Thursday, June 12, 2008

LAUNDRY PROBLEMS?

yes, we all have them.

for many years i've been purchasing a very good (64 ounce) liquid laundry product and have been adding about one-quarter bottle (27-28 ounce size - use approx. 6-8 oz.) of a very popular dishsoap to it and using ONE-HALF capful to each load rather than a full capful. this will DOUBLE your laundry soap over the course of the weeks.

i also use the mixture to treat grease stains before laundering.

another good stain cleaner is quite simple - purchase some of the $1.00 cans of either "scrubbing bubbles-type" cleaners OR $1.00 cans of "upholstery/carpet" cleaners for underarm stains on shirts AND ball caps - it may require more than one or two treatments, but you'll see a marked difference in the items being cleaned.

this is how i clean pop's four or five hundred ballcap collection - another way i do this is to treat the lightcolored caps and place them into the dishwasher atop of dishes they fit on - BE SURE TO RINSE THESE WELL WITH HOT WATER WHEN THE CYCLE COMPLETES!

for bloodstains, keep a spray bottle full of hydrogen peroxide near your wash center and spray the affected clothing until it stops "foaming" - place in washer with aforementioned laundry detergent mixture and you'll either have eradicated the "bloodstain" problem or will need one to two more treatments.

for "stinky" athletic-type shoes - this works wonders - treat the shoes as above and when they come out of the washer, place three charcoal briquettes into each shoe and place in a spot where they'll dry within a few hours - once dry, discard briquettes and your shoes will smell like brand new!

15 comments:

nanc said...

pssssssst...my secret dishsoap has ALWAYS been ANYTHING palm-olive - and i've found the oxy-clean blends to be most effective...in all my adult years, i've NEVER bought another dishwashing product.

palm-olive is also THE VERY BEST shampoo - there's no buildup on your hair and if you have "oily" hair, you'll not go wrong with this - think of it this way, if it cuts stubborn grease in your cookware, think of what it can do for your hair!

be sure to condition after.

The Merry Widow said...

I love Palmolive, with 2 teens, those are good tips!
I also add dishwashing detergent to the dog's shampoo, cuts through the body oils very effectively!
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!

tmw

nanc said...

another great thing - dishwasher detergent directly onto fried on messes in stainless steel lifts it right out after a few minutes.

MORNIN'!

*8]

cube said...

Sheesh, you guys make me feel ignorant on this subject.

The Merry Widow said...

When your cast iron skillet is still hot, do the same thing...lifts it without messing the seasoning up, to badly!
Cube-That's why we are here, all these little tips need to be brought together in one place. That way everybody can benefit from them!

tmw

Eyes said...

Hello ladies and gents, I have a question. Can you cook spinach and then freeze it? I got this big box full and there's no way we can eat it all before it's time is through... Help!

The Merry Widow said...

OY!
I probably could eat it...I love the stuff!
I have no idea, but it does cook down ALOT!
Try blanching it, then freezing.
(Using a strainer or colander(metal)put the spinach in the strainer, dip into boiling water for ~10 secs., depending on amount, remove and place in a bowl of water and ice, drain then freeze in ziplock bags or sealable containers.) That's what I would do...if it might have come from Mexico, in a large bowl, rinse thoroughly twice,drain, add 1 cup peroxide(if it foams toss it)rinse thoroughly again then blanche it.
It's worth a try.

tmw

Eyes said...

Thanks TMW, I'll give it a try:>D

David Schantz said...

I work in Pollution Control at a wet blue leather processing plant. Even if we manage to get my cloths kind of clean looking the smell never goes away. Will this tip help? "for many years i've been purchasing a very good (64 ounce) liquid laundry product and have been adding about one-quarter bottle (27-28 ounce size - use approx. 6-8 oz.) of a very popular dishsoap to it and using ONE-HALF capful to each load rather than a full capful. this will DOUBLE your laundry soap over the course of the weeks.".

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

The Merry Widow said...

Have you tried Borax or OxyClean? I've found that the OxyClean helps with my son's hormonally "scented" clothing and sheets.
Another thought, get a tub of fine charcoal and put it where you store your clothing.
Other than that, I'll ask Nanc...

tmw

none said...

Great tips!

I also use these:

http://www.simplygoodstuff.com/washit_laundryball.html

They work wonders and are good for 100 loads.

Then just a thimble of soap to give a good smell.

nanc said...

a half cup of peroxide will help eliminate ANY bacteria in ANYTHING! and it's still one of the most inexpensive things around to purchase under a dollar!

i use it with my toothpaste two to three times per day for at least the last twenty years and had only one cavity in the last fifteen years - i also have NO sore throats or coughs.

peroxide is a miracle, as well as apple cider vinegar, which i hope to be doing a post on very soon.

The Merry Widow said...

Nanc-If I do the apple cider vinegar thing, I break out in a fungal rash, it's one of the things my yeast control diet eliminates, any vinegar.
But I know it is supposed to do great things...could use them on my family though!
Hammer, used to have those little balls...can't find them anymore. They are useful though!
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!

tmw

Anonymous said...

Great post, Nanc!
I'll have to try the laundry soap idea.

Brooke said...

If I can't Shout it out, it's toast. LOL! ;)