Episode 152: Laundry Quandaries (part 1) with Maggie and Traci

It’s the year of Earth Logic here at Clotheshorse, where we are planning to reduce our consumption of brand new clothing by 75%!
It’s essential that we get as much wear as possible out of clothes. And how we wash, dry, and deal with those stains is a big part of making our clothing last longer.  Amanda is joined by Maggie and Traci to solve your laundry quandaries.  In this episode, we will be sharing our own laundry trauma, and then we will get into some of the biggest questions you had:  detergent and detergent pods, line drying, shrinking, dealing with pills, and water temperature.  We’ll also share our advice (some of it from Maggie’s laundry magician mom Peggy) about the essentials you should keep on hand to solve your own laundry quandaries!

“Does the film around detergent pods really biodegrade? A debate is raging,” Allyson Chiu, Washington Post.

ABOUT MAGGIE

Maggie (she, her) is a cisgender, pansexual woman, a recovering marketing professional, and a trauma and abuse survivor. Maggie is also the Chief Everything Officer of Maggie Greene Style, an ethical microbusiness on a mission to transform how you see yourself by putting the personal in brand and style. Maggie helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and individual contributors of all gender expressions show up as their radically authentic selves, at work and in life, with confidence and without compromising their core values and ethics. You can learn more by visiting her 100% DIY website here: https://maggiegreenestyle.com.

Sign up for Maggie’s weekly newsletter: https://maggiegreenestyle.hubspotpagebuilder.com/welcome 

ABOUT TRACI

Traci was a special education teacher for more than 20 years. Then, in 2022, she decided to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. She believes loved clothes last and that every garment deserves a chance to shine. She’s on a mission to #MakeMendingMainstream.

As the visionary behind Pryde Hantverk, she seeks to extend the life of your beloved garments so you can enjoy them for years to come. She shares many of Maggie’s philosophies about doing more with less and saving clothing from landfill. That makes her the perfect partner for a creative collaboration. Maggie regularly entrusts Traci with her own beloved garments when things need mending or adjusting, so you can rest assured yours are in good hands!

Visit Traci’s website: https://prydehantverk.com

Sign up for Traci’s newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h0i9p1

Transcript

Welcome to Clotheshorse, the podcast that has washed and dried so many Burt’s Bees lip balms over the years, that I now associate minty freshness with laundry.

I’m your host, Amanda and this is episode 152. It is part one of a little miniseries about laundry! It’s the year of Earth Logic here at Clotheshorse (and if you don’t know what that means, you should go listen to the previous episode). One of the key elements of Earth Logic is buying 75% less brand new clothing. And while that can mean shopping secondhand as often as possible, it also includes extending the life of the clothing we already own. And how we wash, dry, and deal with those stains is a big part of making our clothing last longer.

The thing is…a lot of us just don’t know that much about laundry and clothing care. We don’t learn it in school. We might learn it from the adults in our life (but then again, they might not know either). When you combine that with the depressing fact that clothes in the fast fashion era are more delicate than ever and require a lot more specialized care, well…it’s a perfect storm of lots of ruined clothing heading to the landfill, because no one can wear them again.

Laundry has often been downplayed as “women’s work.” And it is also seen as “unskilled” labor. I say both of those in quotes, because we know otherwise. For the past two centuries, it has been related to women, immigrants, servants, and other low income workers. Of course we aren’t being taught how to do laundry in school because those deciding the curriculum (our governments) don’t think laundry is important. They don’t count it as “job training” or an important life skill. And furthermore, every time someone buys a new pack of underwear rather than running a load of laundry, or ruins their entire wardrobe in one hot water wash…it fuels more consumerism and drives more economic growth.

Laundry is important. And it is highly skilled…that’s why we are talking about it here on the podcast. There are tricks and “rules” that you don’t know until you have learned them the hard way. Learning the hard way usually means a lot of destroyed clothing and linens.

Yes, laundry is a key element of our impact on the world around us. LAUNDRY MATTERS!

In early January, I asked all of you (on Instagram) to ask your biggest laundry quandaries and WOW, did you all have some questions! Ultimately I received a few hundred responses and I set out to answer them to the best of my ability. And I have two incredible people here to help me, help you: Clotheshorse All-Star and Halloween Queen, Maggie Greene, and Traci Pryde, a small business owner and mending/laundry/sewing expert. Traci was a special education teacher for more than 20 years. Then, in 2022, she decided to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship.

I am excited for you to meet both of them! I am not doing a lot of pre/post talk in this episode because we ended up talking about laundry for THREE HOURS! There was just so much to discuss. Once again, this is part one of 2. In today’s episode, we’ll be sharing our own laundry trauma, and then we will get into some of the biggest questions you had: detergent and detergent pods, line drying, shrinking, dealing with pills, and water temperature. We’ll also share our advice (some of it from Maggie’s laundry magician mom Peggy) about the essentials you should keep on hand to solve your own laundry quandaries!

All right, let’s jump right in!

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Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

Thumbprint is Detroit’s only fair trade marketplace, located in the historic Eastern Market.  Our small business specializes in products handmade by empowered women in South Africa making a living wage creating things they love like hand painted candles and ceramics! We also carry a curated assortment of  sustainable/natural locally made goods. Thumbprint is a great gift destination for both the special people in your life and for yourself! Browse our online store at thumbprintdetroit.com and find us on instagram @thumbprintdetroit.

Picnicwear:  a slow fashion brand, ethically made by hand from vintage and deadstock materials – most notably, vintage towels! Founder, Dani, has worked in the industry as a fashion designer for over 10 years, but started Picnicwear in response to her dissatisfaction with the industry’s shortcomings. Picnicwear recently moved to rural North Carolina where all their clothing and accessories are now designed and cut, but the majority of their sewing is done by skilled garment workers in NYC. Their customers take comfort in knowing that all their sewists are paid well above NYC minimum wage. Picnicwear offers minimal waste and maximum authenticity: Future Vintage over future garbage.

Shift Clothing, out of beautiful Astoria, Oregon, with a focus on natural fibers, simple hardworking designs, and putting fat people first.  Discover more at shiftwheeler.com

High Energy Vintage is a fun and funky vintage shop located in Somerville, MA, just a few minutes away from downtown Boston. They offer a highly curated selection of bright and colorful clothing and accessories from the 1940s-1990s for people of all genders. Husband-and-wife duo Wiley & Jessamy handpick each piece for quality and style, with a focus on pieces that transcend trends and will find a home in your closet for many years to come! In addition to clothing, the shop also features a large selection of vintage vinyl and old school video games. Find them on instagram @ highenergyvintage, online at highenergyvintage.com, and at markets in and around Boston.

St. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you’ll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month.  New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens.

Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality–made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.com

Blank Cass, or Blanket Coats by Cass, is focused on restoring, renewing, and reviving the history held within vintage and heirloom textiles. By embodying and transferring the love, craft, and energy that is original to each vintage textile into a new garment, I hope we can reteach ourselves to care for and mend what we have and make it last. Blank Cass lives on Instagram @blank_cass and a website will be launched soon at blankcass.com.

Gabriela Antonas is a visual artist, an upcycler, and a fashion designer, but Gabriela Antonas is also a feminist micro business with radical ideals. She’s the one woman band, trying to help you understand, why slow fashion is what the earth needs. If you find your self in New Orleans, LA, you may buy her ready-to-wear upcycled garments in person at the store “Slow Down” (2855 Magazine St). Slow Down Nola only sells vintage and slow fashion from local designers. Gabriela’s garments are guaranteed to be in stock in person, but they also have a website so you may support this women owned and run business from wherever you are! If you are interested in Gabriela making a one of a kind garment for you DM her on Instagram at @slowfashiongabriela to book a consultation.

Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlv and keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.

Country Feedback is a mom & pop record shop in Tarboro, North Carolina. They specialize in used rock, country, and soul and offer affordable vintage clothing and housewares. Do you have used records you want to sell? Country Feedback wants to buy them! Find us on Instagram @countryfeedbackvintageandvinyl or head downeast and visit our brick and mortar. All are welcome at this inclusive and family-friendly record shop in the country!

Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a “velvet jungle” full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet. Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online at www.shopvelvetunderground.com

Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts.  Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one’s closet for generations to come.  Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.

Salt Hats:  purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.

Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.

Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points.  If it’s ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it!  Vintage style with progressive values.  Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.