If you've had a chance to read my review of Vaska Laundry Detergent, you know that I love the product. If you know me, you know I love contests that are more than a game of chance. I like a contest where you really compete and show your best work. If you are crafty and like to compete, Vaska has the perfect contest for you.

Vaska wants you to create a cozy to fit their great bottle design. You can knit, crochet, quilt, bead, stitch - anything you want! The cozy must fit snugly over a 48-ounce bottle. Vaska will select 12 winners and each will be featured in an upcoming calendar and win $300! Get all the contest information and rules at vaskahome.com and start creating! The entries must be submitted by January 4, 2010. Good luck!

OK, we can't all look like Brad Pitt in a suede jacket but suede is a luxurious leather for winter wear. Durable, warm and so soft to the touch, suede has been a favorite for shoes, skirts and jackets, vests and coats for hundreds of years. The only hitch is that stains on suede can be hard to remove. I doubt Brad has any problems but if you're a mere mortal, learn how to remove some stains from suede at home so you'll be oh, so suave.

Earnings are up 23% for the first fiscal quarter at Clorox and company leaders are attributing the rise in sales in part to the fear of the H1N1 flu virus. Disinfecting surfaces and laundry have become a priority in many homes. But do you know how to use bleach correctly in the laundry room? Too much can cause permanent damage to fabrics and even turn whites yellow. And you thought if a little is good, more is better...not this time!

Do you find clotheslines offensive? Well, some American's do. Many homeowner associations have forbidden clotheslines in the neighborhood, even in the backyard.

Here are the laundry products I found on sale this week:

Dollar General:Purex Liquid Detergent 72-oz. $4.00; Clorox Bleach 96-oz. 3 for $5.00

Kmart:Tide 150-oz. liquid or 95 to 120-load powder $17.99; American Fare Bleach 96-oz. 2 for $3.00; Downy Fabric Softener 48-60 uses 2 for $10; Downy or Bounce Fabric Sheets 100-120 count 2 for $10.00; Febreze Fabric Refreshener 27-oz. 2 for $10.00.

Walgreens:Tide Liquid or Powder 20 to 40 loads (Excludes Total Care) $5.99; Gain Powder 24 to 40 loads $5.99. Limit 2. Arm & Hammer 2x Laundry detergent 26 or 32 loads Buy 1 at 6.99, Get 1 Free. Limit 2.

Rite Aid:Tide Liquid 40-50 oz. Powder 31-40 loads $5.99.

Target:Cheer 150-oz $14.99; Gain 150-oz or 120-load powder $14.99. Bounce Dryer Sheets 240-ct. $8.99. Downy liquid 105 or 120 uses $8.99.

Belmont Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA has received a $25,000 grant from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to develop a laundry service at the church for the area's neediest area residents. The grant will be used to renovate space in a building behind the church for the laundry ministry and to purchase four washers and dryers. The program is set to begin in early 2010.

Plans for the service came as area social work agencies found that clients had to make the choice between spending $20 to $25 at a laundry mat each week or buying food. Agencies will recommend clients and make an appointment for laundry service. Church volunteers will man the laundry and visit with those who use the service before sending them home with clean laundry.

What a wonderful way to serve the community. I hope that the idea catches on and laundry industry leaders step up to assist.

The speculation about the future of Wisk Laundry Detergent has become a frequent topic on this site. So, I went straight to the source at Sun Products to find answers to all of your questions.

Is the production of Wisk being discontinued? No. Sun Products has no plans to discontinue the Wisk line.

Is Wisk HE replacing Original Wisk? No. Wisk HE is a new product added to the Wisk line for the users of high efficiency, front-loading washers. Wisk is available in four formats: Original Clean, Wisk HE, Wisk Citrus Clean and Wisk with Bleach Alternative.

What can I do to find Wisk products? Speak to your local store manager and ask for Wisk products. Contact Wisk directly at www.wisk.com or www.laundryhe.com or 800-275-9475 and request distribution be increased in your area. Wisk products may also be purchased online.

Wisk lovers, it is now up to you to demand the products you want.

Washers are clean, right? We use gallons of water and detergent in them each time they operate. Unfortunately, that doesn't always do the trick especially if you use cold water. Unless you use water at a temperature of more than 180 degrees F., bacteria can linger and be transferred back to your "clean" laundry.

In the midst of this flu epidemic, take the time to clean your washer more often especially if someone in your family is feeling ill.

I know it's sweater weather when I get the first e-mail about how to stretch out a shrunken sweater. It has happened to almost everyone. The wool sweater gets thrown in the washer in hot water and comes out looking like it will fit Barbie. Well, hope is not completely lost. Just follow these tips on how to revive a shrunken sweater and you may be able to save it. If not, find a much smaller friend....Christmas is coming!