We love this posting from PLAID+HOUND Blog!

"You’ve just dropped part of your lunch on your pristine white blouse. Again. Don’t fret, the stain will be history after you hit it with the Wash & Stain Bar. Brought to you by The Laundress, this multi-tasking bar removes stains from problematic areas like straps, collars, cuffs and more, and is ideal for hand washing and cleaning up while on the go. The crisp scent also makes this bar perfect to use as a sachet; tuck one into your dresser drawer, luggage, or closet to freshen and renew the contents. Your clothes will last so much longer when you can successfully remove those stubborn stains!"

We find these facts so interesting from www.nowirehangersbiz.com!

• According to the EPA about 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is just 28%.


• An energy-efficient home saves up to $400 a year in utility costs.


• About 3.5 billion wire hangers get dumped into U.S. landfills every year, according to the Hanger Network. Thats about 60,000 cars.


• We wear 20% of the clothes we own 80% of the time. The rest hangs there, just in case.


• Each year, 100 million trees are used to produce junk mail. Each year, about 100 million households receive 16.6 billion catalogs.


• According to a study conducted by a Boston marketing firm, the average American burns 55 minutes a day looking for things they know they own but cannot find.


• If all U.S. households received and paid their bills online, it would eliminate more than 800,000 tons of waste each year.


• The National Soap and Detergent Association believes getting rid of clutter would eliminate 40 percent of the housework in the average home.


• If every household in the US replaced just one roll of 1,000-sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissue with 100% recycled rolls, we could save 373,000 trees, 1.48 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 155 million gallons of water. -Seventh Generation


• In the United States right now, landfills are filling up and closing at the rate of approximately 2 a day.


• If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars annually.


• Americans toss out more than 100 million cell phones every year.


• A glass bottle thrown away today will still be there in the year 3000.


• Harris Interactive reports that 23% of adults say they pay bills late (and incur fees) because they lose them.


• Ikea did a survey of customers in which 31% reported that they were more satisfied after clearing out their closets then they were after sex.

THE LAUNDRESS GIVEAWAY...

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Tell us about your machine and the first 15 people get a

FREE Machine Cleaner.
(Only valid to US clients, post your comments with a valid e-mail address)

We are always getting recommendation requests for washer/dryer units. I asked Ted, a long time Laundress client and laundry enthusiast about his washing machine......needless to say, I'm jealous! -Gwen

Gwen - As for washers - I could go on forever, but I will try to spare you. To cut to the chase, I love my Asko W6761 (5 years old) and wouldn't part with it for the world. It is a European-style front loader with its own built-in heater. It has only a cold-water fill, and it heats the wash water from cold through various stages to the final temperature. This so-called "profile wash" enables enzymes to work at the optimal temperature for each kind of stain, then holds at the final temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes. A warm wash (40°C) with The Laundress detergents provides unbelievable results with my daughter's play clothes... Grass, grime, food stains, etc., just disappear. The machine also rinses up to seven times, removing every last trace of detergent residue (but not The Laundress lovely scent!). Since I have a whole house water softener, the extra rinses are especially important, as it takes longer for the foam to go away in soft water. Finally, it is superb at extraction, so the clothes are nearly dry when you take them out. Also, the Asko is amazing at removing lint. They did a feature on this once in Consumer Reports - washed some black shirts with linty towels, etc. - and the contrast between the Asko and everything else was incredible.

That said, these washers are not for everyone. First, they run on 220v, which many Americans do not have in their laundry rooms. There are other non-standard requirements, such as a shorter drain standpipe. And although Asko used to get very high scores in almost every area from Consumer Reports (when they still rated this style of machine), they were always downgraded for "capacity". These are 5kg machines (11 pounds) - which is fine for me, but they will not hold a king size comforter. Also, the cycle times are long, up to 2 hours, so to save all your wash for one day is impractical.

Finally - although they have a great warranty of 3 years parts and labor - one would need to be very sure there was good service in their area. The service in Los Angeles has been superb, but I would call Asko customer service about other cities before buying. Oh, and did I mention these are expensive? Currently over $3000 for washer and dryer together.

Here is the link to the current model (W6903).

This is not to be confused with Asko's "XXL Laundry Series" which is built especially for the American market. That model (WL6511) runs on 110V and holds a king-size duvet, but it cannot do a profile wash and its vibration is terrible, according to CU.
Unfortunately, Asko's only real competition, Miele, has pulled its 220V European machines from America, and now only sells its version of an American machine, which was also down rated for vibration.

Most of the upscale new front loaders (Speed Queen, Duet, LG, etc.) have a heating element, but note that they cannot do a European-style profile wash.
They depend on hot-water fills and can temporarily boost temperatures from around 50°C to 70°C, but could not for instance maintain a long 40°C wash cycle.

For more information on current upscale front loaders, I would refer customers to Consumer Reports. They update their ratings every few months (latest in Feb. '09, where they top-rated the Samsung WF448AA for $1500).

Washing with The Laundress

Lindsey and I moved our offices in December but it wasn’t until around February that our office washing machine and dryer got all set up. We kind of “acquired” a washing machine so despite our wish to get the LG steaming machines we accepted the Whirlpool we had. The Whirlpool is sort of odd or rather unique in which it is a top loader, HE, agitator-less machine (while most HE non agitators are front loaders).

We called Gringer and Sons to get the appropriate matching dryer and found out we had a new option for a “steam” dryer. PERFECT! It was almost as good as our dreams of the LG steam cleaning…..and so it begins...

Welcome to washing with The Laundress!
-Gwen

We love Rogue the dog and his favorite shopping bag The Laundress Shopper!

Lindsey is getting married in Costa Careyes today! Congratulations!

The Laundress in Zurich...

GREEN SWAP Q+A:

Gwen and Lindsey of The Laundress

From www.thehaystackneedleonline.com

I love The Laundress. And sure it's nice that their green detergents are packaged in chic black + white striped recyclable bottles, but it's how their dye-free detergents work that's made me a Laundress devotee for years. I won't use anything else to wash my cashmere + wool sweaters and my two pair of jeans (that cost a fortune but fit great) still have their prime dark finish as I wash them with The Laundress Denim Wash (then hang dry.) The Laundress line is green beyond what's in the bottle: recyclable bottle 1 (most recyclable), plant-based ingredients, and 3x concentrated for a smaller carbon footprint with freight.

Gwen and Lindsey started The Laundress five years ago — both coming from a background in the apparel world (Gwen worked at Ralph Lauren and Lindsey worked at Chanel.) Their cashmere was getting ruined at the dry cleaners. Woolite was the only alternative, and it's not made of the best ingredients (in fact sometimes Woolite can strip cashmere of color.) Gwen and Lindsey were educated in textiles at Cornell, and they found the proper way to care for textiles is through handwashing or machine-washing. In the process of trying to find the best ingredients for their detergents, they found that plant-based ingredients are better than the synthetic petroleum-based ingredients most often used in laundry detergents. (In fact, many people think they're allergic to the fragrance in their laundry detergent but it's often a reaction to the cheap artificial ingredients found in standard laundry detergents.)

Why do The Laundress detergents work so well? Gwen + Lindsey have put a higher concentration of active ingredients in their line. They use four different enzymes in their main detergents. Enzymes break down food on clothing, but they're expensive to buy — Woolite doesn't have any enzymes. Their Wool + Cashmere shampoo was their first product, and it's still their bestseller. The label on your cashmere likely says "dry clean only", but you can care for your cashmere at home. Their Cashmere shampoo is shampoo-based, so it's very gentle on the hair or yarn of the cashmere and brings out the natural oils of the cashmere. (Dry cleaning strips your cashmere of its oils so it never comes back feeling as soft.) There are no enzymes in the Wool and Cashmere shampoo because that can be damaging to cashmere.

Their Denim Wash works so well because it has a softener and color guard. The softener prevents stiffness for when you hang dry and the color guard helps preserve the dye. The Laundress — and other green detergents— use canola oil or other plant-based oils. One of the most disturbing things I learned in doing laundry research was that traditional fabric softeners, like Snuggle, use animal fat (tallow) as their softening agent. Ick!!

Here's more from Gwen + Lindsey on how they've made green changes in their lifestyle.

1. Three simple ways you've gone greener in your everyday life:
-We recycle all our boxes here at the Laundress
- We use a water cooler to cut down the usage of plastic bottles
- We also use hand towels and not paper towels
- We use real dishes and cutlery when we eat here to cut down on the use of plastic cups, forks and plates.

2. Last green purchase:
Reusable water bottles

3. One green initiative you'd like to see enacted in your own community:
More commercial and office buildings having recycle programs available to their tenants. Most NYC buildings don't have this in place and we need a recycling resource. Also, a more user friendly and efficient way to get filtered water in your home to reduce the plastic bottles we all buy in NY.

4. Best green gift you've given, received, or coveted:
Laundress Wool and Cashmere Shampoo has been given, received and coveted by many including Gwen and myself. This product is helping towards eliminating our exposure to harsh chemicals from the dry cleaning and creating less waste by preserving your item overtime. [more on dry cleaning and green alternatives later this week!]

5. Hardest habit to break to be more eco-friendly:
When you adopt a greener lifestyle, it is easy to accept over time. It becomes part of your nature. I guess, keeping to our no bottled water rule. It is very tempting on a hot day just to stop somewhere and buy it, but the penalty is much worse than the quick water fix.

6. How you want to be greener this year:
Use less plastic bags, always remember my reusable Laundress shoppers with grocery shopping.
Thanks so much to Gwen + Lindsey for being a part of Green Swap!!

As Eco-Seals Proliferate, So Do Doubts
By: Gwendolyn Bounds
Thursday, April 2, 2009

It's too easy to be green.

Recently, Kevin Owsley went searching for a reputable organization that could validate the eco-friendly traits of his company's carpet-cleaning fluid. But after canvassing a dozen competing groups hawking so-called "green certification" services -- including one online outfit that awarded him an instant green diploma, no questions asked -- he grew disillusioned about how meaningful any endorsement would be to his customers.

"If you want green certification bad enough, you can get it," says Mr. Owsley, owner of Cleanpro USA LLC, a Scottsdale, Ariz., company that franchises carpet and upholstery cleaning businesses. "I joke and say, 'I could buy some of these companies a case of beer, and they'd give us a certification.' I'm very frustrated by that."

As green marketing has proliferated, so has the number of "eco-labels" competing to be the environmental equivalent of a Good Housekeeping seal of approval. According to the Web site ecolabelling.org, there are more than 300 such labels putting a green stamp on everything from cosmetics and seafood to bird-friendly coffee.

Timber to make wood products is graded by a host of groups -- among them the Forest Stewardship Council, the American Tree Farm System and the Tropical Forest Foundation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency itself awards multiple eco designations, while a sea of smaller entities can be found operating online under names such as greenbiznow.com, societyofgreenbusiness.com and begreencertified.com.

Some label programs, such as those run by the Forest Stewardship Council and other well-known certification groups -- including Washington-based Green Seal and Ottawa-based EcoLogo -- require independent verification of product manufacturers' green claims. But many others don't, partly because of cost and manpower, they say.

The result: increasing confusion among consumers about the veracity of green marketing promises and a growing sense that the federal government may need to take a stronger role in shaping standards people widely recognize and trust. Late last year, for instance, a proposal for a federal "eco-label" program was quietly floated by the office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) that would recognize consumer products that are environmentally preferable over others throughout their life cycle.

"A growing number of consumers are interested in making informed choices about the environmental impacts of their purchases -- and I believe the federal government can help," Sen. Feinstein said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. "So, I am working with consumer advocates, manufacturers, distributors, and existing labeling and certification project leaders ... to create an accredited national eco-label program."

The Organic-Food Model
Some advocating a federal role point to organic food as a potential model; under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "National Organic Program," the government now sets labeling and certification standards. But with food, it took decades of competing efforts in the private marketplace and at the state level before the federal government came up with standards and regulations acceptable to the myriad interested parties.

Impatient retailers are now crafting their own labeling programs to help customers buy green. Home Depot Inc. has instituted its own "Eco Options" designation for items such as energy-efficient light bulbs and environmentally friendly paints. Office Depot Inc. rates thousands of products on everything from recycled content to reduced harsh chemical use, and publishes the info online and in a "Green Book" catalog for its largest business customers.

"To date, there is no universal standard on this, and we are trying to make sense of it," says Yalmaz Siddiqui, director of environmental strategy for Office Depot.
At the heart of the dilemma: What does it really mean to be green? Is having some recycled content enough, and if so, how much? Is something biodegradable still green if it travels a thousand miles to reach shelves? And if a green product doesn't perform as well as its nongreen peers, is it really preferable?

Equally important: Who, if anyone, should ensure green claims are valid? A soon-to-be-released study of more than 3,900 consumer products sold in big-box retailers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia found that in every product category, there was "green-washing" -- ranging from outright lying about green claims to simply providing no proof. The study was conducted by TerraChoice Inc., the Ottawa-based environmental-consulting firm that runs the 20-year-old EcoLogo North American certification program.

Rules of the Game
"What it tells me is that it's incredibly understandable why consumers are so confused because no one has stepped up to define the rules of the game," says Scot Case, executive director of the EcoLogo program, which requires independent auditing of the products it certifies. "The U.S. government hasn't said, 'This is what is acceptable environmental labeling' ... and consumers are being duped by meaningless labels while the truly legitimate labels are getting lost amidst the green fog."

Lilly Flanagan, who runs a title-insurance company, recently built a home with her husband on the water in Queens, N.Y., and insisted on using primarily green materials. But she grew frustrated, in part because of a dearth of information from product makers about why wares were dubbed eco-friendly. She eventually ended up patronizing a retailer called Green Depot in Manhattan, which has constructed its own filter system to judge products on multiple criteria, such as toxicity, indoor air quality, water savings and third-party certification.
Green-Label Roadmap

These 15 green-label programs are recognized as good benchmarks by experts and retailers such as Green Depot and Office Depot:
• Green Seal (www.greenseal.org)
• Energy Star (www.energystar.gov)
• EPA Design for the Environment (www.epa.gov/dfe)
• WaterSense (www.epa.gov/watersense)
• Forest Stewardship Council (www.fsc.org)
• Scientific Certification Systems (www.scscertified.com)
• EcoLogo (www.ecologo.org)
• Greenguard (www.greenguard.org)
• Cradle to Cradle (www.c2ccertified.com)
• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (www.epeat.net)
• Global Organic Textile Standard (www.global-standard.org)
• Biodegradable Products Institute (www.bpiworld.org)
• FloorScore (www.rfci.com)
• Totally Chlorine Free (www.chlorinefreeproducts.org)
• Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label/Green Label Plus (www.carpet-rug.org)
*Source: WSJ research

While happy with her project's outcome, Ms. Flanagan would prefer a universal green seal to make shopping easier. "We can only do so much as a consumer," she says. "The government needs to come up with a stamp and someone needs to check the product, and there needs to be liability if they aren't telling the truth."

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission can take action against unfair or deceptive marketing practices, and it recently has been reviewing guidelines it sets for environmental marketing claims. But the agency's police role is often retroactive -- after products hit the marketplace -- and advocates for a federal eco-label say one possible benefit would be consumers knowing green claims have been pre-checked wherever the seal legitimately appears.

That idea was a cornerstone of the proposal circulated by Sen. Feinstein's office last year. According to one draft, which the senator never officially endorsed, independent certification groups accredited by the government would award a federal eco-seal and check on the validity of claims. The process would be funded by fees paid by companies applying for and awarded the label; misuse could be punishable by fine or court action.

Because such a national imprint could dramatically affect the marketplace, groups representing pesticide and other chemical makers already are on alert. "If there are not parameters based on sound science, a lot of things could have unintended consequences," says Joe Acker, chief executive of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, a Washington-based trade group. "For one thing, you could end up replacing products in the marketplace that have a long history of efficacy with things that don't."

Consumer Confidence
For now, bolstering consumer confidence is at the forefront of lawmakers' and retailers' labeling efforts. In 2007, for example, Mr. Case of the EcoLogo program bought a refrigerator made by LG Electronics Inc. that bore the Energy Star seal. That meant it was supposed to consume at least 20% less energy than required by federal standards.

Says Mr. Case: "I plug it in, and I feel wonderful because it's going to save me money and reduce my impact on global warming."

However, in February of this year, he received a letter saying his fridge didn't actually qualify for Energy Star status because LG hadn't adhered precisely to the test standards required by the U.S. Department of Energy. Notably, appliance manufacturers currently "self-certify" that they have met Energy Star test requirements. LG agreed to modify affected models and make payments to affected consumers for lost energy savings. But the issue underscored the potential pitfalls of letting product makers vouch for their wares' greenness without independent verification.

That may change. The Energy Department, which runs the program with the EPA, now says that while it believes self-reporting is still the most cost-effective method, "sufficient questions have come to light" to suggest that third-party verification may be necessary to ensure "consumers receive the promised energy savings benefits."

Whatever shape green labeling takes in the future, cost will remain a central issue. The EcoLogo program, which has certified some 7,500 products since its inception in 1988, charges a minimum of $1,200 to $1,500 for initial auditing of green claims and an annual license fee based on a percentage of sales (ranging from $1,200 to a negotiated cap) to use its logo. Mr. Case says the funds are used to maintain the program and to invest in creating new standards, but acknowledges the burden it places on small firms. "For big companies," he says, "that's peanuts; for small ones, it's significant."

Write to Gwendolyn Bounds at wendy.bounds@wsj.com
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D1

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Remember to be green and clean every day.

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Gwen & Lindsey featured www.washingtonpost.com

Home Front is an online conversation between two Washington Post Home Section writers and their readers about the best way to feather the nest. Every week, Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza help you in your quest to achieve domestic bliss. They were online Thursday, April 2, with special guest chatters Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber, founders and co-owners of the fabric-care line The Laundress.
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Terri Sapienza: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. The topic of the week is laundry and we dedicated an entire section to the subject today. And joining us for the chat this morning are Lindsey Wieber and Gwen Whiting, co-founders of The Laundress, a luxury fabric care and specialty detergent line. Lindsay and Gwen are here to answer all of your pressing questions about laundry and Jura and I will be around to answer the rest.
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Oviedo, Fla.: I got a great deal on a Martha Stewart down alternative comforter - $39/king size! But it says dry clean only - it is all cotton, white on white stripes. I think the dry cleaning would yellow it and I hate the idea of perc near my face all nite. It is carcinogenic. Can't I save money and wash it in a roomy commerical machine, cool water? Help me salvage my bargain!

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You can absolutely wash this item in hot or cold water since it is 100% cotton. I would stay away from the dryer and hang dry if this is an option, or low tumble dry.
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Springfield, Va.: What can I quickly get around here to avoid moths? I'm sending some clothes to a friend and some boxes won't be opened for a year. I want to put something in the boxes for possible moths.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Be sure to wash everything before you begin storing.
We recommend storing everything in a cotton bag with a zip closure. We have a large laundry zip bag that can be used for long term storage.
Do not use moth balls, Lavender is a great alternative to moth balls and is a natural repellent for moths.
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Washington, D.C.: What is the best way to wash my 100% cotton white sheets? And how do I remove stains? I've tried the standard stain removers, oxygen boosters, non-chlorine bleach without much luck... is chlorine bleach the way to go?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Do not use bleach. What kind of stains are you trying to remove? We have an enzyme based stain solution which is the best for tough soiled areas. The Laundress Stain Solution or any enzyme based remover will work. We soak tough stains. Use hot water when washing cotton sheets. Don't dry or iron if the stains are not removed.
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Canton in Baltimore: I have a hand crocheted beige/coffee colored cotton lace table cloth that has decades old rust stains. It's perfect otherwise but I never use it because of the stains. Is it possible just to bleach the whole thing, let it go to white, and then restain it with coffee?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We have been successful with our machine cleaner which we developed to remove rust from irons and steamers.
We removed rust from a white t-shirt. The product will turn yellow and then you have to rinse with warm water and hand wash afterwards with detergent, not Woolite. We cannot guarantee this will work but this is really your only option with rust. Bleach will eat away at the lace and damage it.
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Greenbelt, Md.: I was wondering if you might have any intel on washing machines that are less than 27" wide. I have an extra-narrow space, but I want a regular (stacking) washer and dryer, not a portable one. 24" might work, 23" would be even better. I have not been able to figure out a way to search online by width. Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We recommend contacting www.gringerandsons.com as they work with small spaces.
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Montgomery Village, Md.: You say not to use bleach on the white cotton sheets. Should I not use it on my white towels and bath mats as well? How else do I keep them bright?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You dont have to use chlorine bleach. We recommend an oxygenated bleach or our Whites detergent that has an optical brightener to keep your whites bright without harmful chemicals. Bleach cancels out detergent and it will break down the fabric over time, eventually causing holes or tears. It can also yellow.
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Washington D.C.: I love doing laundry! I have been using your cedar cashmere wash on my sweaters, and it's wonderful. I see that you are making one for J. Crew. Does it have the same cedar scent?
Also, I try not to put my clothes in the dryer, and they often end up stiff after hanging dry (especially jeans). Any tips to soften them up?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: The J.Crew Cashmere Wash is a lavender blend which also repels moths-it is a wonderful scent that we created especially for J.Crew.
We have a denim wash that we developed for this exact reason. It contains color guard and a plant based softener so your jeans will not be stiff after hang drying.
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D.C.: I have always had trouble with my husband's white t-shirts. I've tried Shout followed by a combination of detergent and chlorine bleach followed by detergent and non-chlorine bleach followed by a rinse. They inevitably develop a stiff dark area under the arms and I end up throwing them out and starting fresh. Suggestions?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You definitely need to follow our stain removal recipe as it is designed for stubborn stains like under arms, ring around the collar and cuffs.
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp
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Richmond, Va. : In an effort to save money, we are cutting back on dry cleaning. My husband has started doing his shirts and they do not look good. Is it my imagination or is this aging them significantly? They are all-cotton dress shirts. Right now, he washes them (regular Tide, front loader w/cool water) dries them briefly and then irons them. Is it the detergent? I always assumed whatever industrial process they used to get them laundered was harsher than what we do at home.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Washing your clothing is the best way to care for them and to have longevity in your item. Are you noticing fading?
We recommend not putting his shirts in the dryer. You might want to us a detergent with color guard. Are you starching your shirts? The dry cleaning process is much more harsh.
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Washington, D.C.: Any ideas on how to prevent deodorant build-up in the under arm area? I am a female, and I sweat a lot, so I cannot go without. It seems like I have to buy new shirts every season!
I have a laundry room in the basement. There are 3 settings: hot, cold and warm. And a load costs $2 wash/0.75 dry

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We recommend soaking your items before putting them into the machine and dryer to make sure the stains and buildup are gone. This will save you time and money. You might find out that you don't have to use your washing machine and you can handwash/soak most of your items and hang dry. We do this a lot for workout clothing, dress shirts and delicates. Try this recipe for your deodorant buildup. We have that happen to us and are successful with this:
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp
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Washington, D.C.: I have the hardest time with perspiration stains. I don't glow or feel the heat - I sweat! I need a step-by-step lesson on caring for my clothes from the time that I walk in the door after work and change out of my work clothes. What is the absolute best way to remove these stains?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Here you go-try this.
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp
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Arlington: I bought some fabric in Cambodia that I use as a table runner. It's skirt fabric that is rather heavy brocade with gold threads. Can I handwash it? Sorry, I don't have good information on fabric content.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: What does it feel like? Silk?
You can use our Delicate wash to handwash it. It will probably lose a lot of color in the water which is normal.
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Washington, D.C.: I'm looking for a compact plastic drying rack that I can put in my tub whenever I want to drip dry clothes. Not having much luck. Most drying racks are too big or are made out of metal. Can you recommend something?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Check out www.organize.com. they have a great selection you might like.
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Alexandria, Va.: For the person interested in storing clothes for a long time: a hint I learned years ago about storing woolens is that you can sprinkle loose pipe tobacco over your woolens, including cashmere and other fine wools. Then put into a pillow case or store in a cotton bag. The tobacco is a very strong insecticide. Use whatever smells good to you. It will not make the clothes smell like tobacco, but will definitely keep insects away.
washingtonpost.com: But will it stain the fabric?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We have had success with lavender wrapped in a breathable fabric like linen or cotton. Cedar Chips will help as well.
We have never tried the tobacco, I imagine it could stain if it gets wet and possibly stick to clothing if the temperature where it is being stored is too moist.
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Washington, D.C.: White sheets again -- The stains are mainly from lotions and cosmetics.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We recommend an Enzyme based detergent and stain solution.
The hottest water you can get and extra soaking is great for cotton sheets. Check for stains before putting your sheets into the dryer.
Our Whites Detergent is a great for white sheets, and pretreat with our stain solution before washing.
www.thelaundress.com
Here is a 15% off coupon to use if you want to try out our products.
"2009laun"
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Dry Cleaning vs. Washing: As a knitter, I use Soak to handwash a lot of sweaters that say they have to be dry cleaned. And I am noticing that other things with a dry-clean only tag seem to be quite washable including fancy-pants silks and linens. Is there a guide to materials that can be handwashed or even machine-washed and those that will shrivel up and die unless dry-cleaned?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We have a washing chart on our website that will be helpful.
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/PDFs/washingChart.pdf
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Dale Blooming: Settle a debate for me: I say it's unsafe to leave your house while the washer and especially the dryer are in use. The roommates don't believe me. I have come home to an empty house with the dryer running. Is this unsafe or okay?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: The washing machine should be fine but the dryer is not safe to have running when no one is there. A lot of house fires are caused by dryers. Make sure to clean your lint tray all the time.
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Alexandria - Yellow Pits: Hello and thanks for this laundry chat! If the pits of your t-shirts are already yellow (have been washed and dried several times) is it too late to get them white again?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Never to late to try. Follow this recipe:
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp
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New HE on the way!: I am expecting delivery of a new HE washer and dryer next week! Very excited about this.
In practical terms, how much more stuff can I put in one of these? Current washer fits an almost-full Ikea bag of clothes; new one is an average size for HE.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Do not overstuff your HE machine. The drums are smaller and if you put too much in your clothes will not get clean.
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RE: Dry Cleaning: Since you say dry cleaning is more harsh, how would we wash items that say "dry clean only" other than dress shirts? I am thinking sweaters, silks, etc.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You can wash most silk and cashmere items. Please follow our washing chart on what fabrics can be washed. If the label says dry clean only, check what fabric it is made of to know if you can wash it or not.
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/PDFs/washingChart.pdf
_______________________
Alexandria: I have read about all in one washer/dryers. Do these work well? Thanks.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: If you have the room and ability to get a separate washer and dryer then you should do so. If you have the ability to manage the controls then great, but we don't use the dryer for a lot of items so that would not work very well.
_______________________
Gettysburg, PA: I always seem to have problems with green clothing and the color fading out in splotches. What am I doing wrong? and why does it only happen with green???

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We don't know about this issue but color loss in splotches can occur from leftover bleach in your machine. Do you use bleach?
_______________________
Terri Sapienza: We're out of time for today. Thanks to Gwen and Lindsey for all of their great advice, and thanks for everyone for joining us. Chat with you next week.
_______________________

The Laundress on Cool Hunting

Combining the captivating aroma of Le Labo's Rose 31 perfume with The Laundress' outstanding eco-friendly detergent, this product is a joint creation that elevates "the clothing care experience to a heightened sophistication." While we're usually more prone to opt for unscented soaps, this is a collaboration we'll make an exception for.

The Laundress' biodegradable, non-toxic detergent is an ideal base for Le Labo's award-winning fragrance Rose 31, as both companies share a passion for quality ingredients and redefining luxury. All-purpose, the formula is suitable for both hand and machine washing, while the scent is fitting for both men and women with its Centifolia rose aroma containing hints of spice and cedar.

The 16-ounce bottles are available at Le Labo's retail labs, The Laundress website, and select retailers worldwide for $45.

Click here for the article.

If you're in Australia - be sure to check out the just opened Donna Hay General Store carrying The Laundress!

49 Holdsworth Street

Woollahra, NSW, Australia

+61 2 9328 6555

http://www.donnahay.com.au/

NEW YORK March 30, 2009

Laundress and Order
The Laundress Wool and Cashmere Cleaning Service

There comes a time when everyday citizens must take the laundry into their own hands.

But when stains can’t be strong-armed into submission, it’s time to alert The Laundress. The eco-cleaning enforcers maintain an arsenal of toxic-free shampoos, pumice stones, stain bars, and fabric fresheners for wool and cashmere.

Ship your sweaters/scarves/blankets right to the Manhattan office, where special victims are given an all-green hand-washing with a coconut-based product that revives lanolin in the yarns. Private vendettas against moths? Pilling? Wrinkles? All sweaters are treated with a cedar scent that naturally repels menacing fabric-nibblers. Then they are air-dried flat, defuzzed, steamed, folded, and shipped back to you in cotton storage bags.

At $28 a pop, anything less would be criminal.

Available online at thelaundress.com. DC readers can clean five sweaters for the price of four with code dcsweater (feel free to use it more than once) through April 23. Doesn’t that smell nice?

http://www.dailycandy.com/new_york/article/42465/Laundress+and+Order

We absolutely love Rubie Green's new bedding line and are thrilled they recommend our products to care for their eco-friendly and absolutely amazing fabrics!

Don't forget to check out Rubie Green's founder Michelle's blog " MA Belle" here!

The Laundress on Ideal Bite...

Think you gotta dry clean your cashmere?

The Bite
You're trippin'. Try an eco delicate wash instead of dry cleaning to avoid use of the toxic chemical perc, which has pretty much the same effect on the environment as too much acid has on your brain.

The Benefits
· LSDegriming your clothes. We actually found these to work as well or better than dry cleaning (and actually, dry cleaning can wear out cashmere and wool).
· No perc-induced bad trips.Classified as a groundwater contaminant by the EPA, 70% of perc used in dry cleaning ends up in nature.
· More cash for blacklight posters. Even our most expensive picks end up being cheaper than dry cleaning.
Personally Speaking Jenifer's sworn off dry cleaners for good, at least for sweaters – washing hers in netted laundry bags on delicate with Laundress's Wool & Cashmere wash got them softer, fluffier, and better smelling than ever.

Wanna Try?
· Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo- our hands-down favorite ain't cheap, but it gets clothes clean and fresh smelling; made with plant-based soaps and oils. For all other delicates: Laundress Delicate Wash ($18/16 ounces).
· Kookaburra Wool Wash- a less expensive option for wool; lanolin and tea tree oil disinfect naturally (and is an effective bedbug deterrent) while keeping your sweaters soft and nonpilly ($11/16 ounces).
· Ecover Delicate Wash- not quite as lux or amazing smelling as the Laundress stuff, but it's also plant-based and still got our test garments nice and clean ($6/32 ounces).

Read more here: http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/psychedelicates

Another great posting from The Krafty Life...

I didn't think that so early in my blogging 'life' I would talk about a company more than once, but I have to say that The Laundress saved us the other night! 'A' and I took my girlfriends from San Francisco to "Zach's Cabin", a fantastic restaurant above the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor's Gulch (you can only get there by skiing in or taking a snow CAT!). The girls were toasting us for hosting them in Vail and I guess 'A' got so excited that he knocked a huge glass of red wine down the entire front of himself! He handled it really well, but all I could think was "goodbye to your favorite jeans and your Tom Ford shirt." He couldn't even run home to change because we were on the top of a mountain! After a few hours we got home and I grabbed his clothes and The Laundress "Stain Solution" and went right to work on them. To my utter surprise, ALL of the wine came out of everything. I just couldn't believe it. This stuff is magic and saved some of 'A's' favorite things and I'm grateful that the product doesn't have all these harmful toxins in it (so I didn't even need a gas mask!). I bet 'A' is glad that I asked for "The Ultimate Cleaning Bucket" from The Laundress for Valentine's Day - I have all the flowers and jewelry I need - THIS was the luxurious gift I wanted! I think he's a converted customer now too.

Click here for more from The Krafty Life Blog

The Laundress Sweater Service is Back!






Care for your items and the environment at The Laundress instead of your dry-cleaner. The Laundress “Sweater Service” is now offered bythe experts in laundering. We will hand wash, treat stains, de-pill, stream, wrap and ship back in our Hotel Laundry Bag, Laundress style.

Price per item: $28.00

Click here for details.

We love this post about us...

The Queens of Garment Care

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber started The Laundress product line because of their frustration with toxic cleaning chemicals and detergents used to both dry clean and wash their clothes...so they combined the most potent friendliest cleaning concoctions with the most beautiful scents into their luxurious garment and home furnishing care line was born. Made with organic materials, renewable resources, plant based dye and free from chlorine, bleach and artificial fragrances not to mention animal and cruelty free, you can certainly feel good inside and out!!! And to boot their products still have a higher efficacy rate than grocery store products as a result of incorporating several enzymes which are more expense but far safer and much more efficient in banishing stains. The current collection is available in four fabulous The Laundress scents: Classic, Baby, Lady, Cedar. We LOVE the wool and cashmere shampoo, the ironing water, static solution and travel paquettes!!! Oh and the wash and stain bar! The best part is that the entire The Laundress collection will soon be debuting on Clos-ette's online shop!

Xoxo Melanie

To view the Clos-ette Living Blog - click here: http://clos-ette.blogspot.com/2009/02/queens-of-garment-care.html

Groups to sue cleaning product makers for ingredient disclosure
Environmental and health activists want lists and research results from such firms as Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive.
By Susan Carpenter February 18, 2009

The makers of Tide, Ajax and other common household cleansers are being asked to come clean about their ingredients. Environmental and health activists announced plans Tuesday for a lawsuit to make Procter & Gamble Co., Colgate-Palmolive Co. and two other major firms reveal the chemical ingredients of their cleaning products and their research on the products' effects.

The suit, to be filed today in New York, seeks to use a little-known 1976 New York law passed to combat phosphates in detergent. The activists "say people deserve to know whether the products they use to wash their dishes and clean their homes could be harmful," said New York lawyer Keri Powell, an attorney for Earthjustice, a nonprofit public interest law firm.The lawsuit is being filed on behalf of six state and national environmental and health groups, including the Sierra Club and American Lung Assn. in New York.

Responding to the lawsuit, the Soap and Detergent Assn. expressed disappointment that activist groups were "using an arcane New York state regulation as a way to disparage cleaning product formulators whose products are used safely and effectively by millions of people every day." The industry plans a major push next year to make more information available about ingredients, said Michelle Radecki, general counsel of the Washington-based group. It represents 110 cleaning product manufacturers that together make more than 90% of U.S. cleaning products."The cleaning product industry is committed to providing more information than ever before on cleaning product ingredients," she said.Last September, the coalition of groups sent letters to several manufacturers informing them of the New York law and its requirement that they file semiannual ingredient and research reports with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation. The letters asked the manufacturers to comply within 30 days. "Eco-friendly" cleaning product manufacturers Method Products Inc., based in San Francisco, and Seventh Generation Inc., in Burlington, Vt., were among the companies that complied with the request. Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble, New York-based Colgate-Palmolive and Princeton, N.J.-based Church & Dwight Co. (maker of the popular Arm & Hammer products) all refused to comply; Britain-based Reckitt Benckiser Group (which makes Woolite) did not respond.The lawsuit seeks to invoke Article 35 of New York's Environmental Conservation Law -- a statute that's seen little action since it was passed in 1976 to combat phosphates, a family of chemicals once widely used in detergents until they were associated with negative health effects. Health issues are central to the new lawsuit as well. Many of the activist groups in the lawsuit link the chemicals in household cleaning products to asthma, skin sensitization and other human health issues, as well as reproductive problems in aquatic life. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is the federal agency charged with overseeing home cleaning products, but it doesn't require cleaning product manufacturers to provide comprehensive ingredient lists, so few companies do. And although the federal Toxic Substances Control Act was enacted in 1976 to regulate the introduction of chemicals, it grandfathered in most of the existing chemicals on the market. In California, two laws were approved in 2008. Together they require the state to identify "chemicals of concern," to evaluate safer alternatives and to create a scientific clearinghouse for information on chemicals' effects, but environmental and health groups say it will be years before consumers see results.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toxics18-2009feb18,0,3588277.story

The Laundress in Tokyo!

Check out The Laundress Booth at The Living Room Tokyo Show...

We love this super cute blog posting about The Laundress!

LAVISH LAUNDRY

Of course my first 'real' entry has to be about something as exciting as laundry (really hooks the audience). Working for California Closets for over 6 years, I learned a lot about caring for and preserving your belongings. Caring for your clothing is as important as organizing it! My believe around clothing is to buy great quality and take really good care of it. Nothing makes me more upset than wasting money on clothes that fall apart. I would rather spend $400 on a dress that lasts years, than $50 on something I can only wear a couple of times - my style is more classic with an edge, less trendy (I need to mention, though, that the best t-shirt on the market is the "My Favorite T" from the GAP. They're about $2o and better than anything else out there - expensive or cheap).

Back to laundry. The best laundry detergent I have ever used is from a small company called "The Laundress." The company was started by two friends who had years of experience in the textile and fashion world. They created a luxury fabric care line that helps to preserve all types of fabric, saves trips to the dry cleaner, is good for you and the environment, and has 4 different fragrance lines that smell divine. I love the whole line, but if I had to chose I would buy the "Delicate Wash", "Darks Detergent", "Fabric Fresh", and "Wool & Cashmere Shampoo"....it's really hard to choose because every product is amazing.

If you are used to grocery store bought detergent, the prices will shock you, but I justify this luxury by thinking about how long my clothing will look fabulous and the dry cleaning bills I won't have - plus, the products are concentrated. You can find this line in some high-end home and beauty boutiques, but I think it's easiest to buy from their website. Be sure to check out their whole website - I think it's amazing. I love the "Things We Love" posts...such a great idea for any business website.

Check out the products and let me know what you think.
Funny Note: When my boyfriend and I were discussing Valentine's Day, I said I didn't want anything because I would rather save for travel or for something in our newly remodeled house later in the year... but then I decided to ask him for some detergent from The Laundress. I'm not kidding. I'm such a romantic.

Check out her blog, The Krafty Life, here...
http://thekraftylife.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavish-laundry.html

The Laundress is featured on Brides.com!

5 Questions With....The Laundress!
In addition to your wedding dress and accessories, you'll probably purchase and/or receive a variety of lingerie for your honeymoon. And unlike your dress, lingerie can be worn again and again so you'll need to know how to properly care for your intimates. We asked Lindsey Wieber and Gwen Whiting, co-founders of The Laundress—a line of luxury fabric care, specialty detergents and laundry-related accessories—how to travel with, clean and store lingerie. Here's what they had to say: —Anne Chertoff

How should one wash their lingerie? Are there some basic do's and don'ts?
The biggest rules are to always hand wash and air dry—no dryer. A laundry basin or sink are great options and always remember to wash in cold water that is best for delicate fabrics. If there are stains you may just want to add more detergent to make sure they are fully cleaned. Also remember to lay flat to dry so that it does not distort the item.

When traveling, is there a best way to pack and store your lingerie?
Yes! We recommend storing your items in storage bags so that you can avoid damage and protect them from other items in your suitcase. We recommend purchasing storage bags for all your intimates and laundry. It saves the embarrassment from any unwanted security checks into your bags. It keeps them nice and discreet.

Which fabrics should you always hand wash and which fabrics can go in a machine?
Cottons, linens, polyester and acetate and some rayons are fine for the machine, but silks, satin or any time of blends with those fabrics should be hand washed. If you are planning on using a machine, a mesh washing bag is always the best option, and remember not to keep it on a long washing cycle or in hot water. Only cold water for delicate items.

How do you spot clean lingerie?
We recommend using our Laundress Wash & Stain Bars for spot cleaning because they are a concentrated dose of detergent that allows you to clean the garment very effectively. You can use them just like a bar of soap and work them into the stains very gently. Make sure not to over soak as it may damage fabrics.

When storing lingerie in your home, are there any special instructions one should follow?
Lingerie can just be stored in a special cloth bags (not plastic) to avoid damage. You may also want to consider storing with a natural moth repellent infused with lavender to keep them fresh.

To see this article on brides.com - click here.

“Bravo! The wool shampoo is wonderful! It saved me so much money at the cleaners and in this very difficult economic time that is saying a great Deal! It is a Great Deal. A wonderful product. A GREAT COMPANY.”
Thanks so much, Bernadette
(Customer Testimonial 1/13/09)

The Truth about Dry Cleaning

Here's a familiar scenario: you just splurged on a cashmere sweater for the fall season and after only few wears it begins to look downright dingy. Now, what do you do? Make a mad dash for the dry cleaner's? No!

Think back to the faint odor of chemicals you may have detected on your last set of dry cleaned garments. The EPA says that conventional dry cleaning involves toxic chemicals which may have dangerous, long-term impacts on your health and the environment. How much damage can that whiff of chemical odor do? Should I never dry clean again? What should I do about my "dry clean only" clothes? The Laundress team is here to put a few commonly-asked questions to rest. So, let's get started!

What exactly is dry cleaning?

Contrary to popular belief, dry cleaning is actually not "dry" at all. Dry cleaners use liquid chemicals, instead of water, to wash fabrics. Legend has it that dry cleaning was discovered accidentally in France during the late 1800’s - apparently, someone spilled turpentine on a badly stained tablecloth, which quickly became clean after the accident.

What's so bad about dry cleaning?

One word: PERC. Today, 85 percent out of the more than 35,000 professional dry cleaners in the United States use the chemical perchloroethylene (PERC) to clean clothes.

PERC is classified as a synthetic volatile organic compound (VOC), because it gives off dangerous and toxic vapors. It is a major air and water contaminant and can easily enter the body through inhalation or dermal absorption. PERC can also cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and skin and respiratory irritation. If that doesn't sound bad enough, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified PERC as a possible human carcinogen.

So, what's the bottom line? Consumers bring home clothes full of PERC every day. The toxins can leak into the environment by getting into air, water and soil. The dry cleaning industry has experienced significant damage due to the costs of cleaning up contaminated sites after leaving trails of PERC and other harmful solvents behind.

What are my dry cleaning alternatives?

The good news is that there are non-toxic cleaning alternatives that are just as effective as dry cleaning with PERC. The bad news is some may not be any better than PERC. Here are a few methods you should know about:

HYDROCARBON:
Hydrocarbon cleaning methods use petroleum-based solvents as an alternative to PERC. However, beware - these cleaning methods are not any greener! Hydrocarbon cleaning carries all the environmental concerns of petroleum, including the fact that it's a major source of greenhouse gases. It is also a VOC and causes a variety of health risks.
Bottom line: Don’t use – not a healthy alternative for you or the environment.

GREENEARTH:
GreenEarth is an award-winning, silicone-based cleaning solution used to replace PERC in the dry cleaning process. The silicone-based solvent degrades to sand, water and carbon dioxide, so it doesn't require expensive clean-up. Also, it won't linger in your clothes, like PERC!
Bottom line: Potentially good alternative, but use at your own risk as its silicone-based cleaning process is still being assessed by the EPA as a potential carcinogen.
HANGERS:
Hangers Cleaners is a new technology that uses liquid carbon dioxide under high pressure. The non-toxic, naturally-occurring gas dissolves dirt, fats and oils in clothing. Although carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas, the samples used in this process are reused from existing industrial processes. In this way, carbon dioxide is eliminated from the environment and will not contribute to air pollution. Carbon dioxide poses minimal health damage, making this process a star in the green dry cleaning industry.
Bottom line: No environmental concerns, yet expensive making it hard for smaller businesses to adopt the method by becoming a franchise.

PROFESSIONAL WET CLEANING:
Professional wet cleaning is a cheaper and safer cleaning technique, widely used in Europe. This process uses water and computerized operations for precise control to gently wash garments. Wet cleaning involves no hazardous chemical use and therefore, no waste, pollution, or health risks.
Bottom line: The best overall alternative to conventional dry cleaning, just more time-intensive & may have a slightly weaker performance than other methods.

I see signs that say "organic" and "natural" on many dry cleaner signs. How can I tell if they really are environmentally-safe?

If you’re wondering if it’s really green? Ask! Be sure to ask about for specific methods and chemicals the next time you want to dry clean a garment. Some dry cleaners will advertise as "green" or "organic," but actually use just as harmful processes to clean your clothes.

The most common misconceptions involve hydrocarbon cleaning methods. Some dry cleaners market hydrocarbon as "organic," but this is only true in the scientific sense of the word. Yes, the method involves carbon-based, or organic, solvents but they will also add to greenhouse gases and pollute the environment! Remember, hydrocarbon methods do not represent a green alternative to PERC.

If you're looking to use liquid carbon dioxide cleaning, ask if they use a Solvair machine. These machines replace PERC with glycol ether, a suspected neuron, respiratory and kidney toxin. Solvair machines only rinse the clothes in liquid carbon dioxide - they do not use liquid carbon dioxide for the entire process. Don't be fooled by these businesses who advertise liquid carbon dioxide methods. The Carbon Dioxide Dry Cleaners Alliance does not allow Solvair cleaners to become members.

What would the Laundress do?

Believe it or not, you rarely have to dry clean. The Laundress is a huge supporter of hand washing. Laundering your own clothes means saving energy, money and your health.

Cashmere, wool, silk and synthetics are all washable. Follow label instructions on the back of our products to ensure the successful revival of all your fabrics. Our website also offers a handful of tips on hand washing and drying your "dry clean only" garments. To learn more, click “here.”

The Laundress also loves steamers. Steaming kills bacteria with just hot water vapor which is a great allergy solution. Simple, easy-to-use, and quick! It eliminates odors and you can also use a steamer on mattresses, upholstery, carpets & more.

Any more questions?
Feel free to post a question/comment or contact us if you have any more questions on this topic. Happy Laundering!

List of PERC FREE Dry-Cleaners:
www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/garment/gcrg/cleanguide.pdf
http://www.myfreshshirt.com/

Resources:

http://www.laundrylist.org/
http://www.greenearthcleaning.com/prospective/drycleaningprocess.asp
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/06/green_dry_clean.php
http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/drycleaning.cfm
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-dry-cleaning.html
http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/recipes.asp
http://www.jiffysteamer.com/
http://www.americandrycleaner.com

THE LAUNDRESS IN ATLANTA!

Check out The Laundress in the Atlanta Gift Show - next stop Maison et Objet in Paris...

We are so sad to see BBC Green Newsletter go - they are a great site with so much information on leading a green lifestyle!

We love this article on clothes swapping - a great way to be green & feel good about updating your wardrobe.

And don't forget to take their Appliance Quiz - you won't believe which appliance consumes the most energy in a year!

The Laundress is sold in select Theory stores!

You can buy our Delicate Wash, Wool & Cashmere Shampoo & Sweater Stone at select Theory Stores...Americana Manhassett, Columbus Ave, Greenwich, Gansevoort, Maiden Lane, Melrose, Spring St & Westchester.

THE LAUNDRESS IS FEATURED IN HOUSE BEAUTIFUL!


Look for The Laundress Fabric Fresh and Sweater Stone & Bar Gift Set in this month's House Beautiful under 101 Stocking Stuffers!

REVOLVECLOTHING.COM'S "LAUNDRY LOVE"

Ever wonder how to keep your fall-time wool and cashmere sweaters looking exceptionally cozy and cute? Introducing The Laundress, a special combination of cedar extracts and sulfate-free shampoo to clean and preserve the natural components of your favorite yarns. Say goodbye to the toxic chemicals used in dry cleaning, this eco-friendly shampoo can be use for hand or machine washing and isn't tested on animals. Additionally, the natural cedar scent repels moths so your new electric blue WHO cashmere kimono sweater will stay bright and be safely stored post-sweater season!

SOURCE: http://www.revolveclothing.com/b/blog/ 10.22.08

The Laundress is featured in The Examiner as a dry-cleaning alternative with the recent launch of J.CREW Cashmere Wash...

If your dry cleaning bill is draining out your shopping budget, but you're still attached to your luxury items, like cashmere sweaters, it's time to find a new solution. J.Crew has just launched a new cashmere cleaning wash with The Laundress New York, a company devoted to creating soaps, detergents and other care products that won't damage your favorite clothes or washable home items. The J.Crew collaboration is called simply J.Crew Cashmere Wash and is designed to maintain the strength and softness of the fabric while also keeping moths from munching on your sweaters (lavender is a natural deterrent found in the wash).

The J.Crew Cashmere Wash is non-toxic and allergen free, and it costs $18 for 16floz. You can find it online and in select J.Crew stores. We challenge you to find a dry cleaning option that's as good on the environment, for your sweaters and on your budget as this lovely smelling wash.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/

INTRODUCING THE LAUNDRESS FOR J.CREW CASHMERE WASH!

The Laundress created this eco-friendly product to provide the best care for J.Crew’s signature Italian cashmere by preserving the natural lanolin of the yarns and increasing longevity.

The Laundress for J.Crew Cashmere Wash is pH balanced and also includes a blend of lavender extracts, which naturally repels moths. The Laundress for J.Crew Cashmere Wash is highly-concentrated and biodegradable as well as allergen, phosphate, sulfate, dye and animal-cruelty free.

To buy, order via jcrew.com, their catalog and select stores.

The Laundress is featured in The Dallas News as one of the six products to get you in and out of the gym fast...

Fabric Fresh sprays
Kill the stink on your gear before you pack it away. Fabric Fresh sprays from The Laundress are nontoxic, anti-bacterial odor-removing sprays that you can use on your clothes, yoga mat and more. Available in four scents. $14 for 8 ounces. Tango Zango, 6025 Royal Lane. 214-890-0202. www.thelaundress.com.

ALWAYS FILL YOUR WASHING MACHINE!

Did you know washing machines use the same amount of energy regardless of how full they are, so you can save energy just by filling up each load.

If you reduce the number of washes you normally do by just 25%, you'll save 30kg of CO2 each year or the equivalent of driving 75 miles!
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Source: BBC Green Newsletter