Eucalan Delicate Wash...a Whole New Spin on Laundry!

Winner + Teddy Bear Care with Eucalan

Thanks to everyone who entered our blog giveaway this month.  We're thrilled to know so many folks are interested in exploring Eucalan's many uses for baby care and beyond!  Here are our lucky winners:

• Eucalan Gift Pack: Krystyn WF
• Getaway Gang Travel Set: Kaiya Voigt Allison

Please e-mail info@eucalan.com with your shipping information so we can get your prizes out as soon as possible! Stay tuned for more giveaways next month; we'll keep you up-to-date on Facebook, Ravelry and Twitter!

Here are some of our favourite baby care tips from our fans:

"My favorite baby tip is to take baby socks (before you clean them) and pin them together using a safety pin. That way you don't lose a sock." -Liz

"Best baby tip...just go with the flow and expect the unexpected. Plus keep wipes and diapers in your purse, car, and every level of your home, because new baby explosions don't wait for anything!" -Angie S.

"My favorite baby tip is do something nice for yourself while your baby is napping. Don't spend that precious time folding laundry cause laundry can wait. Take care of yourself instead and read, nap, watch a show." -Estella

"I've used Eucalan to spot clean my kids' wool rug. Love it for all their knits and soakers too - will try it next time we need a stuffed animal cleaned." -Rammy

"For the older baby or young toddler, I suggest a pack of Post It notes for desperation airplane or road trip entertainment. Easy to clean up. Love the scent of Eucalan. Thanks for the giveaway!" -DKW

"I use Eucalan on my baby items so they are not faded from normal detergents." -Victoria B.

"My favourite baby care tip is to give babywearing a good try - for many people (not everyone!) it's a great way to keep baby close and pick up on hungry cues before the baby cries! :) I've been using Eucalan for several years now on our woolies. Love the stuff!" -Juliette

We'd like to share yet another use for Eucalan when caring for your little one: washing a teddy bear! Invariably, your child's favorite friends will need a bath - and Eucalan is the perfect way to gently clean and care for stuffed animals of every persuasion! Click here to view more helpful tutorials on the Eucalan YouTube Channel.  

 

April showers bring baby showers...and a giveaway!

Springtime means new beginnings - and whether that's in the form of spring cleaning, a wedding, or baby showers, we've got you covered. This month, we'll be sharing our favourite uses for Eucalan when it comes to caring for little ones - and giving away fantastic Eucalan prizes so you can see for yourself just how versatile our no-rinse wash can be!

Eucalan is a wonderfully mild soap, gentle enough to be used to care for all your babies favourite things - we recommend Lavender for its relaxing aroma as well as its natural antiseptic properties. Read on for time-saving tips as well as your chance to WIN one of two prizes so you can see for yourself!

• Caring for Wool Soakers - Parents who choose earth-friendly cloth diapers will love Eucalan to use between lanolizing wool diaper covers. Not only does Eucalan wash and sanitize soiled covers, it helps prolong the lanolizing, keeping wool covers soft for baby! Click here for full instructions.
• Washing Stuffed Animals - Eucalan brightens and cleans favourite stuffed animals. A little elbow grease has to be used for particularly soiled stuffies, but its worth the effort when your little one cuddles up with their best friend again. Click here for detailed instructions.
• Cleaning Blankies and other items - Keep blankies and other items that are in close contact with baby clean and sanitary with our naturally antiseptic Lavender wash. Click here for instructions.
• Washing Nursing Bras - Nursing bras should be washed between every use to keep them clean and help them maintain their shape. Washing does not deteriorate bras; body oils, lotions and potions, milk from unexpected "let down" and simply wearing your bra contributes to fibre wear and tear. Washing keeps fibres clean and helps elastic maintain its original tension - click here for step-by-step instructions.
• Diaper Bag Essentials - Our stain-treating towelettes are an essential item for every diaper bag. It never fails, when you're dressed up and away from home, your baby will either spit up on your clothes or his/her own outfit. A Eucalan wipe kept handy in your diaper bag will save the situation! Click here for detailed instructions.

You don't have to take our word for it, though - we're offering two great prizes to our blog readers this month:

• 1 Eucalan Gift Pack (pictured below), containing four 3 oz. bottles of Eucalan in each of our three scents plus one unscented - great for travel or stashing at grandparents' house!
• 1 Getaway Gang (pictured above right), containing everything you need for on-the-go care: Contains 2 each of the individual use singles (eucalyptus,lavender,grapefruit,unscented), 4 wipes, 1 pack lint removers, 1 nail file and 1 sewing kit in a re-usable vinyl zipper bag. Fits perfectly into your diaper bag for busy parents on the move!

To enter, leave a comment sharing your favourite baby care tip OR why you'd like to give Eucalan a try! To double your chances of winning, you can also follow our blog by clicking the "follow" button on the right sidebar. We'll randomly choose two lucky winners on Friday, April 27. Be sure to follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook for more chances to win great prizes this month. Good luck!

Say 'I Do' With Eucalan

Wedding Season is about to begin - and whether you're a bridesmaid or a bride, you don't want to forget the Eucalan! 

Don't let an unexpected stain ruin your special day!  Your "emergency" kit should include lipstick, band-aids, safety pins, tissues, and Eucalan stain-treating towelettes.  They will quickly clean up any little marks that get on your dress, be it make-up, food, or bird poop (yes, those outdoor photo shoots can get messy!).  Bring enough for each person in your wedding party as well as your mother and mother-in-law, too.

After your special day, the hem and train of your wedding dress will most likely be filthy, and it will definitely need a good cleaning before being put away.  Cleaning and preserving your dress couldn't be easier (or more cost-effective) with Eucalan: 

• Add Eucalan to washing machine or bath tub and fill with tepid water. 
• Immerse dress in water and allow to soak for 15 minutes.
• Add Eucalan full strength to tough stains and rub gently with a soft tooth brush until stain disappears.
• Squeeze dress with hands to incorporate soap and water through the fibres.
• Soak dress for additional 15 minutes.
• Remove from water and squeeze or spin out excess water.
• You may roll in a towel being careful not to get beads stuck on towel fibres.
• Hang to dry away from direct sunlight or heat.

Often times, stains don't show up until much later.  When you pull your dress out of storage, you may notice discolorations that hadn't been there before!  Our newest tutorial video will show you how to remove the most stubborn stains; click here for instructions on our website.

Knitting Daily TV

Exciting news!  Series 800 of Knitting Daily TV is now available for purchase on DVD, including two Eucalan-sponsored episodes. 

After spending so much time making a garment, sock, or really any hand-knit (or crocheted) item, knowing how to properly care for it will extend its life.  Watch the clip from episode 804 below for great tips on washing and blocking your finished projects.  Eunny uses Eucalan in this episode to hand-wash her sweater. 

 

Sometimes food, makeup and other stains find their way onto your WIP (work-in-progress).  When stains strike, Eucalan shines in emergency spot removal.  In the clip from Episode 813 below, Kristin Omdahl removes a stuboorn makeup stain live on camera using Eucalan Wipes.  She also gives some fantastic quick cleaning times for your delicate handmade items and talks about why she prefers a product with essential oils such as Eucalan for all of her hand-made and vintage care. 

 

New Year's Resolutions?

If you find yourself taking up yoga or spending time at the gym in 2012, chances are you've also invested in some brand-new workout wear. Protect your investment with Eucalan! Manufacturers recommend using a delicate soap to keep your garments looking and performing like new - the antiseptic properties of our Lavender and Grapefruit scents will clean and disinfect your clothing naturally.

Make clean part of your routine in 2012 - your clothing will last much longer if you follow our easy instructions:

Machine Wash - Front Load Machine:

Select Rinse and Spin cycle. Cold or tepid water.

Add Eucalan** to fabric softener drawer.

Load articles into machine and start cycle.

Follow drying instructions below.

Machine Wash - Top Load Machine:

Add Eucalan** to machine.

Select gentle cycle and add cold or tepid water.

Stop machine. Add articles.

Allow to soak 15 min. (minimum).

Gently squeeze articles to incorporate soap and water through fibres.

Spin water out.

Follow drying instructions below.

*Use 5mL/1 tsp per 4L/1G of water (more for heavily soiled items)

**Use 15-30mL/1-2 Tblsp per load (adjust amount based on size of load)

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Drying:

Important: Dry all items out of direct heat and sunlight.

Lay knit articles flat on clean dry towel. Roll article in towel to remove excess moisture. Lay flat to dry on drying rack or clean dry towel.

Thrills & Spills

The thrills and spills of the holiday season won't slow you down with Eucalan by your side! You'll be prepared for whatever comes your way with our On-The-Go Care and this helpful article from issue #39 of Selvedge.  To read our practical advice for stain removal, click on the image below for a full-size image! 

Laundry Tips to Save the Earth...and Your Wallet

For the budget-conscious as well as the eco-minded, there are plenty of compelling reasons to clean up your laundry routine.  We've collected some of the best tips to get clean clothes and a clean planet!

1.  Skip the dry cleaner.  Not only is it bad for the environment, it's also very expensive!  Garments that
are labeled "dry clean only" can be laundered quite easily & safely at home for a fraction of the cost.  The Eucalan YouTube channel is dedicated to giving you all the info you need to get started!

2.  Say no to phospates. So what are phosphates, and why are they bad?  In a nutshell, phosphates cause algal blooms which have a negative impact on rivers, lakes are streams (for a more in-depth explanation, click here). Eucalan's formula is not only phosphate-free, it's biodegradable and non-toxic too! 

2.Washing clothes in cold water will save you money on your energy bill.  According to PlanetGreen.com, 90% of the energy used by a typical washing machine is used to heat the water, while only 10% is used to power the motor. 

3. Switch to a High-Efficiency washer.  Eucalan is safe to use with all HE washers, and you'll save up to 7,000 gallons of water per year (source: Treehugger.com).

4. Use less detergent.  You'll save money by making your detergent last longer and your clothes will still be nice and clean!  Click here to read more about why most of us are using too much detergent in each load of laundry.

5.  Skip the dryer.  Whenever possible, skipping the dryer and opting to line-dry will save you big money - dryers are #2 on the list of energy-guzzling appliances! 

6.  Make the most of the dryer if you choose (or need!) to use it.  Opt to use the air-dry feature, which uses cold air to dry clothes.  If you're in the market to buy a new dryer, gas-powered dryers are three times faster than electic.  (Source: About.com - click here for even more dryer facts!) Also keep in mind, dryer lint is compostable - and if you're feeling crafty, it makes great paper!

 

For more laundry lessons, check out our how-to page on the Eucalan website and view our videos on YouTube!

Wool Soakers, Eucalan & You!

Parents who choose cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers have made a commitment to reduce landfill waste – it is estimated that disposable diapers take anywhere from 250-500 years to decompose!  Re-usable cloth diapers aren’t just better for the environment, they’re better for baby’s skin, too! 

 

Wool is a perennial favorite in the cloth diapering community for soakers, used as an outer covering for cloth diapers. Wool provides stretchiness and elasticity, is naturally anti-bacterial, and can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet.  Wool is also a breathable fabric that can be used year-round. There are tons of easy-to-make patterns available on the internet - Stefanie Japel's Knit-Your-Own-Soakers tutorial from last year is one of many great resources for do-it-yourself wool soakers.   

 

Caring for your wool soakers is easier than you might think, too.  As with any woolen garment, you can pre-treat any soiled areas with full-strength Eucalan before soaking it in cool water mixed with a drop of your favorite Eucalan scent.  Once it’s had a good soak, you can gently squeeze the article out, then roll it in a towel to remove excess moisture and lay it flat to dry.  Our video tutorial below will take you through this process step-by-step if you're new to hand-washing garments.

 

 

For parents-on-the-go, you can throw several soakers to soak in the washing machine (again, cool water and a little bit of Eucalan is all you need!), then using the spin cycle to remove excess water before laying your soakers out to dry. 

Because you bypass the wash cycle, you will save several gallons of water with each wash!  The no-rinse formula is biodegradeable and phosphate-free, which means it’s better for the environment, better for baby’s skin, and better for the life of your garment.  The lanolin in the formula conditions and softens woolens, and Eucalyptus is a natural moth and flea inhibitor.  If you prefer, you can choose the Lavender scent, which is a natural antiseptic and will also keep moths away; Grapefruit, which is a natural antiseptic; or Natural, which is our unscented formula that is perfect for those who have fragrance sensitivities.

 

Please note:  From time to time, you will need to lanolize your diaper covers; our product is intended for use in conjunction with a pure lanolin when caring for wool soakers. In between lanolizing, Eucalan helps condition fibres and deter dust mites.

A Fond Farewell to FiberArts Magazine

I'm saddended to hear the news that FiberArts is ceasing publication; each issue was always filled with a wealth of knowledge spanning various fiber-related disciplines, and it was always an interesting and informative read. 

I feel fortunate to have been among the contributors during the magazine's 30-year reign.  My collaboration with Danielle Webb (Wallflower Vintage/The Dress Shop), Lisa Carrow (instructor at The Waldorf School, my sister-in law and daughter of the founder of Eucalan) and Celia Love shared our collective knowledge when it comes to laundering delicate and vintage fabrics.  Caring for Vintage Treasures (Jan/Feb 2010 issue) explained the benefits of hand-washing vs. dry-cleaning vintage items, sharing several case studies from Wallflower Vintage. 

Here are some of the highlights, plus a few case studies that didn't make their way into the finished article:

Because traditional detergents and dry cleaning agents can strip the fibers of their naturally-occurring properties, we recommended products that enhanced these properties, such as Eucalan Delicate wash.  It's important to use a liquid soap that doesn't require rinsing, but we also recommend looking for one that also contains beneficial essential oils such a eucalyptus or lavender, because they protect against moths and fleas. 

Six Tips for Successful Care of Delicate fibers:

• Check for color fastness on a small section of the garment prior to washing, and wash garments separately if their color bleeds or transfers to your cloth.
• Spot clean with cool water whenever possible; you can use full-strenght delicate wash on stains in silk and satin
• Spritz stains in vintage linen with a blend of 1 quart water mixed with one-quarter cup white vinegar while the garment is exposed to sunlight.
• Handwash wool, cashmere, linen, rayon, chiffon, lace, velvet, leather and fur trim, and garments embellished with beading, sequins, and anything metallic.  
• Use tepid water for handwashing, soak for 15 minutes, gently squeeze out garment and roll in a towel to remove excess moisture. 
• Spritz needlepoint items with a mixture of delicate-wash liquid and water, then blot dry with a clean towel. 

  Case Study:  Ballgown Petticoat

When this beautiful ball gown crinoline came to Wallflower Vintage it was positively gray, but otherwise in perfect condition. We bathed it in tepid water using 1/8 cup Eucalan delicate wash, letting it soak for 25 minutes. Then we gently squeezed the water out and the dirt literally fell out of the tulle; the water was very dark! We repeated the process and were extremely happy with the results, so it was hung to dry. After steaming, all of the layers fluffed up and the tulle is now quite soft and bouncy, ready for hours of dancing again!

 

 

Case Study: Black Dress

This classy 1950’s shirtwaist had underarm sweat stains and stains on the skirt of unknown origin when it arrived at Wallflower Vintage. The combination of chiffon over taffeta created a challenge as chiffon bunches up when wet, and taffeta shows watermarks when it’s spot cleaned. So, first the sweat marks and other stains were treated, and then the whole dress was soaked in Eucalan Delicate Wash (1Tbsp. in enough water to immerse the dress) for about 15 min. The water was then gently squeezed out and it was hung to dry. The dress steamed up beautifully both the taffeta and chiffon returning to its original look.

 

 

 

 

Case Study: Plaid Coat

The former owner of this turquoise, wool tweed winter coat must have run through some spring slush puddles. When we received it at Wallflower Vintage there were brownish splatter marks here and there. Thankfully cleaning was easy. Using a 1:1 solution of Eucalan Delicate Wash and water, we spot cleaned the marks and each one disappeared without leaving a watermark. The coat looks like new and is ready for the next winter season again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case Study:  Sequin Shell

This spectacular sequined and beaded tank has a 100% wool knit foundation. When it arrived at Wallflower Vintage it was very grubby around the neckline and had lost its luster and sparkle. Using Eucalan Delicate Wash full strength we treated the neckline, gently rubbing it in with a soft cloth and allowing it to soak in for 15 min. Then we fully immersed the tank in a basin of cool water with 1 Tbsp. Eucalan, and soaked further. During this time - about 25 to 30 min., occasionally we gently massaged the top to ensure the solution fully penetrated. Very carefully the top was gathered up and spread out on a large towel and rolled to remove excess water. The top was then spread out on a clean, dry towel, blocked to the proper size where it was allowed to dry fully. We were thrilled to see it restored its clean and sparkly self. 

Case Study:  Sequin Skirt

The Wallflower Vintage gals loved this amazing circle skirt from the 1950’s, and the sequins covering the floral motif raised a concern about cleaning the stains. The dark stains were treated with Eucalan Delicate Wash worked directly into the affected areas and allowed to sit for 15 to 20 min. Then, the entire skirt was soaked in cold water only, being 100% cotton, using 1 Tbsp. Eucalan. After gently squeezing out the water and hanging to damp dry, the skirt was ironed on the wrong side. We were thrilled with the results; no more stains, and the sequins are as sparkly as ever!

Greasy Whiskers…Eucalan’s Great for Washing the Dog

Meet Molly, our 2 year old Westie who has a fondness for raw beef bones.  She enjoys nibbling on the fat and licking out the marrow.  She gets right into it and her beautiful whiskers end up looking very greasy and stringy.   Eucalan to the rescue.

 

Speaking of rescue, that’s how we came across Molly.  We were looking for a small dog through the SPCA and other rescue dog associations.  In my heart, I really wanted a Westie, so we were scouring the internet.  There are a lot of dogs needing rescue and not many West Highland Terriers to be found in our area.   We really felt it was fate when we found Molly’s listing with Ontario Canine Rescue http://www.ontariocaninerescue.com/ .  Our application to adopt was accepted and we were able to meet and eventually take Molly home.  Her tough life was over…we have never been happier.  Molly’s former life as a breed dog at a puppy mill in Quebec (now shut-down) is 7 months behind her.  Although she is still very shy and trembles in new situations, she has settled into her new home and is really coming out of her shell, showing her true Westie personality.  I think I got off topic…back to the real reason for this post….greasy whiskers.

 

We bath Molly in our laundry tub.  As you can see, I put Eucalan in the tub and then start to fill it with tepid water.  I fill it high enough that it reaches Molly’s belly.  I then use a cup or my hands to scoop water up and pour it on her body, tail, and neck. 

 

She doesn’t love it, but she does tolerate her baths.  Eucalan is very mild and non-toxic, so I don’t worry if she licks the water a little bit.  I wet my hands and stroke them on her head and around her muzzle, careful not to get water/soap in her ears, eyes or nose.  In this instance, I used a bit of straight Eucalan on my hands and pulled it through those greasy whiskers.  I then rinsed the soap off her whiskers before she tried to lick it off!  Eucalan is a no-rinse product however, if you are putting the soap directly on your dog, then you will need to rinse it out as it is a concentrate and you probably have more soap on the dog than you realize. 

It was a gorgeous day, so I towel dried Molly, then tied her on her leash and took her outside to dry in the shade.  Eucalan contains a touch of lanolin which acts as a natural conditioner for your dog’s skin and fur.  You might consider using the eucalyptus or lavender scent as those essential oils are natural moth and flea inhibitors.  I wash Molly’s bedding in the lavender Eucalan also.

 

I then gave her a nice brush and she was looking good as new.

 

- Submitted by Tabatha