Would You Like To See A Clothesline At The White House? Posted by Reese Stratford → August 22, 2013 at 9:04 AM under News and Events Have you ever wondered what it would be like if there was a clothesline at the White House? Well, there used to be, back in the day. That was a much simpler time, when there was no gas or electricity to run clothes dryers, washers, or any other appliances. Laundry was done by hand during those times, and hung on the line to dry. Most of the times, there was a designated “laundry day” for this chore. Often Monday was set aside when homemakers spent the day sorting, washing and hanging clothes on the clothesline to dry. Other times, Saturday was the day to do laundry when the kids were home from school on the weekend to help out. Yes, children were expected to do chores. Of course, when the clothes had hung long enough to dry, mothers and their children took them off the line and placed them into baskets before bringing them into the house to fold and put away. Some clothing required ironing, but that was typically reserved for another day. The tradition of a specific “laundry day” may still be part of the American lifestyle, but something was lost with the advent of the automatic dryer. Today, it is unusual to see parents with their children, working together in the fresh air surrounding a clothesline. That is a shame because this is a ritual that provided very productive family time together. Nevertheless, there is still hope that some will bring this tradition back to some extent. Remember when President Obama declared that they were going to do their part to help the environment? Well, his family installed a kitchen garden on the premises, and they have been encouraging other eco-friendly endeavors since he was elected the president of the United States. He consistently tells the people of the country how they should be more personally responsible for reducing the risk of climate change. However, there seems to be little evidence that he is doing his part. How about placing a clothesline in a visible location on the premises of the White House and using it, at least occasionally. Wouldn’t it be neat to actually see the President himself carrying a basket of wet clothes to the clothesline and hanging the contents on the line? That would surely encourage others to do the same. A video of this event, posted to YouTube is sure to raise awareness among citizens that they should step back into time a bit and reconsider the amount of energy used for drying laundry these days. Considering that six percent of all residential electricity is consumed by the home dryer, 18 percent of Americans use gas for the purpose, a large number of people do their laundry as Laundromats, and the vast amount of laundry done for commercial facilities, it is not hard to see that just by changing the way laundry is dried would save a huge amount of energy. If you would like to see that happen at the White House, you can do something to affect that change. Sign our Project Laundry List petition and it will be delivered to the First Family as well as the Housekeeper of the White House and we will make sure your opinion is heard. 0 Comments
Simple ways on How to Organize your Laundry Room Posted by Mary Atkinson → August 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM under Home Living Tips Laundry is, as we all know, seemingly never ending. It is therefore imperative that the laundry room be neat and organized. If space is an issue, then this is simply a must. Here are a few tips and ideas to make laundry fun and manageable. Tips: 1. Place washing detergents and softeners in see through plastic containers. Make a mark on the container with a permanent marker at the level where there is still enough detergent to do at least 2 more loads of washing. Once your detergent has reached the indicated mark, it is time to buy some more. This way you will never run out at inconvenient times. 2. Use plastic pegs. They last longer. 3. Stipulate which day(s) of the week are for laundry. This will save you time and money. 4. Have 3 different baskets: one for whites, one for color and one for dry cleaning. This will save you time when loading the machine. These can even be placed in each child’s room. This way they learn to be responsible for their own dirty laundry. 5. Get the family involved. Draw up a roster for the week. Even very young children can help fold the washing out of the drier. Set up a rewards system. Have each person do a stint of folding and packing away. 6. Keep all stain removing substances and bleaches together in one space. 7. Keep a basket for lone socks. If they do not have a pair, place them in the basket and leave them in the laundry room. This way when the other one shows up, you don’t have to go searching. 8. Fold items that have been tumble dried immediately. This will cut your ironing time in half. Organizing your space: A shelf placed at eye level above your washer and dryer is ideal for storing the detergents and bleaches you use. A long counter top over the top of both machines is a fantastic idea as washing can be folded neatly and stacked into relevant piles to be collected by members of the family when done. A concertina style drying rack attached to the wall is a good place for drying items that cannot be tumble dried. Brackets can be purchased which enable the drier to be placed at eye level above the washing machine. This is a great space saver. A retractable washing line is a wonderful idea if you have the space. It can be used to hang items of clothing that cannot be tumble dried and also for airing bath towels. A stainless steel rod attached to the wall and lined with plastic coat hangers is ideal for hanging drip dry items of clothing and also shirts and dresses that have been ironed. Paint your laundry room a bright and cheerful color. This will lift your spirits and make it a happier room to be in. Remember to get the family involved! 0 Comments
Introducing Environmentalism to Kids Posted by Ana Steinmetz → August 17, 2013 at 6:32 AM under Environment It’s never too early to start getting kids involved with environmentalism. They will be growing up in an age of widespread environmental awareness, and they will soon be filled with questions. Kids can start learning about the environment and how to live in an environmentally friendly way and bring those habits into adulthood. One of the most important things parents can do to make their children more environmentally aware is to practice what they preach to the best of their ability. Children learn such a huge amount of behavior from their parents that parents can have a huge impact simply by modeling certain practices for their children. Children who grow up with recycling, composting, and other green practices will view them as normal. Parents can certainly make these kinds of green living practices fun, turning them into activities that they can enjoy with their children. Making environmentalism fun in general will help instill green habits in kids. Getting kids interested in nature can help them become passionate about the environment later in their lives. There are many fun projects people can do as a family, while also introducing their kids to green practices. Planting a tree is a fun outdoor activity, and it is certainly a beneficial practice. Parents can explain to their kids about the importance of trees, teaching them about science and green living at the same time. Many parents like to do other hands-on arts and crafts projects with their children. Indeed, these projects can foster creativity, as with many other projects where children actually make things. Parents who do arts and crafts projects can use recycled materials and discarded items, and use them to make things with their kids. While it’s important to make sure that all the composite materials are safe to use and won’t simply be used to create things that will be harder to dispose of later, making things with your kids helps teach them the value of all materials. The media we consume, particularly early in life, will always play a role in shaping our perspectives. Parents who want to raise environmentally aware children can show them nature documentaries aimed at children and even children’s films and books with environmental themes. Many famous children’s books and children’s films have green themes, and are entertaining enough that children may be able to absorb the messages even more easily. Parents can watch the films with their children or read the books with them, and then use them as the starting points for discussions with their kids. There are already plenty of ways to make environmentalism fun for children. They will grow up with memories of sharing green living with their parents. Many aspects of modern culture focus too much on getting rid of things in favor of newer items, often regardless of utility. Parents who choose the most environmentally aware option are that much more likely to raise children who will do the same thing throughout their own adult lives. 0 Comments
7 Simple Ways to Save Energy at Home Posted by Donald Schmit → July 15, 2013 at 10:02 AM under News and Events So many simple things can be done to reduce the energy consumption at home. Home owners fail realizing how wasteful some of their habits could be. Here are several very basic changes that will result in drastic reduction of the energy consumption. 1. Replace Old Devices Energy Star-certified appliances and devices use less energy than old pieces. Replacing your kitchen appliances is a great idea. You will have to invest in new pieces but the appliances will pay themselves off due to the energy saving. 2. Unplug Devices You are not Using Appliances, gadgets and personal devices are often left plugged, even when not in use. Believe it or not, this practice leads to the significant waste of energy. The energy used by appliances that are left plugged without working is often called “phantom load.” According to some statistics, US households pay approximately three billion dollars per year on phantom load. The solution is very simple and very efficient. 3. Clotheslines Save a Lot Using clotheslines to dry clothes can reduce the energy consumption of a household by as much as five percent. The simple clothesline can easily replace the dryer. All that you need is a rope that can be purchased from any department store. 4. Improve the Basement Basements that are not insulated can lose large amounts of heat. The same applies to cracks and apertures in the basement walls. Try to figure out whether there is draft because you will be using large amounts of energy to compensate for the lost heat. 5. Motion Sensors Instead of having lights on all of the time, install motion detectors. This way the light will be on solely when you are passing by. Motion detectors are perfect for outdoor systems. Apart from saving energy, you will be boosting the security of your home. 6. Do Mobile Computing Did you know that a laptop needs less energy to run than a desktop computer? Next time you decide to buy a computer, go for the laptop. There are powerful and highly functional possibilities that deliver performance comparable to the one of a desktop computer. Laptops use approximately six times less energy than desktop computers. When in sleep mode, they also waste less energy than the desktop PC. 7. Plant Trees in the Garden Trees will improve the appearance of your backyard and they will also decrease the amount of money you spend on cooling your home during the summer. Trees create shade and according to some statistics, planting a few trees in your backyard can reduce your electricity bill during the summer by as much as 40 percent. Additionally, trees planted approximately one foot away from the house can “guard” the walls against cold, as well. Saving energy is all about changing your mentality and daily habits. Learning something as simple as unplugging devices can significantly affect your electricity bill. You will be doing something good and you will be saving money – could anything beat those benefits? 0 Comments
Alternatives for a Greener Home Posted by Amanda Hampton → July 06, 2013 at 7:15 AM under Environment There is more to a greener house than just composting your trash and the type of energy you use. You also have to have alternatives to commercial products for personal care, cleaning and even freshening the air that you can use that are gentler to the environment. There are also other methods for doing some household tasks that are better for the environment. 1. Apple Cider Vinegar Cleaning Windows and Countertops – Mix this with some water and you have a window cleaner that will not leave an unsightly residue. This is also free from the chemicals in glass cleaner. You can also use this vinegar and water on countertops, as it has antibacterial qualities. Acne Treatment – This vinegar applied to acne will kill the bacteria that cause acne. It does not have some of the negative side effects of the chemically based acne treatments. Dilute this vinegar with two parts water before using. This same mixture is an excellent natural toner for the skin to return it to its natural pH after cleansing it. 2. Cornstarch Powder – Cornstarch is great used in place of baby powder or other body powders. There is no talc or other ingredients that could cause problems. Even though talc is a natural product, it is one that could contain asbestos according to the American Cancer Society and therefore, should be avoided. Cornstarch will safely absorb moisture away from the skin without any chemicals. 3. Washing Soda Laundry Detergent – Washing Soda (sodium carbonate) mixed with Borax and pure castile soap makes an ideal alternative for washing clothes. This mixture has no fragrances, phenols, phosphates, sulfates, or other harmful chemicals. Take 28 ounces of Washing Soda and add 38 ounces of Borax and mix it with 2.5 ounces of pure castile soap (comes in bar and will have to be shaved off the bar). Add about 1/4 cup of this mixture to your tub of laundry. 4. Baking Soda Deodorant – Baking soda applied under the arms is a natural body deodorant. It prevents odor from forming under the arms. Many commercial deodorants contain aluminum along with other chemicals that we do not need. Drain Freshener and Cleaner – Baking soda by itself will freshen up a stinky drain. Just pour some down the drain and let it sit before flushing with water. To unclog your drain, pour one cup of baking soda down it followed by one cup of Apple Cider Vinegar that has been heated. Let this sit for about 5 minutes, and then flush with about one quart hot to boiling water. No chemicals needed! 5. Clothesline Drying Clothes – Drying clothes indoors or outdoors on a clothes line saves use of traditional energy and even saves your solar energy that you generate for other uses. Either way, drying clothes in this manner is a green alternative to machine drying clothes. 6. Oil of Peppermint Air Freshener and Pest Repellent – Placing oil of peppermint on some cotton balls is a great way to freshen the air and repel pests. Make sure to place the cotton balls in dishes or on some foil to prevent the oil from getting on fabrics. This oil eliminates the need for chemical air fresheners or insecticides. These are just some of the alternatives to help you live a greener life. What other alternatives can you find to use? 0 Comments
Using an Outdoor Retractable Clothesline – Top Tips for Softer Clothing Posted by Helen J. Christensen → May 07, 2013 at 1:44 AM under Clotheslines and Laundry Home Living Tips Using an outdoor retractable clothesline is wonderful for saving energy and hanging clothing outdoors gives clothing a wonderful, fresh smell. However, one complaint that many people have is that this method often leaves clothing feel stiff instead of soft and comfortable. To ensure your clothing is nice and soft when you bring it in from the clothesline, here are a few important tips you should follow. Tip #1 – Purchase Top Quality Clothespins Clothespins are important when you plan to hang clothes outdoors. Avoid purchasing cheap clothespins. Investing in top quality clothespins will help ensure you get the softest clothing possible. Quality clothespins should not leave marks on clothing and should be sturdy enough to allow you to use as few clothespins on clothes as possible. The more clothespins you use the more creases you may have on clothing. Tip #2 – Shake Clothes Well Before you hang clothing out to dry, make sure you shake each item out well. Shaking helps get rid of wrinkles in the clothes. You’ll also find that shaking each item well before hanging will help ensure clothing is as soft as possible when done drying. Tip #3 – Avoid Leaving Clothing out Too Long It’s also important to avoid leaving clothing out on the line too long. Clothing should only be left out until nearly dry to ensure maximum softness. Bring clothes inside and hang for the last few minutes of drying time for the best results. Tip #4 – Don’t Put Clothes Directly in the Sun Many people think that they should hang clothes up in direct sun for the best results. While direct sunlight may help clothes dry more quickly, direct sunlight can lead to stiffness in the clothing. Direct sunlight may also fade darker items, which is something you want to avoid. Although you want a bit of sunlight on the clothes, dry to hang clothing in areas that are night directly in the sun. Tip #5 – Hang Clothing Carefully Hanging clothing carefully will also help you enjoy softer clothing, even when drying clothes on a line outdoors. For tops and shirts, it’s best to hang them by the garment’s hem. For jeans, skirts and pants, hang from the waistband. This helps reduce wrinkling and improves softness. Tip #6 – Clean Clothespins Carefully Clothespins can easily become dirty and you don’t want to use dirty clothespins on clean clothes. Make sure you clean clothespins after each use and ensure they are clean before you use them to fasten clothes to the line. Tip #7 – Quality Fabric Softener is Essential Soft clothing begins with good fabric softener. If you aren’t using quality softener in the wash, you will probably have a tough time keeping clothing soft out on the line. Spend a bit more for a top quality fabric softener and you’ll find that clothing ends up softer. Tip #8 – Hang Clothing where it gets a Nice Breeze Last, hanging clothes where they get a nice breeze while on the clothesline is important. The breeze is what helps to dry clothing quickly while keeping them soft. Position your retractable clothesline in an area that gets a nice breeze for the softest clothing.If you are ready to learn more on clothesline simply contact us for more details on how to get started. 0 Comments
Living on the Cheap: Saving Money at Home Posted by Lana R. Deweese → April 16, 2013 at 8:28 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Environment Frugal living at home is the best way to be able to afford that vacation in a few months, or to take your family to that fancy restaurant next week. Not only will cutting back on expenses at home help you to save money, but it will help you to reduce energy costs, teach your children wise money-handling habits, and keep your home in working condition for years to come. Here are some nifty ways to save money at home: Hang to Dry – The dryer is the most useless appliance in your home, and it’s just raising your gas and electric bill. It’s best to use a clothesline to hang clothes, especially during the spring and autumn months. Hang clothes later in the afternoon during the summer, and only consider using a dryer if your winter months are very cold or rainy. Get Rid of Frill Foods – Do you really need to serve your family chicken nuggets for dinner, or could you whip up a healthier meal in the same amount of time using natural, healthy ingredients? Too many families rely on instant meals, but they will be bad for your health as well as for your wallet. Buy raw ingredients, and cook meals for much less. Consider Your Appliances – Is it absolutely necessary to have a TV and a computer in every room? Not only will it make it harder for your kids to sleep, but you’ll find that you’ll use a lot more power. Keep your electric bill low by reducing the extra appliances, and only keep what you really need. Switch to Gas – Using a gas heater may not be as safe as using an electric one, but it will cut costs drastically. Switching over to a gas boiler and water heater will also be cheaper, and the same goes for using a gas stove. If it can be powered by cheaper natural gas, consider switching. Spend Time Together – When your family members are in three or four different rooms, all of the lights and appliances in those rooms will be on. The best way to keep your electric bill low is to spend more time together. By being in the same room, you’ll just have one set of lights and one AC unit running at all times. Decorate Cheaply – Decorating can be expensive, especially if your family has costly tastes. Find ways to decorate cheaply, such as using printed out pictures in fancy frames, making DIY decorations, and buying nifty little trinkets from Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores. Reduce Waste – If you throw away a lot of food, you’re throwing your money into the trash. Try and reduce the amount of food that you cook, as it will help to reduce the amount of food that sits in the fridge as leftovers. Not only will fewer leftovers mean less energy needed to keep your fridge cool, but you’ll spend less on your weekly shopping as well. If you’re ready to find out how an indoor clothesline can change your way of living for the better, simply contact us so we can help you pick the product that is perfect for your needs. 0 Comments
Time and Money Saving Laundry Ideas Posted by Carl Hughes → March 05, 2013 at 12:19 PM under Home Living Tips News and Events Doing laundry work has never been an easy task this chore can be tedious and time consuming at times. The best method you can use to handle laundry tasks is doing it from the beginning to the end. The dreaded task is hanging the attire in clothesline, folding and putting them away. Here are some of the money and time saving laundry tips that may help you. 1. Teach your family on importance of sorting out clothes. When your family learns of the importance of sorting out clothes, a lot of time will be saved. Teach your kids where to place their dirty clothes based on colors. Put labeled hampers in a strategic position and they will be able to put each cloth where it belongs. However, ensure there is a special place where stained attire is put. Use clothes drying rack to hang clothes that require special attention. This will help in saving you of time which could be used to sort out clothes of different colors mixed together. 2. Get organized during laundry day. You can ensure that your clothes drying rack is in order. Make sure there are enough laundry hampers to enable you handle different types and colors of clothes. This helps in making you’re washing chores less tedious. 3. Buy easy to care for clothes When buying clothes, make you get ones that are easy to care for. Permanent press attire is the most preferable. If dry cleaning is within your budget, you can ensure your clothes are made. Also, wearing clothes many times between washing will help save you washing time and money in the form of detergents. If dry cleaning, you will have reduced the amount you will use for the service. Wash towels once in 2 weeks and bed linens once a week. 4. Install a chute This helps save time especially when the laundry room is located on the lower floors. All dirty and stained clothes are transported to the lower floors by gravity thus saving time that could be used to move the clothes to the lower stair. However, it’s good that you make the chute long enough and attach it firmly to the wall and floor. 5. Choose efficient detergents There are many time saving washing products which you can choose. For example, you can opt for fabric softeners which will help in cutting down the amount of wrinkles which the clothes will have. This reduces the pressing time by more than half. 6. Reduce drying time Some clothes such as pants and shirts can be removed from the dryer when they are no longer very damp and this will reduce the need for ironing. You can remove and put them in indoor clothesline. While doing this, make sure you hang the shirts using hangers broad enough to support the shoulders. Clip the pants upside down from the retractable clothesline indoor. Indoor clothesline at different heights makes it easier to put away cleaner clothes. They will also double the capacity of your closet. There are many types of clothes drying rack which you can invest in and which can help make your laundry work a little easier. Shop at Urban Clotheslines and contact us today. 0 Comments
A Guide to the Different Types of Clotheslines Posted by Lavon O. Collins → February 12, 2013 at 9:23 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry There are obviously many benefits of drying clothes out in the open, but with so many different types of clotheslines available, deciding which type is the best can be quite tricky. Are you thinking about buying a clothesline to dry your clothes but are feeling confused about which one to choose from the various available options. So, take a look at the features, advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular models of clotheslines available on the market today. Fixed Head Rotary Clothesline This type is known as a fixed head rotary clothesline because the head of this clothesline cannot be folded down and away but it rotates around. Many homeowners are using this type of clotheslines in their homes since it is the oldest type of clothesline. This is perhaps the most robust and strong type of clothesline. If you usually dry large loads of clothes at one time, then this type of clothesline will be perfect for you. Apart from rotating, the head of the clothesline can also be raised to allow you to easily add and remove laundry. However, if you intend to use this type of clothesline, make sure you have a lot of space in your backyard or garden. Fold Down or Folding Frame Laundry Drying Rack This is another type of popular clothesline and quite modern than the previous one. As the name suggests, when you are not using this type of clothesline, you can fold it down. Although you are supposed to mount this type of a clothesline to a wall, you will also find those that can be fixed into the ground as well. Folding frame clotheslines are available in a variety of sizes as well. If you do not want your clothesline to be noticeably visible, then this type will be ideal for you. You can choose it a color that will make it blend with the wall you will mount it to. Since this type of clothesline does not occupy much space it also does not have enough line space and is not suitable for large families. Retractable Clotheslines This is perhaps the most modern type of clotheslines available today. This type of clothesline is designed to have a cabinet-like shape and has to be mounted to a wall. Typically, there are about four to six retractable lines inside cabinet that can be stretched out and attached to a book mounted on a wall at the opposite side. This type of clothes is particularly ideal for indoor drying or can even be used outdoors if you have a limited space. Depending on the model you purchase, the lines can be stretched between 30 to 50 meters. Despite being a modern type of clothes it is still quite cheap. However, make sure you avoid those that have a plastic cabinet. Although you will have enough room on the lines to hang clothes, hanging large loads is not recommended. There are probably quite a few other types of clotheslines and laundry drying racks, such folding rotary, umbrella, and various other types of portable and wall mounted clotheslines. However, these three are the most popular choices and one of them will definitely suit your clothes drying needs. If you are ready to learn more on different types of clothesline contact us for more details. 0 Comments
An Indoor Clothesline is Convenient and Eco-Friendly Posted by Toby → December 26, 2012 at 10:56 AM under Clotheslines and Laundry There are many reasons to consider an indoor clothesline. From wanting to save money on electricity and being eco-friendly to enjoying the benefits of saving space in small areas, indoor clotheslines are perfect for many families. For instance, those that don’t have access to a dryer can use this indoor option any time they choose and they won’t have to worry about a high power bill. An indoor clothesline is more friendly to the environment. It doesn’t waste power and it doesn’t use dryer sheets or chemicals to get that clean, fresh smell. You get to save space with a wall-mounted indoor clothesline. These retract so that when they are not in use you won’t have to worry about it being in the way. In fact, these can even be stored if needed. An indoor clothesline is easy to use. It is simple to hang up your laundry indoors and you never have to worry about inclement weather. Whether you enjoy being “green” by using a clothesline or simply want to save money, an indoor clothesline makes it easy to hang your laundry up any time you need it, no matter what the temperature or weather is like outside. It allows your family to get back to the basics and doesn’t cost a fortune to do so. In fact, you save a bundle in electricity costs and won’t have to buy fancy dryer products. If you’re ready to find out how an indoor clothesline can change your way of living for the better, simply contact us so we can help you pick the product that is perfect for your needs. 0 Comments
