
Laundry tips
Rub a sticky
zipper with a lead pencil.
Rub beeswax
inside and outside your zippers on boots, purses, jackets etc.
to keep them running smoothly and quietly. This also removes
dust and grime.
To save on
dry-cleaning bills, wash your wool blankets in a mild dishwasher
soap or Zero on a gently cycle. Dry on air fluff.
Silk garments
must be hand washed. Use cool water with Lux or Zero soap. When
rinsing, add a bit of lanolin to restore and protect the
material. Drip dry and press, using a soft cloth.
Club soda is a
great stain remover for clothing.
To make your own
spot remover, combine two parts water with one part rubbing
alcohol.
Glass cleaner is
a good spot remover. If you get a spot on a dress, for example,
place a tissue on your hand under the spot. Give the spot a
spray of glass cleaner and rub gently using another tissue on
top to make the spot disappear. Reapply if necessary.
To make your own
prewash spray combine 1/3 cup each of water, liquid detergent
and ammonia. Mix, then store in a spray bottle. This is
excellent to spray on collars, spots and stains.
Use vinegar to
remove perspiration, grass and slight scorch stains from
clothing.
To remove stains,
soak garment in baking soda and water for several hours, then
wash as usual.
Dissolve your
soap flakes thoroughly in water before putting into washing
machine. This will eliminate powdery buildups on clothes and
extra washings.
To use up slivers
of soap, put them in a white sock, tie a knot in the sock and
toss into the washing machine. This will keep your socks whiter
and save money because you use less detergent.
Always measure
any detergent used with appropriate scoops. This prevents using
an excessive amount.
If you
accidentally put too much soap in the washer, pour two tbsp.
vinegar or a capful of fabric softener into the machine.
To make certain
that clothes receive a thorough rinsing, add one cup white
vinegar to the rinse cycle. This will help dissolve the alkaline
in soaps and detergents, plus it will give you soft
sweet-smelling clothes.
When washing
clothes, use cold water for the rinse cycle. Clothes will retain
their shape and colour better.
Clean your
washing machine by occasionally running through the wash cycle,
using warm water and vinegar. Do not put clothes in for this.
For a whiter
wash, add 1/4 cup dishwasher detergent to your load of white
wash.
Dishwasher
detergent can be used to whiten sweat socks and cottons. Just
add to regular washload.
Instead of
bleach, use about three tsp. peroxide in your wash.
White socks can
be white again if you soak them in boiling water to which a
slice of lemon has been added. Wash as usual.
To bleach
handkerchiefs, soak 1/2 hour in sour milk and wash as usual.
To whiten lace,
wash in sour milk.
To remove blood
stains, cover stains with a paste of meat tenderizer and cold
water, let stand 15-30 minutes, then sponge with cool water.
To remove blood
stains, dab with hydrogen peroxide. It will fizz up and the
stain will disappear.
To remove blood
stains from clothing, sponge the stain with three-percent
hydrogen peroxide. Let soak for a few seconds, rub then launder
as usual. |
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