GREEN LIVING: Autumn caretaking

THE weather has certainly changed now, and the darker evenings are for settling in and completing some projects. Sort of like the urge to clean at the start of spring, I am proposing a focus on ‘autumn caretaking’, in which we take some time to mend and restore goods to keep them going for longer.
My first project is to rejuvenate my leather boots that I’ve been wearing for over six years. I’ll clean them with a soap designed for leather and a bit of water, let them air dry and then apply a balm to condition the leather and make them water resistant for the wet winter ahead. I try to do this at least once a year, and this approach is also ideal for keeping bags and coats in great condition as well, extending the life span considerably.
For coats and boots in particular, some may need some additional care to remain waterproof. Outdoor and sporting goods shops sell various waterproofing solutions; the most eco-friendly options are non-aerosol/natural sprays or balms that can be rubbed directly into the material. This can also work for backpacks, tents and other outdoor gear, to keep it in working condition for many more adventures.
Everyone in the house is tasked with changing out our seasonal wardrobes, taking out most of the short-sleeved tops and shorts and bringing back the jumpers, coats, hats and scarves. The kids are required to try everything on and check for stains and holes, and making a pile for cleaning and one for mending. I tackle the mending on the winter clothes straight away so they are ready to wear, and then have a ‘slow pile’ to get through over the winter in preparation for next year.
We also bring out heavier bed clothes for the colder nights, so we wash all the blankets and check out the hemlines on all the duvets and sheets. Any that may have seen better days can be used for pet bedding, or cut up into strips for cleaning cloths.
Before we approach the gifting season, we all have a look at what we have and what we might be able to part with. This keeps us from holding on to things that are not being used, and also teaches us to value the things that we do love and use the most.
As this is a time of year when many of us are saving in advance of holiday spending, there may be good-quality items that can be sold for a bit of extra cash to help with buying gifts. Otherwise, clothing and home wares in great condition are most welcome at charity shops for the gifting season, allowing them to support good causes.
For anyone with creative talent, there are a few months to work on handmade crafts for yourself or to gift to others. Painting with watercolours or drawing with pencils, knitting with natural wool and making collages are all eco-friendly projects that are perfect for the shortening days.