With tulips sprouting and warmer days quickly approaching, we’re dusting off winter’s cobwebs with a Spring Cleaning Series to help you prepare for the new season! To kick things off, we’re talking about the place you spend some seriously important time – your bed. We’ve already covered how to clean your mattress and how to clean your duvet, but now that we’re switching over to lighter fabrics like linen for our bedding, what’s the best way to take care of them? Don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you! Keep reading to find out the best way to care for your linen bedding.

1. Be sure to remove any spots before putting the fabric in the wash – once any stains have been cooked on, they’re permanent! Oily stains from body lotion, etc., are not uncommon, so just use your WOW Stick to lift the stains out.
2. Prep your laundry – button any buttons, close any Velcro so it doesn’t snag other things, and turn any patterned or decorated fabrics inside out.
3. Don’t mix bedding with clothes that have metal zippers or a rough texture – any snags could ruin your sheets!
4. Wash with your favourite Nellie’s Laundry Soda – the gentle formula is perfect for cleaning your fabrics without damaging the quality of your linens.
5. Never use bleach – use the Oxygen Brightener to brighten your whites and colours without the nastiness of bleach. It’s better for your fabrics and your skin!
6. Wash in warm or cold water. Lower temperatures are better for the environment, and also easier on your sheets.
7. Line dry your sheets and duvet covers if you can. If you need to use a dryer, make sure the temperature isn’t too high. A too-hot dryer can ruin your fabrics as it weakens and breaks natural fibres.

Other notes

• Most linen on the market is pre-washed, which gives it a more lived-in feel and appearance. Plus, you can put it in the dryer! Traditional, untreated linen should never go in the dryer. The heat causes the fibre to close up and lose its luster.
• If you’re drying your linens in the dryer, be sure to use your scented Dryer Balls in lavender! Not only will you cut down on drying time, you’ll have lightly scented sheets to help you drift off to sleep.
• Storing linens in plastic can result in yellowing and should be avoided. Natural fibres need to breathe, so a non-plastic basket is ideal for storage.

 

We all know the incredible power of scent, whether it’s the perfume your mother wore when you were a child, or a sunscreen you used at summer camp. Scent can be extremely helpful for waking up in the morning, staying focused at work, and going to sleep at night. That's why we have infused our Scented Wool Dryerballs with essential oils. Here’s a breakdown on which Scented Dryerballs you should be using and when!

Lavender

100% pure Lavender

Lavender essential oil is a popular scent thanks to its relaxing effects. Studies have shown that lavender essential oil aromatherapy calms the nervous system, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature as well as altering brain waves to a more relaxed state. Lavender can also help with mild insomnia and provide a better quality of sleep. The scent of lavender can also reduce anxiety and depression in women with postpartum depression. The Scented Wool Dryerballs in Lavender are ideal for using when drying your bedsheets or your favourite pajamas to ensure a great night's sleep.

Citrus

Lemon, Lavender, Pine, Lime, Geranium, and Rosemary

Citrus essential oils are ideal for helping you wake up in the morning and boosting physical and mental energy levels. Citrus essential oils can have an incredible balancing effect; it can both calm and boost your senses, and aid in greater focus and alertness. Citrus can also stimulate creativity, settle a racing mind, uplift your spirits. Pine essential oil is known for being refreshing, invigorating, and cleansing, like a walk in a northern forest. Lime is ideal for adding a fresh, bright, and clean scent. Use the Scented Wool Dryer Balls in Citrus for your bathroom towels to help wake you up in the morning, as well as your work clothes to keep you going through the day.

Simply Fresh

Rosemary, Tunisian Neroli, Lavender

This blend is perfectly suited for your everyday items that you want to keep fresh without using  toxic chemicals. Legend has it that Greek scholars used rosemary to enhance their memory when taking exams. It's ideal for situations when you need to focus and use your memory, like school or work.  Tunisian neroli essential oil is known for its antidepressant properties, and when combined with its natural balancing and sedative properties it is ideal for managing all types of negative emotional conditions and states of anxiety. Along with lavender, these two essential oils help to sooth and calm any stresses from your day. Launder your favourite work shirts or school uniforms with the Scented Wool Dryerball in Simply Fresh for clarity and peace of mind throughout your day.

Whichever load of laundry you’re drying, there’s a perfect Scented Dryerball for you.

What Causes Static

& How to Reduce It

Ever had your laundry come out with too much static? Here are three common reasons & how to solve the problem:

1. You're Over-Drying

Laundry that is completely dry with no moisture in the fabric can cause electricity to cling onto a piece of clothing. As a result,  over-dried laundry can have too much static when taken out of the dryer, so reducing the drying time on your load will solve this issue. In fact, Nellie’s Lamby Wool Dryerballs are specifically designed to shorten your drying time.

2. You're Using Too Much Detergent

With its adhesive texture, using too much detergent can also cause too much electricity to stick your laundry fabrics. Using less detergent will save you from static, and will save you money too! Nellie’s Laundry Nuggets are the perfect answer to this, with the convenience of a pre-measured nugget, you will never over-measure detergent again!

3. You're Not Separating Fabrics in the Dryer

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon cause static since they attract electricity more than other materials. Separate your natural from synthetic fabrics to get rid of static transfer.

Learn more about our static-reducing solutions:

Overall, dryer balls are a great way to cut down on your drying time and reduce the amount of energy being consumed in your home. So, the next time you do laundry, you can feel great about helping the environment and saving some money on your energy bill too!

As we move indoors after the warm weather disappears, it’s important to make sure your whole home is clean and healthy for your family. Why not start with one of the most-used rooms in the house? Don't feel intimidated by a deep-cleaning of your bathroom. We have a breakdown of how to get the cleanest bathroom ever!

Ceiling and Walls

Work from the top down – that way you’re not sprinkling dirt and dust on your freshly cleaned countertops. Start with the dirty ceiling fans, as they don’t remove humidity efficiently and spread dust everywhere when they run. Use your vacuum cleaner’s dust attachment, and then give it a wipe down with the All-Purpose Cleaner.

Ceilings and walls collect a disgustingly amazing amount of dust, even in your bathroom! Give yours a good cleaning with an extension duster or a plain old lint-free rag with the All-Purpose Cleaner. While you’re up there, don’t forget to clean your light fixtures!

Toilet

Scour away toilet stains by turning the water off at the wall and then flushing to empty the bowl. Use a pumice stone to scour away stains at the rim and around the waterline, and then suds it up with the Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Turn the water back on and flush.

Tackle hidden bacteria around the seat. If you’re potty training children, or just have a messy family, it’s a good idea to completely remove the toilet seat every couple of months to give the bowl rim a thorough cleaning. You’ll be amazed – and disgusted – at how much nastiness can build up around the seat bolts.

Shower and Tub

Clean your shower head to remove mold as well as calcium and mineral deposits by filling a plastic bag with straight white vinegar and attach it to your head with a rubber band. Let it sit overnight, and then remove the bag and scrub with an old toothbrush, then run the water to dislodge and loosened gunk.

Eliminate stubborn mold and mildew with the the Shower & Bath Cleaner. Spray generously around the tub or shower stall, let sit for 30 to 60 seconds, and then scrub with a nonabrasive sponge. For daily cleaning, spritz the Shower & Bath Cleaner after every shower or bath.

Wash plastic shower curtains in the washing machine with a hand towel or two to act as scrubbers. Launder on ‘warm’ with the Laundry Soda and hang to dry.

Is your tub stained? Remove any discolouring with a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Dab it on the spot and wait at least one hour, and then wipe away.

Prevent future mold and mildew by running the fan for at least 15 minutes after every bath and shower.

Sink and Faucets

You don’t need harsh products to tackle mineral buildup! Just stick a lemon wedge in the faucet tap overnight, remove the next morning, and wipe the buildup away. You can also use the method we mentioned earlier, with a bag of vinegar.

Keep your drains flowing properly by removing soap scum and other types of buildup. Once a month, remove and wash the plug with hot, soapy water. Sprinkle baking soda into the drain and wait 5 minutes before pouring 2 cups of very hot white vinegar. The mixture will foam and bubble while scouring away residues in the drain.

Finish by giving the sink and faucets a wipe down with the All-Purpose Cleaner for a naturally disinfected clean.

Floors

Remove debris first by sweeping or vacuuming. Don’t forget to clean the baseboards too, as they collect a lot of lint and dust.

Mops don’t really do a good job cleaning around the base or behind the toilet, so do this small area by hand. If you’re potty training boys, you might want to use an old scrub brush around the base of the toilet. When that’s all clean, switch to your regular mop.

When it’s time to switch over your wardrobe and bring out your fall and winter clothing, it’s important to store your summer clothes properly so it’ll be ready to go when the warm weather comes around again.

Before you store summer clothes

It can be intimidating and possibly overwhelming, but the best way to get started is to take all of your summer clothes of out the closet and dresser drawers and place them on your bed or a large table. By emptying your closet, you can work more efficiently since you can actually see all of your clothes at once!

Begin by sorting the clothes into categories: shirts, pants, dresses, accessories, etc. Then, tackle each stack by sorting into save, donate and discard piles. Be ruthless! If you didn’t wear it this year, you won’t wear it next year. Have boxes or reusable bags nearby for your donation and discard piles so you can whisk them away when you’re done.

For kid’s clothes that’ll be too small next year, prepare a bag of clothes to hand down, donate to charity or consign.

For the clothes you plan on keeping for next year, carefully inspect each piece to make sure it’s clean and stain free. If it’s not, you know what to do! Use the WOW Stick for tough stains, and then was with the Laundry Soda. If you have to dry clean any items, be sure to remove the plastic bag before storing – that bag can trap moisture and lead to mildew and discoloration.

Clothing Storage Supplies

Whether you’re planning on storing off-season clothes in a closet or packed away, be sure to have the right supplies.

Hangers: If you’re hanging your clothes for storage, choose sturdy hangers that won’t rust, stretch, or discolor your fabrics. Structured items like jackets and coats need shaped hangers to support the shoulders. For skirts and pants, hang them by the waistband on skirt hangers to avoid creases. Silky fabrics must be hung on padded hangars to avoid slipping off during storage.

Clothing Storage Bags: If you have fabric storage bags, give them a quick wash in the washing machine to remove any dust and mold spores before packing away for storage. Fabric hanging bags are ideal, as air can circulate and prevent any moisture build-up and damage.

Storage Boxes: Many clothes, like knits, are best folded rather than hung. Whether you prefer cardboard or plastic boxes, it’s important to choose the right kind to avoid damage to your clothes.

If you’re using plastic containers, make sure they’re clean by wiping them with All-Purpose Cleaner, and then line with a clean, 100% cotton sheet or acid-free tissue paper to keep fragile items from touching the plastic container.

If you’d prefer to use cardboard boxes, make sure they’re acid-free. The cardboard boxes you grab from the grocery store are not safe for clothing storage, as these boxes are made from wood pulp that can leach acids and cause stains on clothes! Save these boxes for other use, such as Halloween and Christmas decoration storage.

Clothing Storage Areas

If you’re simply transferring summer clothes to another closet, it's the perfect time to clean the closet or storage area you’ll be using. Give it a good vacuum, and wipe any surfaces with the All-Purpose Cleaner.

Store your clothing in a cool, even-temperature and well-ventilated area that is away from artificial or natural light. Avoid attics, damp basements and garages.

This may seem like a long to-do list, but when Spring comes around you’ll be happy you took the time to store summer clothes correctly.