Grain Sack Cleaning Update

After we spoke last I decided that I was kinda dumb.  I have a perfectly good washing machine that has a "soak" cycle.  Uh, why don't I use that?  So, I grabbed a few more bags and decided to soak those and the ones I  had in the sink.  I have been reading online different ways people have cleaned grain sacks.  I know it sounds silly, but I don't want to ruin them.  I mean if you could see and smell these bags you would think there is no way to ruin them.  

I grabbed the last of my Oxiclean, about 4 scoops full.  Threw it in my washer.  I have a top loader with an agitator.  I had to buy a new washer within the last year and let me tell you it was difficult to find.  I am truly a traditionalist when it comes to my washer and dryer.  PLUS I have a kiddo who would not be able to wash her own clothes if I got one with a lot of bells and whistles.  My last Whirlpool lasted about 15 years so that is what I went with on this one.  Anyway,  I then threw my sacks in and turned on the really hot water.  I used my large load function and let her fill up and turned it off. 

This was this morning when I got up.  It almost looks like coffee stain, but I assure you it does not smell like it and it is definitely something I would not drink.

Since I have never used my soak cycle I had no idea how to stop it. So, I found the owner manual online and figured it out.  All it does is let the water out.  It doesn't spin them at all.  Anyway, I figured they now needed to be washed.   I used my normal Arm and Hammer detergent AND added some Arm an Hammer washing soda to the load.  I was crossing my fingers and hoping they would clean up.

This is after the wash.  I decided to hang them dry for now until I decided if another washing is needed.  My son said he needed to do laundry tonight, so I can't do it tonight.  I sure wish I had a clothes line.  Oh well.  This will work.

Remember yesterday when I said these didn't have any writing on them?  Guess what!!!! I'm so excited.  Here all the bags were turned inside out. There are even some repairs made to them.  I LOVE it!

The one below had some bleeding of the blue ink :-(  

The one below is my absolute favorite because of the repairs. 

Some of them may be permanently stained, but I think it may be worth one more washing.  I still have some bags to wash.  The interesting thing about those is they are waterproof.  Like there is a coating on the inside of the bags.  The outside is canvas but inside a coating.  I tried researching bags like this, but found nothing.  They even say Bemis made them.  

I will show those once I can use my washing machine again.

We finally got rain last night and today. Hooray!!!! My flower gardens are rejoicing as are the weeds in my lawn. LOL.  We will be visiting my gardens soon. Until then have a wonderful day.  

Remember you can only control what's in your circle, so don't worry about the rest.

Flea Market Fun

Yes, I know today is Father's Day.  Last year was only a month after my Mr.'s Dad had passed away so he was not in the mood to celebrate.  I went and celebrated with my Dad, but he stayed home.  This year Bill said let's go to the flea market.  So, that is what we did.  I had spent Friday with my Dad and gave him some mulch for their flower beds and spread it also.  He was going to my sister's today for a cookout, so I decided to go shopping this morning.  Boy howdy! It sure was HOT! We were there around 9am and the sun was blazing.  We haven't had any rain for quite sometime here in our little part of Ohio.  

They are keeping a close eye on how many people are at the flea market and how many cars can park.  Luckily, we got a place to park right smack dab in the middle.  You know, just in case you need to take stuff to the car.  We have learned the hard way that you don't want to park at one end or the other.  Here it is mid June and I haven't been to one market yet this year.  Granted I am getting very picky with what I want.  I am not buying to sell.  I am buying to decorate and don't want a lot of "stuff" sitting around.  

Anyway, we walk up to the booth directly in front of the car and he has old advertising cans and bottles and stuff then I see them.  Grain sacks to excite any prim person right there.  He had quite a few with words and graphics, but not Bemis ones. He says those are $10 each. They were not my taste so to speak.  Then I see a pile on the ground next to the table.  They are all plain with no advertisements.  There is some writing and marks, but I can see through that.  When I was flipping through them they are crusty, dirty, and musty smelling.  The guy comes over and says he picked them out of an old barn and that those ones were $1 a piece, or if I took them all $10.  I had not counted them, but I figured it was still a great deal.  So, I obliged and paid the man.  I then spotted an old wood box.  I LOVE wood boxes as they have a ton of uses.  Most of them are priced too high and I figured the same of this one.  The Mr. pointed out that it was an Anheuser Busch box.  Of course he would see it was a beer box. LOL.  The man said of that box is $10.  I asked him why he told me that.  He joked and said I needed the box to carry all the grain sacks in when in fact that is the box he picked them in.  Needless, to say the grains sacks were back in their home.  Lucky for me the car was just across the driveway.  Once I got home I counted 16 bags.  Not bad!  That is the box I got too.

Yes there is some red and black paint on them, but the other side is plain.  Even if I only use one side I paid less than $1 for each.

We then meandered our way around to the other booths and of course the normal junk is there.  I was looking for stuff I could put in my flower gardens or planters for some plants I have.  In the midst of looking I saw a larger hide stretcher.  I already have a really big one, but this one was smaller.  I was perfect with no holes or cracks and had a beautiful patina on it.  The guy told me the price of $20.  I was on the fence.  He told me to look around and see if I wanted to bundle some stuff.  He had some boxes, but the bottoms were coming off and they were too expensive for what they were.  I told the Mr. I really wanted the board, but I didn't want to pay $20.  So, I walked away.  We continued to look and all I kept thinking about was that board.  Often times people say you should buy it when you see it if it speaks to you.  So, needless to say it came home with me.  

It just needs cleaned up a bit from the dust and dirt before I bring it inside.  I have no plans to paint on it.  I LOVE it as is.  It is airing out on my porch for now.

Back to the grain sacks.  I have some plans of pillow shams or other crafty things from them.  But, first things first is washing them.  I was looking online and most people suggest soaking them first for up to 24 hours.  So, I decided these 4 would go first.  They are FILTHY and dirty.  

EWWWW!!!

Into my laundry room sink they go.  I added some Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.  I got some of this because I'm on a homemade cleaner and disinfectant kick with essential oils.  In they go...

I turned off the water and swished them around a little and I think I'm going to throw up! LOL

Stay tuned as I plan on changing the water several times and then throwing them in the washing machine.  Let's see how they come out.  

Only 3 more loads to clean! LOL