They don't make much like they used to but we can still do our part, through good maintenance measures, to extend the life of lots of stuff at home. Not only does it save money to use things longer, it's green. Some helpful maintenance tips after the jump...
These are a few tips taken from Consumer Reports' Cut costs by making things last:
- Air Conditioners: Clean the filter every other week or as needed. Also periodically hose off the unit’s back coils, if possible, to remove any debris.
- Books: Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, as well as excessive humidity or dryness. Store books vertically, next to others of similar height.
- Down comforters, pillows, etc.: Goose down loses a bit of its airiness with dry cleaning or washing, so spot-clean whenever possible, and protect your comforter with a removable cover. Also shake and fluff bedding and jackets often to keep the down-feathers in them from becoming permanently squashed.
Read the full list here. Image: Apartment Therapy DC
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Comments (13)
I agree. Most of the time something that looks old and worn out just needs to be cleaned!
There is something wonderful and fresh about anything that is well scrubbed and a bit worn. I prefer this in general to everything looking new, even modern items.
Love the two pictures and want to know more about them - photo credit?
These photos are of rowhouses in Baltimore. I just came back from an event at the Renaissance Hotel at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and they have a huge blow up of the black and white photo. What a co-incidence that I see the same photo twice in one day! This is why I love AT.
Anyways, the b&w photo is called "Scrubbing the Marble Steps, Penrose Street 1948"
Photographed by A. Aubrey Bodine
Oh, and I think the colored photo is a recent art project to replicate the first pic
Are those photos even taken at the same place? The windows are totally different and in the old picture there are 4 steps at each doorway instead of 3.
You are soooo right. When I moved into my apartment, the entire building was brand new. The couple down the hall from me had the same kitchen appliances as I did. but they wore theirs out in about 5 years due to abuse. Mine are still going and not in a landfill somewhere.
I think this is what defines our generation from the other... 'Maintenance' is something un-heard off; why bother when you can buy the same dirty-broken-older at half the cost 15 years ago? (obviously this is not my opinion).
There is something charming about old but nicely kept things. You know that the previous owner took pride and was well attentive to her things...
The photos are of different blocks, and newmm is correct that the first is by A. Aubrey Bodine. He was a Baltimore Sun photographer with some amazing photos of Balitmore and the surrounding Chesapeake area.
http://www.aaubreybodine.com/ - Great pictures for a good price, even at larger sizes.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a. aubrey bodine - These are great coffee table books.
Baltimore has such a distinctive style. The first photo reminded me of the scene in the movie "Marnie" when she goes to visit her mother, who lives in--Baltimore!
If we hadn't become such a throwaway society, we wouldn't have to worry about taking extra care of our cheap stuff.
Great post, thank you.
BTW, the tips on down comforters appears twice on my screen. ?
@Alaricus - speak for yourself! I, for one, am independently wealthy, so I only buy extra-expensive stuff. I mean, when I need to replace one of my heirlooms ;)