Cleaning

How to Choose a Clothes Washer for Your Off Grid Home

August 11, 2015
Thumbnail image for How to Choose a Clothes Washer for Your Off Grid Home

We just purchased a new MAYTAG MAXIMA X Front Loader 4.7 cubic foot unit that is rated to consume 108 kWhs of electricity per year assuming you do eight (8) loads of laundry a week (Canadian Energuide Rating) and use the “NORMAL” setting. Our own testing shows it consumes 140 watt hours per load at […]

2 comments Read the full article →

Why use HE Laundry Detergent?

May 5, 2015
Thumbnail image for Why use HE Laundry Detergent?

For years we have been told that our front loader washing machines must use special HE (High Efficiency) laundry detergent. No…not just any liquid or powder soap will do. It must be approved for HE (high-efficiency) washing machines. Blah, Blah Blah! Here is the reasoning: High efficiency washing machines must meet a certain standard when […]

2 comments Read the full article →

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

May 5, 2015
Thumbnail image for Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent (HE) You can easily make liquid laundry detergent for HE washing machines but it is a little more tricky to make than our powered recipe, although the powered recipe cost more than double per load. If you want a quick and easy detergent go to our powder laundry soap/detergent. […]

4 comments Read the full article →

How to Choose a Dishwasher

July 14, 2013
Thumbnail image for How to Choose a Dishwasher

You might be thinking…. Why is someone who lives off the grid (and an energy saving nut) talking about a dishwasher? The reality is that homesteaders and solar homesteaders don’t want to live like we are in the stone ages. Dishwashers, like clothes washers and refrigerators are a part of living in this modern age. […]

3 comments Read the full article →

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent (HE)

March 25, 2013
Thumbnail image for Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent (HE)

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe (HE) You should be able to make a full batch from start to finish in about 15 minutes. A full batch is good for about 40 loads so you should only have to make it once a month or so. It is a small sacrifice to know you are not […]

29 comments Read the full article →