“The Tooth Fairy has a sister named the Sock Fairy, which is why every time you open the dryer a sock is missing and instead you find coins.” Keeping the footsies in pairs won’t be a challenge if you launder every pair in a mesh lingerie bag. That’s how we do it. But until they start…

Most washing machines have a Delicate setting, some go so far as to label it Hand Washables. When the care label calls for hand washing, it’s calling for gentle squeezing rather than machine agitation to minimize stretching and mis-shaping. If the label says delicate or gentle machine washing, the garment will stand up to longer,…

Lost your fluff?  When towels, robes and washcloths lose their fluffy absorbency, they may just need a good washing. Detergent residue and softeners can build up in the fibers, diminish softness and block the thirsty drying qualities of cotton. Run everything through the washer with a cup of white vinegar and an extra rinse cycle.…

Can’t decide when doing laundry whether it’s best to hang or fold an item? Pay attention to the design and dimensions – will the the hanger leave marks past the shoulder on sweaters? Will the weight of the garment cause it to stretch or sag when you go to put it on?  If so, opt…

Ever wear a new pair of jeans straight from the store and notice your hands and shirt turned blue? When dye transfers by friction, it’s called crocking and the indigo dye in blue jeans is a notorious crocker. Before you leave blue everywhere, the washing machine is your first stop. Do a first wash with cold water,…

For some of the lucky ones, that might be a margarita order.  For the rest of us, winter isn’t so kind. If you slogged through winter snowbanks or slushy curbs your cuffs, coats and hems picked up more than frosty dew. Urban winter brings a special mix of grime, salt, road dirt and grit that can…

If your home laundry isn’t quite as clean as you like, the most likely culprit is overloading.  Laundry detergent is formulated to lift dirt and keep it from re-depositing on the clothes.  However, if the machine is over filled, there’s just not enough water to prevent “redep” of soil and dyes.  Take bulky items, like…

Face it, no one likes folding sheets, but it’s a part of laundry life. Want to learn how to fold wrinkly fitted sheets like a pro? Check out this video http://youtu.be/YHTyH2nuFAw See how easy it can be? With a little practice your linen closet can look like a display in a nice department store. For…

Check your dryer settings and remember to never leave clothes unattended. The last 15% of drying time is when shrinkage occurs and it can be permanent. Instead, dry your clothes on delicate to avoid shrinkage and set the timer for a shorter period. You can always add time to dry, but can’t reverse it if…

Twice as durable as cotton, linen gets softer and more luminous with wear. But caring for linen linens has a few rules.  Machine wash in cold or warm water on delicate cycle, then line-dry or tumble at low heat. Smooth out while slightly damp to eliminate the biggest wrinkles. If you don’t like the relaxed…