Book III Green Cleaning in VS .NET

Making QR-Code in VS .NET Book III Green Cleaning

Bed pillows sell for $3 and up, so they re affordable to replace often But frequent replacement doesn t exactly jibe with a sustainable lifestyle So investing in a longer-lasting pillow, such as wool or latex, is a wise choice, even if they do cost a bit more Whatever its content, pillows last longer when well-cared for: Use pillow covers or protectors in addition to pillowcases These zip-up coverings help reduce dust mite invasion and keep other pollutants out of the pillow filling Hand-wash wool pillows; machine-wash cotton and synthetic pillows Follow manufacturers instructions Air out pillows frequently Strip their coverings and lay out in the sun on a blanket When you make the bed, fluff and flip the pillows Give pillows a rest If you have extras, rotate them occasionally But be sure to store in the linen closet only after washing or airing

Your sheets and pillowcases come in closest contact with your skin So the greener the content, the less chance you re sleeping with unsafe chemical treatments Choosing your bed linens from organically grown or cultivated cotton or silk is the first step But be sure, too, that the materials aren t treated with a chemical flame retardant or easy-care coating A new material choice is bamboo Who knew that the hard, woody grass used to support scaffolding in China could produce such soft, luxurious fabric Bamboo sheets do feel silky soft What s more, bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource (Now, if only US growers would start cultivating it, so green consumers don t have to pay such a high carbon price for bamboo shipped from Asia!) More bamboo benefits The material is machine-washable, durable, and antibacterial

The best organic materials are also easily washable Change and wash your bed sheets as needed more frequently during sweltering weather and certainly during illness to make sure to eliminate germs Change your pillowcases more often than you change your bed sheets, but at least once a week Your pillow is where your head rests, leaving a more tempting feast for dust mites, which favor dead skin flakes, hair, secretions, oils from lotions, and residue from gels and shampoo, cosmetics, and hairspray If you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies, wash sheets in water hot enough to kill irritants including dust mites some recommend 130 or higher Unless pollen allergies are an issue, hang sheets outside in the breeze for a heavenly sun-kissed scent that no bottle of fabric softener can capture

Never store soiled linens: Dirt and perspiration attract mildew Whether you stack bedding as sheet sets (bottom and top sheet plus pillowcases) or store them separately, place the most recently cleaned linens on the bottom of the stack so that you rotate usage consistently This way, the sheets last a lot longer Linen closets serve you best if they re dry and cool with ventilated shelves Mildew can grow in warm, humid environments If items smell musty, give them a good wash and dry before putting them on the bed Don t use sealed plastic bags for storage, as moisture gets trapped inside and fabric can t breathe Cotton, canvas, or muslin bags are better choices

Because they re not next to your skin, you can get away with less frequent washing for blankets, bedspreads, and their accompanying bed skirts and sham coverings (Even hotels don t wash their spreads as often as their sheets, which is why you re advised not to come into contact with the covering) For easiest care and greenest practices at home, however, follow this advice: Use comforters, blankets, and other bed coverings that are machine washable Avoid those that must be dry-cleaned, a highly toxic process involving the chemical perchloroethylene If your spread must be dry-cleaned, seek out a cleaner that uses one of the more earth-friendly processes If you use a comforter, slip on a duvet cover and cut down on care You can button or zip on this cover and wash it separately Air out down comforters by hanging them outdoors in the sun or at least toss them in the air some when making the bed to evenly redistribute the contents Launder washable covers and spreads according to label instructions Cold water is likely suitable for most materials If you or someone else in your home has allergies, wash in hot water