5 Habits That Can Ruin Your Bedding

How to tell if you’re overfilling your dishwasher, what you need to know about phishing schemes, and more. October 25, 2021 [View Online]( TOGETHER WITH [LMNT]( Good morning! Many people put a good amount of time, effort, and money into finding the right bed sheets, but fail to put nearly as much care into keeping them in good condition. I suggest starting with Today’s Good Thing, which features 5 habits that can cause sheets to wear out prematurely, and thus should be avoided. Also in today’s newsletter, I have a new Stay Safe Out There segment for you that’s full of important information about phishing. As one of the most common forms of fraud, it’s crucial to sharpen your detective skills so you can sniff out bogus emails before you click on any harmful links. Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING 5 Habits That Can Ruin Your Bedding [Photos of dryer balls, sheets, laundry detergent, and a pillow protector.]( Many people don’t know that these 5 habits can cause premature wear on their bedding, or worse. 1. Letting Your Sheets Get Tangled Up In The Dryer. Not only is it annoying when your sheets turn into a tangled wet mess in your dryer, it also puts a lot of unnecessary stress on the fabric. Adding a few [dryer balls]( to your dryer along with your sheets can help create more air pockets and prevent twisting and tangling. 2. Overfilling Your Washer And Dryer. If your sheets feel poorly rinsed when they come out of your washer, or if they come out of the dryer still wet in places, you may be overfilling your machines. To protect your sheets, duvet cover, and other bedding items, wash and dry them in smaller loads rather than one big one. 3. Washing Sheets And Towels Together. The little time you save by washing your sheets and towels in the same load isn’t worth the wear and tear it puts on your sheets. The friction between fluffy towels and smooth sheets can wear right through the fabric of your sheets. The easiest way to avoid this is by washing your sheets alone. 4. Death By Detergent. Using too much detergent or too harsh a detergent can contribute to the untimely demise of your bedding. Make sure you’re using the recommended amount of detergent for your washer type, load size, and soil level. Using a gentle detergent—like any of [my homemade varieties]( help too. 5. Not Using Protectors. The best way to protect your mattress and pillows is also the easiest way: enclose them in protective covers. Mattress and pillow protectors prevent sweat, allergens, and even bed bugs from getting onto or into your bedding. (If you’re putting a protector on a used mattress, be sure to [clean it]( beforehand.) [2 More Habits That Can Ruin Bedding ➜]( Related • [The One Disgusting (But Satisfying) Laundry Hack You Need To Try]( • [This Is The Single Most Impressive Skill You Can Learn Today]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • From witch hat cookies to Frankenstein rice krispie treats, these 9 festive Halloween treats are so good it’s scary. [Read more ➜]( • Have oily or easily irritated skin? Try this simple homemade soap that features oil-absorbing and skin-soothing clay. [Read more ➜]( • You don’t need a massive budget to give your garage door a makeover—this DIY garage makeover cost me under $50. [Read more ➜]( CLEANING Is Your Dishwasher Too Full (Or Not Full Enough)? [A photo of a neatly loaded dishwasher.]( Find out why it’s a good idea to think like Goldilocks when loading your dishwasher. With regards to your dishwasher, the simplest way to conserve both water and energy is to only run it when it’s full. But it’s important to know that it’s possible to overfill your dishwasher too, which can prevent the sprayer arms from being able to clean your dishes as thoroughly as it ought to. So how do you find that sweet spot between filling your dishwasher too much and not filling it enough? For guidance, look no further than your dishwasher’s user manual. Most manufacturers provide a diagram or instructions for loading it, and it may be useful to compare your current loading technique against what they recommend. Another option is to just try out different things as you do your dishes. If you suspect you might be underfilling your dishwasher, let it get a bit more full before you run it next. And if your dishes aren’t coming out quite as clean as you’d like, don’t fill it quite as full before your next wash cycle. TOGETHER WITH LMNT The Surprising Boost Your Brain Needs Your brain, like other parts of your body, needs a balanced “diet” to function properly. Electrolytes, a handful of minerals that help to carry electrical charges, regulate fluids, and maintain other important bodily functions, are a crucial part of healthy brain function. Not all electrolytes are created equal though, and you might be surprised to learn sodium is one of the most important electrolytes when it comes to brain health! When sodium levels get too low, it can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, from headaches to fatigue, and, if things get really bad, even brain damage. But it’s easy to make sure your brain is getting the sodium it needs with [LMNT](. Featuring a blend of potassium, magnesium, and sodium, LMNT drink mixes contain just what your brain needs to stay in balance—without any of the stuff that can slow you down (like sugar, gluten, or artificial ingredients). And on top of all that, it tastes great too! Try it for yourself with a [free LMNT Sample Pack]( pay $5 for shipping. [Claim Your Free Sample Pack ➜]( [Claim Your Free Sample Pack ➜]( Supporting our sponsors makes it possible for me to continue sharing the tips and tricks that make your life easier! [Check out LMNT]( for electrolyte drink mixes with no sugar and no artificial ingredients—just healthy hydration. - Thank you! SHOPPING Avoid Getting Caught By Phishing [Photos of Jillee on her phone.]( Find out what phishing is and what it looks like so you can keep your information and your computer safe. According to the glossary maintained by the [NIST’s Computer Security Resource Center]( phishing is "a technique for attempting to acquire sensitive data ... through a fraudulent solicitation in email or on a web site, in which the perpetrator masquerades as a legitimate business or reputable person." What phishing usually looks like in practice is an email from a seemingly familiar source (like your bank, university, or a retailer) that tells you to visit a certain link to verify your email address or password. But when you click that link, you’re actually making both your personal information and computer vulnerable to scammers. Phishing is one of the most common forms of financial fraud, with over 100,000 Americans falling victim to these schemes in 2019 alone. But it’s very possible to avoid getting caught up in phishing schemes—all you need to do is maintain a healthy amount of skepticism, and most importantly, be careful about clicking links in emails. Even clicking a link in a shady email can make you vulnerable to identity theft. Senders may seem legitimate, but no reputable institution will ask for your password or other information online. If you feel suspicious about an email, don’t click anything—call the company or organization directly to ask if the email is legitimate. You should also keep in mind that phishing emails often contain minor errors that can help you identify them, like typos, grammatical errors, logos that look a bit off, or the sender's email address may look suspicious. JILLEE'S PICK The Joys Of A Good Citrus Juicer [A photo of the OXO Good Grips Small Citrus Juicer.]( It’s always nice when you can find joy in the little things in life, isn’t it? Because life isn’t all milestones, vacations, and life-changing events—in fact, most of our lives are those day-to-day experiences that rarely feel glamorous enough to memorialize on social media, or anywhere else for that matter. So I always try to be aware of the little things that bring me joy, because it’s a reminder that our day-to-day lives can be joyful too. So as silly as it might seem, I have to give a shoutout to my [OXO Good Grips Small Citrus Juicer]( because I really do get a small rush of joy every time I use it. The best thing about it is that the container that captures the juice is a measuring cup. Since I usually use it when I’m making a recipe and need a certain amount of lemon or lime juice, I can juice the exact amount I need and avoid dirtying both a juicer and a measuring cup. Like I said, it's the little things! [See the OXO Good Grips Small Citrus Juicer on Amazon ➜]( MONDAY MOTIVATION Motherhood, Mental Illness, And Mentorship [A photo of Jillee in 1991 with her husband Dave, their young son Erik, and their infant daughter Britta.]( This photo was taken in the late summer of 1991, on the day of Britta’s [baby blessing](. What stands out to me in this picture, apart from how handsome Dave looks and how serious little Erik looks, is how I look—tired and overwhelmed, but trying not to show it. In fact, “tired and overwhelmed, but trying not to show it” is a pretty apt description of how I felt from the time Erik was born until after Sten was born, a period spanning over 10 years. During that time, my undiagnosed depression was often coupled with the postpartum anxiety that returned with a vengeance every time I gave birth. The worst part about that time was that I didn’t know anything about mental illness. I didn’t know that mental illness ran in my family and that I was genetically predisposed to it, and I didn’t even know that postpartum anxiety existed, let alone that it has a [prevalence rate of 15-20%](. All I knew was that everything felt so difficult, and without knowing why, I could only assume that there was something fundamentally wrong with me. Even typing that out makes my heart ache, because I know that so many mothers continue to struggle with the same feelings and come to the same conclusion. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to support a mother. I’d like to encourage you to join me in making yourself a resource to the new mothers in your life. Motherhood is hard, but having someone who can tell you, “I’ve been there too and you’re not alone,” could make all the difference. A FEW MORE THINGS... Apple Updates: It’s release day for Apple’s macOS Monterey, the latest operating system for Mac computers and laptops. Monterey will include a redesign of Safari, FaceTime updates, and more—[find out more here](. Apple is also scheduled to release iOS 15.1, with additional new features for iPhones, sometime this week. Fuel Your Brain: Make sure your brain is getting the balance of electrolytes it needs to perform at its best. [Try a FREE sample pack]( of 8 LMNT drink mixes today just by covering the cost of shipping ($5 for US customers).* Around The World In 274 Days: Royal Caribbean International recently announced their [Ultimate World Cruise]( a “274-night adventure that visits all seven continents.” The cruise will depart from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, visit 150 destinations in 65 countries, and return to Miami on Sept. 10, 2024. All this for just $60,999 per person! (Can’t swing a 9-month vacation? Passengers can book any of the cruise’s four “expeditions” separately.) *Sponsored by LMNT. What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! My inbox is always open, so just hit "reply" and let me know what's on your mind. See you tomorrow! Sending you bright ideas and simple solutions to help you create a home and life you love. My mailing address is: One Good Thing by Jillee 841 S. Main St. Heber City, UT 84032 If you're not happy please reply to this email to tell me why, or you can [update your preferences]( or break my heart and unsubscribe [here](. View our privacy policy [here](.