Laundry – FoodWatcher

The Ultimate Laundry Stripping Recipe

I remember the first time “laundry stripping” went viral. I was just out of college, and all of a sudden, my Facebook timeline was filled with videos of people swirling towels around in their bathtubs, leaving behind murky brown water. That was a few y…

It’s no secret that #CleaningTikTok loves a good laundry hack, so it was only a matter of time before they got everyone interested in laundry stripping. After all, it’s sooo satisfying to watch all the dirt and grime come out of (seemingly) clean clothes or, in the case of TikTok user @emmast_john’s viral video, used couch covers. Ick! If you’re ready to try the trend out for yourself and see what gunk is hiding in your linens, here’s the best laundry stripping recipe and some insights into the process.

PSA: It’s Definitely Time to Wash or Toss Your Pillows

We already know that sheets need to be cleaned far more often than is convenient (once a week… yep—it’s a chore), but when you really start to think about the dead skin cells, dust, and dirt that settle on your sheets, it’s a natural next step to say, “Oh god, what about my pillows?” Oh god indeed, your pillows are some of the worst perpetrators. Turns out, pillows are filled with all sorts of allergens like dust, pollen, body oils and skin cells, and fungi which may be stuffing you up and making it harder to sleep.

It's a whole, happy little eco-system in there. A 2005 study by the University of Manchester found an average of more than a million fungal spores in the household pillows they tested; synthetic pillows were found to have a higher concentration of aspergillus fumigatus, the most common strain, which feed dust mites, can exacerbate asthma, and can lead to disease in those with compromised immune systems.

DIY Sachets for Sweet-Smelling Sock Drawers

As we’re sure you well know, the months of February and March can easily stretch into what feels like a never-ending winter, especially when warm, teasing days poke through just to be dashed by a forecast of snow the next. One way to make them feel instantly less bleak? A breezy little assembly-line craft, and one that’ll (physically) warm your cold, winter hands.

These sweet-smelling handmade sachets are just the thing to spruce up your unmentionables drawer and air out stuffy closets—smaller ones are kind of like boxes of baking soda in their ability to stave off stale odors lingering in last season’s clothes. Not only that, but larger versions can be popped in the microwave for about a minute and act as the world’s best-smelling heating pad for your snow-shovel backache. Come summer, these little guys can also be stashed in the freezer to relieve the back of your neck from sweltering temps, as well as provide gentle cold relief to strained muscles.

This Laundry Room Renovation Took 3 Years. Here’s Why It Was Worth It.

In 2016, interior designer Mandi Gubler and her husband Court were planning the custom home of their dreams in Santa Clara, UT when one of their friends, a real estate agent, showed Gubler around a 100-year-old mercantile store—and unintentionally threw their plans for a loop. “The agent said it would make for a cool vintage store, a coffee shop, or a restaurant,” Gubler recalls, but the designer had other plans. “It was old and awesome. I loved the giant shop windows and high ceilings. This was my house.”

The home’s exterior. Photo by Mandi Gubler

It took her husband a bit longer to come around to the idea, but Gubler eventually won him over, and they’ve spent the last several years teaching the old shop—which they’ve affectionately nicknamed “The Merc”—some new tricks by unhurriedly renovating it bit by bit. Their most-recent project? A cheery laundry room glow-up that favored thoughtfulness over speed and took three years (yes, you read that right) to complete.

7 Laundry Tips for Making Your Clothes Last (Almost) Forever

We’ve teamed up with Miele to share expert-approved laundry tips and tricks for making sure your clothes (and sheets, towels, and more) stay in tip-top shape—no matter how many times you run them through the washer and dryer.

As a sentimentalist and…

We've teamed up with Miele to share expert-approved laundry tips and tricks for making sure your clothes (and sheets, towels, and more) stay in tip-top shape—no matter how many times you run them through the washer and dryer.

As a sentimentalist and a nostalgic dresser, my most prized piece of clothing is a cream-colored Lehigh University crew neck from the mid-1980s. This vintage sweatshirt belonged to my mom in college and was passed down to me as a child, when it hung below my knees. It’s been a treasured garment ever since, keeping me warm from elementary school all the way to adulthood.

7 Ways to Make Your Laundry Routine More Eco-Friendly

Our partner Dropps is reinventing cleaning for good, so we’re teaming up with them to share totally doable way you can make your laundry routine a bit more green. One of our top tips: Opt for an eco-conscious detergent, like their laundry detergent pod…

Our partner Dropps is reinventing cleaning for good, so we're teaming up with them to share totally doable way you can make your laundry routine a bit more green. One of our top tips: Opt for an eco-conscious detergent, like their laundry detergent pods, which are naturally formulated, free of unnecessary chemicals (like chlorine and phosphates), and safe for delicates.

For a lot of people (myself included), more time spent at home this year has also meant more time spent cleaning. All of a sudden, the whole family is eating three meals a day in the kitchen and I’m going through dishwasher detergent pods (like these citrus-scented ones from Dropps) nonstop.

When Was the Last Time You Washed Your Washing Machine?

Though it might seem absurd that a machine designed to clean needs cleaning itself, it certainly is the case. If you stop to think about it, it makes complete sense: after all, a multitude of undesirable leftovers can build up inside your washing machine. The first culprits that come to mind are the dirt and grime from your soiled clothes, which can accumulate over time. But there are others: leftover detergent, hard water mineral deposits, mold, and mildew—none of which should really be left in there. You know that funky odor that can sometimes follow your laundry as you transfer it to the dryer? That’s what those lead to. Unless...you give it a good cleaning every now and then.

Here’s how.

Wait—Have We Been Washing Our Whites All Wrong?

If you’re anything like me, you both insist on all-white bedding—from the pillowcases and duvet cover, down to the fitted sheet—and regularly spill stuff on it. Not intentionally, of course, but regularly all the same. (Lookin’ at you, weekend coffee a…

If you're anything like me, you both insist on all-white bedding—from the pillowcases and duvet cover, down to the fitted sheet—and regularly spill stuff on it. Not intentionally, of course, but regularly all the same. (Lookin' at you, weekend coffee and uncapped pens of all colors.)

But, no big deal, right? Because bedding was made to be washed. All my life, I've thought that the trick to washing whites was to separate them from colors, use the hottest water the fabric could tolerate, and add bleach. Many mistakes later, I am forced to admit my technique is, quite possibly, flawed. So, I reached out to the experts—and turns out, I got a lot wrong.

A Quick & Clean Guide to Washing Your Clothes by Hand

Now more than ever, home is where many of us are seeking refuge and solace in light of the novel coronavirus. This is a tough time, but we’re here for you—whether it’s a new pantry recipe or a useful tip for your kitchen, here are some ideas to make th…

I live in New York City, where having a washing machine in your apartment building outweighs many other standard living space must-haves. Windows? Who needs ‘em? Heat? I’ll get an electric blanket. And apartments with laundry in-unit? They’re myths. If you tell me you have a washing machine, I simply won’t believe you.

How to Get Turmeric Stains Out of Anything

Home is the place we feel the most like ourselves—where we kick off our shoes, share our meals, and make memories. We’re taking our love for all things home and brining it to Instagram. Follow along at Home52 and make yourselves—well, you know.

So y…

Home is the place we feel the most like ourselves—where we kick off our shoes, share our meals, and make memories. We're taking our love for all things home and brining it to Instagram. Follow along at Home52 and make yourselves—well, you know.

So you made a batch of turmeric tea to chase away a cold and poured the golden mixture into a favorite, pale-colored mug. Or you served turmeric soup in a white bowl, or wiped up a slick of curry with a light dish towel, or peeled fresh turmeric for a smoothie. And now your linens, your dishes, your countertop, and your hands all match your recipe: gold. Fresh or dried and ground, turmeric will stain just about anything, and quickly and stubbornly, but take a deep breath—it's going to be okay.