Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy new year!



I wish you all a happy new year.
May you be able
to create a home in your heart for many people.

.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

identification

In some countries people need to have their passport or another kind of identification with them all the time.

Other countries only require identification when you're invited for a visit to the policestation.

At days like tomorrow and the day after - the change of years - many countries prepare for problems with fireworks and even riots.
Some countries have special laws that enable police to stop people and search them on the streets.

It's good to have your identification papers with you, in case of...

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

close your mailbox

Kids with fireworks isn't the best combination.
Many of them are not able to oversee all the consequences of their acts, and even if they're capable of doing so, most of them are so caught up in the acts of mischief that they're not thinking straight.

Putting ignited fireworks in mailboxes made the neational mailcompanies take away or close their mailboxes and at home you should take the same action after the mailman has visited for the last time.

Take tape and if possible, tape the opening from the inner site.
When you're handy, cut a piece at exactly the size of the opening of the mailbox and glue it with the glueside to the glueside of a larger strip of tape.

Then glue the large strip against the opening.
That way the opening is closed without something what's put in it sticking against it.

Putting a strip of tape at the outside is something to think about.
It might even attract the bullies.
So if it's possible, block the inside and be sure to take all paperwork away.

Monday, December 28, 2009

free calendar and/or agenda

This is the right time to hunt for a free calendar.

Here you'll get one when you buy a meal at the chinese take-away, but it's also possible to find free calendars or agendas with 2 packages of detergent.

Keep a close look at the discount bookshops where they sell calendars and agendas too.
Go there just before closing time at the last day of the year.
Do they still have many calendars and/or agendas?

Go back after the new year and they might be decorated with a salesprice.


Good luck!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Collect your coins

Do you want to do something special for yourself or someone else once in a while?

Collect your coins, or a few of them each day, in a special box, vase or container, and forget about them.

Well, not forever, but until you want to do something special.

You won't miss the coins, but when you add them up they make a nice sum once or twice a year.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

To the movies

The time between christmas and the new year is for movie theatres in most cities a far too quiet time.

That's not the matter at the cinema here.
For 5 euros you can see good movies at times no one would otherwise go to the movies.
Parents love to send their children off in the morning to see a movie at 10 or 10.30, or have a quiet lunch while their kids enter the cinema at 12.30.

Make your own cinema aware of this and maybe they'll give you a year free entrance when they see the movies are sold out during these dark days.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas



I want to wish all my visitors a merry christmas!

I hope you're able to spend the christmasdays the way you wish, and you're able to make this world a little bit better.


Merry Christmas!!




Thursday, December 24, 2009

hang your ornaments

We used to have christmashooks (as they were called), s-bowed metal wire which was easy to use to hang ornaments in trees.

The last years I haven't seen them as often in the shop as the years before and this year we couldn't find any.

So I took the strips which are used to close sandwhich bags, stripped the paper from them and used the thin wire to hang the ornaments.

Haha. It's a cheaper solution after all, so I thought I had to give you this tip.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

wine and salt

Don't panic when a glass of wine tumbles over.

Ofcourse... it can ruin your beautiful tablecloth, your clothes, your carpet,
but rubbing with a cloth only spreads the problem.

Immediate action is important, so when you serve red (and white) wine, keep salt ready.


Take salt and pour it on the stain abundantly.
When a whole glass is creating a small lake, you might take up the redded salt with a spoon and repeat pouring salt on the stain.
Don't ever rub the stain!!

As long as the stain is wet, salt will uptake the liquid and dry the stain.

Clothes can be washed with water and salt.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

take care of leather

During the wintermonths leather in your house and leather at your feet can get too dry.

Take a bit of Vaseline and rub it in.

(I'm not talking about the stuff that gives you relief breathing. LOL!)

Vasiline keeps the leather souple and as an added extra it also gives some protection against stains.

When you use it on a couch or chair, be careful it doesn't get into the clothes of your guests.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Phone calls during the holidays

Some years it's almost impossible to call someone at christmasevening and at the evening of the old year. Let alone that you can call everyone in your book.

Either call earlier, let someone hand a gift at the time you would have liked to call, telling that it was not possible for you to reach that person, bur you didn't want that person to feel neglected, or sit together with family members and share the calls between you all.

Good luck!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Hypothermia

Now the temperatures are below zero and the festive days are approaching it's good to educate yourself about hypothermia.

Being exposed too long to low temperatures can cause hypothermia.
There's no fixed time or temperature to be given, so be aware of the fact that some people are told they're drunk and because of that help is delayed.

Hypothermia can result in unconsciousness and death, so it's good to know the symptoms.

  • shivering
  • irritability
  • extreme uncontrollable shivering
  • complaining about the cold, itchy fingers
  • slurred speech
  • impaired vision
  • clumsy movements/uncoordinated movements or strange repetitive movements.
  • stiffness of the muscles
More severe is it when stiffness of the muscles is accompanied by:
  • swollen skin, becoming dark
  • irregular heartbeating and dizzy spells
  • irregular breathing
Unconsciousness will follow when no help is given.

Helping the person involves:

  • move the person out of the wind
  • to a dry place
  • remove all wet clothing
  • moderate warmth
Warn the emergency service.

Never rub the skin, use hot water or put the person in front of a fire.

When there's no warm environment available, lie against the person and wrap a blanket around you both.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

cutting cake

Don't you like these wonderful christmascakes?
Decorated so wonderful that you almost refrain from eating them, makes you want to create an artwork on each plate.

Slice the cake with a hot knife, so you'll get nice and clean slices.

Put something on the plate that directs the eyes to the best parts by putting a small chocolate on the plate, powdering cocoa through a form of a star or christmastree, or putting a little bit of whipped cream at the side.

Enjoy!

Friday, December 18, 2009

As much as possible in your fridge and freezer

Getting all your special fooditems in your fridge and freezer might be a challenge during christmastime.

It calls for a creative solution.

Ofcourse you can go shopping with a measuring band, choosing the right sizes of the packages, but you can refrain from that when you buy plastic sandwich bags or even better: microwave bags.

Get rid of the round freezerboxes and foamboxes.
Unwrap the items and put them in the plastic bags.
You can fill the gaps between items with for instance meat and vegetables which aren't frozen yet. They take the form of the space.

Don't freeze new items all at once, because the already frozen items will defrost and can be kept not as long as you think.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

salt or sand on ice?

Now we're surprised with such a wonderful layer of snow it's important to know that cleaning the pavement is not simply removing the snow, but that it's also about other ways of preventing people to fall.

We're inclined to use salt to inhibit ice to form, but it's not always wise to use salt.
Not only does it interfere with plant life, but it also doesn't work below certain temperatures.

Using sand in that case is a good option.

Don't forget to throw more sand when a new layer of snow has formed.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Goodies from the library

Many libraries take books, cd's and other items out of their collection at the end of the year.

Here, the library sells them for 1 or 2 euros, regardless of their condition.

That means I sometimes can buy the best and most expensive books for almost nothing.

They're wrapped in plastic and have a stamp of the library on it, and sometimes a magnetic strip, but when you're someone who loves to read that doesn't matter.

Because they're not suitable for birthday gifts those books are a present for myself.

Last year I've found someone with the same addiction, and we decided to exchange our bought library books.
Already we're in a circle of 7, and we enjoy each other's choices.

Beware of CD's and tapes and such.
They can be damaged and you can't see that from the outside.

But books: books are great!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Photo's

Earning some extra money during the holidays is always an option when you're creative.

When you possess a digital camera and some photoshop programs you can advertise to go and make photos from people.
Either for their chrsitmaswishes, or for their photo-album.

It's always nice for people to have everyone who is seated at the christmasdinner on the photo.

So make people aware you're able to visit them and create something nice.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Decorating a small room for christmas

Today I got a question from a student who has only limited living space.
In one room he has to study, eat and sleep and there's no room for a christmastree.
As far as he's concerned he can't so anything else than hang some cards on the wall.

Well, you can do far more.

Buy a red bedcover and buy a few pillowcovers with a christmasdecoration.
That'll make the corner with your bed quite christmassy.

When you're able to buy a sheet and pillowcover in the same color red, just do.

Fold the sheet to the size of your table and use it there.

Put an old pillow in the cover and throw it on your chair.

Cut some snowdecorations out of white paper for on your window, maybe you can hang some fake ice on top of the window.

Well, I think you're getting the idea!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

earning some extra money

Christmastime is just the time to earn some extra money when you're not afraid to put in some energy.

When it's freezing outside older people will welcome you fetching their groceries.
Maybe there's an old peoples home near your house.
Go there to the man or woman who organizes daily activities and ask if you can be of help that way.

When you can't get the groceries, maybe you can help them out pouring an extra cup of coffee, riding people in wheelchairs to the christmasservice or visiting someone who will stay without visitors.

When you won't earn money, you'll earn smiles.

You can also offer to get the christmastree, or remove it when people want you to, decorate it, cook, or even clean the attic.

Be creative and you'll find something.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

emergency box

Suddenly the lights went out this evening and I realised how much we take it for granted that I have candles and matches on the livingroom table.
We had lights in seconds.

Many people have a first aid kit available, but it's also important to have an emergency box for other unexpected situations.

Many countries have a site online where you can find what's needed in your area.

A flashlight, batteries, matches, candles, water, etc etc.

Also keep in mind that you should have a bag somewhere in your house with things you need when you're rushed to hospital.
Sleepwear, tootbrush, a list with the meds you take, your insurance number...

Just a few suggestions.

I'm sure you'll know what you need most.

Friday, December 11, 2009

wooden spoons

It's important to use in the kitchen the right tools, so you won't damage your pans and pots.

It's best to use wooden spoons.

They're a lot kinder to your baking pans, but they also leave the vegetables, potatoes and other food unharmed.

When you've used them don't throw them in water, but rinse them clean and dry them.

That way they'll have a long life

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Time for your insurances

It's time now to have a good and critical look through your insurance policies.

Maybe you use certain meds that are better insured at another company, maybe you have added furniture or equipment to your house, so you need another fire and burglary insurance.

It's also good to put some money aside for next year.
January often comes with financial surprises and it's better to be prepared.
Electricity and water bills might be higher, health insurance will be more expensive, etc etc.

Make a list of what kind of insurances you have and at which companies. Include the names and phone numbers of the contact persons.
Tell your family and a friend where you keep your papers. In case of.

Better be well prepared.


Decoration made from collab kit from Rena and Marta

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Best Layouts

Creating a new look for your site shouldn't be a problem when you're a bit romantic.

When I saw the beautiful layouts from Ingrid of Cute Blog Layouts I had made my choice, I thought.
Until I had a good look at her site and saw so many beauties, that it took me quite a while to find out which one I wanted for my blog.

She uses materials from scrapkits of the best scrappers on internet, and the result is as you can see.

All you have to do is leave the number of the set you like, and your mailaddress and she'll get in contact.
No need to change the HTML or CSS of your site, as you can put a code in your page elements and that's it.

For those who only speak and read Dutch: She's Dutch and her site is bilangual.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Christmas rings

1 dl eggwhites
300 gr brown sugar (basterdsuiker)
1 small bag vanilla sugar

Put the eggwhites in a bowl and stir them untill firm, but not dry.
Add half of the sugar and stir until firm again.
Then carefully add the rest of the sugar with a spoon. Try to keep the firm consistency.

Take a plastic bag and cut off a corner to get a diameter of about 7 mm.
Take baking- or fatfree paper or put butter on a bakingplate.
Put the mixture in the bag and carefully make rings with a diameter of about 5 cm.
Put them in an over for about 2 to 3 hours at a temperature of 130 degrees celcius.
When they're ready they won't glue on the bottom again.

Let them dry a bit more and keep them well in a tin.

You can wrap them up in a plastic christmasbag, a nice mug, or on a christmasplate and give them as a present.

Or you can put them on a ribbon and hang them somewhere.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmastree for free

No, I don't want you to engage in illegal activities.
But have you ever realized that you can get a christmastree for free when you keep your eyes open?

Some offices close not only during the christmasdays, but they stay closed until after new year. (So do schools.)

After the new year, they throw out the christmastree as old junk.

Well, contact those offices and offer to remove the christmastree just before closingtime, before christmas.

Take it home and enjoy!!

They've probably spend quite a lot of money to get a wonderful tree, so you surely will enjoy it until january 6, the day that the christmastime officially ends with the arrival of the three kings.

Good luck!!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Saving during christmastime

Christmastime used to be here in The Netherlands a very quiet, spiritual and somewhat mysterious event.

When walking on the dark streets it was a joy to look into the houses and see the light and warmth pouring out.
Going to church on christmas evening was literally going from the dark into the light.

Some people now like the more exuberant way the americans celebrate christmas and christmastime.
Not only do they forget that we have the tradition of Sinterklaas who brings the presents here, but they also forget the way christmas is celebrated according to the traditions.

So even before Sinterklaas they have decorated their homes. Not only on the inside, but also with lots of lights on the outside.

We're living in one of the most crowded countries in the world and pollution is a huge problem, as is the waste of energy.

Why do people leave their christmaslights on during the night, when no one enjoys them? Even worse: some children can't sleep as good as when they're out.

When you want to save some money during christmastime, use less lights, and only switch them on when you can enjoy them.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Free magazines

It's great to accept an offer for free magazines and papers, but first read the little letters.

It's not always as free as it's said to be, because accept free magazines or papers means you'll get the subscription rolling afterwards and you have to pay the full bill.

But there are magazines and papers who offer a week or two weeks for free without any ties attached.

Keep a close watch on what's in the shops to accept the free time wisely.

Before christmas you'll get them with recipes and beautiful photos,
just after the new year with tax advice and all sorts of financial information, and
in months like february or march, or even june with coupons for vacations.

Making a good choice means more for free. ;)

Friday, December 4, 2009

You dropped an egg?

Oh my dear! You dropped an egg?

Don't touch it.

You can put washing up liquid over it and leave it for a while. After that wiping up is easier.

But when you pour salt over it after you dropped the egg and leave it for a wile, the salt will absorp the egg and you can wipe it up as easy as can be.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

clean milk glasses

Milk tastes best when cold and from a glass.
Others like it hot and in a mug.

Anyway, when the glass is empty there's a haze in the glass of milk that sticks to the sides and bottom.

When you wash it with hot water it'll only get worse.

So put cold water in the glass and wash the glass with cold water.
When you feel the need to wash it with hot water, do it afterwards.

It's best to store glasses upside down to prevent dust coming in, but please clean the place where they have to stay first, otherwise storing glasses upside down will be a great way to infect yourself and the people around you.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Against coloured and smelly hands

When peeling carrots you can get orange hands.

And after slicing unions, baking fish, for example, you can get smelly hands.

Take some salt and rub your hands with it.
When you need a firm approach, take a bit of water and salt and use it as a peeling.

Then wash your hands the normal way and smell and colour are gone.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

topdroppers november

Topdroppers of november were:


The Sweet Life
Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife
Funky Town Disco Music
Laane on the World
A Little Boy's Blog
Secondary Roads
BeadedTail
My Life's Perception and Inspiration
Paperkraft.net
My Library

Thank you all very much for visiting so soon after this blog was opened.

I hope to see you often!

Monday, November 30, 2009

steaming eggs

Now we have to be careful with energy it's a good idea to do what my grandmother did when she wanted to eat eggs.

She didn't boil them, because she needed too much gas with an extra pot on the stove.
In her time that meant the gas would stop, she had to turn out all the burners. Then she had to go downstairs, put a quarter in the machine, go upstairs again and light all the burners again.
It was not very beneficial for the food to stop the heat halfway.

So she took the eggs and put them on top of the potatoes.
When the water boiled she watched the clock and gave them about 12 minutes.
Then she caught them with a large spoon and put them under cold streaming water.

When my uncles would open the lid she would get angry, because the eggs needed a bit more time extra.
I don't think she did mind that, but she didn't want my uncles to be so curious. LOL!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

smelly t-shirts

Sometimes T-shirts can smell so bad, that you wonder whether the whole laundry will smell the same after washing it with other items.

Make a mic of vinegar and some water and soak the T-shirt in it for a couple of hours.
Rinse it and after that put it in the machine.

Works well.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

buying fresh products at the right time

Of course you have to buy fresh products fresh, but as shops are by law kept to certain cooler and freezer temperatures and a last selling date on which products are still fresh, you're almost always sure you won't buy crap. (Unless you don't look inside plastic bags or wait too long to go home.)

You can save money on vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and diary products and sometimes even on shampoos and creams, by looking into the special places were offers are made, by walking past the person who is re-prizing the items at the end of the day.

Many shops start selling their fresh products cheaper before closing time.
Especially on saturdays and the last shopping hours before special days, like Christmas, you can buy products at a prize that makes you smile.

And even better: you can buy things at low prizes you usually can't afford at all.

Friday, November 27, 2009

fresh smell after painting

New apartments need a brush of paint.

Sometimes it's possible to use paint without smell. Most of them are waterbased.

But sometimes you can't escape from using the old fashioned smelly paint and your whole room will smell accordingly.

Heat a bit of vinegar and bring it to the boil.

Put it in the middle of the room.

The smell will be gone soon.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Clean bathroom tiles

When you rub the tiles a few times with shampoo, they'll get clean and the water won't stick on them as easy, which means you won't get spots from chalk and dirt.

To prevent waterdrops to stick on the tiles you can also use carwax.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

herbs

Herbs can cheer up your meal,cover up cooking mistakes and make your apartment smell like heaven.

There's a difference in taste between fresh and dried herbs and it's great fun trying that out.

At times dried herbs are cheap, but they also can loose taste when they get old.

Buy fresh herbs in a pot at the garden center and put them in your windowsill.
It looks nice and green and you can cut what you need. The plant grows it back when you give a little TLC.

And it's far cheaper than cheap dried herbs

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

static items

I'm sure you have dealt with static electricity before.
Your hair standing straight up, your synthetic t-shirt or trousers being pulled towards a place you don't want it to go. Even touching another human being might be a risk when you've been walking on a synthetic carpet.

Always have a dryer cloth in your pocket. You know, one of these small cloths with laundry softener used in the laundry dryer.

Just wipe over your hair, or the affected item and the problem is solved.

Monday, November 23, 2009

make your own cookbook

With all the free recipes in the glossy and not so glossy christmasmagazines, papers and leaflets there's no use to buy expensive cookbooks.

Just cut out the recipes you like and file them.

You can either arrange them on the name of the main ingredient, or the part of meal they refer to.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

coupons

Saving money is all about investing time and energy.

Coupons/kortingsbonnen are one of the best ways to get items cheaper.

Collect them and put them at a place where you can easily find them.

Arrange them on the week or day you can use them, either in your agenda, or at a large board in the kitchen or hallway.

Getting together with friends who also collect them might result in a mutual beneficial exchange.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

When opening cans

Cans can be stored for a long time.

When you open a can, first clean the outside of the lid/the part you're going to open.

You'll never know what has crawled on those cans.

Friday, November 20, 2009

alarms and appointments

Many autistic young people experience difficulties with keeping track of time.

Living independently means you have to find a way to wake up in time and to keep your appointments.

Those who can't use a waking service need a good alarm.

But what to do with being in time for an appointment?
Some are so focussed when they're busy with something that they forget the time, and setting the alarm each day for a few times isn't very convenient.

Ofcourse you can use a second alarm for that.
Or you can ask the person you have to meet to call you one hour before.

It's easier to use an online service which sends a mail one hour before an appointment and use the sound effect to make you aware of the arrival of the mail.

When you're a very dedicated music listener or computer fanatic you can use another system to stop you doing your things: the clock for the electric switch.
You know the system that switches the light on in the evening and out in the morning.
A great device to let people think you're at home, but also a great means to switch of the electricity of your music or computer. LOL!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

christmas open house

no picsWant to find a nice gift for christmas?

People who sell their home made products, like jewelry, bags and accessories, are having open house from november 15 tot 30.

Click the logo and go to the site where you can find links to 14 shops and...opportunities to win something.

Cornmeal cakes

Ingredients

2 cups stone ground cornmeal (grof volkorenmeel)
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon salt (flattened spoon, not too much salt)
2 tablespoons boiling water

Preparation:

Mix the cornmeal and salt.
Cut the butter through the mix. Because the corn covers the pieces you can slice the butter into small lumps.
Then use your hands to mix it even better.
Add the milk little by little,
and add water little by little to make a moist but firm dough.

The dough can be cooked in the oven (400 to 425 degree, preheated), on a griddle, in a pan, fried in a pan, or baked in the waffle iron.

Use two wet spoons to drop the dough on the plate, griddle or in the pan and flatten the ball a bit with the back of the spoon.

Don't try that when you fry them. LOL!

When you use the oven, watch until the top side is brown and turn the cake.
In the waffle iron both sides will be ready at the same time.

You can eat them with fruityelly or chocolatesauce or with anything you like.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

the laundry machine

safety

The laundry machine has two safety devices outside the machine:
  • a safety switch for electricity
  • a safety device for water (terugslagkraan)
Always turn them on before washing and off afterwards.

The door should have a safety lock, so you can't open it when the machine is turning.

detergent and softener

When you prepare for washing you have sorted the laundry well.

Before putting it in the machine you can choose the detergent and softener.

Usually there are three spaces in a small drawer:
  1. for softener. It's usually the smallest part
  2. for the normal washing program
  3. for the preprogram (voorwas)
When you're not sure put a normal amount of detergent in one of the parts and start the program with the laundry in the machine.
When there's soap, you used the right space. LOL!

Some machines are very careless with softener and add it to the detergent.
In that case put it in at the right time of the program, not before the machine starts to rinse.

It's best to put detergent in the machine before you put the laundry in, especially when liquid detergent is used. The detergent is spread better through the machine.
Or you can put it in when the machine starts taking water.

laundry

Check for loose buttons and items in the pockets.

Don't put too much laundry in the machine.
It won't get clean, and the machine can be damaged because it has to turn a load which is too heavy.

Don't put too heavy things in the machine.
Some clothes are labeled as machine wash, but when they take water they get far too heavy for a normal laundry machine. Sleeping bags are a good example.

Load evenly.
When you want to wash something heavy, like a coat, put other, lighter things around it.
Stay near the machine.
Sometimes a load can slide to one side and when the machine turns it can cause damage.
Most famous are the walking laundry machines.
In that case, get the item out, press the water out of it in the bathtub and put it back in, or leave the laundry for a while so the water drips out, spread it evenly in the machine and pump off the water before centrifuging.

two hands above
Best is when you can turn two hands above the dry load in the machine.

Close the door

Close the door with a bang.
That way the lock grasps best.

Which buttons to push

Machines differ a bit, but when you use common sense you can wash a lot.

After switching on electricity and water, push on the on/off button.

Then choose the program you want.

The preprogram can be skipped unless your laundry is very dirty and/or smelly.

Most used:
  • low temperature (for light and synthetic laundry)
  • 40 degrees
Most machines have a turning clock which should be pointed towards the degrees/temperature you want. Some indicate with light.
And some machines have a button for each different temperature, or a button to choose the temperature.

Instead of a temperature some machines use names of the laundry: like synthetic, wool, cotton etc.

Some have a button for extra rinsing.

Some have a button for a half load of laundry. Unless it's s special environment friendly program, this program uses too much water and electricity.
Better wash fully loaded machines, because it's better for the machine, because it's better for your clothes.

Some have an economy button.
When your laundry isn't too dirty you can use it.
It uses lesser time and/or water for washing the laundry. So it's cheaper.

When you're using a washer dryer combination you need to know a few important things.
  • read the labels in your clothes!!!!!
  • the cost. Drying your laundry with a machine costs a lot! It's environmental unfriendly.
  • your clothes won't last as long as when you dry them in the air.
  • cotton shrinks.
  • wool, silk and other fabrics can't be dried in the dryer or need only cold air. Hmm.. dry them in the air.
  • Never use a higher temperature than you washed your laundry on, unless the label says so.
Before and after using the dryer check if the watercontainer is empty.
Before and after check the filter.

Vaccuum the inlet of the air regularly.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

which detergents and additives are needed?

When you're wanting to do your laundry much depends on what kind of items you want to wash.
First read the post before this about sorting the laundry.

Detergent

low temperature

Items for low temperature need a very kind detergent which rinses out easily.
Dreft, Robijn are OK. Especially in liquid form.
You can drip a bit of it on the dirty spots before throwing the laundry in the machine.
Don't use too much detergent as it might fill the whole machine and cause damage.

black laundry

Black laundry (and dark blue, dark brown) stays black longer when you use special black liquid detergent.

white laundry for 40 degrees and higher

White laundry for 40 degrees and higher can deal with detergent for white laundry. It contains a bit of bleaching stuff which helps to keep the laundry white.
Be careful with nylon etc. It changes in a dirty looking yellow whitish colour when washed at too high temperatures and with bleaching stuff.

other colours

Use detergent for coloured laundry.
The cheap stuff doesn't wash as well and often doesn't prolong the life of your clothes as well as the detergent which costs a bit more.
The smell is also something you want to like.

softener

Softener can replace the smell of your detergent.
It also keeps the clothes a bit smoother, so you don't need to iron them.
It can also work as an anti-static, which is of help with nylon, for instance.

It prolongs the drying when hanging the clothes out to dry.

But when you use a dryer it makes the clothes even softer.

Oxengallsoap/Ossegalzeep

Always keep a piece of this soap near the laundry machine at a fixed place.
You don't need to use it often, but it's quite handy in case of an emergency.

Spots from most food and juices can be dealt with.

It's best to put cold milk on fresh bloodstains, but when they're old, use oxengallsoap and leave it for a few hours.

Rinse it out before throwing the item in the machine.

laundry care labels

Laundry care labels are international labels.

You can find them all over internet.
Here´s the dutch version.



Monday, November 16, 2009

sorting laundry

Sorting laundry needs two steps which are equally important, because:
  • you don't want to change the colour
  • you don't want to change the size
  • you don't want to ruin your laundry otherwise
1. Sorting on colour
  • red
    Always keep red away from everything.
    One red sock can change a whole white load of laundry in such a pink colour that even your younger sisters won't wear the t-shirts, ever!
  • white
  • White cotton can change in any colour, so white is white.
    Be careful with some stains like ink, berries, grease and oil.
    You'd better wash those items seperate.
  • dark
    When you want to keep your black trousers black, wash them with black laundry only.
    Black combines well with grey, but when it leaves dust or little pieces, you'll have it all over your black items.
    So:
    • Nice black items together, without anything else.
    • Black socks can be combined with dark blue, brown and grey, unless they're very fluffy and your grey might become spotted with black.
  • yellow and light green
    First give wasking the green a try. When it doesn't spill too much colour it can go with the yellow.
  • etc.
2. sorting on label

Read the labels!
  • Items that need to go to the drycleaner need your mom or the drycleaner.
  • Items that carry the handwash label shouldn't be thrown in the machine.
  • Items that can be washed in the machine need an extra look:
3. Sorting on material/fabric
  • Light fabrics, like silk, nylon, light blouses, need the shortest and lightest program with low temperature.
  • trousers, socks, underpants, blouses, handkerchiefs, towels, etc are OK at 40 degrees.
  • t-towels, washcloths and cleaningcloths can do with 40 when they're not smelly and not dirty, with 60 when they're dirty and with 90 when they're smelly and too dirty.
  • wool needs your mom. Silk needs special detergent your mom has.
4. sorting on dirt

Check for loose buttons and items in the pockets.

When your items are very dirty you have to brush off all the sand and little specs.
Sometimes it's best to soak them a night in water with a bit of detergent. And then use clean water two or three times before throwing the item in the machine.

T-shirts which are dirty in at the neck can do with wetting the neck and brushing detergent on it before throwing them in the machine.

When you have a lot of real dirty laundry you can use the extra program (voorwas).
When your machine doesn't have an extra program, just put it on 40 degrees and let it work about 20 minutes, then use the rinse and centrifuge program. After that start the normal program.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Welcome

Welcome visitors!

I hope to see you here often.

This blog is made to share tips or your home and housekeeping.

Do you want to write as a guestblogger, or do you want to share your tips?
Just contact me.

Don't forget to leave a comment, become a followers, bookmark this site, etc etc.

I'm in the middle of creating the site, so come back soon.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

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You can contact us here:


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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

disclosure policy

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. That way I can provide my family with much needed items I couldn't otherwise give them.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards.
I believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity.

The compensation received won't influence the advertising content, but will make me create extra topics or posts in this blog.
That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content, or it can be identified by an unexpected link in an entry (to a commercial page or non-profit website).

I'm compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I receive compensation for my posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely mine.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

Each year this policy will be renewed.
This one is valid until january 1 2010.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org/ .

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

comment policy

Comments on this blog are made DOFOLLOW for the Google Spiders.
Comments are moderated.
Spam will not be tolerated.
Anonymous reactions will be removed.
Comments linking to sites with pornography, abuse or other content in conflict with my moral standards will be removed.
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