Q I go out of my mind when cars park in front of the sidewalk that leads from the house to the street. I can understand if parking is tight, but today, for example, the side of the street was completely clear, and the sidewalk I shoveled out from the snow piled up after the snowplow passed was totally blocked. Is this legal? Other than a note on the windshield ranging from polite request to outright fury, is there anything I can do?
A The sidewalk-to-curb section of the sidewalk, called the carriage walk, carries no legal significance in terms of parking and is not reserved for resident use.
To restrict parking at carriage walks would create a multitude of short no-parking zones, which would greatly reduce parking efficiency and the overall number of spaces on the block. To reserve parking on the public right of way for the property owner is considered discriminatory and is illegal.
But you make a good a point. Try asking your neighbor to park in a way that would leave your carriage walk open. Before getting "outright furious," consider that it's possible the person parked there because they have a handicapped passenger that needs that clearing to exit the car. In that case, you might suggest they move the car when unloaded, so others can use the spot, too. Often a friendly conversation and nonthreatening suggestions will get the results you want.
How to clean down Q What is the best way to clean down jackets and quilts?
A It's best to follow the cleaning instructions on the garment or blanket.
However, many down-filled items can be washed in your washing machine. It typically depends on the size and kind of washing machine in your home. Large down items, such as sleeping bags and comforters, typically fare better in large commercial machines or when done by a dry cleaner.
Because water-soaked down is heavy and can tear outer fabric if agitated or handled roughly, wash at home on a gentle or delicate cycle in a top-load machine; a front-loading, or commercial, washer with no agitator also works. Tumble dry on low- or no-heat setting. A couple of new tennis balls put in the dryer with the clean down will help restore its fluffiness.
