tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post4756248714953302834..comments2024-03-28T16:20:57.446-07:00Comments on The Gardener's Cottage: organizing the house, part 3 - the laundry roomthe gardener's cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-78569511258132990502017-04-15T14:47:45.828-07:002017-04-15T14:47:45.828-07:00Having read all the comments I do not think that I...Having read all the comments I do not think that I can top them,but do want to tell you once again, your blog is THE BEST!xoannettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13361626368729886859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-16688641887007167042017-04-11T07:32:28.970-07:002017-04-11T07:32:28.970-07:00Regarding Mrs. Meyer's dryer sheets... I use t...Regarding Mrs. Meyer's dryer sheets... I use them in my dryer and they work wonderfully!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04741878897117154285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-66037890401087514572014-03-24T19:20:45.460-07:002014-03-24T19:20:45.460-07:00Thanks for sharing your home with us, every corner...Thanks for sharing your home with us, every corner is perfect and I long to live as simply as you do.<br />I think we're all intrigued with you because you live with so little and it's hard to get to that point.<br /><br />BettySkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04789297986070981410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-64068460844160568142014-03-23T07:53:19.059-07:002014-03-23T07:53:19.059-07:00On a different topic, since we keep suggesting thi...On a different topic, since we keep suggesting things for you to write about: would you care to discuss how you went from being a Thrifter par Excellence to minimizing shopping? I can see how one would stop shopping full price or sales--since there are clear financial implications--but it seems different when you are finding Burberry trench coats at Miss Doris' estate sale. Prior to your mortgage reduction campaign, it seems that you had really limited your shopping. How did you convince yourself to skip (or at least not buy) at miss estate sales, and thrift stores? do you miss it ? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-26254922756370945452014-03-23T07:47:42.951-07:002014-03-23T07:47:42.951-07:00Moth eggs and larvae have survived in furniture le...Moth eggs and larvae have survived in furniture left in unheated barns over the winter in cold climate, so a few days in the home freezer probably won't work (but of course people might think it worked if the garment did not have eggs in the first place). <br /><br />Cycling heat/cold will work. Sudden changes in temperature from cold to warm can cause clothes moth mortality. In the Handbook of Pest Control, Arnold Mallis (1982) suggests that “if articles infested with clothes moths were refrigerated at 18°F for several days, then suddenly exposed for a short time to 50°F, and then returned to 18°F, and finally held permanently at about 40°F, all moth life in them would be killed.<br /><br />But I have found that straight heat is the fastest and most reliable. <br /><br />I truly hope this information is NOT of use to anyone on this forum because it can drive a person to distraction to think they have dealt with the problem only to find out "they,rrrrre back!". They tend to be quiescent in the winter in cold climes so one can be lulled into a false sense of security until spring rolls round. Good news for those in very dry climates (like Colorado or the desert areas)--no moths. They need some humidity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-11276031301091670662014-03-23T06:35:54.842-07:002014-03-23T06:35:54.842-07:00thank you anon for sharing your experience/researc...thank you anon for sharing your experience/research. i had read that freezing garments would work. who knew it was heat? thank you again!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-61568518413007127562014-03-22T21:46:21.842-07:002014-03-22T21:46:21.842-07:00Wow! Great information. Who knew? I've used ...Wow! Great information. Who knew? I've used the little stickey houses to attract moths and have them <br />fly in and find fly paper and they can't get out. I've also thought it attracted outside moths so I stopped using them. I thought heat encouraged the larvae to progress; that has been my experience, but I can see I've been wrong. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-53192895523765920202014-03-22T19:12:36.049-07:002014-03-22T19:12:36.049-07:00Moths. I have inadvertently become an expert on mo...Moths. I have inadvertently become an expert on moths and I am afraid to have to disabuse you but lavender, cedar and all those things you read about over and over on the web...don't work. Museums, especially those with significant textile collections, have become experts...and let's just say that I have spoken with them, had my moths speciated, and researched the life cycle and what does and does not work. Here is the brief version:<br />1. moth pheromone traps--ok for detecting that you have an infestation but will not cure the problem. Some authorities actually worry that you will attract moths from outside the house into your home<br />2. chemicals--whatever you think about the health risks, the bad news is that this won't work either. Basically you cannot get to all the places the moths have laid eggs--they tend to lay eggs in places like the subfloor that they reach via tiny spaces between the floorboards or skirting boards. <br />3. Cold--also won't work. It has to be extremely cold (like northern Canada) for months or else one has to cycle from extreme cold to heat multiple times quickly. Not really feasible<br />4. Dirty clothes vs clean clothes--maybe the moths prefer dirty clothes but I am here to assure you that they will snack on freshly dry cleaned wool and cashmere.<br /><br />So what does work? HEAT. Insect proteins are denatured at high temperatures. What this means is that you can rid any clothes of possible moth eggs (remember--if there are holes the larvae have already hatched and done the damage; there may be more eggs but also be concerned about the clothes that have no holes...so far) by heating. 100% mortality is achieved by <2 days at 100'F or 1 day at 102'F and 4 hours or less at 106'F (tests done at 70% humidity). Carefully heating the material or structure to 60ºC (140ºF) for 40 – 60 minutes will kill eggs, larvae and adults per this website http://www.nps.gov/nero/science/FINAL/SAGA_IPM/2%20-%20SAGA%20IPM%20PLAN%20APPENDIXred.pdf . A home dryer will get to about 130'F on the medium setting and 160'F on high. And sweaters that are dry will not be harmed by heat. Another option on a hot day is to pile the woollen clothes etc into a car parked in the sun and allow it to bake.<br /><br />And assuming that the moths have infested your home (once you have significant clothes or rug damage they have) then it is possible to superheat your home. Some commercial companies do this but it is actually possible (when it is hot outside, ideally well above 80'F) to do this with the use of central heating and a large number of carefully placed propane heaters and fans. It is a big undertaking and you need to monitor it closely (and sleep somewhere else) but it works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-74410279229917945272014-03-22T15:30:57.142-07:002014-03-22T15:30:57.142-07:00A little trick I love to prevent needing to iron i...A little trick I love to prevent needing to iron in the first place: Start with a washed and dried clothing item such as a shirt. Hang the shirt on a hanger on the shower rod over the bath tub. Take a laundry sprayer ($1.00 at Wal-Mart), fill with water, and evenly spray a light coat over the shirt. Let dry for a few hours. This even works on wrinkly cotton. You first air dry. Then spray and spend a minute to smooth out the wrinkles with your hand. Then let air dry. You do NOT need those fancy products that are advertised to accomplish the same thing. If I had not tried to do this myself, I never would have believed it would work like it does. I guess it's time to donate that ironing board...<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-90309075974394559492014-03-22T15:24:00.098-07:002014-03-22T15:24:00.098-07:00I read the Little House series to my kids as they ...I read the Little House series to my kids as they were growing up. What struck me is that her mother would iron those calico dresses after washing them as they headed out west. They may have been going to "uncivilized" territory, but they remained civilized. Loved that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-43889423197149800182014-03-22T15:21:47.781-07:002014-03-22T15:21:47.781-07:00I do hope you do one on camping! Always wanted to...I do hope you do one on camping! Always wanted to try. First attempt 32 years ago consisted of hot weather, bugs, and rocky ground. I was NOT a happy camper - so to speak. But as we can't afford regular vacations and I enjoy nature, I want to try again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-38523557974656504872014-03-22T12:52:06.644-07:002014-03-22T12:52:06.644-07:00Hi Janet, I know you want to pay off your mortgage...Hi Janet, I know you want to pay off your mortgage in 5 years. I don't know if you're making double payments or <br />paying extra on the principal, but the best way is to pay down the principal. Talk with your lender to see if there is a restriction or penalty for paying off early, if not, apply your extra money to the principal. You probably know this already,<br />but maybe other readers can benefit from this information. Your blog continues to be an inspiration. I hope young couples read your posts and see they don't need a 4 bedroom 5 bath house to live well. <br />Best weekend to you, KathleenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-28336895572885169742014-03-22T07:30:59.471-07:002014-03-22T07:30:59.471-07:00thank you ellen and i'll check that out now!thank you ellen and i'll check that out now!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-49711458551824301262014-03-22T07:30:22.674-07:002014-03-22T07:30:22.674-07:00thank you mary. they are not heavy and slide easi...thank you mary. they are not heavy and slide easily. much like a refrigerator does. the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-442829131319523512014-03-22T07:29:26.464-07:002014-03-22T07:29:26.464-07:00thank you. i have read lots about making my own d...thank you. i have read lots about making my own detergent but never have. right now i'm good with the .99 store brand and i use vinegar to help brighten my whites. you are making me want to give it a try again...:)the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-63356143998415880072014-03-21T20:51:24.242-07:002014-03-21T20:51:24.242-07:00Your house is so lovely! I've recently starte...Your house is so lovely! I've recently started using Charlie's Soap for washing clothes: inexpensive, inoffensive and it gets things nice and clean without the "petrogarbage". Only one Tablespoon is needed per load, so it creates less waste. I'm a convert! Read about it here http://boingboing.net/2014/01/31/home-hacking-review-charlie.htmlEllenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07234124572369675836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-3177034405471232322014-03-21T17:49:31.224-07:002014-03-21T17:49:31.224-07:00I also have a small laundry area between my kitche...I also have a small laundry area between my kitchen and garage. It never occurred to me to replace my current w/d with a stackable ones in the future. I have longed for more floor space. How do you clean behind them? I love your blogging style!! <br /><br />Thank you, <br />Mary <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-41377832110898364442014-03-21T16:06:45.443-07:002014-03-21T16:06:45.443-07:00LURV your laundry room! I have a small laundry/bat...LURV your laundry room! I have a small laundry/bathroom combo too, and have been stuck for quite some time trying to figure out how to make it look not-yucky. Thanks for the inspiration, you've given me a great kick-start. BTW, have you tried DIY laundry detergent and softener? I'd Googled DIY LAUNDRY DETERGENT; there are boatloads of sites with similar ingredients (baking soda, washing soda, borax and (unscented) soap; some use oxyclean and scented crystals. I've been using it for a 18 mos and its fantastic! Our clothes get washed for pennies a load and with 4 of us that's quite a savings (2 are young boy dirt-magnets). We just got an HE washer this week after putting the old one out of its misery; I've just done several loads with this detergent and it still works great! Good for the environment, good for the clothes and great for the pocket. For softener, I use...white vinegar! 1/4C in the softener section and presto, chango - works like magic (and no, it doesn't leave your clothes smelling like salad dressing 8~). Thanks again for your great inspirationS~Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-50130584598836689042014-03-21T14:56:18.074-07:002014-03-21T14:56:18.074-07:00thank you annie. i agree. in fact i think he'...thank you annie. i agree. in fact i think he'd make a great tour leader. can you imagine?!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-41137408485940897282014-03-21T14:46:19.979-07:002014-03-21T14:46:19.979-07:00thank you teresa. i think the same way. first th...thank you teresa. i think the same way. first thought when i wake up...so grateful for a warm bed to sleep in.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-13637999923002123962014-03-21T14:45:18.806-07:002014-03-21T14:45:18.806-07:00no the sofa body itself is covered in something li...no the sofa body itself is covered in something like off white muslin. altho it is prob a poly blend. ikea slipcovers are a tad tighter than pb.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-24493456478602015662014-03-21T13:54:08.578-07:002014-03-21T13:54:08.578-07:00I am so thankful I have laundry to do - it means I...I am so thankful I have laundry to do - it means I have clothes to wear. I am so thankful to clean the litterbox - it means I have two loving kitty cats. I am so grateful to wash dishes - it means I have food to eat. I am so thankful to clean bathrooms and floors - it means I have a home. I try to remember this when I work all day, come home and get grumpy about housework. Some days it works and some days I'm just too worn out to do anything. Your blog is an inspiration to simplify and streamline and hopefully make it all a little easier. Thanks<br /><br />Teresa In NashvilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-28299550079411833002014-03-21T12:53:03.663-07:002014-03-21T12:53:03.663-07:00Janet---
What is under the slipcovers? Is there ju...Janet---<br />What is under the slipcovers? Is there just foam and batting? The couch itself isn't covered with any fabric, correct? I had heard it was harder to remove the slipcovers from Ikea's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-32059113868652596022014-03-21T11:42:45.484-07:002014-03-21T11:42:45.484-07:00mine have poly fill cushions. i believe my slipco...mine have poly fill cushions. i believe my slipcovers are cotton. i think the twill are more $. not sure though.<br />my opinion on the pb vs ikea is that the pb is def more comfy for curling up in. the ikea is in L's office and he takes naps on it. :)<br /><br />it's hard to say that the pb is worth that much more money but for comfort it prob is. <br /><br />we were able to purchase ours with accumulated amex points. it took close to 20 yrs!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-19981015063592290962014-03-21T11:39:34.575-07:002014-03-21T11:39:34.575-07:00hi camille, the shelves are 9.5 inches deep.hi camille, the shelves are 9.5 inches deep.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.com