How to Wash Cashmere Sweaters and Accessories

There’s really nothing comfier than a luxurious cashmere sweater when there’s a chill in the air. That’s because cashmere wool isn’t just incredibly soft, it’s also insulating, lightweight and breathable. In other words, cashmere keeps you warm without making you sweat. Another beautiful benefit of cashmere is its durability. Its natural fibers can outlast many of the other sweaters in your drawer with a little TLC.

Cashmere is often thought of as hard to care for since it’s sensitive to water temperature and agitation, but don’t let that deter you from having it in your wardrobe. Once you’re familiar with the dos and don’ts, washing cashmere at home is a simple task that can save you loads of time and money. But according to Carolyn Forte, executive director of Good Housekeeping’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab, it’s always best to start by checking the garment’s care label. Some cashmere garments, like jackets, have structure, linings or other reasons why it’s best to take them to a dry cleaner. Keep in mind that if you choose not to follow the care instructions and something goes wrong, like if the color fades or the garment shrinks, you won’t have any recourse. Many care labels on cashmere garments recommend washing by hand or dry cleaning. In those cases, you’re safe choosing either method.

If you have basic cashmere items like plain sweaters, scarves or unstructured pants that you’d like to wash at home, follow these simple tips to launder them by hand

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Ask Danny | Ep. 14: Answers to Your Homeowners Insurance Questions

This week, Danny Lipford chats with Michelle Tennant from Erie Insurance to discuss how folks can find peace of mind with homeowners insurance. (3 Echoes Content Studio/Erie Insurance)


This week, I’m talking with Michelle Tennant, vice president of Product Management in the Erie Insurance Personal Lines division.

Michelle has been with Erie since 2001 and has helped to develop Erie Insurance’s Auto, Umbrella, and Renters insurance products, as well as its Homeowners insurance coverages.

Erie Insurance has been in business since 1925, and for nearly a century we’ve been providing home, auto, business and life insurance.

We are based in Erie, Penn., and we serve customers in about 12 states. We know insurance can be complicated so with every policy, we have a knowledgeable independent agent within your community that can guide you through the process to get the right coverage for your life.


Insurance policy, seen on a desk beside a pair of reading glasses.
Homeowners insurance provides financial protection in the event of a disaster. (Mohamad Fazil Bin Ramli/Getty Images)

Why You Need Homeowners Insurance

Every homeowner has homeowners insurance but many don’t know why — what is the purpose of homeowners insurance?

Michelle: Homeowners insurance provides financial protection in the event something crazy happens, like an accident or weather-related event that damages your home.

At Erie Insurance, we think about this in a few different ways.

First is the home itself — the structure. It would cover the exterior of your home if there is damage.

Next is your personal property. A policy will cover valuable items that are

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Tips to Help Your Furnace Run as Efficiently as Possible

If you live in an area that gets a little chilly in the winter, you likely rely on your furnace a lot. It keeps your home warm all fall and winter, allowing you to remain comfortable and protected from the frigid outdoor temperatures.

However, in order to get the most out of your furnace, you need to make sure that it is running efficiently. If not, it will not only cost you more each and every month, but it will also wear faster and need to be replaced much sooner than it would otherwise.

With that in mind, this article is going to go over a couple of helpful tips to ensure your furnace can run as efficiently as possible.

Have it Maintained and Serviced Regularly

The first way to ensure your furnace always runs efficiently is by getting it maintained regularly. Even if your furnace seems to be working okay, there can often be inefficiencies taking place behind the scenes that you might not even be aware of.

Having an expert come out and check your furnace annually to test and inspect it is always a good idea, and can help ensure that it lasts as long as possible. If they notice anything developing, they can fix the issue before it becomes a major problem.

Finding a company that specializes in Professional Heating Services in Huntersville or wherever you are located can ensure that the job gets done right and by the book.

Change Out the Filter Often

Next,

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