Category Archives: Clotheslines and Laundry

The choice – top or front loader?
Posted by Janine P February 11, 2011 at 12:16 AM under Clotheslines and Laundry

While front load washing machines are becoming more popular, each machine type has its pros and cons. If you’re shopping for a washing machine, here is a list of things to consider for both kinds of washer.

Water leakage

Top loading machines are less prone to leakage. Front loading machines require a seal on the front door, and similarly the front door must be latched during operation to prevent opening, lest large amounts of water spill out. This seal may leak or require replacement. Many current front-loaders, though, can be stopped and added to or removed from, by way of keeping the water level in the horizontal tub below the door level.

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Energy usage

Front loaders use less energy, water and detergent and clean more effectively than the best top loaders.

Water usage

Front loaders generally use less water than top-loading residential clothes washers. Estimates are front loaders use anywhere from about one third ) to one half as much as top loaders. Needing less water means that front loaders use far less soap, too.

Compactness

Front loading machines may be installed underneath counters. A front loading washing machine, in a fully-fitted kitchen, may even be disguised as an ordinary base cabinet/unit. They may also be convenient in homes with limited floor area, since the dryer may be installed directly above the washer.

Clothing lifespan

With their lack of an agitator, front loaders are less likely to damage clothing in a variety of ways. They are less likely to stretch, shrink or felt knits. They can also be less damaging to decals on T-shirts, though it is always a good idea to take precautions like separating and turning them inside out. Even less delicate clothes will last longer with gentle treatment.

Laundromat Dryers

Spin-dry effectiveness

Front loaders also offer much higher spin drying speeds of up to 2000 RPM. This makes it possible to dry clothes very quickly by hanging them on washing lines or airing racks or can substantially reduce the length of time required in a tumble dryer.

Noise

Front loaders tend to operate more quietly than top loaders, since there is less of a tendency to imbalance.

Accessibility and Ergonomics

Front loaders are more convenient for little people and those in wheelchairs, as the controls are front-mounted and the horizontal drum eliminates the need for standing and/or climbing. For people who are sufficiently tall and can stand, top-loaders may be easier to load and unload, since reaching into the tub does not require stooping. However, this issue can be mitigated due to the offering of risers (usually with storage drawers underneath) to raise the front loader door opening closer to the user’s level.

Each type of washing machine has advantages and disadvantages. We hope we have helped you choose the right washing machine for your home.

THE HUMBLE HAMPER
Posted by Andrew T February 10, 2011 at 9:18 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

Here are some interesting facts about something we all take for granted.

A hamper is a primarily British term for a wicker basket, usually large, that is used for the transport of items, often food.

In North America, the term generally refers to a household receptacle for dirty clothing, regardless of its composition, i.e. “a laundry hamper“.

In agricultural use, a hamper is a wide-mouthed container of basketwork that may often be carried on the back during the harvesting of fruit or vegetables by hand by workers in the field. The contents of the hamper may be decanted regularly into larger containers or a cart, wagon, or truck.

The open ventilation and the sturdiness offered by a hamper has made it suitable for the transport of food, hence the use of the picnic hamper.

At one time it was common for laundry services to leave a large basketwork container with a lid which is now commonly referred to as a clothes hamper. The same type of container would be used to return clean clothing, which would be put away by the laundry service and the empty container left in place of the full container for later pickup.

This type of daily or bi-daily hamper service was most common with Chinese laundry services in 19th century England and America.

Wicker hampers

The humble Hamper
Posted by Andrew T February 06, 2011 at 9:21 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

A hamper is a primarily British term for a wicker basket, usually large, that is used for the transport of items, often food.

In North America, the term generally refers to a household receptacle for dirty clothing, regardless of its composition, i.e. “a laundry hamper“.

In agricultural use, a hamper is a wide-mouthed container of basketwork that may often be carried on the back during the harvesting of fruit or vegetables by hand by workers in the field. The contents of the hamper may be decanted regularly into larger containers or a cart, wagon, or truck.

The open ventilation and the sturdiness offered by a hamper has made it suitable for the transport of food, hence the use of the picnic hamper.

At one time it was common for laundry services to leave a large basketwork container with a lid which is now commonly referred to as a clothes hamper. The same type of container would be used to return clean clothing, which would be put away by the laundry service and the empty container left in place of the full container for later pickup.

This type of daily or bi-daily hamper service was most common with Chinese laundry services in 19th century England and America.

Hampers

Drying laundry indoors
Posted by Gary H February 02, 2011 at 4:26 PM under Alternative Energy Clotheslines and Laundry Home Living Tips


clothesline
This may be useful during the colder months:

Laundry may be dried indoors rather than outdoors for a variety of reasons including:

  • inclement weather
  • physical disability
  • lack of space for a line
  • legal restrictions
  • to raise the humidity level indoors
  • to lower the air temperature indoors
  • convenience
  • to preserve privacy

Several types of devices are available for indoor drying. A drying rack or clotheshorse can help save space in an apartment or clothes lines can be strung in the basement during the winter. Small loads can simply be draped over furniture or a shower curtain pole. The drying time indoors will typically be longer than outdoor drying because of the lack of direct solar radiation and the convective assistance of the wind.

The evaporation of the moisture from the clothes will cool the indoor air and increase the humidity level, which may or may not be desirable. In cold, dry weather, moderate increases in humidity makes most people feel more comfortable. In warm weather, increased humidity makes most people feel even hotter. Increased humidity can also increase growth of fungi, which can cause health problems.

To read more go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_line

Tips for Cleaning Your Laundry Hamper
Posted by Sally November 06, 2010 at 6:00 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

Fir Wood Hamper with Poly Cotton Bag

The Fir Wood Hamper’s Poly Cotton Bag is removable.

Laundry hampers are important in any home. They help you store clothing and other items that need laundered so you don’t end up with laundry all over your home. However, no matter what type of hamper you have, it is important to clean it from time to time. Without cleaning bacteria and mold can grow and you’ll also find that the hampers can become a bit smelly too. Here are some cleaning tips to remember.

If the hamper has a liner in it, make sure that it gets washed each week when the clothes get washed. This way it is fresh and clean all the time, cutting down on smells.

If you have plastic laundry hampers, you’ll find that they are easy to clean. Use hot soapy water to clean them inside and out from time to time and then dry them. This way you eliminate any nasty bacteria that may start growing.

To eliminate smells, sometimes it is a good idea to put a bit of baking soda into the hamper as well. The baking soda helps to keep the smells at bay that can occur.

Of course, if you have wicker hampers, they can be a bit more difficult to clean. If there are stains, make sure you spot clean them and avoid getting the wicker too wet. Try to clean them regularly so you don’t end up with any mold or mildew inside of them.

Laundry hampers can be a harbor for bacteria and smells, so make sure you use these tips on a regular basis to clean them out. This way you avoid smells and keep clothing from being affected by bacteria or mildew from the hamper.

Where to Put Laundry Hampers in Your Home
Posted by Gary N November 03, 2010 at 6:00 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

If you’re having a tough time figuring out which clothes are clean and which ones need to be washed, it’s time you start using some laundry hampers. These simple purchases can make a big difference in your home. They provide a way that you can keep laundry out of site and you won’t have to go on a hunt for the clothes when you are ready to wash them. Wondering where you should put laundry hampers? Here are a few great ideas.uclhe2500_2-Soft-Sided-Hamper-Tote-Magic-Rings-01shrunk

1 Hamper Per Child

Of course, if you have kids, one of the obvious places to put a hamper is in their room. Teach kids that dirty clothing goes in the hamper while they are young. Every child should have one hamper of their own for the best results. Otherwise they are more likely to leave clothing on the floor instead of going to find a hamper.

Bathrooms

It’s also a good idea to put a laundry hamper in the bathroom as well. Often people take off clothing in the bathroom to get a shower and of course towels and wash cloths get used in there as well. Instead of allowing the bathroom to become a disaster, a small hamper in there can take care of soiled laundry for you.

Don’t Forget the Laundry Room!

Sometimes it’s also a good idea to have a laundry hamper in the laundry room as well. This is the place where you actually do the laundry. Even if everyone else has their own hamper, just keeping one on hand in the laundry room is a great idea for items like sheets and other things you want to wash that are not regular clothing laundry.

3 Signs You Need a Laundry Cart
Posted by Gary Nickless November 01, 2010 at 6:00 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

Laundry can bring chaos to any home. Many people find that a laundry cart can be helpful when dealing with this laundry chaos. Maybe you don’t have one of your own yet. Well, here is a look at three signs you definitely need to add a laundry cart to your laundry room immediately.

Sign #1 – You Have a Big Family
Chrome Rolling Laundry Station with closet rail and two shelvesIf you have a big family, that’s a sign that you definitely need a laundry cart. Trying to get all that laundry into the laundry room is tough. In fact, it can be a back breaking job that leaves you sore for days. With the laundry cart it’s easy to get the laundry from all over the home. Simply wheel it to the laundry room instead of trying to actually carry everything from all over your home.

Sign #2 – You Make Multiple Trips When Getting or Putting Away Laundry

Another sign that you need to buy your own laundry cart is that you make multiple trips when getting or putting away the laundry. If it takes you five trips to round up the laundry and even more to put clean laundry away, you are wasting your energy. With the cart you’ll be able to take care of everything in just one trip as long as you purchase one that fits your needs.

Sign #3 – You’re Tired of Laundry Mania and Disorganization Throughout Your Home

Are you sick of dealing with laundry mania and disorganization throughout your home? Maybe laundry ends up in piles everywhere and you are never quite sure where the laundry detergent ends up. Well, you’ll find that a laundry cart can help you get things more organized. All the laundry can easily be sorted with laundry carts that come with multiple compartments. Many have shelves too so you are able to store laundry essentials on the cart so you can easily find

Benefits of a Pull Out Laundry Hamper
Posted by Gary N October 29, 2010 at 6:00 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

Keeping your closets well organized is important, especially if you don’t have a lot of closet space to begin with. The great thing is that there are many systems you can use in a close today to keep things organized and to make the most of that small amount of room. One option to use in a smaller closet is a pull out laundry hamper. The last thing you want is your dirty laundry on display, so this option allows you to easily keep laundry out of the way and in the closet.

These pull out laundry hampers are great for closets. Often you don’t have the room for a regular basket in the closet, but you can find options that are designed to fit on closets. They have tracks so you can easily pull them out and they slide back in under the shelving in your closet. This way you don’t have laundry in the bedroom where it can be seen.

Since they pull out, they don’t take up much room. The great thing is that they are stylish as well. They’ll help you keep everything in the closet organized and usually they have simple compartments that you can easily pull out when it is time to do the laundry. You can purchase these pull out hampers with double bins as well if you have the space, allowing you to keep the laundry sorted.

Just keep one thing in mind. Since it will be in the closet with clean clothes, you need to take measures to make sure that the pull out laundry hamper doesn’t smell or it could make other things in the closet smell as well.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Laundry Hamper
Posted by Gary N October 27, 2010 at 6:00 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry

No doubt you already have a hamper on hand, or maybe even two, to help make laundry a bit easier for you. However, you may not be using your laundry hamper with the best results. Here are some tips that can help you to make the most of this hamper.

Tip #1 – Have One for Each Person

If you want to make the most of your laundry hampers, make sure that you have one for each person. This is especially helpful if you have a larger family. That way you make sure that laundry doesn’t pile up in the bedrooms and every person can be expected to ensure their hamper shows up on the laundry day.

Tip #2 – Make Sure It’s Portable

To get the most out of hampers, make sure it is portable. Once you get a lot of laundry in a hamper it can be tough to move. Going with options that are portable makes it easier to get laundry from bedrooms or bathrooms into your laundry room without pulling your back.

Tip #3 – Add a Dryer Sheet

Do you hate the way that these hampers start smelling after a couple days? To keep the smell at bay, every time you do the laundry, add a dryer sheet to the bottom of the hamper. It will help keep it smelling good, even when there are dirty clothes in the hamper.

Tip #4 – Keep a Hamper in the Bathroom

Even though everyone has their own hamper in the home, putting another laundry hamper in the bathroom is a great idea. This way if towels or other items are in the bathroom they can easily be put right into the hamper instead of left on the floor or hanging over the sink or tub in your bathroom.