How an Australian Mom Invented the Most Useful Item in My Home
A few months ago, fibre space received a rather large box from Australia, along with a nice note and lots of information about the product inside. It was a Strucket, short for "straining bucket." At first, I hesitated. It’s a bit larger than most of the items we carry, and I wasn’t sure how it would resonate with customers. So, I placed a small initial order to test it out. That first batch sold out almost immediately. Then we reordered…and reordered again. So now I am ready to share this nifty thing with all of you whether you’re washing hand-knits or simply trying to make household chores a little easier.
So what in the world is a Strucket?
A mom of three in Australia was looking for a better way to soak and rinse everything from baby diapers and clothes to fresh vegetables picked from her garden. Her system of soaking in buckets or in the sink just wasn’t ideal because it left her putting your hands into dirty water to agitate or retrieve the items. It was messy, inefficient and far from ideal.
As a knitter, I could instantly relate. I have long struggled to wash my handmakes (especially those made from wool and other animal fibres) and get them to dry quickly. First, I’d have to scrub down the sink or tub to avoid any lingering toothpaste or soap. Then, I’d soak the item and promptly forget about it for hours (or, let’s be honest, days). When I finally remembered, I’d end up soaking wet myself while trying to lift and wring out the dripping piece—all while water spilled everywhere.
Enter: the Strucket.
In finding a solution for washing baby and food items, the inventor of Strucket also created a genius solution for knitters and crocheters. It’s a two-part bucket system with an inner strainer that lifts out and locks into place above the base, letting the water drain off without making a mess. There’s even a spout and plug so you can easily drain it without hoisting the whole bucket.
I have used mine to rinse vegetables, wash woven blankets, hand knits, and kid toys. Because the water drains out so well, the items air dry rather quickly, too. Just last week, I washed a wool throw blanket from the sofa and had it dry in under an hour! (I put it on the patio in the sun and it was dry in just a few minutes due to how well the water had drained from it).
The Strucket comes in two sizes. I use the 19L size for larger household items, while the smaller size lives in my kitchen for rinsing fruits and veggies from the garden. It's BPA-free and dishwasher safe, so it's safe for food and easy to clean.
This clever little invention has earned a permanent place in my home, and I hope it becomes just as indispensable in yours! Come check it out at fibre space at 1319 Prince Street.
