Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tuesday's Tips and Tricks-- Laundry

Adam keeps getting these grease stains on his shirt. I'm not sure where these stains are coming from as he's not much of a mechanic but, none the less... grease stains. So, I searched the internet for a remedy and I found one. Along with a couple of other laundry solutions I think I'll try. I have not yet tested these out so, proceed at your own risk!

Grease Stains: Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch or baby powder over the grease stain, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then brush the powder off. The powder absorbs the grease and it brushes off with the powder.

Fabric Softener: Use an old dish towel as a fabric softener sheet. Pour a couple of cap fulls of Downey on it and throw it in the dryer. .Reuse the towel for about 15 loads until you start noticing static again. It helps to use a towel that is distinct from the other laundry.

My thoughts on this one.. I think you would need to dry the fabric first or you might end up needing the grease stain removal one. I'm not sure that my grease stain problem isn't from liquid fabric softner.

Ink Stains: Put rubbing alcohol on the stain - it disappears! This must be done before washing.

Zippers: To make a zipper slide up and down more smoothly, rub a bar of soap over the teeth.

Blessings,
Dana

8 comments:

Julie said...

the "grease" might actually be from fabric softner if you use that. We had that happen a lot a while back (I'm talking 8 years ago or so) and the sears man said it can sort of build up around the whatever it's called inside the washer. I had to run bleach through it to clean it out. might not be it if it's only adam's shirts. but thought I would share just in case. I know we still have that happen from time to time - so thanks for the tips! That's great!

Veronica Leaptrott said...

I have the same problem, they tend to show up on Mike's shirts. Maybe I just don't notice them on mine. I'll have to try the stain tip. In the mean time I've been using dryer sheets.

Hyperactive Lu said...

Our clothes tend to get stains IN the wash.... we cheat and use Oxy Clean!!!

BTW, I did try our homemade dish washing detergent that you found for me. It works and cleans, but leaves a nasty film on the dishes... our dishes are NOT shiny any more. :) Gonna have to search for a rinse agent, I guess! Thanks again for finding it for me!

Holly-- The Storm Chaser said...

Okay, Ms. Gotitalltogether, I'm serious here... Next summer when Adam starts his travels again and you make a long trip to AL, you and the girls HAVE to come down here to Camp Hudson and help me get my act together! I'm for real. I could use a lot of your experience and expertise, not to mention it would be super fun to have you all around for a little bit! :-)
Hope Emma enjoys her first week at school. Lucy got upset yesterday and couldn't calm down for a while. Not sure why that's happening the second week of school and not the first, but she did much better today. First grade is just an adjustment from our fun year of hands-on playing in kindergarten. Plus, our kids go to an all-kindergarten building, then move on to one of seven elementary schools for 1-5 grade, so I think she's been nervous with all of the changes too. Hopefully Miss Emma won't have a hard time with her changes.
Have a good week!

Dana said...

LOL, at Holly. I so don't have it all together. Did you catch the part where I said I found them on the internet and that I hadn't used them yet? However, I would love to come and disappoint you next summer! I think we could probably guarantee some fun but that's about it! I bet Emma and Lucy would have a ball. And, we might as well start working on matching up Chloe with one of the boys.

Ashley @ pure and lovely said...

ooooo sounds handy!

Kristen said...

great tips! Thanks for the Follow too :o)

Sara-Beth said...

I have found that OXY gets out Bucky's grease stains. I don't use fabric softener to avoid those...

I bet the baby powder works considering you put sawdust on grease on like a garage floor or whatever... it seem like the same idea. Hope it works! I am going to have to try the ink stain remover...