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Sunday, January 5, 2014
Saturday, March 24, 2012
PAPER GUEST TOWELS
There are many occasions that call for a gathering of a good number of people. During these special occasions you might want to invest in paper guest towels to make a great impression on your guests. These items are relatively inexpensive but they are far more attractive than paper towels commonly found in restrooms.
No one likes to leave a bathroom with wet hands and many of us are a little apprehensive about using someone’s decorative towels when we use the facilities. Paper guest towels are wonderful for any visitor who dislikes using used towels or using decorative items to dry his hands. These thoughtful items are nice additions to any bath.
The moment that I discovered that the paper guest towels looked like real linen I had to make an investment in them. I love making my guests comfortable and at ease but I really dislike regular paper towels in my bath. We spent way too much time and money on bathroom renovations to have sloppy looking products cluttering up the space.
I found the perfect items for our area. They even match our décor and they didn’t cost nearly as much as I expected. Little details like paper guest towels help to make the room feel warm and welcoming while providing all of the sterile conveniences of an upscale public bathroom.
The paper guest towels look like real linen but they are disposable. This is the perfect marriage between looks and convenience. The towels can be displayed in a plastic holder or a metal basket that are available through some of the companies that produce these items. The great thing about these paper guest towels is that they are so attractive that you will want to have them on display.
Most of these items are available in neutral tones that will suit any bathroom décor. However, you can opt for lovely patterns and designs that offer a little more flair to the paper guest towels. Holiday designs and autumn leaves are personal favorites of mine but you could opt for intricate paisley motifs or flowery designs as well.
The paper guest towels are among my favorite new innovations for the home. They are perfect for the cold and flu season because they are single use. I like having them around for children as well. I also love the idea that I don’t ever have to wash them, either.
No one likes to leave a bathroom with wet hands and many of us are a little apprehensive about using someone’s decorative towels when we use the facilities. Paper guest towels are wonderful for any visitor who dislikes using used towels or using decorative items to dry his hands. These thoughtful items are nice additions to any bath.
The moment that I discovered that the paper guest towels looked like real linen I had to make an investment in them. I love making my guests comfortable and at ease but I really dislike regular paper towels in my bath. We spent way too much time and money on bathroom renovations to have sloppy looking products cluttering up the space.
I found the perfect items for our area. They even match our décor and they didn’t cost nearly as much as I expected. Little details like paper guest towels help to make the room feel warm and welcoming while providing all of the sterile conveniences of an upscale public bathroom.
The paper guest towels look like real linen but they are disposable. This is the perfect marriage between looks and convenience. The towels can be displayed in a plastic holder or a metal basket that are available through some of the companies that produce these items. The great thing about these paper guest towels is that they are so attractive that you will want to have them on display.
Most of these items are available in neutral tones that will suit any bathroom décor. However, you can opt for lovely patterns and designs that offer a little more flair to the paper guest towels. Holiday designs and autumn leaves are personal favorites of mine but you could opt for intricate paisley motifs or flowery designs as well.
The paper guest towels are among my favorite new innovations for the home. They are perfect for the cold and flu season because they are single use. I like having them around for children as well. I also love the idea that I don’t ever have to wash them, either.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Kitchen Composters
Image via WikipediaKitchen Composters
Some kitchen models process compost
If outdoor composting isn't an option for you, and the idea of keeping worms in your kitchen (called vermicomposting) isn't appealing (as discussed in our section on digesters), there are other alternatives for indoor composting. The most popular kitchen composter is the NatureMill Plus XE Compost Bin (*Est. $300), a self-contained unit that uses bacteria to break down wastes. This small, electrically powered machine (measuring 20 inches high, 20 inches deep and 12 inches wide) unit can process up to 120 pounds of food waste per month and produces compost every two weeks. Inside are two chambers: an upper chamber in which wastes are mixed, heated and aerated, and a lower section that collects the finished compost. Unlike most composters, the NatureMill Plus can handle meat and dairy foods and even pet waste.
Related SearchesA reviewer on the environmental blog Treehugger.com, who confesses to having "a black thumb and a lazy disposition," found this composter fairly easy to use. The only maintenance required is to add sawdust pellets and baking soda regularly to help build up the colonies of beneficial bacteria. She notes that it gives off a slight humming noise and a mild "mushroomy" odor, but she didn't find either particularly problematic. It does require electricity, but only about 5 kilowatt-hours per month. While most of the consumer sites we checked did not review this model, we found several positive reviews at Amazon.com and Gaiam.com for the pricier NatureMill Pro XE (*Est. $400). Although this model includes a few extra features such as a foot pedal and a security lock, most of the comments about it focused not on these added features but on the unit's overall ease of use, odor control and fast compost production -- facets common to both models. It's up to you whether a foot pedal and a lock are with an extra $100.
A less expensive product for indoor composting is the All Seasons Indoor Composter from SCD Probiotics
(*Est. $75), formerly known as the Happy Farmer Kitchen Composter. This system uses a fermentation process to break down kitchen waste inside a plastic bucket. Food scraps are mixed with soil and a starter containing beneficial microbes. The bucket has a strainer to remove excess moisture and a spigot for draining off the liquid, which can be used to fertilize household plants. The solid material inside the bucket must be removed and buried or added to an outdoor compost pile.
(*Est. $75), formerly known as the Happy Farmer Kitchen Composter. This system uses a fermentation process to break down kitchen waste inside a plastic bucket. Food scraps are mixed with soil and a starter containing beneficial microbes. The bucket has a strainer to remove excess moisture and a spigot for draining off the liquid, which can be used to fertilize household plants. The solid material inside the bucket must be removed and buried or added to an outdoor compost pile.A reader on the Treehugger blog says the All Seasons Indoor Composter is "very easy and doesn't smell at all," but other testers disagree. The Wall Street Journal claims that this system "does a good job neutralizing the odor of rotting food," but that the compost starter itself has a "pungent odor." Consumers on Amazon.com agree that this composter produces some odor, which one describes as a "pickled smell" and another compares to "fermenting molasses." One user warns that it is important to drain the liquid frequently or the odor becomes much worse. Some find the system worth it for its ease of use, while others complain that having to remove the partly digested waste and compost it outdoors is too much trouble.
Compost pails for collecting kitchen scraps
Generally speaking, products such as the NatureMill Plus XE or the All Seasons Indoor Composter are useful primarily for those who cannot do full-scale composting outdoors. However, everyone who composts needs an easy, low-odor method to collect food scraps before carrying them outside to the larger bin or compost pile. Although some composting experts simply use an airtight container stored under the sink to collect food scraps, several specialized compost pails are attractive enough to leave out on your countertop, or have some added convenience features.
The most affordable compost pail we found that earns praise from reviewers is the KC1000 Kitchen Compost Carrier (*Est. $18), which is made by Busch Systems in Canada and is also sold by Gaiam under the name Compost Bucket. This compost carrier is made from green plastic with a minimum of 35 percent recycled content. It holds 5.5 quarts of food scraps. The optional carbon filter (*Est. $8 for three), which fits inside the lid and lasts about three months, helps tame the odor of food wastes. Users posting reviews to the Gaiam.com website find it sturdy, odor-free and easy to carry, though a couple warn of mold buildup and fruit flies if the pail is not emptied frequently. They also note that its small size makes it convenient to store either on the countertop or tucked inside a cabinet. The Wall Street Journal says that the KC1000 does a good job of preventing odors, but that the latch on the lid makes it less convenient to use during food preparation. The KC2000 Kitchen Compost Carrier (*Est. $25)has all the same features as the KC1000 but holds almost twice as much: up to 2.4 gallons of food scraps.
(*Est. $18), which is made by Busch Systems in Canada and is also sold by Gaiam under the name Compost Bucket. This compost carrier is made from green plastic with a minimum of 35 percent recycled content. It holds 5.5 quarts of food scraps. The optional carbon filter (*Est. $8 for three), which fits inside the lid and lasts about three months, helps tame the odor of food wastes. Users posting reviews to the Gaiam.com website find it sturdy, odor-free and easy to carry, though a couple warn of mold buildup and fruit flies if the pail is not emptied frequently. They also note that its small size makes it convenient to store either on the countertop or tucked inside a cabinet. The Wall Street Journal says that the KC1000 does a good job of preventing odors, but that the latch on the lid makes it less convenient to use during food preparation. The KC2000 Kitchen Compost Carrier (*Est. $25)has all the same features as the KC1000 but holds almost twice as much: up to 2.4 gallons of food scraps.Those who want a more attractive compost receptacle might consider the Norpro Ceramic Compost Crock (*Est. $25). This pail, which comes in both red and white, holds up to a gallon of scraps and controls odors with a charcoal filter (*Est. $2) in the lid. Sara Schaefer Muñoz, writing for The Wall Street Journal,calls this container "cute." Users at Gaiam and Amazon.com admire its appearance and odor control. However, we also noticed several user complaints at Amazon.com about its weight, the poorly secured handle and the lack of a snug-fitting lid, which allows fruit flies to invade. A few owners also say that the knob on the top is hard to grip and that the ceramic is hard to keep clean.
(*Est. $25). This pail, which comes in both red and white, holds up to a gallon of scraps and controls odors with a charcoal filter (*Est. $2) in the lid. Sara Schaefer Muñoz, writing for The Wall Street Journal,calls this container "cute." Users at Gaiam and Amazon.com admire its appearance and odor control. However, we also noticed several user complaints at Amazon.com about its weight, the poorly secured handle and the lack of a snug-fitting lid, which allows fruit flies to invade. A few owners also say that the knob on the top is hard to grip and that the ceramic is hard to keep clean.Norpro also makes a lighter stainless-steel version of this compost pail (*Est. $40) that receives excellent reviews from roughly 100 users at Amazon.com. However, owners note that the fruit-fly problem is not entirely eliminated in the stainless-steel version, despite its snug-fitting lid.
Digesters
Image via WikipediaDigesters
Vermicomposting has fans
Although many consumers feel squeamish about adding worms to their compost piles, vermicomposting has received a significant amount of media attention as a solid eco-friendly option. One advantage of this method is that it can be used indoors to compost food scraps. However, consumers will need to buy a batch of worms (typically either red earthworms or red wigglers) to get started. You can construct your own worm bin with instructions found online, but you can also buy a ready-made vermicomposting kit that will come with instructions.
Related SearchesOf the vermicomposters we've found, the Triformis Can-O-Worms (*Est. $130) has received the most positive reviews. The Can-O-Worms is a multi-level bin made of 100 percent recycled plastic. It stands on five plastic legs and has a tap in the bottom for use in draining the liquid compost, or "worm tea." The Triformis Can-O-Worms can be placed either indoors or outdoors, but it should be kept at a temperature between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the worms healthy. There's some extra cost involved with purchasing the red wiggler worms (*Est. $30 for 1,000 worms), but since the worms will reproduce and multiply their population considerably, this is likely only a one-time expense. The Can-O-Worms comes with coir (coconut husk fiber) to use as bedding for the worms, but shredded newspaper will also work. The worms subsist on kitchen waste, much of which isn't suitable for an outdoor compost pile.
(*Est. $130) has received the most positive reviews. The Can-O-Worms is a multi-level bin made of 100 percent recycled plastic. It stands on five plastic legs and has a tap in the bottom for use in draining the liquid compost, or "worm tea." The Triformis Can-O-Worms can be placed either indoors or outdoors, but it should be kept at a temperature between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the worms healthy. There's some extra cost involved with purchasing the red wiggler worms (*Est. $30 for 1,000 worms), but since the worms will reproduce and multiply their population considerably, this is likely only a one-time expense. The Can-O-Worms comes with coir (coconut husk fiber) to use as bedding for the worms, but shredded newspaper will also work. The worms subsist on kitchen waste, much of which isn't suitable for an outdoor compost pile.Out of 15 reviews at Amazon.com and eight at Epinions.com, most give the Triformis Can-O-Worms either a 4- or 5-star rating. Overall, owners say that they're very happy with its performance and value, describing this unit as well made and easy to use. The bin's weak point appears to be the spigot at the bottom; some users find it flimsy or messy to use, and one noted that it wore out completely after several years of use. One reviewer at Amazon.com and one at Epinions.com mention a problem with the worms escaping and drowning in the tray that collects the liquid compost. The Triformis Can-O-Worms takes up about as much space as a kitchen trash bin. Although the Triformis Can-O-Worms remains the best-reviewed vermicomposter on the market, in the past year it has been superseded in popularity by a newer type of indoor composter, discussed in the next section on electric kitchen composters
Compost Tumblers
Image via WikipediaCompost Tumblers
Tumbling composters ease turning the pile
Compost tumblers make turning your compost pile easier. Instead of manually turning the pile with a pitchfork or shovel (or pushing it through the chambers of a multi-level bin like the Earthmaker), tumbling compost bins use a crank or gears. However, these types of compost bins don't usually hold as much organic waste and are more expensive per cubic foot of capacity. In addition, it can still be hard to turn the crank.
We found the Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler(*Est. $180) to be the most popular tumbling bin overall. Though one professional reviewer criticizes its inconvenient design and poor compost production, many other reviewers strongly disagree. For instance, in a product test by the National Home Gardening Club, more than two dozen club members evaluated the Tumbleweed on such factors as ease of use, design, durability and appearance. According to the results, published in late 2006, the Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler received no less than 8 out of 10 points in any category, and it earned an overall average of 8.9 out of 10 across all categories. A few testers commented that they found turning the full Tumbleweed more strenuous than they expected and expressed concern that it might be too unwieldy for older gardeners, but all were pleased with the Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler's compost production and several were able to obtain quality compost within four weeks.
The Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler also made the cut at PeoplePoweredMachines.com, where the proprietors conduct their own product testing before deciding which models to offer. The Tumbleweed is a bestseller at the online retailer CleanAirGardening.com and earns an average of four out of five stars in over 25 user reviews on Amazon.com, with construction and ease of use being the top selling points. It is also less expensive than most compost tumblers.
The Tumbleweed has a 26-inch-deep plastic barrel mounted on a frame of galvanized, tubular steel. A steel rod passes through the center of the barrel so that it can be flipped end over end to tumble the compost. The barrel has a lid on each end for filling and emptying. The unit stands 46 inches high and holds 7 to 8 cubic feet of compost. The closed, frame-mounted design keeps out most critters but, according to one Amazon.com reviewer, will not stop determined rats.
The Back Porch ComposTumbler (*Est. $240) is another popular option. This is a drum-shaped plastic tumbler with a hinged door and a capacity of 5 cubic feet. Like the Tumbleweed, it is mounted on a frame of tubular steel, but the Back Porch ComposTumber's central axle runs through the middle of the drum, allowing it to spin freely. The stand has wheels so that it can be pushed out into the garden for unloading. The Back Porch ComposTumber's compact dimensions (37 inches tall by 31 inches wide) make it a good choice for those with limited outdoor space and little yard waste. The Back Porch ComposTumbler is the smallest of three units in the ComposTumbler line; those with larger volumes of waste to process may prefer the larger Compact(*Est. $350) or Original (*Est. $445) models, sized at 12 and 22 cubic feet, respectively. These larger models include handles for turning the drum.
Users praise the Back Porch ComposTumbler for its performance, compact size and ease of operation. Several users note that it did a good job keeping out rodents. Reports on the process of assembling the unit are extremely mixed; many users complain of how difficult it is while others say they found it easy. These uneven reviews suggest that production quality may not be consistent. Another common complaint is that the unit's bottom drain tends to clog.
Like the ComposTumblers, Sun-Mar composters feature a rotating drum set on a stand and turned around a central axis. Their chief distinguishing feature is their AutoFlow design, which automatically spills compost out the bottom as it is finished. PeoplePoweredMachines.com, an online retailer of garden tools, describes this model as easy to load and turn. Reviewers at Gaiam gave high marks to both the 6.7-cubic-foot Sun-Mar 200 (*Est. $300) and the 13.4-cubic-foot Sun-Mar 400 (*Est. $400), although one noted that even the smaller 200 can be hard to turn when full. However, the consumer who had owned the Sun-Mar 200 longest complained that it fell apart after a few years.
Those who need a truly large-capacity tumbler might consider the Mantis ComposT-Twin (*Est. $500). This model features two internal chambers that together hold up to 25 cubic feet of material. This dual-chambered design allows owners to "cook" one batch of compost while adding fresh waste to the other side. A handle at the side of the unit can be cranked to rotate the barrel and mix the contents. AskToolTalk.com's reviewer notes a number of advantages to the Mantis ComposT-Twin, including ease of assembly and turning. However, this review also highlights some of this model's drawbacks. The reviewer notes the difficulty of rinsing out the ComposT-Twin's barrel completely, as well as problems with paint flaking off the housing and door design flaws that make the container's opening a bit too small for dumping in lawn clippings easily.
Reviewers at Amazon.com for the ComposT-Twin also note problems with its doors, calling them flimsy and cumbersome to operate. Still, many appreciate the fact that the ComposT-Twin is mounted high enough on its tubular frame to roll a directly under the barrel's doors to catch the compost. This tumbling compost bin is certainly more expensive than most, and its price, along with its dimensions (well over 5 feet in length and width), render it less suitable for those with limited space, less material to compost and stricter budgets. Mantis does advertise a one-year, risk-free trial of the ComposT-Twin for customers who order this compost bin directly from the manufacturer, however.
Static Compost Bins
Image via WikipediaCompost Bin Review
Evaluating reviews of compost bins
A compost bin, or composter, is any sort of container used to store organic waste while it breaks down into compost for the garden. Although composting can be done in a simple open pile, a compost bin helps keep organic kitchen and garden scraps neatly contained and away from pests. Some composters are no more than basic boxes, while others include special features that have the ability to more rapidly break down organic matter.
Related SearchesConsumerReports.org, normally the most authoritative source of information on any kind of product, has not reviewed compost bins since July 2004. This report is no longer available online, but the ratings of the four composters tested can be found on the magazine's Greener Choices blog. However, at least one of the models listed is no longer available. Nonetheless, the ratings of the other three models are useful, as are the general guidelines this article offers on how to choose a compost bin.
We found only one other side-by-side comparison of different compost bins: the Gaiam Compost-Off. Employees from Gaiam, a retailer of natural products for the home, asked their followers on Facebook and Twitter to nominate their picks for the best compost bins available. Then, over the course of six weeks, Gaiam employees tested the top composters under field conditions to see which performed better. However, this source compares only two models.
The bulk of our information on composters, therefore, comes from user reviews. In addition to Amazon.com and Epinions.com, we checked reviews of composters from several retailers that deal in garden products, including Gaiam, Gardener's Supply Company and CleanAirGardening.com. We also found a few single-product evaluations for specific models, along with a variety of buyer's guides that evaluate compost bins by design, if not by brand and model. The most helpful of these is a field test conducted by the staff of Mother Earth News magazine that compares seven compost tumblers against open compost piles. Although this article is several years old and does not provide any ranking of the compost bins tested, it offers useful descriptions of different types of compost tumblers and a few advantages and disadvantages of specific brands. In addition, The Wall Street Journal offers a short article testing four kitchen countertop models: two actual composters and two pails for collecting food scraps.
For some compost bins, we found disagreements among reviewers. For instance, one major testing organization criticizes the Tumbleweed Compost Tumbler (*Est. $180) for inconvenience and poor composting. Yet testers from the National Home Gardening Club give the Tumbleweed compost bin high marks, including a perfect score for performance. Conversely, the Garden Gourmet (*Est. $75), which the same testing organization, gave good-to-excellent marks, receives only average reviews from users.
(*Est. $180) for inconvenience and poor composting. Yet testers from the National Home Gardening Club give the Tumbleweed compost bin high marks, including a perfect score for performance. Conversely, the Garden Gourmet (*Est. $75), which the same testing organization, gave good-to-excellent marks, receives only average reviews from users.It's also important to note that one product that earned several favorable reviews, the Smith & Hawken Biostack, is no longer available. Smith & Hawken, a subsidiary of Scotts Co., went out of business in 2009. The Smith & Hawken brand was acquired by Target, but so far, the new parent company has not made the Biostack available for sale.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Fwd: Network World Whitepapers Download: June 01, 2011
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