Press Room

August 4, 2008

New National Survey Indicates Americans Think Other's Homes Smell

A new study on various household odors commissioned by Dutch Boy and conducted by market research company Harris Interactive® found that the majority of U.S. adults think that friend's and family member's homes have a distinct odor, but don't feel the same way about their own houses.

The latest study uncovered that the majority of U.S. adults (80 percent) say that most homes have a distinctive odor or smell. Nearly all adults (96 percent) have noticed an offensive odor or smell in someone's home at some time, but only about one in three (36 percent) admit noticing such a smell in their own home.

“The results of the Dutch Boy study seem to indicate that the majority of homes in America have some type of distinctive odor or smell, and while inhabitants of those homes might not be able to detect them, visitors can easily pick up on odors that are present,” said Mary Ward, Dutch Boy Paints Senior Product Manager. “So, while only about one in three Americans think their own home might smell, in actuality, the numbers of households that could benefit from an odor-reducing product, such as Dutch Boy's new Refresh™ paint, is much higher.”

Exactly whose homes (other than their own) participants noted as "smelly" also might surprise you. Sixty-two percent say that they've noticed that a friend's home has a distinctive odor, followed by their parent's home (27 percent), then their neighbor's and grandparent's home (25 percent).

Even more “smelly” statistics about what particular odors are noticed were revealed. The most commonly cited odors are cigar/cigarette smoke (81 percent), pet smell (80 percent) and food smells (63 percent).

Dutch Boy's revolutionary new Refresh™ paint is formulated with Arm & Hammer® odor-eliminating technology to effectively remove common household odors from every area of the home, from basements to children's rooms, nurseries, kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms.

Not surprisingly, according to the survey, the most commonly cited rooms with a distinctive odor or smell are by far the kitchen (52 percent) and the bathroom (46 percent).

For complete survey results, more information on Dutch Boy or Refresh™ paint, contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, it assists clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Editor's Note: About the Survey:

This Smelly Homes study was conducted online within the United States on behalf of Dutch Boy between January 22 and January 24, 2008 among 2,056 U.S. adults ages 18+

Results were weighted as needed for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region, and household income. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

For more information on Dutch Boy products, or to locate a Dutch Boy retailer, log on to www.dutchboy.com, or call 1.800.828.5669.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

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March 16, 2009

Dutch Boy® Partners with the Brand Everyone Trusts To Help Eliminate Household Odors

Cleveland, Ohio — From refrigerators to carpets, the Arm & Hammer® name has been trusted by millions of consumers for more than 155 years. Refresh™ paint combines the odor-reducing expertise of Arm & Hammer technology with Dutch Boy's high-quality paint to create a product that can be applied to virtually every room in a home.

Refresh™ paint uses proven Arm & Hammer odor-eliminating technology to remove common household airborne odors in kitchens, laundry rooms, family rooms, bathrooms, nurseries and basements. And, the more surface area you paint with Refresh™ paint, the better the odor-eliminating technology works.

The Kitchen

The most used room in the house can often times be the source of the most powerful, lingering odors. Airborne odors such as garlic, onion and vinegar can easily put a damper on using the kitchen as a central gathering place for family and friends. Painting the walls and ceiling with Refresh™ paint will help eliminate the odors associated with the kitchen and allow you to entertain without worrying about what your guests might smell.

The Laundry Room

In many homes, the laundry room is located right off of the kitchen and is another area of where odors are concentrated. Between the cat's litter box, dirty clothes and smelly tennis shoes, painting the walls with Refresh™ paint can beautify and eliminate these unpleasant smells week after week.

The Family Room

Next to the kitchen, most families spend the majority of their down time in the family room which can translate into some pesky odor issues. As the ultimate gathering spot, family rooms can contain smoky fireplaces, your pet's favorite place to lie or your husband's favorite chair! All of these can create odors, which can become trapped in furniture fabrics, curtains and carpet, can now be removed by Refresh™ paint's unique use of Arm & Hammer odor-eliminating technology.

The Bathroom

Ironically enough, the place in your home that you go to get clean often needs the most attention when it comes to odor elimination. Toilets, bathtubs, showers, wet towels and the moisture and poor ventilation in some bathrooms can create an area where odors linger. With its Arm & Hammer odor-reducing benefits and mildew-resistant coating, Refresh™ paint is ideal for bathrooms.

The Nursery

Kids are oh-so-adorable, but they are also known for getting dirty and sometimes smelly. Their bedrooms are no different and can be a source of a variety of unsavory aromas. From babies' diaper pails to sweaty clothes and shoes, painting with Refresh™ paint can beautify your little ones' rooms while eliminating the odors that can hang in the air.

The Basement

This space can be used for storage, as a gathering place for your family or a child's playroom. Whatever its purpose, basements are known for having a damp or musty odor that isn't necessarily pleasant. By using Refresh™ paint, you can eliminate the odors and turn the basement into a more family-friendly space that's an enjoyable area of the home, rather than a space to avoid.

Whatever room you choose to use Refresh™ paint in, its Arm & Hammer odor-reducing benefits and capabilities are supported by three separate testing methodologies, including laboratory, controlled room and field room testing. In addition to undergoing testing in the Dutch Boy and Church & Dwight laboratories, independent laboratory testing is currently underway.

As part of the testing processes, the longevity of the odor elimination was also researched. While the coating technologies that eliminate odor will eventually be used up, some field tests have been ongoing for well over one year and are still reducing odor. The longevity of the odor-eliminating technology is dependent on concentration, frequency of exposure and the amount of surface area painted, which is why the more rooms you paint with Refresh™ paint, the better the odor-eliminating technology works.

Refresh™ paint will be available nationwide at a variety of Dutch Boy retailers in the third quarter of 2008. The per gallon retail price starts at $23 depending upon the specific retailer.

For more information on Dutch Boy products, or to locate a Dutch Boy retailer, log on to www.dutchboy.com, or call 1.800.828.5669.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

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January 1, 2008

Are you ready to get a jump start on discovering 2008's hottest decorating and paint color trends? Winter is an ideal time to start planning your interior decorating spruce ups. And one of the easiest, least expensive ways to give a room a new look and feel is with paint.

“The 2008 color forecast contains some extraordinarily vibrant, yet versatile, hues that have been inspired by everyday life,” says Donna Schroeder of Dutch Boy Paints. “The depth and range of this year's most popular colors provide extensive options for adding accents to a room, changing themes and styles, or even completely redecorating from scratch.”

All of the colors in this year's forecast can be found in the Trend Palette within Dutch Boy's innovative Color Simplicity System. The five modern and stylish color themes found in the 2008 Trend Palette are as follows:

Culinary

Have you ever strolled past a bakery mesmerized by the brightly colored pastries adorned with intricate details? Food can have an emotional connection for many people, stimulating the senses, including sight. So, why not bring some of these culinary inspirations into your home decor with the Culinary palette?

Colors in the Culinary palette include: A La Carte, Gazpacho, Pink Chenna, Worn Avocado, Dining Alfresco, Phyllo, Sous Chef and Chopping Block.

Travel

Think distant lands and exotic destinations. The Travel palette takes its cue from faraway locales and memories of times past. Bring your own journeys home by displaying your travel treasures against richly colored walls.

Colors in the Travel palette include the following: African Sunset, Elephant Watch, Victoria Falls, Slouch Hat, Soukous, Cheetah Spots, Kwaito and Open Savannah.

Fashion

Whether it's a favorite blouse, scarf or dress, find inspiration in your own fashionable favorites and dress your home in color. This year's Fashion palette was influenced by saturated Art Nouveau colors and graphic Deco patterns.

Colors in the Fashion palette include the following: Roaring 20s, Gazette Gold, Champagne Punch, Nouveau Riche, Deco Detail, Floral Applique, Jade Brooch and Paris Metro Station.

Nature

The beauty and wonder that come from the natural world can be a great place to derive inspiration. By using colors and textures from the great outdoors, you can create your own scenic landscape in the comfort of your own living room.

Colors in the Nature palette include the following: Leafy Glimmer, Brown Noddy, Red Clover Blossom, Dark Forest, Hen House, Haven White, Purple Loosestrife and Patina Verdigris.

Art

Do you have a favorite piece of artwork? If you're someone who appreciates the classics like Monet or Renoir, focus on adding more “lifelike” colors to the home — like blues and neutrals. For a more contemporary look, embrace more unique, energetic colors for an abstract experience.

Colors in the Art palette include the following: Minimalist Cream, Picasso's Blue Period, Skandi, Bartel Blue, Blue Tape, Impressionist Blue and Canvas Sky.

For more information about how to choose the perfect color, please visit www.dutchboy.com, or call (800) 828-5669.

For more information on Dutch Boy products, or to locate a Dutch Boy retailer, log on to www.dutchboy.com, or call 1.800.828.5669.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For high-resolution digital images of Dutch Boy's products or logos, please contact Julie Brosien at 216-696-0229, or via e-mail atjbrosien@fallscommunications.com.<

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