2020 Vision: Spotting this Year’s Hottest Kitchen Appliance Trends

2020 Vision Spotting this Year’s Hottest Kitchen Appliance Trends

When it comes to planning a new kitchen, the late winter/early spring season is one of the most popular times of the year. And why not? Coming right on the heels of the KBIS, one of the world’s hottest design expos, it’s the perfect time to plan. Getting the chance to integrate some of the most cutting-edge kitchen appliance innovations will definitely make your design stand out from the crowd.

And with 2020’s hottest appliance trends, the look for your new kitchen will be crystal clear.

1. Better Food Storage

Refrigerators keep your food fresher longer. And with the newest storage innovations, they’ve never done a better job. Specialized drawers are better at managing humidity and removing harmful ethylene gas, you’ll even be able to set third and even fourth distinct temperature zones to create the perfect storage environment for all kinds of food. Door-in-door design allows you to easily grab your go-to foods and drinks without losing all the cold air inside the fridge, so you’ll save food and money.

Bosch 800 Series Refreshment Center Refrigerator
Bosch Refreshment Centre

Brand new for 2020, Bosch has also introduced the Refreshment Centre Refrigerator, featuring an elegant glass paneled drawer dedicated to wine storage. This cutting-edge innovation gives you the temperature and humidity control you’d expect from a dedicated wine cooler, conveniently located in your refrigerator.

2. Air Frying Innovation

Everyone loves the taste of fried food, but it’s so unhealthy… isn’t it? Move over greasy trans fats because there’s a new fry guy in town. Air Frying is an innovative approach to convection cooking. The feature uses the convection heat in your oven cavity to spike the temperature at the start of the cooking cycle. This blast of moving hot air crisps the outside of your food to a perfect golden brown before decreasing the temperature to cook the interior of your food at a lower heat. The inside is juicy, the outside is crispy. It’s perfectly done healthy fried food.

3. Voice-Activated Technology

Connectivity and innovation continue to go hand-in-hand as voice-activated technology brings hands-off design into the kitchen. Brands like GE offer improved integration through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With simple commands, you can turn on and off your appliances, check their status, and run some safe hands-off programs.

4. Dryer Dishes

One of the most common complaints about dishwashers is that they don’t do a very good job at drying the dishes, especially as the machines get more energy efficient. Well, Bosch listened, and they’ve brought their A game with their latest innovation in drying technology. Zeolite crystals, first introduced in Bosch’s luxury Thermador line, absorb moisture and radiate heat to speed up and improve the drying process. Because the chemical properties of the Zeolite crystal is all natural, the technology uses less energy as well. Look for them in all of Bosch’s newest 800 Series and Benchmark dishwashers.


To learn more about Zeolite, read this: Zeolite is a Magic Mineral That Dries Dishes – Here’s How

5. Steam Ovens

Steam ovens have been on the market for a while; they continue to gain in popularity and are making a push in 2020. By retaining more nutrients as it cooks, steam remains the go-to method for anyone looking to make healthier menu choices. But that doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing taste! Steam ovens, whether plumbed or tanked, offer perfectly steamed vegetables, juicy cuts of meats that fall off the bone, and moist flaky fish to satisfy any palate.

Bosch Steam Oven

6. Connectivity

Connectivity is here to stay, and it’s back again in a big, big way. LG continues to be a market leader in connected appliances, and their 2020 ThinQ line up promises a whole new take on innovative living.

People can continue to monitor and diagnose their appliances, including turning them on and off remotely, adjusting temperatures and monitor usage all with a touch on a screen. LG will also make a push into the gourmet cooking platform with integrated cooking support that offers cooking tutorials, a recipe library that preloads settings onto your range, and more complementary functionality to improve meal prep and clean up.

LG-ThinQ for Kitchen Appliances

Those are just some of the hottest kitchen appliance trends in the upcoming year! For more information about kitchen appliances, and how to choose the perfect appliances for your home, visit us in-store or online to shop for all your appliance needs.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

5 Places to Set Up a Home Office in Your Living Space

5 Places to Set Up a Home Office in Your Living Space

You don’t need a full room to have a stylish and productive workspace. Here are 5 ways you can incorporate a small home office in your living or dining area.

1) Behind the Couch

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a home with a spacious, open floor plan, you can create an office space just about anywhere. If you have a seating area pushed off to one side of the room, placing a work desk behind your sofa is an excellent use of your space.

Add a comfortable desk chair and table lamp and you’ll have a personal workstation that’s tucked into your living area without looking cramped or feeling out of place. Besides, if you get sleepy while you’re hard at work, you can simply utilize the nearby couch for a quick power nap.

Shop Signature Design Home Office Desks

2) Open Office Space

If you have a large living area and don’t need to worry about taking up space, carve out a specific area for a home office and let it be the focal point. It can be placed in front of a main wall or credenza, and this is a stylish and modern way to create a formal office space even if you don’t have the extra bedroom to convert into an office.

A large area rug is a nice touch to welcome a homely environment into your office space and delineate the workspace from the rest of your home.

3) Set Up a Mini Work Desk
Mini Work Desk by Signature Design

Much like taking your computer to Starbucks to work on your next blog article, a small area that’s dedicated to honest work is all you need.

If you’re pressed for space in your home, consider a mini work desk instead of a full-sized desk. It’s a great way to fill unused wall space without cluttering up the rest of your decor.

Tuck a small table in an unused corner where you can set up your laptop or get some quality reading done. It’s a great option for busy living spaces that have lots of people motioning in and out. The adults can get some work done while the children work close by or switch it up and make your desk a designated homework zone.

4) Line Up a Workstation

Setting up multiple desks along an open wall is a great way to establish a set workstation that can be used by the entire family. If you’re a family with kids, you’re already stuck helping with homework each night, so this is a useful way to utilize your space and give each person a specific homework area that won’t take up too much space in your home.

To keep up with the design aesthetic in your living space, consider a set of matching chairs and desks to make your home office feel like home. A more modern look and feel is much better than sitting at your desk at school!

Shop Signature Design Home Office Desks
Shop Signature Design Home Office Chairs

5) Optimize Shelving

Rather than rows of bookshelves stacked as high as the ceiling, opt for wall-mounted shelving to maintain storage while saving on floor space.

If you’re tight on space, there’s no need to turn your room into a full-blown office. A compact wall shelving unit can provide you just enough room to create a laptop workstation to get all your work done. If your workspace is smaller, it won’t feel as strict as going into the office downtown. That and your boss won’t show up at your house!

Pull up a chair and fill the shelves with plenty of books, files, and office supplies to create an organized workspace that is both stylish and functional.

If you’re looking for new furniture to use in your home office, visit our store today or shop our wide selection of Signature Design office furniture online. We have everything you need to create an efficient and stylish home workstation.

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

5 Spring Cleaning Tips to Help with a Better Night’s Sleep

5 Spring Cleaning Tips to Help with a Better Night's Sleep

Spring cleaning may often call to mind extensive overhauls of your kitchen, closet, and living room, but you don’t want to leave out the room where you should be spending many a peaceful hour every night: your bedroom.

There are plenty of easy cleaning tips you can get started on right away if you want to clean your bedroom and help get some better sleep out of the deal, too. So, let’s get those spring-cleaning PJs on and tackle our bedrooms, one stuffed animal and stray sock at a time.

1. Tech-less Troubles

There’s one easy place to start your bedroom spring cleaning this year: Wherever it is you keep your cell phone. Step one: Remove your cell phone from your bedroom. Step two … well, that’s it. Clearing your bedroom and making it an electronic-free space is a quick and easy way to improve the quality of the sleep you receive. If you rely on it for an alarm, go out and get a cheap old fashion clock. Trust us.

If your nightstand is starting to pile up with other electronics – such as your laptop, video game consoles, or iPads – these also should be removed from the bedroom. It’s all for the benefit of your sleep, and you’ll be surprised how much more relaxed your bedroom feels right away. Just remember: When it comes to sleep, electronics-free is the way to be! You can easily organize your stuff in another room – perhaps by getting a docking station where you can neatly place everything to charge overnight.

2. Fresher, Cleaner, Lighter

With spring comes warmer weather, which means you probably don’t need all of those blankets that you’ve been slowly piling up on your bed as each winter night grew longer and colder. Banish them away into storage! Be gone with them! Off with their metaphorical heads!

Before you pull out your spring sheets and bedding, however, give them a good wash to clean anything that may have built up during storage. A poll run by the National Sleep Foundation found that people sleep better with fresher smelling sheets. So, kill two birds with the proverbial stone and clean those sheets and improve your sleep at the same time.

3. An Eye for Some Shut-Eye

Take a second. Hop in bed and look around. Are you happy with everything you see around you? The pictures on the wall? Are you happy in your bedroom?

If not, spring cleaning is a perfect time to fix this! Everything your eye can see in your bedroom is going to have an impact on how you feel and could have harmful impacts on your sleep. If you can see it and you don’t like it, replace it with something you do! Cleaning doesn’t just mean getting rid of things, it can also mean adding in new things you like better.

Beautyrest mattress

4. Voracious Vacuuming

You may have thought you were going to make it through this list without having to pull out the staple of spring cleaning that is the vacuum, but sad to say, that’s not going to be the case. Vacuuming your mattress is a good practice to get into to keep it clear from dust and other dander. Use the brush attachment and then proceed to vacuum as normal. Mattress protectors are also a good idea to help keep your mattress in shape!

5. Plump Those Pillows

Pillows wear down much faster than mattresses do, and if your pillows are starting to look more flat than round, it’s probably time to replace them. Even if you don’t notice it, bad pillows can be having a detrimental effect on your sleep. So, tossing out those old ones and bringing in some new ones is another great way to clean up your room and improve your sleep at the same time.

No matter how clean your bedroom gets, though, if your mattress isn’t in good shape your sleep is going to suffer. Stop in today, and we’ll be glad to show you our selection of affordable and amazing new Beautyrest mattresses – and you won’t have to worry about cleaning a new mattress until next spring!

Shop Beautyrest Mattresses Now!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

5 Mattress Myths Debunked

5 Mattress Myths Debunked

When it comes to mattresses, there are some pretty crazy myths flying around these days, and I’ve decided enough is enough. Too many people are losing sleep over mattress myths that might actually be making their night of sleep worse! If you’re in the market for a new mattress and you’re trying to sort out fact from fiction, we’re here to help.

Here are five common mattress myths and why they’re totally bogus.

Mattress Myth #1: Mattresses Need to Be Regularly Flipped to Keep Their Shape

Mattress Reality: This might have been the case a century ago, but mattress technology has come a long way since then. Modern mattresses are much better designed, and shouldn’t start to sag for many, many years, regardless of which side you sleep on. Most mattresses only have one usable side these days anyway, so flipping them over will only leave you in a world of hurt.

Rotating your mattress, however, is never a bad idea, especially if you share your bed with a partner. Turning your mattress from end to end can help it wear more evenly, and keep you both sleeping soundly for longer.

Mattress Myth #2: Memory Foam Mattresses Always Sleep Hot

Mattress Reality: While some people do report uncomfortable heat retention in their memory foam mattresses, this is a myth that’s gotten blown way out of proportion to the problem.

Only about 8 percent of memory foam sleepers say their mattresses hold in too much heat, compared to 5 percent in spring mattresses. Although, we suspect that extra 3 percent might have just mixed up the air conditioner with the heater again…

Many memory foam mattresses also include layers of cooling gel that keep temperatures down and comfort up. If you’re sleeping hot, most of the time the blame lies with some other element of your nightly routine, like your bedsheets, fan, or the weather.

Shop Sealy Mattress

Mattress Myth #3: Firmer Mattresses Are a Must-Have for Anyone with Back Problems

Mattress Reality: Everybody and every body are different. There’s no universal rule that can be applied to everyone’s needs, so it’s simply not true to say that firm mattresses are always the right choice to battle back issues.

Rather, people with chronic back pain should be extra careful to find a mattress that offers the right amount of support for their individual needs. A mattress that’s too firm can cause aches and pains at sensitive pressure points and can actually push your spine further out of alignment.

If you’re not sure how to find that goldilocks balance of not too soft and not too firm, talk to one of our sleep experts. We can help you get on track to a good night of rest and recovery in no time!

Sealy Mattress

Mattress Myth #4: You Can Sleep Just as Well on an Old Mattress as on a New One

Mattress Reality: Not so. The Better Sleep Council says it’s best to replace your mattress every seven to 10 years, but every year past that recommended time frame is going to give you worse nights of sleep than the one before.

Of course, some types of mattresses last longer than others (latex and memory foam tend to be more durable than coils), but ultimately, if you put off getting a new mattress too long, you won’t be doing your back or your bedtime routine any favours.

Mattress Myth #5: There’s No Need to Try Before You Buy

Mattress Truth: That’s a dangerous game you’re playing there, friend! Falling in love with a mattress and taking it home that very same day is one thing, but ordering a mattress without taking so much as a catnap on it can make for big problems.

No matter what the reviews say, it’s important to test out your mattress for yourself and see how it suits you. At our store, we’ve got tons of mattresses in stock for customers to peruse and snooze on, so visit us and be sure the mattress you bought is the mattress you want, every time.

Now that these myths are laid to rest, you can start your mattress-buying journey with open eyes and a clear mind! We know there are plenty of other myths floating around out there though, so if you have any questions, come ask our staff of sleep experts. We’re happy to help you get a better night’s rest, starting with a new Sealy Posturpedic mattress.

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

10 Simple Cooking Tips to Embrace in 2020

10 Simple Cooking Tips to Embrace in 2020

If you’re looking to step up your culinary game in 2020, we’ve got the dish on the most effective cooking hacks—easy to put in motion, even if you’re a beginner!

Tip #1: Always read (and re-read!) new recipes before you start cooking.

Before you say, “well, duh,” you’d be surprised how often home cooks skip reading over an entire recipe before making it for the first time. Since there’s often intermittent prep work in cooking and baking, it’s a good idea to have a mental blueprint prior to carrying out Step 1.

Tip #2: Store your spices in darkness when not in use.

Herbs, chilies, and spices lose their flavours more quickly when they are exposed to heat, as the flavourful oils can dry out under your bright kitchen lights. We’d also advise you to keep them away from the stove, especially away from overhead compartments that can be exposed to rising steam. Instead, store them in airtight containers or baggies in an out-of-the-way cabinet or your pantry to preserve the integrity of your spices. In this case, we have to fight the heat to keep the heat.

Tip #3: Slice out the core of the onion before you chop to prevent tears.

Much like carving a jack-o’-lantern, hollow out your onion by first slicing off the top root end. Then, using your knife, take out the inner bulb to chop rings or dice with ease! The inner bulb is the culprit behind watery eyes, as it contains a sulphur-based gas, which, when released into the air, makes contact with the moisture in our eyes, creating sulfuric acid. The more you know, right?

Storing fresh herbs like cilantro properly

Tip #4: Store fresh herbs in a container filled with water in your refrigerator.

For cilantro and parsley that won’t wilt after just a few days, try propping them up by their stem ends in a mason jar filled with water, and cover the leafy ends loosely with a plastic bag. When it comes to basil, make sure it is stored in a room-temperature environment, as coldness can cause damage to this particular herb. And voilà! You’ve got crisp fresh herbs for at least 2 weeks.

Tip #5: Wet your finger with water to retrieve fallen eggshell pieces.

Yup, it’s that simple! Instead of muttering under your breath as you’re fishing for a stray eggshell from your cake batter with a wooden spoon, just dab a wet (clean) finger in the bowl. The water from your fingertip will magnetize to the eggshell. And one and done!

Tip #6: Keep butter and eggs at room temperature for baking.

Bring cold eggs and butter to room temperature at least 30 minutes (but up to 1 hour) before baking. Just take them out of the fridge, and set them aside! Or, if you’re really pressed for time, place cold eggs in a bowl of warm water for 15 minutes, and microwave sections of butter for a few seconds at a time until they’re just malleable.

cooking tip - preserving brown sugar

Tip #7: Toss in an orange peel in brown sugar to prevent clumps.

To avoid chipping away at hardened brown sugar, just store your stock in a jar with an orange peel inside. The citrusy essence adds moisture and will soften the sugar and even sweeten it more, which we didn’t think was possible.

For other useful uses of orange peel, read this: 9 Unexpected Ways Orange Peels Are Way More Useful Than You Think.

Tip #8: Cook grains with tea-infused water for flavour.

Punch up the flavours of your quinoa, millet, brown rice or bulgur by cooking them in tea-infused water. The culinary expert behind this trick recommends smokey black teas, Earl Grey blends and chai flavours for robust taste.

Tip #9: Save a little pasta water to add to your homemade sauce.

After draining pasta, save the last half-cup of water if you’re making a sauce from scratch. The dissolved starch from the pasta water can thin out your sauce if it comes out too thick, and it can even out the consistency.

Cooking tip - apple wedge helps keep cookies moist

Tip #10: Store an apple wedge with your baked treats to keep them soft!

Cookies and other treats will absorb some of the apple’s moisture, keeping them soft and ready-to-eat for much longer.

For more cooking tips, stop by our store, and check out our impressive array of kitchen appliances. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned pro, we’ve got something for everybody!

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

7 Common Dishwasher Problems (and How to Fix Them)

7 Common Dishwasher Problems (and How to Fix Them)

Dirty, smelly, possibly covered in cheese. Is there anything more frustrating than opening the dishwasher only to find the dirty dishes are still there?! I mean, the main reason you buy a dishwasher is so you don’t have to deal with dirty dishes. C’mon dishwasher, you had one job.

A little maintenance goes a long way when it comes to appliances, but the truth is nothing lasts forever (sadly). That doesn’t mean it’s hopeless, though. With a handful of simple tricks, you can fix some of the most common dishwasher problems and bring that sparkle back into your dishwasher and back into your life.

1. My Dishes Are Still Dirty

This is at the top of a list for a reason. Dirty dishes are common and frustrating. Easy fixes first; check if your dishwasher has a manual filter and make sure that it’s clean and clear of debris. Then, as you load your dishwasher, make sure that the spray arms can rotate freely, spraying water throughout the drum. If they’re blocked or obstructed, you won’t be getting optimal cleaning performance. If the problem continues, check if your spray arms are clean and moving freely as grease and food particles can prevent them from spinning.

Also, stop pre-rinsing your dishes! Modern dishwashers use sensors to determine the soil level of the dishes. If you rinse them off too much, your dishwasher may select a shorter cycle than is necessary. Modern detergents also use enzymes that activate when they come in contact with food particles. If you remove the particles, your detergent will be less effective too.

2. My Dishes Aren’t Drying

The easiest fixes here are to add Rinse Aid to your dishwasher when you start the load to assist drying, and to make sure you don’t stack plastic against plastic or other hard to dry materials. It’s also a good idea to open the dishwasher door when the cycle is complete to release steam and prevent condensation from settling on your dishes (some higher-end machines even open automatically). If your dishwasher has a heating element, you may have to check if it is working properly. Check also the fan if your dishwasher has a stainless steel tub that uses blown radiant heat to dry.

3. My Dishwasher Smells Bad

If your dishwasher smells bad, make sure your filter and screens are cleaned of any grime and food residue. Check the spray arms and gasket on the door to make sure there’s no grease or food waste there as well. If you’ve done that, then it may just be time to sanitize the drum. Place a small bowl with vinegar in the upper basket of your empty dishwasher and run the sanitize cycle (or the hottest cycle you’ve got) to blast away bad odours.

Leaking Dishwasher

4. My Dishwasher Is Leaking

The number one cause of a leaky dishwasher is a worn gasket around the door. Thoroughly inspect the gasket and check carefully for any cracks or wear that would suggest an imperfect seal. If the gasket isn’t the problem, then double-check that your hoses haven’t disconnected somewhere along the line.

Unfortunately, the next few common problems may require a service call if the hints fail to solve the problem.

5. My Dishwasher Won’t Start

If your dishwasher won’t start there’s often an electrical problem, and if you’re lucky that means there’s a very easy fix. Ask yourself, have I tried turning it off and on? If not, then do that. If it’s still not working, try unplugging and re-plugging in the machine and double-check your breaker to make sure power is feeding the unit. If it’s a mechanical problem, then it may be that your door isn’t latching properly and a simple realignment will get things sorted out.

Professional fixing a broken dishwasher

6. My Dishwasher Won’t Fill

If possible, check your intake valves and make sure that the screen is clear and that there’s no blockage obstructing water flow. If that’s not it, then the float and/or float switch located at the bottom of the drum could be the problem. Make sure that the electrical connections are intact and that the mechanism hasn’t been damaged or blocked in any way.

7. My Dishwasher Won’t Drain

There could be a few culprits here. To start, check that the air gap connection to your dishwasher hose beneath your sink hasn’t become clogged with debris. While you’re under the sink, make sure that your drain lines are straight and not kinked, and examine the hose for any clogs. If that doesn’t clear up the problem then there may be an issue with your pump or sensor, in which case it’s time to call in the professionals.

Hopefully, some of these helpful tips have gotten your dishwasher back in tip-top shape, but if your DIY has died and service can’t save it, then head on over to our store where one of our appliance experts will show you all the best in dishwashers.

Shop our dishwashers online now!

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

6 Simple Tips to Keep Your KitchenAid Stovetop Clean

6 Simple Tips to Keep Your KitchenAid Stovetop Clean (2) (Large)

KitchenAid cooktops are the name of the game when it comes to high-quality cooking appliances. Gas and induction stovetops from KitchenAid come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs to suit all your cooking needs. But with all the cooking you’ll be doing on your KitchenAid range, how do you keep your device clean and free of food and oil buildup? Here are a few quick tips to keep your stovetop looking brand new.

Daily Maintenance

A messy stovetop can do more than ruin the look of your kitchen—it can also be dangerous. A buildup of food and grease on cooking grates can quickly become a fire hazard. Grime stuck in the burners or on the cooktop surface can also keep your food from heating evenly and ruin your meal. This kind of messy buildup can be easily prevented by giving your stovetop a quick wipe down after every use.

Prevent the Mess

Splatter shields and grease-guard screens are both great ways to put a stop to cooking messes before they get started. Grease guards look like flat strainers, and they can be placed over a pan to let steam out and keep hot oil in. Splatter shields can range from simple foil barriers around a burner to high-tech ventilation systems. KitchenAid offers its own built-in downdraft ventilator, which doubles as a splatter shield and helps capture heat, smoke, steam, and grease. After a messy cooking session, all you have to do is remove the grease filters and run them through the dishwasher.

Act Fast

Oil and grease stains are easiest to clean if they’re still wet. That means jumping into action as soon as you notice a spill. Wet oil spills can be cleaned up by simply dusting them with cornstarch, flour, or baking soda. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe it right up with a paper towel. If the spill has already hardened, pour on some dish soap and let it soak for a few minutes before going to work with a sponge. Try to avoid using anything too abrasive that might damage your cooktop, especially if you have an induction stove.

Start Simple

Most stovetop messes can be cleaned with simple soap and water. If you have a traditional gas range, start by removing the grates over the burners and soaking them in a solution of hot, soapy water. This should break down most of the grease and food particles and allow you to wipe the metal clean with a sponge or scrub brush.

Induction cooktops can typically be cleaned easily by wiping them down with a bit of dish soap or cooktop cleaner, hot water, and a sponge. Just make sure the stove has cooled before getting started. This should do the trick on most cooktops, but for tough stains, you might need to step up your game.

6 Simple Tips to Keep Your KitchenAid Stovetop Clean_2

Getting Tough on Stains

If your stovetop has too much baked-on gunk to clean with simple soap and water, there are a few more tried-and-true methods that should restore its natural shine. Vinegar is one of the most popular ways of cleaning up tough stains. Just spray down the burners and stovetop with some white vinegar and allow to sit for about 20 minutes before wiping off with a clean cloth. Baking soda can also be effective—just make a paste out of water and baking soda and spread it on any tough stains. Let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes, then scrub it all away with a sponge or brush.

Restoring Sparkle

When all the grime is removed from your stovetop, you’ll want to do a final polish to remove any soap streaks. Wipe down any stainless-steel surfaces with a bit of rubbing alcohol and cloth to leave your KitchenAid looking brand new. Be careful—alcohol is flammable, so make sure it’s all evaporated before using the stove.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

Why is Your Refrigerator Freezing Your Food?

Why is Your Refrigerator Freezing Your Food (Large)

When your fridge gets too cold, it’s not just an inconvenience. Iceberg lettuce with icicles, milk slushies, and carrots that are way too crispy, extreme temperatures and temperature swings can wreak havoc with your food increasing your spoilage and costing you money.

So what should you do if your refrigerator is over-cooling and ruining your meal plan?

Well, I’m glad you asked…

1) Check Your Fridge Temperature

The first thing you need to do is check the temperature of your fridge. Health Canada recommends that you set your refrigerator temperature below 4 degrees Celsius (40 Fahrenheit), while most manufacturers agree that the ideal temperature is anywhere between 3 – 5 degrees Celsius (37 – 41 degrees Fahrenheit). If your refrigerator does not display a numeric temperature, then it’s probably a good idea to invest in a small appliance thermometer so you can manually check and correct the cooling levels as necessary.

2) Review Where Your Store Your Food

This may come as a surprise, but some parts of your refrigerator are colder than others. As a general rule, when the middle shelf is at 5 degrees Celsius, the bottom shelf is closer to 2 degrees. Most refrigerators take advantage of the temperature range by creating storage areas for more sensitive foods in the colder areas i.e. produce drawers.

That said, if you’re placing food randomly in your fridge, then you may be setting yourself up for trouble. Try to store your produce in the best storage areas for them; meat and fish should be stored on the lower shelves, dairy and deli products in the middle, while precooked and ready to eat items can go up top.

Keep in mind, the rear of the fridge is closest to the cooling element, so it’ll be cooler towards the back of the shelves than the front. And just as a general rule don’t store sensitive items on the door. Refrigerator doors are subject to more temperature fluctuation than the interior, and food can spoil quickly in the wrong circumstances.

Why is Your Refrigerator Freezing Your Food (2)

3) Make Sure Your Refrigerator Is Filled Up

Your fridge is designed to operate best under ideal conditions. That means keeping it well stocked so that air flows properly within the refrigerator cavity. Understocked and you’ll waste energy maintaining temperatures and risk more extreme temperature swings when you add product. Overstocked and you can block airflow, creating warm and cold pockets that can damage your food. Keep it organize and relatively full and you’ll be good.

4) Ask for Help

If you can’t keep your refrigerator from freezing your food no matter what you do then it’s probably not a usage problem, it’s a service problem. Contact a reputable appliance repair person to inspect your machine and ensure it is operating correctly. Sometimes a simple fix can solve the issue.

If the problem recurs, then it’s probably time to buy a new fridge. Browse our selection of refrigerators online or visit our store where one of our appliance experts will be happy to help you pick the best refrigerator for you.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

How to Remove Most Common Stains from Your Mattress

How to Remove Most Common Stains from Your Mattress

Let’s be totally honest here. When it comes to your mattress, accidents will happen. Stains are inevitable. Your mattress is exposed to all kinds of things — oil from your skin, hair products, drool, sweat, and more. Add allergens from mites and dust and things are even worse. No matter what the stain is from, it’s important to get it out as soon as possible. No one likes sleeping or lounging on a soiled mattress. Not removing the stain right away can cause bacteria to grow, leading to a bad smell. So, how to clean your mattress?

Most stains can be removed using a few everyday ingredients that you probably already have around the house. The following tips can help you take on any stain, whether your mattress is memory foam, latex, organic or pocket sprung.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

In the future, buying a mattress protector is a simple and effective way to prevent stains from occurring. Nowadays, you can not only buy mattress protectors that are waterproof but can also breathe, therefore allowing for a more comfortable and cooler sleep.

But if you haven’t used a mattress protector and you find yourself in front of a stained mattress situation, here are some tips that could help.

Stain Removal Basics

Removing the most common stains on your mattress doesn’t involve complicated rocket science. There are just a few basics to remember when lifting the stain:

  • Always dab to lift liquid. Avoid aggressive scrubbing.
  • Use a sponge or cloth. Paper towels tend to shred apart.
  • Never drench or soak the mattress. This will lead to bacteria growth and/or mould.
  • Cool-wash sheets and bed lines. Hot water sets in stains.
  • Vacuum to lift excess dirt. Use your vacuum’s upholstery tool to vacuum any loose debris from the mattress.
  • Air out your mattress. Sunshine and fresh air are two of the best ways to get rid of odours. So, if it’s sunny out, take your mattress outside and let it air dry in the sunshine for a couple of hours.

Removing Most Common Stains on Your Mattress

Here is an overview of how to remove just about any stain from your mattress.

Urine

If you’ve got kids, you’ve likely dealt with bedwetting accidents. Unfortunately, sometimes the stain doesn’t get noticed until the morning. As soon as you notice the stain, do the following:

  1. Immediately remove the entire bedding and begin pressing and blotting the mattress area to absorb the wetness.
  2. Next, take 8 ounces (227 ml) of hydrogen peroxide, a drop of liquid dish soap and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well and spray.
  3. Allow the cleaning solution to settle into the mattress for about 15 minutes. You should see a reaction from the cleaning solution working. Then, remove with a sponge, and allow it to dry.

If that doesn’t work, you can try a cleaning solution containing equal parts of white vinegar and water.

  1. Spray on the area and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Blot it with a cloth, and then sprinkle baking soda to sop up any odour.
  3. Use a vacuum to remove the powder.

Cat and Dog Pee

We all love our pets, but sometimes our feline and canine friends leave behind some unwanted urine.

  1. Take a rag to blot up the pet pee, and then make a solution of one to one vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution over the soiled area and blot up the area again.
  2. Next, sprinkle baking soda over the stain.
  3. In another spray bottle, add about a quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and mix in a drop or two of dishwashing liquid. Drizzle this mixture over the soiled area on top of the baking soda.
  4. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, and then, blot it again.
  5. When the mattress is dry, vacuum up the powdery mix.

How to remove cat pee from mattress

Sweat

Over time, sweat can cause mattresses to become discoloured. When your mattress is sweat-stained, it’ll turn yellowish. Moisture from your body can also leave your mattress smelling musty. So, here’s what to do if your mattress is stained with sweat:

  1. Spray the stain with equal parts of water, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid dish soap.
  2. Don’t saturate the mattress. Spray just enough to wet the stain.
  3. Let the mixture soak for about 20 minutes.
  4. Take a clean rag and blot the area dry.
  5. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain. Let the baking soda sit on the stain for 24 hours.
  6. After the baking soda has absorbed the moisture, vacuum the mattress.

Blood

Wondering how to remove menstrual stains from your bedsheets? The important thing is to work fast. Always use cold water when removing blood from a mattress. Do not use warm or hot water. Cold water will help to dissolve blood proteins.

  1. Prep the stain. Before you start, take a rag and soak as much liquid from the mattress as possible. Blotting is important. Don’t rub the stain, as it will work the blood deeper into the mattress.
  2. Next, fill a spray bottle with cold water. Don’t wet the mattress a lot. Just spritz it. Then, use a rag to blot at the stain.

Usually, cold water is enough to get out blood stains. However, if that doesn’t work, you can try the following:

  1. Mix ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon each of table salt and dish soap. When you combine these ingredients, it will form a paste-like mixture.
  2. Rub this mixture into the stain. Let it sit on the stain until dry.
  3. Once the area is dry, scrape up the paste and then vacuum the mattress.

Tip: If the stain doesn’t come out the first time with the peroxide mixture, you can apply it multiple times.

Vomit

This is another unfortunate accident but can be remedied quickly. First, strip sheets and blankets from the bed, and toss them into the wash.

  1. Next, make a cleaning solution containing equal parts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle.
  2. Spray the soiled area of the mattress, and blot with a clean towel.
  3. Repeat this step until the stain has been removed.
  4. Afterward, sprinkle some baking soda to absorb any lingering odours.
  5. An hour later, vacuum the powder away.

What If the Stain Won’t Come Out?

Some stubborn, old stains just won’t budge — no matter how hard you try to remove them. Pet stains can be especially hard to remove. It might be a good idea to hire professional cleaners to try to take the stains out. However, that sometimes doesn’t work either. Your mattress should be fresh and ultra-comfortable— especially since you probably spend an average of eight hours a night on it.

To find the best mattress that you’ve ever slept on, check out our selection online. We carry a large variety of mattresses for every budget from top brands.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

Best Paint Colours for Your Bedroom: What the Experts Say

Best Paint Colours for Your Bedroom What the Experts Say
Source: Tara Benet Interior Design

If your favourite colour is magenta, it may be great for a scarf but perhaps not as the wall colour of your bedroom. Choosing the best colour that promotes relaxation and sleep can make all the difference to your sleep experience.

Pink is said to be playful and sexy while blue carries a more calming vibe. Purple shades can be mysterious, rich and royal, but yellow is more joyful, loving and cheerful. Shades of brown evoke feelings of being grounded, positive and earthy. Green hues range from soothing and refreshing to promoting fertility and health. So, in order to pick a paint colour for the bedroom, you must first decide how you want to feel when you walk in there!

What Studies Show

Complementary medicine includes many holistic techniques, one being colour therapy. Studies show that introducing certain colours to children on the autistic spectrum, for example, can alleviate stress and anxiety. Conversely, red is a highly charged colour used to stimulate and anger the bull in a bull-fight and the colour of choice for dining rooms to inspire lively conversation. Blue-light is used by therapists when treating seasonal affectedness disorder while orange is used for people with depression. Clearly, colours have an impact on our senses. Some people react instantly to colours while others take a while for the effects, however subtle, to show.

According to a survey conducted by Travelodge in the UK, those participants that slept in a room painted blue had the best sleep quality with green and pale yellow a close second place. Primary colours like white and red apparently raised people’s blood pressure, so they should be avoided in the bedroom. The science collected during similar studies is great to consider but when do your colour preferences come into the decision-making?

Beige bedroom decor
Source: Regan Baker Design

How to Pick the Right Colour

These studies are great tools when you consider the research collected. Considering the data that red may be too strong a colour on your bedroom walls, you can still consider the paleness of the tint as well as the finish of matte over glossy, which tends to intensify any colour. If white is too stark and somewhat stimulating, choosing a colour such as ivory or bisque, or perhaps eggshell can make a difference.

If red is a colour that you really want to have in your bedroom, you can choose red accessories. If green is what you are looking for, don’t choose forest green, but something more subtle, warm and comforting. Paint shops have the technology today to create the perfect colour and finish to your specifications. They can blend a variety of colours until the perfect shade is achieved.

Bedroom wall colour is only one component of your sleep experience. A combination of your wall colour, bedding accessories, furniture, and lighting can create the ideal sleeping environment.

Following a consistent evening routine is also necessary to promote good quality sleep, including eating a light dinner, reducing screen time, taking warm baths, practising gentle yoga and meditation.

Dreaming in technicolour is possible when you fall asleep to the perfect 50 shades of your favourite colour!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert