Monday, July 15, 2013

Should I Replace or Keep old appliances for environment?


This is a dilemma; on one hand you may have vintage appliances that still work well , but are outdated by energy efficiency standards. Although, these appliances are still working well after fifteen years; sometimes the cost of potential savings in energy costs might make the cost of replacing these appliances more acceptable in the long run. 






My opinion is in terms of what is good for the overall environment; both choices are equal in savings. If you keep the vintage appliances that are still working, you are keeping this item out of a landfill which aids the environment by keeping toxins out of air or ground soil.



In my personal opinion, keeping old working appliances until they stop working is the best option for both saving the environment and your budget.  


My personal example of how older appliances if well maintained can last for years; was when my mother owned a GE washing machine that she bought in 1975. This washing machine continued to work until 1993.  She had to replace the hoses twice in all of the years she had it. The motor finally burned out and she purchased a newer smaller portable washing machine designed for apartment living. 

The best method to save the environment is to keep items for a longer period of time and to keep them out of landfills. There are other measures taken to save energy by unplugging appliances and electronics after each use.  Research which appliances will give maximum energy savings return long term.    



A blog reader shared her comment agreeing with me on holding on to older dated appliances even though she said it is difficult to keep her dated avocado green appliances.   When appliances are dated and still work, the best way to address dated colors on appliances. Is to decorate or cover these appliances with creative magnetic art boards.  Walter Drake or Lillian Vernon sites have these magnetic art boards that cover the refrigerator and the dishwasher, some have a rooster design or a patriotic design.  It is a unique creative inexpensive method to hide the appliance color.  These catalogs offer peel stick on stainless steel adhesive paper to cover these appliances. This item is great on dishwashers.




Should I Replace or Keep old appliances for environment?


This is a dilemma; on one hand you may have vintage appliances that still work well , but are outdated by energy efficiency standards. Although, these appliances are still working well after fifteen years; sometimes the cost of potential savings in energy costs might make the cost of replacing these appliances more acceptable in the long run. 



My opinion is in terms of what is good for the overall environment; both choices are equal in savings. If you keep the vintage appliances that are still working, you are keeping this item out of a landfill which aids the environment by keeping toxins out of air or ground soil.

In my personal opinion, keeping old working appliances until they stop working is the best option for both saving the environment and your budget.  

My personal example of how older appliances if well maintained can last for years; was when my mother owned a GE washing machine that she bought in 1975. This washing machine continued to work until 1993.  She had to replace the hoses twice in all of the years she had it. The motor finally burned out and she purchased a newer smaller portable washing machine designed for apartment living. 
The best method to save the environment is to keep items for a longer period of time and to keep them out of landfills. There are other measures taken to save energy by unplugging appliances and electronics after each use.  Research which appliances will give maximum energy savings return long term.    

A blog reader shared her comment agreeing with me on holding on to older dated appliances even though she said it is difficult to keep her dated avocado green appliances.   When appliances are dated and still work, the best way to address dated colors on appliances. Is to decorate or cover these appliances with creative magnetic art boards.  Walter Drake or Lillian Vernon sites have these magnetic art boards that cover the refrigerator and the dishwasher, some have a rooster design or a patriotic design.  It is a unique creative inexpensive method to hide the appliance color.  These catalogs offer peel stick on stainless steel adhesive paper to cover these appliances. This item is great on dishwashers.


Recycle detergent bottles as watering cans

Detergent bottles are great as watering cans because they have spouts and are durable enough for outside climate. Recycling and reusing emptied detergent bottles help to keep plastics out of the landfills.  Plastic bottles are not biodegradable and take space in landfills. 



In addition it's inexpensive  because these bottles can be used in another capacity. In order to create nice clean bottles, remove the sticker label by using dishwashing detergent, or any adhesive remover. 

Be creative by painting the bottles or use chalk board paint to label the watering pots. 
















Wash out bottles and remove labels






Use Dif to remove labels






Use bottles with spray nozzles or spouts






Finished product



















Recycle detergent bottles as watering cans

Detergent bottles are great as watering cans because they have spouts and are durable enough for outside climate. Recycling and reusing emptied detergent bottles help to keep plastics out of the landfills.  Plastic bottles are not biodegradable and take space in landfills. 

In addition it's inexpensive  because these bottles can be used in another capacity. In order to create nice clean bottles, remove the sticker label by using dishwashing detergent, or any adhesive remover. 
Be creative by painting the bottles or use chalk board paint to label the watering pots. 






Wash out bottles and remove labels

Use Dif to remove labels

Use bottles with spray nozzles or spouts

Finished product








Upcycle fan parts creatively

Use the parts of an old fan that no longer works and reuse to either repair or up cycle and create a new item. I reused the base stand part of the fan to use as a stand for a concrete stepping stone to place a plant or watering pots on it.

















Fan Base






place a concrete paver on the fan base makes a great planter base






Place a concrete tiled planter base






makes a great base for water cans























Upcycle fan parts creatively

Use the parts of an old fan that no longer works and reuse to either repair or up cycle and create a new item. I reused the base stand part of the fan to use as a stand for a concrete stepping stone to place a plant or watering pots on it.






Fan Base

place a concrete paver on the fan base makes a great planter base

Place a concrete tiled planter base

makes a great base for water cans









Monday, July 8, 2013

Ocala Florida Photography

Some photos taken around the local Ocala Florida area near town and around High way 200 corridor.








Strip mall along 441 in ocala






social security building in Ocala Fl






retro 60's motel in town in Ocala Fl




Ocala Florida Photography

Some photos taken around the local Ocala Florida area near town and around High way 200 corridor.


Strip mall along 441 in ocala

social security building in Ocala Fl

retro 60's motel in town in Ocala Fl

How Inflation is affecting the thrift stores

  It seems that Inflation has hit a 40 year high affecting everything from gas prices, housing, food, and consumer goods.  Inflation s...