Since you use your washing machine to clean your clothes it must be clean, right?  After all, it has soap and clean water running through it for each wash, just like washing your hands.  Take a look below at the image.  I took it during the Wisk Bubbles & Bubbly Event. The scientist at the event said that those slides were taken from washing machines.  Eeek!

Washing machines sometimes hold a little bit of water in them. This water sits, becomes sour, and sometimes turns into mildew.  Also, high efficiency (HE) machines sometimes hold water and suds in the gaskets.  This is …read more

Hi everyone. I had a great time in New York City. The nausea from the plane ride is gone now.  Later this week, I’ll share some photos from NYC, but for now I want to tell you about some things I learned at the Bubbles & Bubbly Event.

Myth #1 – More suds mean cleaner clothes.
Fact – More suds do not mean cleaner clothes. In fact, using too much soap can cause keep your clothes from getting clean and it can leave an oily residue on them.
Myth #2 – It’s ok to use regular detergent in an HE (high efficiency) machine.
Fact – You …read more

It seems that doing laundry is a knowledge that comes automatically to everyone. It’s just wash and dry, right?
In reality, much like everything else, doing laundry properly is a learned skill. Compare your method with the one shown in this video. This video covers separating clothes, checking pockets, removing stains, proper loading and drying instructions. You’ll also find tips like using powder vs. liquid detergents.

My son has had several episodes of throwing up the past week. And I’ve had several sheets to clean up as a result. Cleaning up after someone barfs is entirely an unpleasant task. If I could, I’d just throw the soiled items away. But wash them I must.
I loathe to put these things in the washer as they are. Sure, they will probably get clean in there. But I can’t bear the thought of, ahem, large particles in my washer. So, I hang the sheets as they are out in the sun to dry. Dry half-digested food is …read more

I’ve been doing a bit of sewing lately. I originally thought I would stick to making easy-care placemats and aprons. But as I discovered the great variety of gorgeous fabrics out there, I’ve summoned up the courage to try sewing clothes too. When I purchase fabrics, I sometimes forget to check the end of the bolt for care instructions. I eventually found this Fabric Care Guide that’s been so helpful in knowing whether a particular fabric is dry-clean only or machine-washable.
Even if you don’t sew, this guide could still be of use. If you’re somehow lost the care tags that …read more

There’s some great reading on the homemaking front today:
* Great Gift Ideas To Suit Anyone’s Mom (via CBS News)
* Cooking to Combat Cancer #2: The Round Up (via Mele Cotte)
* Time Saving Laundry Tips (at Simply Good Stuff)
* Dandelions: If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em (via North Forty News)
* Large wall tapestries to decorate your home (via Best Syndication)