Laundry

Delicate materials in clothes can sometimes make cleaning difficult. It would be upsetting if the first time you washed that new silk blouse it fell apart or the fabric somehow was ruined. When...

On many garments, the label will express that clothes need to be washed by hand and with a certain temperature of water, usually cold water. This is usually due to a delicate material or...

Washing laundry, especially when it is the first time you’ve done so, can be difficult. It is easy to make mistakes and end up with all of your white clothes being pink or looking less than...

When you buy white socks from the store, it is always a pleasure to see how clean they look. Unfortunately, white socks get dirty so quickly! The first time you wear them, when you take them off...

Food stains on clothing can be enough of a hassle to remove. When you're dealing with stains caused by other materials, however, things can get even more complicated. Blue marks on clothing can...

Polyester is a fabric that easily wrinkles. Even when a polyester garment is removed immediately from a drying cycle, it can be covered in wrinkles. When this problem occurs with a polyester...

Whether you are a mother of a young child or someone who spends a lot of time playing outdoor sports, you know the frustration of trying to get ground-in soil out of uniforms and clothes. At times...

Whereas cotton fabrics are absorbent and allow the skin to breath; synthetic fabrics offer no breathing room for the skin and retain odors. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon tend to...

Originally designed as a potential rubber substitute for use during World War II, Silly Putty has been used by physical therapists for rehabilitative therapy of hand injuries, as a house hold lint...

Soap nuts are a natural laundry soap and household cleaner that are actually the fruits of a tree. You can easily make a liquid cleaner out of natural soap nuts. When you add some natural...

Washing your clothes and other fabric items is an important part of housekeeping. However, you need to handle each item you wash correctly to avoid spoiling it or spoiling any other article of...

Flannel has made a comeback recently. One of the most popular patterns for a flannel shirt is red and cream plaid. Although this is an attractive color combination, the red can easily bleed into...

In a fire, treated fabric creates a protective barrier between your skin and the flames. Some fabric comes from the manufacturer treated with a fire-resistant coating while untreated fabric can be...

Silly Putty has been used by physical therapists for rehabilitative therapy of hand injuries, as a household lint picker-upper and even by Apollo astronauts to secure tools in zero gravity....

While white tennis shoes have a certain stylish look about them, every little piece of dirt with which they come into contact will be more than noticeable. It doesn't take long for white cloth...

Pills are small balls of fiber which form on fabrics that have loose fibers. These fibers tangle together, creating a small ball of fibers called a pill. While pills may fall off of some fabrics...

Discoloration can occur in the laundry for a variety of reasons. Bleach or cheap detergents can cause discoloration if they are improperly applied, or discoloration can be a symptom of bad water...

Getting bacteria out of clothing can be challenging, and laundry detergent does not always eliminate germs or bacteria. Using vinegar, baking soda and pine oil are effective additions to the...

Clothing stains are so easy to make, and yet can be so hard to remove. No one wants to run to a professional dry cleaner every time a clothing stain occurs, but sometimes that seems like the only...

Purchasing new bedding is exciting because it can transform the look of your bedroom, but consider washing the bedding before you place it on the bed. Washing new bedding improves its fit,...

As a newlywed, I learned that my husband preferred clean socks, ready to wear, magically appearing in his sock drawer on a regular basis. Sound familiar? SMS (Sock Management System) was the...

Building your own laundry sorter can be less expensive than buying one. You can also customize your sorter to fit in a specific area, or have more or fewer places to sort your dirty clothes....

Quickly hand wash delicates with shampoo when Woolite is not available. Whether you are traveling and away from your home products, trying to save money, or just out of Woolite and need to clean...

It is upsetting to buy a printed fabric that you like--and then see that the dye has run after you washed it. While no single technique will set all types of dye, many dyes can be set by the use...

Knit helmet liners are issued as cold-weather gear to those serving in the military. A few civilian organizations have also taken it upon themselves to knit and give away these helmet liners as a...

No matter how hard you try, a single sock will often appear in your laundry basket. Where do the missing socks go?

The term "linens" originated in the 14th century to describe articles of clothing or household goods that were made of yarn spun from flax. The modern meaning of the word describes the collection...

Laundry detergent often can leave a lingering residue on clothing after washing---an invisible film that can cause itching, redness or even rashes on sensitive skin. Detergent residue can also...

If that silk sweater you bought is a little big, you have a good chance of shrinking it by changing a few steps in your normal laundry routine. Silk is taken from the silk worm's cocoon, and...

Mixing bleach with your laundry detergent is always a smart way to remove stains from your clothes. Bleach is also perfect for keeping your whites, like t-shirts, socks and underwear, at their...

Wet clothes left in a washing machine overnight may smell moldy the next day. Running those clothes in the washing machine as you normally would may not remove the smell from the fabric. A mold...

Dust mites are microscopic, eight-legged creatures that live in homes inhabited by people, and they particularly live in bed linens and coverings. They survive by eating the dead skin cells...

Bath towels are a bath time essential, but convenient and decorative storage of towels takes a little thought. A homeowner must decide what sort of design aesthetic works best with her current...

Technical running clothes are a great asset to a runner. Running clothes do not chafe and do not weigh down with sweat like cotton clothing can. The material wicks away moisture and keeps runners...

If you avoid using the dryer to dry your laundry, you may often hang your clothing outside on a clothesline. If you must wash clothes at night, you can just as easily hang your clothing inside...

One of the worst things about a fire is the aftermath: Damage to the home, personal property and your sense of security can last for years. Compared with those major issues, it is a minor thing to...

Caulking is a great sealer that has several applicable uses. But when caulking gets on your clothing, it can be a difficult mess. Caulking seals securely to the surface of the object it's applied...

After a long, hard day in the sun, you come home and realize that you aren't the only one who had a bad day; your shirt didn't have the best day, either. Sweat stains cause problems in that they...

Under Armor is a line of form-fitting sports clothing that wicks moisture away from the body. This increases the comfort of wearers during strenuous, sweaty activities. There are several different...

Many eyeglass wearers prefer to use a special eyeglass cloth to clean their glasses. Such cloths, often referred to as microfiber cleansing cloths, are incredibly soft and easily remove the...

High pH water is also referred to as hard water. Minerals in high pH water make it difficult for detergents to wash clothes effectively. Detergent does not bubble in high pH water. Soap does not...

Menstrual cycles, nosebleeds and accidents make blood stains a prevalent issue anywhere, anytime. Blood stains are commonly known as difficult stains to remove from fabric. Although difficult,...

Polyurethane glue is a highly effective adhesive used primarily for general woodworking. When this fast-acting glue hardens onto a surface, it can create what may seem like an everlasting bond....

Pleather is used as a leather alternative for clothing and upholstery. It looks like leather, but is much easier to clean--as the material is synthetic, you can clean it with water and cleaners...

Quality sleep is important; a bad night's sleep impacts all areas of your life. Most of us realize that the pillow you use can have a direct effect on how well you sleep. According to...

Black and other dark-colored water stains can sometimes set into clothing due to hard water. When laundering clothing, the hard water can cause spots, streaks and smears on clothing, making it...

Doing laundry is one of those tasks most people perform without a lot of thought. You may separate colors, whites and delicates; spray stain remover on tough spots; add detergent; and throw your...

Duct tape is most man's cure to almost everything. It has a strong adhesive that sticks solid to most materials, and woven fibers thread into the tape to keep it strong. With all of the pluses...

Cleaning antique linens requires a little extra attention, but the results are well worth it. Whether you treat your antique linens as display items or use them around the house, proper cleaning...

Think about your pillow for a moment. It is used every night, which adds up to more than 50 hours a week. Therefore, you are laying your head on the pillow for more than 50 hours a week –...