Some Smart Tips from the Authors of Consumer Reports
WHAT’S TRICLOSAN? Check the label of your toothpaste to see if it contains triclosan.
Triclosan is in all kinds of products, including hand sanitizers, deodorant, and yep, toothpaste. The problem? Studies suggest that triclosan can disrupt hormone and immune systems. If you have healthy gums, you don’t need to clean them with antibacterial agents like triclosan. Colgate Total has triclosan. But regular Colgate, Crest, and Tom’s of Maine are triclosan-free.
BETTER BATTERIES? To get more from your batteries, don’t mix batteries…use batteries that are the same brand and age.
According to ShopSmart Magazine, the batteries with the best combination of performance and price were Kirkland Signature batteries. The cost: Just 50 cents per pair (sold at Costco in a pack of 48). Energizer Max batteries were among the lowest-scoring of all the batteries they tested. They took fewer shots and cost $3 per pair.
WASH NEW CLOTHES BEFORE YOU WEAR THEM
When you buy new clothes, you probably snip off the tags and wear them right away. But don’t. Instead, toss them in the wash first. Many garments, especially cotton ones, have coatings containing formaldehyde to prevent wrinkles. Washing clothes before wearing can reduce levels of formaldehyde.
SWITCH TO STORE BRANDS
Store brands are often just as tasty – sometimes even tastier – than big name brands. And they can save you up to 60%! Think Select-A-Size Bounty saves you money? Think again. Standard and Select-A-Size rolls cost the same upfront, but Select-A-Size has fewer square feet and ends up costing you 7% more.
EAT A BETTER BREAKFAST
TV ads for Kashi Go Lean cereals feature people who are surprised by the fact that the cereal contains as much protein as an egg. After all, isn’t cereal a carb? Sure, a cup of Kashi Go Lean Crunch has 9 grams of protein – actually more than a large egg, which as 6 grams. But Kashi Go Lean has 13 grams of sugar and an egg has zero. Kashi has 190 calories – an egg, about 80.
CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES, RIGHT? Wrong! This is advice oil companies like to preach. But most modern engines are typically designed to go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Check your car owner’s manual, and remember; Changing oil more often isn’t necessary and it can cost you a lot of extra money.
Category: Articles, House & Home, Uncategorized
