How to Clean a Leather Handbag

There’s nothing like a great leather handbag for an instant style boost. Aside from making a stylish statement, and whether it’s structured or slouchy, a great handbag can help you look pulled-together and do double duty for work or the weekend. Here are our money-saving tips on how to keep your tote in tip-top condition and get the best bag for your buck.

 

 

About once or twice a year, wash your leather handbag – and yes, we said wash, hand wash that is, in some Liquid Soap Flakes. Liquid Soap Flakes contain only pure soap with no additives or fragrances, making them a great choice for those with sensitive skin. They do not contain palm oil – the soap comes from rapeseed and sunflower oil. Liquid Soap Flakes is well-suited to washing leather handbags as it doesn’t dry out the leather.

Method:

Use a basin in which you do your regular hand washing. Pour in a capful of Liquid Soap Flakes. 

Then wash the bag as you would a delicate fabric like silk or wool. You can remove light dirt stains by gently rubbing the soiled areas. 

Once you’ve washed it, rinse the bag by dipping it in clean water to remove all traces of the Liquid Soap Flakes. Then leave it to air-dry overnight, or for as long as required and reshape the bag when you do so.

This should do the trick and keep your bag looking as good as new. Here are some final tips on storing leather handbags. 

• Do not store leather handbags in plastic, as they can dry the bag out or stick to the leather.  

• Stuff the bag with tissue paper or an old T-shirt to maintain its shape.  

• Place the handbag in the felt bag it came in or a pillowcase and store upright.

Looking For Ways to Cope with Infant Eczema? Try Dri-Pak Soap Flakes and Soda Crystals

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It’s upsetting to see a baby with severe eczema, which often occurs on the face, neck, arms and legs. Some cases are so bad that off-the-shelf moisturisers fail to tackle the problem and doctors have to prescribe topical steroids, which are in themselves harmful to the skin when used excessively.

Infant or baby eczema is an increasing problem and many cases are the result of harsh chemicals and perfumes found in the many laundry detergents and softeners we use today. A huge number of parents have found that after treating the existing eczema which may be dry and inflamed, switching to laundry formulas that don’t contain these irritants, prevents the condition from reoccurring.

                                     

Baby eczema support website itchybaby.com lists washing detergents as one of the main factors in eczema flare-ups, saying “A very common eczema trigger seems to be detergents. Simply changing laundry products to non-bio formulations is often nowhere near enough.”

For a powerful wash with minimal risk to your baby’s skin, substitute your normal detergent for Dri-Pak Soap Flakes or Dri-Pak Liquid Soap Flakes, which are pure, allergen free and contain no perfumes. 

 Itchybaby.com goes on to explain the difficulties in removing detergent build-up, which is also a factor in skin irritation, but one that can be easily remedied. They say, “Eczema caused by detergents is a difficult issue to try and resolve, because it’s also the residues left in clothes after washing that seem to be a trigger, and these residues can be very persistent and difficult to remove.”

They recommend the use of Soap Flakes and Soda Crystals together, for the gentlest and best result - “Old fashioned soap flakes are especially kind to skin and clean clothes well, but will still leave a residue and scum build-up (especially in hard water areas).  So they will take a bit more rinsing and possibly additions of washing soda crystals too.”

 Dri-Pak Soda Crystals work perfectly alongside our Soap Flakes. Not only do they help to remove and prevent further residue build-up in your laundry and machine, but they soften water, reduce the amount of soap needed for an effective wash and are a powerful stain removal agent; whilst being gentle enough to use with all your baby’s clothes and towels. Simply add half a cupful to your wash load.

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.

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

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

Make Mum Smile!

There's no denying it, Mum's are just plain awesome! They're always there with helpful advice, whether it be about love, parenting, or how to unblock that sink - in fact most of the top cleaning tips on www.dri-pak.co.uk came from Mum's passing down the tips their Mum taught them! 

 

If you're stuck for a present this Mother's Day we've got some thoughtful ideas to make your Mum smile this Sunday!

Is your Mum a budding author? These wonderful journals from From You to Me are filled with 60 questions like 'What was the first piece of music you bought?' or 'Tell me about the things that have made you happy or laugh' for your Mum to answer in her own words. Technically a gift for you too, but also really great way to bond with your Mum and a precious journal to pass down the generations. Available from large bookstores.

If you want your Mum to put her feet up this Sunday, Breakthrough BreastCancer website have some lovely ideas to show your Mum you care. You can even design your own personalised Mother's Day Vouchers for treats like 'Dinner at Mine', 'a weeks washing up', or 'film night'. A really great idea and for a fantastic cause.

Why not make your Mum a hand-made gift? We've got lots a great ideas for making pampering gifts like Bath Bombs, or Oatmeal Soap using inexpensive products like Bicarbonate of Soda and Soap Flakes!

Children can also make creative gifts for Mum or Gran using our simple and safe Bicarbonate of Soda Clay recipe, or have fun making our Soap Air Fresheners!

Happy Mother's Day!