Laundry
Makeup Smudges
- Use a slice of bread to remove makeup smudges from dark clothes.
Crayon or Lipstick Marks
- Toothpaste on an old toothbrush will remove crayon or lipstick from most any surface.
Feather Pillows
- Make sure there are no holes in them or the feathers will work themselves out. Tumble in the dryer and finish off by giving them a good airing outside.
Rain Spots on Suede
- Rub the spots lightly with an emery board.
Grease on Suede
- Sponge off with a cloth dipped in vinegar. Dry and restore nap of suede by brushing with a suede brush.
Work Clothes
- Adding a cup of household ammonia to the washer will work wonders.
Softening Denim
- To soften the denim in a new pair of jeans, soak overnight in the washing machine with water that has a cup of salt added to it. Wash as usual in the morning.
White Socks
- White socks can be made white again by boiling in water with a slice of lemon added.
Panty Hose
- Lightly starching pantyhose will help them resist runs and they will also go on much smoother.
Scorched Woolens
- Rub cornstarch over wet scorch spots and brush when dry.
Hem Creases
- Using a white vinegar solution sponge the material liberally and press flat with a warm iron.
Polyester Wrinkles
- Wrinkled polyester should be put back in the dryer at the proper temperature with a very damp bath towel. If still wrinkled try pressing with a pressing cloth dipped in a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 cup water.
White Kid Gloves
- Rub plain white flour into the leather and brush the dirt away.
Fruit Stains
- Pour boiling water over the stains from a height of several feet.
Rust Stains
- Cover the stains with cream of tartar, and gather up the ends so that the powder says on the spot. Dip into hot water for about 5 minutes and launder as usual.
Sweater Pilling
- Turn sweaters inside out when washing and drying to avoid pilling and rubbing.
Ring Around the Collar
- Rub heavily with chalk. The chalk will absorb the oils and once the oil is removed, the dirt will come off easily. This method may require a few applications if the yellow line has been there for some time.
Red Wine Stains
- Sprinkle the spill immediately with lots of salt and dip into cold water and rub the stain out before washing.
Dingy Lingerie
- To whiten dingy nylon lingerie, use color remover that can be purchased in the dye section of a variety store. Follow the directions on the package. Do not put in the washer.
Musty Towels
- Boil towels in a mixture of 3 tablespoons baking soda per 1 quart of water for 5 minutes. Then wash using bleach if necessary.
Scorched Whites
- Sponge with a piece of cotton which has been soaked in peroxide.
- Light scorch stains on linens can sometimes be removed by rubbing a cut onion over the stain. Followed by soaking in cold water.
- Deeper scorches may be bleached by dampening fabric with water and laying in the sun to dry.
Too Much Suds
- Any time your washing machine overflows from too much suds, sprinkle with salt. Suds will disappear.
Hardened Paint Removal
- Rub with equal parts of turpentine and ammonia.
Fade Prevention
- To prevent fading, lint and soap film of your dark wash add a 1/2 cup of vinegar to the wash water.
Lint on Corduroy
- Wash and allow to dry slowly, while still damp brush with a clothes brush.
Cleaning the Washing Machine
- Fill the washer with warm water and pour a gallon of distilled vinegar into it. Run the machine through entire cycle. The vinegar will cleanse the wash hoses and unclog them from soap scum and probably save you many dollars in repair bills.
Sweater Washing
- When hand-washing sweaters add a capful of cream hair rinse to the final rinse water.
Perspiration Odor
- Try spraying the stain with with white vinegar or sponging the area with colorless mouth wash.
- Wet the underarm area, rub it well with bath deodorant soap and let it set for a few minutes then wash.
Yellowed Lace
- Lace can be whitened again by soaking in sour milk.
Faster Drying of Clothing
- Adding a clean dry bath towel to the clothes dryer will cut down on drying time and save energy.