FabSugar

Style for Style: How to Properly Wash Jeans

FabSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:00:22 PDT

We all have a pair of favorite jeans that we want to last a lifetime. Unfortunately dry-cleaning is expensive and handwashing is a pain. The problem with machine washing and drying jeans is they tend to fade and lose their stretch over time. Fab to the rescue!

To learn how to care for jeans

Wear jeans a couple of times before washing - unless of course, they're dirty or have a stain. Less washing will help preserve the color of your jeans. Invest in a detergent that specializes in color washes such as Caldrea's Dark Wash ($12). Don't forget to wash in cold water - hot water will melt that gorgeous dark stain away. Also, set your dryer to low or medium heat to avoid over drying, which can cause your jeans to lose Lycra and thus, lose that precious stretch.

The How-To Lounge: Hand Wash

DearSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:00:00 PDT

All clothing is made differently -- things like jeans and sweatshirts are durable enough to survive many a wash and dry whereas silk blouses or knit delicates need a little more TLC. If you're new to hand washing, here are some simple tips to keep in mind the next time you stain your favorite white blouse.

Click here to

If you are hand washing non-delicates, fill your sink up with hot water (unless your care label calls for cold water) and add 1/4 cup detergent
If you are looking to bleach your clothing, add bleach to the water before your fabric is added to the mix
Immerse your clothing until it's saturated and soapy. If you have nasty stains, you might want to let your clothing soak for a while
Knead your fabric together and rub out any stubborn stains
Drain your sink and rinse thoroughly with the same temperature water until you no longer see suds
Wring dry and then lay flat to dry. Do not hang unless you want your fabric to grow
If you're handling delicates, aim for lukewarm water to prevent shrinkage and use a mild detergent like Woolite
Instead of kneading your fabric, simply swirl it around the sink gently until the water and soap mixture has had a chance to soak your garment
Once you feel your garment is clean, drain your sink and rinse thoroughly with cold water until all suds are gone and the water is clear
Pat dry with towels as opposed to ringing your garment dry. Lay flat and air dry

If you're unsure of your hand washing abilities, I advice you to send your delicates to the dry cleaner and leave the hard work to a professional! Good luck!

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Do You Hand Wash When It Says Hand Wash?

FabSugar — Mon, 28 May 2007 01:22:22 PDT

Source

Savvy Tip: Save Money by Hand Washing Your Clothes

Savvy Community — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:00:49 PDT

This How Do You Save post comes from SwissMelis who is studying abroad in Switzerland. In order to deal with the unexpectedly high cost of living, she decided to start hand washing her clothes. So far, she finds it to be a really effective and simple saving trick! Read on for tips on how to do it yourself.

Hello my frugal friends,

As an American studying in Geneva, Switzerland, I am struggling to survive. The sticker shock I experienced here was worse than any city I've ever travelled to. ie. ONE school book costs more than an entire class at Penn State. Not kidding. So what does that have to say about the cost of rent, food and leisure? . . . let's not even talk about it.

One thing that I've turned to in order to cut down the cost of living is hand washing anything I can. This includes undies, bras, shirts and workout clothes. (I leave jeans, sheets and towels to the expert . . . the machine)

Its really, really easy! I use my sink and fill it up with warm water, add the detergent and clothes and let the garments soak for about five minutes. I massage the clothes around a bit, rub out any stains, and voila! Hang dry.

The other option is to take your clothes into the shower with you. Squirt some shampoo on your head and while you're at it, add some to your clothes because shampoo works just as well! This is great for multitaskers!

Not only is this WAY better for the lifespan of my clothes, but its free! (besides the cost of detergent) It also fills my room with nice fresh smells.

To read about or spill similar savvy revelations, post in my How Do You Save group.

Turtles Are Tortoise-ly Awesome!

Sara Yoo — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:00:00 PDT

The sight of a sea turtle gracefully gliding through the ocean or a tortoise contentedly munching on greens warms an animal lover's heart. But these visions may soon be distant memories. Today's World Turtle Day seeks to create awareness of the animal's vanishing habitats around the world and to draw attention to the inhumane treatment of turtles as pets and food sources.

Whether you're considering a turtle as a pet or simply encountering these shelled critters in day-to-day life, American Tortoise Rescue, the sponsor of World Turtle Day, hopes that we can all help in preserving and promoting our reptilian friends by observing a few easy guidelines.

Don't buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet store, as it increases demand for wild animals. Instead, contact a local animal shelter or turtle rescue to adopt a turtle in need.
Don't remove a turtle or tortoise from the wild unless it's sick or injured.
If you see a turtle or tortoise crossing a busy street, then pick it up to help it across, but point it in the same direction it was originally heading. Turtles are headstrong creatures: even if you point it in the opposite direction, it will eventually return to its previous course - and straight back into danger!

For a few more tips to celebrate World Turtle Day, just keep reading.

What's Your Sign, Beautiful? Gemini (May 21 to June 20)

Jaime Richards — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:32:00 PDT

Gemini isn't just one of the funnest roller coasters ever (Cedar Point for the win), but it also happens to be the third sign of the zodiac. Personality-wise, Geminis are known for their sharp wit and curious natures. And seeing that they're the sign of the twins, Geminis are therefore known for being dual-natured and complex. Think versatility and the ability to change direction to adapt to a wide array of situations. At their worst, Geminis are tense and moody, and at their best, they're lively and charismatic. Famous Geminis include: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (naturally), Angelina Jolie, Venus Williams, Zoe Saldana, Courteney Cox, Heidi Klum, Natalie Portman, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Carey Mulligan.

To bring out your inner Gemini beauty: Deck yourself out in colors that are just as bold and bright as you, such as orange and yellow. Your focus area is your hands and arms, so try a fun polish or an oversized perfume ring as an accent. And don't be afraid to create a few paradoxes, pairing the bold with the tame and the muted with the vibrant. To find out more about the Gemini-themed products above, just keep reading.

See How We Restyled This IKEA Stool WIth Some Glossy Paint

Elka Karl — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:00:29 PDT

As part of our Styled by You $500 Giveaway with IKEA, Angela and I have been applying simple techniques to reenvision some of our favorite IKEA products. Today, I'm sharing another of my projects.

This BEKVAM stool ($15) from IKEA is made from solid wood and is very sturdy. However, it could definitely use a little personalization.

I thought it would be fun to add some glossy color to the stool. See what I did to refresh the look of this sturdy BEKVAM stool.

What We're Sweet On: A Brush For the Blemished

Annie Tomlin — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:30:00 PDT

Countless praises have been sung for Clarisonic, the cult-favorite sonic skin cleansing brush. But until now, the acne-addled haven't had a version that targets their complexion condition. Enter the newest incarnation of the Mia 2 brush and salicylic acid-infused cleanser ($169), which aims to keep blemishes at bay. We gave the brush a spin (courtesy of public relations), and like the original, it removes the dirt and makeup that doesn't always come off through washing by hands alone. The new brush head ($25) is softer than the original, though, and it's especially gentle for anyone who's experiencing stubborn blackheads or painful nodules. While no product will produce flawless skin overnight, with consistent use, having clearer skin may only be a matter of time.

8 Cool Uses For Lemons

Emily Co — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:05:41 PDT

You can make more out of lemons than lemonade. In fact, lemon juice is a really useful liquid that can be used to clean your home, can treat cold symptoms, and can even be part of your beauty regimen. Here are a couple of other uses for the yellow fruit:

Wash your hands: When you're serving messy food like crabs or ribs, put out little bowls of lemon water for guests to wash the smell and gunk off their fingers.
Relieve flu symptoms: If you have a sore throat or a cough, mix lemon with honey and water for a drink that will soothe your throat.
Clean a chopping board: Add some lemon juice or use a lemon slice to wipe the chopping board to deodorize and sanitize it.
Lighten blemishes: If you have some blemishes or you notice your face darkening in pigment in some spots, put some lemon juice on it every day until it lightens.
Brighten white loads: To make the whites even brighter, add a quarter cup of lemon juice with the clothes that you throw into the washing machine.
Brighten fingernails: Soak your fingernails in a lemon water mixture to whiten and brighten them.
Freshen household equipment: Make your appliances fresh by adding lemon juice or lemons to them. For example, microwave slices of lemons to freshen it up. Add lemon juice to the dishwasher when it's empty and let it run a cycle and clean itself with the lemon juice. Add a bit of lemon juice to the humidifier or vacuum bag if those appliances are getting a little smelly and old.
Disinfect wounds: Stop bleeding and clean small cuts and scrapes with lemon juice.

5 Ways to Beautify While You Sleep

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:28:00 PDT

Sometimes there isn't enough time in the day to do all the steps in your beauty routine - cleansing, exfoliating, toning, masking, moisturizing, (whew). So why not maximize your schedule and let the products do all the heavy lifting while you snooze? Just add these simple steps and products to your nighttime regimen, and you can wake up one step closer to a more polished look. Discover which overnight treatments are so easy you can do them with your eyes closed when you keep reading