CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

How Much Laundry Do You Wash Each Week?

casasugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:00:25 -0700

If you have a partner or children, your laundry tends to pile up quickly! Efficiency experts recommend that families with lots of laundry get in the habit of doing two loads of laundry each day; one load can be popped in before work in the morning, and another in the evening. While I'm glad I don't have to do that much laundry, I estimate that we run five loads a week. What about you? Source

How Much Laundry Do You Wash Each Week?

Fewer than five loads

Five to 10 loads

Ten to 15 loads

Fifteen to 20 loads

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Garden Therapy: Leaf Relief

casasugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:30:59 -0700

If you're not raking up leaves in your neck of the woods yet, you will be very soon, so I have a few tips to help make the job easier. Once you've raked the leaves into big fluffy piles, consolidate them by raking them onto a large tarp. Then, drag your leaves to their final resting place, whether it be a backyard compost pile or in the green bin. Another trick? Run a lawnmower over your leaf piles, which will cut them down to size and speed up backyard composting time. Source

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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Who Does the Dishes?

casasugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:00:29 -0700

The general rule in my house is that whoever cooks gets to sit out when it comes time to do the dishes. But it often ends up being a shared task. Who does the dishes in your house?Source

Who Does the Dishes?

Whoever cooks.

Whoever doesn't cook.

Everyone does their part.

We designate a person.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

When Do You Clean?

casasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:00:27 -0700

I've gotten into the routine of cleaning after I return home from work on the weekday. My dishes may sit unwashed in the sink during the day or my clothes on the floor after I've tried them on and dismissed them. But, I like that I can clean my house and then just relax the rest of the evening with nothing on my plate. This certainly doesn't qualify me as a domestic diva, but it's a stress reliever to be able to say "I'll do it tomorrow."Source

Casa Quickie: Easier Egg Cleanup

casasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:00:16 -0700

I like eggs. I like scrambled eggs and fried eggs and poached eggs and hard-boiled eggs and deviled eggs. Omelettes and French toast are friends of mine. I'll eat eggs in any style. I like them, Sam-I-am! But, I do not like dried eggs on dishes! Peeling dried eggs off of my spatula is an unpleasant Saturday morning routine. Fortunately, I learned to save myself a little headache by washing my dishes used for cooking and eating eggs (whatever style egg it may be!) with cold water. Hot water, I now realize, just cooks dried egg (and milk) further onto dishes and cooking utensils. Cold water still requires a little elbow grease, but that's nothing my guns can't handle.

Ready, Set, Go Fix It!

casasugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:14 -0700

Every woman should have a toolbox to help with basic household chores and fix-it tasks. Whether you need to hang a picture or fix a sticky window, I've rounded up all of the tools you'll need to get your toolbox ready for handywoman tasks. Oh, and I've also provided a description of what each tool or supply is good for. To get your toolbox assembled, check out the slideshow. Source

Casa Quickie: Speed Ironing

casasugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:00:02 -0700

Of all the household chores on my plate, I've always had a strange affection for ironing. I could iron for hours on end with the nightly news going in front of me, kicking every crease and fold to the curb, with no complaints. But, I don't like to iron when I'm in a rush, because I'll undoubtedly burn something (myself included), and I don't get a chance to fully execute my ironing perfection. I was recently delighted by a trick for cutting my ironing time in half, though, allowing me a few extra minutes at obsessive-compulsive wrinkle elimination. By wrapping your ironing board in aluminum foil, the heat of the iron will be reflected onto the underside of your garment, so as you iron the fibers on both sides of your garment will be warmed. It's kind of an obvious one, but I'd never thought of it before. Good, huh?
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Did You Do Chores as a Kid?

casasugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:15:45 -0700

Growing up, I had to do my share of household chores, as did my siblings, but I definitely have memories of throwing a fit when asked to; I was a spoiled brat at times. We never had an organized system or schedule like a chore chart, and my poor mother did most of the housework. But then again, we did also have a cleaning lady. In any case, I personally think doing chores as a kid is a good way to learn household skills crucial for adult life, and it keeps you from feeling too entitled.Source

Did You Do Chores as a Kid?

Yes, my parents put me to work!

I did some chores, but there was no organized system for it.

I did chores on occasion, but honestly not enough!

No, I never did chores. I was a princess.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Casa Quickie: Prolong the Life of Your Broom

casasugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:30:43 -0700

It's not only your beauty regimen that should incorporate an antiaging system. You should also keep your household supplies looking good until they're on their very last legs. Brooms, especially natural fiber brooms, are really built to last, unless you're careless with them. For one, you should avoid getting your broom wet at all costs, which will damage the broom and shorten its life span. So make sure you do all your sweeping before you bring out your mop, and store your broom in a dry place, away from your kitchen or bathroom. When it does come time to wash your broom, dry it thoroughly upside down or hanging above ground on a hook to prevent the bristles from bending or being damaged otherwise. And no, sweeping only once a month is not an acceptable way to prolong the life of your broom!
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