Pretty Little Green Things

Archive for the ‘Green Guests’ Category

Any website that pairs social media with interior design always gets a gold star in my book.  But what’s so exciting about Design Shuffle is that they take the concept one step further by creating a platform for design professionals to showcase their portfolio work, share their inspirations and network.  I love the easy integration with Twitter & Facebook, plus their content changes regularly as designers join and existing members update their profiles.  And as always, registration is free.  Today we are fortunate to have Joanna from Design Shuffle here on Pretty Little Green Things to share with us how to take care of our beautiful organic linens.  It’s not as simple as just sticking them in the washing machine!  ~Petra

If you made the investment in organic linens, you’ll want to treat them well. Like the fine hand-spun linens used by generations past, organic linens should be handled with care. Taking some tips from our grandmothers, here are some simple, green suggestions for keeping your linens clean and fresh while extending their years of use in many interior design ideas and projects to come.

Magnifico (via)

Washing

Front loading washers use less water and detergent than their top loading siblings. Warm water and the gentle cycle will prolong the life of your sheets by protecting the fibers from over agitation.

There are many options in eco-friendly laundry detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Avoid petroleum based detergents and look for detergents and fabric softeners that are phosphate free. If you need to brighten your linens, consider using Borax instead of chlorine bleach. Borax is a natural product that boosts the effectiveness of your detergent and brightens whites.

Christian Homekeeper (via)

Drying

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of sleeping on linens dried in the sun, you know no dryer sheet can ever replicate the fresh scent. Line drying your linens not only saves electricity but the sun will naturally brighten sheets and clothes. Give your dryer a summer vacation and dry all your clothes outside.

Ironing

Yes, ironing. You probably think the only people who still iron their sheets are grandmothers and Martha Stewart. We’re not saying this is for everyone, but cotton and linen sheets are softer when ironed. Give it a try.

Linen and Lavender (via)

Keeping Linens Fresh

After you’ve gently washed, sun dried, and ironed your linens, neatly fold them and put them in your linen closet or cupboard. Keep them smelling fresh by tucking sachets of just-picked lavender in between the stacks of linens. Or spritz the sheets with an organic linen spray either during ironing or as you make the bed.

Take care of your organic linens for longevity.  You will feel the refreshing effects when you finally lie down in your bedroom for a cozy night’s sleep.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to my very first guest blogger, Chanee from Melongings.  Chanee is an eco-conscious design blogger who attempts to balance the subjective need for beauty, art and comfort in her living spaces with the ecological and health impacts of modern consumption.  She embraces the principles of slow design by offering her readers daily decor inspiration and eco-friendly home decorating ideas for a healthy lifestyle.  Chanee loves to create inspiration boards of vintage and sustainably-designed pieces, so I asked her to create one just for us. –Petra