All things Laundry

Well it is a Monday morning, traditionally the day of the week when the laundry was sorted.  It brings to mind a song that I used to hear as a youngster - possibly because my Granddad played Banjo and my Dad played Piano.  There are lot of the older songs you just do not hear anymore.   The link I found is here:  

You Tube Link:

Monday - no better day than to upload this post!

I have now ordered the replacement ironing board cover and and that should arrive in the next couple of days or so.  Once received, I intend to make a couple of board covers by taking a template from the old ironing board in due course, utilising old cereal packet cardboard and tape to create a long term template that can be kept in my stash.  This is something I am hoping to do with with several things around the house.  This also includes me making card templates for the base of cake pans so that liners can be easily cut when needed. I want to get the template cut out and the fabric sourced and then get these made up for the board itself.  I have a larger width and length ironing board than most which makes it difficult to source an off the peg ironing board as it were.  I had a good look in Dunhelm last week trying to source a replacement and they just did not have the size I wanted in stock.  They had some lovely patterns for board covers but unfortunately they were all far too small for my board.  I also intend to make a couple of padded bases as well so that they can be changed out or replaced as needed.  I suppose I am looking long-term here by making templates and covers/pads so that basically they can be changed over very easily when the need arises, without all the faffing about I have been having to do this time around.  That is the hope.

Also to process the vintage linens I have, I have also bought in a quantity of proper laundry starch.  Hopefully both items will arrive during the week and I will be able to get cracking on the washing and ironing pile respectfully.  I told you I was intent on getting things organised in order that I can move forward.  One of the tubs will be utilised for my vintage linens of which I have quite a collection - this is where the starch is needed most. Another box will also be utilised for damaged pieces to see if I can in due course re-utilise the embroidered bits and decent linen fabric for alternative projects.  I am primarily thinking about a patchwork of some sort - hand worked and hand-embroidered s bit along the lines of a crazy patchwork where the embroidery is as much a star of the show as the fabric.

I also need to source a linen hamper for the bathroom.  Ideally I am after a strong wicker Lobster pot shaped (pot bellied) hamper with a lid for putting the washing into.  I have had one of these before. The Lobster pot shape will also go in very well with my sea themed bathroom. Will therefore see what I can come up with.  The basket will need to be quite sturdy as it will be in constant use.

I have recently bought in two new clothes poles for when hanging the laundry outside.  That is a good job well done.  When it comes to the laundry being dried outside, I will need to string a new line in the garden - I am extending it to what it was to take advantage of getting the laundry dried quicker and the no electricity element.

I also need two laundry baskets; one for wet washing and the other for ironing.  Will see what I can source in due course.  

Slowly getting there though a step at a time, which is encouraging.

Also on the Laundry front in due course (although not quite yet) I want and plan to get hold of some more old vintage large sweet jars (either Roses or Quality Street or similar jars) with a view to keeping starch powder in one, dishwasher salt in another, soap powder in another, washing soda in another and I am also considering getting hold of a drinks dispenser jar for storing fabric conditioner in.  I do have an older jar that lost its lid that I use for making my own homemade cleaning vinegar in, either orange or lemon with white vinegar. I re-used a coffee mate seal on top of the jar and it has worked beautifully enabling me to use a jar that I had more or less given up on.  I am trying to be practical about being able to store in bulk, but sensibly. I also need dispenser jars for the vinegars, including one for white vinegar - sort of like a shelf dedicated to cleaning items/products. I also believe that the products look far better displayed in vintage jars like this to make a feature of everyday items and make them more aesthetically pleasing for everyday use.  I do need more large vintage jars for the Pantry in any event, and I will start collecting again for these, however I do not have any room in the Pantry at the moment for them.  So will add a few jars here and there to my stash and build them up again slowly.  I have a very deep vision of how I would like things to be overall.

I did look into obtaining some Reckitts Blue (a little blue square block or sometimes in a little blue bag, which was used for brightening the white wash).  I remember my Aunty using this with her washing when I was a child. In the sixties she had a washing machine with a turning wheel in which you fed from the top together with a roller on the top (electric) and it always used to fascinate me that the laundry would be rolled and pressed to get out the suds and then popped into a metal rainwater barrel (the ones people use for garden planters these days) for rinsing and then they would get a good soak and then be rolled again to get the water out. After looking on the internet, I believe that this is no longer available in this country.  For those of you interested in reading a little more about the Reckitts Blue there is an interesting post here:

Reckitts Blue

One of my other interests is that I collect little fridge magnets or tole signs with advertising pieces on them as well.  Some of the signage was absolutely beautiful.  I already have several small pieces sourced for a future "utility room" and several pieces found in CS stores.  I think I have written about these pieces before.

So gradually the pieces are clicking into place enabling me to tackle and deal with another element of the house that needs tackling and sorting out.  So small steps being made, and at least am moving forward.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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