May 2007 Issue
In this months Issue:
Dressing for Success: New Graduates or New Job
Energy-Efficient Laundering: Go Green
Home Laundry Tip
Stain FAQ's
Dressing for Success: New Graduates or New Job
Whether you're looking for your first job or your next job, it's vital to look great when you walk in for that first interview. While you might bemoan our culture's emphasis on outward appearance, facts are facts: first impressions do count. Here are some tips for looking good when you walk through that door:
Head, shoulders, knees and toes...and teeth. While some of this might seem obvious, we state it anyway just in case. Your hair should be brushed and look clean and out of your eyes...no hats. If you're a woman, your shoulders should be covered...nothing too revealing or low cut. No shorts or short skirts to an interview (You need to be able to sit comfortably.) Closed-toe shoes are probably best...no flip flops! Be sure your fingernails are clean and manicured and keep the makeup and cologne to a minimum. Be sure your teeth are clean and your breath smells fresh...no garlic beforehand, please!
What to Wear: Stick with the classics...dark pants/skirt, jacket, plain shirt, matching tie. No jeans or baggy pants. Avoid anything too loud or wild (unless the job description calls for someone outrageous!) Make sure there are no rips, tears, missing buttons, etc. No gigantic earrings, huge necklaces or extreme body piercings-being conservative is your best bet. You don't have to be dowdy or unfashionable, but presentable. Your clothes should not be memorable-unless you're looking for a job in the fashion industry-you should be memorable. Clothing, jewelry or inappropriate clothing can be a distraction and detract from your message: Hire me because I'm the best person for this position.
What to Bring: Be sure to bring a pad of paper or notebook and a pen; a briefcase or shoulder bag will make you look more professional. Don't chew gum and be sure your cellphone is not turned on (no, not even to vibrate).
Good luck!!
Energy-Efficient Laundering: Go Green
You know that the average U.S. household washes about 50 pounds of laundry every week?
Yes, there are ways you can help the environment when washing your clothes. First and foremost, be sure to read and follow the directions on all labels. Start with the recommended amount of detergent; use more detergent for heavily soiled clothes, large load or if you have "hard" water. Pre-treat any stains before washing so you can reduce the need to rewash or use hotter water settings.
Almost all of the energy used by clothes washers is for heating the water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. For the best cleaning and most energy savings, you can wash most loads in warm water and rinse in cold water. If a load is lightly soiled, it can be washed in cold water. Use a high spin speed for items like towels and sweatshirts, so you'll reduce drying time. The energy to spin the water out is less than the energy your dryer uses to dry.
When drying, be sure to separate light and heavy items for more uniform drying. Be sure to dry full loads, since small loads waste energy. But don't overload; there should be enough space to tumble freely (plus this will reduce wrinkling!) Don't forget to clean the lint screen after each load.
Home Laundry Tip
Ah, springtime is in the air. Here are two different tips guaranteed to make your clothes smell fresh and clean!
Tip #1: Next time you do laundry. add about 1/4 cup of white vinegar during the final rinse, instead of a store-bought fabric softener. Not only will your clothes smell great, they also will not have any of that softener buildup.
Tip #2: Instead of using bleach on your next load of whites, try mixing 1/4 cup of lemon juice with 1/4 cup white vinegar in a gallon of warm water. Soak the clothes for 15 minutes before washing...you'll love the results. (Remember, only use this for clothes like whites that you would normally bleach!)
Stain FAQ's
Q. How can I prevent a stain from becoming permanent?
A. The key is speed! Once an item acquires a stain of any kind, your best bet at getting it out is to treat it promptly. If youre washing the clothes yourself in the machine, always pre-treat the stain. Once the cycle is over, check the garment before putting it into the dryer. If the stain is still evident, wash it again. And again, if necessary! The worst thing to do is to put it into the dryer. And dont even think about ironing the garment unless youre sure the stain is gone, gone, gone. Heat sets a stain and will make it virtually impossible to remove.
If the item label says dry clean only be sure to bring it to us right away. Be sure to point out the stain to us, and if you know what caused it, thats even more helpful to us.