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Need to go outside in the cold? Don't dread the weather. Learn how to layer up this winter effectively and keep your fabrics fresh and clean with these tips!

Some people can't wait for the snow to fall and winter to begin. They love to feel the snow pricking their skin, making snowmen, and breathing in that cool, crisp air. Others&hellip; not so much. Other people have a hard time staying warm and dread going outside their warm, toasty houses.
But that's okay! You don't have to love the cooler season to enjoy time outdoors this season. The key is in the layering!
<img alt="Here are some tips on how to stay warm this season!" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_canada/CAN_App_Layering-Winter-Clothes_1.jpg" title="CAN_App_Layering-Winter-Clothes_1.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>The 3-Layer Technique</h2>
Layering for warmth sounds like a no-brainer. You've done it in the past, and it's worked. But you probably felt like an overstuffed, puffy version of yourself and found yourself sweating too much and feeling itchy. That's because you were layering the wrong fabrics.
The key to effective layering is what you use in your base layer, middle layer, and your outer layer.
<img alt="Layering for warmth is something we&rsquo;ve all done. Here is how to do it effectively!" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_canada/CAN_App_Layering-Winter-Clothes_2.jpg" title="CAN_App_Layering-Winter-Clothes_2.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Base Layer</h2>
When you layer up for warmth, sweating is just a fact of life. But to keep sweating to a minimum, you need your base, or bottom-most layer, to be a light and airy fabric with moisture-wicking materials like:
<ul>
<li>Polyester/polypropylene shirts, camisoles, long underwear</li>
<li>Silk shirts, camisoles</li>
<li>Medina wool long-sleeved shirts (if you don't have anything else)</li>
</ul>
Pro Tip: Cotton doesn't evaporate moisture, so don't use it as your base layer unless you have light, breathable camisole underneath.
<h2>Middle Layer</h2>
Insulation does the most to keep you warm, and that's where the middle layer comes into play to trap in the heat, but it also needs to remain breathable. For that, you need layers such as:
<ul>
<li>Wool sweaters (try Medina wool to counter itchy feeling)</li>
<li>Fleece sweaters, sweatshirts</li>
<li>Down coats or vests</li>
</ul>
Pro Tip: Make sure the fit isn't too tight so that you can have space between your skin and the cold air!
<h2>Outer Layer</h2>
Nobody likes feeling like a human popsicle, so you'll need to stay dry and away from the wind. If you live in an icy tundra, this may seem like a pipe dream, but there are some materials that help keep the wind and rain at bay:
<ul>
<li>Down puffer or wool pea coats (for clear days)</li>
<li>Nylon rain jackets with proper venting</li>
<li>Clothes with Gore-Tex, Sympatex, or other specifically engineered materials</li>
</ul>
Pro Tip: Since you lose heat through exposed skin, make sure to cover your extremities with hats, earmuffs, gloves, and socks made from warm, waterproof materials.
Don&rsquo;t forget to layer your lower half, too. You can wear long underwear or thin leggings underneath for a little bit of insulation!
<h2>Fabrics &amp; How to Wash Them</h2>
Keeping your winter clothes fresh and clean can seem like an uphill battle between the build-up of sweat, mud, slush, and other stains. But don't worry, we're here for you. We'll go over the ideal ways to care for each fabric so you can wear your favourite wintertime outfits!
<ul>
<li>Polyester/Polypropylene: Cold water wash, then tumble dry or air dry on low heat. Take out when slightly damp to prevent wrinkles and static build-up.</li>
<li>Silk: Hand wash cycle, or physically hand wash with a few drops of detergent, and then hang to dry. Be sure to check the tag for instructions.</li>
<li>Wool: Use hand wash cycle, hand wash, or dry clean if indicated on the tag.</li>
<li>Fleece: Wash in permanent press cycle away from other lint-heavy or fur-covered clothes and then air dry.</li>
<li>Nylon: Cool water wash cycle with gentle detergents and then air dry.</li>
<li>Gore-Tex/Sympatex/Other Engineered Materials: Follow tag instructions. DO NOT use fabric softener.</li>
<li>Down: Wash inside a front-load washer or high-efficiency impeller washer for gentle agitation. Take out and squeeze excess moisture, then place it in the dryer on low heat with dryer balls to retain fluffiness. Hang dry while slightly damp.</li>
</ul>
Remember to follow the laundry instructions on your clothes' tags for the best fabric maintenance!
<img alt="There are ways to care for each fabric so you can wear your favourite wintertime outfits!" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_canada/CAN_App_Layering-Winter-Clothes_3.jpg" title="CAN_App_Layering-Winter-Clothes_3.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Time to Upgrade Your Laundry Appliances?</h2>
We know a lot goes into your winter preparations, like checking your heating systems, sealing gaps and cracks, and taking your winter clothes out of storage. But one thing you shouldn't overlook is upgrading your <a href="/catalog/washers" title="washer">washer</a> and <a href="/catalog/dryers" title="dryer">dryer</a>. With new-and-improved machines, you'll get a variety of cycles to care for every fabric, so your clothes are always fresh and clean-smelling!
Have questions about upgrading your <a href="/catalog/laundry" title="laundry">laundry</a> appliances? <a href="/contacts" title="Contact us">Contact us</a> today! We'll assist you with what you need to keep your home running smoothly.

How to Layer Clothes for Winter & Keep Them Clean!

To help you beat the heat, here are five of the easiest cooking tips to keep your kitchen cool and comfortable all summer long.

<img alt="young child eating strawberries in the kitchen" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_canada/Tips-Kitchen-Cool_1.jpg" width="700" />
The weather is getting warmer by the day. We all know summer is about good times with family and friends, and of course, tons of delicious food. But what do you do when it&rsquo;s scorching outside?
When summer heats up, your kitchen can go from a cozy haven to a torture chamber of heat in an instant; cooking can go from a pleasant task to a grueling, taxing chore. Fortunately, you aren&rsquo;t doomed to suffer through the hottest months of the year.
To help you beat the heat, here are five of the easiest summer cooking tips to help keep your kitchen cool and comfortable, even when summer is at its hottest.
<h2>1. Don&rsquo;t Turn the Oven On</h2>
For our first tip on keeping your home cool when cooking, we&rsquo;re going to start with an obvious one. If keeping things cool in your kitchen is the goal, your best bet will be to cook or prepare things that don&rsquo;t involve your <a href="/catalog/ranges">range</a>.
Instead of using your oven, consider firing up your grill, mixing up some cold salads, or even using your blender to create some tasty dishes. If you absolutely must stay in your kitchen, consider limiting the heat to just your stovetop and using recipes that get cooked over low to medium heat.
<h2>2. Use Your Slow Cooker</h2>
<img alt="meat and vegetables on cutting board next to pressure cooker in kitchen" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_canada/Tips-Kitchen-Cool_2.jpg" width="700" />
Just when you thought it was only reserved for more frigid days, a smart method to keep the heat out of your kitchen when cooking this summer is to utilize a slow cooker. Slow cookers are a fantastic option for preparing meals while you&rsquo;re out of your home and will keep the heat relatively contained.
And as a bonus, when you get home from work or come inside from summer fun, you&rsquo;ll just have to serve it up and it&rsquo;s ready to go! Extremely easy, and your home won&rsquo;t even notice the heat &minus; but it may leave a mouthwatering aroma!
<h2>3. Close Curtains or Shades</h2>
If you have windows throughout your home and cooking in the kitchen is your only option, this next tip is crucial in keeping excess heat out. If you love that natural light that comes into your kitchen every morning, unfortunately, those rays can really heat up your kitchen!
Whenever possible, keep the curtains or shades drawn to limit the amount of heat coming through the kitchen. Having the curtains or shades drawn will help keep your kitchen cool, as well as the rest of your home, and can be a huge difference-maker on those piping hot days.
<h2>4. Use Fans</h2>
It&rsquo;s a common myth that fans can cool down a room since air circulation fans merely move the air around. However, turning fans on when you&rsquo;re slaving over a hot kitchen can make the time inside your warm home a little more tolerable.
<img alt="white fan on bookshelf in front of white blinds" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_canada/Tips-Kitchen-Cool_3.jpg" width="700" />
On those days when you&rsquo;re cooking up a storm inside and the air outside may be cooler than your kitchen, we highly suggest placing a fan next to an open door or window to help bring in that cooler air. This is good to keep in mind during the evenings after the sun sets, but your house still seems to be an oven.
<h2>5. Cook Outside</h2>
We eluded to it earlier, and quite frankly, the best way to keep your kitchen cool while you cook this summer is to simply cook outside. On the days when it&rsquo;s bearable to be in the heat, dusting off the grill and cooking outside is a foolproof method to keep your kitchen cool this summer.
Nothing says summertime more than grilling up meals outside, and that&rsquo;s why if it&rsquo;s too hot in your home or kitchen, cooking outside is hands-down the best option every time.
Cooking during summer can sometimes be an uncomfortable chore, but there are many ways to cool down that can make the experience much more pleasant.
We also offer a top selection of cooking <a href="/catalog/cooking">appliances</a> and <a href="/catalog/cooking-appliance-accessories">accessories</a> from trusted <a href="/brands">brands</a> that will be sure to take the heat out of cooking this summer. <a href="/contacts">Visit us</a> or <a href="/catalog/appliances">browse our selection</a> today!

5 Cooking Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Cool

The appliance industry is still seeing shortages. Follow these tips to pandemic appliance shopping to ensure your order arrives on time. 

<h2>Buying Appliances During a Pandemic</h2>
Here we are, almost two years into COVID-19 and the appliance industry is still seeing shortages and seems filled with unreliable information. Combine this with prices that are rising faster than I have seen in my 29 years here. Demand, coupled with supply and shipping constraints, have taken our industry from lead times that used to average 1-2 weeks to estimates of 6 months and have extended to over a year in some cases.
Unfortunately, this shortage has happened at a time when we are more reliant on our appliances now more than ever.&nbsp;With restaurants temporarily closed again and restrictions on travel and get togethers with friends and family, we have been spending more time at home working, playing, and let&rsquo;s face it &mdash; living in the kitchen.
<img alt="Mother and two children doing chores and homework in a kitchen " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/CN0010-13_Induction-3_5222_JL_v5.jpg" />
At Barber &amp; Haskill, we have been booking stocking orders with our suppliers 6-8 months in advance since the pandemic started. This has allowed us to maintain stock in most categories in our local warehouse for customers&rsquo; immediate needs. I must admit it is not the same level of selection customers are used to pre-pandemic. For example: We currently have 8 in-stock dishwashers to choose from instead of 30.
<h3>So, what does this mean for you as a consumer?</h3>
When shopping for new appliances, please keep the following in mind:
<ol>
<li>Try to plan ahead. If renovating or building, please make sure to order well in advance. Do not wait until your kitchen is close to completion.</li>
<li>Try to be flexible. Our in-store sales approach is more about finding something that will work for your space and your timeline. Focus on buying the features you want from any reliable, in-stock brand.</li>
<li>We completely understand and recommend that you shop around. We have relaxed our cancellation policies and are happy for you if find your desired model in stock at another retailer. With the unreliable lead times there is no doubt that in-stock is so important in today&rsquo;s economy.&nbsp;</li>
<li>If you need something ASAP, look at what is in stock.&nbsp;Beware of shipping promises. We have found that estimated dates are more like guestimates and are very fluid.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Wide view of kitchen full of Maytag appliances" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/CN0010-set-p210326mc-016z_1600x1600_72dpi-2.jpg" title="Credit: Maytag" />
Hopefully these tips help a little as we know how stressful it can be when an appliance breaks down - even on a good day. Contact us in-store or by phone/text at 705.526.7811 if you need assistance in purchasing a new appliance, or are in need of appliance recommendations.

Buying Appliances During a Pandemic - Part 2

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How to Layer Clothes for Winter & Keep Them Clean!

5 Cooking Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Cool

Buying Appliances During a Pandemic - Part 2

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