On this page we offer helpful tips and tricks for STAIN REMOVAL and how to avoid common laundry problems.


STAINS

• Fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones
• Do not dry or iron stains until all efforts have been exhausted
• Time and heat can set some stains permanently
• Pre-treating stains prior to laundering produces the best results
• Stain removers can work wonders on some types of stains
• Ordinary salt, baking soda, vinegar and even rubbing alcohol also work wonders on stains

SORTING LAUNDRY

• By Color
  • whites and pastels together
  • same color brights
  • dark colors together
  • multicolored clothes
    • Clothes that have lots of white and dark colors are best washed separately the first time. If the colors do not bleed or run they can be washed with whites
• By Fabric
  • Separate delicate or lightweight fabrics from heavy ones
  • Sort lint producers (towels) from lint attractants (corduroy)

WASHING TIPS

• Use the warmest water recommended for the type of fabric
  • Hot water cleans better than cold
  • Cold water is fine for rinsing
• Use the required amount of detergent or laundry additives
  • Don't try to save money on detergent
  • Measure the amount required
  • For heavily soiled clothes more detergent may be needed
• Avoid overloading the washing machine
  • Make sure the clothes have room to circulate and rinse properly
  • Dirt and detergent will go down the drain and not back on the clothes

STAIN REMOVAL TIPS

     WINE, COFFEE, TEA, and SOFT DRINKS

         Immediately rinse the area with cold water, apply salt and gently rub into the
     stain, let sit for 1/2 hour and launder in the hottest water recommended for the
     fabric. If stain persists DO NOT DRY but repeat the process until the stain has
     been removed.


BLOOD

Rinse in cool water, rub in baking soda and let sit for 1/2 hour. Apply a stain
remover (we recommend ARIEL - but first check laundry tag for colorfastness)
Wash in cool water. If stain persists DO NOT DRY but repeat the process until
the stain has been removed.



     PAPRIKA, KETCHUP, MUSTARD

         Gently rub in baking soda into the stain and soak in warm water for 1/2 hour.
     Then rub in stain remover (we recommend ARIEL - but first check laundry tag for
     colorfastness) and wash with detergent in hottest water recommended for
     fabric. If stain persists DO NOT DRY but repeat the process until the stain has
     been removed. Premature drying may permanently set the stain.


GRASS

Apply a stain remover (we recommend ARIEL - but first check laundry tag for
colorfastness) gently rub into the area and let sit for 10 minutes. Wash with
detergent in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.




     CHOCOLATE, ICE CREAM, GREASE, COSMETICS

         Apply a stain remover (we recommend ARIEL - but first check laundry tag
     for colorfastness) gently rub into the area and let sit for 10 minutes. Wash with
     detergent in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.




INK - PEN

Apply rubbing alcohol and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, rub into stain detergent and
launder in the hottest water recommended for fabric type. DO NOT DRY but
repeat the process until the stain has been removed. Note: Felt tip marker stains
may be impossible to remove.



     CANDLE WAX

         Harden the wax with ice or placing the garment in the freezer. Scrape off as
     much of the frozen wax as possible. On colored wax stains apply and gently rub
     in stain remover (we recommend ARIEL - but first check laundry tag for
     colorfastness) and wash with detergent in the hottest water recommended for
     the fabric. Repeat until all the wax color is completely removed. DO NOT DRY
the garment until the wax color is gone as this will permanently set the stain.


YELLOWED, DINGY CLOTHES

Wash the clothes in the hottest water recommended for the fabric using detergent
and adding a cup of table vinegar to the wash.

 

 

     Fruit stains

         Soak the stained item in cold milk for half-an-hour, then rinse in cold water.
    Repeat until stain disappears.  Wash with detergent in the hottest water
    recommended for the fabric on the garment tag.