Archive for January, 2010
Simple Solutions to Sleepless Nights
I started having trouble sleeping a few months ago and just couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the problem. At first it occurred to me that I should stick to a regimented sleep schedule - maybe a strict routine would get my mind and body used to resting at a given time of night. That approach didn’t work at all; I just spent even more time tossing and turning in bed. Then I saw my doctor and he prescribed some sleep aids.
The pills did what they were supposed to do - they knocked me out and left me hazy and exhausted the next day. I knew then that pharmaceuticals were not the answer; rather, it was up to me to find a safe, natural solution. A friend recommended that I take a simple approach and just find some softer bedding. I switched from my lumpy old blankets to goose down comforters, and the difference was immediately apparent. Ever since, I’ve been sleeping soundly through the night.
How Can I Make My Old Towels Soft and Fluffy Again?
Written by S.E. Smith
The stiff sensation of old towels on the skin can be very unpleasant. Some consumers dispose of towels when they start to get old and less absorbent. However, there are ways to make old towels soft and fluffy again, and when well cared for a towel will provide years of productive use. Caring for a towel well throughout its life will prevent the old towel phenomenon as well.
There are several types of material used for towels, all of which behave differently. Terry cloth is most commonly used for towels. Terry cloth is woven on a loom while using additional thread to create loops of material, also called pile. Velour towels are made in a similar manner, but the pile is sheared on one side to create a decorative shiny surface. Other towels include embroidery and other embellishments. It is time to retire old towels when the fibers have worn thin or the towel has developed holes.
When you purchase a towel, make sure that it is of high quality. Cotton tends to wear well throughout the life of the towel, and is easy to care for. Towels made from mixed fibers tend to wear poorly, and also tend not to dry the skin as well. In some cases, mixed materials can cause skin irritation. A towel of high quality will last longer because of the sturdier construction.
A common problem with old towels is that the colors tend to dull. Towels should always be washed with like colors to avoid bleeding of dyes onto other towels. In addition, white towels should always be washed separately. Use lemon juice instead of bleach to wash white towels, as bleach will damage the fabric. Old towels which have experienced color fade can sometimes be redeye, as long as the color is solid.
Old towels tend to be less absorbent and can sometimes acquire a crackly feeling when used. This is caused by being washed in hard water, or excessive detergent use. A fabric so0ftner can lead to lack of absorbency, because the fabric softener coats the fibers in the towel. Washing with vinegar will help to eliminate odor issues and will strip buildup from the towel. If you are concerned about odor issues with your old towels, wash in baking soda for a fresh scent.
Wash towels in warm water with like colors and fabric weights. Try to avoid overfilling your washer so that the towels will be evenly washed and will dry quickly. When you take the towels out, fluff them out before hanging them to dry or putting them in the dryer. Keep the dryer on medium heat and remove the towels promptly. Fluff the towels again before folding.
Old towels do not have to be banished to the darkest corner of the linen closet. Make sure to keep your linens rotated, which will prolong the life of your fabrics. Discard linens which are no longer suitable for use, or turn them into rags for use around the house. Make sure that towels do not remain in an extremely humid environment for more than few days. If the weather or the bathroom is humid, dry the towels in the dryer every few days, and wash them at least once a week.
Staying in a 3 Star Hotel
Last week I had the opportunity to stay at a 3 star hotel. I was going to a small conference in a city not far from home but knowing it would be late at night to drive home I decided to book a room. I book the hotel on line and some times you wonder if the rooms are as nice as the pictures.
When I walk into the hotel it was every bright and clean and well kept. The room I had was just like the picture on the website.
It had a mini kitchen with full frig, 2 electric burners to cook on, a microwave oven and a dish washer all the amenities of home. There was chesterfield on one side of the room and the bed on the other.
The bed was made up with nice white cotton sheets and lots of pillows. The comforter was a chocolate color with a white design through it. There was also a matching pillow to go with the down comforter.
This room was all that I hope it would be well maintain ,clean, bright and with all the luxuries you look for when you book a hotel room away from home.
This hotel was to me a 3 + more and I would look to stay at this hotel again if it was in the area I was going to in the future.
Does Thread Count Affect Bed Sheet Quality?
By Corinne Waldon
There is no feeling better than getting into a clean bed, turning the lights off, closing your eyes and falling asleep as your head hits the pillow. On the reverse side, there is nothing worse than crawling into bed, turning off the light, tossing, and turning for hours on end, trying to get comfortable so you can get some sleep. The night seems long and never ending, and knowing you are going to be tired the next day when you get up makes it all the worse. Statistics show that people need between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep nightly. Being comfortable in bed is important since so many hours are spend sleeping, and good bedding can make the difference between sleeping like a baby or laying awake counting sheep.
What is Thread Count?
Measuring fabric and seeing how many yarns or threads there are woven into the length and width of one square inch, is know as the thread count.
Bed linens can be anywhere between 80 to 1,000 and the average range that is commonly carried in most stores is from 150 to 400. Sheets made of cotton, muslin other cotton blends typically have a count of 150. Thread counts of around 160-180 believed to be average quality. Two hundred and over are sometimes referred to as percale. A standard rule is the higher the number, the more expensive the bed sheets.
Does Thread Count Affect the Quality of Bed Sheets?
Consumers want to purchase bed sheets that feel wonderful and will be around many years. Thread count is important but there are also some other things to consider. Among other factors, does affect the ‘hand’, or the feel of the bedding when it touches your skin. You need to consider what fabric the bed sheet is made of and the finish. Counts in the range of 200 to 600 are very durable and soft but remember that other features should be important to you also. When choosing your bed sheets, here are a few items to remember:
1. Cotton/polyester blends of fabric do not feel as crisp and cool but the seldom wrinkle.
2. Flannel and brushed cotton are the right choice for you if you are looking for warmth.
3. By picking 100% cotton weaves, you will get the feeling of satin but it will not be as slippery.
4. Cool and luxurious percale gets softer with each washing.
5. Egyptian cotton has the longest fiber and is known as the ‘King’ of sheets. It becomes softer with each washing while remaining luxurious, smooth and durable.
Most people enjoy a good quality bed linen with a relatively high thread count for optimum comfort. To make sure that the correct sheets are purchased check the thread count before making a decision.
Turn Down the Heat at Night
In these harsh economic times, it’s not unusual for American families to live on a tight budget. For me, “shoestring” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Of course my wife and I are sure to provide for our children’s every need, but sometimes there’s nothing left after grocery shopping and the other staples are out of the way. In any case, it’s taught us to live in a thrifty and energy-efficient manner.
I took special care to weather-proof our home this fall, and we’ve talked to the kids about conserving electricity and heat to drive down the bills. As it turns out, my wife and I have been able to turn the heat down several degrees at night knowing that we’ll stay warm beneath a queen goose down comforter. I’ll be looking for smaller versions of the very same comforter for the kids.
Luxury Beach Towels - Create a Resort at Home
By Robert J Yost
In today’s economy going on an expensive vacation to a fancy resort is not an option for most people. However, the importance of finding time to “get away from it all” couldn’t be greater when times are hard. That is why creating a resort atmosphere at home is so important. Think about all the perks you get at a fancy resort-type hotel such as luxury beach towels, fancy fruity drinks with little umbrellas and straws in them and a fancy gourmet mint chocolate on your pillow before bed. Taking the time to treat yourself and your partner to these little luxuries can create the same happy feelings and warm memories as going away on an expensive vacation.
You don’t even have to have a built-in pool to enjoy your spa getaway at home. You can array the large bath towels in your bathroom and pretend it is a hot tub. Or you could even put a kiddy pool in the backyard surrounded by tiki torches. Extra large beach towels especially the attractive striped beach towels could then be draped over the lawn chairs to create the perfect faux tropical resort setting. Have fun with the idea and remember that unlike the vacation which will be over and gone, the things you purchase for your resort at home can be used again and again which makes your fantasy vacation even more of a good value.
You might also want to consider ordering some carry-out meals from a local restaurant and serving them picnic style on soft beach towels under the stars. You can contrast the picnic blanket with fancy dishes and silverware like you might find at a resort. After dinner you might want to roll up solid beach towels to use as pillows and hold hands while you gaze up at the stars. Who needs the ocean with a view like that?
Tough economic times don’t have to put an end to romance and relaxation. With a little planning you can create your own resort at home using simple items like beach towels and tiki torches. Life is short and you need to make the most of it while you can, because it’s the simple happy moments we share with loved ones that we take with us.
Choosing the Perfect Bed Sheets
By Myloer Jamery
You spend a lot of your time sleeping, which means you definitely want to sleep on something comfortable. Choosing the right bed sheets is definitely important and there are many things to consider. Here are several tips to help you choose the best bed sheets.
First of all, when you are purchasing bedding, you definitely want to make sure you purchase the right size of sheets. There are many different types of mattresses out there, and just because your bed is a king size bed, doesn’t mean regular king sheets will fit. There are pillow tops, extra thick mattresses, California Kings, and more. Pay attention to the size of you bed when you buy to ensure the sheets fit.
It’s important to consider the thread count of your sheets as well. The higher the thread count, the softer your sheets are going to be. If you go with a low thread count, you’ll spend the night on scratchy sheets, which means you won’t sleep well. Sheets over 250 count are the best, and the higher, the more comfy you’ll be at night.
Of course, material is also important when choosing the perfect bed sheets. There are various materials to choose from, including silk, cotton, satin, and flannel. Probably the most common choice is cotton, because it is cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. However, some people love the warmth of flannel sheets, while other prefer the luxurious feeling of silk or satin sheets.
These are just several things to think about when picking out bedding. Your sheets are important to a good night’s rest, so choose carefully.
The Most Comfortable Pillows in the World
By Brenda Pastore
Deciding on the most comfortable pillow in the world is pretty subjective. Some folks swear by their synthetic fill ones, claiming they are better than down ones because they have more support or are less expensive or they are hypoallergenic.
There is another group of people that would never consider buying anything but a memory foam model for their bed. Foam ones are known to provide a lot of support and can actually shape to the contours of your neck, preventing aches and pains from sleeping in a bad position. This is also a good choice if you are allergic to feathers.
But probably the first choice for most people would be the down version. Laying your head on a down pillow is like sinking into a cloud. If you are the type that looks forward to the comfort of your bed after a long, busy day, then you owe it to yourself to try out one of these. When properly cared for, down pillows can last for many years, so it is often a good investment to purchase a high quality pillow.
The next big question is how much to spend on a down product. You will find choices from $20 to $200. Watch out for the ones that are very inexpensive. They are often filled with mostly regular feathers with a little bit of down included. You should be able to see the percentage of down in the product before you purchase.
Down feathers are the small, silky feathers that make a pillow soft and fluffy. They do not have quills that can poke through the ticking. More expensive pillows will often be stuffed with only down feathers. While some people believe that you must spend over a $100 for a quality down product, you could probably find a very comfortable model in the $50 - $60 price range. If you want to spend less than that, look for a good quality down alternative version.
Considering how much time we spend sleeping, it is well worth the time and expense to find a great pillow that will help us get a good rest at night. Many people will spend a lot of time and effort shopping for a new bed. It is a good idea to take an inventory of your bedding at the same time. Why not upgrade that pillow and comforter at the same time? You deserve to be sleeping on the most comfortable pillow in the world.
Mattress Measurements - Know What Size You Need Before You Buy
By Robert Schielmann
Before you begin to shop for a new mattress you may have to do some measuring to find out exactly what kind of space you are working with. Mattress measurements are an important factor when buying a bed. Sure, everyone might love to have a king sized bed but that certainly does not mean it will fit in your room. Sometimes a king sized bed will fit, if you put all of your other furniture in the closet but you normally would not want to do that. Mattress measurements are fairly standard with very little variation.
Standard twins are usually 39×75, twin XL which is extra long is normally 39×80, and full size beds are just about 54×75. Notice the patter, unless you get a special XL mattress it is likely that your mattress will measure 75 inches in length, which is standard. Extra length might not be required if you are 6 foot tall or under, however if you are over 6 feet, plan on your feet hanging off of the bed unless you advance to the XL size.
Queen size beds are 60×80 so you do get an extra 5 inches there which means that you are comfortably safe if you are under 6 ½ feet tall. The majority of people are so there is a bit more safety in that measure. Now for the king size beds, a standard king is 78×80 but a California King is 72×84. Now that is a bed! Minus the frame, headboard, or foot board you will have to use a 6 foot by 7 foot area just to fit the bed. That’s a pretty large area, especially if you factor in a nightstand, dresser, and a chest of drawers.
You will have to have correct measurements for your mattress so when you decide to buy the linens for it; you can select the right size. Standard king size sheets will not fit on a California king nor will standard twin sheets fit on a twin XL. You have to measure the thickness of the mattress as well as the length and width. If you do not then when you buy comforters and other accessories, they cover the mattress and hang down low enough. Many times the mattress measurements are converted into metrics which can be a bit intimidating but really are not that difficult. 1 inch = 2.54centimeters, 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters, and 1 meter = 39.37 inches. There is a little something for you to work with when you are measuring your mattresses.
The term Egyptian cotton
The term Egyptian cotton is usually applied to the extra long staple cotton produced in Egypt and favored for the luxury and up market brands worldwide. In fact, the cotton species which produces extra long staple “Egyptian” cotton is the Native American species Gossypium barbadense which was introduced by Mohammad Ali Pasha in the 19th century. During the American Civil War, with heavy European investments, Egyptian-grown cotton became a major alternate source for British textile mills. Most of what is labeled “Egyptian cotton” today, however, also includes long staple cotton, the product of the other Native American species Gossypium hirsutum [1]. The ancient Egyptians made their clothing from linen, a product of the flax plant.