Dryer Envy: How to Tell If You Need a New Dryer

Every time we are at the local Lowes or Home Improvement, which tends to be more often than not, since we own an older home, we always pass by the appliances department. I have to hide my eyes from the sparkling brilliance of the new washer and dryers that come in so many fashionable colors. In fact the exact reds and blues of the pairs remind me of browsing the new car dealerships. Think of all of the options that you can get on a dryer, including one that talks to the washer to find out how it should set … Continue reading

The Eight Biggest Laundry Mistakes 2

Yesterday, after I posted the first part of this subject, we got a lot of interesting comments! Go check out the post if you haven’t seen it: The Eight Biggest Laundry Mistakes. Now, let us continue. The red sock mistake. How many of use have accidentally let a red sock or other item in with the lights or whites, which means again that you’ll have that pink underwear. Not checking for stains before washing. My husband frequently comes home with pen marks on his shirts. With a little careful pretreatment, I can usually get them out, but not if they … Continue reading

The Eight Biggest Laundry Mistakes

You have to approach laundry as a diligent task. Otherwise you may wind up with clothes that need to be rewashed, or worse, replaced. Bad laundry habits can also lead to your clothing wearing out sooner than it should. At one time or another I’ve made all of the following laundry mistakes. And hey, sometimes when I am in a rush to get “Mount Washmore” done, I still do make these mistakes, as you will see. But I wanted to share them with you in the hopes that you can avoid these mistakes whenever possible. Yesterday morning, my eldest was … Continue reading

How Do You Sort Laundry?

All across the land, people are hiding a dirt little secret…their laundry. One thing I have discovered lately, is that people are reluctant to talk about how they do their laundry, when and how often they do their laundry and how they sort it all. Why is this? Keep reading and then share your thoughts. I often ask people how they do their laundry, partly because I am just curious and partly because I want some reassurance that I am doing it the right way. But laundry is personal. Not only is it the evidence of our real life personal … Continue reading

How to Buy Sheets

Are you ready to find a luxurious set of bedding that will make you feel completely pampered, or are you more the practical type looking for something that will be durable yet comfortable? Buying sheets today requires a lot of decisions. There are choices to be made about thread counts, weaves, fibers percale, Egyptian cotton, green alternatives and more. Here is a quick guide to what you need to know when you are buying sheets. Material Pure cotton sheets can be strong and soft. Cotton breathes well, so you’ll feel cool and dry, especially in the warmer months. Easy care … Continue reading

How Long Should Your Appliances Last?

When you have to repair or replace a fancy refrigerator only two years after you purchased the unit, it can be frustrating. Yet, the 1960s dryer that you inherited from your parents is still going strong. Are modern appliances not built as well? Do refrigerators die out faster than do dryers? There are a few different factors that may determine the life of your appliance. Electronic components such as sensors and computerized displays tend to be difficult to repair or replace and can also be the most likely parts of an appliance to fail. The simpler the better here. More … Continue reading

What Color Should Your Kitchen Appliances Be?

Sometimes appliances can be inherited, such as when you buy your home. In that case, the color of the appliances are determined beforehand. Often when an appliance needs to be replaced, you stick with the same colors that you already have. But be aware that the color of your appliances an dictate any future upgrades to your kitchen, unless of course you are willing to install all new appliances, which can be costly. When we first moved into our current home, we needed a refrigerator. We decided to go with white, probably because we were so overwhelmed with all that … Continue reading

Home Week in Review: April 21 – 27

This week, Valorie Delp joined us here in the Home Blog to tell us about her impending move from the city to the country in: Into the Woods: Our Diary of Buying, Flipping and Moving Into Our First House. Valorie will be back to update us and we hope you’ll come back to check out her progress. Other articles this week covered everything from options to try if you Can’t Sell Your Home to Hidden Energy Hogs (the latter are not the usual culprits). We went from home to garden, talking about paint that can help insulate your home, made … Continue reading

Luxury Laundry: Built-in Washer and Dryer

(Photo from askousa.com) Forget built-in refrigerators that hide behind kitchen cabinet doors and seamlessly blend in to the room. We have all seen them. For something truly innovative, why not install built in laundry facilities, namely an integrated washer and a dryer? You can have your laundry in the kitchen, the bathroom, the family room, the walk-in closet (or anywhere) for convenience without compromising space or style. The integrated washer and dryer are available from ASKO (http://askousa.com), known for their dishwashers, as well as “laundry care services.” The washer and or dryer can be fitted with a customer-supplied wood panel, … Continue reading