Cuppa, Cuppa, Cuppa – voila, it’s aged

You’re on the wardrobe truck when word comes “from on high” – those college students in tomorrow’s big scene have been changed to construction workers. Next, a shopper arrives with “Dickie” coveralls and a “Carhart” jacket, both new and so stiff they almost stand on their own. There is no time to send them to the “Ager” or, ideally, a stonewasher. Okay, now what? Well, I have conjured up a little recipe summoning my inner Dolly Parton. In the film Steel Magnolias, she shared a dessert recipe she dubbed Cuppa, Cuppa, Cuppa. Here, instead of diabetic shock inducing ingredients we use harsh chemicals and abrasives which will soften and fade the cotton. No, unfortunately, this won’t let you buy an inexpensive pair of jeans and transform them into the uber-fashionable aged and faded designs, but for heavy work clothes it is magic. Now, my little recipe:

1 cup – rock salt

plus two of the following,

1 cup – trisodium phosphate

1 cup – soda ash

1 cup – Cascade dishwashing powder

Dissolve the above in the hottest water available. Add clothes to the washer and proceed as usual. This process may have to be repeated.

After removing the garments you should run the washer through a cycle to insure the ingredients are rinsed away.

You can add some touches to the formula to enhance the result. Lightly sanding the entire garment before the wash will give you a head start. My favorite finishing touch is in the dryer; I take a small rubber shower mat and add it to the dryer with the work clothes. The rubber in the mat grabs hold of the clothes and “bashes” them about further breaking down and softening the fabric. Please remember the mat must be rubber, not a petroleum based product.

Now, except for the dirt, you’re all set. I hope this little bit from my “kit” works in yours.

Cheryl (with Roger Kimpton)