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Cleaning Up:  two laundry questions- linen water and dishtowels  |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 10:22:37 AM
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Okay-
First, I have seen two recipes for linen water, one includes vodka and the other doesn't (just distilled water and the essential oil). What's the difference? What's the vodka for?
Second, I go through dishtowels like crazy, sometimes a couple a day. Same way with dishcloths. Usually they end up souring before I can get them in the washer, because I don't want to wash such a tiny load. Any suggestions on what I could do with them? I used to keep a little trash can in the kitchen and toss them in there, but they mildewed!
Thanks so much-
Kim in NC |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 10:52:39 AM
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When I worked in the theater, we kept vodka in a spray bottle and any heavy costuming that couldn't be drycleaned or laundered before the next performance was liberally sprayed down. It evaporated quickly, de-odorized and to some extent, disinfected. When JesusChrist Superstar was here, we used ALOT of it, particularly on the priests robes...they would get pretty stinky in the heat of the theater...vodka worked great!
I'm fussy about t-towels and dishcloths too and have lots on hand so that I only wash a full load. I drape them over the side of their own laundry basket to dry out thoroughly before tossing them into the basket. I think the only way to prevent them from souring or mildewing is to make sure they get dried out while you store them before washing. And yes I have to admit, with the exception of egg cloths, it's the only load that gets bleach around here.
Di
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 11:47:30 AM
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I do exactly the same thing..drape them over a basket in the laundry room (the whites basket) and let them dry. I tend to use alot of them so it dosn't take too long to have a load ready
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 1:24:07 PM
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Hi, I had experience with mildewed washcloths when I lived in Lebanon, Ohio, outside of Cincinnati. Put me off using washcloths for a long time. It was so humid, that even though I wrung it out really good after a bath, they still mildewed. I don't have an answer for that, as you appear to live in NC where it is probably humid also.
As for the linen water, the alcohol helps the essential oils disperse. You just shake it up before using it. You don't need the alcohol, but if you have it, using some doesn't hurt.
Good luck with the mildew problem! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
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BStein
True Blue Farmgirl
75 Posts
Barbara
Westerville
OH
75 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 2:58:47 PM
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I always wondered about homemade recipes for linen water...the essential oils don't stain when you spray the clothes and then iron it in?
Barbara in Ohio |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 5:06:56 PM
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Vodka is for a preservative for the water. It does help some to disperse the essential oils but they will still float on top and the water needs to be shaken before using. Without the vodka you'd get some nasties in the water pretty quickly. I always use distilled water when making mine. Hope this helps. I've never had the essential oils stain but always spot test your fabric first.
I always drape my wet washcloths, towels, etc over the side of a laundry basket until ready to be laundered.
I choose faith not fear.
Lotion bars, linen water & more in my online shop! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
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Edited by - therusticcottage on Jul 10 2006 5:08:47 PM |
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JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2006 : 08:25:54 AM
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You can also make linen water by just steeping your flowers in boiled distilled water and then straining. You can use any fragrant flower you have - roses, jasmine, lilac, lavender, or herbs - rosemary, etc. This should be kept refrigerated, and I would only make enough to use for the time, like if you iron once a week, then make a cup or so the night before you're going to iron. Then you don't need the alcohol or the essential oils. Have fun! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2006 : 11:40:07 AM
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Judy -- what a great tip! I never thought of steeping the flowers. I've got lavender, rosemary, and some mint that I've been drying. Gonna go steep some herbs! Thanks!
I choose faith not fear.
Lotion bars, linen water & more in my online shop! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
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Edited by - therusticcottage on Jul 11 2006 6:02:00 PM |
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ali2583
True Blue Farmgirl
404 Posts
Alison
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Canada
404 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2006 : 2:24:13 PM
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I had no idea about the vodka. Wow - that is such a great tip!
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
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Cleaning Up: two laundry questions- linen water and dishtowels |
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two laundry questions- linen water and dishtowels
