWERBALL(R) with JET-DRY(R) Gel provides amazing shine.

“FINISH Quantum is designed for consumers who want brilliantly clean and shiny dishes every time they wash,” said Ceci Carmichael, chef and former host of Food Network’s Calling All Cooks and Good Food Fast. “In these economic times, it’s both time and cost-efficient to make sure your dishes are clean the first time around. Rewashing can add dollars onto your energy and water bills; not to mention the time you lose.”

By using the right dishwashing product and following these simple tips, consumers can save on water, energy and dishwashing product, while still getting perfect results the first time they wash.

Don’t Wash by Hand: It is more expensive to wash dishes by hand than to properly run them in a dishwasher. Also, a dishwasher’s water temperature generally reaches over 120º, which is best for removing grease and stuck-on food.
Run Tap Water First: For sparkling clean dishes, run your kitchen’s hot water tap before starting the dishwasher to make sure the water entering the machine has reached its highest temperature.
Scrape, Don’t Rinse: Scrape your dishes because the enzymes in your detergent that soften burnt-on food need to cling to protein/starch, such as egg and oatmeal, in order to work properly.
Load Properly: Cups, glasses and less soiled items should be placed on the top rack. Generally, larger and dirtier items are best on the bottom rack.
Select the Right Detergent: Detergent is typically made with two main ingredients, bleach and enzymes. Bleach and enzymes lessen the effectiveness of each other but FINISH Quantum’s technology keeps them separated and releases them when needed in the dishwashing cycle for a superior clean.
Avoid Wet Dishes: The #1 complaint concerning dishwashers is that dishes do not come out dry. Use a drying agent in your dishwasher’s rinse aid dispenser, such as JET-DRY TURBO DRY(TM), to solve that problem and unload the dishwasher faster.
To learn more, visit www.FinishDishwashing.com. There, consumers can also enter for a chance to win one of 21 prizes in the “FINISH QUANTUM EVERYDAY PERFECTION” sweepstakes. Prizes include beautiful diamond jewelry, the latest KitchenAid(R) Superba(R) EQ Series dishwasher, which delivers 25% better results* versus leading premium competitors, and a one (1) year supply of FINISH QUANTUM and JET-DRY TURBO DRY. For official rules and entry details, visit www.FinishDishwashing.com.

FINISH Quantum is available now at retailers nationwide. Twelve-capsule packs retail for a suggested price of $4.99. Get 25% more inside specially-marked boxes for a limited time. (Note: all pricing decisions are at the sole discretion of the retailer.)

About FINISH/Reckitt Benckiser

Reckitt Benckiser is a world leader in household, health and personal care. It is a FTSE top 15 company and since 2000 net revenues have doubled and the market cap has quadrupled. Today it is the global No 1 or No 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation – near 40% of revenue comes from innovations launched in the prior 3 years. It has a strong portfolio led by 17 global powerbrands which are: FINISH, Lysol, Dettol, Vanish, Woolite, Calgon, Airwick, Harpic, Bang, Mortein, Veet, Nurofen, Clearasil, Strepsils Gaviscon, Mucinex and French’s, and they account for over two thirds of its net revenue. Reckitt Benckiser people are at the heart of the company’s success. They have an intense drive for progress and action and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in CSR where the Company has the most ambitious corporate responsibility programme in the industry through its Carbon 20 initiative. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the Company employs 23,000 people worldwide, with operations in over 60 countries and sales in nearly 200 countries.

For more information visit RECKITTBENCKISER.COM

Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Purchasing a product will not improve your chances of winning. Open only to legal residents of the 50 US or DC, age 18 or older at the time of entry. For Official Rules and entry details, including odds and prize descriptions, visit www.FinishDishwashing.com. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends June 7, 2009. Sponsor: Reckitt Benckiser Inc., 399 Interpace Parkway, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054.

*Combined wash and dry results of leading premium brands highest MSRP models without heated dry.

- SDA Offers Safety Tips For Those Considering Home-Made Concoctions

You might think it’s safer or more effective to mix your own cleaning products at home. Think again.

According to a new survey from The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com), 28 percent of Americans say they have mixed their own cleaning product at home.

When asked what was the most important factor in deciding to try and make their own concoction, those who did so said they believed it was safer to know what was in the products (38%), they believed it was cheaper (38%), or they believed it was more effective (28%).

“When it comes to making your own cleaning products, consumers should think twice before mixing once,” said Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education. “There can be serious safety implications if proper care is not taken. In the frantic haste of an emergency situation, will the person who made the mix-at-home product know exactly what to tell a Poison Control Center on the phone?”

What do consumers need to consider before mixing their own concoctions?

Labels: Homemade cleaning products aren’t always stored in properly labeled containers. While you may feel confident that you know what’s in them, consider the fact that a child or a pet may get a hold of them when you’re not around. How would other members of the household know what’s inside or what to do in an emergency if there’s no label with safety instructions?
Testing standards for safety: An incredible amount of research, development and testing goes on before formulated cleaning products ever hit the store shelves, not to mention that the products must meet all applicable federal and state quality, safety and labeling regulations. Homemade cleaners are not tested or held to any standards. An ingredient may be labeled as “natural” but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe for ingestion by children or pets.
Testing standards for use: Untested homemade mixtures may have unforeseen consequences, such as damaging your kitchen counters or stripping the finish from your brand-new wood floors.
Secure storage containers: Formulated products come with safety and precautionary language, including reminders about storing the product safely and securely. A number of products are also fitted with child resistant packaging if there are significant precautions for usage. When you make it at home, you’re on your own.
As a longtime supporter of National Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21), SDA reminds consumers about the proper ways to store and use cleaning products in the home:

Close cleaning product caps securely. Even child-resistant packaging doesn’t work if the container isn’t properly closed.
Lock products up. Store them in a location that’s away from children, pets and food. Install child-resistant locks on cabinets and doors.
Keep cleaning products in their original containers. If an accident occurs, the label provides information concerning the product’s contents and advice on what immediate first-aid to perform.
Carefully dispose of empty cleaning containers. Replace the caps and then discard in a sealed recycling bin or garbage container that’s safe from curious children and pets.
If there’s a poison-related emergency, contact the U.S. Poison Control Center’s nationwide toll-free number: 1-800-222-1222. Post this number, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, next to every phone in the house and add it as a contact into all your cell phones.

SDA has more specific information online for consumers on the safe, beneficial and proper use of cleaning products, including:

Clean and Safe in the 21st Century, available at www.cleaning101.com/health.

Facts About Mix-at-Home Cleaners, available at www.cleaning101.com/environment/facts/.

The survey was completed for The Soap and Detergent Association by Echo Research, Inc. Echo questioned 1,001 American adults (501 men and 500 women) via telephone February 26-March 1, 2009 on whether they had ever mixed their own cleaning products. The second question was asked of 302 adults (123 male, 179 female) who had answered “yes” to the first question. Both questions have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent.

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries(R), is a one-hundred plus member trade association representing the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. SDA 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. SDA and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

According to home improvement expert Leslie Segrete, “With so many great materials and choices available, you’ll be able to decorate stylishly, while making a difference for our planet.” Here are some of her tips on getting started:

Green Foundation

Build an eco-friendly room from the ground up. 100-percent recycled floor tiles made of materials such as rich recycled leather, provide a fashionable and environmentally responsible alternative to chemically-treated rugs and manmade flooring.

Look for carpeting that is made from hemp, linen, wool or cotton, they come in a range of colors made from natural dyes. These biodegradable and chemical-free carpets often even use a rubber backing made from recycled windshield wipers or bicycle tires.

Wise Walls

Sherwin-Williams and other paint companies have recently introduced water-based paints to combat the environmental hazards often caused by chemical-laden paints. Alternative home wall coverings can also be made from earth-friendly materials, like hemp, linen, bamboo, cork and recycled paper.

“For an adventurous, unique look that combines color and texture, try American Clay Plaster,” Segrete said. “Create an array of colors with different tints and finishes that appear smooth, rustic or even Old World.”

Faucet Flow

New automatic hands-free faucets, like the Destiny bathroom faucet from ShowHouse by Moen, conserve water with a sleek minimalist design and a distinctly-styled spout that produces a sheeting water flow. The Destiny faucet reduces water waste, providing water only when it is needed.

Window to Tomorrow

Large, high-efficiency windows let more daylight into the home and decrease the need for electrical lighting. To further this green option, forgo window treatments altogether and install frosted glass panes. Additionally, supplement natural lighting by replacing energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures.

As ‘going green’ continues to gain momentum, it’s easier than ever before to make a style statement in your home while still having a conscience.

About Moen

Moen offers a diverse selection of thoughtfully designed, on-trend kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, showerheads, and stainless steel sinks for residential and commercial applications. As the #1 faucet brand in North America, customers have come to rely on Moen to deliver dependable products and service. Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO, www.fortunebrands.com), a leading consumer brands company.Going Grecsfff

People are always asking, “Is Mrs. Meyer a real person?” Well she actually is and we want to confirm it once and for all! Mrs. Thelma Meyer is much more than the name behind Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products. She is a mother of nine who kept house in a small town in Iowa. Though retired now, she has tended to her own home for more than 50 years and is the inspiration behind the brand Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. Mrs. Meyer’s daughter started the line to honor her mother’s old-fashioned values and make honest cleaners that smell good and work like the dickens on dirt. And now for the first time ever her timeless tricks of the trade are available in MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME, a revolutionary new cleaning guide chock full of practical tips and secrets to domestic success.

With an abundance of children, pets, and work to be done around the house, it’s no wonder that Mrs. Meyer picked up some handy tricks over the years and discovered ways to make the day-to-day work easier and a joy. Though Mrs. Meyer admits to not being a meticulous housekeeper, she knows a little something about cleaning and wants to share her advice with anyone who will grab a duster and listen. With shortcuts and tips for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room (including nooks and crannies), as well as timesaving tips on what to tackle during the week so you’ll have your weekend free, MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME will become a household fixture with advice such as:

Never use vinegar and water on wood floors. One part dish soap and four parts water is the only way to truly get them clean. And remember to buff with a terrycloth towel.
Always clean out the fridge before grocery shopping. Serve the kids “Musko” (“must go”) for dinner, using the items that are fast approaching expiration.
Tackle stains in a flash! When your mascara wand drops on your favorite blouse, mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups cold water, apply it to the stain, and then blot ’til it’s gone.
“A clean house is a happier house,” explains Thelma Meyer. “The faster you can do away with the messes, the more time you have for what really matters — children, relatives, friends and neighbors.”

Fully illustrated and packed with user-friendly lists, charts, and quick tips, MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME reminds us that since life is hectic and messy, keeping your home nice and clean is the only sensible thing to do, and it doesn’t always have to be a chore!

Seeing an opportunity in the marketplace for reinventing the tired, toxic household cleaning market, Monica Nassif created Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day to honor her mother and the hard-working values she taught her children. Launched in 2001, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is a collection of 16 hard-working home cleaners and five laundry products that embody simplicity, efficiency and the refreshing power of herbs and garden flowers. The line stays true to a bygone era of proud, no-nonsense clean with products that work quickly, simply and effectively. Basil, Lavender, Lemon Verbena and Geranium fragrances get up and go in collections that let you clean your entire home, from kitchen to bath, in one good-smelling scent.

MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME is published by the Hachette Book Group and available at retailers nationwide. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day makes more than one hundred different hardworking products, from baby detergent to dishwashing soap. All of our products are cruelty-free and biodegradable, ensuring a world, which will remain beautiful for our grandchildren and the generations to come. For further information about Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, please visit www.mrsmeyers.com.

California Closets, the founder of the organization industry and the authority in designing, optimizing and customizing the best use of home spaces, has been honored at the Fourth Annual Los Angeles Organizing Awards as Best Closet Design Firm for the second consecutive year. This recognition was awarded to California Closets at the January 30 event as National “Get Organized Month” came to a close. Stand-up comedian Hal Sparks, former host of “Talk Soup” on E! Entertainment Television, hosted the awards at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in Bel Air, California.

The Los Angeles Organizing Awards is a nationwide celebration recognizing professional organizers who set the standard for home and business productivity, as well as the products and services that help consumers and businesses organize everything from information to time management. The event is produced and presented by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-LA) and Office Depot.

NAPO-LA facilitates the voting process for the awards, which is organized by category and open to members of the general public, as well as NAPO-LA Chapter Members and NAPO National Members. This year, more than 1,500 people across the United States voted in 20 categories over a three month period to single out the finalists for the Best Closet Design Firm category, which included Closet Factory, Get It Together LA!, South Bay Closet Lady and California Closets.

“California Closets has been a leader in the organizing and design community for more than 30 years and we are proud to honor their contributions to our industry with the Best Closet Design Firm award,” said John Trosko, NAPO Los Angeles chapter president. “The quality, professionalism and service they offer to their clients serve as a shining example for our entire industry.”

California Closets franchise owners Dirk Vahle of Camarillo, California and Steven Blumenfeld of Santa Monica, California accepted the Award from celebrity presenters Gia Russo, Sam Saboura and Jodie Watson, design and style experts from TLC’s “Real Simple. Real Life.”

As the premier national association dedicated to the field of organization, NAPO has been dedicated to serving its members through education, networking, industry resources, and promoting the profession to the public since 1985. For more information on NAPO, please visit www.napo.net. For more information on the Los Angeles Organizing Awards, please visit www.napola.org.

For more information on California Closets and to see photos of the spaces featured in the awards, please visit www.californiaclosets.com.

About California Closets

For over thirty years, California Closets has designed custom storage solutions for every room in the home. With 90 franchises worldwide, it is the largest custom storage franchise-based company in the world, known for intuitive organization, innovative design, and a commitment to creating an exemplary customer experience. California Closets provides consumers more of life’s most valuable commodity – time.

Additional information can be found at www.californiaclosets.com, in our showrooms, or by calling us at 800.274.6754.

California Closets Company, Inc. is owned by The Franchise Company, a subsidiary of First Service Corporation.

(C) 2009 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated.

Microscopic insects called dust mites are the leading cause of indoor allergies. The other primary offenders cited in the arena of indoor allergens are pet dander and dust mold. Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that feed on dead skin. They infest beds and carpets by the tens of millions. There can be as many as 1000 mites in one gram of dust. In an article written by Jay DeFoore titled “Is your dorm room making you sick?”, doctors say one in five college students suffer from allergies, and many do not know it. Poor circulation, cramped quarters and dirty carpet can diminish a student’s health and efficiency at school or work.

Imagine this when slipping into your bed tonight, a typical mattress is reported to have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites in it. If your comfortable pillow is at least two years old or more, 10% of its weight is more than likely composed of dead mites and fecal droppings.

Think of every movement during sweet slumber, you stir up a tiny cloud of mites.

We recommend (according to dust mites.org) washing your bed sheets weekly in extremely hot water, temperature of 130 degrees or above and using fitted sheets to protect your mattress.

Bedwetting, also called Enuresis, is defined as: bed wetting, lack of bladder control, not fully developed bladder, or the inability to control the passage of urine. This situation can cause a high level of stress.

• It affects one in every 50 teens.
• It afflicts 15 to 20% of school age children between the ages of 4 and 16, evident among boys and girls.
• It also affects 2 to 5% of the adult population.
• It means washing your bed sheets daily.

Love to travel, but hate the idea of sleeping on linen that does not belong to you? Regardless of the quality of the hotel or star rating, all of us have experienced one issue or another with lodging. A survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association showed that 50% of hotels allow pets. Since I have children with allergies I have to ask myself, is this going to be a clean environment or will I have to shorten my well planned vacation?

A fairly new company, SweetDreamzz LLC., celebrates the launch of its disposable bedding line. Established in August of 2006, the company is passionate about changing the way consumers think about bedding. We encourage consumers to try this product in an effort to add a hint of convenience to their daily lives. We invite you to try the disposable sheets in a dorm setting, hotel, for camping, travel or daily living.

Simple, effective, hassle free, disposable, and biodegradable. It certainly ain’t your Grandma’s idea of disposable bedding.

SweetDreamzz USA LLC., products are available for sale at www.sweetdreamzzusa.com

SOURCE Sweet Dreamzz USA LLC