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MarY HUNT
There are two main types of illness: acute and chronic. An acute illness doesn't last very long. It goes away either on its own or in response to treatment, such as taking medicine or having surgery. A chronic illness or condition is ongoing. It affects your health over a long period of time, possibly your entire life. That's the kind of situation EC reader Gina's family was dealing with. Then lo and behold…
Dear Mary: My husband and both of my children have chronic skin problems. One doctor diagnosed them with eczema, but curiously nothing, including prescription medications, has brought lasting relief. We have spent a small fortune going from one dermatologist to another and buying all of lotions, potions and other medications prescribed. Not once did any of these professionals suggest they might be allergic to laundry softeners. When I read your column "Laundry Softeners are the Problem, Not the Solution," a lightbulb went on.
I'm a serial softener user. For years, I've used liquid softener and dryer sheets. How could I have not thought about this? It made a lot of sense that they could be allergic to this stuff. I wasted no time getting the wool dryer balls you recommend on your website. I gave up softener products cold turkey and began using the dryer balls instead. I was like a crazy woman washing and rewashing clothes and bedding. I got 3 gallons of white vinegar to make sure I had enough to add to every rinse cycle.
Within two weeks we began to see a change. The horrible skin issues began to calm down. After the third week the change was amazing. As I write, I would say my kids and husband are finally free of this awful situation. As embarrassed as I am that I never considered this might be the problem, I am more grateful and happier than you can imagine. Thank you so much for all you do to improve our lives. That column changed our lives, and we are forever grateful. -- Gina
Dear Gina: What a wonderful story. I am so thankful we connected and that you've hit on the solution to the problem! I love my wool dryer balls because they really work to soften without any chemicals, scents, perfumes or other stuff we used to think we couldn't live without. And just think how much money you won't be spending on softener products! And all those lotions, potions and other medications, too.
**
I grew up being fearful of the oddest things. I wasn't bold enough to question why; I just did as I was told. Here's one: Never, ever put good dishes or silver flatware in the dishwasher. Ever! I didn't know what would happen if I did, but you can be sure that my fear of the unknown made certain I didn't come close to finding out. That is, until my rebellious years.
Once I had my own china and silver, I figured I wouldn't go to jail if I violated this particular "thou shall not!" I was reminded of what I've learned about putting silver in the dishwasher recently when the following question showed up in my inbox.
Dear Mary: I have a set of silver flatware that I use daily. I notice that after a few times through a normal dishwashing cycle the pieces become very tarnished. It is not a particularly good set; it's just a set for daily use. Do you think the dishwashing detergent is the problem? -- Anne
Dear Anne: Your silver plate or sterling silver pieces can go in the dishwasher and come out beautiful as long as you follow a few specific guidelines. Case in point: I have a small pie server, and it is one of my favorite things. I love it for its size and the way it feels in my hand. I use it daily, and it goes in the dishwasher every evening (by itself in its own little compartment so it isn't touching any other type of metal). Since I inherited it many years ago I have done nothing to it but use it, clean it and enjoy it.
As for your flatware, I'm going to guess that what you see is not tarnish but rather a reaction that occurs when silver comes in contact with other types of metal during the dishwashing process (rule number three below).
First, it's important to know that when it comes to silver, cleaning and polishing are not the same thing. Polishing should be a very occasional activity, while cleaning is something you do after every meal. The dishwasher is an excellent way to take care of cleaning.
Tarnish is the result of sulfur in the air reacting with silver. If you have silver pieces that are very tarnished, you need to give them a good polish (Simichrome Metal Polish and Hagerty Silversmiths' Spray Polish are both highly regarded for fine silver care). Once polished, frequent use is the best way to prevent tarnish buildup.
Here are good house rules for how to clean silver in the dishwasher (care of silver plate is the same as care for sterling):
RULE 1
Only solid flatware and pieces in the dishwasher. That means no pearl handles, items with glue joints or weighted/reinforced items.
RULE 2
Rinse off immediately after use. Don't let food sit on silver, as it may cause corrosion or pitting.
RULE 3
Don't let the silver pieces touch any other type of metal, including stainless, which will leave marks that are very difficult to remove. (It will require a good silver polish like those mentioned above and a lot of elbow grease.) You can put silver in the same dishwasher load as stainless, just in a different flatware compartment. Never allow the two materials to come into direct contact.
RULE 4
When washing silver in the dishwasher, stick with a normal or delicate cycle, not heavy-duty scrubber or high-temp sanitizing options.
RULE 5
Do not use dishwasher detergent that contains lemon, citrus or phosphates.
Now that the silver is clean, use it and enjoy it!
**
I'd had the same oven thermometer for at least a hundred years. The thing had been splattered on and dropped more times than I can count. And the splatters had become hopelessly baked on, making it nearly impossible to read. When I got a message from Naomi about her oven thermometer, I knew exactly what she was talking about and how to fix the problem.
Dear Mary: Every oven thermometer I have ever owned has been difficult to use. The bases were always too small, and they tipped over. They were difficult to set upright when they were hot, and using hot pads or tongs to handle them was mega-frustrating. In the past, you have recommended a model that has a hook at the top. But the oven rack would be right above it, making it difficult to see. Could you recommend a decent oven thermometer that has big writing and won't tip over? -- Naomi
Dear Naomi: I think you would be thrilled with an infrared noncontact digital laser thermometer. Using the Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Infrared Thermometer is a lot different than trying to make a wobbly thermometer stand up in the oven. Point it at the space you want to measure. Line up the laser. Then press the trigger. It measures temperatures all the way from minus 58 degrees F to 716 degrees F. And the numbers are written very large, so it's easy to see. This might be exactly what you're looking for. It costs about $17. You can find a link to the Lasergrip and more at www.everydaycheapskate.com/wobbly.
Dear Mary: I recently read your column on ways to save on prescriptions drugs. A few years ago, I started taking an expensive name-brand drug. While I was employed, my group insurance covered it, and I was able to get a monthly discount through the manufacturer. I am now semi-retired and on Medicare with the Part D prescription drug plan. This time last year I was in the doughnut hole coverage gap and could not afford $150 for a 30-day supply.
I called the drug manufacturer discount program and found that I could get one month free because I was on a government program. That was great, but I had two more months to go until the next calendar year would start.
I contacted my cardiologist. She said no problem and called her drug rep for the medication. He dropped off a three-month supply of samples to her office for me to pick up.
This year I'm facing the same thing. I got one month's worth at no charge from the manufacturer and the same three-month supply from my doctor's office.
For anyone in my same situation, I suggest you first go to the manufacturer website and check out any discount plans and then call your doctor's office to get samples. It can't hurt to ask! -- Alison
Dear Alison: This is great information, and thanks so much for sharing it with my readers. While this tactic might not return the same results for everyone, it should give confidence to readers facing a similar situation. You're right -- it certainly can't hurt to ask.
Dear Mary: Awhile back you mentioned the name of a great carpet scrubber. It was a Shark product, but I didn't get the model number. Could you please tell me? -- Wendy
Dear Wendy: I'm fairly certain you are referring the article titled "Who Else Doesn't Want to Scrub Floors on Your Hands and Knees?" The scrubber was the Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Floor Cleaner. It is a great machine that works like a horse but is very lightweight and easy to maneuver. Hope that helps!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving. com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate. com.