Written by contributing writer, and my client, Samantha (full name withheld out of respect)
I started working with Katie in 2014 and, like many of you, she changed my life. I now have beautiful clothes that actually fit and I love wearing. Since investing in myself like this was an investment of time and actual money, I wanted to take care of my new wardrobe properly. Not just because of the price, but because clothing waste is terrible for the planet, and most items aren’t made again (a moment of silence please for the Paige Gracelynn Tee).
So when Katie returned to my closet this past fall, she was surprised and delighted to see that many of the pieces she found for me (some dating back to 2014) were still in near-perfect shape, leading her to declare that I must have a “taxidermy” laundry system. And I do! Over the years, I’ve developed laundry practices (my husband calls it “a dark art”) that have kept my beloved clothes in pristine condition, and at Katie’s invitation, I’m honored to share them with you.
Before I begin, some basic information:
First, dry cleaning is not (always) your friend!
Not only is it expensive and (often) environmentally toxic, but the harsh chemicals can damage delicate fabrics over time. While infrequent dry cleaning is fine for blazers, wool pants, silk, or to freshen up a white blouse (more on that later), it’s generally best for you to take laundry matters into your own hands for most things you wear regularly. And no, this doesn’t mean time-consuming hand washing!
Second, the dryer is not always your friend either!
Though it’s super convenient to toss everything in the dryer, the heat will fade and degrade most fabrics over time. Items approved for dryer: bed linens, towels, sweats, socks, and unders (but not bras!).
Finally, you do not need a massive, suburb-sized laundry room and fancy washing machines to keep your clothes in tip-top shape. I live in New York City and use the machines in my apartment building, and this works great especially since it allows me to do multiple loads at once.
So, without further ado, below is what you’ll need to keep your clothes taxidermied for the ages!
Your Shopping List:
/ 1 / Clothes Drying Rack: this one (ranges from $53-$79 based on size) offers a great configuration and holds multiple items. (Note: you may want something more like the Compact Accordion ($33), based on how much space you have.)
/ 2 / Flat Drying Rack: use this ($14) to prevent your knits drying with weird creases, which can occur when hanging over the bars on a traditional drying rack, like above. I like this one because it collapses, but it’s a bit unwieldy. If you have more space, the OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Drying Rack ($19) is recommended!
/ 3 / Delicate Detergent: an essential; this brand Molly’s Suds in Lavender and Unscented ($11-$12) is superb—minimal suds and no harsh chemicals!
/ 4 / Natural Detergent Sheets: these eco-friendly, plant-powered, fragrance-free sheets from Lazy Coconuts ($15) are fantastic; really cuts down on plastic-bottle waste and perfect for travel. (Katie uses/loves Earth Breeze fragrance-free laundry sheets.)
/ 5 / Steamer: I personally use a heavy-duty one from Jiffy ($379), but the Salav DuoPress Handheld Steamer & Iron ($70) heats up fast, can be used upright or horizontally, and is Q-approved.
/ 6 / Fabric Shaver and/or Sweater Comb: knits will pill! The nature of the fabric causes this and it does not mean the sweater should be tossed. This cashmere/sweater comb ($12) does a wonderful job removing pills and it’s credit card size – ideal for travel. Superlint ($28) is an electric fabric shaver that is great for bigger jobs. Either of these will keep your knits looking brand new.
/ 7 / Mesh Laundry Bags: these keep your knits and delicates from stretching out and reduces wear/pilling during the wash cycle. ($13, 4-pack).
/ 8 / No-Rinse Detergent: this Soak Unscented Rinse-Free Hand Wash Laundry Soap ($20) is miraculous; makes washing wool sweaters a breeze.
/ 9 / Cashmere-Wool Spray: products like this cashmere-wool mist from The Lab Co ($19) help to keep your cashmere, wool, mohair, and blend pieces smelling fresh, moth repellent and fabric preserving with plant-based essential oils like cedarwood.
The Summer 2023 edition of Q’s Quarterly newsletter will have Samantha back for The Laundry Room: Part II featuring washing and drying tips. Make sure you’ve signed up to subscribe!
