FOR RELEASE THE WEEK OF JAN. 28, 2001:
I just bought a pair of stretch pants made of 88 percent cotton and 12 percent Lycra spandex. Why do I need to lay them flat to dry? What would happen if I just put them in the dryer on the "knits gentle" or "fluff air" settings? I don’t have a lot of room in my laundry area to lay things flat for days on end.
According to the federal Care Labeling Rule, all garments sold in the U.S. must carry a label describing a reasonable method of care that retains the garment’s appearance after cleaning, says Sandra Evenson, University of Idaho associate professor of clothing and textiles.
Because the care label is an implied warranty, Evenson says manufacturers are "very interested in providing a successful method"–one that will leave the consumer satisfied with the product and not headed back to the store for a refund.
"On the other hand, testing each new garment style and developing a distinct care label for it can be costly," Evenson says. "A manufacturer may not take the time to test a ‘fashion basic’ like stretch pants to determine the best method of care and may choose to use a care label already developed for another product."
Consequently, the care method recommended on the label may be more conservative than is really necessary. "That’s called ‘low labeling’ and it works against the consumer," she says. "Following the care label can be unnecessarily inconvenient, so consumers are tempted to try a method that has worked on similar garments."
Instead, Evenson recommends finding manufacturers’ Web sites and e-mailing them directly with your care questions.
When my husband and I met with our insurance agent, she recommended that we increase and expand our coverage. I like the protection that insurance gives me, so I’m an easy sell. My husband, however, is quite the risk-taker and refuses to buy more insurance at this time. I am getting angry with him for running these risks with our personal finances, and he’s getting annoyed with me and my "constant worst-case scenarios." How can we resolve this?
Risk-takers and security-seekers are often attracted to each other, says Barbara Petty, a University of Idaho extension educator who teaches a workshop with her husband called "Married and Loving It!"
"The risk-taking side of your husband could be what attracted you to him in the first place, but–as often happens with qualities that have flip sides–that very thing is now causing you concern," says Petty. Likewise, he may have been drawn to you for your stability.
"Don’t overreact," advises Petty. "Relax. Learn to compromise and work out the differences."
You might consider prioritizing your insurance needs, buying what you agree is most essential and investing the difference. If those investments perform nicely, you may satisfy your husband’s risk-taking instincts and–by successfully "self-insuring"–meet your own security needs as well.
We have a grove of black locust trees behind our house. Are their leaves and pods toxic to pets?
The seeds, leaves, young sprouts and bark of the black locust contain three toxins to which all animals–including humans–are susceptible, says Patricia Talcott, University of Idaho veterinary toxicologist. The extent of toxicity is quite variable, however, and reported cases of poisoning are uncommon.
If your pet were to consume a high dose of black locust toxins and not be properly diagnosed or treated, it could die within two or three days, Talcott says. Symptoms usually develop within an hour or two of consumption and include vomiting, diarrhea, damaged livers, chilled extremities, dropped heart rates, lowered blood pressure, dilated pupils, difficult breathing, depression, diminished appetite and stupor.
More cases of black locust poisoning involve horses and cattle than dogs or cats, Talcott says. The hind limbs of horses and cattle can show paralysis and the hooves of horses can become inflamed.
"Household pets are rarely affected, unless they have an unnatural desire to munch on plant food," she says.
According to Talcott, there’s no specific treatment for black locust poisoning: just decontaminating the intestinal tract and providing fluid and nutritional support. Your best course of action is preventing your pets’ access to black locusts in the first place.
[READERS: Do you have a question about your home, yard or garden? Send it to HomeWise, University of Idaho Ag Communications, Moscow, ID 83844-2332 or e-mail it to homewise@uidaho.edu. Mention of proprietary products or firms does not constitute endorsement by the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System or imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.]