Welcome to my laundry cupboard overhaul!
Honestly, I could weep every time I open that door. Everyone has a dream space in their home, this is mine so let's talk about her.
The reason I am not doing it in one instagram swipe up and directing you here, is my attempt to slow down any rushed purchases. It's also just not my buzz, I don't want my socials to become a shop as it becomes for the wrong audience. I like slow consumption, so do my followers so this is for us!
I'm hoping that having to click through a few links means only those that need it and are considered shoppers, will end up buying anything. There's a fine line between what I want to do, which is help people buy well and use for a long time, and well... catching the eye of people who will buy anything and dump it all quite quickly then move on to the next (gah!)
I have been sharing tips and tricks for almost 7 years (!) and this is my first time using affiliate links so please bear with me. I know, many of you will know me well and how much I give out for free and think I deserve to post affiliate links, I do too to be quite frank but the % from these are so small I am not doing it for the £££.
I am mainly sharing this way to ensure it's A) you are able to see the exact make/model of I am recommending and B) you have access to all the info that ensures a wise purchase like measurement, composition etc. Any money made will just keep a lamp or two on. Important for anyone who mainly works for free online but not the most important things in my opinion.
Why did I choose amazon? I could talk about this at length but simply put, its more for the ease of getting you the info, this is just a way to show the exact make/ model/ dimensions. You are free then to find an indie store that stocks it. I don't love amazon products that cut out small business so please consider if you can get the product from one near you.
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Organiser
Please consider pipe work, stock cocks, skirting, sockets etc in your measurements! I spent weeks researching, didn't want plastic or fabric, dms had to suit etc and this was the one I bought in the end. I actually really like the black too. (This also works over a toilet, have a look when you click through).
I reconfigured the shelves to suit me and you can attach to the wall (I cable tied).
The Hanging Steam Board
PLEASE NOTE! The brand Brabantia sent me this as part of their launch and I really liked it so I have been using it loads. Full disclosure and all that about why I have it. They don't know I'm including it here and it's not part of paid work with them but I am sure they will be delighted it is being loved and treasured.
I find it really handy as I can move it to my living room and steam to Housewives if I want to. It comes with the door hooks. It's like an ironing board for your steamer which is glorious.
Also in that image is the hanger, same situ as above re how I came to have it. This is good for shirting and getting a great shape, in my experience of using it, but mostly for steaming out odours on tailoring. I can pop a vintage blazer on, steam, then leave it on hanger after to air.
My Steamer
A constant product query! I swear by steaming for a long last wardrobe, so use this steamer a lot. I have had her for about three years. First bought for steaming interiors at work, like curtains and bedding for photoshoots. She's still going strong after a lot of use!
I love that it is a travel steamer (The handle folds down so she comes on trips with me easily). I have a detailed video on how to buy a steamer that works for you here. If it fits your needs, I can thoroughly recommend her.
Note on the steamer link! The blue version is like 20 quid cheaper, but the water tank is 20ml less (100ml) than the white one I have (120ml). This would be a no from me personally, as one cry would give me more liquid than a 100ml tank and the 20ml does make a diff. Also make sure it is the 'foldable' steamer if this is an important element for you.
My Dryer Balls
When I use my dryer, it is usually for linens and towels and I use these dryer balls to cut drying time, as well as increase fluffiness. How? They beat the sh*t out of the fabric during the cycle, which reduces static (another reason to ditch the fabric softener pls) and opens the fibres up so they are softer to the hand. I don't recommend plastic versions. Heat and plastic? No. Wool is the way to go for so many reasons.
Storage Basket
I'm not big on plastic storage in general but I had bought these for my tool organiser years ago and had one spare. They help air circulate around the tools which is important but they are also durable. So, it was good match for my vacuum attachments. It saved me buying anything new as well so consider what other storage you have in your gaff already. The boxes my stain kit, bicarb and laundry bags are in are all old candle boxes. Super handy!
Tape for Delicate Buttons
I buy a lot of vintage, which can have some great buttons! I protect these during washes and cover with this tape. Note, it's not full protection for something like a metallic button but it stops other buttons like plastic or pearl, banging against the drum and cracking. I always have this in the gaff anyway for leaks as it will help reinforce a thread. Great for the tool box.
Bicarb
Soda crystals are actually more alkaline than bicarbonate of soda, so I use these for laundry mostly. I get them from my corner shop, check yours!
Foldable Laundry basket
Please read my note on Brabantia above in the steaming section for full disclosure!
London flats are small and tight on storage so a utility room... forget it. This is really handy for me as I am only using it to bring washing to my drying rack, why bother have one that takes up space?
Foldable Mop Bucket
You don't even want to know the things that me and this girl have been through together. She came to so a many flats with me at work. I have used it for everything, from taking stuff to the bins, to cleaning, to using it as a paint kettle (line w cling film, you know the drill). Laundry wise I do a lot of hand washing and spot stain removal. Her virgin voyage was as an ice bucket for prosecco at the park. Sigh.