Geek-A-Long
Free Stuff: Eucalan
Let’s have some hard truths: No on likes finishing work. I have never, ever, in all my time knitting met a knitter or crocheter who said, “Oh, yeah. I LOVE to weave in ends.” So when you find something that makes those undesirable tasks nice, it’s a real treasure. Blocking with Eucalan wash makes the piece — and me by extension — smell delightful! I actually blocked something the other day that didn’t really need it, just to use it. And then I spent the rest of the day smelling my hands like a creeper cause that’s how I do.
Turns out that Eucalan loves you guys as much as I love them! They kindly sent over four big bottles of my favorite no-rinse wash for the GAL prize baskets. All you have to do to qualify to win this spectacular prize is join the Geek-A-Long Ravelry group before midnight on December 31st, 2014. It’s never too late to join!
Well, OK, that’s a lie. At 12:01 AM EST on January 1st, 2015 it will be too late to join, so don’t dawdle.
When you post a picture of your finished Geek-A-Long blanket to the Ravelry GAL group in any of the three sizes (baby blanket, afghan, or full-sized), you will be entered into the raffle for that sized blanket. However, everyone in the group is eligible to enter the drawing for the fourth prize basket as our thank you for just being a member. If you’re not a member, however, it isn’t too late to join and get in on the fun! You can find everything you’ll need to know about the Geek-A-Long on the FAQ page.
These baskets are essentially a parade of my favorite things, and this month is no exception. I love the function of Eucalan. It doesn’t leave residue or affect the feel and texture of your fibers, all while still giving them a great cleaning. Also, this wash lasts forever. I’m still working through a bottle I bought over 6 months ago and I’ve hardly dented it! What really sets it apart for me though is the long-lasting scent that sticks with my knits. Each basket will be outfitted with a different (and delightful) scent! Lavender is my favorite, and it’s the one I use for my own work. Jac’s a grapefruit girl and the Misters love the Eucalyptus.
About Eucalan
Mary Ellen Edgar is the founder of Eucalan and her story is an inspiring one. Her venture into the world of alternative laundry products all started with a visit to a friend in Australia who gave her a Ministry of Agriculture home remedy for a no-rinse laundry product for woolens. Living in the country and accustomed to economizing with well water and a septic tank, Ms. Edgar tested the formula herself and was amazed at the results; her best red and white Argyle wool sweater washed up beautifully and she saved time, water, and energy because of the no-rinse benefit of the formula.
Encouraged and enthusiastic, Ms Edgar proceeded to go to the next level and produced the new product on a commercial basis.
The derivative of the company name, ‘Eucalan’, is the combination of two of the prominent ingredients from the original product formula — eucalyptus and lanolin. The eucalyptus scented product is still available along with recently launched sweet-smelling lavender (which like eucalyptus has moth-inhibiting qualities) and grapefruit, which has natural disinfectant properties. There is also a non-scented option for people with scent sensitivities.
In addition to its ecological value, the practical significance of Eucalan is that it can be used in both front and top-loading washing machines as well as in a basin for hand-washing. And with its unique ‘no-rinse’ benefit, Eucalan is the perfect travel companion, making it simple to wash delicates in away-from-home accommodation and hotels.
Thank you for your generous donation to the Geek-A-Long participants, Eucalan! You can find Eucalan on their website, Twitter, and Facebook. If you’d like to view the other Geek-A-Long benefactors and prizes, you can find them here.
~ Megan-Anne
Do washing machines in Australia spin in the opposite direction?