Rinse might have had a late start this past decade (we launched in 2013), but the 2010’s will always be special - we took care of some of your most treasured items, grew significantly, and had a positive impact on the environment. Thanks to our customers, our team, and our supporters for making this past decade great...we're excited to do so much more in the 2020's!

Why do we wear socks? Chances are socks were first created for the simple fact of protecting our feet from cold weather and debris. Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a climate that supports year-round warm weather you most likely wear socks to keep your feet warm and prevent chafing the majority of the year. And if you’re like most people you have a dedicated sock drawer full of dress socks, low cut socks, high socks, crazy socks, lonely mismatched socks...you name it!

It’s amazing how something as simple as a sock offers so many choices and variation. Let’s take a look at the evolution of the sock through the ages from ancient civilizations to today.

Ancient Civilizations And The First Knit Stockings

Ever since the days of the caveman, we have been wearing versions of the modern sock. Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans both adopted their own versions using animal skin or leather and often tied them around their ankles to hold them in place. The first knit stockings were first discovered in an Egyptian tomb that dates back to c.1000 CE and was most likely worn with their version of sandals. Fashion faux pas!

Socks similar to those worn in ancient Egypt c.1000 CE - Source Link

 

Socks As A Status Symbol And The Beginning Of The Modern Day Sock

As societies progressed knit stockings became more popular, but they were still for the privileged and rich, in particular with Europeans. Since stockings were seen as a sign of nobility their manufacturing was kept a guild secret for many years.

European stockings, the mid-1500s - Source Link

Englishman William Lee (of Nottingham) first invented the knitting loom in the year 1589, which made knit fabrics easier to manufacture. France’s King Henri IV provided financial backing and William Lee relocated to France to establish a stocking factory. Around the time of the Industrial Revolution socks, which were mostly still made of wool, became easier and cheaper to manufacture and began to spread more rapidly throughout Europe.

A pair of 18th-century socks featuring a stripe pattern - Source Link

 

The sock took on many lengths and patterns and designs were added. Cotton became the fabric of choice around the 17th century, but otherwise, there was not much innovation across several centuries.

Men’s dress socks made of cashmere from 1906 - Source Link

Men wearing argyle and patterned socks from the 1920s - Source Link

Tall socks from the 1950s - Source Link

Mid-length socks (over the ankle) from the 1960s - Source Link

 

Socks Today

Around 1938 nylon was invented, which added elasticity to socks and many socks today are still made of nylon. Much like the 1920s-1960s, today has seen a resurgence of socks that feature more color and bolder designs and patterns. The sock is made of cotton, spandex, wool, polyester, nylon and more. There certainly is not a shortage when it comes to options!

Happy Holidays and Happy Rinsing! 

Over the next twelve days, we'll be hosting #12DaysofRinsemas on all social media. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to win prizes daily! Check out our day 1 prize here! 

Walking

If your walk to work is longer than 10 minutes, you’ll be moving around quite a bit. Here’s how you can make simple tweaks to your outfit.

• Pop on a wrinkle-free or non-iron top. That way, you avoid showing up in a creased shirt.
• While your dress pants might hold up during a long walk, you don’t want them getting dirty before a client meeting. Wear stretchy pants while you walk and then swap them for well-pressed dress pants at the office. If you’re going to carry your dress pants, fold along the seams and then roll them so they won’t get wrinkled in your bag.
• Avoid sore feet by wearing sneakers or athletic shoes. You can store your work shoes under your office desk so you don’t need to carry them every day.
• Depending on your city, you might encounter some rain along the way: a light rain jacket and an umbrella stored in your bag will help keep you warm and dry.

Biking

While biking is an environmentally friendly travel option—and a great way to stay in shape—it’s not so friendly to your work clothes. You might endure a bit (or a lot) of sweat or rain on your way to work so try these suggestions on for size.

• Opt for moisture-wicking and wind-resistant tops. You can try quick-drying fabrics, but stay away from polyester shirts with coated sprays—they’ll make you sweat.
• Merino wool sweaters are handy for chillier or wet days because the material is breathable. They’re a better option than raincoats, which can also cause you to sweat more.
• If your office dress code is on the fancier side, bike in an undershirt or tank top and put your blazer on once you arrive at the office.
• Pair your top with slim, stretchy pants so you’ll have better mobility as you work those pedals. For warmer days, capris and ankle-length pants can keep you cool (and they won’t get caught in the chain).
• If you think you can’t bike to work in a skirt or dress, think again! Just wear a pair of bike shorts underneath.
• Wear tennis shoes or flats, which will make it easier for you to cycle.
• Store your bag in a basket or pannier so you won’t have to deal with a sweaty back.

Taking the bus or train

You might think that you can wear your work clothes on public transit without any problem, but keep in mind that the vehicle might be a lot more warmer or colder than the office.

• Wear a sweater, jacket or blazer over your top. That extra layer will be easy to remove when you’re getting in and out of an air conditioned or heated bus/train.
• Do you have a long walk from your stop? As we’ve mentioned, sneakers are your friend.
• Wearing flats instead of heels will also help deal with unwanted foot pain when you’re going up and down the steps to the train platform.

Driving

Fortunately, you have more control over the temperature in your car, but there are other conditions to keep in mind when you’re driving.

• Wearing a seatbelt for a half hour might leave your button-down shirt looking dishevelled. Don a breathable top like a cotton shirt while you’re in the car. Once you get to the office, you can easily switch shirts or layer something else on top.
• If a suit is standard for the office, choose a high quality material like merino wool that won’t wrinkle when you’re driving.
• Keep a portable steamer at the office to handle any unexpected wrinkles.

By following these style hacks, you can walk through the office door with style and confidence each morning, and focus on more important things at work—like impressing a new client or earning that promotion.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com, Redd Angelo, Matthew Wiebe, Unsplash.com

 

Ah, the holidays! It’s the time of year spent with loved ones, a time to be thankful, a time to give, and a time of year that is rooted in rich tradition. One of the more popular traditions is the hanging of Christmas stockings. Many of us proudly hang our stockings over a fireplace mantel, a staircase, a bedpost, or a windowsill. While there are no definitive written accounts that explain this tradition, there are legends that shed light on the origin of this custom.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Jolly Old Saint Nick is not just a nickname or a Christmas carol, it is believed to be the true inspiration behind Santa Claus. St. Nicholas of Myra (which is believed to be modern-day Turkey) was a rich man who lived during the 4th century and was known for his charity. He took interest in one particular villager and his three daughters, as the man could not afford dowries for his eldest daughter.

Legend has it that one night Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the man's chimney knowing that he would never accept the gift willingly. The gold slipped into a stocking that was hanging to dry over the fireplace. And thus, the man could now afford gifts for his oldest daughter and the legend of Santa and the Christmas stocking was born!

Nicholas continued acts of charity throughout his life and attempted to stay out of the spotlight while doing so. Eventually, he became a Saint for his selfless acts.

While many still speculate about the origin of the Christmas stocking this story is widely accepted as the humble beginning of what is now an essential holiday tradition.

The Evolution of the Christmas Stocking

The stocking ritual has evolved a lot from that legendary night where gold found its way into a freshly laundered stocking. People started to use larger stockings such as high-knee socks or long white socks (probably borrowed from dad's sock drawer). And why not? This meant more gifts! Today, many use boot-size stockings that are often labeled for each member of the family (and pets!) and customized with quirky designs.

The Bigger The Better 

Fun Fact! The largest Christmas stocking (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) was measured at 168 feet and 5.65 inches. The bigger the better! At least if you want more gifts to fit inside!

As you proudly display your stocking arrangement and eagerly await Santa’s arrival feel free to show off your stockings by tagging @Rinse on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #Rinsemas.

Happy Holidays and Happy Rinsing!

Rinse’s complete guide to properly caring for your bath mats.

Sure, your bath mat probably feels nice and soft on your feet after every shower, but underneath all that comfort may be some pretty gnarly grime and not-so-nice germs.

Before you add burn bathmat to your to-do list, I recommend at least skimming this post. Just as with bed sheets and clothing, there is a correct way to care for your bath mat so that it stays fresh and clean, shower after shower.
 

Caring for your bath mats in 3 steps

So what can be done to care for your bath mats?

1. Determine how much use your bathmat gets - The condition of your bath mat really comes down to how much you use it.
   • If you’re like most people, you are using it daily. If you share a bathroom with more than one person you then have to factor in their daily usage in addition to yours.
   • You also need to consider the time in between each use where your bath mat can dry and air out. The more it is used and the less time it has to dry the more likely your bath mat has unseen dirt, germs, and even mold or mildew settling in!
      
2. Wash your bath mats accordingly - This answer to how often you should wash your bath mats can be subjective and a bit complicated. To make things simple, a good rule of thumb is to wash your bath mat at least once per week.
   • If you find yourself in a household that shares a bathroom between two or more people, then we suggest washing your bath mats every 3 to 5 days.
   • If you have your own bathroom, you may be able to get away with washing your bath mats about every 10 days to prevent mold or mildew build up underneath the fabric.
      
3. Minimize long-term moisture - It’s important to create an environment that allows your bathmats to fully dry.
   • Turn on your bathroom’s fan or open a window during and after showers. Why? Because adding a little ventilation to your bathroom helps cut down on the steam buildup, which can seep into both soft (read:bathmats) and hard surfaces, making your bathroom a tropical paradise for mold spores, bacteria, and other unpleasant things.
   • When you are done using your bath mat, hang it up! Exposing both sides of the bath mat to the light of day will help it dry more quickly and reduce the risk of mold and mildew.

Like most things related to laundry, we have an easy solution for you. If you have regular laundry to do (like most non-nudist adults), our subscription Wash & Fold service, Rinse Repeat, may be just what you need. You just fill up your Rinse Repeat bag with all of your laundry - including bathmats - and we’ll pick it up, wash it, fold it, and deliver it back to you on a weekly or biweekly cadence (depending on your plan).

So, then next time you hop out of the shower, remember your hardworking bath mat and be sure to give it the care it needs!

Clothing Donation To Do’s

1. First things first, identify clothing to donate:

A quick rule of thumb for clothing donations: If an item is in good condition (no stains, holes, or tears) and is clean, it’s probably perfect for clothing donation.

Ideal for clothing donation:

• Is anything collecting dust in your closet or at the bottom of your drawer? Consider donating clothes you simply don’t wear anymore.
• Too small or tight? It’s time to pass it down to someone else.
• No longer going through “that phase”? Get rid of anything that you doesn’t fit your style.
• Don’t be afraid to include high-end items like a suit or formal dress. Many donation centers will take those items aside for special programs and charities that help people in need look sharp for a job interview or for events like prom.

Not acceptable for clothing donation:

• No undergarments. No, if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Undies are items that need to be bought new, no matter how cute your old ones are.
• Does your old favorite shirt have a hole in it? Then it’s time to repurpose, recycle, or throw it away. Only consider donating items that are like new or gently worn.
• Do your shorts still have a weird smell? That’s a no for us dawg.
• If any of your clothes have spots or stains on them, try to remove them yourself or take it to a professional. If the stain won’t budge, then sadly the item should not be donated and instead repurposed.

2. Make sure all items have been recently washed/dry cleaned:

You want your clothing donations to be fresh and clean for their new owner!
 

3. Get the clothes to the donation center/charity :

This one may seem pretty obvious but without a plan, chances are your bag of donations may end up sitting the garage or closet for another 6 months. To make things simple, here are two options to get those items out the door!

• Option 1 - Rinse will pick up your clothing donations, free of charge with any Rinse order. You can check if you’re in our service area here.
• Option 2 - Drop your clothes off at a local charity. Here is a great list of national and local organizations that accept clothing donations, how to locate them, and the cause that your donations will go to support!
   

Clothing Donation Alternatives

If your clothes are too far past their prime to be donated, don’t despair, you can also repurpose or recycle them and minimize your environmental footprint.

Repurpose old clothes:

Some old clothes can become dust rags used for cleaning while other types of clothes like shirts can easily be turned into dog toys. (Here is a great how-to video for cutting up old shirts and braiding them into chew toys — It’s a fun project for kids and if you create too many, local animal shelters often welcome toys of any kind to keep their pups entertained.)

Recycle clothes, towels and bed sheets that aren't fit for donation:

If you can’t find any way to use your old clothes around the house you can always reach out to local nonprofits about helping you with textile recycling. Oftentimes, they may be able to facilitate taking your old clothes to textile recyclers. If you need a jumpstart looking into recycling options check out Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (“SMART”).