There are certain household and clothing items that require a little extra TLC. Vintage linens and delicate silk camisoles come to mind. For handwashing enthusiasts and those who are loathe to cart “dry clean only” items to the cleaners, The Laundress products are a revolution. Developed by Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, luxury-brand product development and retail management specialists who met at Cornell University’s Fiber Science, Textile and Apparel Management and Design program, the eco-conscious fabric care line is designed to be easy-to-use and gentle on even your most fragile textiles.
The original lineup of products, which hit the market in 2004, was limited to a well-curated selection including detergent, delicate wash, all-purpose bleach and wool and cashmere shampoo, has grown into a full collection of home care products, such as dish soap, glass cleaner and surface cleaners. Simple packaging and gentle- to-no fragrance appeal to minimalists and those with sensitive skin.
A small selection of product is available in New Orleans at White’s Mercantile. Find the full line at
thelaundress.com. Pro-tip: The website offers a comprehensive how-to section for instructions on everything from oven cleaning to cashmere care.
Come January, when you stock up on linens during the white sales and cash in those holiday gift cards, there’s no reason not to spring for the good stuff — no dry cleaning required.
