There seems to be a fair amount of information on the Internet as to the best way to clean a down comforter (note; I refer to a down comforter as a duvet many times). I will attempt to tackle as much of the pros and cons here and let you decide.

Firstly, lets talk about ongoing maintenance. When you first purchase a down comforter, you should also get a duvet cover. The duvet cover will help protect your duvet form dirt as well as any direct sunlight. On a fairly regular basis, the duvet cover should be washed as you would any other blanket. As far as the duvet itself goes, a daily shake from all sides will help keep the down and feathers well distributed to keep the insulating qualities lasting much longer. If you don’t do this daily, then try to do it at least weekly.

The second problem I have seen in down comforters are complaints about the smell. If your duvet is brand new and smells, then this could be caused by the fact that it has been in a plastic bag for a long time or it may be caused by the fact that the down used in your comforter is from ducks. Duck down tends to have a bit more odor to it than goose down. The solution to odor problems is to simply to air it out. Hang it outside for a few hours and let the air blow through it and this should solve the problem of a strong odor.

Also, try to avoid sitting or laying on top of your comforter so as to avoid crushing the down clusters. This will cause them to start matting and the end result will be a much cooler sleep for you.

Now, how often do you wash a down comforter? Most manufacturers recommend every 5 years. However, if you use a comforter every day like most people do, 5 years is an awfully long time. And then you have to think, “Is it 4 years or 5 since the last wash?” Another option is to just wash it once a year or maybe every other year. Yes, this is a big difference from what the manufacturers are saying but if you have it professionally cleaned (and you should no matter what), and you have the cleaner use a cleaning agent designed especially for down, then this should give you many years of quality use. Lets face it, 5 years of body oils and dirt is a lot of build up. The reason not to clean it too often is that the chemical cleaning process breaks down the natural oils in the down that give them their insulating qualities. If you use a cleaner designed especially for down, you will have a clean duvet with its characteristics intact.

Finally, air it out. Even after getting it cleaned, you will want to give it some air to get any residual moisture out of it. But air it out on a fairly regular basis anyway. This will keep it smelling fresh throughout the year.

Stan MacDonnell owns a number of websites and writes articles on various home products. To see many options in down filled comforters and duvet covers, please visit;

comfortersforyou.com comfortersforyou.com

What is it?

Mobile storage is a new and innovative alternative to traditional self storage. The concept is quite simple, states Bob DiBlasi, a consultant to Mobile Storage Solutions, Inc., a Council Bluffs, Iowa based company. The mobile storage company delivers storage containers directly to the customer’s location. The customer loads the container(s) according to their needs and schedule. Once the storage container(s) are loaded, the customer locks the container(s) and the mobile storage company returns to the customer’s location, picks up the container(s) and returns it to a secure, climate controlled warehouse for safekeeping. The customer can access the container either by going to the warehouse or having the container(s) redelivered to their location.

Self Storage customers want convenience, accessibility and reasonable rates says Ed Byrd, chief executive officer of Kontane, Inc, a Hickory, North Carolina based container supplier. “It is so easy for the customer”, Byrd indicates. No longer does the customer have to rent a truck, pack it, drive across town to a mini storage facility, unload the truck and then return the truck. All the customer has to do is make one phone call and the container(s) are delivered directly to them.

Randy Weissman, President of the Storage Banc, a St. Louis, Missouri based storage company echoes the comments of Byrd. “Every self-storage customer has a need for transportation. Why not solve that need? If we make it easy to get things into storage, maybe we will attract customers who would love to clean out the basement, garage or attic, but doesn’t want to hassle with renting a truck to get their belongings into storage”.

Although storage containers range in size and material, the industry appears to be settling on a 5’by 8’ by 7’ tall model with a door in the front, according to Rob Nist, marketing manager for Seattle-Tacoma Box Co. Nist says it’s a pretty ideal container because it maximizes stability; gives people the ability to store their couches and can be stored 4 high in most warehouses. Each container has the capacity to store approximately 2, 000 pounds which is equivalent to 1 room of furniture or 50 banker boxes for files.

Depending on the location and optional services offered, monthly rates for mobile storage range between $50.00 and $85.00 per month. Tim Riley, founder of Door To Door Storage, says when customers are educated about the advantages of mobile storage-including the fact it eliminates the need for truck rental, as well as for double loading and unloading- they are willing to pay higher rates. “Customers recognize the convenience”, Riley says.
Where did it come from?

Door To Door Storage was the first U.S. self-storage company to offer a ‘deliverable storage unit’ which customers load at their home or business. With the slogan, “You pack it up. We pick it up”, Door To Door set out to revolutionize the mobile storage delivery service. Door To Door Storage was founded by Tim Riley, a former self-storage executive, who wanted to provide a secure and convenient alternative to the hassles customers face when storing their belongings. Door To Door Storage met with rave reviews from its customers. By 1998, the company had expanded into Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Currently, the Kent, Washington based company services over 3,000 towns and cities nationwide.

Where is it going?

Mobile storage is still in its infancy. Emerging on the market approximately 10 years ago, customers are still learning about the unique advantages the service has to offer. Industry observers liken the challenges faced by mobile storage companies to those faced by traditional self-stage during its early development. Lack of customer awareness is chief among the concerns. Many users believe mobile storage offers the ultimate in convenience, which is an increasingly popular attribute in today’s fast paced world. As customers become aware of the advantages of this new and innovative alternative to traditional self-storage the business will continue to expand.

A clear indicator of its continued success is the emergence of the Mobile Self Storage Association. Created in April 2004, the Mobile Self Storage Association’s vision is, “to facilitate and foster an atmosphere of cooperation between independently owned and operated mobile storage businesses that brings awareness, education, integrity, peace of mind and value to the customers we serve” (visit their website at www.ms-sa.org ). Currently, there are over 31 mobile storage members and an additional 19 vendors/suppliers who belong to the association.

Rob Nist, an industry insider, believes mobile storage is starting to build momentum. According to Nist, the Seattle-Tacoma Box Company is experiencing an increased volume is sales. “I think it’s starting to really catch on”, says Nist. To illustrate his point, Nist compared the mobile storage business to that of pizza delivery, “Twenty years ago, everyone who wanted a pizza went to a pizza parlor. Today, you pick up the phone and they deliver to your door. People love the service.”

Connie Garrett is the owner of Mobile Storage Solutions. You can learn more about her expertise by visiting her website at mobilestoragesolutions.biz mobilestoragesolutions.biz and sign up for her monthly newsletter.

The past few decades were dedicated to very neutral colors in the kitchen. It seems every kitchen had neutral appliances, cabinets and wall coverings. Today, people are being more expressive in the kitchen and that’s great news! The kitchen is where a lot of the daily activity takes place in the home, so make the most of this space.

Here are some places to use color in your kitchen:

* Paint & Wall Coverings: There are a variety of paint colors to choose from, so take your time making a decision. It will be the basis of making other choices for your kitchen. Wallpapers and borders are being use more frequently these days as well.

* Faucets: They’re not just chrome anymore. They come in a wide variety of solid colors and metallic options. It’s amazing what style just a faucet can add to your décor.

* Appliances: Thank goodness, the avocado green appliances of the 70s are gone, but then we moved onto the blah whites. Today, you have more choice, but before you go totally bold, realize that an investment into an appliance is something you’ll need to be happy with for many years to come.

* Cabinets: You can paint over old cabinet colors or install completely new ones. If you install new ones, really take some time with your decision. The expense of totally new cabinetry is not something to be taken lightly.

* Tiling: Look for unique expressions for your floor, backsplash and even your countertops. Tile is fairly easy to install and even easier to maintain.

If you’re not up for a big remodeling, you can still add color easily and little expense. In fact, if you’re working in a generally neutral color-scheme elsewhere in the kitchen, you can change your colors to suit your mood year-round!:

* Table cloths or place mats: Create a whole new color scheme for your kitchen with highly-decorative table cloths or mats.

* Window coverings: Forget bland Venetian blinds. Add some color with colorful fabrics.

* Use flowers, candles and other decorative elements to add color.

* Small appliances: Even the coffee maker and mixer can come in some great color choices. Pick the right one for you.

* Tableware: Dishes come in all kinds of colors and patterns. Choose some that suit your style. If you have neutral colored plates, place colorful charger plates beneath them to add some excitement.

Adding color to your kitchen can be as simple or as complicated as you’d like to make it. For your more involved projects, be sure to plan everything out, so it becomes the dream kitchen you hoped for.

Rebekah Slatkin runs a local organizing and design company in Baltimore, Md. Go to RebekahSlatkin.com RebekahSlatkin.com to read more organizing and decorating tips you can use no matter where you live!

Now that you’ve decided to purchase that DVD player, you need to determine which DVD player is the best choice for you - which application fits best and what features will be the most useful to you. Let’s take a look.

With HD-DVD’s and “Blu Ray” technology being the next generation of DVD applications, many consumers are trying to wait until the products on the market match the new technology. The problem is that there are only a few HD-DVD’s available at the present time, even though advertisers are blanketing the markets with ads that promise higher-quality, sharper and crisper movie quality. The cheapest HD-DVD player on the market today is the Toshiba HD-A1, which will set you back about $500 at current prices. Should you wait to buy an HD-DVD player? We’d recommend that you do - prices will come down as selection increases.

Probably the best single-disc DVD player is the Sony DVP-NS55P/S - it’s a standard DVD player that will run about $70, and is a good, basic player. It has an easy set up, straightforward menus, a small footprint and excellent picture quality, and supports 5-channel surround sound or Dolby Digital sound. This is an all-around good basic DVD player that will serve as the foundation for your system.

A DVD player with HDMI is another way to approach High Def quality in your DVD’s. HDMI stands for High Definition Media Interface, which is a fancy way of saying that a player with this capability can transfer uncompressed digital video, and can carry multi-channel audio. Players that have a HDMI output can upgrade or “upconvert” regular DVD video quality to a resolution that approaches HD TV. The Sony DVP-NS75H - coming in at about $130 - has excellent picture quality, supports Dolby Digital sound and surround sound. The downside here is that Sony doesn’t include the HDMI cable for connections - that will run you an additional $30 - $80.

Samsung also offers a DVD player with HDMI, and in some respects the Samsung is a better deal. The Samsung can also play DVD-A and SACD audio discs, and the package includes a HDMI interface cable with your purchase. (DVD-A and SACD are both DVD’s that are formatted to reproduce superior sound quality and a richer, fuller sound more faithful to the original sound quality of the DVD.) The Samsung model (DVD-HD950) comes in at about $180, making it a comparable purchase to the Sony model.

For those who want to play multi-disc movies or listen to continuous CD’s, you might want to invest in a standard 5 disc DVD player, such as the Panasonic DVD-F87S. With a smooth backward and forward scanning feature, plus the ability to listen to one CD or DVD while changing the other four, this simple to operate player - costing about $130 - can be a multifaceted addition to your AV system.

And last but not least - what are you to do with all those VHS tapes you’ve been collecting over the years? A VCR-DVD combo might just be the answer - at least until you convert your VHS tapes to DVD’s. Samsung offers a combo machine with it’s model DVD-V5500 for right around $100 - and has excellent picture quality for both VHS tapes and DVD’s. The downside of this machine is that it doesn’t offer upconversion.

Keep in mind that in all of our discussions here we’re talking about upconversions and HD-DVD’s - which are the future of this technology. A DVD player that features upconversions won’t actually convert regular DVD movies into HD movies - what it does is enhance the video resolution so that your picture quality approaches HD quality. But this technology is the next generation of DVD’s, so you’re better off learning about it now, so that you can make an informed choice when choosing your next machine.

For a more detailed version of this article in html & pdf format go to: mx123.com/cms/2006/09/06/which-dvd-player-is-right-for-you/” target=”_blank mx123.com/cms/2006/09/06/which-dvd-player-is-right-for-you/ we are always adding new content to the site so come and check us out!