Laundry Tips

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Laundry Tips

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1. When washing dark clothes for the first time use cold water and

put salt in the water. The salt helps set the color. To brighten

dark clothes after they have been washed several times, repeat the

procedure.

 

 

2. Black clothing tends to look brown after several washings. To

restore the black color, add coffee or strong tea to the rinse

water.

 

 

3. Many garments labeled " Dry Clean Only " can be safely handwashed

using mild soap like Woolite and cold water.

 

 

4. Cut dryer sheets in half before using. They still work just as

well. Keep a kleenex box on the dryer for the used ones - use to

dust furniture. More uses for used dryer sheets here.

 

 

5. To dye fabric a brown color inexpensively, soak it in a bucket of

strong black coffee. This technique will also camouflage a non-

removable coffee stain on a white table cloth.

 

 

7. You do not need to wash with hot water unless you are trying to

sterilize your laundry. Use the warm or cold setting to save money.

Set your rinse on the cold setting. Washing in cold water can save

the typical family over $120 a year!

 

 

8. The best overall laundry tip: Make your own laundry detergent and

fabric softeners! It works great, and costs so much less!

 

 

9. When you first switch from store-bought detergent to homemade,

wash laundry once with washing soda alone to get rid of the

detergent residue and avoid yellowing of fabric.

 

 

10. Even your washer needs to be washed once in a while. Run the

machine on hot water, normal cycle, and add a bottle of vinegar to

clean the soap film and scum that's built up inside.

 

 

11. Wash and dry clothes inside out to prevent fading.

 

 

12. Tie or pin socks together for easier sorting.

 

 

13. Use a mesh bag when washing/drying socks, especially baby socks.

 

 

14. Close zippers, button buttons, and tie strings before washing

and drying. This keeps clothes from being tangled together.

 

 

15. Spot cleaning - Use Tilex Shower Spray (mildew) to spot bleach

on clothes that can be bleached, but you don't want to bleach the

whole load.

 

 

16. Always empty the lint trap every single time you dry clothes in

the dryer.

 

 

17. If instructions aren't printed on the washer lid, type,

laminate, and hang them over the machine.

 

 

18. Label or color-code bedroom baskets to prevent laundry room

mixups.

 

 

19. Pilling is caused by items rubbing against each other in the

washer and dryer. Prevent it by turning susceptible clothes inside

out and washing them in a mesh bag or a drawstring pillowcase.

 

 

20. The difference between " Dry Clean " and " Dry Clean Only " is

fragile fabric, but washable. Dry cleaning fluids are tough on

fabrics, so whenever they can be avoided, the life of a garment is

prolonged.

 

 

21. Make your own Spray Starch - 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1 pint

cold water. Place in spray bottle and shake well before each use.

 

 

More Tips on the Homemade Laundry Detergent Chat Board

 

 

 

Stain Removers

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Oily/Waxy Stains - Try one of the following: " Scrubbing Bubble "

bathroom cleaners; Rub white chalk into the stain before laundering;

Rub with damp cloth dipped in Borax; Apply a paste of cornstarch and

water, let dry and brush off.

 

 

Blood Stains - Fresh - use cold water. Dried - Use Hydrogen

Peroxide. Pour over stain as soon as possible.

 

 

Red Stains (Koolaid, Popsicle, Berry Juice) - Rubbing Alchohol. Pour

over stain before washing.

 

 

Wine, Coffee, and Fruit Stains - Club Soda or moist salt. Pour over

stain, or soak in milk before washing.

 

 

Grass Stains - Combine a few drops of household ammonia with 1

teaspoon peroxide. Rub stain with this mixture. Rinse with water as

soon as stain disappears.

 

 

Rust Stains - Scrub with crumbled aluminum foil.

 

 

Lipstick Stains - Rub with shortening and wash with washing soda.

 

 

Ink Stains - Use hairspray on stain (with absorbent towel

underneath) and launder as usual. Or wet stain with cold water,

apply paste of cream of tartar/lemon juice, let sit one hour and

wash as usual. Or mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup warm water

and apply a small amount to the stain. Blot until no more stain can

be removed.