The Dirty Dirty Part 3

Among several spots in our home that need a good cleaning out, this is the third one that I am sharing with you!  Let me tell ya, it's not easy to show the world what a slob I can be.  But I am playing "show and tell" as a sort of incentive for myself to get it done and also for you.  Maybe you have an area that needs straightening, a "catch-all" spot... don't you?

Well, also,  the end of the year is coming and I am particularly funny about taking un-necessary dirt and clutter into the new year.  In fact, I once read in a Feng Shui book that you need to sweep out all the old dirt,  from the previous year, right out the door.  I got what they meant and every year I begin to do weird stuff the last few weeks of the year.

Here is the tacky spot in my home that I tackled today.  The linen closet in my hall.  I have a thing for vintage sheets but I use the softest of soft flannel sheets during the winter and from about October until March that is what we use.  So what's the point of keeping them in this tiny spot when they can be bagged up for a few months?  I wound up keeping two sets down and a spare set for the guest bedroom.  Just in case they aren't fond of the flannel sheets for that room.  Mostly, the towels needed to be sorted, refolded and put in their correct spaces and everything else for that matter.  All in all this re-do took about twelve minutes.  And that is just silly because I have been putting it off for months. 

Before... not terrible but needs help.

 Flat sheets in with the towels??? Have I gone MAD???

 What a lazy slob.  This is how I kick myself when I look at these pictures.

Why is my Fourth of July flag even in there???

 Spread it all out to decide what goes in the attic and what stays.

 Stored extra pillows up top instead of on the floor.

Flannels on the right, looking forward to warmer weather on the left.

Gosh I love that old poppies flat sheet.  I want a dress made out of it.

 Refolded and refluffed.

I use the ones on the right, Shaun likes the ones on the left. 

We are quirky about the wash cloths too.

 I am beginning to be able to breathe again.

The fan stays.  It is still needed in the kitchen at times.

 And as for you vintage pillowcases... this doesn't mean Mommy doesn't love you.

See you in the Spring!

Cleaning Vintage Linens

Howdy Doo All! When I am able to spend entire weekend days at home one of my favorite things to do is catch up on my linen washing. I have a tad of a habit of collecting vintage linens like colorful square tablecloths, cloth napkins, crocheted doilies... things like that. Sometimes when I get these items from yard sales, antique malls or just from my Grandmother's things that I've had they appear to be yellowed or stained with age. Sometimes it's not from a particular thing that stained them it's simply from age or environment. Sometimes I am afraid to machine wash these things or the machine and regular detergent didn't get the yellowing out.
A year or so ago I came across a certain product called Retro-Clean from a gal on Flickr. I bought some and have loved using it. I use one of my old enamel tubs, warm, water, a little Retro-clean and a lot of sunlight and my items gleam like the day they were new. Of course occasionally I will have something that is truly stained with something and have to try something else to get it out but most of the time this product does the trick! I love the feeling of checking on my cleaning every so often to almost magically see it changing before my eyes. I have been told that a simple mixture of Borax and water will do the same trick. I will try this and report back but for now I'll stick with what works while I have it! You can buy your own at www.retroclean.com

Have a wonderful weekend!