In the colder months, there is more mud, darkness and dreariness on our farm. We do not get snow but will get plenty of rain. For this reason, I like to refresh our laundry room with little touches of love. While many are on the move at the malls, this mama bear is hibernating. In the winter, we spend all of our time inside the home and it is prudent to keep it cozy and inviting.
The first thing I did was to create some happy laundry room labels. We had some basic labels before but I wanted something a bit more perkier and polka dots certainly fit the bill! We are sharing our printable HERE if you would like some.
I also prepared a large batch of natural fabric softeners in four different scents. It is fun to have an array to choose from depending on the laundry you are doing. I generally use lavender for our clothing and bedding, lemon for our kitchen linens and eucalyptus and orange for any pet related wash.
I have also found an indoor retractable line that I am going to put to use since I sold my dryer a few summers back (very crazy daring, I know). If this works out, I will purchase a few more as they are only 8 feet long. I appreciate this particular style because it is enamel (and not plastic) and seems to be sturdy. We shall see!
And now for a bit of homemaking history... This random quilted runner began the "blues" in our laundry room. It was purchased for a dollar at a little garage sale. It is always an exciting challenge to decorate a room on a budget. The hunt is a blast and bargains are the best! Little by little I was able to round up some blue touches to create our little wash area for under $20. To have a "Look Inside Our Laundry Room", visit here. Just keep in mind that I have since changed the labels to the polka dot rose ones featured above.
What little homemaking touches have you done lately?
Should you desire more wash day inspiration, please visit here!
Should you desire more wash day inspiration, please visit here!
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays, The Scoop, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, The Homesteader Hop, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop, Wow Us Wednesdays, Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).
Oh, I really like that retractable clothesline. It would make a great, inexpensive gift for anyone needing an indoor line for drying their clothes. I have a fold-able rack that I use, but a line would be an extra boon for me, too. I still have a dryer, but I'm using it less and less. And to think I was just at World Market last Friday. It's a ways from our place so I don't go often. I did get some of the French Lemonade bottles ($3.99 ea., thanks for the tip on those) to use for brewing kombucha when the bottles are emptied. While I was there the lady that got the bottles down from the shelf for me told me that type of bottle usually ran around $8 dollars when bought empty. Wow, they are really cashing in on us health conscious, homestead-type folks.
ReplyDeleteYes they are! I actually haven't seen them for less than $9.99 so the lemonade is a steal with it! Glad you found them :) I will let you know how I like the line and the quality of it once it has been through the season.
DeleteGood Morning Jes,
ReplyDeleteOh I enjoyed my visit here this morning! I was just thinking yesterday that I would like to some how fancy up my pump containers that hold my laundry solutions, and here you have inspired me.:)
I am going to come for another visit and check out some of your other posts.
You are just lovely, Jes.
Have a beautiful day! Debbie
I think we are visiting each other Debbie! I have your page open but got distracted by some homemaking duties so I have it "on hold" for my break later on ;) Thank you for visiting and spreading cheer!
DeleteI chuckled when you said your husband just shakes his head. I just rcvd. my American Clothespins from H Kimball ~ for in my stocking. My husband laughed at me. He just doesn't seem to understand the importance of a good clothespin:) Actually, he does, but he still laughed at me for wanting such a thing in my stocking. Will love to know how the retractable clothes line works out for you. My laundry room is more than 8' wide so uncertain where I would put one. They have metal ones through Victorian Trading Co. that I have considered. (Not exactly fond of plastic here either.) Until then, I do have a really good clothes horse.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day.
How I love the Victorian Trading Co. Catalog :) Yes, I have been measuring my house for 8 feet walls. So far I found one spot! As far as the clothespins go, I am right there with you. My mother was here visiting and wanted to pick me up a little something. Those euro style clothespins were on my list along with the retractable line. I am officially weird! :)
DeleteDearest JES, your "Winter Blues" in your laundry room are quite beautiful and charming. I just love your glass bottles with the fabric softener :)
ReplyDeleteYou truly are an inspiration, my friend. Hugs to you!
Thank you Stephanie! They are so easy to make!
DeleteHope you are staying cozy and warm ;)
Lovely! I also wrote a laundry-post today.. Love to hang it out to dry!
ReplyDeleteYou really inspired me with your glasses of softener. Hope to make them soon!
The softeners are so easy to make, I hope you give it a try! Thanks for visiting :)
DeletePeaceful and lovely. I have a question .... I have a front-loading washer and I have black moldy residue on the rubber seal (very large) and I have not been able to tackle it with anything that makes much difference. Do you have a suggestion?
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorraine for taking the time to share ;) I do know the issue you are wondering about. When I purchased our front loader I was told to wipe out the inside of the rubber seal after every wash and never close the door entirely or else you would get mold problems. I am not sure how to remove it once you get it but here is a link that may help:
Deletehttp://homeguides.sfgate.com/clean-mold-off-rubber-seal-front-load-washer-26981.html
If you find a solution that works, I would love to hear it!!! And sorry I couldn't be of more help!
Why shouldn't the laundry room be pretty, an enjoyable place to spend time? I love the little things you did to add charm to your laundry room, Jess. I like the Emily Barnes quote; it really fits the theme of our home. Thank you. xxx ~ Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy for the nice little visit ;)
DeleteYears ago a friend of mine stated that if she would have known how much time she was going to spend in the laundry room, kitchen and bathroom (in the midst of potty training then) she would have made those rooms a bigger priority when buying their first home.
ReplyDeleteLovely laundry rooms are soothing and heartening as we tackle the never ending task of laundry. I like mine now, but have to overlook the blinding yellow/gold vinyl floor...it's older than I am! In the past I got absolutely overwhelmed with our laundry until I realized that there is so much of it only because there are so many healthy and active children getting it dirty every day-praise the Lord for the blessing of overflowing baskets of laundry!
Blessings,
Erin
Very true Erin! Thank you for sharing that :) It is also less overwhelming when we have our children help. My daughter was 3-ish when we had her folding clothes and placing them in the proper rooms and that was really a blessing too! Many hands make light work :)
DeleteHi JES, your winter blues are such a refreshing mix of materials and solutions! From the wooden pegs to the fragrant fabric softener, such charming touches for a room that tends to be put on the back burner. Thanks for sharing and happy washing!
ReplyDeletePoppy
P.S. I've never needed a dryer here on the island. The fragrance of fresh air combined with the lovely scents of a subtle fabric softener are worth the wait, which actually isn't too long at all!
Another no dryer rebel :) Thank you for sharing Poppy!
DeleteOh Jes! Everything is just so pretty! You are a wonderful inspiration - it is so very true that the laundry room can become a dull place in the home and so why not create a beautiful space in which to work and bless your family? I love you you have added such personal touches! Thank you for sharing such dear things on your blog - as always it is a joy to visit! Blessings to you! Kelly x
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a sweet visit Kelly-Anne. Hope you are enjoying your spring and summer transition into warmer weather :)
DeleteThat looks great! Thank you for joining HSH! Have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis is just great, I love the cloths pins. I haven't had a dryer for years but I hang our washing out under our front verandah, its great. Thanks for sharing this at Good Morning Mondays. blessings
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas with different smelling fabric softeners. I have yet to make my own. Winters can definitely be especially dreary. I need to liven up my place too. Thank you for sharing at Titus2sday link up.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does help Neyssa. Thank you for visiting :)
DeleteThere is a lot of head shaking going on here by my dear husband too Jes, (surprised it hasn't all rattled his brains!) but all in all I know that he appreciates my excitement and the effort of the little touches that makes our house a home. I have to get one (or maybe more) of those retractable clotheslines and also those clothespins! Don't you think our husbands are lucky that these little things sure make us happy! LOL! Like you, I love the hunt and the fun of finding wonderful things for my home. Love your sweet laundry room!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true, though he smiles, he appreciates the clean and coziness of it all :) Sounds like we have a lot in common! Nice to have you here :)
DeleteThese labels are so pretty! 'Love that color! I am currently in a "clean out the closets" mode, forever amazed at the items found in the very back. ;-) -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
ReplyDelete