Copse and Spinney

Originally Published November 10, 2023 for Natural Posh Vintage.com:Home and Hearth

“Fold them while they’re hot!—and they’ll look much better” Our mom’s would say! This and other little tidbits of advice, I have picked up along the way. And I want to share these tips with you. 

Common Sense Clothing Care 

Always read labels and try to abide by what is on the care label. 

For items that must hang to dry, I always use curved or round shouldered hangers so that these blouses won’t get “hanger horns”.  

For clothes that are dry, use this tip:  Button the top button first. Straighten out collars and ruffles by flattening them or “slick them out” between your thumbs, and crease the sleeves while they are still damp. Air dry. This will reduce ironing time.

Never put delicate items in the dryer. Either lay them on top of the dryer, while other things are drying. The external heat from the dryer will aid in drying. Alternatively, you can lay them on a super fluffy towel or hang dry.

I always put cotton Pointelle in a delicate’s bag  and wash on a hand wash or delicate setting.  Then I lay them flat to dry on a towel. 

Occasionally, for items that have lost their whiteness, I freshen them up with sodium percarbonate. (A little tip I learned from a lady in France.) To make your own sodium percarbonate, mix  2/3 cup of washing soda, (I use arm and hammer) with 2/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide and mix in a gallon bucket of warm water. Stir in with warm water until it is all mixed completely.  Make sure there is plenty of water and room for your item to soak. You can add more water if necessary. Soak for up to 48 hours. 

Always fold sweaters rather than hang them. To remove cashmere pilling, use a velvety lint brush, (not the tape kind) and rub in one direction. If you have a tiny hole in your favorite wool or cashmere sweater, find a matching thread and stitch the hole back together from the underside, then follow with a teeny dab of fabric glue on a q-tip, on the mend. It will hold the thread so that it will stay in place. 

I usually put some of my handmade lavender sachets in with my folded sweaters. This will help to detour any moths. 

And just for fun, add a touch of whimsy to your closet! It will be more enjoyable to keep organized when you fill use favorite antique bins, or favorite colors and perhaps add a bunny!!

I hope you enjoyed these little hints. I would love to hear your special hints. Please drop me a line if you have any to share. 

Laura xo