This page contains tips and ideas on how to more easily and efficiently keep your laundry clean.
Getting Socks Really CleanSocks endure a lot of punishment and can be tough to get clean. This is a page for getting socks really clean.
Making Sweatshirts Soft Again?Over time and with repeated washing and drying the inside of your sweatshirt can become less soft and comfy. This is a page about making sweatshirts soft again.
Keeping Wash Cloths Smelling Fresh?Does anyone have any advice on how to keep facecloths smelling fresh? I wash and dry them and the next day they smell musty. When I wash them it's in the hottest water with no softener.
Cleaning Hair Off Towels?This is a page about cleaning hair off towels. Hair, whether human or pet, can be difficult to remove from towels in the laundry.
Removing Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Odors From ClothingIf you have ever spilled fuel on your clothing, you know that the odor is sometimes difficult to remove. This is a page about cleaning fuel odors from clothing.
Removing Kleenex from ClothingThis is a page about removing Kleenex from clothing. If you have ever forgotten to take a Kleenex out of your pocket before putting the item into the wash, you know how frustrating it is to remove the paper bits and lint that are left behind.
Washing Clothes in Well WaterThis is a page about washing clothes in well water. Homeowners who use well water, often experience various difficulties when doing laundry, due to the iron and other minerals sometimes found in the water.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Fabric...This is a page about eco-friendly alternatives to fabric softeners. Reducing static and softening your laundry can be accomplished with natural products without perfumes and dyes.
Preventing Lint on ClothingIf you are tried of having to get out the lint roller after doing a load of wash; try something new. This is a page about preventing lint on clothing.
Removing White Lint From Dark LaundryWhite lint spots can easily make freshly washed dark clothes look unwashed. This is a page about white lint all over dark laundry.
Using Borax in a Front Load Washer?Borax is a cheap magic additive. First it makes the detergent more effective. The clothes will be cleaner and dust mites cannot live in it. Children and adults would eliminate dust mite allergies. But the other great attribute is that it kills 100% of mold.
Cleaning Clothes That Have YellowedOlder clothing can sometimes yellow with age. This page is about cleaning clothes that have yellowed.
Towels Leaving Lint on Your BodyNew towels can leave lint on your skin after a shower. While quite annoying, this usually stops over time with multiple washings and being dried in the dryer. This is a page about towels leaving lint on your body.
Doing Laundry With Dishwashing DetergentLiquid dishwashing products, such as Dawn, are frequently used to hand wash clothing and remove stains. In a pinch if you are out of laundry soap, dishwasher detergent can be used as well as other products. This is a page about doing laundry with dishwashing detergent.
Removing "Permanent" Creases from ClothingThis is a page about removing "permanent" creases from clothing. Often the creases in our clothing resulting from sitting and other activities seem to be permanent, and impossible to remove.
Removing Odors From Clothing That Was...This is a page about removing odors from clothing that was left in the washer. Mildew can grow in damp clothes that have not been dried promptly leaving a stubborn smell.
Removing Wax From Washed ClothesIf wax has melted onto your clothing and they have already been washed, it can be a challenge to remove. This is a page about removing wax from washed clothes.
How to Fix White Clothing Dyed BlueIf you have washed a blue garment with a white one, some blue dye may transfer to the white clothing. It can be difficult but here are some ideas on how to fix white clothing dyed blue.
Cleaning a Stuck Panty Liner From Clothing?This is a page about cleaning a stuck panty liner from clothing. If it goes through the wash, a panty liner can disintegrate and get stuck on other clothing.
My Dryer is Stealing Fresh Scent from Clothes!I've never had this problem before. I have always used liquid fabric softener when washing my clothes, and they always smell so fresh and clean when I'm transferring the wet clothes from the washer to the dryer. But now, after the load is dry, the fresh smell has dissipated from the clothes.
Removing Food Stains from TableclothsThis is a page about removing food stains from tablecloths. Tablecloths do a good job of protecting a dining table. However, in the process they often get covered with food stains.
Preventing Bleach Stains on ClothingFinding mysterious bleach spots on your laundry, even when no bleach was used is frustrating. This is a page about preventing bleach stains on clothing.
Removing Dye Transfer from TowelsWe have all experienced the frustration of having fabric dye transfer in the wash to other laundry items. Removing the offending dye can be difficult. This page offers some solutions for removing dye transfer from towels.
Cleaning Gasoline Smell From ClothingPumping gas or refilling a gas powered mower or tool are all opportunities for an accidental spill onto your clothes. This is a page about cleaning gasoline smell from clothing.
Making Bath Towels More AbsorbentThis is a page about making bath towels more absorbent. We buy bath towels to dry off after a bath or shower. Finding that your towels are not absorbent, is very frustrating.
Whites Aren't White After WashingEven if you use bleach, sometimes your whites are dingy and gray after washing. This is a page about whites not looking white after washing.
Using Liquid Fabric SoftenerThis page is about using liquid fabric softener. There are creative ways to use this product to help save you money.
Getting Your Whites Really WhiteKeeping linens and clothing as white as the day you bought them can be a challenge. This page is about getting whites white.
How to Soften Line Dried ClothingIf you are lucky it will be windy on the days you hang your laundry outside. If not you can soften them by tossing them into the dryer for a few minutes, if you have one. This is a page about how to soften line dried clothing.
Clothes Smell Bad After Washing?This is a page about when clothes smell bad after washing. If your freshly washed clothes have a bad or sour smell, some sleuthing may be called for to determine the cause.
Washing Clothes With Concrete Dust on Them?This is a page about washing clothes with concrete dust on them. Your job or a home project may leave concrete dust on your clothing.
Cleaning Slimy Washcloths?If washcloths are reused regularly, they can get slimy and unpleasant from build up from beauty and cleaning products. This is a page about cleaning slimy washcloths.
Removing Mustard Stains from ClothingThis is a page about removing mustard stains from clothing. Mustard stains are notoriously difficult to remove from clothing. While it may not be easy you can get the stain out and have your clothes looking as good as new again.
Washing Clothing With Bleach (Without Having Them Smell Like Bleach)?Does anyone know of a good way to remove the odor of bleach from washed clothing? Any and all suggestions are welcomed.
Homemade Wringer for Hand Washing Clothes?This is a page about homemade wringer for hand washing clothes. Making your own wringer for your hand washing can help speed up the drying time.
Cheapest Time to Run Your Washing Machine?What is the cheapest time to run the washing machine and why?
Solutions for Dingy ClothingThis is a page about solutions for dingy clothing. Dingy clothing is a common complaint and one that can often be resolved.
Keeping Jeans from Getting Wrinkled in the DryerThis is a page about keeping jeans from getting wrinkled in the dryer. No one really wants to iron their jeans because they came out of the dryer wrinkled. There are some easy ways to keep this from happening.
Removing Candle Wax from Silk?Wax can be difficult to clean from any cloth, especially silk. This is a page about removing candle wax from silk.
Ink Stain on Khaki Pants?Does anyone know of any good ideas on how to get black (pen) ink out of khaki pants? Thank you!
Using Dawn Dish Soap as a Laundry BoosterA little Dawn added to your laundry detergent can make your clothes come out cleaner. This is a page about using dawn dish soap as a laundry booster.
Steam Iron Leaving Black Streaks on Clothing?How can I clean the inside of my steam iron. It is putting a black streak on my white shirts. Help
Charlie Tucker
Laundry Tips and TricksLaundry is a necessary chore that many people dread. There are lots of ways to speed up the process, remove stains better, and make your life a little easier. This is a page about laundry tips and tricks.
Restoring Whites Washed With Red ClothingI accidentally washed two of my husband's white shirts with a red sheet, and of course they turned pink. Somebody told me to use Rit dye remover, but the store was out. So I bought Carbona.
Removing Tar from ClothingGet your clothes back to looking good by getting rid of the tar stain. This is a page about removing tar from clothing.
Polyester Pants Smell After Wearing a Short Time?I wear work pants made out of 100 % polyester. The problem is my body heat makes them smell. They are washed with detergent, fabric softener and vinegar in hot water and dried all the way. They smell great afterward, yet a few hours into my day and they stink.
Laundered Towels Smell Like Cat Urine When Used?My laundry smells fine when I take it from the dryer and put it away, but when my towels are used and damp they smell like cat urine!
Keeping Well Water from Staining Clothing?This is a page about keeping well water from staining clothing. Well water can contain a variety of minerals that can leave stains on your laundry.
Using Shampoo to Wash WoolCare for your wool items at home instead of paying for expensive dry cleaning. This is a page about using shampoo to wash wool.
Cleaning Whites Without BleachThis is a page about cleaning whites without bleach. If you choose to not use bleach for your whites there are other options for getting them clean and white.
How to Clean Smelly SocksSoaking socks in vinegar, dish soap, baking soda or borax are all great ways to clean stinky socks. Get more tips on getting socks clean in this page to cleaning smelly socks.
Making Towels SoftThis is a page about making towels soft. Hard scratchy towels are probably not what you want to use after your shower.
Fuzz on Clothing from Towels?I have a new navy blue cotton shirt that accidently got put in the wash with a couple of wash cloths. Of course, now it has a slightly fuzzy look, not at all the new look that it should have.
Hard Water Leaving Laundry Dingy and Gray?This is a page about hard water leaving laundry dingy and gray. The minerals in hard water can be tough on your clothes. If you are finding that hard water is ruining the color of your clothing, try some of these tips.
Shirts With Stinky Underarms After Washing?This is kinda embarrassing, but my husband's shirts, in the armpits, are very stinky even after I wash them (he's not, just the armpits of the shirts). This is a page about shirts with stinky underarms after washing.
Washing Dry Clean Only Pants?Can I wash clothes that say Dry Clean Only? The pants I want to wash are made of 95% polyester, and 5% elastano. What could happen if I wash them?
Removing Wrinkles from Sheers?This is a page about removing wrinkles from sheers. Sheer curtains often come out of the package with wrinkles from being folded. They may also develop wrinkles when being cleaned.
Best Laundry Soap for Front Load Washers?This is a page about best laundry soap for front load washers. There are laundry detergents made especially for front loading washers. Choosing the best one for your machine can improve its overall performance.
Preventing Navy Blue Pants From Fading?What ca I use to keep the dark blue color in my work pants from fading? I like to have my pants starched at the cleaner's. So is there anything I can do before sending them to the cleaner's that would help them stay dark navy blue longer. Please help.
Removing Adhesive from ClothesThis is a page about removing adhesive from clothes. Adhesives can be difficult to remove from clothing and may require different approaches depending on the specific type.
How to Clean Football PantsFootball pants often become grass stained and covered in mud. Read on to find out some ideas about how to clean football pants.
Cleaning Terry Cloth Bar Towels?I work at a small ice cream store in the evenings. We use regular terry cloth bar towels to mop up spills and wipe down counters. I work with all teenagers so asking them to rinse out the towels does not work. I take the towels home every weekend to launder.
Removing Soap Build Up in LaundryThis is a page about removing soap build up from laundry. Depending on what kind and how much detergent you use in your washer, you can end up with soap residue on your laundry.
Stiff Washcloths?I have some washcloths that have been washed a few times and have become stiff and scratchy. They are relatively new and look good but the feel is stiff. What can I do to make them soft again?
Cleaning Rust Stains From My Washing Machine?It is very frustrating to take a load of clean wash out of the washer only to discover new rust stains from the machine itself on your laundry. This is a page about cleaning rust stains from my washing machine.
Whitening Synthetic Fabric Clothing?How can I whiten non-cotton white items like bras and panties? Non-chlorine bleach doesn't do the job. They get a grey look after many washings, even though we have a water softener.
Fels Naptha Alternatives?This is a page about Fels Naptha alternatives. Fels Naptha is used for treating clothing stains and is a common ingredient in homemade laundry soaps.
Warning: Don't Use Bleach If Iron in WaterIf you have iron in your water supply, it is best not to use bleach in your laundry. It makes the iron worse and can leave yellow stains. I have known this for years, but I think it is not as well known now as it was in my generation.
Mysterious Stains on LaundryThis is a page about mysterious stains on laundry. Stains on laundry are frustrating to get out but can especially difficult if you don' know the source of the stain.
Washing Machine Not Rinsing Soap Out of Clothes?I am have a problem with loads of washing not rinsing properly. I never overfill the machine, always use half or less than half the amount of detergent on the box/bottle, clean my machine at least once every 2 months (with either ammonia or soda and vinegar).
Extending the Life of Your Washing MachineThis is a page about extending the life of you washing machine. Purchasing a washing machine can be a costly investment. Proper use and maintenance may help to extend the life of your machine.
Kleenex Left In Washable Item?When a kleenex has been left in a garment, I heard to rinse the item in vinegar water. Has anyone else heard this and does it work?
Fanny Pack for Clothespin BagI have an old fanny pack and have discovered it has multiple uses. I have been wanting an apron clothespin bag but just haven't gotten around to making one. After using my fanny pack for dropping seed, when planting the garden, I thought about using it for a clothespin bag. Hooked around my waist, it's so easy to get the clothespins out when hanging clothes on the line. This little bag will hold well over 60 clothespins.
DIY Apartment Clothes DryerMultipurpose your vacuum cleaner to help dry your clothes! Fit your garment bag onto the shower curtain rod, if it must be put on beforehand. You will want to set up your curtain rod over the bathtub, a little ways inside from the shower curtain that you may already have.
Hanging Fitted Sheets On the ClotheslineI love being able to hang my sheets on the clothesline. To keep from stretching the elastic on my fitted sheets, I hang them with the elastic on the inside.
Drag Your Clothes BasketWhen you are not suppose to bend over and have to walk with a walker or a cane or just have back problems, you may need some help to get the basket of clothes from the dryer to the bed or folding table. I needed a way to get the job done so I tied some old shoe strings to the clothes basket handle and pulled it to the bed. It works great for me.
Using a Washing MachineWashing machines are a essential part of keeping your clothes and linens clean. With proper care, your washer can last a long time.
Removing Garlic Smell from Clothes?How do I get minced garlic smell out of my clothes? I used Pine Sol, lemon juice, and baking soda and I cannot get it out. It's bad.
Save Your Back with a Reach ExtenderI have a reach extender hanging in my wash room. It makes getting the clothes out of the dryer much easier.
Protecting Clothespin Bag Left on ClotheslineIf you like to leave your clothespin bag out on the line rather than bring it back and forth this solution might work for you. Repurpose an empty bird seed or pet food bag to make this handy protector from the sun and rain.
Collecting Dryer LintDryer lint is a constant byproduct of doing laundry. Storing it in a container to discard later is helpful. Also, the lint can be collected and used for other purposes such as toy stuffing, in a variety of crafts, or for starting a fire when camping.
Use Empty Kleenex Box For Dryer LintAn empty Kleenex box is perfect for holding dryer lint. Once full it can be discarded and a new one begun. It is a convenient way to control the wads of lint when doing a lot of laundry.
Borax to Boost Laundry DetergentPowdered borax has long been used to improve the cleaning power of laundry detergents.
Bath Towels Have a Stinky Metallic Smell?Tracking down the cause of a stinky metallic smell in bath towels fresh from the wash can be a bit of a mystery. Possible causes can be your plumbing, water supply, or even the water heater. Persistence and a process of elimination my be required.
Removing Stains and Odor from Moldy Clothing?Clothes were wet and left in a hot car in 100+ degree weather for at least two weeks. They grew mold on them and got this nasty burnt smell. They've been washed about 7 times now with vinegar, bleach, Oxi Clean, and those little Arm & Hammer bead scent things. They were presoaked and washed thoroughly every time, but there's still mold stains and some of the clothes still smell bad.
Using Borax in a Front Load Washer?When, where, and how do I use borax in a front load washing machine?
Removing Coke and Mud Stains from Bath Towels?After I laundered my bath towel with a stain of Coke and the other one had mud on it, the stains remains on there. How should I remove it or what are the ingredients to remove it?
Red Fabric Dye Bled on a Throw Pillow?A red blanket was washed with a beautiful cream patterned deco pillow and of course now it's no longer cream lol. Any suggestions on how to get it cream again?
Storing Laundry Detergent Without the MessLiquid laundry detergent bottles unfortunately seem to routinely develop leaks, whether from the easy pour spout or the actual seams on the bottle. This is a page about storing laundry detergent without the mess.
Using Vinegar in the LaundryThe vinegar smell will disappear soon after clothes are dried. Vinegar is used in the rinse cycle to deodorize and soften your laundry. This is a page about using vinegar in the laundry.
Cleaning Melted Candy Out of a Pocket?Forgotten pieces of candy can melt inside a pocket, often in the dryer. A few easy steps can help you remove this often sticky mess. This is a page about cleaning melted candy out of a pocket.
Using Peroxide for Laundry WhiteningWhiten your laundry with hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach. It also works particularly well on protein stains such as blood. This is a page about using peroxide for laundry whitening.
Denim Shirt Changed Color and Texture in Wash?This is a page about denim shirt changed color and texture in wash. Shrinking of the fibers is likely the cause of the texture change and it probably was not color fast, causing the color to wash out.
Use Washcloth and Fabric Softener as Dryer SheetThis tip not only saves money, it works far better to control static, and your clothes come out of the dryer smelling wonderful.
How to Remove Sticker on a SweaterThis is a page about how to remove a sticker on a sweater. Removing adhesive residue from a sticker on clothing can be frustrating. One really good option is to try and remove the residue with packing tape. Sticky removes sticky. There are commercial products such as Goo Gone as well as homemade alternatives.
Removing Strong Odor from Bedding?I recently had a family member temporarily (7 months) staying in my spare room. When they left I went in to clean, wash bedding, etc. The sheets and bed sets had a horrific, I'm assuming, body odor of some type. I have washed it a few times now and the odor remains.
Wool Balls as Natural Fabric SoftenerAbout a year ago, I transitioned into using wool balls - they are a natural laundry fabric softener. I purchased my wool balls on Amazon, but you can purchase them online, in select stores, or even make your own.
Sharing Laundry Facilities With OthersIf you have a laundry room or other shared facilities for washing and drying clothes, there are ways to protect your items from theft or damage. This is a page about sharing laundry facilities with others.
How to Line Dry SocksThe general consensus for hanging socks to line dry is to clip them on by the toes. This is a page about how to line dry socks.
Smaller Bottles for Laundry Products Make Doing Laundry EasierI have bad arthritis to the point where I can't lift anything heavy. Whatever it may be, it tends to fall right through my hands and ends up spilling or breaking on the floor. With trying to figure out an easier way to deal with heavy bottles of laundry detergent, I came up with this idea.
Why Are My Clothes Wrinkled After Washing?This is a page about clothes that are wrinkled after washing and line drying. Using a dryer can help keep clothes from being wrinkled, but it can be hard to avoid if you line dry your clothes. Here are some tips to help keep your clothes from being wrinkled after being washed and line dried.
Line Drying Clothing Tips and TricksOne way to save money is to line dry your clothing rather than using a dryer. This page contains line drying clothing tips and tricks.
Easy Reusable Dryer Softener SheetsReusing wash cloths soaked in fabric softener, wrung and dried, you can make your own dryer sheets. This is a page about easy reusable dryer softener sheets.
Finding Single Socks in the LaundryWhen doing laundry I always have socks that don't come out with their match partner! Instead of just throwing the single sock into the sock drawer I propped a plastic utility basket up between the top part of the dryer and the wall. This is where I put all the single mismatched socks I find while doing laundry.
Protecting Clothespin Bag Left on ClotheslineSoon begins the hanging laundry on the line season. I have a very nice cloth monogrammed bag that I like to keep hanging on the clothesline right where I need it. To protect it from the rain and sun I found a simple solution. After I emptied a large birdseed bag I cleaned it out and cut a hole in the top, slipped it over the bag and it is well protected with ease.
Ice Cube in Dryer for Wrinkle-Free ClothesI decided to try this on a super hot 103 F day when I just could not imagine getting the iron out to work on a load of clothes. Toss an ice cube or two with your wrinkly clothes into the dryer. Run it on the hot setting. It steams the wrinkles right out.
Tips for Good Smelling ClothingThere is nothing nicer than the smell of freshly laundered clothing. This is a page about tips for good smelling clothing.
Using Purple Power?When using Purple Power in the laundry, do you also use detergent or no?
How Can I Restore the Colour On My Shirt?Unfortunately, I put my shirt in the wash last night and it looks like the blue has bled into the white stripe along the middle. The two photos show before and after. Please can someone recommend how to restore the colours? This is a very sentimental shirt and I would massively appreciate any help!
Red Border Bled on White Towel?My husband washed an expensive white towel with a deep red border around it in hot water. My towel is now pink. He showed it to me and I did not dry it. I have tried soaking it in Tide and laundry soap with Oxi and it's still the same. I have no clue what to do?
Oil-like Stains on Freshly Washed Clothes?My husband got a used washer and dryer on Facebook two years ago. All of the sudden oil-like stains started appearing on a ton of our clothes. I'd clean out the machine, switch up detergents, I don't user fabric softener and still got stains. Recently, we decided it was probably the washer so we got a new machine. I thought we were in the clear when all of the sudden I washed a brand new pair of kids leggings and, alas, a small oil stain!
Removing Eucerin Cream from Clothing?My grandchild has to use Eucerin Cream all over every day for his skin condition. Washing is impossible and we've tried so many degreasers, but the fat from the cream clogs the machine. Any advice about what we can soak his clothes in? He's five months old.
Clothes Smell Sour After Washing?I am in Phoenix AZ where temps reach over 100 consecutively. My husband works outside, so sometimes when he gets home his shirt smells sour. I thought it was from sweating and the shirt drying slowly. Anyway, I noticed that sometimes after a few hours my clothes smell sour. I always check them before I put them on, but they start stinking.
