Every Tuesday, we ask you to take a specific action.
Today, we ask you to take a personal action in your home to protect the Great Lakes.
While signing petitions and making phone calls are very important, it's just as important for us to take personal actions to protect our treasured waters.
Commit to protecting the Great Lakes by using non-toxic cleaners, installing a rain barrel, or any of the other items listed on this website. Got another idea on how to protect the Lakes? Post it below. We're always longing to hear what you do.
The photo above? Another aspect of our primitive, non-installed graywater system. If you have a utility sink into which your washer drains, a bucket placed under the hose can yield a lot of water. At this time of year the best thing to do with the water is dump it back into the washer for the next load. It can also be used for house plants, which, on the one hand don't grow as much in winter, so should not need as much water, but on the other hand, dry out quickly in central heat.
Did any of you grow up with a washer that had a "suds saver"? My mom used the big tank from the old wringer washer. The new top-loader was connected to it, and drained wash water into it. That water was reused for each wash cycle, with new water for the rinse cycle. Boy, was it noticeable when a load of jeans was done! The amount of money saved was, for my mom and her household of eight, greatly worth it. The water was emptied once a week or so. Sad that washers no longer come with a Suds Saver button or easy way to set this up.
What do you do? How do you save water? What's your favorite non-toxic home cleaner? What can you teach us about saving money and water, and our Great Lakes?
Post and photo by Rebecca Hammond and Melissa Damaschke
I do remember how wringer washer and put rubber diapers through that wringer diapers and explodes, and garments sometimes get stuck going around and around and around those wringers. I remember having to disassemble the whole wringer head to get something untangled. and I ruined a couple of shirts
ReplyDeleteDid you ever get anything caught in a wringer?or ruined a couple of shirts? Thanks for the reminders .
I didn't use the washer myself! I think my mom had trouble (or was just in the basement swearing at other things :D) and I remember hearing about people getting their arms stuck in the wringers. But that big tank! It washed so many clothes at once, and then was usable for that Suds Saver feature that was standard on newer washers after the wringer era. I remember the big square button that sent the wash water to and from the old wringer-washer tank. I believe my mom used that water for about a week, then there was a simple hose that unhooked and sent the water down the drain in the floor. It all made so much sense. I like envisioning the diapers exploding! Never thought of that, but boy, if you sent them through with an air bubble, look out!
ReplyDelete