Regular Cotton and Long-staple Cotton: What’s the Difference?

Cotton is classified as long-staple cotton when the fibers are from 1 1/8” to 2 ½” long. Some types of long-staple cotton are Pima, Egyptian and Sea Island cotton. Pima cotton is grown in the Southwestern United States, Egyptian cotton is grown in the Nile River Valley. Sea Island cotton is grown in the Sea Islands, which are off the coast of Georgia, the Carolinas, and in the Caribbean.

Long-staple cotton is known for being softer than ordinary cotton because of those longer fibers. It is prized for use in sheets and comforter sets because it is so soft and supple.

What Is the Difference Between a Comforter and a Duvet?

The word “Duvet” in French means “down.” The term duvet and the term comforter both apply to the think quilted type cover you put on your bed. Sometimes you hear the term “duvet cover” or “comforter cover.” The word “cover” is the clue that this is a cover for your comforter. Think of a duvet cover as a giant pillow case for your comforter. You slip your comforter inside the “cover” and button or zip it up.

Duvet covers and comforter covers are less expensive than a full comforter. They are easy to remove and wash. And they allow you to change them out and change the look of your room without spending a ton of money.

Washing Your Comforter Sets with Shampoo?

When you need to wash a down comforter or any other type of comforter, if you are not going to take it to a dry cleaner then you need a gentle detergent. You could go for the Woolite, but think about this. You use shampoo on your hair day in and day out and it continues to stay soft while it gets clean. Shampoo is very gentle and actually makes an excellent “detergent” for your comforter. Use just enough to get a little bit of sudsing but not too much. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and then dry thoroughly.

Better Sleep!

Do you have the right pillow? Mostly we don’t think about our pillows. They are just there, doing their job… or not. Maybe it’s time for a pillow makeover.

Do you sleep on your stomach? You probably don’t like your head to be at a funny angle. You may need a very soft pillow. If you sleep on your side you probably need something that is going to support your neck. If you are a back sleeper than you may need a flatter pillow so that your neck is not cranked up.

When shopping for pillows, they typically come in extra soft, soft, medium, firm, and overfilled. Overfilled will be the most firm, while of course, extra soft pillows are the softest.

There’s Always Time for Romance!

No matter when your anniversary is, it is never the wrong time for a romantic surprise. Your house may not be a fancy hotel, but how about going upstairs a little early one evening, and turning down the sheets, and putting a little chocolate on the pillow? You could add a romantic note, and even light some candles. It is always these little things that keep our marriages fresh and romantic.

Doing What Your Mother Did

Most of us do what our mother’s did. I heard a story once of a woman who was cooking a roast for the first time. She prepared the roast and hacked off the end, then put it in the pan and placed it in the oven. A friend was watching and asked why she hacked off the end. The woman said because that was how her mother had done it. But now she was curious and so she called up her mother and asked her why she did roasts that way. Her mother said it was because that was how Grandma did it. Really curious now, the woman called Grandma. Grandma informed her that she always hacked off the end of the roast because her pan was too small.

This story is funny, but it illustrates a good point. We tend to do what our parents did without even asking why. My example is the way I make my bed. My mother and her mother before her always pulled the comforter up and covered the pillows. So that is how I have always done it. But now I am looking for a fresh look and am considering folding it over and letting the pillows show.

What do you do? And more importantly, why? I would love to hear your stories.

The Benefit of Candle Snuffers!

The wax from candles can get very hot. When children especially blow out candles they can be very enthusiastic about it. They blow very hard and can actually splash wax out, staining furniture or burning another person. But there is a better way, and even children can have fun doing it. I am talking about purchasing an inexpensive candle snuffer. This is a small metal cup positioned on the end of a long handle (think of an oversized thimble). When you place it over the flame it cuts off the oxygen and the candle goes out. Some people actually touch them down onto the top of the wick to tamp it out, but this is not usually necessary. Just removing the oxygen supply will be enough.

Snuffers are easy to store and even children can be taught how to use them correctly. After  all, this is how it was done in the days before electricity.