30 Laundry And Fabric Cleaning Tips

Oct 29, 2010 by VegasKev

Here are 30 laundry and fabric cleaning tips that I’ve found.  I have a much longer list, but am too busy to edit it all tonight.  I will finish the rest of the list within the next couple of days and share it here on FamBoost! as soon as it’s complete.  I hope that everyone who comes to these lists will find something that will help them.  If you have anything to add to the lists, feel free to add them below by submitting a comment below.  Enjoy!

1. Before washing clothes with bright colors for the first time, soak them in cold salted water, this will help their colors retain all of their brightness.
2. When you first wash printed fabrics, add a teaspoon (5 ml) of Epsom salt to 1 gallon (4.5 liters) of water for a few hours and soak. This will help the print stay on through many more washes than normal.
3. Soak blue jeans in ½ cup (125 ml) of vinegar and 2 quarts (2 liters) of water for one hour before the first wash to prevent fading. Next, you’ll need to wash the jeans in cold water and put them in the dryer for about 10 minutes, then hang them on a wooden hanger for the rest of drying.
4. Turn corduroy pants inside-out before washing. They will be free of lint and last longer.
5. If you pin each pair of socks together before putting them in the wash, you will not waste time gathering them later.
6. Rub stubborn zippers with a pencil.
7. Rub the inside and outside of zippers for boots, handbags, jackets, etc. with beeswax. They will glide smoother and easier plus you will remove dust and dirt.
8. Silk clothing should be washed by hand. Use cold water and soap. Add a bit of lanolin to the wash water to revive and protect the fabric. Drip-dry the fabric, then press using a soft cloth.
9. Carbonated water is a great laundry stain remover.
10. You can also create your own laundry stain remover with two parts water and a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
11. Window cleaner is an excellent stain remover. If you have stained clothing, hold a paper towel under the stain and spray a little glass cleaner on the stain, then rub it gently with another piece of tissue paper. Repeat as necessary.
12. Another stain remover spray to try. Combine equal amounts of water, liquid detergent and ammonia. Mix well and pour into a spray bottle. Use for collars and clothing that is stained.
13. You can eliminate sweat stains, grass stains and scorch marks on your clothes with vinegar.
14. To remove stains , soak the garment for several hours in water and baking soda, then wash as usual.
15. Make sure the soap is fully dissolved in the wash water before adding clothes to the washing machine. This will prevent soap scum on clothes, and, by proxy, the requirement of a second wash.
16. Always use the cup or measuring cap that comes with the laundry soap. This limits the quantity you will use over using the “by the eye” method.
17. If you accidentally put too much soap in the washing machine, pour 2 tablespoons (50 ml) vinegar or cap of fabric softener in the machine.
18. When doing laundry, always rinse your clothes in cold water. This is best for clothes to keep their shape and color.
19. To clean the inside of your washing machine, use warm water and 1 cup of vinegar. Do not put clothes in the machine during cleaning.
20. You can replace bleach with three teaspoons (15 ml) of peroxide if you’re opposed to using bleach or if you are allergic to bleach.
21. To restore the “new white look” back to your white socks; soak them in boiling water to which you have added a slice of lemon. Wash them again as usual.
22. To restore radiance to your facial cloths, soak for half an hour in milk then wash them using your normal procedure.
23. To remove blood stains, mix meat tenderizer with water and apply this paste on the stains. Let stand 15-30 minutes then sponge with cold water.
24. Another tip for removing blood stains: Dab with hydrogen peroxide. There will be bubbling and the stain should disappear.
25. When juice has been spilled on a tablecloth or on clothing; pour a full kettle of boiling water directly on the stain and it will disappear instantly.
26. Get rid of grass stains by rubbing with toothpaste.
27. Grease spots and oil can be removed by rubbing the fabric first with bacon, then by washing with liquid detergent. Repeat if necessary.
28. Add ¼ cup (50 ml) of Spic & Span in the water of the washing machine to remove oil stains and grease.
29. To remove grease spots and dirt, put some cornstarch on the stain and rub. Then remove the cornstarch.
30. To remove grease stains or lipstick, pour some Mr. Clean on the stain, scrub then wash as usual.

This post was submitted by VegasKev.