A POSSIBLE STORY FOR AN 'IDEAS-BEAT' REPORTER FOR 'THE BOSTON GLOBE': WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL BALANCE BETWEEN SAVING ENERGY AND KILLING GERMS WHEN YOU WASH AND DRY CLOTHES?

I recently read a recommendation from "Consumer Reports" of New York City that I could save money and save electricity, the article may have also indicated, by purchasing Purex-brand laundry detergent and then washing my clothes in cold water with that detergent.

This week, though, I read online that washing clothes in cold water does not kill germs, although putting those same clothes in the dryer could help to kill germs, an online source stated.

A proposed feature story could offer advice from experts on how to achieve the best possible balance between conserving electricity and killing germs while washing clothes and then putting them in a dryer.