Dear Reena: Many of the jackets and suits that I buy are sold with an extra button. Apart from storing the button in the jacket pocket, do you have any suggestions as to how to organize apparel buttons without losing them?
Timothy
One option is to sew the extra button onto the inside label of the garment. Some people tape the extra button onto the blank side of a business card. Label the business card with which garment the button matches. Then the business card is put inside of a book style business card holder that they have specifically set apart for spare garment buttons.
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Dear Reena: I have allergies to all kinds of fabric softeners. Other than vinegar, can you suggest a听chemical free way to soften my clothes? Thanks.
Chris
Take a big piece of aluminum foil. Crush it into a ball and toss the ball into your dryer before beginning each cycle. The ball can be used repeatedly to soften clothes for up to six months.
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Dear Reena: I have lived in my home for about 10 years and each year I change my furnace filter on Dec. 31. Am I am being paranoid by changing it so often?
Wendy
Definitely not. In fact, once a year is not often enough. Changing the filter only once a year can reduce the life of your furnace. It is good practice to听change the filter every one to听three months, and more often if you hold it up to the light and can鈥檛 see through it. Some things to consider: do you have pets? If so, change the filter more often. Also, what kind of filters are you using? It is recommended that homeowners change standard fibreglass filters monthly.
Dear Reena: I work long hours away from home and I always leave my coffee maker and toaster plugged into the electrical outlet. I assume that appliances are made to remain plugged in听when not in use. Is this safe?
Madelyn
Some appliances need to remain plugged whether you are听home or not such as the fridge, stove, washer and dryer. However, according to the Ontario听Minister of Energy (energy.gov.on.ca), 鈥淓ven when household appliances and electronics are plugged in, but turned off, they use electricity. This is called phantom power. The easiest way to stop phantom power is to simply unplug your appliances and electronics when you鈥檙e not using them. If this isn鈥檛 practical, then consider plugging appliances into a power bar or 鈥渟mart strip. Try to group appliances that you use together into the same power bar, such as a computer and printer in听your home office, a television, video player and stereo in the living room or a coffee maker and toaster in the kitchen. Make sure power bars are located in spots that are easy to reach so you can turn them on and off.鈥� In other words, when possible, unplug appliances such as the toaster and coffee maker when not in use. Also, ensure that no electrical unit ever sits on top of the cord. It is wise not to run the dishwasher or听washer/dryer when no one is听home.
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Sock tips:
鈥� I have eight kids and laundry takes up a lot of time. Instead of听washing socks and then playing the matching game, I clothespin each pair together before tossing them into the washing machine. The socks stay together and there鈥檚 no sorting to do. Evonne
鈥� Save yourself time trying to sort socks from everything else. Toss all socks into one mesh bag before laundering. Tim
鈥� I mark each family member鈥檚 sock with a coloured permanent marker dot and keep a chart in the laundry room with each person鈥檚 name and colour. That way everyone in the family knows whose socks belong to whom. If there鈥檚 a听sock without its twin, I tack it onto the bulletin board in the laundry room until someone claims it. Linda
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Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of suggestions in this column. Test products on an听inconspicuous area. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca