It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:
My nephew (20 years old) is currently at the naval Base on Whidby Island in training for 45 days and is in the dumps because all his friends are back on the east coast and he’s not used to the climate (from Georgia). Is there anything you can recommend for him to check out in the area when he has time off that you think he would enjoy?
~ Trish
Oh gosh, where do I begin? I did this post on 10 Ideas for a Seattle Staycation that he might like. Lots of good ideas there. I also really love the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. So cool! If he’s into music the EMP Museum is pretty cool. If he wants some cheaper options he can head to Seward Park. You can take the trail around the outside of the island, it’s paved and flat and goes in a circle for a little over 2 miles. There’s also a similar path around Green Lake with vast lawns and gardens, touristy areas, paddle boats, golf, tennis, a skate park and more. The Olympic Sculpture Garden along Puget Sound is a fun place, too. Hope that helps give him a few ideas!
Hi Mavis! One of my new goals for 2018 will be to organize my recipes (to hopefully encourage me to cook more). How do you suggest I do that? I’ve tried recipe books, recipe boxes and online recipe storage. Now I just have a bunch of recipes in all those places. Help!
~Christie
My best suggestion is Google Drive. I know it sounds weird but you can start a recipe folder, easily search by ingredient, copy and paste full recipes and pictures in there, scan old recipes and plop them in the file, and easily share the entire folder with family and friends. You can write little comments on the recipe so you can remember tips after you make it {your friends and family can do this, too!}. It’s free, easily organizable and the storage space is unlimited. You can access it from anywhere you have an internet connection. I think it’s the perfect way to organize recipes if you ask me!
Hi Mavis, I enjoy your blog. My washing machine just gave up the ghost 3 days before Christmas- ugh! I guess 15 years for a low-end washer isn’t too bad but now I have to replace it. Any suggestions of washers that have a lint filter in them (I like to hang out my clothes to dry whenever possible and hate the lint the old washer would leave) and is “reasonably” priced? Any washer recommendations are welcome. Thanks.
~Christy
Well our washing machine is still relatively new {3 years} so I can’t give a definitive thumbs up to it yet as far as longevity {it’s an LG Energy Star something or other with cold wash technology and a speed wash cycle that I love!} and I want to say it was around $600 when we bought it at Lowe’s. So far so good. But, if I didn’t need have a counter top for folding installed over my washer and dryer, I probably would have gone for a basic top loader with really good reviews to save a few hundred bucks. I LOVE the roominess of top loaders better and to be able to wash comforters is a huge plus if you ask me.
This might be a question I’ll turn over to my lovely readers for input. Whataya say you guys. Any washing machine recommendations for Christy?
You already know that libraries rock but thought you might find this interesting.
~Gail
I didn’t think I could love libraries more and then you share this. A seed lending library? Seriously? I LOVE THIS!! I wonder if we can encourage more libraries to do this? How fun would that be if it spread like wild flowers {no pun intended}.
Hi Mavis, I have been following your blog for several years and I have learned so much. However, I do not recall you ever talking about distilled water. Over the past year, our household has added several appliances (cpap machines, essential oil diffusers) that use distilled water. We go through about 1 1/2 gallons of distilled water each week. Right now, I am buying distilled water from Winco or Safeway (~ 90 cents/gallon sale price). Besides, adding up to lots of $$, it’s creating a lot of waste with the plastic gallon containers. Any ideas on how to save money on distilled water or dealing with the empty containers (I’m putting them out with our curbside recycling)?
~Jeannine
Did you know that you can easily make distilled water at home? You can and it’s so simple you can kiss all those plastic gallons goodbye {well not all of them since you can store your homemade distilled water in them}. You can google how to do it or click on over to this tutorial. If you end up giving it a try, let me know how it goes!
Have a question for me? Submit them HERE and I’ll try to answer them.
~Mavis
Maria Campbell says
Distilled water link
Is not found
Mavis Butterfield says
Hmmm, that’s odd. It’s working for me.
Cass says
As to what to do with all those water bottles…refill some of them with tap water to have on hand for
a) boil water order
b) power outage lasting longer than water coming from tap
c) to put in car for outings this summer (my friend keeps a gallon in car to wash sand off feet before re-entering the car after beach outing)
d)To have around to water indoor plants without dragging out the watering can/outdoor plants on the deck without dragging hose up the steps.
e) (and this is just me) to stockpile tap water for “just in case life goes really really bad”
Just be sure to put something between the plastic bottles and concrete floors. Tiny holes develop from chemicals leaching out of concrete.
Peg says
For the reader asking about washing machine recommendations: After a 4-year old Kenmore high efficiency top loader died this summer (would never have chosen it but it came with the house), I bought a Speed Queen. Got the middle of the line model and have been very happy with it. I’m done with the high efficiency machines.
Our local library has also started a seed library!
Rachel says
My mom just bought a Speed Queen yesterday! Her old washer was only 4.5 years old and bit the dust and she was ticked. It was a new aged non-agitator, high efficiency one and just did not hold up. The lady at the locally owned store said the Speed Queens hold up for 15-20 years verse all the other brands that are only built to last 4-5 years because of all the plastic parts. It is a top loader so she can do comforters and whatever but after doing a lot of research she has high hopes this one really is as good as they claim it is (it’s the same brand that all the laundromats in her area use and so she is hoping that is a positive thing since those machines do tons of laundry everyday and she still has five kids at home so she does lots of laundry too!)
Mary3 says
I do laundry every day of the week – yes I am a nut case when it comes to clean. I bought a Speed Queen (washer and dryer) when I moved and have loved it since the first wash. It is almost the top of the line, stainless steel tub and I got recommendations before I bought it. I had GE in my old house and it was great. Because of my allergies I have to have the additional rinse cycle s that is a must for me. And no high efficiency for me – issues with detergent. Just my 2 cents!
Sandy says
Speed Queen. Buy one. I asked my washing machine repairman (Maytag) what machine he would buy and without hesitation he said Speed Queen. So I bought one. They have a cult following and BOY HOWDY do they work! I’d buy another one in a heartbeat. When my dryer goes I will be replacing it with a Speed Queen.
Mary says
I too have heard wonderful things about Speed Queen. I will be checking them out when my current washer bites the dust.
lynne says
Can’t recommend Speed Queen enuf! Best warranty out there (3 yrs, Parts & Labor), made in the USA, and you can find a top loader that is made “old school” style (basic parts, no computer boards). As far as the lint issue – i’m right there with you. Unfortunately, I don’t think washers are made anymore WITH the lint filter, as they used to be. As far as Kenmore’s go, all Kenmore products are made by the other big manufacturers (Whirlpool, Bosch, LG, Frigidaire, Samsung, etc). It all comes down to who gives them the best bid to manufacture them. LynneinWI
Lisa says
I have had a speed queen for 2 years and it’s perfect. It looks like my grandmother’s machine but works like a dream. Can’t beat the warranty.
Lauralli says
Speed Queen. You won’t regret it if you like clean clothes! 🙂 I suffered through about 7 years of a “high efficiency” top loader. It was horrible! There was nothing high efficient about it since I was constantly having to double rinse every load and it took forever! And, that wouldn’t have been the kiss of death, but our clothes didn’t appear all that clean or fresh! I’ve been using my SQ 2-3 years and I love it! It actually does what a washing machine is supposed to do without all the fancy lights, buttons, and gadgets.
Lori B says
Another comment for what NOT to buy in washing machines. We bought a Whirlpool Cabrio set when we moved into our new house from an apartment. After four years we replaced the washer (the dryer is still going strong 7 years later). During that four years we had to replace 3 sets of bearings on that washing machine. Thankfully we had purchased an extended warranty when we bought it. Only time in my life I did that and in this case it definitely paid for itself. When it came time to renew the warranty, the price was up to what it would cost for a new washer, so we bailed. On researching, I found many complaints about bearings and also the computer motherboard thingamagig. Both seem to be common failures on that particular machine. I was so fed up with that machine that I didn’t even buy a Whirlpool when I replaced and not sure I ever would again.
Katherine says
We’ve had our Whirlpool front loading washer for almost 17 years. The first problem we had was the washer kept stopping and we were told it was the motherboard/circuit board. My husband reheated all the soldered joints on the board and the problem was fixed. Recently the input valve started a very slow leak and my my husband replaced the part for $65.00.
I wash comforters and bedspreads in the machine..never a problem.
Linda says
Whirlpool Cabrio worse washing machine ever!!!! Never regretted a purchase more than this one! Replaced the bearings while under warranty twice. Had to have the motherboard replaced also while under warranty and the service guy said it would have been a $650 charge parts & service. Replaced the motherboard ourselves (didn’t renew the warrant because quite frankly it wasn’t worth it & yes, I told the salesperson so!) because we finally got smart about all the charges for service calls. My husband found one online for less than $100- so far so good. He said next break down we’re done!!!! Will definitely buy Speed Queen next because several friends have them & have for years with no issues!!!
Cheryl says
I would think twice about a front loader unless it sits on a solid concrete pad or floor, otherwise, when they spin, they walk all over the place. We finally had to take the drawer out of mine and screw it to the floor to keep it from blocking the door. Lesson learned!
Dena says
Talking to an OLD repair guy who was working on my JCPenney Dryer, he told me that washing machines now a days DO NOT have a lint filter. All the manufacturers decided to save money (about $250 – several years/decades ago), but taking out the lint pumps on washers. To remove lint from my clothing after hanging it on the line, I pop it in the dryer on air for about 5 mins. The repair guy said I could also move the clothes from the washer to the dryer for a few minutes on the normal drying cycle I’d use for that particular wash, then hang them outside to dry (but then they are stiff). Guess the manufacturers don’t believe that people line dry their clothes anymore (or HOAs forbid it), therefore, don’t need the lint pump on the washers. Double work & energy (for me) to line dry, then dryer ‘fluff’ on air only, but a lot less electricity to dry the entire load! I normally line dry (inside or outside) jeans & T-shirts anywho, ’cause the clothes seem to last longer & the cotton portion doesn’t shrink! Repair guy also said not to get rid of the dryer (1970’s) ’cause they don’t make them that durable anymore.
Lace Faerie says
I only dry towels, sheets, undies and my hubby’s jeans all the way dry. The rest of my clothes I dry for 10 minutes and then put on hangers to finish drying. That short tumble helps remove lint and pet hair and warms the wrinkles and helps them fall out. Not drying clothes bone dry helps them last longer, too.
Sara says
My neighbor is a certified repairman and will only endorse the following washer: Maytag Direct Drive Top Loader Bravos XL. He said front loading washer are nightmares that keep him and his employees in business. 😉
Anna says
I was also told by a repairman (who fixed my <2 year old Kenmore washing machine) that his bread and butter was fixing front loaders because …physics! The drums are working against gravity! Based on that experience I went back to a top loader sans agitator. A Samsung that is performing ok so far (only 2 years old). Pro: deep enough for a comforter. Con: long sleeved shirts can tangle up by the end of the cycle -annoying. I suspect the newer top loaders with agitators are much better about not damaging your clothes (which is why I bought one without) and may do a better job cleaning -but I'd need confirmation on that!
Jackie says
I just got this washer back in August. So far I am really happy with it. I didn’t even look at any of the front load washers because of all he issues I had heard about them. This washer is plenty big enough for comforters and quilts, and is quiet when I’m using it. My last washer was a GE, and I never liked it from day one, so I was glad when needed to be replaced.
Carrie says
I am just waiting for my front loader to die. The hassle of cleaning and trying to keep it clean so no mildew smell is not worth it. We also did cloth diapers and not being able to select water levels and temps individually was a major pain. I have tried to keep it clean, but it has black mildew on the gasket anyway.
When I get to replace it. I will buy one withoutut a computer and top loader. I’ve also heard that areas with frequent energy surges are more prone to motherboards going out. We have a well and love in the wet northwest, so water conservation and costs are not issues for us.
The mother board went out on on matching dryer. We bought a 3 month old basic model for $50 off Craigslist and it is wonderful.
Katie says
Speed Queens 4 life!!!!
Katie says
Oh and top loader for sure.
Connie says
We bought a Whirlpool Cabrio set over three years ago and we”re very happy with them. They are available in both electric and gas.
Nancy says
Our little library in Otis Orchards, Washington has had seed lending for at least 3 years. You can “check out” 6 packages of vegetables or herbs and 6 packages of flowers. All they ask is that you allow some to go to seed, and then return those seeds to the library. since we are in an area that can get an early frost, there is not always time for the seed to fully develop. I did harvest some green onion seeds, two years after I planted the original green onions. They were so happy with the returned seed.
I love this aspect of my library!
Shelia King says
For the gentleman stationed at Whidbey. He might enjoy hiking when the weather is decent. There are so many trails and groups he can join around. Also deception pass is absolutely beautiful. Water activities are always an option. Can rent out boats and go salmon fishing, whale watching, crabbing, shrimping etc. Also the island has become well known for producing wines so maybe go and check those out.
Denise says
Exactly! He doesn’t even need to leave the island. There is so much to do there if you like the outdoors. The small towns are quaint and have great restaurants. He can even ride Island Transit for free and explore on the cheap. Fort Casey and Fort Ebey are great, especially for a military man. And just a bit north of Deception Pass is Anacortes and the ferries to the San Juan Islands. So much beauty and so little time!
Mary says
I don’t know how it compares to distilled water for flavor, but we have been really happy with our Berkey water filter. There are different sizes available, and I definitely recommend buy the glass water level spigot so that you can easily see when and how much you should refill the Berkey.
https://www.amazon.com/Berkey-Filter-Ceramic-Filters-Fluoride/dp/B002RZXY5O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1515782609&sr=8-7&keywords=berkey+water+filter
Mrs says
We LOVE our Berkey! It’s a must have for all homeowners! We have the 3gallon size. Couldn’t live without it!
Randi says
For the man stationed at Whidby, consider Trapeze classes in Seattle, https://emeraldcitytrapeze.com/classes/
Martha says
For the sailor at NAS Whidbey: Eagle season upriver, tour all the BrewPubs, go to a Shooting range , take a ferry ride, go Skiing on Mt Baker, watch High School sports, go Trail running and Mountain biking , and embrace the rain!
Carrie says
A family friend owns a moving company and gets free items all the time. He gave me a washer and dryer 8 years ago that was probably 5 years old at the time. We had to fix the sensor for the washer to spin (I shoved a butter knife in there for a while) but no problems otherwise. It’s just a basic top loader not energy efficient or anything fancy. I think its Kenmore. I line dry everything except towels and sheets. I have to be careful not to overload it or else water will spill out and on to the basement floor. But you can’t beat free!
Janet says
I have read comments elsewhere about HE top loaders not being able to wash blankets, etc. Anyone heard that or have comments on that?
Denise says
I recently purchased an Electrolux front loading washer and dryer set, love them. They wash/dry comforters with no problems. Lots of cycle options to choose from. So far I am loving them after being disgusted with my Whirlpool Duet!
Emily says
Our library does a plant and seed exchange in the spring. They just set aside an area in the entry to leave what you want to share and take what you like for your garden.
Anne Radesi says
HE top loaders are water savers and only let enough water in the drum to wet the clothes and they always end up a tangled mess. I have a May tag top loader that’s not a HE and it is going strong after 6 years and it was in the house when we bought it so I don’t know how old it is. I had a repairman in to service the dryer and he said they don’t make them like this anymore. Kinda gone the way of toilets that used 3 gallons of water instead of 1.5 gallons. So I will baby this Maytag and if I ever have to replace it I will look into a Speed Queen. Sometimes it’s better to get a used one on Craigslist that is older and not so complicated!
Brianna says
We have a Kenmore Elite He4T front load washer and dryer. For the $3500 we spent on the set in 2006 it was not worth it. We bought it because we needed the drum capacity for military gear and sleeping bags. It sat unused in storage for 3 years, been moved at least 12+ times, and oh all of the parts we have replaced and fixed. The only issue with the dryer is the leveling feet are stripped. The washer has had 2 door gaskets, 2 mother boards, 4 balancing shocks, 1 new control panel, 3 pumps, 1 set of plastic fins for the drum inside, and more replaced. Pretty sad for a machine we’ve used maybe for 8 years. Right now it is ‘tempermental’ and the reason I hate doing laundry. The door locks and I can’t get anything out, it doesn’t finish washing, needs another pump, needs another set of balancing shocks. I am saving and hoping by April I can replace the whole thing because I’m done with parts. Our movers used an airbag system rather than the usual bolt system to move it and it broke the backside of the control panel, so nothing works as it should. The movers reimbursed us for the part they damaged, but not for the 2 hours of labor ($80/hr.)
Tracy says
Washing machines: ten years ago I went all fancy and bought an LG front loader. And I hated it from the first day I used it until it finally died. Front loaders smell. You heard me. They smell. You have to leave the swinging door open between loads to dry out the insides or your clothes will smell like mildew for the rest of your life. The cycles take forever. Twice as long as my old machine. And they use three teaspoons of water for a huge load, so nothing ever gets truly clean. This time around, I wanted a large capacity, top loading, center agitator, stupid simple, metal inside (not white) machine that used a MILLION gallons of water for every load. Every repairman I have ever used has warned me off anything Samsung, those those were out. Ended up with a Kenmore and Love, Love, Love it.
Recipes: I’m a bit old school here. While I love reading books on my iPad, I still love paper magazines and catalogs and, apparently, recipes. So, I found six 2” wide spines, three ring binders with pretty covers, made dividers for Appetizers, Dips, Breakfast, Soups, Sides, Pasta, Fish/Seafood, Baked Goods, etc. and print off whatever I love, or tear it out, punch it with a three hole punch and bingo. A few clear plastic sleeves in each binder catch smaller items. I have themlined up in my kitchen and leaf through them frequently when menu planning. Works a treat.
Kelly W says
I would definitely get a Speed Queen if you are looking for a basic well built long lasting washer. We did a lot of research before we purchased ours and we have had it for years and it is the best washer we have ever had. No bells and whistles (less to go wrong) but made to last.
Candy C. says
I prefer to keep recipes in looseleaf notebooks. Just purchase the clear sheet protectors at office supply store and then the recipe (from mag, newspaper, back of box, handwritten, or copied from a website using a printer) can be easily slipped inside a page. My notebooks have an inside pocket on front and back cover so recipes can be slipped in there as I pull them for the weeks meals. I am afraid that although it is easy to store on a computer what do you do when the computer is down for one reason or another.How many people don’t have photo albums with actual physical photos anymore because they are stored on their computer or phone. My recipe notebooks are handy, stay clean and are easily accessed during storms or power outages.
Gigi says
We use the distilled water our dehumidifier puts out. It’s free and keeps the basement smelling better. We will pour the bucket or put the hose directly into the gallon bucket.
Bonnie Schmidt says
Speed Queen because they are built to last, but mainly because they use lots of water like the old machines used to do, so the clothes actually get clean. They get around the water restrictions because it is a commercial machine. If you can’t afford one, buy an old Kenmore that is a top loader and was built before water restrictions.
Athena says
Recipes: have you tried Google Keep? It’s like having little sticky notes you can organize into different categories using labels. You can save websites as well as lists etc… this way and it all saves to your google account so it’s available any time. Add the extension to chrome and when you are on a website just click the little light bulb to add to Keep. You can add a note to the recipe, give it a label to categorize it etc… May be a bit easier than Google drive and it’s also linked to your Google account and saved in the cloud.
Washer: we have a Samsung washer and dryer we bought in 2011 and they are going strong. We’ve never had a problem with them, they’ve been through 1 cross country move and will go through another one soon. Nothing’s broken, no maintenance, both are HE front loaders. The washer has excellent capacity and we can wash even our largest blankets and comforters in it with no problems. Everything comes clean and we use much less soap than we did before (we started making our own using Mavis’s recipe) as well as less water. Even heavily soiled items that have animal pee on them (one cat gets mad when we don’t wash the litter boxes out quickly enough for his liking and will pee on any clothes/blankets on the floor) come out nice and clean when we add a pre-wash with vinegar in addition to our regular wash. We almost always wash with cold water but that’s just our preference. It can take a while to finish a load but that’s due to how the front loaders work to save water and there is a quick wash that takes about 30 minutes and gets things clean as well. My brother has a slightly older model he got a few years before we got ours and they are still going strong as well. We’ve never had issues with smells or mold in the washer (except when we’ve left a load of towels washed on the super hot sanitize setting overnight) and we do follow the manufacturer’s instructions to leave the door ajar when not in use (we just don’t lock it closed, it looks closed but it’s not). I have gotten my husband to decrease how often we do laundry so we only do it every 2 weeks but then it’s 3-5 loads over a day or 2. The washer also has its own cleaning cycle so if there is ever a smell you run that cycle without laundry and it cleans itself right up. I really can’t speak highly enough about our washer and dryer! My parents got a Whirlpool set a year or 2 after we got ours and they have serious problems with their dryer not drying correctly. If they use the high heat setting (which my mom very much believes in using) it doesn’t sense when the clothes are dry and just runs forever so they have to check it after about 20-30 minutes to see if the clothes are dry or not. I believe their washer has been fine though.
Julie P says
Top loaders are not so popular here in UK, my first front loader when my children were small and yes I had cloth nappies and several washes a day, was a Hotpoint Fairly basic not too much technology it lasted 17 years which when you think I paid less than £200 was awesome, they stopped making that machine so my next one didn’t do so well but still washing so many clothes, bedding and dog beds it lasted 9 years cost me £295. It again was a Hotpoint as basic as I could get because the guy in the showroom said the less fancy the less to go wrong. It said it was Hotpoint but it was made by Bosch. My latest is a Bosch I know it doesn’t have two small children but it has dog beds, our linen, my daughters washing as they spend more time at ours than in their home, it’s on basically when the sun shines as we have solar panels. It cost more, nearly £400, and yes you leave the soap drawer and door slightly open, as this does prevent any mildew, it’s amazing it doesn’t use much water which I believe is a plus as water should be preserved. Water is metered in most homes in the U.K. it gets everything stunningly clean and I can wash large items in the washer with no problem as I chose an extra large capacity drum. Again I went for the least technology which by comparison to my first front loader is still pretty teched up, it’s now 4 years old haven’t had any problems, my husband used to do furniture removal and he made sure it was level, feet down where they should be it doesn’t move an inch. It has a fast wash if I need it and it can be programmed to start in the afternoon when I’m at work and the sun is shining. I’m sure they have moved on even more in the last four years but I think if you want a front loader just go for the one that has less computer and needs more human input.
Christy says
Thanks everyone for the washer recommendation (and ones to avoid). After the initial problem that resulted in soapy water all over my hardwood floors and dripping into the lower level, we moved the machine to the garage and then to the unfinished portion of the basement to investigate the problem and see if we could repair it. I have run 8-10 loads of wash in it since the move and it has worked fine. We are soooo perplexed as to what happened. For now, we are not buying a new machine and will continue to use the old one. I am grateful to everyone for their ideas. I will certainly keep them in mind for whenever we have to purchase a new washing machine.