For our August 2009 report on toilets, we recommended several models that meet the 1.28-gallons per-flush (gpf) qualifying standard for WaterSense; the maximum federal amount is 1.6 gpf. Similarly, one American Standard water-saving showerhead we tested for our August 2009 report was described as refreshing and stimulating even though it uses only 2 gallons per minute; the federal limit is 2.5 gallons per minute.

Read our buyer’s guides to toilets and showerheads, which include ratings of single- and dual-flush toilets and multi- and single-setting showerheads (available to subscribers).

Concentrated laundry detergents
In Roman numerals, the next decade contains an X: MMX. For laundry detergent, the letter of the last decade was X, as in the 2X and 3X displayed on many detergent packages, which refer to the concentration level of the products. Detergent makers have reformulated their products and downsized bulky laundry containers.

Procter & Gamble, which makes Tide, Gain, and other brands, has been a major force behind shrinking packages. A 32-load bottle of one 2X-concentrated Tide weighs less than 4 pounds, while its 32-load predecessor weighed more than 7 pounds.

Concentrated detergents require less packaging and fuel for shipping, and retailers like the fact that they can fit more different products and brands on their shelves. You’ll appreciate that many of the top performers in our latest report on and ratings of laundry detergents (available to subscribers) are concentrated formulas.

A final heads-up: Be careful not to use too much of any concentrated detergent. "Consumers need to look carefully at the caps and figure out which lines correspond to their load. A normal size load may use less than half a cap," notes Pat Slaven, a program leader in our Technical department who conducted our detergent testing.

—Daniel DiClerico