Cleaning larger items, at home

Save your money and try to clean larger items at home. My cleaning tips below can be used for many items that may cost a fortune at the drycleaners, or are way too delicate to clean in the washing machine.

There are many items you can clean at home, such as the following:

• Blankets

• Comforters

• Duvets

• Area rugs

• Blazers

• Coats

• Dog beds

• Stuffed animals

Some of the items listed above, (remember to read the care labels), can be washed in your washing machine using the delicate cycle option, set to cold, and air dried. Stuffed animals should be placed into a mesh bag for delicate washing before added to the machine. You can also wash by hand and air dry or use a clothes steamer to kill surface bacteria.

Area rugs can be easily cleaned with baking soda. It freshens up your carpets. Just dump a little on your rug/carpet and let it sit for as long as you can, like an hour or so, and then vacuum. Baking soda kills odours, naturally! It's better to use baking soda rather than harsh cleaning chemicals which pets and kids will inhale. Try to remember to us a new box instead of the old one sitting for months in your fridge because it will help deaodorize more smells.  And yes, remember to keep an opened box in your fridge to absorb the food smells too.

For large blankets, comforters and duvets; they can be hung outside in the sun as the UV-rays will kill micro-organisms. If you live in Calgary, where it's a blizzard most year round, then you can try the following two options. You can use a clothes steamer, or a warm iron to kill bacteria, and then spray with 100% pure tea tree oil diluted spray and spritz some lavender or lemon oil to add a nice scent.

Tea tree oil has tons of benefits but the best one is that it kills bacteria, germs, mold and viruses! Tea tree oil can be found at your local community store or any essential oils store. I would add a few drops of the oil to water and spray. Try using a glass bottle as the tea tree oil may cause the plastic to erode. You can add a few drops into the wash to help clean your washing machine and kill bacteria. Later, I would spray with lavender oil as I do not like the scent of tea tree oil.

My last recommended option for washing king size blankets, comforters and duvets would be folding them lengthwise and inserting them around the drum of the machine. Wash with little soap and add some vinegar in the "fabric softner" compartment. Why vinegar? Check out my vinegar blog for further information. Tumble dry (if label permits) or hang to dry.

Hand-washing is a technique that you can use; however I do not recommend.  The blanket will absorb a ton of water and may take longer to dry. If you like, hand-wash in your tub buy soaking it in a little detergent, warm (not hot) water and then placing it in your washing machine on rinse, spin and then move to your dryer.

I recommend washing blankets/duvets/comforters every 3 months, especially if you own a pet who sleeps with you. Tons of bacteria, germs and our own dry skin cells live in them. Do the same with your pillows, if the care label allows.

Clothes steamer can be used on your delicate blazers and coats as well (if label permits). And as above, spritzer with some tea tree oil as well.

Doggy blankets and beds can be washed on the delicate cycle too. The dryer will definitely help remove the fur. I use vinegar for Olive's stuff as the laundry detergent can be extremely scented for her and make her itchy.

Finally, remember these helpful tips:

• Check your care labels before washing delicates or larger items;

• If in doubt about delicates, hand-wash using a bit of detergent and air dry;

• Dry using the sun, if possible. You'll save dryer energy usage cost and UV-rays kill bacteria;

• Baking soda helps freshen up carpets;

• Tea tree oil aids with non-washable items; and

• Try incorporating vinegar into your washing routine instead of scented fabric softener.