Category: Cleaning Solutions

I never thought I’d write this. But here we are. After my second kid, my pelvic floor had other plans. Leaks at work. Leaks on the drive home. Some days were fine. Some weren’t. I started with disposables because they felt easy. Then I got skin rashes and trash guilt. So I tested adult cloth diapers for three months. At home, at the office, on a road trip, and overnight.

You know what? It wasn’t perfect. But it worked. And I kept going.

What I Actually Used

• EcoAble adult cloth diaper (hook-and-loop) with bamboo inserts
• Rearz Nighttime cloth diaper (thick cotton) for sleep
• KINS Velcro cloth diaper with KINS bamboo doublers
• GaryWear Active Briefs (PUL cover) and LeakMaster plastic pants for backup
• Two wet bags: one small bag for my tote, one large bag for laundry

For size, I’m 5'6", size 12 jeans. Large in most brands fit me, but GaryWear ran a hair snug in the thighs.

Why I Switched

Disposables worked on busy days, but my skin didn’t love them. Red and itchy by dinner. Cloth felt softer and less sweaty. Also, my trash can didn’t smell like a lab experiment.

Real-Life Tests

A normal workday

I wore the EcoAble with one bamboo insert. Black slacks. Long cardigan. No one noticed. I changed once at lunch. I used a small wet bag in my desk drawer. Quick in-and-out like changing pads. Easy.

A grocery run and playground stop

KINS diaper with one doubler under a GaryWear cover. My kid ran; I jogged. No leaks. The cover kept the diaper trim and quiet. No crinkle. I forgot I had it on. That felt huge.

A long drive (3 hours)

I stacked two inserts in the EcoAble and wore plastic pants over it. Bulkier, yes. I picked looser jeans. Stayed dry. When I got home, the diaper was heavy, but my seat wasn’t. Win.

Overnight

Rearz Nighttime diaper plus a bamboo doubler under LeakMaster plastic pants. Thick as a winter blanket. Not cute. But I slept. No 2 a.m. sheet panic. I’d trade “slim” for “sleep” any night.

Fit, Comfort, and the Not-So-Cute Parts

• Cloth is softer. My skin calmed down in a week.
• Bulk is real. With slim jeans, you’ll see a little curve at the back. I wear longer tops or darker colors. Problem solved, mostly.
• Heat in summer can be rough. PUL covers breathe better than plastic pants.
• Velcro is fast but sticks to everything in the wash if you forget to close the tabs. Ask me how I know.
• Need discreet outfit inspiration? I browsed Penny Chic and picked up clever layering tricks that hide the extra padding without sacrificing style.
• Penny Chic also features a full firsthand review of adult cloth diapers—check it out here for extra tips and outfit ideas.

Laundry That Didn’t Make Me Cry

Here’s my routine:

• Cold rinse right away (kills smells).
• Hot wash with Tide Free & Gentle.
• Extra rinse.
• Hang dry covers. Low heat for diapers and inserts.

If you use diaper cream, lay in a liner so the fabric doesn’t repel. Zinc oxide worked fine for me. Petroleum messed with absorbency.

Smell tip: A splash of white vinegar in the pre-rinse helped. I toss baking soda in the pail once a week. Also, I wash every two days. Waiting four days? Yeah, don’t.

What Worked vs. What Bugged Me

Pros:

• Soft on skin; fewer rashes
• Strong absorbency with the right booster
• Less trash, less stink in the bin
• Long-term savings

Cons:

• Bulk under fitted clothes
• More laundry, some fuss
• Learning curve with covers and sizes
• Heat in warm weather

Costs That Actually Mattered

Upfront, I spent around $340:

• 6 diapers (mix of EcoAble and KINS): about $30–$45 each
• 8 inserts/doublers: $5–$12 each
• 2 covers and 1 plastic pant: $20–$35 each
• 2 wet bags: $15–$25 each

I used to spend about $80 a month on disposables. Cloth paid for itself in four to five months. After that, it’s just soap and water.

Skin Care and Changes

I change every 3–4 hours in the day. Overnight, I plan for 8 hours with a thicker setup. I pat dry, a little zinc cream, and I’m fine. When I pushed to six hours while running errands, I got chafing. Lesson learned.

Little Tips I Wish I Had

• Measure waist and hips. Don’t guess.
• Pre-wash cloth 2–3 times before real use. Absorbency jumps.
• For day wear, one insert is fine; add a doubler for long meetings.
• For sleep, go thick and use a cover. Don’t risk your sheets.
• Keep a spare pair of underwear and a small wet bag in your tote. It’s peace of mind.
• Close Velcro tabs before washing or you’ll pull threads and swear a little.
• Want more firsthand perspectives? Scroll through this candid discussion on adult cloth diaper experiences over on ADISC; it’s packed with real-life tweaks and troubleshooting tips.

Who I Think Will Like Cloth

• If your skin is sensitive or you hate the hot, plastic feel of disposables
• If you want fewer leaks overnight
• If saving money matters and you don’t mind laundry
• If you prefer soft, quiet, and predictable

If you need ultra-trim under skinny jeans, disposables may look smoother. Some days I still use them. That’s okay. I mix both. It’s not all-or-nothing.

Speaking of adult life adjustments and relationships, I’ve learned that honest communication about needs—whether it’s incontinence or finances—can open doors to unconventional yet supportive dating dynamics. If you’re intrigued by arrangements where transparency and mutual benefit are front-and-center, take a look at this detailed guide on how to find a sugar baby—it walks you through safety tips, setting boundaries, and recognizing red flags so you can explore sugar dating with confidence and clarity.

For readers in the New York metro who’d rather browse straightforward local classifieds to meet open-minded adults, swing by Bedpage Valley Stream for a quick rundown of current listings plus step-by-step pointers on how to post, reply, and stay safe while keeping your personal details private.

My Bottom Line

Cloth isn’t magic. It takes a week to learn your setup. But once I dialed in the fit and boosters, my days got calmer. My nights too. And my skin said thank you.

If you’re on the fence, try two diapers, one cover, and a couple of bamboo inserts. Wear them on a quiet weekend. Do one wash. See how it feels — not just in your hand, but on your body and in your routine. That’s what sold me.

I didn’t expect to feel normal again. But I do. And that matters more than the laundry.

I go to the Kentucky Derby almost every year (the official Kentucky Derby style guide is my first stop each season). I bring my brother, Nate, and my partner. I style both of them, and I wear some pieces myself. I like color. I also hate sweat marks. So I test stuff. In sun. In crowds. With spilled mint juleps. Here’s what held up.

Why listen to me?

I wore a men’s seersucker jacket in size 36S. I wore the hat, the undershirt, and the sunglasses, all day. I also broke in the loafers at home. Nate wore the full suit and tie. I did the cleaning after. So, yeah, I lived with this gear.

The look that won the day

Short story? Linen plus seersucker plus a real hat. Not a cheap costume set.

• Jacket: Brooks Brothers seersucker jacket, blue-and-white stripe. Light. Air moves. It wrinkles, but it looks fine. I love it. I also kind of hate it. You’ll see why.
• Pants: J.Crew linen-cotton pants, light tan. Size 31 for Nate. They breathe. They don’t stick to legs when you sweat.
• Shirt: Mizzen+Main Leeward dress shirt, white. It’s stretchy and dries fast. I wore it under the jacket too. No stiff collar rash.
• Tie: Vineyard Vines bow tie, pink gingham. Cute. It kept its shape. But the neck strap scratched a little near 3 p.m. Small thing.
• Hat: Brixton Panama-style straw hat with a navy band. Shade matters. This one didn’t flop or pinch. I wore it and stole it back and forth with Nate.
• Shoes: Allen Edmonds Cavanaugh penny loafers, walnut. Classy, but they need a break-in week. I wore them with thick socks at home first.
• Socks: Bombas no-shows. They actually stayed put. Thank you, heel grips.
• Pocket square: Some cotton one I grabbed from J.Crew. White with a blue edge. It soaked up a splash of julep. Then saved the shirt. Smart little napkin.

Much of that palette came from browsing Penny Chic, which nails Derby-day color balance without veering into costume territory. I even published a deep dive on every item I tested—see the full breakdown in this full review.

You know what? That mix got compliments from strangers in line. Plus, the guys didn’t roast in the stands.

What didn’t work (and made me grumpy)

• Fast-fashion suits. We tried one from H&M. The shoulders puckered, and the seat ripped a little when Nate sat on the bleachers. It looked fine in photos, but felt cheap.
• Pure polyester shirts. Hot. Sticky. They trap smells. One hour in the sun and—whoa.
• Slim belts with shiny buckles. They dig in when you sit. Plus, they glare in photos.
• Flimsy straw hats. The wind near the paddock ate one. It folded like a taco.

Real-life Derby stuff no one tells you

• Security lines feel long. If your collar is tight, you’ll hate life. Leave a finger of space.
• Clear bag rules mean pockets matter. That’s why I like jackets with inside pockets. Tickets. Lip balm. Small sunscreen. Done.
• It’s humid. Your back will sweat. I wore a Uniqlo Airism v-neck under the dress shirt. It kept sweat off the outer fabric. Sounds odd, but it worked. I briefly considered some of the more extreme comfort hacks floating around—there's an honest review of adult cloth diapers that convinced me to stick with a good undershirt instead.
• Julep sugar stains. Cold water plus a Tide pen took it out of the pocket square and the shirt cuff.

If you roll into Louisville the night before the race and realize you still need a driver, last-minute tickets, or even someone to show you around, a quick browse of OneBackPage classifieds can connect you with locals offering services, rides, and other race-day essentials so you’re not scrambling on Derby morning.

Heading south after the race? Plenty of fans crash in nearby Clarksville to dodge Louisville hotel rates and soak up a lower-key bar scene. For up-to-the-minute local listings—everything from last-second room rentals to on-call massage therapists—check out the dedicated Clarksville board at OneNightAffair Bedpage Clarksville where the curated ads let you lock in a spot or service fast without wading through unrelated posts.

Seersucker love-hate

I love seersucker. I also hate it. Here’s the thing. It breathes and looks classic. But it wrinkles like a picnic blanket. After the race, the sleeves had deep bends at the elbow. Not gross—just lived-in. Steam fixed it fast. I hung the jacket in the bathroom while the shower ran hot. Ten minutes later, better.

Fit tips that saved us

• Tailor the waist. Even cheap pants look sharp when the waist fits. I took in Nate’s pants one inch. Cost was small. Look was big.
• Hem no break. A clean ankle helps loafers shine. Ask for a slight break or none.
• Collar comfort. If you do a bow tie, don’t choke the top button. A half size up in the neck can help, and the tie will hide it.
• Shoe break-in. Wear loafers with thick socks at home for three nights. Ten minutes each. No blisters on race day.

Budget vs. splurge picks I actually used

Budget-ish that didn’t flop:

• Uniqlo Airism v-neck underlayer
• J.Crew Factory cotton-linen pants
• Brixton straw hat (not the cheapest, still fair)

Splurge that felt worth it:

• Brooks Brothers seersucker jacket
• Allen Edmonds loafers
• Vineyard Vines bow tie (holds a knot, bright colors)

Skip:

• Polyester dress shirts
• Paper-thin straw hats
• Shiny belts

Care after the chaos

I spot-cleaned the lapel with cold water and a dab of Woolite. I let the jacket air on a wide hanger. Pants got a gentle wash in a mesh bag, then hung dry. The loafers got cedar shoe trees right away. They kept their shape and lost the smell. The hat? I brushed off dust with a soft brush and kept it on a shelf, not a hook.

One more tiny thing: color

Light blue suit, pink bow, tan shoes. That’s safe and sweet. If you want bolder, try a green linen jacket with a navy tie and white pants. Just pick one loud piece. Not all three. The crowd is a garden of pastels, so you can have fun. You don’t need clown bright.

If you're still hunting for inspiration, Town & Country put together a sharp visual guide to men's Kentucky Derby outfits that helped me refine these combos.

The verdict

If you’re dressing for Derby, go light and breezy. Linen or seersucker. Real straw hat. Loafers you have broken in. A bow tie if you like flair, or a knit tie if you want chill. Keep a pocket square handy for spills.

I’ll buy the same jacket again. I’ll keep the loafers. I’ll skip the cheap hats. And I’ll pack that small sunscreen every single time. Because sun on a white collar? Not cute. But a cool, comfy look that lasts all day? That’s the win.

I wish I could say I’m neat. I’m not. I love candles though. Cozy nights, soft light, a good song on. Then—drip. Wax on my shirt. It’s always the nice shirt too. You know what? I learned a bunch after making the same mess more than once. Here’s what actually worked for me, what didn’t, and the little fixes I’d use again.
For more wardrobe-saving tricks and budget style wisdom, I swear by the tutorials over at Penny Chic.

If the idea of candles and a change of scenery sparks your wanderlust, you might want to scope out the world’s sexiest cities—the guide highlights nightlife zones, date-night neighborhoods, and photo-worthy backdrops so you can plan a getaway that’s as steamy as your favorite scented pillar (and remember to pack an extra shirt just in case).

Closer to home, Northern California’s smaller cities can surprise you too—if Oroville is on your route, the quick-hit Bedpage roundup at Bedpage Oroville breaks down the most active bars, lounges, and late-night meetups in town, helping you decide exactly where to sport your freshly de-waxed outfit for maximum fun.

By the way, if you want the blow-by-blow of my very first wax-on-shirt fiasco, I broke it all down here, mistakes and all, in this post on Penny Chic (Spoiler: the freezer came to the rescue).

First, the “don’t do this” stuff

• Don’t rub hot wax. It pushes the wax deeper.
• Don’t blast it with steam. That spreads dye from colored candles.
• Don’t use acetone on acetate or modacrylic clothes. It can melt them. Check your tag first.
• Don’t dry the item until the stain is gone. Heat can set color stains.

Okay. Now the ways that saved my clothes.

My freezer trick for a cotton tee

Scene: birthday cake, kids singing, I tilt the candle plate, wax drops on my gray cotton tee. I froze the spot with an ice pack from the freezer. Two minutes. The wax got hard. I scraped it gently with a butter knife and the edge of an old library card. Most popped off in little chips. It felt weirdly fun, like scratching a lottery ticket. About 80% gone. A pale shadow stayed.

I washed it with warm water and OxiClean powder mixed in. Tee came out clean. No drama. If I had stopped at scraping, I’d still have a mark.

The paper-and-iron move (my go-to)

This saved my navy jeans after a power outage dinner. We had a pumpkin spice candle going. I let the wax cool and firm up first. Then I sandwiched the spot between two layers of brown paper bag. Bounty paper towel works too. I set my Black+Decker iron on low, no steam. Light pressure, a few seconds. Lifted the paper. New wax blobs showed up on the paper like little greasy stamps. I moved to a clean spot on the paper and repeated.

Funny enough, I used the exact same method to clean up a linen blazer after testing out some Derby outfits for my husband—if you're styling for race day, that story's here (mint juleps optional).

It felt backwards—heat on a stain? But the paper pulls the melted wax up and away. That’s the key. Just keep switching to clean paper, or you’re pressing wax back in.

The wax came out of my jeans fast. There was a faint scent left from the candle. One wash took that away.

Colored wax: the sneaky extra step

The tough one: red Christmas candle on my white cotton blouse. After the iron trick, the wax was gone, but the pink dye stayed like a blush. I dabbed rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and blotted the pink area. Light taps. Swap swabs as they turn pink. Then I soaked the blouse in warm water with OxiClean for an hour, washed with Tide, and air-dried. No pink left. I actually smiled at my laundry, which is a new low for me.

Tip: test rubbing alcohol on a hidden seam first. On silk or rayon, I go slower and blot, not rub.

Delicates: hair dryer, not iron

My pale blue polyester blouse got a wax kiss on the cuff. I didn’t trust the iron. I put a paper towel under the cuff and used my hair dryer on low. I warmed the spot and blotted with more paper towel. Warm, blot. Warm, blot. It took longer, but it worked. Then I pressed the cuff flat with the iron on the lowest setting, just a second. It looked normal again. Honestly, I thought I’d ruined it.

The pour-through trick for white towels

Kitchen towel, thick white cotton, loaded with vanilla candle wax. I stretched the towel over a big bowl, wax facing up. I poured almost-boiling water from a kettle through the spot in a thin stream. I added a drop of Dawn dish soap and kept pouring. The wax softened and slid into the bowl like cloudy oil. Then I washed hot with OxiClean. That towel is still in my drawer.

Note: don’t do this with dark dye or delicate blends. Stick to sturdy whites. If the spill lands on your rug instead of your shirt, this rug-specific stain guide walks you through a similar no-panic clean-up.

Quick product notes from my laundry cave

• OxiClean Versatile powder: great for the dye shadow after wax is removed. Soak 30–60 minutes.
• Dawn dish soap: cuts any oily residue, especially from scented wax.
• Fels-Naptha laundry bar: I rub this on spots before washing. It helps lift what’s left.
• Goo Gone Spray Gel: it pulled a stubborn ring from my denim, but it left an oily halo. I followed with Dawn and a hot wash. It came out. Would I use it again? Only on sturdy fabrics, and only if the other steps failed.
• Brown paper bag vs paper towels: both work. The bag doesn’t stick as much. If your candle has glitter (why), go with paper towels.

One more note on absorbent, multi-layered fabrics: they behave differently. I discovered that when I experimented with washing reusable adult cloth diapers—different mess, same principles, full write-up here (brace yourself).

My real-life mini-cases

• Sunday brunch sweatshirt (cotton, cream): iron + paper. Then a quick hand wash with Dawn. Came out perfect. I wore it the same day.
• Black leggings (nylon/spandex): hair dryer + blot. Then cold wash in a mesh bag. Fine, but I took my time. Heat can warp stretch fabric.
• Wool scarf: I froze it, flaked the wax off with my fingernail, then pressed between paper on the lowest wool setting. I barely touched it. Slow, careful, no steam. It lived.

Step-by-step cheat sheet

• Let the wax harden. Ice helps.
• Scrape the chunks off gently with a card or dull knife.
• For sturdy fabrics: place paper on both sides, iron on low, no steam. Keep moving to clean paper.
• If color remains: blot with rubbing alcohol, then soak with OxiClean and wash.
• For delicates: use a hair dryer and blot with paper towel. Be patient.
• For white cotton towels: try the hot water pour-through, then wash.
• Air-dry first. If the stain is gone, then dry as usual.

A small warning I learned the hard way

I once ironed directly on wax. No paper. I pressed it deeper. I also tried to scratch silk with a dull knife. Bad idea. Now I slow down. Paper between heat and fabric. Test spots. Breathe. Maybe light a candle—but put it on a plate this time.

Final take

You can save your favorite hoodie. It’s not magic. It’s a little ice, some paper, low heat, and a calm hand. When the color sticks around, rubbing alcohol and a good soak finish the job. I still burn candles. I just keep my iron handy—and my clumsy self far from the edge of the table.

I’m Kayla, and I mess with stains more than I want to admit. We camp. We hike. My kids hug pine trees like they’re pets. Sap happens. It’s sticky, it smells nice, and it clings like it has a grudge.
If you ever need a quick reference cheat-sheet, the crew at PennyChic have a concise, step-by-step play-by-play on removing sap right here.

Here’s the thing: I tried a bunch of stuff. Some worked fast. Some made it worse. I’ll tell you what I did, what I used, and how it turned out—plain and simple.

The Sneaky Truth About Sap

Sap is like thick glue. It softens with oils and alcohol. It hardens with cold. That’s the whole game. Break it, then wash it out. If you lock it in with heat, it stays. So, no dryer till you’re sure it’s gone.

Need a science-backed rundown of why freezing and solvents work so well? This detailed explainer from The Spruce walks through the fundamentals of sap stain removal (The Spruce).

You know what? That one rule saved me a few shirts.

---

My Fast Win: Ice + Hand Sanitizer (On a Kid Hoodie)

• Gear: Ice cubes, Purell gel (70% alcohol), old spoon, Tide Free & Gentle.
• Scene: My son’s green hoodie after a park climb—fresh, shiny blobs on the sleeve.

What I did:

1. I rubbed ice on the sap till it turned hard and dull.
2. I scraped with the back of a spoon. Little chips came off. Very gross, very fun.
3. I dabbed a pea-size blob of Purell and rubbed with two fingers.
4. The sap loosened. It went from sticky to slippery.
5. I rinsed with warm water, then washed on cold with Tide. Air dried.

Result: Hoodie looked new. No color fade. The gel smell was a bit strong, but it worked fast. I’d do this again in a heartbeat.

What bugged me: If you skip the rinse before washing, the sanitizer smell hangs around.

---

Big, Gummy Patch: Goo Gone on My Work Jacket

• Gear: Goo Gone, soft cloth, Dawn dish soap, warm water.

This was a huge smear on my canvas jacket from hauling a Christmas tree. I rubbed a little Goo Gone on the spot. It melted the sap like butter on a hot pan. Then I mixed Dawn with warm water and blotted the oily feel away. Washed on warm, hung dry.

Result: Clean. No ring. Canvas handled it like a champ.

What I liked: It was fast and felt easy. No hard scrubbing.

What bugged me: Goo Gone leaves an oil shadow if you don’t follow with soap. Don’t skip the Dawn step.

---

Quick Fix on the Trail: Rubbing Alcohol Wipe

• Gear: 70% isopropyl alcohol pad, pocket tissue.
• Scene: My own leggings on a fall hike. Pine smell. Sticky knee. Annoyed mom.

I pressed the alcohol pad on the spot for 15 seconds. Wiped. Sap thinned out enough so it didn’t collect dirt. When I got home, I washed with tide pods on cold. Air dried.

Result: Almost perfect after one wash. A faint spot was gone after the second wash.

Tip: Alcohol can be rough on some prints. Test a hidden corner first.

---

Old, Crusty Sap: Dawn + Baking Soda Paste

• Gear: Dawn, baking soda, soft toothbrush.

This was a white tee from last summer. The sap had dust in it. I made a paste (1 part Dawn, 1 part baking soda). I dabbed it on, waited 15 minutes, then scrubbed lightly with the brush. Rinsed. Washed warm.

Result: 80% better on the first pass. I did it again. Then it was gone.

What I liked: Cheap and gentle.

What bugged me: Takes time. Also, baking soda can leave a faint gritty feel if you don’t rinse well.

---

WD-40? I Tried It—With Caution

• Gear: WD-40, paper towel, then Dawn wash.

On my husband’s old work jeans, WD-40 did break the sap. It worked, but it left an oil halo. I had to follow fast with Dawn and a hot water rinse before the wash.

Result: Stain gone, but only okay for dark, tough fabrics. I don’t use this on kids’ clothes. It smells strong and it’s flammable. Windows open, always.

---

What Flopped for Me

• Hot water alone: Made it gummy, not gone.
• White vinegar: Did almost nothing for fresh sap. Good for smell, not sap.
• Nail polish remover (acetone) on polyester: It dulled the fabric. I learned the hard way. Don’t do that.

If you’re battling a completely different sticky nightmare—like candle wax—this walk-through on lifting wax from fabric saved me once.

---

Fabric Notes I Wish I Knew Sooner

• Denim and canvas: Tough. Take Goo Gone or alcohol well.
• Cotton tees and hoodies: Ice + sanitizer or rubbing alcohol is safe. Then a good wash.
• Delicate stuff (silk, wool): Go gentle with vegetable oil or olive oil first. Blot, then mild soap. No scrubbing. Test a hidden spot.
• Prints and dyes: Always test a tiny area with alcohol or Goo Gone.

Dealing with more specialized garments—think reusable adult cloth diapers or other high-absorbency pieces? This candid, real-life review on washing and wearing them is worth bookmarking right here.

If you love practical, stylish fixes like these, check out PennyChic for more budget-friendly clothing and care tips.

Also, don’t use the dryer till the stain is fully gone. Heat bakes sap like candy.

---

My Simple Step-By-Step That Works Most Days

1. Freeze it: Ice the sap for a minute. Harden it.
2. Scrape it: Use a spoon edge. Be kind to the fabric.
3. Break it down: Rub a tiny bit of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol. For heavy patches, try Goo Gone. For delicate, try olive oil.
4. Rinse well: Warm water and a little Dawn if it feels oily.
5. Wash: Use your normal detergent. Cold or warm. Air dry first.
6. Check: If you still see it, repeat steps 3–5. Then dry.

Still not sure which detergent cycle to pick? Tide’s official stain guide breaks down exactly how to pre-treat and launder sap-covered clothes in simple steps (Tide’s tree-sap tutorial).

Safety note: Alcohol and WD-40 are flammable. Keep away from flame and heat. Vent the space.

Different kinds of messes call for different clean-up strategies, and that includes the digital sort. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep things discreet and drama-free when flirting or sharing photos on Snapchat, check out this step-by-step guide to Snapchat sexting for smart tips on privacy settings, screenshot alerts, and making sure everyone stays comfortable and consensual.

---

My Little “Sap Kit” That Lives in the Car

• Travel hand sanitizer
• A plastic spoon
• Travel Dawn bottle
• A few tissues or a soft cloth
• One alcohol pad

It looks silly. But it saves shirts.

Because our adventures regularly swing through Utah County—hello, Lehi hikes and all that fresh pine—there are times I need quick, no-fuss local info while we’re still on the road. Rather than juggling a bunch of apps, I pull up the community classifieds at Bedpage Lehi for real-time listings on everything from last-minute lodging to post-trail entertainment, letting me plan the rest of the day (and keep the family’s wardrobes sap-free) without extra detours.

---

Final Take: What I’d Use Again

• Fresh sap on everyday clothes: Ice + Purell. Wash cold. Easy win.
• Big sticky mess on heavy fabric: Goo Gone, then Dawn, then wash.
• Delicate fabrics: A dab of olive oil, blot, gentle soap, rinse, air dry.

Honestly? Sap used to scare me. Now it’s just a small chore. It smells like pine, I sigh, I grab my spoon, and I get it done. And yes, I still let my kids climb trees—because those smiles beat a stain any day.

Quick outline:

• Quick take and vibe
• What I bought and where I wore it
• Fit and feel (with sizing notes)
• Quality check and wash test
• Styling ideas that actually worked
• What bugged me
• Price vs value
• Who will love it (and who won’t)
• Pros and cons
• Final say

The big picture

Easel clothing feels like a hug. Soft. Loose. A little artsy. Some days I want sleek and fitted—this isn’t that. This is for school pickup, long flights, farmer’s markets, and lazy Sundays. It’s also for days when you want to look like you tried, without trying. You know what? I’m into that. If you want an even deeper dive, I pulled apart the good, the quirky, and the downright cozy details in this full Easel review.

I’ve worn Easel for a year now. I buy mine from a local boutique in Austin that keeps a rack near the front, right by the candles. I grab one piece “just to try,” and then three follow me home. Oops.
Can’t make it to a local rack? Online shoppers can browse a curated selection of Easel pieces at Warm Space Gloves, which ships nationwide.

What I actually bought (and wore)

• Mineral-wash shacket in dusty olive: I wore this to a chilly soccer game with black leggings and a beanie. The pockets fit my phone and a snack bar. Not kidding.
• Gauze tiered babydoll dress in cream: Wore it to a small backyard wedding with tan block heels. Breezy and sweet, but not stiff.
• Waffle knit oversized top in rust: My work-from-home buddy. Looks slouchy but neat on Zoom, which is a magic trick.
• French terry wide-leg pants in charcoal: School drop-off, Target runs, red-eye flights. They’re soft but not sloppy.

For size reference, I’m 5'6", size 10, curvy hips, broad shoulders. I usually wear M/L in most brands. With Easel, I mostly size down.

Fit and feel

Easel loves an oversized cut. Think drop shoulders, swingy hems, and roomy sleeves. The shacket has that big, cozy fit, but the armholes don’t swallow you. The gauze dress skims without clinging. The waffle top drapes, not droops. Big difference.

Fabrics feel lived-in. The mineral wash has that worn look. Gauze is airy. Waffle knit is stretchy and warm but not heavy. The French terry pants feel like pajamas that learned manners.

Tip: If you like a close fit, size down. If you love a slouchy hang, stay true to size.

Quality check (and the wash test)

• Stitching: Clean seams. No loose threads on arrival.
• Buttons: The shacket buttons are sturdy and matte. No wobble.
• Fabric wear: After 8–10 washes, the waffle top still looks good. Minor fuzz, no pilling party.
• Shrink: The gauze dress shrank a tiny bit in length after a warm dryer cycle. I now hang dry. Problem solved.
• Color bleed: The mineral wash had a slight dye smell at first. It washed out by the second wash. I washed cold with darks, just in case.

One note: The cream gauze can be a hint sheer in direct sun. Nude slip or biker shorts help.

How I styled it (real outfits)

• Soccer mom but cute: Olive shacket + black leggings + high-top sneakers + messy bun.
• Easy brunch: Rust waffle top half-tucked into straight jeans + tan mules + small hoops.
• Backyard wedding: Cream gauze dress + tan block heels + a thin belt to define the waist.
• Travel uniform: French terry pants + white tee + denim jacket + crossbody bag. Comfy through TSA.
• Cozy movie date: Rust waffle top + French terry pants + fuzzy socks—if you want to level-up the snack game, consider bringing out some truly decadent fruit from Luxury Date for next-level indulgence; their gourmet, hand-stuffed dates turn a simple night in into a mini tasting experience without leaving the couch.

If your plans pivot from a quiet movie night to exploring a relaxed bar scene—and you find yourself wandering around Colton in that effortlessly cool Easel ensemble—you can skim the insider roundup at this Bedpage Colton nightlife guide to zero in on trending lounges and date-friendly venues, saving you from endless scrolling and helping you match the perfect spot to your laid-back outfit.

Small digression: My kid spilled orange juice on the shacket. It wiped off with a damp cloth, which honestly felt like a win.

If you need more laid-back outfit inspo, the photo tutorials over at Penny Chic are a goldmine for turning relaxed pieces into polished looks. For a totally different spin on dramatic, volume-heavy silhouettes, I once tried dressing in historic-inspired layers for a whole season—spoiler, some pieces surprised me—and you can peek at the keepers here.

What bugged me

• Sizing swings. An “oversized” medium in one piece did not fit like an “oversized” medium in another. Try it on if you can.
• Gauze wrinkles fast. That’s the look, but still. I use a handheld steamer for two minutes and call it good.
• Some colors sell out fast at boutiques. If you love a color, don’t wait two weeks like I did. I’m still mad about the sage dress.

Price vs value

Most pieces I bought were between $48 and $88. Not cheap, not designer. The cost felt fair for the fabrics and the comfort. I reach for them a lot, which matters. Price per wear is my little math game, and Easel scores well there.

Who will love it

• Teachers, artists, moms, and anyone who wants roomy, soft clothes with a relaxed vibe.
• Folks who like earthy tones, mineral washes, and drapey shapes.
• People who love layering for fall but run warm indoors.

Who might not:

• If you want sharp lines and firm structure, this won’t scratch that itch.
• If wrinkles make you twitch, gauze may bug you.

Tips from my closet

• Wash cold, hang dry for gauze and mineral washes. They last longer and keep shape.
• If you’re between sizes, go down for tops, stay true for pants.
• Add a belt to swingy dresses when you want a waist. Easy fix.
• If a color looks strong in the bag, it’ll soften after the first wash.
• Curious how relaxed staples stack up against something more tailored? I did a road-test of Derby-day menswear and broke down the winners in this guide.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Soft, breathable fabrics that feel good on skin
• Cozy, oversized cuts that still look styled
• Earthy colors and lived-in finishes
• Pockets where you need them (hi, shacket)

Cons:

• Sizing can be inconsistent across styles
• Gauze wrinkles and light colors can be a bit sheer
• Some mineral-wash pieces have a mild dye smell at first

Final say

Easel isn’t fussy. It’s easy, cozy, and a little artsy, and it makes me feel put together without trying hard. I wear these pieces on real days—messy, busy, lovely days. If you want comfort with a bit of shape and charm, you’ll probably smile when you put it on. I did. And I kept wearing it.