Merry Christmas

Cleaning sheepskin boots

I came across an article written by a filmmaker/writer Jonathon E. Stewart on how to keep your Ugg boots clean and this article will be very useful if you were to soil your boots one of these days.
Ugg boots is an Australian term for sheepskin footwear.  Footwear made of sheepskin will last a lifetime if they are well looked after and it is really easy to do the cleaning yourself at home.

First, look for a sheepskin cleaner meant for cleaning your sheepskin boots. They come in various types and prices so buy one that suits your purpose best.  Normally a mild cleaner will be more than sufficient to do the job but make sure you read the washing instructions on the bottle.
Then, wet a piece of soft cloth in water.  Squeeze out excess water so that the cloth is damp enough to do the cleaning without soaking the entire boots.  Gently wipe the outer part of your shoe with the damp cloth until you have removed all the dirt on it.

After that, get a sponge and dip it into the diluted cleaner.  Squeeze out excess cleaner and gently scrub the outer part of the boots with the sponge in small circles. Continue cleaning until you have removed all the dirt. For dirt trapped in corners and hard to reach places, use a toothbrush dipped in the cleaner. When all the cleaning is done, remove excess cleaner with a damp cloth. You might have to rinse several times.

Your sheep-skin boots is now ready to be dried. Remember to keep your boots away from direct heat as this can cause your boots to pucker. To maintain the shape of your boots, stuff the inside with paper and let it dry in a warm and dry corner.
To have your boots smelling fresh again, sprinkle some baking soda into it, shake well and leave overnight.  Charcoal will do the same but don't sprinkle charcoal onto your boot!  Finally, give your boot a good gentle brush using a suede brush.
If you are unsure of the step-by-step cleaning method, go to http://video.about.com/shoes/How-To-Clean-Ugg-Boots.htm. After this you won’t need to spend money sending your Ugg to the cleaners.  Good luck

How to clean suede

Suede is a lovely material - warm, soft and cuddly. Too bad it's such a terrible beast to clean. In general, have suede garments professionally cleaned. This can be costly but the most effective way to ensure the safety of your fabric. If you must clean your own, follow these guidelines.

1. Rub suede gently with a bath towel to restore some of its nap. 

2  Remove dry stains and marks from suede by gently rubbing a pencil eraser on the affected area. For wet stains lay a papertowel on top of stain to absorb most of the liquid. Do not apply any kind of stain remover or other products, especially if you want to have it professionally cleaned. This can interfere with the cleaning process. 

3.  Brush with a suede brush.

4. Apply a small amount of white vinegar to a lightly dampened cloth as a last resort for cleaning suede.

5. Gently rub the surface of the shoe with the cloth, then allow it to air dry.

6. Remember that stains on leather and suede should be professionally treated. This is always the best option. You never know how the leather was treated during the making of your fabric and what will happen if you try to clean it yourself.

Travel light & travel right

Holiday is here! One of the last things vacationers want to worry about is the condition of their clothes. And nobody wants to drag around suitcases full of stuff that never gets worn. To help travelers avoid these scenarios, here are some packing tips.

The best travel wardrobe consists of a few garments that can be combined to create multiple looks. This means fewer clothes and fewer shoes, which is especially important because footwear is heavy. Multi-purpose garments, such as an oversized shirt that can serve as a bathrobe and a coverup at the pool, or a simple dress that serves as a backdrop for accessories that can change the look from casual to dressy, will also help lighten the luggage load.

Plastic bags are a boon to a carefree travel wardrobe. Used properly, they can minimize, if not completely eliminate, wrinkled clothes. Garments can be hung on a hanger and covered with a dry cleaner´s bag, then folded and packed.

Once the destination is reached, hang the garments and remove the bags. If there´s no room for hangers in the luggage, hold the garment and bag by the shoulders, allowing the hanger to fall out before packing.

To help shoes keep their shape, stuff them with rolled up socks and stockings. Pack the shoes in plastic bags so the clothes stay clean.

Assemble children´s clothes by outfit. Then pack each outfit, right down to underwear and socks, in its own large self-closing plastic bag. Children will enjoy the on-the-road independence of being able to dress themselves. These same plastic bags, in assorted sizes, can be used to store small, easily misplaced supplies, such as band-aids, aspirin, first aid cream, etc. Be sure to squeeze the air out of the bags before sealing them.

Be prepared for some wardrobe first aid. A small traveler´s sewing kit and a stain remover stick or gel can handle most clothing emergencies. Use it to pretreat stains at the end of each day.

When choosing luggage, keep in mind that two small bags, with evenly distributed weight loads, are easier to handle than one large, heavy one.