Built to last

Last week I hung out with my parents in the home that I grew up in – from 5th grade on anyway. They’ve lived in the same home for 32 years (is that right? - my how time flies).

While I was home I ate at this table:

My parents bought this table when I was born, 43 years ago. Many meals, games, art projects, and conversations have taken place around this table. My parents have no plans to replace the table. Why would they? The table is solid wood with leaves and an indestructible finish. It’s the perfect table.

In our increasingly disposable world, it’s so refreshing to see something built for the long haul.

Take a bite out of landfill waste:

1. Buy quality – things that are made to last.
2. Take care of your things, so you don’t need to trash or replace them.

My kitchen table is ten years old and I hope to play cards on it with my grandkids someday. I don’t need a new table. My table is accumulating memories and it’s built to last.

How old is your table?

Sidenote: I’m not a Deadhead, but found it interesting that ‘Built to Last’ was the thirteenth and final studio album by the Grateful Dead (released in 1989).

Help your washer last

Maintaining what you have, keeps you from needing to buy something new. This fall I’ll celebrate ten years with my washer. Here are a few things I do to keep my washer humming along.

1. Keep your washer clean  Once a year I use hot water and a cup of white distilled vinegar in the wash cycle. Vinegar helps remove soap scum and mineral deposits in the washer and hoses. Plain ol’ vinegar is amazing stuff. Check out Heather Levin’s excellent post on the many uses of vinegar.

2. Keep the washer door or lid open  Your washer likes the chance to dry out. 

3. Use 1/4 to 1/3 of the recommended amount of laundry detergent  When it comes to laundry detergent, more is not better. Figure out how low you can go. Try using 1/4 of the recommended amount and check your results. Are your clothes still clean?

4. Don’t overload your washer  No one likes a heavy load.

How about you? Share your laundry secrets in a comment.

My secrets… I’ve had a great experience using eco-friendly Dropps laundry detergent, and I love my expandable, collapsible clothes drying rack.