Laundry

Colored cloths, whether they be napkins, dish cloths, wash cloths or handkerchiefs, can bleed color and/or fade during laundering. You've a few ways at your disposal to prevent this--even during...

You can make laundry detergent using a combination of castile soap and common household ingredients. Homemade laundry detergent is fast and easy to make, and you can create a large batch in...

The Westin Heavenly Bed is a comfortable, cozy bed experienced at the Westin Hotel. The Heavenly Bed includes white cotton sheets, pillows and comforter. If you have purchased the Heavenly Bed...

Perfume can linger on clothing even after multiple washings. Although this may not be a problem some of the time, there are a lot of reasons why lingering perfume in a garment may not be a good...

You may be feeling perplexed about what to do with your dingy down comforter because it is make out of feathers and it's difficult to wash. Keeping your down comforter or duvet clean so it looks...

Lycra is a fiber that is based on rubber. When mixed with other fabrics like cotton or polyester, Lycra can help a garment stretch and hold its shape. Because Lycra is mixed with other kinds of...

Goo Gone is an amazing product that can remove almost any kind of gunk, including gum, tape or paint, from almost any kind of surface. Still, as useful as Goo Gone can be, it comes with it own set...

Laundry soap affects (either directly or indirectly) your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, clothing, family, pets and even the environment. It's no wonder more people are looking for safer,...

A goose down comforter consists of delicate goose feathers that need special care and attention, especially when washing, to prevent them from bunching up or falling out. This costly comforter...

Front load washers are the more energy-efficient versions of top loading washers. Oxyclean is a relatively new product that's becoming more popular because of its assistance in cleaning clothes....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

White linen tends to yellow with age and laundering. Old or antiques linens are very susceptible to a yellowing problem. Proper storage of linen will help to slow the yellowing process, but it...

Even if you are careful to keep your whites clean, light-colored clothing often can acquire a yellowish appearance over time. Certain soaps, detergents and deodorants contain substances that can...

See also my article: How to Make Liquid Homemade Laundry Detergent. While there are many different recipes for homemade laundry detergent, this particular recipe creates a great...

Bath towels can be plush and luxurious or purely functional, but either way, they are a monetary investment that you'll want to get as much service from for as long as possible. Often the towel...

Many of us have risen from a seat in a public place, only to discover we sat down on a wad of chewing gum--and now the gum seems to have permanently welded itself to the fabric of our blue jeans....

Caulk is one of the stickiest, gooiest substances in the construction world. These characteristics make it ideal for sealing cracks or gaps in everything from bathroom fixtures to the exterior of...

A fire in the family home is a tragedy that causes tremendous damage from smoke, soot and water. Insurance is rarely enough to cover the replacement costs of everything in your home. Since smoke...

You should sanitize pillows for a number of reasons. Whether you do it following an illness or just because the pillow is beginning to smell musty, regular sanitizing helps keep bacteria and mold...

New towels soften over time with use and washing, but the initial chaffing from the rough fabric can be uncomfortable and irritate sensitive skin. Fabric softeners are a big no-no because they...

Electric, or heated, blankets can keep the sleeper toasty warm and allow for the home thermostat to be lowered, thus saving on utility bills. If properly cared for and maintained, an electric...

Are you looking for something to make your white clothes brighter and your colored clothes bolder? Are you looking for an economical cleaning agent to use in your daily laundry? Distilled white...

Doing laundry is a never-ending job. Today's washing machines and dryers make the task much easier. Some manufacturers make laundry detergents specifically formulated for delicate fabrics and...

The barbecue stain comes out in full swing during the summer months. This particular stain lurks and waits, hiding in squeezable bottles and jars. The barbecue stain is patient and very particular...

Shirt pockets are a great place to store your favorite pen, but even good pens turn bad. Unfortunately, when this occurs, the shirt pocket is no longer just a carrier for the pen, but for the...

Mold grows readily on damp or wet clothing, especially if clothing is stored in enclosed areas without ventilation and away from sunlight. If you catch the problem quickly it's possible to simply...

Tide detergent, introduced just after World War II, went through a very long development stage, spanning the Great Depression and the raw-material shortages incurred during World War II. It was...

While the mothballs did their job and kept your clothes safe while they were stored, as you pull them out of the box you may find that the overwhelming aroma of mothballs has taken over your...

Tossing damp towels and clothing into a laundry hamper or beach bag might seem convenient at the moment, but it can lead to mold. Mold stains and scents can be difficult to remove from laundry...

You've hauled the pile of laundry from the basket to washer to the dryer to the couch. As you start folding, you discover a sticky, gooey mess. It turns out someone left a stick of gum in his...

Nothing is worse than realizing your favorite sweater has just been used as a litter box. If your cat decided to urinate on or near a delicate fabric or material, you need to act fast to get that...

The typical baby goes through clothes very quickly. Between diaper leaks, excessive drooling, and spitting up, baby may end up going through two or more outfits in a single day. Frequent washing...

White curtains can sometimes become a little gray or yellowed over time. When the curtains are too good to become rags, or they are a perfect fit for the room or window, there are ways to brighten...

No matter what time of year it is, underarm stains can appear on clothing even if you aren't sweating. Sweat does not cause the yellow stains to appear; rather, antiperspirant mixed with sweat is...

Boric acid is a mineral substance that exists as a colorless crystal or white powder. It is used in a variety of applications, ranging from insecticides to antiseptics to deodorizers and more. One...

Laundry detergent is not cheap. If you have a large family and are doing multiple loads of laundry every day, it can become quite a costly chore. Homemade laundry detergent combines the...

Colored towels can acquire an offending mildew odor if not dried promptly or properly. Household bleach is not recommended for use on colors, so it is necessary to find alternate methods to...

Wool slacks are a staple in professional wardrobes. Traditionally, cleaning wool requires a trip to the dry cleaners. Maintaining a professional wardrobe, with regular dry cleaning, can be...

An overabundance of iron in your water supply can cause it to turn a rusty red. If you are caught unawares, the coloring will transfer itself to your clothes. Contrary to what you may think, you...

Margarine stains can be difficult to remove, but when handled properly, you can effectively get rid of the stain. There are retail stain removal products, but they are expensive and are often no...

Barbecue stains from meat can be tough to remove. The greasy, dark-colored substance can set into fabrics quickly, requiring you to act fast when a spill occurs. While there are several stain...

Keeping white towels bright white, soft and absorbent doesn't depend on bleach and fabric softeners. In fact, these are two laundry add-ins you should avoid with white towels. Bleach eats away...