Traditional Laundry Methods are Alive and Well at The Vintage Wash House

Linda Peake set up The Vintage Wash House at Skipton’s Handpicked Hall in May of 2013. As of March 2014, the shop is now located at 3 Court Lane, Skipton. The 1940s-inspired stall sells nostalgic homeware gifts and a range of traditional cleaning and laundry products, from the former Sunwin House department store. 

From her stall, complete with authentic washboard and mangle, and blitz-style paper-tape crosses on the windows, Linda demonstrates the household duties of a typical 1940s housewife, using traditional products like Soap Flakes and Soda Crystals.

Linda explains, “I wanted to set up a totally unique stall showcasing vintage laundry methods and demonstrating how traditional products can work just as well, if not better, than their modern equivalents. Soap Flakes, for instance, clean effectively and efficiently but contain no perfumes or allergens, making them perfect for delicate laundry and cleaning without aggravating skin conditions.”

After demonstrating her nostalgic laundry methods, customers are able to buy from the range of traditional and natural cleaning and laundry products, including Linda’s own hand-knitted 100% cotton dishcloths, as well as vegetable Soap Flakes, Soda Crystals, White Vinegar, Bicarbonate of Soda, Borax Substitute and Laundry Starch.

The traditional products, made by family-run Derbyshire manufacturer, Dri-Pak, are experiencing something of a revival of late, thanks to their simple and effective cleaning power. The allergen-free alternatives to modern cleaners are made from sustainable sources and are extremely versatile, as Linda explains: 

“Soda Crystals alone have hundred of uses around the home, from unblocking a slow-draining sink, to clearing a driveway of moss and removing laundry stains like grease, ink and blood, they really are a true multi-purpose product”.

The nostalgic atmosphere of the Vintage Wash House stall often encourages people to share their own experiences of washdays gone by, as well as sparking questions from the younger generations, as Linda explains:

“I really enjoy people sharing their memories of using the old washboards and mangles, and it’s great teaching the younger generations how we used to do things. Many of the people I speak with agree that a lot of the simpler, old-fashioned products deserve place in the 21^st century home!”

The Vintage Wash House at 3 Court Lane, Skipton (BD23 1DD) is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. 

Find out more about the History of Soda Crystals and Soap Flakes on the Dri-Pak website.

Cleaning Winter Sports Gear is Snow Joke!

Preparing for the holidays can be an expensive and time consuming task. For some, it means an exciting trip to the mountains for a spot of skiing or snowboarding. If you’re one of the lucky few going on a winter holiday, don’t forget to keep your ski and snowboard apparel in tiptop condition before you take off for the hills.

Winter sports clothing is made to protect you from the cold, keeping you warm, dry and protected whilst repelling moisture. Ski jackets and snowsuits are designed to pull sweat away from the body, enabling perspiration to evaporate quickly. Be careful though, as washing machines can damage the special construction of these garments, while strong fabric conditioners and washing powders can wear them down, reducing their general effectiveness and their useful life. There are however, specialist alternatives designed for the routine care and maintenance of ski and snowboarding apparel - but they can be costly. This isn't’t a great option if you’re already paying for a holiday!

Dri-Pak’s Liquid Soap Flakes are a gentler, more cost-effective solution. They can be used on the micro-fibres of specialist outdoor clothing without damaging the protective sealants that help you stay warm and dry. This makes Liquid Soap Flakes a good choice when it comes to washing athletic and sports apparel. Plus, when using Liquid Soap Flakes, the clothes can be washed in cold water, meaning less energy is consumed. Simply add one or two capfuls to your detergent drawer and wash according to the garment’s label instructions. Alternatively, if you prefer a more traditional method, Liquid Soap Flakes are ideal for hand washing. 

Ski and snowboard boots provide additional protection in extreme conditions. With a bit of preventive care and some simple steps, you can keep them working at their best. First, remove the boot liners and dry them out completely. Once they’re dry, place them back in the boots and fasten the clips on a loose setting. Use a pair of clean socks and fill them with two tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda. Tie up the ends of the socks, place them in the boots and leave them there overnight. The Bicarbonate of Soda will work effectively to deodorise the boots without the use of any overpowering chemicals - it doesn’t need much effort but it certainly provides brilliant results. You can also use a few drops of essential oil with the Bicarbonate of Soda to leave the boots smelling clean and fresh.

And now, you’re all ready for your session on the slopes. Have fun freestyling!

HyperSmash

Keep Your Little Monsters Occupied This Halloween!

Need to find some activities (that don't involve copious amounts of sugar) to keep your little monsters occupied this Halloween weekend? They’ll love playing with our safe Soap Flakes Slime and modeling their own monsters using our Bicarbonate of Soda Clay!  

Slime Time!

Try mixing different colours, or adding toy spiders and eyeballs for an especially gooey playtime! The slime can be used as liquid handsoap once playtime is over.

Click here for our recipe 

Model Monsters!

Kid’s will love creating their very own 3D monsters with our Bicarbonate of Soda modeling clay. Leave the clay to harden overnight and it can also be painted.

Click here for our recipe

Get Ready For Your Next Grunge Match!

We move mountains of laundry each week and expect that our clothes are clean and fresh. However, a recent study by public health experts featured in the Daily Mail, found that laundry washed at 40 degrees Celsius has only 14 per cent fewer germs.

The study also found that one in four items of clothing washed at 40 degrees contain faecal bacteria, with children’s cuddly toys and baby-grows carrying the highest amounts, while toddlers’ underwear contain the most bacteria overall. To reduce the bacteria, the experts recommend washing your clothes at 60 degrees or higher, or using a laundry disinfectant.

If you’re making a beeline to go and sanitise your washing machine, then hang on - bear in mind that extra detergent doesn't get things extra clean. Instead, the excess suds can carry odours and bacteria beyond where the water inside the drum can reach and leave an unpleasant residue that can transfer on to clothing.

There is however, a money-saving option with Dri-Pak Soda Crystals. Although Soda Crystals are well known for their ability to cut through tough stains and dirt on clothes, they’re equally good at giving your washing machine a thorough clean.

Every month, run an empty machine on a hot wash with up to half a pack of Soda Crystals. This will deodorise the drum’s interior and keep the machine and the outlet pipes clean and free from a build-up of bacteria, dirt, grease and hard water salts. Regularly cleaning the machine’s door seals and detergent drawer will also help. Plus, leave the door ajar after each load of laundry to allow the interior to dry - doing this can reduce the growth of bacteria inside.

If you live in a hard water area and see a frequent build up of limescale in your washing machine, then run it on a maintenance wash every four to eight weeks, using a cup of Citric Acid or White Vinegar.  This will descale the machine and prevent the build up of limescale. The harder your water, the more regularly you will need to do it. 
 
Alternatively, switch your regular fabric softener for White Vinegar! Not only will it soften your laundry, it will help keep limescale deposits at bay. And don't worry, you're clothes will smell fresh and clean - White Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and the vinegar smell will dissipate before your wash cycle is done.

This should save you money in the long run because if limescale is left untreated, your energy bills will rise as the electricity goes towards heating the limescale first.

All this should keep your machine functioning efficiently to deliver outstanding results.  

Clean your Makeup Brushes using White Vinegar

Investing in a good set of makeup brushes can make a real difference when it comes to looking fabulous! Unfortunately, makeup brushes accumulate dirt, dead skin cells and dust, enabling the growth of bacteria which can clog pores and aggravate underlying skin conditions. Residue from gels, powders and creams left on the bristles can also affect absorbency and how effective the brushes are, so keeping them clean and well-maintained is important.

Professional makeup brush cleansers are pricey, but a simple solution of natural White Vinegar and water can clean and sterilise brushes for a fraction of the cost!

To clean your makeup brushes, mix a 50/50 solution of White Vinegar and warm water in a tumbler. Leave the brushes to soak in the solution for 1 minute before working it deep into the bristles with gentle circular motions. Rinse the brushes thoroughly with warm water until the water runs clear. Reshape the brushes into their natural form and lay them flat to ensure the bristles are not bent and that water doesn’t leak into the handles. Avoid using a hairdryer or the radiator to dry the brushes, as heat can cause damage to the bristles. Once the brushes are dry simply store it upright or place in a make up bag or roll away from other cosmetics.

How to Clean Shaving Brushes

A high-quality shaving brush can really make the difference when it comes to your morning shave. A good brush should make a smooth, creamy lather that easily transfers onto the face, and should be soft enough to gently massage, exfoliate and cleanse the skin. A quality Silver tip Badger hair brush is considered to be the best (and priciest!), but even cheaper, synthetic brushes need a regular maintenance routine to avoid bacteria growth and product build up, as well as bent and loose bristles.

After every shave, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm water before shaking off the excess water and hanging upside down on a brush stand with room for the air to circulate. Leaving a brush wet can lead to mildew forming, which could affect the skin the next time it gets used, so even if you have to put it back in a toiletry bag, for example after a gym session, make sure you take it out to air dry as soon as possible.

Your brush should also be deep cleaned every 2-3 months, as oils from your face and product build up can affect the absorbency of the bristles and consequently, how effective the brush is. Caring for a shaving brush will also extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

To deep clean your shaving brush, mix one tablespoon of Borax Substitute with a few drops of warm water to make a thick paste. Rub the brush into the paste, working it into each hair, right down to the base. Leave the paste on the brush overnight before rinsing thoroughly with warm water in the morning. Check out our video below to see how it's done!

What's the worst cleaning chore?!

Whether it's scrubbing a smelly toilet, scouring a greasy oven or just the monotony of keeping your floors spotless, we want to know what's the cleaning chore you hate doing the most? Share it with us and you could WIN a range of traditional and natural cleaning products from Dri-Pak!

Like the Dri-Pak Facebook page and enter here!

Terms and conditions apply, see promotion for details.

Wimbledon Whites!

We can’t get enough of centre court action at the moment! If you’ve caught tennis fever and can’t wait to get out onto the courts to practice your backhand but your tennis whites are looking a little worse for wear, don’t worry our handy tips will have you back volleying like Murray in no time.

Tennis Whites

Keeping you whites whiter than white can be an ongoing battle, but luckily the fast action cleaning power of Soda Crystals Laundry Boost can help. Just adding a scoop to your normal detergent will help remove stains, brighten whites and boost the power of your detergent – allowing you to wash at lower temperatures.

Odours

If you’ve been working hard to perfect your game, you’ll have worked up quite a sweat! Neutralise unpleasant smells by spraying your clothes with White Vinegar 10 – 15 minutes before washing as normal paying particular attention to the most affected areas (such as underarms). White Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and your clothes will smell fresh and clean for serves to come!

Deodorant Stains

The aluminium salts in antiperspirants react with perspiration causing nasty yellow stains that are notoriously difficult to remove. As the residue binds to the fabric fibres, a stain that is resistant to normal washing routines gradually builds. The acidic properties of White Vinegar and Citric Acid work best at removing the residue because these salts become soluble at a lower pH.

If a stain has already developed on the underarm area, soak in a Citric Acid solution of one tablespoon to 250ml warm water and leave overnight before washing according to the garment instructions. For coloured items, test on an inconspicuous area first.

To prevent stains from building up right from the beginning, squirt the underarm areas with White Vinegar prior to washing. The acetic acid will break down the salts and allow them to be washed away by detergent, as well as deodorising any nasty niffs. Adding a cup of White Vinegar in place of your regular fabric softener will also help reduce any build up as well as leaving your clothes soft!

Is your BBQ dirtier than your toilet?!

A recent study has found that the average British barbecue contains twice as many germs as a toilet seat! Filled with a staggering 1.7 million microbes per sq cm, which works out to 124% more than a toilet seat, the study also found that just 36% of people clean their outdoor grills more than twice a year!!! Read all about it on the Daily Mail site here!

When it comes to the most effective deep-cleaners, the oldies are definitely the goodies. A hot, strong dose of Soda Crystals solution will get your outdoor grill at its working best and food tasting as good as it looks. Just remember to clean it every time you use it. Here's how:

Once the barbecue has cooled enough to be handled safely, disconnect from the gas (if relevant) and remove the grills, fat tray and other components to be washed. Place the parts in a large container before sprinkling liberally with Soda Crystals and pouring on hot water. Spray the rest of the barbecue with a strong Soda Crystals solution and put your feet up! After 2 hours simply scrub the grill and barbecue with a scourer and rinse with clean water.

DON’T FORGET! We’re giving away a summer’s worth of Waitrose BBQ food to one lucky family. Enter here for your chance to WIN! 

Vintage Dri-Pak Salt Shaker!

We were thrilled to see a photo of this retro Dri-Pak salt shaker from the 1960s sent in by Twitter follower @garbie1974. 

As an independent family run business, quite a few of our team remembered using them! If you have any retro Dri-Pak packaging lying around, we'd LOVE to see!

5 Vintage Spring Cleaning tips

We know, that you know, that traditional cleaning methods & products are just as good (if not better) than modern ones! So to help kick off your Spring Clean, we’ve put together 5 of our top Vintage Spring Cleaning tips tackling the jobs that often get forgotten in the regular cleaning routine.

Windows 

Spray White Vinegar onto windows and mirrors, & buff with scrunched up newspaper for a streak-free finish.

Polish Silverware 

Line a tub with tin foil and add a strong Soda Crystals solution before immersing silverware or jewellery for 15 minutes. Watch as the dirt dissolves away, before buffing with a soft cloth.*

Blankets and Woollens 

Soak fabrics in a mild Soda Crystals solution before carefully hand washing with Liquid Soap Flakes.

Furniture Polish 

Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon White Vinegar and apply to wood with a soft cloth using a circular motion. Leave to air dry before buffing.

Carpets 

Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on carpets and rugs and leave overnight before vacuuming, for a fresh smell. 

*Not recommended for jewellery with plated silver or soft opals

WIN a Summers worth of Waitrose Barbecue Food!

A clean barbecue is important to preserve the flavours of the food you're cooking as well as helping to prevent against food poisoning, but scrubbing fiddly grills and greasy work surfaces is not a simple task. Luckily, Soda Crystals offer an easy way to remove dirt, grease and burnt on food from your barbecue and utensils. What's more, they are safe, sustainable and economically priced. Pick up your Soda Crystals at the supermarket when you're buying your barbecue food and you'll be prepared for a whole summer of clean, healthy alfresco dining!

How to clean a Barbecue using Soda Crystals

For your chance to win a summers worth of barbecue food for the whole family, simply click this link and enter your details!

Terms and conditions apply, visit www.dri-pak.co.uk for full terms 
*Prize consists of £150 of John Lewis vouchers

Spring Clean your Washing Machine!

Do you ever open the door to your washing machine expecting the smell of freshly washed clothes but are instead met by the smell of mould and damp? 

Smelly washing machines are not only unpleasant but they can also transfer bad smells to clothes, meaning they would have to be rewashed wasting valuable time and money. But don't worry! There's an easy, inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to eliminate bad smells from your machine; traditional Soda Crystals, Citric Acid and White Vinegar! 

Washing machines omitting bad odours are often the result of a build up of bacteria, normally resulting from using cooler wash temperatures and gentler washing powders. And hot summer weather will only make it worse, causing bacteria to grow more easily. 

To eliminate smells, scum, detergent and grime from your machine simply add half a bag of Soda Crystals, split between the detergent drawer and the drum and run the machine empty on a 60 degree cycle, or higher if there is a significant smell. If you are in a hard water area, it is recommended to repeat this process using either 500ml of White Vinegar or a packet of Citric Acid to remove limescale build up and complete the cleaning process. 

Not only will Soda Crystals, White Vinegar and Citric Acid eradicate bad smells in your washing machine, they will not damage the environment and lower the power consumption of the machine by descaling the element.