DRYER BEWARE!!!

I just wanted to take this time to post about dryer safety because I think it's something we overlook every day and we don't realize that in an instant, poof, up goes your house in flames. Now, my Momma always told me not to leave the dryer running when I wasn't home and I've always been afraid that it's going to burst into flames. Think about it though. Fire needs heat, oxygen and a fuel source...

well, we give it all those things in a dryer.

Now, if you need the vent in your homes wall, then call a professional that has experience in that. It will cost a little, should be around $100 from what I've seen, but saving your house from going up in flames? 

I'll pay $100. Have it checked about once a year.

If you notice you have to keep turning the dryer back on to get a load of clothes dry and you can feel that they are hot and you can hear the dryer is spinning...you may need to clean the vent in your dryer or your home. Remove the vent hose from the dryer, secure a pantyhose or a thin scarf to the dryer vent and through in a load of clothes. If the clothes dry in regular time, your home vent is clogged and needs service, but if you're clothes are still wet, you need to clean out your dryer vent system.

*REMEMBER ALWAYS TURN OFF POWER AT YOUR BREAKER BOX OR TURN OFF GAS AT SOURCE BEFORE SERVICING ANY APPLIANCE OR ANYTHING ELECTRICAL AND UNPLUG OR DISCONNECT GAS LINES* When in doubt, leave it alone and call a professional!

This is my dryer before I cleaned it. I noticed I was turning up the temp and it was taking more than one turn in the dryer for a load of clothes to dry and since the house is brand new, I ruled out the house vent being clogged...here's what I found!

Lint the screen didn't catch....

 Lint all in the dryer vent...

That might stop the airflow...

 Lint on the fan too!!!

So I cleaned it all out

You may have to use your hands or a cloth to get some of the lint that is caked on there.

This is what the vent looks like in the back that you have to remove.

This is on a dryer with a lint screen that comes out of the top of the dryer. If you have a dryer with a inside lint screen you'll have to search for instructions on what to remove on your dryer. If you don't have your manual, you can usually go to the manufacturers website to download one or call customer service.

This will not only possibly save your house from burning down from a dryer fire, but your clothes will dry faster and save you money on your energy bill and save you time! Also, use your fabric sheet for two loads or put your used one in your drawers, in your car, stuffed in your pillow or hang with your clothes or towels for a fresh scent everywhere! Now, go clean out that dryer!

*In the time that it took me to post this blog (30 minutes), my clothes are now dry...that is record time compared to 2 hours time before!*

Clean House

Easy cleaning tips that will save you energy and save you time!

Coffee drinkers, do you get sugar on the counter, only to find when you try to clean it off that it's stuck there like glue! Don't waste your time spraying and scrubbing, get a cloth with hot water and a little dish soap, lay it on your sugar and walk away. Come back and simply wipe it away.

Do you get a ring in your tub and you spend time and energy and cleaner, spraying, scrubbing and inhaling fumes only to want to give up! Try Murphy's Oil on a wet sponge and watch how quickly it comes right off.

Spend hours dusting only to see dust all over everything in just an hour. Use your vacuum attachments to vacuum up all the dust instead of spreading it around or wasting money on expensive dusters. Make your own duster using fleece and the handle of a plastic jug.

Tired of grout on your floors, in your kitchen or bathroom getting dirty and you just can't seem to clean it or keep it clean. Paint it! You can color and seal your grout in one step, refreshing your grout and saving you time on cleaning.

Tired of the soap scum on your glass doors in your bathroom. Invest in a small squeegee to clean off the water after each shower (or as often as you feel like it, who wants to do that after taking a nice hot shower). Make your own homemade cleaner with vinegar and watch it poof be gone.

Get out of the shower and find your mirror all fogged up and your trying to get ready to go. Take some shaving cream, shampoo or hand soap, smear on mirrors and keep buffing like wax, with a cloth or paper towel till you can't see the soap anymore. You do not need a lot for this!

I'm sure most of you know this by now, but you can use Pledge to clean your stainless steel appliances. I use it on electronics, like the back of the tv, to repel dust which we all know electronics attract.

Have more tips...share them and leave a comment! As always, my posts will be updated regularly.