Cleaning tips.

Autumn is here! Beautiful weather, crisp mornings - and time to get the house in order!

It’s always so rewarding to clean house and simplify, but did you know that there are some Autumn cleaning projects that can help your home be more energy efficient? These are quick, easy, and should save you some money in the end.

1. Refrigerator
There are a few ways that you can clean out the fridge and make it more efficient. The biggest one is cleaning those coils. You can save 6% of your fridge’s energy output just by doing this one little thing a couple of times a year. Cleaning the coils is pretty simple:
• Pull your fridge away from the wall and unplug it.
• If there’s a metal plate covering the coils, carefully remove it.
• Check out all of that dust!
• Use the skinny vacuum attachment and a brush to clear away the dust.
• If things are really gross, you can wipe them down with warm, soapy water, and let the coils dry completely.
• Replace the back plate, plug it in, and move your fridge back against the wall. To be really efficient, you ideally want it about 5cm from the wall. Check manufactuer's recommendations.
Another way to save energy in the fridge is to clean out the contents. You want it to be full, but not so packed that air can’t efficiently circulate. Plus, now’s your chance to get rid of that mystery container of leftovers that you don’t remember shoving in the back there. A win-win!

2. Dishwasher
Keeping your dishwasher clean saves energy and water. For most modern dishwashers if you clean it a few times a year, you can totally skip pre-rinsing and soaking dishes in hot water and avoid having to re-wash you dishes. The best time to clean the dishwasher is right after you’ve run and unloaded it…the water and heat from the cycle will make it easier to de-gunk. Here’s how to clean it:
• Cut the power or unplug.
• Pull out the trays that would hold the dishes, and wipe them down with a vinegar and water mixture.
• Check the spinning arms and vents in there, clearing out any debris with an old toothbrush and a rag.
• Do the same on the door.
• Use that same toothbrush to clean around the edges of the door, where it seals closed.
You can also save energy by making sure that you only run your dishwasher when it’s totally full.

3. Air Conditioner
You can save 5%-15% on cooling costs just by making sure that your A/C filter is clean. This is super simple to do, and you should change the air filter in your home 2-4 times a year. Here’s how!
• Take a peek at the filter that’s in there to find the size you need, then head to the hardware store to pick up a replacement.
• Before you pull out the old filter, take a look at how it’s inserted. You’ll want to insert your replacement in the same direction.
• Pull out the old filter, and slide the new one into place

Why Not Fix It?

Although some people seem to have an uncanny ability to fix things just by touching them (or even just by looking at them), most of us aren't so lucky.

Still, there are many benefits to fixing things rather than tossing them out and buying new replacements, from money savings to our own pride and knowledge, not to mention the environment.

It shouldn't surprise you that fixing things rather than buying new can save you a lot of money. In many cases simply sewing on a missing button, touching up a nicked paint job or gluing on a broken corner can get your possessions back up to snuff with only minimal effort and very low expenditure. The trouble is, these days many of us fail to go beyond the easiest small repairs, instead opting to buy new at the smallest sign of trouble.

As E Magazine asked a few years ago, "Whatever Became of Fixing Things?" Travel to the developing world, and you'll see many examples of patched-up products providing long service, from makeshift plumbing to reworked clothing. Our grandparents and great-grandparents were probably quite adept at fixing things up, since stores and funds were often limited. Today, manufactured goods, a consumer culture and relatively high labor costs have conspired to turn us into a bunch of wasters.

Not only are we filling up landfills with stuff that could readily be reused, it takes a great deal of natural resources to make new stuff, in terms of water, minerals, metals, timber, petroleum products and more. Buying new means more transportation and storage costs, and mountains of packaging - important because experts estimate that 44% of U.S. global warming emissions are due to products and packaging.

There are other benefits to fixing things, including learning more about how things work, gaining a sense of accomplishment, spending bonding time with children and family members, and preserving heirloom and unique items. You can also buy better quality things, since you'll have more confidence to know that you can repair them and get more value from them.

As much as we have forgotten how to fix things, there is also a resurgence bubbling of those who are strengthening their DIY muscles. Freecycling is a growing marketplace for exchanging used items, some of which need repairs. There's a new green thrifty movement afoot, and even a humor site for wacky repairs.

When do you repair? Some people like the rule of thumb that says you should definitely fix something if the repair costs are less than 50% of the original purchase price. Even if the costs are a bit more there may be something to reducing waste and keeping with what you've already got.

We found some chairs in a friend's garage and decided to give it a go ourselves. They needed to have new seat bases made, including upholstery (we used hemp) and a sand and re-coat of the timber. A few screws to keep everything sturdy, and the result is fantastic!