CasaSugar

How To: Wash Your Sheets

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:00:42 -0700

Ask the Decorator online home-improvement and decorating show host Meghan Carter interviewed Alan Jesseman, the creative director at Anichini, to learn the right way to wash your sheets. He offered some expert tips on the task, some of which may make you realize you've been doing it all wrong! I've summarized a few for you:

Sheets should always be washed; you don't want dry-cleaning chemicals close to your body.
Use a mild detergent or soap, something that doesn't have any whiteners or brighteners, and something that has minimal fragrance or colorings to it.
Test oxygen bleaches on a corner before using to make sure it won't take the color out.

There's more where these came from and a video of the interview, so read more.

Always dissolve your detergent in the water first and let it agitate for a minute before you put the clothes in.
Everything will last longer if you use a front-loading washer; they're much more gentle because they don't have the agitator in the middle.
Hot water is very harsh on the fibers and colors, and will shorten the lifespan of your sheets. Use cool or lukewarm water.
If you line dry your sheets, the wind will blow most of the wrinkles out of them, and you won't get lint (a sign of your sheets breaking down). If you live in a city and can't line dry, use your dryer on the air tumble (fluff dry) cycle.
Take your sheets out of your dryer before they're bone dry (hot and dry) because that's hard on the fibers.
Sheets smell best if you line dry them in the snow!

Check out Ask the Decorator for more videos and tips like these!

Ask Casa: An Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer?

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:00:09 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,

I'm going to have my first baby in August, and my mom wants to gift me a washer and a dryer to help me with all of the added laundry. I'm really grateful, but I'm not sure where to start looking. I know that I want something that's Energy Star rated, can be separated or stackable, and has a good warranty. Since my house is pretty small, I'd also like to have something that's not that big. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jen

To see my advice for Jen, read more.

Hi Jen,

Congratulations on the new baby, and the generous soon-to-be grandmommy! A new washer and dryer should definitely help to make your life a little easier once your baby arrives, and I'm glad to see that you're interested in getting an energy-efficient set.

You'll definitely want to get a front-load washer. Why? Since front-load washers don't use an agitator (the post in the middle of top-loading machines) you can get more laundry in there - an average of 30 percent more. They also have a high-speed, high-efficiency extractor, which means your clothes come out of the washer dryer than they would from a top-loading machine. They're gentler on clothes, quieter, and are often stackable. In addition, they're much more energy- and water-efficient, using half as much water as top loaders. And while I recommend using cold water cycles whenever possible, if you have to use hot water, front-loading machines use almost 70 percent less electricity to heat the water.

So, what machine do I recommend for you? I'm going to go with the Maytag Neptune MAH2400 ($750).It's pretty darn small, at just about two feet wide and deep and 34 inches high, but boasts a large, 2.4 cubic feet capacity (the equivalent of 16 bath towels). It's part of Maytag's QuietSeries 300, which means it won't wake up Baby while you're tossing in laundry during naptime. It also comes with a warranty, can be stacked, and has a high-efficiency wash system. And yes, it's Energy Star qualified.

Why a Maytag? Well, if your mom buys this machine by the end of the month, she can save big bucks. Maytag appliances are eligible for an up to $600 rebate through the Energy Star program.

You can, of course, pair this washer with the Maytag Neptune Electric Dryer ($700), but since dryer technology hasn't improved nearly as much as washer technology, it's not as much of an urgent issue. Since these two machines are matched, they will stack easily. However, whenever you can, be as eco-efficient as possible and dry your clothes on a clothesline.

If you're not interested in the Maytag, I've also included some stackable machines in the widget below. Good luck with your new baby and your new washer and dryer!

Congratulations,
Casa

Amana 3.5 Cu. Ft. Super Capacity Front Load Washer - $598.00	GE Profile 4.2 IEC Cu. Ft. Colossal Capacity Front Load Washer - $999.00
Maytag Neptune® 2.4 Cu. Ft. Large Capacity Compact Front Load Washer - $749.00	Speed 27" Stacked Electric Washer/Dryer with 3.3 cu. ft. Washer, 7.0 cu. ft. Dryer, 8 Wash Cycles, 3 Dry Cycles, 500/650/1000 RPM Spin Speed and Centrally Located Controls - $2,199.00
Bosch 27" Front Load Washer with 3.81 cu. ft. Capacity, 11 Wash Cycles, Energy Consumption of 146 kWh/year and Spin Speed of 800 RPMs - $639.00	Whirlpool 27" Front-Load Washer with 3.7 cu. ft. Capacity, 10 Wash Cycles, 4 Temperature Options, Built-in Heater, 1,100 RPM Spin Speed and CEE III Energy Star Rating - $769.00
Speed 27" Stacked Gas Washer/Dryer with 8 Wash Cycles, 3 Dry Cycles, Automatic Dry Cycles, Extra Rinse, Quiet Efficient Blower & ENERGY STAR Qualified Washer - $2,299.00	Speed 27" Front Load Washer with 8 Cycles, ADA Compliant, ENERGY STAR Qualified & Rear Control - $1,599.00

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Coveted Crib: A Paper-Perfect Studio Loft

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:50 -0800

If I had my druthers, I probably wouldn't choose to live in a studio. But if I had to, I cannot imagine a more perfect space than this studio loft in Lägenhet, Stockholm (which is for sale). With tall ceilings, a bed and extra storage are tucked up high, making for a true living room. The apartment's bright white walls and beautiful natural light expand the space, while a select few gorgeously wallpapered walls give it depth and serious style. The kitchen has streamlined modern white cabinetry and one of my favorite elements: concrete countertops. The bathroom is complete with a towel warmer (woot!), a washer/dryer, and a sharp zebrawood sink basin. And better yet, it boasts what every girl dreams of: a walk-in closet. Take the full tour when you read more.

View 20 Photos ›

How-To: Clean Your Deck with a Pressure Washer

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:30:06 -0700

As much as I love to sit and muse over the saturated sunset views I have from my deck, eventually it comes time to clean the deck after the long winter, and prepare for Summer entertaining. If your deck has seen better days, there are several options for cleaning it, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Today, I'm going to tell you how to clean it with a pressure washer. But before we get to that, you must remove everything from your deck (furniture, grills, plants — small children and adorable small animals included. Then, sweep your deck to rid it of dust, leaves, tree droppings, cobwebs, and other debris. To learn about the process and the steps, read more.

Pressure washers, which you can rent if you don't own, are very popular because they save a lot of time. But, the high-pressure stream of water agitating the surface of your deck can be so powerful that it destroys the surface of the wood, eroding the fibers of the wood. If used properly though, as professionals use it, with a pressure that is not too high, and not held too close to the surface of the wood, it can be a very effective and quick method for cleaning your deck. You should consider though, that these power washers use gasoline or electricity to pressurize the water from your garden house, which is not exactly the greenest cleaning tool.

Before you wash, put on safety goggles and gloves.
Then, test the washer on an inconspicuous area (maybe the under side of your deck), to get comfortable using the wand (hold on tight!) and determine what the correct distance is to hold your wand.
Next, lightly wet the entire deck.
Then, wash the deck in a sweeping motion, beginning at one end of the deck and working your way to the other side.
Then, mix a non-toxic cleaner, like oxygen bleach Stain Solver, with warm water, and apply it to the deck with a sprayer, mop or brush.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Then, use the power washer to give it a good rinse off.
Once the deck is dry, apply a sealant like Thompson's Waterseal with a paint roller or a brush in a quick sweep; it shouldn't take long to dry. That's all folks!

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Kenmore's High-Efficiency Washer

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:47:43 -0700

The washer at our house has been on the fritz for a while. It's an obscure, European brand, and while it has some awesome features (requires hardly any detergent, frontloading, highly water- and energy-efficient), the fact that there's only one repair company in the entire San Francisco Bay Area that will service it, and that the repair company routinely charges $150 every time we have it fixed, is making me consider changing machines.

I was further tempted when I read about the Barolo Kenmore washer. This 4.0 cu. ft. front-load washer uses SteamCare technology, which pretty much eliminates the need for pre-treating. The washer is also Energy Star-qualified, using 77% less energy & 73% less water than other machines. On average, it only uses 151 Kilowatt hours per year, as compared to the 420 kilowatt hours/year used by the top-loading Kenmore Elite Oasis machine.

This machine isn't cheap-it's several hundred dollars more expensive than most other washing machines, though it's $100.00 off through October 4th, selling for $1599.99.

But you know what's most cool of all? Dr. Jane Goodall is endorsing them.

In Memoriam: Artist Phoebe Washer

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:30:13 -0700

San Francisco artist Phoebe Washer, who was only 20 years old, died this past Saturday in a tragic accident, when she fell of a cliff when hiking with a friend in the Marin Headlands, just north of San Francisco. Washer grew up in Petaluma, CA, and had already shown at a number of galleries. Please take a look at her beautiful art, and then visit her site to see even more images. What a tragic loss - my heart goes out to her friends and family.

View 5 Photos ›

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:00:00 -0700

See a few of Victoria Smith's favorite things. - Decor8
Tour Alexis's nautical nest, complete with a porthole window! - AT:NY
Did you know that your water heater, fridge, and washer can all be recycled? - Charles & Hudson
Learn how to organize your computer. - Chez Larsson
Make a pillow from old jeans. - Craftzine
Check out this smart, cocktail-inspired closet makeover! - Eddie Ross

Casa Verde: MetroShip

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:00:27 -0700

Do you want to get away for a weekend, but don't have the land or Summer cabin to flee to? Consider taking to the seas instead. The MetroShip, a new houseboat design that favors modern aesthetics and high-efficiency materials, makes it possible.

MetroShed and MetroShip founder, David Ballinger, writes, “ I wanted [the MetroShip] to be like an updated Frank Lloyd Wright home but with an open New York-loft-condo style mixed with a midcentury Eichler home post and beam style. Using structurally sound lightweight aluminum panels was important. Using a single piece roof was important. Using the very best doors and windows available was important. Design, as they say, is in the details.”

To find out all of the details, and to take a complete photo tour, read more.

The spacious design is 48 feet in length by 12 feet beam and 7 feet interior height, though custom sizes are available. The kitchens feature islands, top of the line Viking appliances, and Iin the open-living area, entertainment is provided for with an HD-TV projector for TV, movies, gaming, and Internet access, while sound is piped in through in-wall Jamo speakers by one of the best Danish speaker manufacturers. The bathroom features a Kohler corner full-size shower, imported Italian vanity with a Sloan touch-free water-conserving faucet, full-size touch-flush toilet an LG Steam Fresh Washer Dryer.

You'll keep cozy in your MetroShip no matter what the season with remote-controlled heat and AC, air conditioning units. Rest assured your heat or AC won't disappear out of the boat's doors or windows, etiher, since the MetroShip is constructed with double-glazed low-E door and windows. The entire boat is built out of UV-coated aluminum grid opaque walls, which are opaque, and cause the MetroShip to glow at night like a lantern. MetroShips start at $239,000.

Are you interested in boating away down the nearest river, lake, or bay? Check out all the photos if you need convincing.

View 30 Photos ›

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:00:29 -0700

If life takes away your newspapers, make planters.- Craft
Try out these resources for making a greywater system for your washer.- Homegrown Evolution
Check out the lovely work of Scottish artist Natasha Morton.- Simply Stated
Feast your eyes on this beautiful, understated home by Albano Daminato.- Desire to Inspire
I love the look of this tiny home, made from a recycled shipping container..- Home by Sunset
This Chicago home is full of great color and style.- AT:Chicago

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:00:16 -0700

Check out Ashley's amazing bedroom transformation.
See what's hot this year at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.
Get the look of this black forest bathroom.
Pick up this beveled side table for a steal of a price.
I've found the perfect beach chair for those of you who like to read and tan.
Find out how to beat the heat the eco-friendly way.
I love this calm and restrained London home.
See my advice on buying an energy-efficient washer and dryer.