Blood, Fresh & Dried
Rinse fresh blood stains in cold running water and rub with soap. Repeat. For dried stains, first scrape or rub off as much dried blood as possible. Soak in warm water using a product which contains enzymes. Wash. If this doesn't work, rewash the item using a chlorine-free bleach. In the case of stubborn stains, rust removers may be helpful.
Coffee, Tea
Presoak item in liquid detergent with bleach. Wash using the hottest water temperature that is safe for the fabric.
Cosmetics
Dampen stain and rub with liquid detergent. Rinse, then wash.
Dingy White Socks
Presoak in a liquid detergent solution for a minimum of 30 minutes. Wash in a liquid detergent which contains oxygen bleach. Food Coloring Soak in cool water. If stain remains, rub on detergent and rinse. Wash.
Fruit Juice, Wine & Soft Drinks
Soak stain in cool water as soon as possible. Then, soak in an oxygen bleach, using the hottest water safe for the fabric. Wash.
Mud
Brush off as much as possible when garment is dry, then rinse under cold running water. Pretreat with a paste of powder detergent and water, or liquid laundry detergent. Wash using laundry detergent and a fabric-safe bleach.
Rust Stains
The yellow, orange or brown spots we sometimes find on our clothes may be caused by rust. Iron content of over .2 parts per million in your water supply can cause these type of stains, so it's important to have your water supply checked. Two possible sources can be rust water pipes or water heaters. One way to combat this problem is by using a mechanical water softener with an iron filter. Also, using a non-chlorine bleach can help, as chlorine bleach may cause the iron in the water to precipitate on fabrics and leave stains.
Read very carefully if you have a septic system!!
Your laundry habits can ruin your septic system if you are not careful. Lint from washing machines is one of the leading causes of expensive septic system failure. Fortunately there is a new invention called the Filtrol 160 which hooks up to a washing machine and solves this problem by catching lint at the source. In addition to using a lint filter to prevent this problem, it is also very important to avoid overloading the system with water. Spread out your laundry loads, i.e. don't do all your loads on Saturday morning. Also, make sure to wash your clothes with a liquid detergent, powdered detergents often contain fillers which can plug up the drain field and lines. For more information on septic system maintenance, you can go to http://www.laundry-alternative.com/septic_system_maintenance.html.
Brighten Colors with Salt
Hard water can cause clothes to become dull or dingy after several washings. To solve this problem, add a couple of pinches of ordinary table salt to the washer with the detergent. Let some water run in the washer to dissolve detergent and salt, then add clothes. Colored clothes will come out much brighter.
Delicates
Think you have to take that sheer voile blouse, beaded top, fringed silk shawl, or lace trimmed dress to the cleaners? Think again! You can clean these at home by simply tying the articles in a cotton pillow case, knotting it closed, and washing in cold water on regular cycle. Beads, sequins, buttons and delicate laces will not fall to pieces, and garments can be restored by steam ironing or steaming in the shower! Diapers
Do you hate dunking diapers in the toilet? There is now a new invention called the Little Squirt which eliminated this dreaded task. It is is powerful sprayer that attaches to the water supply for your toilet. Instead of dunking, you simply spray the contents of the diaper into the toilet. More information and a picture is available at http://www.laundry-alternative.com/washing.html.
Down
As a general rule, down items should be cleaned twice a year- once before you start wearing them, and before you put them away after the winter season. Down can be washed or dry-cleaned, read your care label for instructions. You're better off taking large items that require a lot of washer and dryer space (i.e. comforters) to the laundromat, which has larger machines. Be careful not to tumble dry down items at a temperature greater than 140F, or water-resistant shell fabrics can slow drying.
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/tips.html for more laundry tips.
Happy Laundry Day!!!!
Tiffany
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