Thoughts from Home

Every household needs to do the laundry. I do the laundry for two people only – that’s me and hubby so it must be one light chore for me. BUT I don’t like doing the laundry when the laundry basket is not yet overflowing because there’s certain satisfaction in me when I see the clothesline filled with clothes in different forms and colors.LOL.

We might not be aware that we are hurting the environment every time we do the laundry. So here’s some Eco-friendly laundry tips that we can do to help save Mother Earth while doing the laundry.

1. Control the temperature. About 90 percent of the energy associated with doing laundry involves just heating up the water. The solution: Turn that dial to cold.
2. Wash Full Loads. Even the most energy-efficient loads use 40 gallons of water. Reducing the number of loads you do each week will save water and money. If you find yourself doing eight or more loads of laundry each week, skipping just one will save over 10 percent on your laundry costs.
3. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Washer and Dryer. This is not permission to go out and replace your current machine that’s running just fine. (But nice try!) If you’re in the market for a new washer or dryer, buying an energy efficient model can save both water and energy, and lower your bills.
4. Switch to Natural Detergents and Stain Removers. Natural products tend to be free of chlorine bleach, synthetic fragrance, dyes, and optical brighteners. What’s in them? They’re usually plant (not petroleum) based, contain biodegradable surfactants, and are often specifically formulated to perform well in cold water. Be sure to read the fine print when shopping.
5. Choose Non-Chlorine Bleach. Use in the home isn’t quite as detrimental for the environment as industrial use (like bleaching paper), but chlorine bleach can irritate skin and eyes. Most non-chlorine bleach is hydrogen peroxide. You can buy branded versions, or just stick to the 3 percent version sold in drug stores. And doing so will really add up. In fact, if every U.S. household replaced just one 64–ounce bottle of chlorine bleach with non-chlorine bleach, we could prevent 11.6 million pounds of chlorine from entering our environment.
6. Rethink Dryer Sheets. The chemicals–including synthetic fragrances—found in conventional dryer sheets and fabric softeners are similar to what is found in conventional detergents. They’re largely questionable for human health and the environment. Plus, don’t even think about recycling those dryer sheets. Either skip them entirely or choose eco-friendly ones like Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender dryer sheets.
7. Hang Clothes to Dry. Keeping your clothes out of a dryer extends their life, reduces energy use, and cuts costs. Whether indoors or outside, line drying can be done year round. Just don’t put dark colors in bright sunlight or they’ll fade. Bonus: Indoor rack drying during the winter doubles as a humidifier.

I hope we will keep those Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips in mind. So we won’t be doing a lot of damage to mother Earth while we are doing this house chore.

I need to develop my skill in organizing home stuffs. I sometimes find myself organizing but at the end of the day, the house is still a mess with all the clutter dumped in one place.haha.

I badly need some tips in organizing and here is what I found in organizing CDS, DVDs, and other Knick-Knacks:

1. Everything in its place. Have designated boxes or shelves just for all your DVDs. Store CDs separately as well. If your entertainment area does not have enough shelving to keep all your stuff, it may be time to shop for a shelf.
2. Bejeweled. CDs, VCDs, and DVDs are best are best stored in their original jewel cases to protect them from dust and light.
3. Round them up. Store your TV, DVD player, and other entertainment appliances and paraphernalia in one area. Try a multipurpose cabinet that holds everything from your TV and PLAYSTATION to CDs and DVDs. Remember to opt for multipurpose cabinets that match your furniture. There are a lot of designs available from wood to plastic, covered and uncovered.
4. Out in the open. Open-shelf storage works best in high-traffic areas like living room. This way, your things are kept organized, but you can easily find what you’re looking for, without having to open several cabinet doors. If you’re thinking of having a shelf built, consider the floor-to-ceiling design that maximizes your entire wall space.
5. Odds and ends. The space under your coffee table can be put to good use. Slide storage boxes underneath for books, board games, magazines, photo albums, and other odds and ends. Camphor chests may serve the same purpose.  

I’ll start practicing the tips given above. I hope to accomplish something before the week ends.