CasaSugar

Casa Beta: Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Pacs

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:00:01 -0700

Single-use, to me, usually means extremely unfriendly to the environment, but the Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Pacs may be changing my mind. These single-use packets come in a recycled paper package, 15 tablets to a package. The small box it comes in can be flattened and recycled, and the only waste is the small rezippable plastic bag the tablets come in, which could easily be reused for storing any number of small items.

Each of the tablets is encased in a pouch that looks like it's clear plastic, but don't try to open the pouch. It's actually made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a biodegradable polymer. The pouch is simply part of the tablet, and will disintegrate as the wash cycle starts. The package warns you not to touch the pouch with wet hands, since the pouch will start to disintegrate upon contact with moisture, and will actually stick to wet hands.

To use the tablet, simply open up your main dispenser cup on your dishwasher, pop the pouch in, and run the wash cycle as usual. I found the Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Pac very easy to use. But how well did it get my dishes clean? Find out.

Casa Verde: Efficient Dishwashing by Hand

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:00:42 -0700

I've told you before that using an energy-efficient dishwasher is the best way to go when it comes to getting your dishes clean, but let's be realistic . . . we don't all have one and some of us just can't afford to buy one at the moment. There are some ways you can increase your efficiency at washing dishes by hand so you don't use more than a couple gallons of water, though. To begin, put a stopper in your drain (not just the strainer). The easiest way to waste water is to leave the faucet running down the drain, so plugging the drains will create a pool of water you can use to soak your dishes. And even if the water is dirty, you can still use it on your thirsty plants. If you have a double sink, wash your dishes in one section filled with a couple gallons of water and then use the other one with hot water for rinsing. If you have a single sink, use some sort of basin or bucket for rinsing your dishes with hot water, so the dishes you're rinsing reuse the same water. But, before you wash, wait until all of your dishes have piled up; it conserves water to wash as many dishes as possible at once.
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Casa Quickie: Permission Granted - Stop Washing!

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:15:44 -0700

Hey! Drop the sponge and move away from the sink. That's right: it's time to stop washing dishes by hand. According to the EPA, using an energy-efficient dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. An energy-efficient dishwasher, such as an Energy Star certified washer, uses only 4 gallons per cycle, saving as much as 5,000 gallons of water per year compared with hand washing. By using an energy-efficient dishwasher, you'll also save an average of $40 in energy costs and 230 hours of washing time. Take all of those extra hours and do something fun, like wallpapering that extra bedroom.
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Roundup: Designer Rubber Gloves

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:15:40 -0700

No one ever said you shouldn't look fab while making your house So Fresh and So Clean. That's where designer dishwashing gloves come in. To perk you up while you're doing the dirty work, and resonate with your glam fashion sense, I've rounded up a handful (no pun intended) of designer rubber gloves to protect your paws, whether you're cleaning the oven, unclogging the sink, or washing windows. They are très chic, but don't forget to take them off before you leave the house.

Would You Use These? Grab and Dry Terry Dishtowel Gloves

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:15:53 -0700

Featured in O at Home magazine, these gloves ($15) might just make your dish-drying chore time faster (though probably not in my house, since I let everything air dry). Made of absorbent red or white terrycloth, one size fits all and they have waterproof linings.

What do you think? Gimmick or a real innovation? Would you put these to use in your kitchen?

Casa Beta: Clorox Green Works Dishwashing Liquid

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:44 -0700

Back in January, I had the opportunity to review Clorox's Green Works cleaning products. While many people (including myself) were initially wary of a natural cleaning line put out by Clorox, I was won over by the fact that the products were 99 percent natural, contained no harsh cleansers or artificial scents, and did the job with a minimum of fuss or expense. Further, I was impressed by the fact that the Sierra Club endorsed these products. This weekend, I tested out Green Works's latest product, its natural dishwashing liquid.

To see what I thought of this product, read more.

In the past year, I've used a variety of dishwashing liquids, from Trader Joe's store brand to Seventh Generation to Williams-Sonoma. Basically, I'll use whatever strikes my fancy at the time. One thing that I realized I'd been missing, especially with the Seventh Generation dishwashing liquid, was the sudsing ability that Green Works has. Don't get me wrong - there are suds with the other brands I've used. There are just a lot more with Green Works. The scent was nice, too. While I can't say exactly what it is (it's listed on the bottle as "original"), there's a nice herbal odor to it, which isn't overpowering in the least. And best of all, it got my dishes clean, even the rather caked-on bits stuck to the lasagna pan. This product has a suggested retail price of $3.49, which, while more expensive than conventional dishwashing liquid, is definitely cheaper than other "natural" brands. To find out more about this dishwashing liquid, get the skinny here.

Does Your Dishwasher Match Your Cabinets?

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:00:30 -0800

At my house, the kitchen cabinets, fridge, and dishwasher all have the same facing. What's it like at your home?

Do You Have a Dishwasher?

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:20:55 -0700

As a kid, I took it for granted that everyone had a dishwasher. But now that I'm an urban dweller, I realize that they can be pretty rare.

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Are You More Likely to Hand Wash Dishes?

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:40 -0700

While we do have a dishwasher, I find that I am a much better dishwasher than it is. Plus, I hate waiting until the dishwasher is full to run a load. There's something that bothers me about knowing that the dishwasher is half full of dirty dishes. Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy doing dishes by hand. What about you?

Casa Quickie: Save Money and Energy

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:30 -0700

We've all gotten better about ditching plastic bags and using CFLs, but there are plenty of other simple ways to be "green" and save money that we often overlook. One of these is to make a habit of only running full loads of dishes in your dishwasher and full loads of laundry in your washer and dryer. This is particularly true for your dishwasher, because most dishwashers don't have a "small" option. It'll save water, money, and energy, not to mention detergent. Stay tuned for more energy saving tips!
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