Conserving energy
In keeping with Matt’s blog on conserving energy, I would like to remind everyone that in addition to using the clothes dryer at a lower temperature than you usually would, also consider:
-
Laying items flat to dry
-
Line drying on a rack (or on a line in the bathtub)
-
Or, if you are lucky enough, line dry outside – very fresh and crisp laundry result
I use only warm or cold water for laundry now and I find with my complementary health care practice that cold water actually works best especially on sheets that have aromatherapy oils on them. If I use warm or hot (most people mistakenly choose hot) water, it actually ‘cooks’ the oils into the sheets and they smell rancid very quickly. Not a nice ambiance for the next client.
Check-in:
Are you managing your walking backwards, sideways and a few planks this week? I trust you are expending energy there not conserving it. This is one place where it is better to use energy.
Keep up the good work!
Sue Crutcher, Baby Steps to Success
Comments
Didn't know about cooked oils, need to soak for awhile, and add 'Bluing' optical brighteners.
Tim
I use a phosphate free laundry detergent (about 2 tablespoons -- not 1/2 cup like they say); some borax to help lift; baking soda for freshness; white vinegar for brightness and softening; 2 drops of an essential oil that has been on my shelf too long for client use (usually a citrus, tea tree or geranium each for their own reasons). I find that combination works really well. To bleach whites, I hang them in the sun. Also this combination works well for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers. We are on an aerobic septic system here so we have to be careful not to use bleach, softeners, etc as it upsets the biological balance in the system. I lost a lot of sets of sheets on the learning curve about the oils in my clinic!
Sue
I wish I could remember what it was that I use. I"m actually getting low on it. I comes in a brown bag. completely organic and you only use a table spoon full for a load.
I bought a few bags and dumped them all into a plastic container with a lid. since you use such a small amount it has lasted a long time. Now I can't remember what it was called. I'll do a bit of research and find out.
contractor energy management secrets
Matthew Shields
Good thing you're checking on us. I had already forgotten to try the sideway walk. Will try tonight.
Yann
Yann Vernier - Personal Coach
Sue good point about air drying clothes -- it is MUCH better for the clohting, as well. It prolongs the life of the fibers significantly. Which means your clothes look better for longer! :-)
Jenn
Wardrobe Planning Expert
45 minutes treadmill, 30 minutes weights, protein shake....great way to start the weekendtreadmill mortgage guy!
I have not read Matt's blog yet, but your post makes me miss the days when my mom would dry all our laundry on the laundry line. The clothes smelled so much better.
Dr Peter
Scott A Bell
The Road Warrior: Discount travel tips
See how everyone remembers the clothes on the line as good memories -- another reason to give your children the same opportunity. I remember doing laundry with 3 large tubs of water and a washing machine that wash run by manually pushing a lever back and forth and using a scrub board. Laundry was a huge, all day event. Hanging clothes in the winter and dragging them in stiff as a board to finish drying in the summer kitchen, ironing with the big blocks of metal heated on the wood stove. I grew up in another era. But, despite all the work, the smell of the clothes was always rewarding. Nothing as comforting as slipping between fresh sheets that have dried on the line on a windy day -- frebreeze and all those other horrible chemicals just don't cut it!
I'm happy that I helped bring back fond memories for so many of you. Have a great weekend
Sue
Thanks for the reminder cause I'm shopping for a w/d. What I WANT is to buy one USED and not pay full price retail. Also, the reminder that even WITH a dryer, I don't HAVE to machine dry everything!
All the best,
April BraswellRomance Coach, Online Dating Coach