Today almost everything but the child goes into the washing machine. Bleach
of one kind or another does wonders with really dirty clothes. Some parents
change brands of laundry detergent occasionally, feeling that the new brand
washes out the residue of the old, and clothes get cleaner. If you take your
laundry to a laundromat, carry your detergent in old baby food jars or
self-closing plastic bags to lighten the load. And remember, there's no law that
says kids' play clothes must be spotless!
Get grimy socks white by soaking them in a solution of baking soda and water
before laundering. Yes, bleach works, too. Or boil them in water with a sliced
lemon.
Soak egg-stained clothing in cold water for an hour before laundering. Hot
water will set the stain.
Soak vomit-stained clothes in cold water, and sponge stains with a solution
of a quart of ammonia and a half teaspoon of liquid detergent.
Use bottled rug shampoo with a brush (and lots of suds) for winter coats that
need dry cleaning. It works on both wool and corduroy.
Pour boiling water through grape-juice-stained areas of clothing over a sink
or bowl.
Place a piece of waxed paper over gum on clothing or fabric. Run a warm iron
over the area to "melt" the gum onto the waxed paper. Or use masking tape to
lift it off.
Kid-Created Stains
Something our parents failed to mention (or we chose to ignore) is the joy
and frustration of continual laundry. Parents need to become experts in stain
removal and in keeping mounds of clothing in motion.
Over the years, various people have recommended the following items for stain
removal. I won't vouch for each of them. Often their effectiveness depends on
the nature of the stain, how old it is, and the nature of the fabric. The
following list includes options you may want to try. One or more may work for
you.
Ballpoint pen/ink:
- Hair spray
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Vinegar on painted surfaces
Crayon:
Blood:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- A paste of meat tenderizer
- Shampoo rubbed in, then cold water wash
- Whink Wash Away
- Goo Gone
Grass:
- Alcohol
- Shampoo
- Simple Green
- Tilex Soap Scum Remover
- Soak overnight, then wash with bleach
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Whitewall tire cleaner
- Whink Wash Away
Grease:
- Baby/talcum powder, then brush off
- Baking soda
- Club soda
- Crisco
- Go Jo
- Oven cleaner
- Goo Gone
Spills/stains:
- Baby wipes
- Baking soda
- Bleach on a cotton swab
- Club soda
- Liquid dishwasher detergent
- Murphy's Oil Soap
- Oven cleaner
- Rubbing alcohol
- Shaving cream
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Upholstery cleaner
- Window spray
Many companies claim their product alone is good in every situation. My
preference is to try baking soda first, as a paste or sprinkled on. It can't do
any harm, and you can always try something else if it doesn't work.
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