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Wet shoes.
Downpour, puddle or snowstorm, soaking your good shoes is more than uncomfortable, it’s a good way to ruin your investment in quality footwear. First, stuff the shoes with crumpled up newspaper and slowly dry away from direct heat which can crack the leather. When they’re almost dry, replace the paper with cedar shoe trees to…
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The brush off.
Brush your good clothes before putting them back in the closet to remove dust, grime and surface soil before it can penetrate. Use short, quick strokes against the grain, then finish with long smooth strokes in the opposite direction. A bonus benefit, you’ll be able to spot stains, tears or damage that need cleaning or…
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Save the memories.
Wedding gowns are not the only heirlooms that deserve special treatment. Careful cleaning, mending and archival storage can benefit any textile. Grandmother’s lace tablecloth, Dad’s letter jacket or uniform, antique tapestries or christening gowns. We’ve seen it all and can recommend the right procedures and products to preserve your treasure.
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Best fitting chinos.
America’s favorite work-casual pants, chinos look even better when they fit properly. First, they should not need a belt to stay up. Avoid pleats — unless you want to look like your stomach is bigger. The legs should be comfortably close, without pinching or causing resistance when you move. Choose a length so there’s a…
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Hand-washable in the machine?
Most washing machines have a Delicate setting, some go so far as to label it Hand Washables. When the care label calls for hand washing, it’s calling for gentle squeezing rather than machine agitation to minimize stretching and mis-shaping. If the label says delicate or gentle machine washing, the garment will stand up to longer,…
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Fluff gone?
Lost your fluff? When towels, robes and washcloths lose their fluffy absorbency, they may just need a good washing. Detergent residue and softeners can build up in the fibers, diminish softness and block the thirsty drying qualities of cotton. Run everything through the washer with a cup of white vinegar and an extra rinse cycle.…
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Hang or fold?
Can’t decide when doing laundry whether it’s best to hang or fold an item? Pay attention to the design and dimensions – will the the hanger leave marks past the shoulder on sweaters? Will the weight of the garment cause it to stretch or sag when you go to put it on? If so, opt…
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Glitter gone.
Here’s a very tiny tip: When the shine comes off, and the carpet’s covered in glitter from ornaments, decorating and celebrating, grab a ball of Play-Do. Roll it over the mess to pick up the loose bits of shine. That’s about as much housecleaning as we’re going to do today.
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Resolutions.
First, Peace. Followed by the usuals: eat better, smile more, lose weight, learn something new, share, drink more water, walk. To that we’ll add “Say Hello” to someone new every day. We say hello a lot every day as part of our job. And the more we do it, the more we like it. Drop…
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Welcome 2024.
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Even the most extreme optimists will agree with Oprah Winfrey on this New Year’s toast – a fresh year with new opportunities and challenges, new rewards and surprises. New friends and new ideas. We wish you all the very best and…