Category Archives: Washing Machines

“No More Lost Socks” Giveaway

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It is a universal laundry conundrum. Domesticated dudes and divas in towns near and far collectively sigh “Wherever do socks in the laundry go?”

Conspiracy theorists will be quickly convince you that aliens, gremlins or blue fairies are behind the mysterious disappearance of your dapper argyle socks. These are the same mercurial creatures that also collect pen tops and hide the remote.

But, if you are searching for a more scientific explanation about missing socks… read further.

Reasons for Missing Socks in The Laundry

Missing socks in the laundry sometimes end up getting caught in the washing machines agitator. Small socks, such as baby clothing, can also be suctioned into the washing machine drain tubes.

Often the most probable cause of MIA socks in the laundry is static electricity generated during the drying cycle. Socks, seemingly lost, are often reunited with their mate once the laundry is folded or worn. With mischievous delights socks have a knack for hiding in the sleeve-hole or leg-hole of other laundered clothing.

But pondering where socks go is not just mindless fun, it has actually birthed a sophisticated scientific theory. Well, kinda of. The Lost Sock Fallacy postulated by Dr. Lucas Emil, showed statistically that people actually find more socks than they lose.  Yet, Dr. Emil found that psychologically people generally perceive an unmatched sock in the washer as a loss from the present batch of laundry vs. a gain from a prior batch of washing.

Stop Sock Loss

At Safe Laundry Tips we believe that laundry should be fun!  Safety and efficiency are a huge part of making your laundry days more enjoyable. We don’t want our readers to be saddened or frustrated by lost socks in the laundry.  And, besides boarding alien space craft in search of missing gym socks can be dangerous.

We have a more effective Safe Laundry Tip to share: use Sock Locks. With Sock Locks
you can stop searching for lost socks today!  Save valuable time and money with the help of Sock Locks.

Sock locks are a great way to keep your socks organized in both your washer and dryer. Not only will you not lose socks, but you won’t waste time trying searching for matching socks when folding your laundry.

Sock Locks will make you famous, sexy and rich. Okay, that is a total exaggeration.  It would be true, however, to state that Sock Locks will save you from the tedium and time-loss of matching socks when doing laundry chores. Devote that valuable time to other dreamy endeavors. There is also truth that this little gadget could save you money — as you will no longer need to replace singleton socks for a proper matching set. Extra bank is always good.

We love Sock Locks so much that we are giving them away in hopes of creating good laundry karma!! To enter: Simply follow us on twitter and then tell us with a tweet where YOU think lost socks in the laundry go.

Five individual winners will randomly be chosen to win one of five eligible individual packages of Sock Locks. Contest is open only to US residents. One entry only. Prizes not claimed within a week of announcement of prize eligibility will be forfeited. Contest begins February 5th, 2013 and ends February 26, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET.

Good luck!

 

Laundry can be Beary Fun with Samsung’s EcoBubble

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Samsung’s EcoBubble Washing Machine is designed to deliver up to 70% in home energy savings. Patented EcoBubble technology allows cold water washes to clean effectively as warm water cycles. Samsung proudly offers a 5 year parts and labor warranty.

Check out this surprise visitor at a Samsung commercial shoot.


The Ultimate Natural Clean: PureWash Ionic Laundry Purifier Review

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Are you interested in saving money, getting your clothes super clean and avoiding harsh laundry detergents and chemical agents?  If so, we have a product that home your laundry room needs.  An incredible cleaning machine that will quickly pay for itself as you enjoy naturally clean laundry.  Let us introduce you to the PureWash Ionic Laundry Purifier a perfect safe laundry tip.

GreenTech Environmental LLC  brings to your home laundry room a cleaning concept previously only available to large institutions such as hospitals and hotels. The Purewash Ionic Laundry Purifier harnesses the natural power of ozone to wash dirt, grime, bacteria  and odors effortlessly from your laundry.  Working in tandem with your home washing machine, the pureWash delivers enhanced oxygen and Photo Catalytic Oxidizers to your cold laundry water.

Three Ways To Save Money

The PureWash Eco-Friendly Laundry System allows you to achieve a maximum clean utilizing only cold washes.  You can say goodbye to high energy bills caused by hot water wash settings. An Amazon reviewer successfully achieved a $30 savings on his energy bill in the first month of usage.

Drying time is further reduced because of reduced detergent residue. One reviewer conservatively placed this at 20%. Again, this results in increased energy savings and a quick return on your initial purchase investment.

The third set of savings is realized in ridding your shopping list of expensive laundry detergents, costly fabric softeners, bleaches and other cleaning materials. Imagine the savings.

The ultimate savings comes in protecting the environment from harmful chemicals and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. An investment in our future.

Health Benefits of Super Clean Laundry

Standard washing machine cycles often fail to remove all laundry detergent residue.  This sticky residue traps dirt and grime leaving your clothes unclean. This same residue can also be transferred to your skin, your largest organ, allowing entry into your body of harmful and irritating chemicals. Leading to skin rashes, respiratory complaints and other ailments.

The pureWash offers a clean load of laundry each time you wash. The pureWash Laundry Purifier goes rids your clothes of toxic detergent residue from day one.  Reviewers reported a visible and smellable “flushing” of old detergent residue in the first few cycles of pureWash usage. Each subsequent use of the pureWash resulted in cleaner and brighter laundry.

The pureWash also santizes your laundry without the use of bleach or hot water.  Bacteria and viruses are effectively killed via ionic purification. An added plus not only during cold and flu season, but all during the year.  Safe and clean laundry keeps your family healthy.

Easy Installation

Although the pureWash is a mini-marvel no advanced engineering degree is needed for assembly. The review team posted positive marks for well published instructions. Assembly was simple taking 30 minutes or less.

Once pureWash is installed it requires no further attention and you may operate you washing machine normally. It will automatically turn on for the wash and rinse cycles. The viewing window lets you know that it is hard at work releasing cleansing oxidized bubbles.

Quality Product

GreenTech Environmental offers a commendable three year limited warranty on the pureWash eco-friendly laundry system. Purewash utilizes state-of-the-art engineering that  is virtually maintenance free. The company also operates a competent customer service department at the ready to respond to inquiries and concerns.

Two models of the pureWash are available for purchase. If you have a front loading washer or top loading high-efficiency washing machine you will require the low flow pureWash model. All other top loader washers are suitable for the high-flow pureWash model.

Discover how good it feels to be truly green and clean today. Order your pureWash Eco-Friendly Laundry System today. Buy Now: The pureWash Professional-Grade Ionic Laundry Purifier (High-Efficiency Washers)


Germy Laundry Can Make You Sick

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<img src="e-coli.jpg" alt="e-coli picture">

You have just finished the laundry. But, are you confident that your laundry is truly clean?

According to Dr. Charles Gerba, “America’s Germ Guru”, the laundry room is full of dangerous germs.  Gerba, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona, has tested some American laundry rooms.  Randomly swabbing the inside of washing machines, Gerba wanted to know how effective washing machines were at ACTUALLY cleaning germ-laden laundry. Was it a safe bet that soapy solutions, rinses and agitation were truly enough to conquer germs, bacteria and viruses?

The answer was a startling NO. Over 60% of the tested washing machines were positive for coliform bacteria —a sign of fecal contamination. Staph, was present in 20% of the machines. Underwear, sponges and dish cloths were identified as the primary source of contamination.

The second part of Gerba’s dirty laundry experiment involved the direct observation of how E.Coli, Salmonella and Mycobacterium Fortuitium would survive in a typical warm water wash setting and an average drying cycle.

Gerba’s results demonstrated that a warm wash cycle did NOT rinse away these germs. The laundered items and the washer basin were still infected by dangerous pathogens. More troubling was that subsequently laundered loads, also, showed signs of contamination.

Housekeeping manuals have long taught that a hot dryer cycle kill germs remaining after the wash cycle. However, Gerba demonstrated that as mainly myth. A hot dryer cycle did kill E.Coli remnants but Salmonella and the Mycobacterium Fortuitium remained. A 43 minute cotton setting and a 23 minute permanent press dryer setting was used — simulating two popular dryer options.

This study shows how unrealistic cold water washes are for certain laundry applications.  Remember, the results were observed in warm water settings — cold water would be even less effective in killing germs. There have been increased environmental campaigns to get consumers to utilize cold water settings to preserve energy needs.  This works on the garden-variety-dirty-laundry, but is dangerous and unhealthy to apply to all laundry needs.  Underwear, towels, bed linens, cloth diapers, kitchen towels, cleaning rags and pet items all can harbor unhealthy bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Family members with colds or the influenza virus can contaminate clothing and linens.  (For washing laundry infected by Norovirus read this article, here).

We commit to the chore of laundry, because we desire clothing and linens that are fresh and sanitary. Laundered items that still harbor germs pose a health threat. This danger is most pronounced to those with compromised immune systems, the pregnant, babies, and the elderly.

Here are practical safe laundry tips to reducing germs in laundered clothing and laundry appliances.

Hand Washing

Gerba wants consumers to avoid cross contamination in the laundry room. After sorting soiled laundry, loading dirty laundry into the washing machine, and removing washed laundry from the washer into the dryer —- your hands should be washed.

Underwear

The last load that you launder should be a solo load of underwear.  Do not mix underwear in with other laundry items to reduce the transmission of E-Coli and other fecal bacteria. Gerba told Fox News “If you wash a load of undergarments, you transfer about 500 million E. coli bacteria to the machine.” He recommends using a hot water setting with color safe bleach to achieve a true healthy clean.

Towels, Bed Sheets and Kitchen Linens

Bath towels, bed linens and kitchen cloths all can harbor an assortment of germs so wash them frequently.  These items should be washed in hot water and sanitized with a color-safe bleach — as label instructions warrant.  Wash each of these groups of items separately. They should be fully dried before they are folded and put away.  A complete hot dryer setting or full sun exposure when line drying will reduce residual germ proliferation.

Washing Machine Maintenance

Your washing machine needs to be routinely maintained.  See our article on How to Clean A Washing Machine.  Gerba recommends running an empty load with standard bleach once a month to rid washer of germs — calling the practice ” mouthwash for the machine”.

We hope these Safe Laundry Tips keep you and your family protected from laundry room germs. More information about germs in the laundry room can be found here .


That Funky, Musty, Stinky Washing Machine Smell

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Does your washing machine smell like a skunk? Knowing when and how to clean a washing machine is key to avoiding a smelly washing machine. Both top loading and front loading washing machines can suffer from odor, mildew and mold problems if not routinely cleaned. Owners of front loading machines need to be especially vigilant due to design specifications and operating differences compared to top loading washers. It is generally recommended that the cleaning of a washing machine be performed at least monthly.

Hard water deposits, laundry detergent residue, film from fabric softeners all can accumulate within the washer machine and decrease operating efficiency. Dampness can also cause unhealthy mold and mildew within the washer bin, gaskets and hoses. Collectively, all serve to create an environment that is ripe for creating a smelly, musty  washing machine.

But simply cleaning your washing machine, at routine intervals, can keep your washer operating efficiently and safely —- allowing your laundry to smell and feel wonderful.

Clean Washing Machine With Vinegar

White distilled vinegar, preferably a mild acid variety, can aid in clearing your washer of detergent debris, mineral deposits and odors.

Add a 1/4 cup of vinegar to a hot water wash cycle utilizing the longest possible rinse setting. This “wash cycle” should be free of laundry. You can decrease or increase this amount according to your level of detergent residue or mineral deposits.

Some washing machines may have certain plastic and rubber components that are sensitive to vinegar. It is best to check with the washer manufacturer to see if they recommend using vinegar in their machines to prevent a costly repair or voiding of your warranty.

Washing Machine Cleaning With Citric Acid

A 1/2 cup of Citric Acid Powder can be used in a warm water empty wash cycle to help dissolve buildup and hard water mineralization. Some appliance brands, such as Miele recommend using citric acid when cleaning washing machines over vinegar as it is less corrosive to machine parts.

Appliance products like Glisten which are formulated with citric acid are ready-made to tackle mineral deposits, rust stains and laundry detergent scum.

Attacking Washing Machine Odors with Bleach

A Whirlpool Rep, Ms. Zeiter, in a Walls Street Journal interview recommended “cleaning washers monthly using an empty hot-water cycle and…bleach ” Zeiter cautioned that not properly measuring laundry detergents and other laundry products creates a buildup of heavy residue in washing machines. Such sticky buildup can lead to a stinky washer and musty laundry.

Adding a cup of liquid bleach to an empty, hot water wash cycle is effective in eliminating collected “gunk”, mold and mildew. Allowing the wash basin to soak several hours in the brew of bleach aides in the sanitation effort

Smelly Washer Cleaner – An Easy Smelly Washer Remedy

Smelly Washer Cleaner is a specially designed cleaner that works to rid washing machines of foul odors. Smelly Washer Cleaner is an all natural, organically derived cleaner.

Buy Smelly Washer Cleaner

More Helpful Ways to Clean a Washing Machine

On front loading washing machines be certain to regularly clean the rubber door gasket. Wiping with bleach or another other type of disinfectant is helpful in ridding the area of mold and mildew. Lint filters should be emptied after to each wash to avoid moisture buildup. Also, take care to remove wet laundry promptly to avoid musty washing machine smells.

Giving your washer time to “air-out” after a cycle can also assist with the elimination of musty odors and the formation of mildew. Opening up a window or running a fan in the laundry room will help the air to circulate and minimize humidity. However, care must be exercised when young children and small pets are in the household. Open washer basins can be used as resting and hiding places, which can lead to an entrapment hazard.

If you are taking care to measure laundry products correctly, but are still finding proof of excessive detergent residue you may want to switch from a liquid detergent to a powdered laundry detergent. Some machines operate more efficiently with powdered detergents. Additionally, you may want to eliminate liquid fabric softeners as some have experienced a sticky buildup with these products.

Give your washing machine time to respond to these treatments. If you still are experiencing a smelly washing machine after cleaning your appliance it may be time to call a professional repair service. Sometimes, black mold can be harbored within an area of a washer that a washing machine cleaner can’t solve.

Knowing how to routinely clean a washing machine can help you avoid costly repair bills, preserve the life of your machine and reward you with clean, fresh-smelling laundry!


Avoiding A Washing Machine Flood

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Stopping Water Damage in the Laundry Room
<img src="washing machine in water" alt="illustration of washing machine floating water ">

Did you know that washing machines are the most frequent cause of home disasters? Insurance adjusters have identified burst washing machine hoses as the single most preventable source of damage to your home. Just one burst washer hose can fill a home with hundreds of gallons of water per hour.

The Problem

Your washing machine is a hard-working appliance. Joey Suarez, of A & A Plumbing in San Antonio, Texas states” It handles thousands of gallons of water, with lots of temperature swings and jarring movement. The hoses can become easily become brittle, form leaks or burst.”

The Solutions

You should inspect your washing machine hoses periodically for signs of  brittleness, leaking and unusual wear.  Most washer rubber hoses have a three year lifespan. When replacing the rubber hose consider purchasing a braided mesh / stainless steel washing machine hose.

Don’t ignore signs of a leaking washing machine. Even minor leaks in your laundry room have the potential to cause unseen and extensive water damage to the floors, walls, subfloors and frame of your home.  Untreated moisture build-up can lead to unhealthy mold growth.

Installing a washing machine drain pan can keep the immediate area under your machine free from minor water damage.

A small leak is a warning sign of larger problems ahead. Never delay. Take quick preventative measures to avoid a more costly leak.

You may also want to consider equipping your home with a Leak Detection System. Many insurance companies will offer you a homeowner’s insurance discount if you notify them that you have installed a water leak detector

Passive Leak Detection Systems are an affordable option for homeowners. These detectors signal leaks as they occur in your home. The downside is that someone needs to be in proximity to the detector to hear the alarm signal.  So, it’s alert is only useful if someone is at home to stop the flow of water.  This won’t help if you are work or the grocery store but it far better than not having any alarm at all.

Active Leak Detection Systems are more expense to install but can save you thousands if you ever have the misfortune of a serious water leak. These devices not only signal a warning alarm but also have the capacity to shut the water supply off at either the appliance or the main house supply. Some systems have the ability to activate central alarm systems.

Vacation Planning

Remember before leaving for vacation or a business trip to shut the water supply off to your washing machine. You don’t want to later find that your home was devastated by water damage while you were traveling.

With these simple preventative measures you can avoid a costly washing machine hose burst or other water damage accident in your laundry room.


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Avoiding Washing Machine Repairs Can be Costly

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It always happens at the worst possible time. You knew something sounded odd that last time you did laundry. But, your attention turned to other other household happenings: dinner plans, a bake sale and soccer practice. Then as you finally get a chance to combat that mounting load of laundry—-before your in-laws arrive that afternoon—your washing machine won’t start. Zilch, nada , zero response ….  In a panic you call your local washing machine repair hero and hope and pray that the service bill doesn’t break the bank. Or worse yet, deliver news the fateful news that you washer machine is beyond repair and that a replacement is needed. How can this be prevented?

Know the Warning Signs

Most washing machine repairs are preceded by a warning call of sorts. Recognizing what your washer is trying to “communicate” to you is the key to avoiding a costly repair or pricey replacement. The appliance repair specialist’s at 0800 Repair want consumers to beware of these telltale signs of washer trouble:

  • Loud, uncharacteristic noise
  • Unpleasant smells
  • Clothes coming out dirty,
  • Leaks and broken doors

Whenever you witness one of the above signs (or other abnormal operation) in your washing machine you need to act quickly to resolve the problem. Don’t let little problems repairs turn in large repairs.

Repair Options

A good place to start troubleshooting your washing machine problems is by consulting the manufacturer’s manual. Review the common problems section for an obvious explanation as to your machine’s poor performance or lack of operation. Sometimes the cause could be related to a power source…so be certain to check plugs and fuses.

Next you will need to determine if your washer is still under warranty. If it is you should consult with the manufacturer prior to starting any repairs. Most appliance manufacturers’s will require you to utilize an authorized service provider. Not doing so could void your warranty protections and leave you with a huge bill.

If you are out of the warranty period and handy, you may be able fix the problem yourself without professional help.  Assistance can be found with the helpful customer service representatives at AppliancePartsPro.com. This online resource has round-the-clock help to assist you with your washer repair, clothes dryer or other home appliance. The company has over a million parts stocked in their warehouse. They realize how vital it is to have a functioning washer for your family — and most washing machine parts are shipped in 1-2 days. No worries if you order the wrong part as the company allows you 365 days to return parts. Their website also offers free access to an appliance repair forum, where you can receive further advice and tips for your washing machine repair.

AppliancePartsPros.com, Inc.

Sometimes a washing machine repair is best left to a qualified appliance repair specialist. Many newer model washers can be quite complicated for the average consumer to repair. Paul Feek, Managing Director of 0800 REPAIR,states: “Technology plays a much larger role in today’s appliances and it is important to ensure that the goods such as washing machines are well maintained, and that repairs are carried out when necessary.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers cautions consumer’s to get a repair quote prior to contracting service. Ideally, this should be done at the initial inquiry call. They also remind consumer’s to keep track of all paperwork relating to the repair—-bills, written estimates and  service contracts. Receipts should be detailed. Proper documentation is especially important when your product is still under warranty. You will need to seek reimbursement and/or negotiate with the manufacturer for a replacement if you received a lemon.

Remember the important safe laundry tip here is to act quickly to repair the washing machine. You don’t want a $50 repair to turn into a $200 repair—or worse— by forcing the washer to operate in a broken state.

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Saving Tips For Your Laundry Room

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The Refrigerator Repair Company has announced the results of a new study designed to help your you lower your families energy costs by making simple changes to your laundry routine.  The main key to decreasing energy usage in the laundry room is make certain that both your washing machine and dryer are operating efficiently. Machines that are not properly maintained or that are incorrectly used are forced to operated under pressure and ultimately utilize more energy resources.

The Refrigerator Repair Company offers these safe laundry room tips to help you save on your energy bill:

Washer

  • When appropriate, wash clothes in cold water. This saves the energy needed to heat the water.
  • Wash full loads. Washing machines use about the same amount of energy for all load sizes, so fill up the load to avoid wasting energy.
  • Use the high-speed spin cycle, to take moisture out of your clothes resulting in less drying time and more energy saved.
  • If you have an older top-loading washing machine, consider converting to a front-loading washer, which uses about 70 percent less water.

Dryer

  • Keep the lint filter clean to maximize air circulation, energy efficiency and to help prevent a potential fire.
  • Dry full loads and use the moisture sensor setting. Not only does this save energy, it also protects your clothes from heat damage.
  • Keep the dryer’s outside exhaust clean to prevent dryer fires and reduce drying time, which saves energy. Keep the dryer at least four inches away from the wall to prevent kinks or tears from forming in the exhaust vent.

Implementing these simple steps will both lower your energy costs and keep your laundry appliances operating safe and smoothly. A reduced energy bill and repair savings are the huge rewards for making minor changes to your laundry habits.

Refrigerator Repair Authorized Service has been providing reliable, professional and fast appliance Authorized Service since 1994.

 

 

Tips to Extend Clothing Life

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From professional work attire to casual fare, we have a lot of money invested in our clothing.  Therefore, it makes both sense and cents to safely and efficiently launder our garments.  Dr. Elizabeth Easter, a University of Kentucky professor and textile consultant for General Electric Clothes Care offers these safe laundry tips:

<img src="Lofti.jpg" alt="Lofti Laundry Pulley for drying laundry">

Line Drying vs. Clothes Dryer

Often, clothing is set out for line drying in the hopes that it will extend fabric life and avoid shrinkage.However, Dr. Easter states that this is a myth for most garments.  Shrinkage, occurs in the first few washes regardless of drying method. Care should be still be taken for delicates and sweaters that require manual reshaping. These items should be placed to line dry or put on a flat surface to dry as per the care label instructions.

Full Loads = Clean Loads

There still exists the consumer misperception, that very small loads equate to cleaner clothes. Actually, Dr. Easter states today’s washing machines are designed to effectively clean laundry at full capacity. Washing tiny loads, unnecessarily, results in higher energy and water bills. Full loads, however, should not be confused with over stuffing your washing machine.

Time Your Fabric Softener

A common laundry room mistake, is adding laundry detergent and fabric softener to the washing machine at the same time. Dr. Easter, remarks that this causes a chemical reaction and can inactivate the effectiveness of the products. Instead, fabric softener should only be added at the start if your washing  machine is equipped with an auto dispense feature.

Always, measure accurately per your laundry volume and degree of dirt.  Adding too much fabric softener or more laundry detergent than needed will result in over-sudsing and clothing that retains residue and feels rough.

Powder Detergent vs. Liquid Detergents

Liquid detergents are used by 75% of consumers to clean their laundry. Yet, powder detergents are more effective at removing heavy soils – such as dirt – from clothing. Oil stains, whether body based or cooking oils, obtain better cleansing results in liquid detergents.

Allie Mann Interiors

Allie Mann Interiors


Swedish Boy Gets Trapped in Washer

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Earlier today, we posted a story about a 13 year old Canadian youngster who became entrapped in a washing machine. Now the news wires are reporting a similar story of a seven year old Swedish boy who also became stuck in the family washing machine.

According to The Local, the young boy was caught in the machine for several hours prior to being extricated by emergency workers. Rescuers had to carefully dismantle the machine and then needed to cut the washing machine drum in order to free the boy.

Luckily, the boy was not injured.

Children are both curious and fearless in their pursuit of adventure. These two accounts demonstrate that the washing machines and dryers are dangerous appliances to not only babies and toddlers but equally to older children.

Older children, unlike babies and toddlers, can be directly spoken to about the dangers of laundry room appliances. Children are taught at an early age that the stove is not a toy and that it is dangerous. Parents also need to instruct their children that the washing machine and dryer can also be perilous and are not playthings.