Dishwasher Energy Diet

In order to be "green" you might be curious to know if washing dishes by hand or in the dishwasher is better. Here are the helpful hints:

• Dishwashers made before 1994 use 12 or more gallons of water, those after 1994 use between 7-10 gallons.
• Wash only full loads.
• do not use the temperature boost setting: heating water is about 80% of the energy used
• fill the soap dispenser about 2/3 full for best performance
• air dry the dishes, or use the "no-heat" dry setting
• don't rinse the dishes before loading, just scrape them
• use shortest possible cycle
• keep filter clear of food particles

A study conducted in Germany reports an average of 27 gallons of water to wash a 12 piece place setting by hand. The automatic dishwasher using the same number of equally dirty dishes used only 4 gallons. Looks like the automatic dishwasher wins!

Spring is here: does your home look like it?

We welcomed spring last Saturday and I still see remnants of last season's outdoor decorations all around town. Are you guilty of not cleaning up and putting away wintertime decor in your home as well?

• Time to lighten up the interior scape. Put away the woolen blankets and bring out the cotton ones. Cashmere throws are great for all times of the year, but lighter colors seem more appropriate for spring and summer.
• Wash any slipcovers to freshen them for the upcoming season.
• Use your vacuum! Vacuum the window coverings at least monthly and while you're at it, vacuum the window too. Less dust accumulation means less washing later on.
• Keep your home smelling fresh by using only natural cleaning products. You can clean your entire home with baking soda and vinegar. Use up all nasty chemicals and replace cleaning systems with cheaper and healthier alternatives.