Martine Brisson – Page 34 – BrandSource Canada Blog

March 23, 2018

How to Keep Your Samsung Stainless Steel Appliances Clean

Stainless Steel appliances are the trendiest style of kitchen appliances for a reason – they look good and hold up well for basically an eternity. The biggest problems that can occur are when fingerprints and water marks start showing up on the surface. While this isn’t a big deal on most appliances, it will start to make your refrigerator look a little grimy if not wiped away often. It doesn’t take much to clean stainless steel, so give all your Samsung appliances some love with a little sprucing up!

Daily Maintenance is Key

How many times do you open your fridge a day? Do you put your head against the oven door when peering inside when baking? Does your microwave have food drops on the interior and exterior? Needless to say, your appliances get a lot of use. If you aren’t opening them, you’re touching their buttons or spilling food on them.

The best and easiest way to keep a stainless steel appliance clean is by simply cleaning it every day. Grab a microfiber cloth and just add soap and water. Then dry it off. Your stainless steel dishwasher or other Samsung appliances are instantly spotless.

Go with the Grain

Knowing that all you need is a microfiber cloth, soap, and water to make the perfect cleaner is not enough – the way you clean your appliance will make all the difference.

Stainless steel is like wood in the way that it has a grain to it. Look closely and you will see some lines which you will want to clean in the direction of. If you don’t, dirt is more likely to stay in the small crevices and build up over time. Take a second to figure out which way the grain goes and clean it in that direction so your Samsung refrigerator or other stainless steel appliance continues to shine for a long time.

It doesn’t take much to keep stainless steel looking pristine, which is why they are the preferred style for appliances. Upgrade your kitchen today with Samsung stainless steel appliances.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

March 23, 2018

How Whirlpool Laundry Pedestals Benefit You

When you didn’t think that washers and dryers could improve at all, the Whirlpool laundry pedestal proves you wrong. In one step, your laundry pair could be inches taller, provide you with extra storage space, and keep your laundry room decluttered. Learn more about why a Whirlpool Laundry Pedestal is beneficial for your household.

Lift Your Laundry Pair Up

Giving your washer and dryer a 12-16 inch boost can make a huge difference when doing laundry – especially if you have any back pain at all. Instead of bending over far to take your clothes out of your front load washer, a laundry pedestal will prevent aches and strains on your back. The height tends to be more comfortable than the regular washer and dryer height, making the laundry process much more enjoyable. Wash and dry your clothes without ever being in pain again!

Extra Storage Drawer

Not only does a Whirlpool Laundry Pedestal raise your laundry appliances, it adds a storage drawer to your laundry room. It’s easy to run out of space in your laundry room, but adding a laundry pedestal will fix that issue. You can place laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, and other laundry products inside or you could use it for something completely different.

Put your socks and other garments in there when you’re missing a matching piece, that way you’ll always know where to find it. You could even put cleaning products in there for when you want to clean up your washer and dryer. Whatever reason you decide to use your laundry pedestal for, make sure it is one that makes your life more convenient.

Having a laundry pedestal was made to make your life better. From simply giving you less back pain, to making your laundry process more organized, a Whirlpool Laundry Pedestal will make doing laundry more bearable. Talk to a sales associate at your local BrandSource store about the Whirlpool Laundry Pedestals. But beware! Don’t just get any laundry pedestal! You’ll want to make sure whichever one you choose is compatible with the model of your current washer or dryer.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

March 23, 2018

Bring Minimalism to Your Kitchen with Maytag Appliances

The art and philosophy of minimalism is simple – life with less is better. Being a minimalist doesn’t mean you can’t own material possessions, but only having what you truly need and use is key. Stop for a moment to observe your kitchen. Take a look at the details: do you have countertop appliances everywhere? Are your major kitchen appliances being used often? Try bringing minimalism into your kitchen so that there is more organization, less clutter, and more purpose to your items.

Do you need all the appliances in your kitchen?

We’ve grown up believing that in order to have a perfect kitchen you must have all the appliances required: a range, microwave, refrigerator, and so on.

The laws of minimalism tell us to only keep what we need so the question is: do you need every appliance you have? Do you only use a microwave to make popcorn? Do you have both a toaster and a toaster oven? Really think about their purpose and whether you can easily use one appliance to do the work for you instead of multiple with the same purpose.

Your countertops look cluttered

You have a stand mixer, blender, coffee maker, a juicer and so much more just sitting on your countertop. How do you even have room to prepare a meal? Our suggestion is to find a place in your cupboards to hide them away until you use them. You’ll appreciate how clean the extra space looks and actually have space to get crafty with your food.

Organization is key

Putting things in the right place will make all the difference when trying to minimalize your kitchen. Spices, dishes, pots and pans, cups, and more should be placed in a way where you can see them and not thrown in disarray. Sometimes getting rid of a few of those coffee mugs you like to collect can help too.

Not everyone needs to live a minimalist life, but it can help you feel more motivated to have fun in your kitchen. When there is mess throughout your path, it can be overwhelming, and that’s why minimalism was made to clear it out so you can move forward without any obstacles to run into. Stop into your local BrandSource appliance store to find quality Maytag appliances that will start you on your minimalist journey.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

March 22, 2018

3 Easy Ways to Update Your Kitchen With Samsung Appliances

A change is needed every once in a while to make something feel exciting again. When you walk into your kitchen, if you don’t feel happy with the way it looks, you may not want to stick around to cook anything! Upgrade your eatery with a splash of colour to the walls, high-tech appliances, or even something as simple as replacing the knobs of your cabinets! Keep things fresh in the kitchen with the following ideas.

Add Some Colour

Whether it’s your walls, your appliances, or even your cabinets, sometimes adding a splash of colour can change the entire vibe of your kitchen. Plain white walls can instantly be brightened up with a welcoming blue or lively yellow colour. Sometimes even adding a black stainless steel refrigerator to the mix could be a bold statement. A colour switch can be an effortless way to changeup your layout without having to pay too much.

Innovative Appliances

Having appliances that make your work easier is always a plus. That’s why Samsung is consistently finding new ways to improve their products and make more innovative appliances all the time. Take the Samsung induction and electric cooktops with touch controls, for example. These high-tech appliances are made for precision so that your food is always created with professional quality. Not only that, but their design will give any kitchen a contemporary feel.

Open Shelving

One way to completely change the look of your kitchen is with open shelving. Instead of having your dishes behind closed doors, make everything able to be seen. This is a very inviting design tactic.

There are obviously many ways to upgrade and redesign your kitchen so that it looks updated. From bold colours to new appliances, the changes are endless.

Don’t know where to start? Check out Samsung kitchen appliances at your local BrandSource appliance store to help with the process! Speak to a sales associate there to get more ideas for your project. No matter what you decide to do, make your kitchen a place where you like to be, and it will always feel fresh.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

March 22, 2018

Bed in a Box: Mattress of the Future

Sleeping surfaces have come a long way since gathering some prickly straw or branches under layer of softer leaves or animal skin in the Neolithic era. Beds were intended to be raised off the ground away from insects, dirt and the coldness of the soil. In Ancient Rome, bags of cloth were stuffed with straw, reeds, wool, or feathers for the wealthy.

A Bit of History

It wasn’t until the early 19th century when coils were introduced for bedding and so the structured model we know of today was born. In 1865, Harrods sold a water bed resembling large water bottles via mail order. What a concept! The 1940s raised the curtain on the futon to make its debut, and the 1960s saw the waterbed make exciting strides in the industry. The 1980s saw the inflatable mattress rise to the top while 1999 was a banner year for the new format of the queen-sized bed!

Invention of the innerspring mattress

Source: Leggett & Platt

The 21st century has continued to reveal the speed in which progress has been made in the sleep industry where comfort, choice and science are priority. Technology has stepped into the bedroom where on-demand comfort level requests are instantly achieved with the click of a button. Smart phones tell us how well we sleep or remind us we need to do better. What can possibly beat all this?

Convenience can now be added to that list of priorities. Young professionals to seniors want to spend more time on pleasurable activities so if there is a mundane task like buying a new mattress that can be minimized to just a few clicks on a computer, they’re on it.

And Then Came the Bed-In-A-Box

The bed-in-a-box is the newest trend in mattress purchasing. As the word entails, it comes rolled up in a box the size of a small apartment-sized fridge: it all depends on the size of bed you purchase. They are available in most standard sizes like twin to king so your current sheets and comforters don’t need to be changed. They are available in most foam and gel materials, and fabrics that meet your specific preferences.

Just because your mattress can now come in a box, quality and comfort have not been compromised. With daily advancements in foam technologies, only the best material is used to withstand the rolling up of your mattress and give you the comfort you expect! How cool is that? Oh, and speaking of cool, for those who need, there is a cool gel technology available too for those who prefer it cooler than toasty. Win! Win!

Quick and easy purchases with a speedy delivery and return policy that would be the envy of many stores are at your fingertips. Great warranties are attached to your purchase, and carry a 90 to 100-night trial guarantee. If it’s not meeting your specific expectations, pack it up and bring it back!

If you have a spare room that can be transformed into a guest room, or your youngest child is ready for a grown-up bed, consider bed-in-a-box for easy shopping, delivery and set up!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

March 22, 2018

What It’s Like to Take a Sleep Study?

Polysomnography is a sleep study conducted overnight in a sleep lab which measures brain activity, eye movements, blood pressure, heart rate, body movements and much more while you sleep. The results would determine if you suffer from a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep-related issues which can be detrimental to your health.

If you suffer from snoring, gasping for air while you sleep, or extreme daytime sleepiness then, you are the perfect candidate to participate in a sleep study. Sleep disorders not only affect your quality of sleep at night but your awake hours as well.

One of the most disruptive daytime symptoms I recall my partner suffering from was his excessive sleepiness. It would happen at the worst times like driving, at work, at dinnertime with the family, and other events. He would miss out on so much in his life because he had the constant need to sleep. Irritability became his normal which affected the whole family, and as such he resisted for a long time to see a specialist. Only when his medical practitioner pointed out to him that his blood pressure was on a steady rise, his cholesterol levels were also elevated, and he looked 20 years older than he should have, did he decide to take control of his health.

There was a choice of 3 different sleep study tests that were offered to him, namely:

1) Polysomnogram, which as mentioned earlier, tests you while you sleep,

2) Maintenance Wakefulness Test (MWT), which measures how alert you are during the day, and

3) Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), also conducted during the day which measures how sleepy you get during the day while being tested, and can also measure if the equipment used to help your disorder is yielding results.

He chose the Polysomnogram and made the arrangements at the Sleep Clinic in a nearby hospital. He prepared as though he were going on an overnight trip, and once he arrived, they settled him into a small room that looked like your average bedroom. To get an accurate reading, no preparations are to be done beforehand as the technicians need to measure all the usual steps you take to get ready for bed. He was eventually hooked up to a variety of wires and electrodes all over his body and face, including a microphone to measure the sound of his snoring. Another technician began her work behind the glass wall.

As he slept, the technician watched all the readings including blood pressure, body movements, heart rate and recorded irregularities. By the morning, he woke up, signed some papers, and came home. Several days later, his medical practitioner advised him that he indeed was suffering from sleep apnea and recommended he uses a CPAP machine which delivers a stream of compressed air via a mask, every night.

Although it took some getting used to, just knowing what was affecting him and seeing a measurable improvement in his health, was well worth the trouble. Now that he has more energy during the day, he has made some lifestyle changes including, weight management with a healthier diet, and more exercise. Other recommendations for improving his sleep quality now include an adjustable bed which reduces the amount of time he needs the CPAP. The MLST is showing that he is getting sufficient sleep and his awake hours are better than ever!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

March 16, 2018

Your Convection Oven Cooking Questions Answered

You may have heard of convection ovens, but do you know what they do? This appliance has been around for years and for a good reason. It’s an oven that circulates heated air with a fan. So instead of food just being in a hot oven, a convection oven will blow hot air onto the food allowing it to cook quicker and more evenly. This is beneficial for your food and for your wallet since the fan saves on energy.

Have more questions or concerns about convection ovens? Here are a few frequent questions on convection ovens that I took the time to answer for you.

1. Does it matter what pans I use?

No, it doesn’t matter what pans you use, but some do work better than others. For the best performance, use pans with shorter sides so as to not block airflow to the food.

2. How much faster does food cook in a convection oven?

A convection oven has been known to cook food between 20 and 30 percent faster than a regular, conventional oven. That saves a little bit of time in the kitchen!

3. What is carry-over cooking?

This term refers to when you take your food out of the oven, but it still continues to cook. The larger the meal taken out of the convection oven, the longer it needs to sit before being cut into. We suggest waiting about 10 minutes cutting into a piece of meat, just to give you an idea.

4. Can I cook a couple of things at a time?

Absolutely! Instead of having to switch out different dishes, or place them on specific racks, the convection oven will evenly cook everything no matter where it is located. The hot air flows throughout and consistently cooks it all.

Kitchen appliances are investments, but when they are well priced as a Whirlpool Convection Oven, they’re worth it. Want to learn more about these Whirlpool appliances? Visit your local BrandSource appliance store for more information! Our qualified appliance experts will be happy to show you and explain all the benefits of using a convection oven.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

March 16, 2018

3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Kitchen Clean

Spring is a great time to deep clean the kitchen (and the rest of the house!), but it’s also a great time to kick-start some fresh habits. From cleaning counters to keeping shelves dust free, I’ve rounded up three of my best tips for keeping your kitchen clean.

1) A Little Each Day Goes a Long Way….

Rather than doing a big infrequent and begrudging clean, why not do a little each day to help keep the kitchen clean and clutter free. A kitchen schedule of daily, weekly, and monthly (even yearly) cleaning and maintenance is really helpful, and once you get in the habit, your clean kitchen and fully functioning appliances will be your pleasure rather than another dreaded task on your To-Do list.

You can download a handy daily, weekly, and monthly kitchen cleaning checklist here.

2) Know Your Appliances’ Needs

Just like a healthy marriage, knowing what your appliances need to stay in tip-top shape helps make sure your kitchen is working properly. A clean dishwasher is a well-functioning dishwasher, helping you keep up with kids and life. A clean coffee maker helps ensure you don’t come down to the kitchen after your shower to discover grinds and water all over the counter (speaking from experience!).

Here are a couple of blog articles that will help you maintain and take care of your kitchen appliances.

3) Invest in the Best

When it comes to a clean kitchen, the best ones are those that function best for your individual lifestyle. If it’s time to re-invest in your kitchen you can look at new and improved appliance finishes that magically seem to repel fingerprints (it’s not a dream, I promise), or an oven with the most advanced self-cleaning technology.

Read our previous blog articles if you are thinking of upgrading your kitchen appliances.

Don’t know how to clean or maintain your appliance or what new upgrades will work best for your home? Your local BrandSource store can help. Come and visit us!

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

March 16, 2018

How Does Your Sleep Awareness Size Up?

If we sleep an average of 8 hours a day, we are then sleeping about one-third of our life. So, if we were to live to 75 years of age, we would be sleeping for a total of 25 years. That said, how much do we really know about sleep? I did some investigating and discovered 9 interesting facts about sleep and how they can bring awareness to your current experience and improve the quality of your sleep.

Did you know?

1) There is a term called “sleep hygiene” which is a set of practices that we should all do to ensure a good night’s sleep. These include avoiding caffeine and other stimulants close to our bedtime, as well as rich and fatty foods as late-night snacks.

Winding down our day an hour before bedtime with a warm bath, restorative yoga or light reading helps us transition from a busy day and evening to sleep time.

2) After a good night’s sleep, we retain and process information much easier. Our memory is sharper and tasks can be completed quickly and efficiently.

3) There is no such thing as catching up on lost sleep. The only thing that we can do when we have not been sleeping sufficiently is to have several consecutive nights of restorative sleep so that our mind and body can rebalance.

4) Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in our body that signals sleep time. Using devices with light-emitting screens up to bedtime disrupts the production of melatonin, and will affect the quality of our sleep. Shutting down all devices and using low lights in our bedroom will help regulate this hormone and bring on sleep much quicker.

5) Parents are known to lose anywhere between 400 and 700 hours of sleep in their baby’s first year. New parents are better served to take time to sleep while their baby sleeps, or at least, have helped so that they have some restorative time.

A post shared by Today’s Parent (@todaysparent) on Feb 8, 2018 at 7:03pm PST

6) Insomnia can cause impairment similar to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep!

7) Poor sleep habits can interfere with our health and have an impact on weight, blood pressure, blood glucose levels as well as proper recovery after injury or stressful times.

8) Research has found a link between body temperature and the brain’s sleep cycle. When keeping our bedrooms at a low 20 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit) while we sleep, helps us get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.

9) If you snore, you could be suffering from sleep apnea which is a sleep disorder where you stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. When the muscles in the back of the throat are very lax, they can drop into the breathing tube and inhibit proper breathing which causes you to constantly wake up.

If you wake up feeling more tired than when you went to bed after 8 hours of sleep, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Long-term effects of ignored symptoms can cause multiple health issues. Seeking medical advice to establish a treatment plan would be essential.

I have suffered from insomnia occasionally but now I have learned that it is all in my control when I review my sleep habits and my sleep hygiene practices. Insomnia and other sleep disorders affect not only me or you but all those in our lives, our work-life and our play time.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

March 14, 2018

Why Whirlpool French Door Refrigerators Are So Popular

French door refrigerators seem to be taking the world by storm these days and it’s not just because they are sleek looking appliances, their design makes them efficient and intelligent choices. While Whirlpool now has French door fridges in fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel, the beauty of their fridges all happens on the inside. Here is why French door refrigerators are the most popular on the market today:

1. They Are Roomy

These kitchen appliances may be the same size as your last side-by-side refrigerator, but the difference is the design on the inside. We are talking full-width shelves that give you a large span of room to place 3 extra large pizza boxes in there if needed. It can easily fit serving trays, platters, and oversized items which makes it especially perfect for events.

2. They Save Energy

These Whirlpool appliances were designed to be energy efficient by saving cold air from escaping so quickly. By opening just one door and leaving the other closed, less cold air has the ability to seep out. Because of this, your French door fridge will use less energy cooling itself down to stay at the specific temperature it’s meant to maintain.

3. They Give You More Space

Some refrigerators have longer doors, but the French door fridges are not one of them. There’s almost nothing more annoying than being unable to open your refrigerator fully without bumping into a counter or just there being a lack of mobility in the kitchen. Due to the narrow doors attached to a French door refrigerator, this style is ideal for smaller homes or those working with a tight floor plan.

4. They Look Like a Million Bucks

You won’t find a Whirlpool French door refrigerator that looks anything less than stunning. They are meant to be bold in their design and ultimately appealing for all your guests. If you like to set up parties, this style of refrigerators is contemporary and gives off a professional vibe that won’t go unnoticed.

Whirlpool French door refrigerators are made to be both practical and sophisticated machines, making them a worthy trend. Check out more Whirlpool appliances at your local refrigerator store and find new ways to upgrade your kitchen!

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

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