In my opinion, there are three types of laundry-doers – the ones that dig something out of the hamper, sniff and decide another wearing is possible, those that throw everything in the hamper to wash even if they just tried it on for 15 seconds and those of us who look everything over and make common sense decisions. … Read Full Post Read More...

We all have them – dirty secrets about how often we wash our clothes and linens. A few months ago, a study revealed that some British women only wash their … Read Full Post Read More...

Come on Now – this is just a waste of GD water. “Gene Goforth sells showerheads—big ones, like the Raindance Imperial 600 AIR. Selling for as much as $5,457, it has a 24-inch spray face, 358 no-clog channels and a triple-massage option. “You can just stand under it, and it helps your psyche,” says Mr. Goforth, who has one in his home….” http://chitika.com/blog/ Read More...

What it means: A small quantity of highly selected green coffee beans. Micro-lot beans are usually the very best quality the farmer or cooperative can produce.  Why the caffeine buzz? When your bag of beans is labeled with the latitude, longitude, and elevation of the area where it was grown, it’s time to wake up (and smell the coffee).   A traditional lot of coffee, as traded on the ICE Coffee Exchange, is 37,500 pounds, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Read More...

Year-over-year shipments of appliances rose nearly 10 percent in June, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). The home-comfort category saw the biggest increase, with shipments of dehumidifiers up 66 percent and room air conditioners up 44 percent. We have reviews of both air conditioners and dehumidifiers including buying advice and Ratings. The so-called AHAM 6—washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and ranges/ovens—were up nearly 7 percent Read More...

I just finished watching Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News expound on the explosion of bed bugs in all fifty states. Reported bed bug infestations in Alaska are up 800 percent! … Read Full Post Read More...

Q. I just purchased a GE Top-Loading Infusion HE washer. I normally use Clorox bleach with my white towels, but I am confused as to how much bleach to use. With the smaller amount of water used in the wash cycle, how much bleach should I add? A. Good for you for rethinking your wash habits with your new machine–adapting clothes washing habits to new High Efficiency technology definitely takes some thought since so many things have changed, such as the smaller amount of water and the Read More...

Q. I just purchased a GE Top-Loading Infusion HE washer. I normally use Clorox bleach with my white towels, but I am confused as to how much bleach to use. With the smaller amount of water used in the wash cycle, how much bleach should I add? A. Good for you for rethinking your wash habits with your new machine–adapting clothes washing habits to new High Efficiency technology definitely takes some thought since so many things have changed, such as the smaller amount of water and the Read More...

President Obama marked the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act yesterday with a special ceremony on the White House South Lawn. “Not dependence—but independence. That’s what the ADA was all about,” the president said, before signing an executive order that, effective 2012, will require new construction to meet enhanced design standards for doors, windows, elevators, and bathrooms.   The order is another big step forward for one of the Read More...

We don't have to remind you that this summer's been hot—wiltingly so. The grass is scorched and the hydrangeas are hanging their heads. Even if you're taking a break from yard work until the temperatures moderate, you should still heed the needs of your lawn equipment. It doesn't do well in this weather either. So pour yourself a tall glass of your favorite beverage and meander out to the shed to perform some midsummer maintenance. Oil levels in yard equipment Read More...

According to KMOV TV in St. Louis, a 7-year-old girl was stuck in a washer for 12 minutes at a Joplin, MO laundromat. She had put money in the machine and then climbed in because she thought it was broken. Her sister shut the door and she was trapped for 12 minutes as the wash cycle began. Rescuers had to break the glass to get her out. She had to have 155 staples and some stitches in her head and body. … Read Full Post Read More...

Here are the laundry products I found on sale this week: Walgreens:Purex 2x Laundry Detergent 32 loads or Complete 3-in-1 sheets 20 loads – Buy One Get One Free; W Bleach 96 oz. 99 cents with coupon … Read Full Post Read More...

Just when homeowners have become fed up it with high temperatures and scorched lawns, a report from the National Resources Defense Council (PDF) says that more than 1,100 counties — or more than one-third of those in the contiguous 48 states — will face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century. Of those, 400 counties in 14 states are of particular concern. The cause, says the NRDC, is global warming.   Whether or not you accept the concept of climate change, there’s Read More...

Another spate of hot weather across the country has caused brownouts, power surges–and a spike in traffic to our forum devoted to air conditioners. Hot topics for those seeking cool relief include:  Sound advice for noisy ACs? looks at installation methods and which models deliver quiet operation and effective cooling. Window unit + Central system covers the many creative ways our users mix and match air conditioning systems with portable and ceiling fans. Split ductless systems Read More...

If it is as hot where you live as it is in South Carolina, I don’t feel like cooking or eating anything hot and heavy. Give me something easy to prepare and easy to eat. Enjoy this salad and if you dribble a bit, just follow the links to remove the stains. Stay cool! Tomato & Chick Pea Salad 2 cups fresh tomatoes, diced 1/2 cup minced green pepper 1/2 cup minced red onion 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced 3 1-pound cans chick-peas, drained well 1/4 cup minced parsley 1 tablespoon Read More...