Dishwashing detergents use chlorine bleach, benzoyl peroxide, or perborate in the liquid, gel, or powder formulas. Toothpaste and tooth whitening aids use hydrogen peroxide to clean and brighten your smile. Acne preparations often have benzoyl peroxide, and hair colorings might contain hydrogen peroxide to do their work!
Sink cleansers, mildew removers, laundry stain removers, and brightening detergents will frequently have one of the three most common bleaches as a component.
Remember that bleaches include hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, and chlorine. Whenever a label says it will whiten, or brighten or disinfect, bleach may be part of the product- and concentrated amounts can cause a color change! So handle these products with care.
Here is a breakdown of what products contain the following ingredients:
ACID
Moisturizers, skin care products, hand sanitizer, hand lotions, deodorant, tanning products and sun block, callus removers, eye and nose drops, bubble bath, hair conditioner, fade creams, cough syrup and children's liquid medicines, joint pain creams and lotions, perfumes
ALKALINE
Shampoo, toothpaste, soap, depilatories, disinfectants, ammonia, hair dye, Drano, Windex, bath gel, shave cream, some deodorants
BLEACH
Toothpaste, teeth whitening kits, acne medications, some moisturizers, hair lightening products, household cleaning and sanitizing products, mildew removers, shower spray cleaner
ALCOHOL
Rubbing alcohol, perfume and cologne, body sprays, facial toners and astringents
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Are bleach and fabric softener okay? No way.
Here at A Touch of Lace, we are asked on a weekly basis if it's okay to use chlorine bleach or fabric softener to wash fine linens. Thanks to our friends at SFERRA they've provided us with the perfect response and, we must say, we couldn't have said it better ourselves:
A: NO, it is not okay to use chlorine bleach or fabric softener when washing fine linens. Chlorine bleach will cause fading and discoloration. In addition, it will break down and permanently weaken the cotton fibers. It may also leave a residue on the fabric. It is equally important to ensure that your linens do not come in contact with other forms of household bleach products, such as face creams or toothpaste. If necessary, an oxygen-based bleach may be used - It is safe for use on almost all washable fabrics and colors. When using an oxygen-based bleach, the chemical ingredient oxidizes to help remove soil and organic matter brightening the fabric and removing stains.
Fabric softener is designed to coat fibers in oils, waxes, and fragrances that might make the fabric feel soft, but the build-up of chemicals can damage the fabric. In addition, fabric softeners clog the pores of Egyptian cotton sheets, preventing them from breathing and decreasing the luster and gloss of the appearance. High quality Egyptian cotton linens do not need to be treated with fabric softener and, actually, with repeated washings and dryings, become softer naturally.
A Touch of Lace offers linen wash that will make your linens feel and look impeccable!
A: NO, it is not okay to use chlorine bleach or fabric softener when washing fine linens. Chlorine bleach will cause fading and discoloration. In addition, it will break down and permanently weaken the cotton fibers. It may also leave a residue on the fabric. It is equally important to ensure that your linens do not come in contact with other forms of household bleach products, such as face creams or toothpaste. If necessary, an oxygen-based bleach may be used - It is safe for use on almost all washable fabrics and colors. When using an oxygen-based bleach, the chemical ingredient oxidizes to help remove soil and organic matter brightening the fabric and removing stains.
Fabric softener is designed to coat fibers in oils, waxes, and fragrances that might make the fabric feel soft, but the build-up of chemicals can damage the fabric. In addition, fabric softeners clog the pores of Egyptian cotton sheets, preventing them from breathing and decreasing the luster and gloss of the appearance. High quality Egyptian cotton linens do not need to be treated with fabric softener and, actually, with repeated washings and dryings, become softer naturally.
A Touch of Lace offers linen wash that will make your linens feel and look impeccable!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
We're Having a Spring Fling!
A Touch of Lace is excited to announce our Spring Fling Sale!! We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate this weather than with a fabulous sale! All tabletop (tablecloths, napkins, and place mats) are 20% off now through March 31st. We have cotton, linen, lace, everything you could imagine!
Hosting Passover or Easter this year? The best way to impress your guests is with elegant table linens!
Do you have an unusual table size? Don't fret, our sale includes special orders (inbound shipping not included)! There's less than two weeks left, so hurry in and place your order!
Hosting Passover or Easter this year? The best way to impress your guests is with elegant table linens!
Do you have an unusual table size? Don't fret, our sale includes special orders (inbound shipping not included)! There's less than two weeks left, so hurry in and place your order!
Friday, February 24, 2012
What is a Matelassé?
Here at A Touch of Lace we are always asked what the difference is between a matelassé and a coverlet. So we're here today to let you know what exactly a matelassé is.
Matelassé (pronounced matt-le-say) is a French word meaning padded, lined or quilted. It is used to describe fabric that appears to be quilted, but actually has no padding within the fabric. Specialty jacquard looms are used to give a matelassé fabric a unique appearance or intricate designs, raised patterns, indentations, and the padded look often associated with quilts.
Below is one of SFERRA's newest matelassé styles, Asti.
Matelassé (pronounced matt-le-say) is a French word meaning padded, lined or quilted. It is used to describe fabric that appears to be quilted, but actually has no padding within the fabric. Specialty jacquard looms are used to give a matelassé fabric a unique appearance or intricate designs, raised patterns, indentations, and the padded look often associated with quilts.
Below is one of SFERRA's newest matelassé styles, Asti.
Friday, February 17, 2012
What is a Satin Stitch?
A satin stitch or damask stitch is a series of flat stitches that are used to completely cover a section of the background fabric. The stitches are laid side by side, evenly and closely together, creating a large, smooth, satiny area- hence its name. A satin stitch can be used as a decorative stitch or to affix one piece of fabric to another.
To get a better understanding, watch a video of SFERRA's satin stitch on a set of Grande Hotel sheeting, here: Satin Stitch
To get a better understanding, watch a video of SFERRA's satin stitch on a set of Grande Hotel sheeting, here: Satin Stitch
The Lowdown on Linen
Linen is a textile made from fibers of the flax plant and is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man. Because of its durability and absorbency qualities, linen has long been a favorite for summer clothing, sheeting, table linens, and toweling. Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, linen fabric feels cool to the touch. Linen is two to three times stronger than cotton. It is smooth, making the finished fabric lint free, and gets softer the more it is washed. Linen is relatively easy to take care of since it resists dirt and stains and has no lint or pilling tendency.
A Touch of Lace offers several styles of linen bedding. SFERRA has also introduced a new Italian-spun linen line called Classico Vintage. It's available in a soft color palette and is offered in duvet covers, shams, flat sheets and pillowcases.
A Touch of Lace offers several styles of linen bedding. SFERRA has also introduced a new Italian-spun linen line called Classico Vintage. It's available in a soft color palette and is offered in duvet covers, shams, flat sheets and pillowcases.
Monday, February 6, 2012
New Product Alert!!
A Touch of Lace is proud to announce the newest member to join our collection of high end products: The Laundress! It is an eco-chic line of specialty detergents and fabric care committed to being green for you, your clothing and the environment.
Why should you pick the Laundress?
Highly concentrated
Suitable for all machines, washing temperatures, and water systems
Each product is designed specifically for each fabric with the most effective ingredients
Avoid toxic chemicals and eliminate 99% of dry cleaning needs!
What makes the Laundress green?
100% biodegradable
Concentrated product requires less packaging, less water, and less energy
Recyclable plastic is used for all products
Scents contain essential oil blends, not artificial fragrances
They do not use artificial colors, dyes, or unnecessary additives
Allergen, phthalate, phosphate, and paraben free
A Touch of Lace is excited to introduce you to these amazing products. Stop in to check out the detergents (signature, whites and delicate), wool and cashmere shampoo, stain solution, fabric fresh spray, static solution, and the sweater stone!
Why should you pick the Laundress?
Highly concentrated
Suitable for all machines, washing temperatures, and water systems
Each product is designed specifically for each fabric with the most effective ingredients
Avoid toxic chemicals and eliminate 99% of dry cleaning needs!
What makes the Laundress green?
100% biodegradable
Concentrated product requires less packaging, less water, and less energy
Recyclable plastic is used for all products
Scents contain essential oil blends, not artificial fragrances
They do not use artificial colors, dyes, or unnecessary additives
Allergen, phthalate, phosphate, and paraben free
A Touch of Lace is excited to introduce you to these amazing products. Stop in to check out the detergents (signature, whites and delicate), wool and cashmere shampoo, stain solution, fabric fresh spray, static solution, and the sweater stone!
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