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Vinegar to the rescue!
It’s more than salad dressing. Distilled white vinegar is a nontoxic multi-purpose cleaning wonder that has many uses in the home laundry. New clothes need washing before wear, adding a ½ cup of white vinegar to the wash helps remove manufacturing chemicals and helps set colors. That same ½ cup in the rinse cycle keeps…
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Wash that mask.
Every time you wear a reusable cloth mask, it needs to be washed. After wearing for even a short amount of time, the fabric will absorb bacteria and contaminants from the air. Dermatologists are even treating cases of “maskne” where an unclean mask has rubbed the skin. Washing a mask is as easy as throwing…
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Eid al-Adha.
Today, Muslims around the world celebrate their 4-day holiday with an act of thanksgiving for God’s mercy. It’s a time for prayer, giving thanks, wearing traditional clothes and sharing national dishes and gifts. Muslims are encouraged to be especially friendly to others and reach out to one another during this, their holiest of holidays. Every faith…
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Berry stains.
They’re summer’s best treat but their bright colors can stain like nothing else. Stain removal starts with stretching the affected fabric over a large bowl, then pour boiling water through the fabric. This should remove most of the stain, but any lingering color can be released by dabbing the stain with white vinegar before soaking…
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Picnic classics.
Bright checkered tablecloth, silly (or plainly practical) BBQ apron, oversized cloth napkins/placemats/bibs, fun and fancy dishcloth wine wrappers, brand-new white t-shirts. All our summer favorites, all one oops from a stain. Ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce or beer, we’re all one spill away from a little mess. Bring it all to our stain removal experts, the sooner the…
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Fluffy, fresh towels.
After a swim, shower or bath, there’s nothing as refreshing as a big, clean terrycloth towel. Home laundry fabric softener or dryer sheets prevent a towel’s fibers from soaking up water, incompletely rinsed detergent can harden the fibers. If towels aren’t smelling so fresh, add a cup of baking soda to the wash. White vinegar…
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Linen, the summer classic.
Linen’s looser weave allows more air to flow. It’s also absorbent and conductive —wicking moisture back into the air so you feel cooler, naturally. The wrinkled, rumpled look of linen is a side-effect of the flax fiber’s inherent structure, considered by some to be a sign of comfortable elegance. Linen’s long-lasting quality costs a bit…
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Don’t sweat it.
When temperature, humidity, stress or activity trigger perspiration, it’s natural. But stains aren’t. Moisture combined with deodorant can create stubborn yellowing or white residue. Too much product is often the culprit – apply one thin layer and allow it to completely dry. A little is enough to do the job. Good old-fashioned dress shields or…
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Extend your wash machine’s life.
Remove wet clothes ASAP to prevent mold and mildew. And leave the door open between loads. Check the pockets – loose items can damage the tub or get into the pump. Clean the lint trap if your washer has one, and for sure your dryer has one. Don’t overdose on detergent. It can cause your…
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Home laundry money-savers.
Most loads in your washing machine are effectively cleaned with cold water. The only time you really need to use hot water (with bleach) is for virus- and germ-killing sanitation. Modern detergents are formulated to work in warm or cold water; heating water for laundry can bulk up your utility bill. Always measure detergent carefully…