August, 2014 - Updated August, 2016
If You Forget to Remove Clothes from the Dryer in Time and They Wrinkle, there's still hope! Simply place a wet but wrung out towel in the dryer along with the wrinkled clothes, and run the dryer on the previous heat setting for a few minutes. This step will remove the wrinkles.
Untangling Hangers ~ When metal hangers are hanging on a rod, they are often difficult to separate when reaching for just one. I found it works much better to lay a few on the washer or another flat surface. Picking up just one hanger in this way is much easier.
Folding Clothes ~ Let's face it, most of us tire of this never-ending job! So why not sit down to do it? I was taught in Home Management House in college that we should sit down to reserve energy while doing as many jobs as possible. Items like towels, underwear, toddler's clothes can all be done using this method. So sit down and relax, while still getting the job done! I sort out various items on the sofa, then sit down, fold each pile, and return them to the basket to put away. When the children were still here, I'd make piles for them to put away in their own rooms.
Stack Certain Clothes Vertically in Drawers So Each Item Is Visible ~ This tip works best for socks that have been folded in half, folded underwear, handkerchiefs, folded T-shirts, scarves, hand towels, washcloths, and cleaning cloths. Why do this? 1) To get lots more items in a drawer, thus saving space, 2) To use each item equally by placing newly laundered items in the back, 3) To quickly find what you're looking for (items of various colors).
Solutions (3) for Orphan Socks
1. Solve the "Lost Sock" problem by purchasing lots of socks that are the same - maybe a little different for each family member.
2. Have each family member pin each dirty pair together with safety pins as soon as they take them off and before they toss them in the hamper.
3. Have a mesh bag for each member of your family for laundering their socks. Small items can really be "eaten" by the washing machine! We've had it happen before, which meant our washer quit working. It was a big expense getting it fixed, only to find a tiny item that had gotten stuck, causing our machine to quit! If each member would place his socks in his own bag and be responsible to fold and put them in his own drawer when they come out of the dryer, that would solve the problem. After giving this some thought, I came up with this last idea and sewed up this mesh bag for small items to be washed. This would be perfect for eye glass cleaning cloths, and socks.
It would be helpful for each family member to have a different colored zipper.
Stains ~ My latest favorite stain remover is a mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent. I use it in either a pump container or a spray bottle. It's the best stain remover I've found for removing ring-around-the-collar, blood, and every stain to which it's been applied! Simply apply it to the stain, gently use a toothbrush on the stained area, and soak it in water if necessary. Be sure to test it on an inside seam if you think it might remove color from any fabric, but so far, it has not bleached out any darker fabrics for me. I'm amazed at how well this simple mixture works in removing stains!
Another option is to use Grandma's Secret Spot Remover (found at JoAnn Fabrics and A.C Moore). I bought quite a few online at JoAnn's when they were 75% off. After covering the spot with the spot remover, I lightly brush the stain with a wet toothbrush, then put it in water and check to see it the stain is gone. Sometimes two applications are necessary.
Murphy Oil Soap is good for some stains, and I keep it on hand for hand scrubbing white shoestrings.
I still stand by soaking stubbornly really stained clothes and kitchen dishcloths and towels in OxiClean and hot water for removing most stains. I no longer use bleach for clothing.
For berry stains, simply pour boiling water from a teapot on the stain (garment in a sink) in a slow stream from a height of about 1-2 feet above the stain. The berry stain will magically disappear instantly!
Solutions (3) for Orphan Socks
1. Solve the "Lost Sock" problem by purchasing lots of socks that are the same - maybe a little different for each family member.
2. Have each family member pin each dirty pair together with safety pins as soon as they take them off and before they toss them in the hamper.
3. Have a mesh bag for each member of your family for laundering their socks. Small items can really be "eaten" by the washing machine! We've had it happen before, which meant our washer quit working. It was a big expense getting it fixed, only to find a tiny item that had gotten stuck, causing our machine to quit! If each member would place his socks in his own bag and be responsible to fold and put them in his own drawer when they come out of the dryer, that would solve the problem. After giving this some thought, I came up with this last idea and sewed up this mesh bag for small items to be washed. This would be perfect for eye glass cleaning cloths, and socks.
Stains ~ My latest favorite stain remover is a mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent. I use it in either a pump container or a spray bottle. It's the best stain remover I've found for removing ring-around-the-collar, blood, and every stain to which it's been applied! Simply apply it to the stain, gently use a toothbrush on the stained area, and soak it in water if necessary. Be sure to test it on an inside seam if you think it might remove color from any fabric, but so far, it has not bleached out any darker fabrics for me. I'm amazed at how well this simple mixture works in removing stains!
Another option is to use Grandma's Secret Spot Remover (found at JoAnn Fabrics and A.C Moore). I bought quite a few online at JoAnn's when they were 75% off. After covering the spot with the spot remover, I lightly brush the stain with a wet toothbrush, then put it in water and check to see it the stain is gone. Sometimes two applications are necessary.
Murphy Oil Soap is good for some stains, and I keep it on hand for hand scrubbing white shoestrings.
I still stand by soaking stubbornly really stained clothes and kitchen dishcloths and towels in OxiClean and hot water for removing most stains. I no longer use bleach for clothing.
For berry stains, simply pour boiling water from a teapot on the stain (garment in a sink) in a slow stream from a height of about 1-2 feet above the stain. The berry stain will magically disappear instantly!
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