hNew plug-in light fights odors in the air

hNew plug-in light fights odors in the air

A new type of plug-in product uses light instead of fragrances to counteract odors in the air.

The Germ Guardian UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer uses ultraviolet-C light to kill germs, odors and other airborne nasties, such as mold spores and other allergens. A fan circulates air through the unit, where the UV-C light kills 99 percent of the bad stuff, according to the company.

The sanitizer is intended for a small room such as a bathroom or bedroom.

It is available at retailers including some Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, True Value, Babies “R” Us and Bed Bath and Beyond stores. It also can be ordered directly from the company at www.germguardian.com or (866) 603-5900. The direct-order price is $69.99 plus shipping.

Author marries unlikely pair of passions

Toni Carr is out to prove that giving pointed objects to roller derby participants doesn’t always result in emergency-room visits.

Carr, aka Joan of Dark, marries an unlikely pair of passions — knitting and roller derby — in “Knockdown Knits: 30 Projects from the Roller Derby Track.” It’s a crafting book with attitude, filled with instructions for projects inspired by the rough-and-tumble women’s sport. First project: an arm sling.

Although the book is aimed at needleworkers on wheels, it also contains projects for more stationary sorts, such as leg warmers, bags and a dangerously short skirt. There are even instructions for skate-style baby booties with tiny yarn wheels.

“Knockdown Knits” is published by Wiley and sells for $19.99 in softcover.

Flo-Wise toilet won’t flush down savings

The dual-flush toilet is no longer something for the chi-chi bathroom or tech junkie.

American Standard’s new Flo-Wise two-piece toilet is widely available at prices starting at $389.

The concept of the high-efficiency toilet is simple: You push one button for a bigger flush, a different button for a smaller flush. So you’re using as little as 0.8 gallons per flush and probably using 30 percent less water than toilets with no option other than a 1.6-gallon flush.

Call American Standard at (800) 899-2614 or go to www.americanstandard-us.com or visit Home Depot for more about the Flo-Wise.

Gold + Williams hits Bloomingdale’s

Some of the most popular sofas, chairs and tables made by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are now available at select Bloomingdale’s stores.

The home furnishings might look familiar to fans of the North Carolina furniture company, which has storefronts and also sells its furniture through a private label to Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

Bloomingdale’s buyers selected pieces that “they thought would really be right for the Bloomingdale’s customer,” said MG + BW spokeswoman Eloise Goldman.

Crafty fashion

In “Alabama Stitch Book,” fashion designer Natalie Chanin shares the methods behind what Vogue magazine called her “haute homespun.”

Chanin uses the time-tested sewing, quilting and embroidery techniques she grew up with in Alabama to create up-to-date clothing and other items from recycled cotton jersey. With her instructions, crafty types can re-create Chanin’s look at a fraction of the cost of her high-end clothing.

“Alabama Stitch Book” is published by Stewart, Tabori Chang Craft and sells for $35 in hardcover.

Combined dispatches