Cleaning down pillows and comforters

Down is the perfect filling for pillows and comforters. It is lightweight, durable and very warm. It does, however, have a few shortcomings. One of them is the difficulty in cleaning it. It is not something that can be done easily at home. Don’t worry, however; it is possible to have your down and clean it, too.

The first thing that you want to do is fluff your pillows daily. Give them a good shake when you are done laying on them. One drawback of down is that it can become flat or clumped.



By fluffing your pillow you will keep the lift in the down. Try not to sit on your comforter. The weight of a body on the comforter over time will break down the down and flatten it. Give it a good shake when you spread it out on your bed.

Always keep your pillow clean by using a protective pillow cover directly over the pillow and then placing it in a pillowcase. For the comforter, cover it with a duvet. You can remove the duvet frequently to wash it without washing the whole comforter. It can also be changed to totally change the look and color.

Down pillows can be washed in your washing machine at home if you have a large enough drum. It is preferred that you have a front-loading machine, not an agitator-type. Be sure to run it through the rinse cycle several times to get all the soap out. Always use a gentle soap. Dry for several hours in the dryer on low or no heat with a couple of tennis balls in a sock. Every half hour or so open the dryer and fluff the pillow.

Most home washers and dryers are just not big enough to handle a down comforter. Dry cleaning is not the preferred way to deal with down. If you want to get it done, be sure that your cleaner knows how to handle down. Otherwise, you will be spending quite a few hours at the laundromat washing your comforter and drying it in the commercial-size machines. Be very careful of the heat in these dryers as it can burn your down.

When it comes time to store your down pillows and comforters, never use plastic. The down needs to breathe. You can buy special breathable bags or place them in cotton bags or wraps.

Down is a wonderful material to sleep on. If it is well cared for, it will give you many years of comfort and service. Knowing how to clean down pillows and comforters will make sure that you have those years of service and comfort.

The importance of refrigerator temperature

Checking the temperature in your refrigerator is not something that's done on a schedule. Instead, there is usually something you notice about the food in your fridge that makes you realize that it is probably time to change the temperature. The importance of refrigerator temperature can't be over emphasized.

USDA recommendations

The purpose of keeping things in the refrigerator is to keep bacteria from growing and therefore to increase the shelf-life of food. The refrigerator does not stop the growth of bacteria, it just slows it down. According to the  USDA, bacteria begins to grow when the temperature is 40 F and above. The freezer will stop the growth completely, but not every type of food responds well to freezing (and then there's the inconvenience of having to thaw out your food before eating it).

The internal temperature of your fridge should be set between 35 and 38 F, which is 1-3 degrees C. It is important that you actually place a thermometer in your fridge from time to time to be sure that it is actually maintaining the correct temperature. You can't always count on your stored items to let you know when they have not been maintained at a low enough temperature.

Signs you need to change the temperature

There are clues that may alert you to the need to change the temperature in your refrigerator. You might notice that your milk doesn't taste cold enough, for example.

It isn't always about the temperature being too high.There are times when the fridge may be too cold. If you grab the orange juice and it is frozen in the container or your delicate fruits and vegetables are frozen solid, you may have the temperature set too low. It is a delicate balance to find just the perfect temperature to keep your food and drinks safe but also keep them from freezing.

Test the internal temperature periodically

The USDA recommends that you actually test the internal temperature of your refrigerator. To measure the temperature in the refrigerator, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water and put the glass in the center of the fridge. Check on it after five to eight hours. If the temperature is higher than 40 degrees, you need to lower the setting on your fridge. If it is lower than 32 degrees, then you need to raise it a notch. There are some refrigerators that have built-in thermostats so you won't need to do the test, just check the temperature.

Everyone wants their food to be safe to eat and to stay cold and fresh as long as possible. Maintaining the perfect temperature in your refrigerator will help that to happen. If you have never worried about setting the temperature, it is probably time to locate the setting and see what it is in your fridge.

Pros and cons of early retirement

Most people look forward to retirement with great anticipation, early retirement is only a dream. It offers the opportunity to do things that are hard to manage when you are working full time. Early retirement is a dream but what are the realities of the situation? People are living longer and the cost of living is accelerating at an alarming rate. There are many things that have to be considered before coming to the decision to leave a steady job and make the decision to retire early.

Pros

The main pro of early retirement is being able to do the things you have dreamed about, anytime you feel like it. No matter how much you may love your job, for the average worker, you just can’t decide to jaunt off somewhere on a whim or not go to work today because you prefer to do something else.

With the ability to do whatever you want comes the responsibility to be able to financially afford to be independent. Not everyone is in a financial position to give up what are likely the best earning years of your working career in order to fulfill your dream of early retirement.

By retiring early, say at age 55, you will still be young and healthy enough to fully enjoy all the benefits that the extra time that you have can offer. This is the time when you can travel, volunteer, spend time with your significant other and perhaps even your grandchildren. Without the stress of a full-time job, chances are very good that you will as many Americans do, live into your 80’s and even beyond.

Cons

The fact that you will no longer be receiving a paycheck is a big con. One reason that many people opt for early retirement is that they are offered incentive packages to do so. If this package includes health benefits and a lump sum of money, this can help you to bridge the financial gap that may occur until your pension kicks in, if you have one.

How will you provide health care benefits for yourself and your spouse? This is a large burden to carry on your own without the benefit of your employer. If you have been providing your own health care prior to retirement then this will be a non-issue but for many, this can be a deciding factor.

You cannot use your 401(k) or IRA money until you are 59 1/2 without penalty unless you take a loan. You also are not eligible for Social Security until you are 62 years old unless you are disabled. You need to have other means of supporting your lifestyle such as investments and savings. It might be that you have planned to downsize your home, which many retirees do and if much of your worth is tied up in your home, this may provide you the means to live until all your benefits are available to you.

Retiring early is a great goal but you must combine that goal with a solid plan to provide for your needs. Retirees are living longer and more active lives and if you want to be able to enjoy that retirement in financial security for the rest of your life, you need to be accumulating the wealth that can get you there. In this present world, if you have nothing to provide for you except for Social Security, it is likely that you will not only not be retiring early, you will need to work long after you retire to make ends meet.

Cheap family fun on a budget

With the current economy being what it is, many families are being careful about where they spend their money. That means planning cheap family fun on a budget. The good news is that having fun isn’t just about money. Here are some tips for fun family activities that every family can enjoy without stretching the budget. 

Go for a bicycle ride

Taking a family bicycle ride is a great way to spend time together as a family. You will need to consider the age of the children in the family and  the correct child seats for the adult bikes. They even have special trailers that the baby is placed in and it attaches to the back of the bike. Plan your route before you leave home. If you don’t live in an area that is conducive to bike riding, pack up the bikes in your car or minivan and head to an area that is.

You can bike to a specific destination that you want to visit, to a park or even an ice cream shop. If some of the children are small, you will do a much shorter route but if you have teens, it can be a whole day adventure that may include a picnic and some special treats. Be sure everyone knows safety rules and wears a helmet.

Rent a few movies

Having a family movie day can be great fun. Send dad off to rent the movies and while he is gone you can be making bowls of popcorn. For a special drink why not make homemade milkshakes, you basically only need milk, ice cream, and syrup. This is great for a rainy day when the whole family feels trapped in the house. You can have an enjoyable family afternoon and spend a fraction of what it would cost you to go to the movies.

Local sports

Every area has some sort of local sports team. It can be a high school, college or farm team. It doesn’t matter what sport it is, choose one that your family loves. These games will cost little or nothing to attend and you can have a tailgate party before the game. Bring a grill and have hotdogs or some other inexpensive food. Tailgating is a great way to get into the spirit while controlling the costs. 

Fairs, festivals and carnivals

Get on the Internet and find out what is happening in your area. Most weekends of the year,  there is something going on nearby. Look for local activities sponsored by churches or civic groups. These types of events are generally free and you can enjoy free shows and entertainment. If there is an admission charge, be sure to find out when they are having family-day. Talk ahead of time about what you will actually be able to buy when you get there. You may want to eat lunch before you leave and perhaps allow the kids to buy dessert at the event.

Free days

Many museums have free days or free afternoons or evenings. Take advantage and enjoy them. Local zoos and other attractions may also offer discounted or free days. Check with your local library, they may offer a free pass to museum or attractions.We have that here in Connecticut. 

Visit the library

Libraries have a lot to offer for every member of the family. It isn’t just about checking out a book anymore. They offer movie nights, story time and much more. 

These are just a few ideas for cheap family fun that you can have when you are on a budget. Just decide before you do any of these things what your total budget is for the day. Once you have set it, stick to it and get the entire family to do their part to keep expenses down.

Gentle ways to clean your baby's clothes

When it comes to washing your baby’s clothes you want to find a laundry detergent that is strong enough to make sure that all the clothes are clean and it can remove stains but also gentle enough that it doesn’t irritate baby’s skin.

The good news is that with many of the new washing machines be super-efficient. They use much less detergent than traditional washers. Some detergents have been made specifically for a baby’s tender skin.

Dreft

Dreft is probably what your mother and even your grandmother used to wash their baby clothes and it is still available today. It has been around for over seventy-five years. It is strong to remove all those tough baby stains but it is also gentle so that you don’t have to worry about it irritating your baby’s skin. One important fact to keep in mind is that you should not use fabric softener on the baby’s clothes because it can make them less fire retardant.

All Baby

All is a well-known and well-respected laundry detergent. They have come up with a detergent just for babies. It is dye free, tough on stains and gentle on baby’s skin. It also is formulated so that it will not remove the fire retardant finish and baby sleepers and other items. It has a gentle baby scent as well. 

Seventh Generation Baby Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation is known for their green approach to cleaning. Laundry is something they are passionate about. They believe that you should do more loads in cold water and line-dry your clothes when possible. They also believe that the detergent you use should not impact the environment.

In keeping with this philosophy, their baby laundry detergent is scent and dye free. At the same time, it is made is a way that is safe but also has all the tough stain emoving power that you expect from your laundry detergent.

Baby Ganics Loads of Love

Baby Ganics is the brainchild of two dads who are really into clean. They also are into gentle. They don’t believe that green should be harsh. The result is some great cleaners that will wash your baby’s clothes in a way that is safe, gentle on their delicate skin but will also make it clean enough for even the fussiest parent. No toxins and no harsh chemicals. It also won’t remove the fire retardant finish.

Honest Laundry Detergent

While the Honest Laundry Detergent is not baby specific, since it contains no SLS, synthetic perfume, glycol, enzymes, dyes, phosphates, 1,4-dioxane, chlorine, DEA, formaldehyde, petrochemicals, caustics & optical brighteners. It is perfect for sensitive skin.

These are just some of the favorite baby laundry detergents. They are all gentle and will do the job you are buying them for, cleaning your baby’s clothes. Safely washing your baby's laundry just requires the correct detergent.

Master bedroom makeover ideas

The headboard is where all the drama in the master bedroom can center. If you already have a headboard you can change the one you have by painting it if it is wood. You can also upholster it with a small amount of fabric and batting. If you don’t already have a headboard it is easy to create one. A piece of plywood can be upholstered for a dramatic look. Another option is to us one or several pieces of art that are arranged behind the bed to create the look of a headboard.

Flooring

These days, there are two schools of thoughts. Many people are into hardwoods in all the rooms. Other prefer the warmth of carpet in the master bedroom. There is no wrong choice. Both of them have positives and negatives, it really is a matter of taste. With hardwood floors, adding a rug for warmth offers many decorating options and the rugs are easier to change than wall to wall carpet.

Bedding

Bedding should be luxurious. That doesn’t mean it has to be silk or satin. It needs to make you want to wrap yourself in it and luxuriate in the bed. It should call you to some and rest on your bed. If it is scratchy or uncomfortable, it isn’t doing its job. Open any sheet packages and feel the texture of the sheets.  

This is not the place to skimp. You can find luxury at reasonable prices. Be practical as well; look for materials that are machine washable. Sheets that need to be dry-cleaned will be a pain in the neck. Try to find a bedspread or comforter that is also machine washable; it just makes life much easier. Save the dry clean only fabrics for pillows that will only be thrown on the bed for looks.

Window treatments

At the end of the day, the bedroom is where you sleep. You want to be sure that you have window coverings that completely block the light. No matter how beautiful they are, if the drapes don’t allow you to sleep, they are wrong. Light blocking shades can be simple and not detract from the overall design you choose.

Accessories

One thing that should not be in the bedroom is the TV. If you must have a TV in the bedroom, try to have it in an inconspicuous place where it is not the focus of the entire room. When it comes to accessories, choose something soothing. Lightly scented candles and pictures that you love are good choices. If you enjoy reading in bed, make sure that you have the proper lighting to allow you to do that in comfort.

A chair to sit on to dress or to read is always a nice choice in the master bedroom. An upholstered chair is especially nice. Placing a small bowl on the nightstand is a nice touch especially if you happen to like to take off your rings and watch while you sleep. This way there is no problem finding them in the morning.

Adding a long mirror to your bedroom is practical and appreciated. It is always good to do a full body check before beginning the day.

Feng Shui

Feng Shui is about the energy in your bedroom. Keep the clutter out of the bedroom for the best energy and allow enough space around the bed. Fresh flowers in the bedroom are also a good feng shui choice. Keep a good balance between the feminine and the masculine designs.

When it comes to doing a makeover in the master bedroom, there are many things to consider. Find a color that is relaxing, a design full of energy and a combination that makes it all work together. Make your master bedroom fit your personality.

Tips for cleaning white shoes

White shoes can be a real challenge to keep clean. A wide variety of material is used to make shoes.  Some materials are difficult to maintain. They require specific things be done often on a very regular basis in order to keep them looking their best and to make sure that they last.

When wearing dirty white shoes is not an option, you will need to read what the manufacturer recommends carefully. Having said that, with a little thought and care, you can keep them as white and bright as they were when you bought them.

Leather

White leather shoes have historically been the choice for nurses and nursing students. To clean a white leather shoe the best method is to remove any scuff makes with a damp cloth. Paper towels can also be used in a pinch. Using just plain water or a little dish liquid added to some water, rub the sole and the top of the shoe.  If the mark is persistent, apply a small amount of powder kitchen cleanser to your rag and scrub the spot. If the spot is still visible use white shoe polish to make it look as good as new.

Canvas

White tennis sneakers are a must in any wardrobe but it seems they are always getting dirty. One of the easiest ways to remove a stain quickly from a canvas shoe is with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. These sponges are saturated with cleaner and all you need to do is to wet them and then rub the dirty spot. It should be gone in no time at all. If your sneakers or running shoes are inexpensive, you can try throwing them in the washing machine but air dry them to avoid having them lose their shape.

Man-made material

Man-made materials are durable and able to take more vigorous cleaning methods. Any all-purpose cleaner will do, placed in a sink of hot water. Use a small brush to scrub and small stains. Always wipe off any excess dirt before placing the shoes or sandals in the water. If the insoles are removable, take them out and clean them separately. Always consider the construction of your shoes before starting to clean them. If they are embellished or fragile, cleaning must be very gentle.

Non-washable material

If you purchase a pair of white shoes that are not washable then before you ever wear them you need to treat them with Scotchguard or something similar to make sure that you will be able to wipe them off with a damp cloth when the inevitable scuff or smudge happens. The treatment will make the shoe stain resistant.

There was a time when no one would have considered wearing white shoes before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. These days you can wear white shoes, especially white tennis shoes any time of year. Whether you wear white shoes for your job or just for the sheer enjoyment of it, you will want to keep them looking their best. With these tips, you should be able to do just that.