Care Instructions
New to reusable cloth products, or want some helpful tips? See how to get the most use out of your reusables!
Cotton Rounds, Cloth Wipes, and NonPaper Towels
Regular Washing
These washing instructions apply to all three products, since they are the same material in different sizes.
First things first, wash and dry them before use. They are all machine washable and dryable, but I recommend to machine wash and lay flat or hang to dry, without fabric softener. (Of course you can machine dry, but we are trying to save the environment here, ya know? It also causes more shrinkage...)
Use any detergent you have. If using for NonPaper Towels that may contact food, or Cotton Rounds that you may use to remove makeup - opt for a gentle, unscented variety. My favorite is the ECOS unscented.
After the first and each subsequent wash, they will start to feel softer and fluffier, and will become more absorbent. If you use them without pre-washing, they will seem to repel water. That is normal - fabric is made to be a bit stiff so it's nice and flat and non-wrinkly. Plus it's new, so the fibers need to loosen up a little first.
Fabric softener is not recommended because it coats the fibers, making them "feel" softer, but actually less absorbent. It's designed to stay there and not rinse out, unlike detergent. Plus the synthetic fragrance and other skin irritants... it's best to leave it on the shelf at the store.
If you air dry them and find them a little crispy, try adding a cup of distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener slot in your washing machine. I promise the smell goes away, and even takes other smells with it!
Stain Removal
If you've chosen a light colored print, don't fret!
In my experience, a drop of soap does wonders.
The worst thing you could do is wipe something up and let it dry on there.
Rinse as soon as you can, and scrub a little dish soap into the stain. This works especially well for oily stains, and is pretty quick and easy to do at the sink.
Otherwise, if you use a lot of NonPaper Towels in the kitchen and have a lot of staining, try a bucket under the sink, filled with water and some Molly's Suds or other oxygen bleach and a little detergent. (Key here is the powdered OXYGEN bleach, not actual bleach). Toss your dirties in there, then dump the whole thing in the washer when it's full.
Laundry detergent contains several different stain removers, so buying a separate product isn't entirely necessary. You could decant a little into a small bottle if your dish soap isn't quite doing it for spot treatment.
Storage Tips
The idea here is to find a system that works for you, because you won't use them if they're hard to access.
Cotton Rounds can be stored in the bathroom in a repurposed cotton ball container or small mason jar. You can loop the washing bag around your towel bar or inside the cabinet, and toss it in the wash when it gets full.
Cloth Wipes can be stored on the changing table with your DIY baby wipe spray, on your makeup vanity for quick cleanups, in the kitchen for little napkins, or folded up on the nightstand for tissues! The possibilities are endless with Cloth Wipes, really.
NonPaper Towels can be conveniently rolled onto an empty paper towel tube, or a wooden holder (that you can purchase here if you don't have one!) You may also choose to fold them up in a nice basket, or in a drawer. Heck, you don't even have to fold them, just cram if that's your jam.
But what you should do - is have a plan for dirty ones. I.e. my laundry is basically in my kitchen so there's always a hamper nearby, but you may want a small bin or hamper to hold the dirties.
Bamboo Sporks
Bamboo utensils don't do very well in the dishwasher - the heat can make them splinter.
Best to hand-wash them, and avoid prolonged soaking.
The pouches are machine washable and dryable.
Straw Pouches
My straw pouches have a handy-dandy water-resistant lining. Mainly so your wet straws won't leak out - but this also means water can't get in.
Pull the lining out of the pouch, wash with mild detergent and no bleach or fabric softener. Air-dry only, as heat can disrupt the lining. Then use a straw or other long skinny object to re-insert the lining once dry.
If we've left anything out, or if you have other questions, contact us here.