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
Kim you and I have so much in common, I can’t believe it. I don’t like ironing either but I feel so much better when I just get it done. And my laundry room, well if it’s out of sorts so is the whole house, baskets of clothes not dealt with, boxes of items to be donated, everything ends up there and stays there until I deal with it.
I so agree with spending the time taking care of our clothes, the buying of fast fashion is so hard on the environment and our own bank accounts (it might seem like a deal, but buy cheap pay twice).
I LOVE that Laundress soap and I buy their Fabric Fresh and Wool Cashmere sprays too. I spray down clothes and brush them (with the Laundress brush, geez I guess I am a fan of the brand) before I hang them up again. Makes a big difference and cuts down on dry cleaning for suits and coats.
I love the New Year and a fresh start. I’m so happy you have these new laundry machines to make the work easier and faster, so satisfying. xx
Dani, You and your home keeping are super inspiring. You have it down to an art! I find it very satisfying all this stuff the older I get. I’m talking about taking care of good things and spending some effort maintaining the home. I have to check out The Laundress’s other items. I need a brush and the spray sounds wonderful! I do feel lucky to have the new machines..I wish I had gotten then sooner. They make it so much more enjoyable and not such a chore. xoxo
Hi Kim! I love your new blog design! I’m finally catching up and your design looks so fresh and modern. Very cool! I also loved reading this because I just re-organized my closet and you’re so right about trying to keep clothes like the Italians do (better quality and taking care of them). I have been staying out of stores lately just trying to not buy clothes I don’t need. 🙂 Your new washer and dryer look so nice and it makes such a difference when your laundry room is organized. Our’s Dallas is similar to your’s with the shelf above so I definitely need to straighten it up this month. Great post and I hope you’re doing well
xoDale
Dale, So good to hear from you. I need to visit your blog. Happy New Year! I bet you have a good perspective on this whole quality clothes thing after living in Switzerland? I am trying hard to keep to my no shopping and doing pretty good so far. I am only allowing myself to get home things that are needed and essentials for that. I used a sweater brush today on my sweaters and they look like new! So worth doing. I am hoping you and your sweet family are well down there in Texas. Happy New Year! xo Kim