Laundry Tips & Tricks: Part One

[qsd-dan]

Pour a can of cola into the load along with your detergent. It will improve the cleaning power of most detergents. Colas contain a weak acid that helps degrease clothes.

Never had any luck with this one. I even tried 2 2 liter coke bottles with low water levels at 120F, still no go. Passed it on to a couple of my gear head friends with both vintage and modern washers (front and top load), they had no luck either. It wasn't until I started using STPP, a high quality oxygen bleach, and super hot temps (minimum of 150F), that I had luck removing grease, especially without pre-treating.

 

[mich]

Here's my Magic Tip...

For really stubborn, ring around the collar, spray this liberally until the stain is saturated. It will not destroy the fabric color, however, I do recommend that you wear gloves while handing since it's very alkaline. 

 

I swear, the stuff is like Magic Although, I haven't tried it on anything but, ring around the collar stains. It really works on the stubborn, dried in stuff. 

 

[danemodsandy]

I Second....

....All the comments on BIZ, which I recently rediscovered thanks to Tim (Polkanut). It saved a set of twelve real linen placemats, plus a table runner, that had been stained by poor storage practices *. Some of the pieces were deep tan, others were their proper linen color, and some were half-and-half. Nothing, but nothing I tried would shift the stains.

It took two days of soaking in BIZ, with a change of water and powder after the first day, but the entire set is now the same proper linen color, stain-free.

By the way, Goop is phenomenal on lipstick stains, even the indelible stuff.

* Not my storage practices; I bought them this way for next to nothing because of the damage, taking a chance I could save them.

 

[washdaddy]

for greasy food stains--

I use to work in a restaurant many years ago. Inevitably food stains would happen.

When washing those clothes I would add a half cup of electric DW detergent powder to the washer and let it dissolve in hot water than add regular laundry detergent and clothes to the machine and let it go.

Everything would come out clean with no stain leftovers.

 

[polkanut]

If you click on the link in Reply #12 it will take you to the Biz website, and you can print out 2 $1.00 off coupons. 

 

[mich]

Dishwasher Detergent...

Used to Contain, lots & lots of Phosphate. Think about 30-40% by weight. The stuff is super powerful, and cleans so well, that's why it was the active ingredient in Dishwasher & Laundry Detergent for the longest time. 

 

However, things have changed. Environmentalists in Spokane, realized that, the phosphate content, contributed 2-3% to the phosphorus levels in the Spokane Rivers and lakes, and started a ban in there town. They convinced Washington State, to follow, and environmentalists, inspired by there actions, convinced there local congress in there areas, to repeat the same. So, around July 2010, 16 states legislature went into effect, requiring the phosphate levels, in detergent to be nothing more than trace amounts. Think 0.5%...

 

So, more than likely, adding dishwasher detergent, into your washer isn't going to have much of a effect at all. It's mostly just washing soda, and nothing else, which, isn't all that powerful. 

 

My personal suggestion, is to pretreat greasy stains, with small, dime size amounts of Dawn, or Palmolive. Try to stick to the Original Scents, and such, as they don't have additives like Bleach alternatives, and such, that could cause color loss. 

 

As for Food Stains, Pretreating with Liquid detergent, containing, protease enzymes (Tide, Wisk, All) will remove most stains effectively. 

 

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

 



 

<span id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">The ultimate stain remover that actually works on a seriously set in stain! Never buy oxyclean again!
The mixture is:

1 tsp. Dawn dishwashing detergent
3-4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
couple tablespoons of baking soda.
Scrub on with a scrubbing brush</span></span></span>

 

[polkanut]

Another trick we use especially for dark clothes is to turn them inside out before laundering.  It really helps preserve colors.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Yep, I do that. My aunt told my mother that one.

 

[mich]

Snow White Whites...

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">For Cotton & Poly Fabrics, that aren't so white. </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Soak overnight with Two Cups of Phosphated Mexican Ariel Detergent. (Blue Bag, Doble Poder Forumla) Along with, 1 scoop of Oxyclean (this is optional, but, recommended) with the hottest water possible for the fabric. </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Most, 100% Cotton Fabrics can handle very, very hot water. Even Boiling Hot Water. Although, for best results, I recommend, soaking in a 120* F to 130*F water for best results. Only use enough water to barely cover the fabric & nothing else. </span>

 

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Allow to soak overnight, and than, in the morning, wring the fabric out, and toss it into a TL Washer, and run a Rinse Cycle. Once Completed, turn the washer knob to "Heavy Duty - Normal", "Hot Water", "Medium - Large Load" (just enough for good turnover and nothing else. </span>

 

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Use Enough Detergent, for a medium to heavily soiled load, along with 3/4 a cup of 8.25% LCB. Allow to Agitate, and drain fully, and rinse in Cold Water Twice. </span>

 

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Line Dry  </span>

 

 

[polkanut]

When line drying colored clothing, turn items inside out.  Helps reduce fading.  Helps seams dry faster also.  With all of the snow we have it will probably be mid-June before I can get to my clotheslines though.