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!

Easy Summer Decorating Tips

This month, try to:

Relax and read a decorating book or magazine outdoors. It's summertime after all.

Clean your fans so you don't blow dirt around your home. Remove screens from portable fans and wipe with a damp cloth. Just wipe down the ceiling fans.

Update window coverings: go sheer and simple, not heavy or fussy.

Change lampshades to ivory or white silk or linen. Colored shades distort or block the light.

Take up area rugs and let wood floors breathe. Just for the summer.

Easy Organizing Step by Step

Organizing an entire house is too much to think about at one time. One a piece of paper, map out the activities and "stuff" you need for those activities. Spend a day getting all the "stuff" in the right room. Forget about what it looks like for now. Choose the function of the room first before concerning yourself about it looking nice.

After you have everything in its general location, take an inventory. See what you have multiples of, what is broken beyond repair, and what you still need storage containers for. I'll guide you through the rest of the system next week.

About photographs

Snapshots of vacation, graduations, or fine art prints probably play an important part in your home decor. But not all photos are "art" and each category needs to be treated in its own way.

Fine art photographs, in black and white or color, should be treated like other pieces of hanging art. Photos usually lend a casual feeling to the room so I use them in less formal areas of the house. In groupings it's best to keep black and white photos separate from color unless the images are linked in theme. Framing and matting should be simple and complement the room's decor.

Black and white formal or professional photo portraits can be gathered into a family gallery. Mounted in large white mats and simple black frames, a collection of photos becomes a dramatic focal point in a family room, hallway, or study.

Smaller casual snapshots I treat like accessories. I group them in similar or matching frames and arrange on shelves or tabletops (if you can't see the back of the frame.)

Organization 1-2-3

If you have no time to do serious organizing, this is a quick strategy to tidy up at least 1 room. I personally use 4 plastic storage totes and 2 cardboard boxes (ususally courtesy of Amazon).

2. Label containers:

Cardboard box 1: Throw away/recycling (out it goes today)
Cardboard box 2: Give away (fill with items for charity, put in car trunk immediately)
Plastic bin 1: stow away (stuff you can't think about and don't want to deal with right now, put in basement or garage. Plan a date on your calendar to revisit this bin. If you haven't done so by the end of the summer, throw items away, donate, or recycle)
Plastic bin 2: put away (stuff that ended up in the wrong room, put in correct place at end of this task)
Plastic bin 3: store away (seasonal or infrequently used stuff, put bin in basement or garage)
Plastic bin 4: sell (ebay, consignment, garage sale, must sell by end of the season or you never will)

Finish one room completely; it might take 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on how cluttered your room is.

Do NOT let boxes sit in the room. You deserve a clean and tidy spot after all your work!

Good luck,
Pamela

Bathroom Organization

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom gets more regular use than any other room in the house. There is a lot of potential for disorganization and clutter. Because it's usually a small room, it's easier to declutter and organize than other rooms.

1. Start with the medicine cabinet. Flush away all expired prescription medications and any over the counter medicines more than 2 years old.
2. Organize your products by category into plastic (easy to wash) or wicker (attractive if out on display) bins:

• makeup
• hair care
• bathing supplies
• nail care
• dental care
• skin care
• first aid
• meds-cold, tummy, allergy

3. Keep all purpose cleaner, window cleaner, and paper towels under the sink. Take just a few seconds to wipe down the sink and mirror before you leave for the day.

4. Remove all "reading material" from the bathroom. That's just plain old gross.

Thrifty Thursday

Rearranging your furniture can be one of the best ways to redecorate and give your room a fresh new look without spending a cent! Take everything out of the room, add the largest pieces back in (sofa along the longest wall), flank sofa with two chairs, place the tables so everyone seated has a spot for a drink. Hang the artwork in a new spot if necessary.

Refresh with light colored slipcovers for the spring/summer season.

Enjoy!