Laundry Room and New Year’s Organizing

How has your new year been going? Are you thinking about purging, cleaning, organizing? That always seems to make sense to me at this time of year. Winter weather is a huge help with this as we have more indoor time and what better time to get going on these kind of projects?

Doris Day selling Happy Soap in The Thrill of it All- One of my favorites.

First up for me is always the closets, but before that I had to look at the laundry room. I don’t know about you, but my laundry area piles up with things to iron and baskets with things that have stains or need mending or extra gentle washing. I am the world’s worst ironer so I procrastinate and by the end of the December we had a few piles and baskets that were waiting to be dealt with.

Here’s the thing, and I get it -most people do not want to take the time to do these things anymore. In our parents and grandparent’s time you devoted some time every week to clothes and maintaining them as you didn’t purchase them often. People are busier now and clothes are cheaper, and what many people do is just discard such items and some people I know don’t even iron!

I’m trying to buy better things and less and so taking care of them is important. Also have you noticed, people who have well-maintained wardrobes just look sharp? Try to be like the Italians- buy less, buy the best you can afford and take care of it.  That means some weekly devotion to your clothes, just like your home. Get in this habit and you’ll look like a million bucks.

I recently spent about 3 hours playing valet -ironing, mending, and making everything look fresh and clean. I dragged my feet beginning, but once I put some music on, I got into it and it felt great to do. If you have a busy life, take time to do this. You may have to skip a workout or pass on a show or something else, but it’s extremely satisfying and you’ll love when everything in your closet is ready to wear and fresh.

Go through and make sure the clothes you have are free of stains, sweaters are de-balled, (this little gadget works wonders) and everything that needs an ironing or a button on is done. We have become such a throw away society, we rarely invest time into these things anymore. I also washed all those big items and took what needed to go to the dry-cleaner. By the way do you hand wash your cashmere and wool sweaters? This wash from The Laundress has lanolin in it which is important to keep them soft and supple. It’s easy to use on a delicate setting with a front loader, after press between two towels and then flat dry. They come out lovely!

I think it’s a super way to begin the year. Use this cold weather to your advantage and get things in order.

By the way, I finally got new washer and dryer a few months ago after many years and I could not be more thrilled. They are Electrolux front loader and dryer and so far they have been awesome. None of the nasty smell and no draining issue that often comes with front loaders. This one is designed with better draining and more circulation. I also bought the pedestals so they are higher off the ground and that also has been so nice. I can see reach in and not miss a sock without killing my back!

Stay cozy everyone!

Kim