Laundry Tips

This is one job that the whole family can be involved in.  Younger children can be responsible for gathering their own dirty laundry.  As they get older, they can gather, sort, and deposit the laundry in the laundry room.  Teenagers can be responsible for actually washing their own clothes.  This includes teenage boys.  They may not like it and even fight it, but it is possible.  Your future daughter-in-law will thank you after "you" tell them they are trained in the art of washing clothes. 

White Socks

• Soak them in boiling water with a slice of lemon, then wash as usual.  The socks will be white again.

Storing clothes

• Pillow cases make great garment covers for the closet.  Use scissors to cut a small slit in the top of the pillowcase and place the hanger through the slit.

Cleaning the Washing Machine

• In an empty tub, put 1 cup of white vinegar and run the machine on a normal cycle.  Do this once per month to keep clean.
• Fill the machine half full then add 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda.  Run through a full cycle then rinse again.

Dryer care

• Because built up lint can cause a fire, be sure to clean the lint filter before each use and with a vacuum occasionally.  At least once per year clean the dryer vent to keep it clear.  This includes cleaning the vent on the outside of the house.  The flaps should be able to open and shut with ease.

Clothing

• Prevent colored clothing from fading by soaking them in white vinegar for 10 -15 minutes.
• To soften new blue jeans, soak them in cold water with fabric softener for at least 12 hours, then wash as usual
• To whiten socks, soak them in boiling water with a slice of lemon then wash as usual.  The socks should be white again.

Cleaning the iron

• If your iron becomes dirty it can spot or damage the item you want pressed.  Most newer irons can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.  Always use the recommendations from the manufacturer or you can try one of these tips.
• Fill the reservoir with vinegar and turn it on with the steam setting.  Iron a cloth to clean the slots.  Repeat this with fresh plain water.
• If there is grime on the bottom of the iron, rub with aluminum foil or place a piece of aluminum foil down with a sprinkle of salt, then iron the foil.
• Starch that has burned on can be removed by rubbing with a damp cloth and baking soda then wiped clean.

Laundry

• To fix a sweater that has misshapen from a wash try soaking it in a gallon of warm water and a spoonful of hair conditioner to loosen then lay the sweater flat and gently stretch into the original shape.
• Skip the fabric softener when washing and drying towels.  Some softeners contain a scotch guard that coats the towels and makes them less absorbent.  Another way to get towels to be more absorbent is to add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle every so often.
• Place a tennis ball in the dryer with jackets and pillows to help fluff them back up.