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

Dollar General: Arm & Hammer 2X 50-ounce liquid $3.50

Walgreens:Gain Detergent 24 or 40 loads $5.99; Tide liquid or powder, 20 to 40 loads $5.99; Xcel Laundry Detergent 41-60 loads 2/$5.00; Xcel Fabric Softener 64 loads or 80 sheets 2/$5.00

Rite Aid: Xtra Laundry Detergent 68-75 ounces $1.99; Nice 'n Fluffy Fabric Softener 80 ounce liquid or 100 count dryer sheets $1.99

Target:All laundry detergent 96-load liquid $10.99; OxiClean 6-pound powder or 100-ounce liquid $8.49; Clorox 2 Stain Fighter 66-ounces $8.49

Football season is winding down and that means it is time for high school wrestling teams to hit the mats. While these wrestlers are tough, their uniforms, called singlets, must be handled with care. Made of high-tech sports materials, they must be laundered correctly to last through the long and strenuous season. (Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Stuck in traffic with a mini-van full of kids and stinky hockey gear was all it took to get two Canadian Dads interested in laundry. CanWest News Service reports that the overwhelming stench prompted Keith Howlett and Bill MacDougall to develop their new detergent, Hockey Sudz. It is an an antibacterial, biodegradable, hypo-allergenic and environmentally sound cleaner geared specifically to cleaning hockey equipment.

Wonder what it will take to inspire the picking up of dirty socks?

According to a story in Scotland's The Times, researchers at the University of Edinburgh, working with other institutions, have discovered a chemical which they believe can be added to laundry detergents and cleaning solutions to fight against superbugs in hospitals. These superbugs are antibiotic-resistant and account for thousands of deaths worldwide.

Doctors have known for years that nitric oxide (NO) is produced by the human immune system to kill bugs but it dissipates almost immediately when exposed to air. The newly developed compound allows nitric oxide gas to be trapped and released in detergents as well as bandage surfaces. While it will be several years until the discovery becomes marketable, it is a great step toward preventing devastating problems.

Earlier this month the USS New York made a poignant journey into New York Harbor pass Ground Zero. Its bridge emblazoned with the phrase "Never Forget", the ship contains 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center.

All of the sailors on board wore crisp uniforms from the ship's laundry cleaned in washer-extractors made in Berlin, CT. EDRO Corporation provides washers for the U.S. Navy's surface warships and submarines. The modular units were chosen for their unique compact design and high-capacity.

Hats off to everyone who keeps our sailors looking sharp.

As you make the shopping list for your Thanksgiving feast, take time to check your laundry supplies. Be sure you have plenty of detergent and stain removal products on hand for any emergencies.

This is also a good time to pick up extra detergent for food banks, crisis centers and animal shelters. Laundry supplies are always welcome. If you have an option, select non-scented and hypoallergenic brands that everyone and every creature can use.

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

Kmart: Tide 100-oz. liquid or 63-80 load powder $10.99

Walgreens:All Detergent 26 to 40 loads with coupon 2 for $7.00 Limit 4; Snuggle Fabric Softener 80 sheet or 32 loads 2 for $7.00 with coupon Limit 4; Oxiclean 24 oz. powder $3.49; OxiClean Stain Remover 21.5 oz. 2 for $5.00; Zout Stain Remover 22 oz. 2 for $5.00

Rite Aid: Cheer Laundry Detergent 40-oz. liquid $4.99; Gain Laundry Detergent 50-oz. liquid or 31-40 load powder $4.99

Target:Purex 72-oz. liquid $4.49; Snuggle Fabric Softener 50-oz. liquid $4.49; Snuggle dryer sheets 10% off; Bounce dryer bar $6.49; Tide 50-oz. liquid $6.49; Tide Stain Release 18 ct. or 36-oz. liquid or 26-oz. powder $6.49

The folks at Tide know that stains happen everywhere so they have developed the Tide Stain Brain, a free downloadable application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It allows consumers to search for quick, step-by-step cleaning instructions from tide and from fellow users. The application is available from the iTunes App Store.

Using a clothes steamer is pretty simple especially if you learn a few tips before you start. I love mine because I can use it to refresh curtains and pillows as well as my wrinkled clothes. I even have a travel size that I take on trips. Plus what other laundry appliance can give you a facial at the same time it freshens your clothes?

Winter clothing like sweaters, jackets and wool trousers can often be worn more than once if only the wrinkles would disappear. Enter the clothes steamer as a laundry appliance. Clothes steamers help remove wrinkles, are quick and easy to use and will pay for themselves by skipping a trip to the dry cleaners. If you're in the market for a steamer, check out the dos and don'ts of clothes steamer shopping.

(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)