How to Clean Your Washing Machine

We can't talk about washing your clothes if your washing machine has never been cleaned!

If you've been following me for awhile, you know I would never recommend anything made with toxic ingredients. Now, more than ever, we need to keep things clean and safe (and not lower our immunity with toxins)!

Image : Amazon, Spectrum Organic White Distilled Vinegar

When using white vinegar, I like to use the Spectrum brand since it comes in a glass bottle (bye, bye plastic!), and it doesn't have any fillers or synthetics.

Image : Amazon, Meliora Unscented Laundry Powder

Meliora means "better" in Latin and I just love everything about this certified B corporation, 100% single-use plastic free, Leaping Bunny Certified, non-toxic cleaning product company!

Not only is this unscented laundry powder made with the exact 3 ingredients in my homemade recipe (baking soda, washing soda and castile soap), but it's a Chicago-based company with a wide range of non-toxic, sustainable products from an all-purpose cleaning (sold in a glass spray bottle -- just buy the flakes when you need to refill it), to an non-toxic oxygen brightener (great bleach alternative since bleach weakens fibers immensely), to a non-toxic stain stick.

And here's the key - these products really work! :)

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Want to reduce how many toxins your body absorbs by making your environment as clean as possible?

I've put everything I know about switching away from toxic beauty products, a $30 shower head filter that removes nasty chlorine (say goodbye to dry, flaky skin!), non-toxic cookware, alternative to aluminum foil and more in this online course.

It includes resources and products to make your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (and all the products we use and absorb there), as clean and as simple as can be. No harmful ingredients allowed! :)

And, everything is linked to products available on Amazon - super easy! The course also includes oil free, gluten free, and dairy free recipes so you can be giving your body the least mucus forming and clean foods possible!

CLICK HERE to check it out!

Psssst - And more non-toxic options are available on this blog under the “natural products” category. Please let me know if you have any questions or how I can help! :)

Modern Ways to Wear Silk Scarves

Silk scarves are lovely, but let's be honest, they can look old.  Tied off to the side, they can look like something a flight attendant might wear and worn draped over the shoulders?  Well, it's dated. 

Since I find them in every closet (usually unworn), I highlighted a few different ways to wear them in my May 2017 newsletter (not on the list?  No worries!  Click here to subscribe - it's free). 

I also created a Pinterest board to go with the newsletter.  This board has lots of stylish and modern ways to wear silk scarves (I love it worn through the loops of a trench coat - so chic!).  One of the easiest ways to wear a square silk scarf?  Make it into a necklace!

Moi, using an old silk scarf to jazz up a simple blazer and white jeans.  Pic originally posted on Instagram

Here's how to do it.   

STEP 1
Bring together opposite ends of the scarf to make a triangle. 

If your scarf is already an oblong shape, ie long and straight, then you can skip this first step.

STEP 2
Starting with the top of the triangle, roll the scarf to create an oblong shape.  This also helps condenses the bulk of the scarf to make it easier to wear as a necklace.

Now it's an oblong shape! 
 

STEP 3
Tie a knot in the middle of the scarf.
 

STEP 4
If your scarf is a little bigger, you can tie 2 more knots on either side of the middle knot.  If your scarf is smaller, just leave it with one knot.

Voila!  Tie the ends together at the base of your neck with any and all of your favorite outfits.


Would you wear this?  What's your favorite wear to wear silk scarves?  Let me know in the comment section - I'd love to hear!

 

How to Clean Everything In Your Closet

Yay!  Spring is here.  This is always a time of renewal, fresh flowers, fun colors, and yes, cleaning!  When it comes to your wardrobe, a good rule of thumb is, if it's says, "dry clean only", then take it to the dry cleaner.  Everything else (aside from silk, leather and suede), you can wash at home. 

Since our skin is our largest organ, I like to use a non-toxic laundry detergent.  It's so easy, I make it myself!  Just 3 ingredients:  castile soap, baking soda and washing soda.  I've included the recipe here and an option to buy the same detergent if you don't want to make it yourself. 

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Coats
With buttons and embellishments, this is best sent to the dry cleaner at the end of the season.  However, don't forget to take it OUT of the dry cleaning bag as the fumes can ruin your clothes if stored in the bag.

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Sara, a client and friend, modeling her printed puffy coat from Land's End after seeing me buy a patterned one on the Discover Paris with a Stylist fall 2013 trip.  You can see more pictures of Sara's coat (and mine), on the StylishAfter40.tumblr.com blog. 

Puffy Coats
Sometimes you can wash a puffy coat yourself (definitely read the label).  If it doesn't say "dry clean only", then when it comes to the dryer, throw in a tennis ball to help fluff up the stuffing.

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Embellished gloves I bought at the MaxMara outlet on my Discover Milan & Lake Como trip.  I love the jewel on the left ring finger - so chic!

Scarves & Gloves
I like to hand wash these half-way through the winter since they touch my skin and face nearly every day. 

You can use a little liquid Dr. Bronner's castile soap in a sink full of water (fabulous non-toxic option), or I like to use Soak, which is a biodegradable, phosphate and fragrance-free no-rinse formula that pulls the dirt out - no rinsing required!  This is ideal for items that absorb a lot of water like sweaters, tights and scarves.  I love it so much that I sell it on my site.
 

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Sweaters
I have a separate blog post (and video from my favorite and very trusted dry cleaner in New York City, Wayne Edelman of Meurice Garment Care).  Again, you can use Dr. Bronner's or Soak and wash them by hand - wool and or cashmere. 

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Denim
Denim items need the least amount of attention and care.  Don't be so quick to throw these in the wash too often.  Turn your jeans inside out before you wash them and remember, it's the heat that causes colors to fade.  I put my jeans in the dryer for 10 minutes and then let them air dry the rest of the way.

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White Blouse
White items can be tricky because sometimes, a garment has been dyed to look whiter (I wrote a blog post about that here).  Dry cleaning is very hard on clothes, so if you can, wash it yourself and then you can have them pressed at the dry cleaner (a lot less expensive, too!).

For pit stains, as soon as you can (don't let the garment sit), rub a bit of lemon juice and water onto the stain.  You can also add a little salt to help lift the stain quicker.  Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse or toss in the wash. 

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Silk Items
I've hand-washed silk items before and I don't recommend it.  The water seems to remove the shiny-ness from the silk.  While your silk top won't shrink if you wash it yourself, it will look a little dull (dry cleaning doesn't mean an item doesn't get wet - it just means there is no water involved).  Take these items to be dry cleaned. 

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My mom in a gray leather top from BCBG as seen on my other blog, StylishAfter40.tumblr.com

Leather and Suede
Just like silk, I trust these fabrics to a professional.  I can buff out a small water spot or dirt with my trusty suede brush, but if the whole item needs to be cleaned, I take it to the dry cleaner. 

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Shoes
I have found that it makes a big difference if I show my shoes a bit of TLC after each wear.  Okay, woah!  I know this sounds like a lot, but in the summer, my sandals hold up a lot longer if I quickly wipe out the inside (with a damp cloth, towel or just a tissue).  This helps removes any sweat or dirt that has accumulated. 

I do this with my high heels - after a night out or a work event, I quickly wipe off the outside and the inside sole before I put them away.  For flats, I don't brush them off every day, but I do check the sides for dirt or salt and give them a once over every now and again.  Everyone appreciates a little extra attention :)

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Boots
For boots, the best thing you can do is to take them to a cobbler and have them cleaned and polished before you put them away at the end of the season.  This will make sure you don't leave any dirt or grime on them.  And of course, be sure to wipe off any salt or water if they are not weather proof so you don't look down and have a ton of stains at the end of the winter. 

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Handbags
While Marie Kondo, the best-selling author of "the life-changing magic of tidying up", believes in taking everything out of your bag at the end of each day (I'm trying to implement this practice), a handbag can be cleaned at the end of each season. 

If it's leather, a good leather cleaner is a must since it will clean and condition your bag (if leather isn't treated, it can get dry and crack).  I sell a $5 leather cleaner on my site that you can use on handbags, boots, leather seats and more.

Be sure to always wipe down the handle as this gets the most dirt and oils from our hands.  I've heard of many people using baby wipes (this will also work for the inside of your shoes), but I use a leather cleaner.  Clean out the inside (all those wrappers and crumbs, right?) and always store your bag upright - on a hanger or stuffed with tissue or old t-shirts if stored on a shelf (a slouched over bag just never looks right after it's been sitting like that for several months :).

I hope this list of cleaning tips was helpful.  It makes my life so much easier each time I pull something out (a pair of boots, heels or a sweater) and it's ready to go.  Cleaning it not my favorite, but it feels so good once it done! 

Is there something I forgot?  Let me know your secret cleaning tips!