Unlike most facilities, Montreal Laundromat ( Lavoir Victoria) has friendly staff who will do your complete laundry –wash and fold. If you’re there to do it yourself, the full time staff available in in both locations can advise and and assist you.

The store is very customer friendly. Yes, you should be bringing in your own preferred soap, softeners and bleach, but if you are stuck they will sell you a cup. They have carts, washroom facilities, customer seating, bill changers and counters on which to fold your clothes.

Montreal is lucky to have a friendly, helpful, long-serving laundromat family in our midst. With one of the largest (the most washers and dryers) location in the city, have had the same owner for 38 years, so there is a continuity and long-time understanding of the best machines and knowledge of how to get your items clean.

The Patricia location in Montreal West has 6 different sizes of washers, from 10 lbs to 65 lbs. When you walk all the way to the back, you will find the 4 giant washers at the 65 lb capacity (and 4 giant dryers), so you can do big loads quickly and efficiently. Also, the less expensive machines with double capacity are at the Patricia location.

Even if you have a washer and dryer at home, there are still times you might need this laundromat – for spring cleaning, putting winter clothes away, when the kids come back from camp, getting ready for big holidays or if your machine at home suddenly breaks down.

They are the only laundromat in the city with 4 77 lb capacity dryers.

Here are some ideas of when you might need the cleaning facilities of this laundromat:

– Camping equipment: blankets, comforters, sleeping bags
– Washable curtains
– Winter clothing: heavy parkas, ski pants, long coats
– Large comforters, blankets or washable duvets and duvet covers
– Refreshing pillows
– Slipcovers for couches

Lavoir Patricia has Maytag top-load washers along with Wascomat front-load washers, which are considered some of the best in the world. A regular cycle in these professional machines comprises 2 washes and 3 rinses, which means five complete water changes to ensure the cleanest wash possible. These are available in 20 lb., 30 lb., 40 lb. and in the 55 lb. size which is great for giant loads – could be used for sleeping bags, couch covers, comforters and other large items.

Look for their coupon on the web site www.MontrealLaundromat.com which changes every few weeks. Lavoir Patricia and Lavoir Victoria aim to take the stress out of laundry day.

Location: Lavoir Victoria – 5950 ave Victoria Montreal QC H3W 2R8
Hours:  Victoria – Sun-Fri 7-7, Sat 5-7
www.montreallaundromat.com

If you are planning an artsy craftsy project or some home re-decorating, you can find your answers at Tonitex, where they sell polar fleece, denim, fake fur, plush, cotton prints, nylon, jogging fleece, broadcloth, lycra, flannel, cotton twills and outerwear fabric to the nearby manufacturers and to you too.

Around for over 30 years, you will always find  a lot of  printed cotton sheeting from top brands like Spectrix, Michael Miller, Baum, Andover, Fabri-quilt and many more brands at discount prices.

The huge space is filled to the ceiling with giant fabric rolls accessed by ladders.  Look for the coupon bins sold by the kilo – when buying remnants you can save even more money.

Location: 9630 Boul. St-Laurent, Montreal H2N 1R1
corner: Louvain
Tel: 514-389-8293
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5, Sat 9-4
Website www.tonitex.com
To view their new products, have a look at: http://bit.ly/1oWpPiC

Now, while you are stuck inside, you start to dream about how you might reno your home. Should you change the floor? the fabric? the blinds? If you really want to go ahead with this and it’s too overwhelming a thought, help is at hand. You can even put your feet up and call for their free shop-at-home service.

Tapis Decor Chantilly has been open since 1983, offering one-stop decor shopping for both home and office, in one location, at competitive prices. You can sit back and let their in-house designers walk you through every step, or feel free to go in with your own ideas or your own designer.

For flooring, they sell the gamut from carpets to laminate floors, solid hardwood to engineered wood, linoleum and marmoleum, as well as PVC strip wood and tiles. They also carry a huge array of window coverings from well-know manufacturers, custom-made drapes and bedding, wall coverings, ceramics and more. They supply and install all of their products; their installers are certified and experienced, and they are RBQ licensed.

– Flooring: Laminate floors from names like Alloc and Kronotex. Marmoleum sheet goods are anti-bacterial and perfect for health care or just for healthy environments. Expect a huge array of vinyl tiles such as Armstrong and Amtico, LSI and Centiva, Mondo tiles and Plynyl woven flooring. There are all kinds of special rubber, which is perfect for your home gym or recreation center. From materials for computer rooms (anti-static), lobbies, corridors, elevators, bars, airplanes or any other application, it’s all here.

– Carpets: Wall to wall, area rugs and runners, in all shapes and custom sizes for residential or commercial, in wool or synthetic, from Shaw, Mohawk, Beaulieu, Couristan, Momeni, Louis de Poortere and others.

– Blinds and Window Coverings: High end custom window coverings from such well-known brands as Hunter Douglas, Maxxmar, Altex, Faber, Shade-O-Matic and more. If you need them, they sell motorized blinds and black-out coverings.

– Fabric: They carry Robert Allen, Kravet, Joanne, Rosedale, Avant-garde and more, in silks, satins, velvets, chenilles, leathers or other types of fabric. They employ their own seamstresses and upholsterers to create decorative valences, headboards, draperies or other ideas you may have.

It makes life very easy when you can choose all your products in one place.

Location: 707 Lucerne Rd., T.M.R.
Tel: 514-388-6060
www.decorchantilly.com

Chocolates are the ubiquitous go-to gift for Valentine’s Day, so you might want to head to Le Panier as they have all kinds of chocolates. If you want your love to remember you, how about Louis Sherry New York chocolates – in beautiful keepable metallic tin boxes? Or for something even sweeter, they are one of the few places in town making homemade fudge so you could choose a favorite flavour.

For aromatics, Michael Design’s shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions are there or look for the big display of everything lavender. You can always buy Montreal’s favorite humbugs (now in different flavors), or someone might enjoy their own 5-year-old cheddar. One corner of the store is filled with jewelry options like Alex and Ani.

For those of you who are looking for practical ideas, a cool gift might be an “upside-down” umbrella which closes without water dripping on you or your car. You will be remembered everyday if you buy the Mighty Mug. It won’t fall over – EVER – and can be used near a keyboard without worries.

Le Panier won the title of best gift store in Canada so this store worth a trip from anywhere. The huge shop is chock full of gourmet food, kitchenware,  and gifts at prices mostly under $25. You will not walk out empty-handed when you can choose amongst the jewelry, jams, hot sauces, and kitchen gadgets.

You can even spice things up with their wall of hot sauces and think of things to do with Mike’s Hot Honey.    

Location: 274 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire
corner: de Lourdes
Tel: 514-695-7038
Hours: Regular plus Sun 10-5
www.thepanier.com

When you spend more time indoors in the winter, you start thinking about what the house looks like. Upgrading to wood floors is a healthier option as the dust mites no longer have a carpet “beach” to lounge in. And the money spent adds value to your house along with the pleasure you get from enjoying the beauty of the floors.

Bathrooms are another place where an upgrade adds value so head out to Golden Elite Deco Center because they can help you with both projects. There are locations on the island, the South Shore and Laval.

Golden Elite Deco Center have been a distributor and manufacturer of wooden flooring and vanities for over 15 years. The showroom features flooring, doors, vanities, kitchens, tiles (mosaic tiles, marble tiles and decking tiles) and adhesives selling at warehouse prices.

The types of flooring they sell: hardwood flooring 3/4″, engineered flooring 1/2″, laminate flooring 12.3mm and 8mm, engineered floating floor and vinyl floors. The floors have 10-14 layers of varnish, 1 layer of aluminum oxide anti-scratch and are precision milled (installers love installing their wood because of the milling).

Since they are the manufacturer, you skip the expense of a middle-man, so expect savings between 25%-40%, which is quite good. Their sales staff is knowledgeable, they know the manufacturing process from A to Z, as well as details concerning maintenance, sanding, refinishing and installation.Their website is chock full of ideas with very concise details about sizing, finish, colors and prices. Here it is easy to check out their selection of vanities too. You can just about shop from home and then select the store where you would like to see and then purchase your merchandise.

If you need extra incentive check out the photo below where you will find a special selection of flooring that they are currently offering at a great savings and a tax-included special. These include overstocked items and end-of-lots.

Locations: 88 Brunswick Blvd, DDO H9B 2C5 (corner rue Tecumseh) ; St-Hubert: 3929 boul. Taschereau J4T 2G5 ; Laval: 515 Boulevard Curé-Labelle H7P 2P5 (corner Boul. Dagenais O.)

Tel: DDO: 514-684-4209; St-Hubert: 450-486-3929; Laval: 450-937-6330
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30-8, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.goldenelitedeco.com

Around this time of year, Allan White of Inspectopro, says there are a few things you should be looking at in your house to avoid problems in the future:

1. Keep basement windows clear of ice and snow obstructions. If the worst happens, these windows may be your only escape route to the outdoors.
2. Make sure that runoff from melting ice and snow has somewhere to go once the thaw period arrives; ideally a catch basin or storm drain
3. The pattern of melting snow and ice on the roof surface can be a good indicator of areas of heat loss. No expensive infrared camera needed!
4. Verify against the formation of ice dams and icicles. Although they may look pretty, they are indicators of attic ventilation problems and heat loss problems. Needless to say, a falling icicle, if large enough, can cause a lot of damage to property or people below.
5. Check the eavestroughs (“gutters”) for physical damage which might have been caused by winter ice dam and icicle formation
6. Check for cold air draughts around the home, and mark them so that you can take appropriate measures to correct the problems. Unfortunately, some repairs (such as caulking) can only be applied in warmer weather, and without marking the draughty spots you may not remember where they were when attempting repairs several months later.
7. If you have thermopane-glazed windows and see condensation or frost between the inner and outer panes (not always obvious in the summer months), the glass is due for replacement.
8. If you can wipe condensation off the indoor side of the windows, you are over-humidifying the home
9. Batteries for smoke detectors and fire detectors should be replaced annually (i.e. Jan 1^st or July 1^st). Operation of these devices should be tested monthly.
10. Be sure that your home’s drainage system is functioning. If you have a sump pump, make sure it is capable of functioning in advance of the thaw period
11. If you have a combustion furnace (i.e. oil or gas) or a combustion hot water tank you should have a functioning CO detector in the home.
12. If you have an air exchanger, it should be in use (i.e. winter mode). The same for the central humidifier, if you have one.
13. Be sure that potable water piping is not at risk of freezing and bursting
14. Garden hose faucets, if not of the self-draining type, should be fully opened outdoors, with the indoor shutoff valve being turned fully off, if not already accomplished.

With an Engineering degree, this 25-year certified building inspector (independent of real estate agents) can inspect your property before a purchase or sale of a house or when you need an inspection for a problem.

Home buyers should choose a home inspector with as much care as they choose a doctor, particularly since there is no regulation, either federal or provincial, which governs the industry. Contrary to popular belief, home inspectors are not members of a professional order, and anyone (even you!) can call themselves a building inspector.”

Your house is the biggest investment you will ever make so you want to get a most qualified person. With Inspectopro’s years of expertise, White can find what less experienced inspectors would not recognize; He has experience in looking for small clues which might lead to big problems. Houses can be checked out in the Greater Montreal area and in cottage country too.

Phone: 514-696-6685
www.inspectopro.com

We’re spending a lot of time this year buried in our nests trying to keep warm. What better way to accomplish that than with a fluffy light but toasty warm duvet. And I know where you can buy one at a great price too.

Ungava Duvet is located in the heart of downtown in a building right off the Main, selling well-made high quality duvets at low prices. They do special constructions, create made-to-measure sizes (even for cribs),  feather beds (or hypo-allergenic ones) and can even restuff your old duvet.

Better quality futons (1.5 cu. ft. density foam) are made here too, as well as futon covers, bases and bolsters.

You can buy pillows (goose down, feather, wool, silk) or wool mattress covers, and even silk duvets. Egyptian cotton sheets (600 thread count), bamboo sheets and silk bedding are sold, and ready made curtains too. This is the place to go to for lots of choices of duvet covers.

Since this is a family-owned company, they really care about their customers and what they sell – and provide expert service.  And they’re doing something right, since all those customers keep coming back year after year, since 1981.

Location: 10 Pine St. W. suite 112, Montréal H2W 1P9
corner: boul. St-Laurent
Tel: 514-287-9276 or  1-800-363-3533
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5
http://www.duvetsungava.com/
info@duvetsungava.com

Q1 – Can I just expect to be able to just return a gift?A purchase is like a contract you have made with a store. You decided to buy it at the price they offered. The contract is completed and you are both satisfied. No returns are considered. If they choose to change the terms, it is solely up to each business and not a consumer law. Don’t assume when you buy something you can just return it.

Q2- So they don’t have to take it back?

Right. They can choose to offer an exchange policy, a store refund, a one week or one month return allowance or none at all, a final sale

Q3 – How can the customer know this? Are there any rules that a store must follow for returns policies?

– Posting return rules near the cash register or stamp the policy on receipt itself
– Ask at the store what the policy is. Often after Christmas, there’s more leniency and some stores even have a stamp which can allow you to return months later if you are an early shopper.

Q4 – What if it’s broken?
A defective product has to be returned to the manufacturer and it depends on the retailer’s policy and it is up to you to find out if you or they have to do this.

Q5 – Any other important suggestions?
Be pleasant, not rude or super aggressive if you want someone to help you. Make sure you are talking to the person that has the authority to remedy the situation

Nova West Island runs Thrift Shops for NOVA which is having a half price sale at their 4 locations this weekend. The shops fund their charitable foundation which offers home palliative care and cancer support groups and runs 2 adult day centers for the elderly, all without government funding.

The 4 stores help raise money for their great cause. You can scoop up second-hand clothing for the family nicely hung on racks, or look for shoes, purses and hats. “Green” shopping by recycling is a planet saving idea: there’s home knick-knacks, china, glassware, jewellery,and books. The sale even includes furniture at the Beaconsfield store.

Locations: (biggest) 43 Ste-Anne, St-Anne-de-Bellevue (514-457-1642); 2750 boul. St-Charles, Kirkland (514-697-6692); furniture (and knickknacks), 449 boul. Beaconsfield, Beachonsfield (514-694-8417) (books only); 321 Plaza Pointe Claire, Pointe-Claire (514-694-8417)
Hours: Dec 8 & 9: 10-4
www.thriftshopsfornova.com
fb boutiques d’occasion pour Nova/Thrift shops for Nova

Smart Shoppers are going to want to get into the Christmas spirit early this year and take advantage of the amazing opportunity to save money on Christmas decor BEFORE Christmas. The deals are up to 80% less on all sorts of Christmas decorations.

The drastically reduced merchandise on holiday home decor and tabletop decorations, ornaments, wreaths, toy items, Christmas cards, festive crackers, gift wrap and candles. You will be delighted with the assortment offered here and with prices this low, the cache won’t last long.

There is plenty of parking and Visa/MasterCard/Interac and cash payments are accepted.

Location: 1695,  55th ave, Dorval H9P 2W3
corner: rue Guthrie/Fairway
Dates: Nov 29, Nov 30 & Dec 1
Times: Thurs & Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4
myoption2.co