The Top 10 Laundry Advertisements of All Time

Their catch phrases are as recognizable as the brands they tout; all - tempa – Cheer, the lonely Maytag repairman and the unmistakable laugh of the Snuggle fabric softener bear. The creators of these ads were given the task of taking everyday laundry products and making them memorable. Here are some of the best laundry advertisements of all time.

10. Calgon – Ancient Chinese Secret: This memorable 1970s ad shows how an ancient Chinese secret (otherwise known as Calgon) gets laundry exceptionally clean.

9. Ariston Aqualtis - While Ariston is not a big name in North America, this ad that ran in Europe and Asia is one of the most inventive washing machine ads ever produced.

8. Bounce Fabric Softener – Using a classic 1980s hit song, this ad will surely bring back memories.

7. Cheer-– Set to the song Sweet Lovin Man, this ad is one of most memorable commercials of the 1990s.

6. Clorox – This Clorox bleach commercial traces the history of laundry from the time of the wringer washer to today’s high tech front loaders.

5. Thor – It’s safe to say that few people living today will remember this advertisement. This Thor ad is the first known laundry machine ad in existence. It originally ran in 1909.

4. Bendix- This Bendix ad ushered in the new era of automatic front loading washers

3. Maytag – A list of the best laundry ads wouldn’t be complete without Ol’ Lonely, the Maytag repairman.

2. Snuggle – The iconic Snuggle fabric softener bear is featured in this 1984 classic.

1. Tide – A classic 1971 Tide ad temps a shopper with an offer that, as it turns out, she can refuse.

Sleep Tight - - Washing Away the Bedbug Outbreak

Once famous only in nursery rhyme lore, the little bloodsucking insects known as bedbugs are making a comeback in many North American cities. Even the finest five star New York City hotels have seen outbreaks this summer and according to recent scientific studies, the U.S. bedbug population has increased 500 percent in just the past three years.

Although called bedbugs, the tiny six-legged insect can infest more than just bedroom sheets. Bedbugs are commonly found in clothing, upholstery, linens and even carpeting. And while not known to transmit disease, the thought of mixing company with bedbugs is enough to creep out even the most hardened entomologist.

Bedbugs, a common household pest for centuries, were all but eliminated in the 1950s due to the widespread use of the insect-killing chemical DDT. But when DDT was outlawed in the 1972 due to its toxicity to wildlife, the bugs began their comeback by developing resistance to less effective DDT replacements. The most recent outbreak of the itchy welt-inducing insect is the worst in over fifty years.

Thankfully, most bedbug infestations can still be eliminated without the use of harsh chemicals. Hot water above 113 degrees Fahrenheit kills bedbugs on contact and is the best and safest way to eliminate the pests on sheets and clothing. Carpet and upholstery infestation still requires a professional pest control service.

Although more energy efficient, cold water wash cycles lack the punch needed to kill most bacteria and insects that can live on towels and bedding. Sheets and bathroom towels should always be washed in hot water, while clothing can be washed in warm/cold unless bedbugs or other infestation is suspected. School-aged children's clothing is always more susceptible to lice, fleas and other bugs, as kids tend to share close quarters and are more likely to come in contact with sand and dirt.

Modern washing machines and washer dryer combos have a hot water setting for most cycles and laundry can be soaked in hot water if extra protection is desired. Additionally, water heater temperature controls can be turned up to exceed the bug-killing 113 degree threshold. If you live with young children, turning up your water heater can be a scalding hazard, so be sure to check to see that the temperature setting not scalding hot.

While the bedbug outbreak is creepy and unsettling, itchy bedbug bites typically disappear within a few days without incident. And with a little hot water prevention, you will sleep tight and…..well, you know the rest.

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