The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

More Reasons to LOOOVE My New Appliances by Frigidaire

So I've been the proud owner of my hot new Affinity washer/dryer for about a month now, and aside from its undeniable beauty, I'm actually noticing that its beauty is not just metal deep.  These machines might be nice to look at, but they're also doing a fabulous job and they are helping my family save not just money, but also time and energy.

We are an increasingly environmentally aware family and as such, I was thrilled to do away with our previous energy-draining top-loading washer/dryer to replace with this front-loader.  What I learned in my research is that this front-loader meets or exceeds the stringent efficiency standards* put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.  Without using all kinds of fancy language, front-loaders use about a third less water than conventional top-loaders, since the clothes are dropped into the water and use gravity to move them around.  There's also no agitator in a front-loading machine (a part typically found in a top-loader) so there's room for more clothes.  And the Affinity dryer is 7.0 cu.ft, making it the largest capacity dryer in a standard size**.  So you dry more in one round. 

Speaking of agitators, if you know anything about laundry machines (which I didn't), the mere fact that this machine doesn't have one is great news.  Agitators do exactly that to your clothes - agitate them.  They result in quicker wear and tear on your stuff, so a top-loader will treat your cute clothes (and linens) better too.

The only real downside to this is that front-loaders are typically more expensive to purchase.  But here's the thing - if you invest in a solid front-loading machine now, you are GUARANTEED to save money (not to mention energy and water) over the course of the life of the appliances.

And the last cool feature for today - you can save your settings on the machines so you don't have to fiddle with them every time you throw in a load of laundry.  I admit that this is my favorite feature in my car as well (re-setting my seat each time I get in is annoying!). 

Stay tuned for more on my fabulous Affinity appliances as they get more use.

*According to the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star qualified appliances conserve 20 to 30 percent in energy costs over the course of one year. An Energy Star qualified washer uses 16 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 gallons used by a standard machine. Top loading energy efficient qualified washers can save 10,000 gallons of water per year and Front Loading energy efficient washing machines can save up to 12, 584 gallons of water per year.

** Based on dryers 36" or less in height and 27" or less in depth

Oops, I did it again.

Had a pretty serious laundry mishaps, that is.

And this happened about, ummm, two days into receiving my new Frigidaire Affinity laundry machines.  Ok.  So, since I'm not the only person who does the laundry in my house (lucky, I know), I went downstairs and saw amidst some other dirty linens, a yellow chenille blanket on the floor.  To be washed, right?

WRONG.

But before figuring this out, I happily tossed it into my new washing machine (did I mention it's red and shiny and beeyooteeful?) along with whatever other odds and ends I had to wash (I was a little laundry-happy since I had a new appliance to play with).  This included my jean shorts (am I the only person still wearing these?  Audrey??), one pair of black Hanky Panky's, and a few other items.  So I throw all these things in together (mistake #1), add a bit of HE detergent, hit a few buttons, and go off on my merry way, all the while thinking how lucky I am to have been treated to these wonderful new appliances.

I go back about an hour later to switch my stuff into my equally as beeyooteeful dryer, only to find everything is covered in yellow lint.  EVERYTHING!!  Damn that blanket!!  How dare it shed ALL OVER my entire load of laundry and throw itself even all over my gorgeous new machines?  Is there no mercy in the world?

So after a few curse words (for which I have become famous), I toss the now tattered blanket and decide what to do next.

I figure throwing the now yellow stuff back in the machine is a good idea, and give the sanitize feature a  whirl (the washer includes cycles up to 153 degrees to ensure laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free) and cross my fingers.  I return an hour later to less yellow, but still somewhat yellow stuff.

I put it through again.

It comes out clean. 

So, I'm now super grateful for this washing machine's WashSense™ technology which cleans clothes carefully and without totally mangling them.  I'm also grateful for the AWESOME dryer, which somehow got out every last bit of lint and restored my pretty things to the way they were before blanket-gate.

Is it possible to want to marry laundry appliances and live happily ever after in the damp, creepy basement?  Cuz if so, then I do.

 

(Look how pretty my new babies are...)

It's Here! My Brand-New Affinity Washer/Dryer by Frigidaire.

It's an awesome day today.  Not just because it's 95 degrees out, sunny, and just a perfect summer day which I'm spending with my delicious daughters, but because today is delivery day for my brand-new Affinity washer/dryer!

I know.  I was supposed to receive the range and microwave to test-drive.  I was crazy excited about that since my current unit is about 20 years old and decrepit.  But alas, it took one delivery man about 10 minutes to figure out that I didn't have the proper cabinetry for the microwave and that it would be a little less simple than we thought to install it so...

I am the proud owner of a beautiful new washer/dryer!! 

Check 'em out:

 

(Full disclosure: that's not my dog.  I'm not a dog person...)

Ok, so while I do plan to frolic in the pool and sandbox with my girls and their playdate this afternoon, I have to admit: I've NEVER been more excited to start the day's laundry.  You see, not only were my former machines old and well, icky, LOOK HOW AWESOME THESE BABIES LOOK!  And they're red!!  RED!!!!

Oh, and since looks aren't everything, these machines promise the following:

* NSF Certification:  Dryer includes ‘Sanitize’ temperature settings to ensure your laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free. 
* NSF Certification:  Washer includes cycles up to 153 degrees to ensure your laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free.                                                                                                                       * WashSense™ technology:  ensures clothes get clean with care.
* Advanced Rinse Technology:  Final rinse uses fresh water to ensure whiter whites and reduce allergens.
* Multiple options:  Over 15 wash options including Stain Clean. 
* Multiple Cycles:  Seven wash cycles including Whitest Whites and Deep Clean Sanitize.

K, so now I have to go because I have stuff to sanitize.  And whiten.

Does the FTC Belong in the Blogosphere?

It's a new form of advertising and everyone is doing it.  And I mean everyone.  Big companies, medium companies, even teeny tiny companies like Alex Casey Baby are taking advantage of the wonderful reach bloggers have and are using it to promote their latest and greatest.  It essentially works like this: company y contacts blogger x (or vice versa) and it is mutually determined that blog x and company y are a good match for a partnership.  Discussions ensue, product or service is provided free of charge by company y, blogger x "tests" said product  or service and voila.  A review post is born.

Simple, right?

Not anymore.

This summer, it is expected that the Federal Trade Commission will set forth guidelines designed to outline how companies can "inspire" bloggers to post about their company's products. Additionally, the FTC will require that bloggers disclose when they're writing about a product that is sponsored and voicing opinions that aren't their own. 

I sometimes refer to this phenomenon as transparency.

It's definitely an issue.  Bloggers are looking for good content and are sometimes selling out in order to arrive at it.  I've seen some blogs who ask for cash in exchange for a review (just wrong on all counts) which begs the question - is accepting cash the same as accepting a sample of the product or products?

Here at The Daily Grind, I require a sample of any product I review and/or giveaway.  The reason is simple and two-fold:

1. I cannot accurately and objectively review a product I have not actually tested, and
2. There needs to be some sort of compensation for services rendered (ie, promoting your product).

But the payback for the sponsor is two-fold as well:

1. They receive a review that (hopefully) is well-read and results in new customers (since moms notoriously trust other moms opinions), and
2. They didn't have to dip into their budget to make this happen.

If I had accepted cash, I would call it an advertisement and those belong in my sidebar to the left.  Sometimes it happens that I am reviewing a product made by a sponsor.  I still require a sample and the review is still comprised of my own opinion.  If I receive a sample that I don't believe stands up to my standards, I simply put it to the side and don't review it.   

There is definitely fine-print when it comes to providing and accepting free product.  First of all, it is my opinion that every blogger should reserve the right to not review any item they wouldn't personally recommend to their BFF despite the freebie.  Also, bloggers who are worth their salt should consider what it is they are accepting - is it a product that looks interesting to you?  Do you think the quality will stand-up to the quality of  your own product (your blog)?  One example is my friend Christine at Boston Mamas.  This wonderful blog is filled with reviews that I know I can trust, simply because she is particular about what she even accepts for review.  Another is Christine at From Dates to Diapers who includes a full disclosure policy which assures readers that while she may have accepted compensation for her opinions, that her opinions are always just that - her honest opinion.  And I think this is what the FTC is looking for.

Recently I signed on to be a Frigidaire Test-Drive Mom.  This means that I was lucky enough to be selected to receive a new range and microwave from Frigidaire, completely free.  In exchange, I will post about my experiences with my new appliances from time to time.  See that button on your right indicating my participation in this program?  This is full-disclosure.  This is my way of letting readers know that I am part of a campaign and not just reviewing the oven I walked in and purchased last week.  And my posts will indicate that clearly as well.

All this to say that I welcome the FTC into the blogosphere with open arms.  As long as they wipe their feet before entering (ie, respectfully and without disrupting the intended spirit of the blogosphere), I welcome them to sift through the rubbish to find the true gems because there are so many gems and we shouldn't settle for anything less.    

Save Time with a MotherLoad of Appliances

This may come as a surprise - a HUGE shock - but did you know that moms log more overtime than most Americans and most of them average just one full day of free time each month!  According to a recent survey conducted by the good folks at Frigidaire, moms spend most of their waking hours – 200 hours each month – doing tasks and chores instead of taking part in activities we enjoy, like playing with our kids and caring for ourselves.

In response to these frightful facts, Frigidaire is introducing 250 brand-new appliances that were designed with YOU in mind.  In fact, Frigidaire guarantees that moms can save as much as eight hours a month in waiting around time by using a combination of select Frigidaire time-saving appliances as directed.  So if you've been considering a new washer/dryer, or replacing that old dishwasher, now might be the time to visit www.frigidaire.com to see what's up.

This comes at the perfect time for me.  You read about my holiday dinner disaster.  My oven broke in the middle of cooking the perfect holiday meal.  After some tinkering, we got it functioning again until two weeks ago, when I heard the familiar clicking of an oven on the edge and I knew the end had come.  Time to replace that hunk of junk.  Then, as if on command, I get an email in my inbox from my friends at Mom Central -

Congratulations!  You have been selected to test drive Frigidaire's new time-saving appliances!

In fact, this is the sparkling baby I'll be receiving in a mere few weeks:

But wait!  There's more:

Over the next few months, I'm going to bring you time-saving tales from my kitchen along with recipes for the delicious dishes I plan to cook in my new range & microwave.  So stay tuned. 

Win it!  Visit My Motherload and tell them 5 things you would do with an extra hour and you're automatically entered for a chance to win a suite of NEW Frigidaire appliances! Tell 5 friends for another chance to win.  There's also a chance to win a NEW Frigidaire Affinity front-load washer and dryer.  Check it out!