My kids spend their summer days getting really dirty and I spend my summer nights trying to fight the stains in my laundry room. With little success, I’m afraid. How can I get out the tough stains without spending a ton on products at the grocery store?--Diana
Some of the most memorable times experienced during summer almost always involve grass stains with a few juicy stains from fresh berries and popsicles. Vibrant greens, purples, reds and oranges are lovely--just not as stains on our kids clothing! Fortunately laundry stains can be removed without too much difficulty using items you have in your kitchen.
Here are a few different ways you can tackle those stains, and with these handy tips you won't be dreading the fresh stains that tomorrow will inevitably bring:
Fruit & Berry Stains: I find the surest way to remove them is by drizzling a bit of lemon juice or a gentle liquid soap over the fruit stain then pouring boiling hot water through the stain (careful not to burn yourself). Both the hot water and the pressure from pouring will remove the stain but you may have to do this a few times until it's completely gone. It's best to treat these stains as soon as possible to prevent them from permanently setting in.
Popsicle & Juice Stains: Wet the stain then sprinkle a bit of baking soda on top, apply a bit of regular toothpaste (nothing with added whiteners) and gently work the paste into the stain with your fingers. Set aside for an hour or two before laundering as usual.
Grass Stains: Spray a generous amount of water on the stain then sprinkle a layer of white granulated sugar over top. Let this sit so it can work into the stain for about an hour, rinse then launder as usual. Another trick for dealing with grass stains is soaking a sponge in vinegar then dabbing the stain before laundering (check for color fastness first). An old-timer's tip I have on file also recommends rubbing molasses into the stain and let it sit for several hours before washing.
Blood Stain Remover: Bumps and scrapes happen, especially in summer! A good way to remove blood stains is to apply a bit of hydrogen peroxide to the stain, sprinkle some salt over top then allow the mixture to do it's magic. After a few minutes you should see the blood lifting up, rinse in cool water then launder as usual. Another method is to soak the stain in cold, salty water overnight then launder as usual.
General Stain Remover: An easy laundry pretreater is liquid dish soap! Just dab a bit of soap on the stain (work it in a bit with your fingers) and toss the dirty item in the hamper until you're ready to do laundry. Launder the item as usual. Use regular soap you handwash dishes with, one that isn't concentrated and doesn't contain bleach.
For an all around laundry brightener, consider taking advantage of long sunny days by letting freshly washed laundry lay out or hang in the sun. Our grandmothers did this not only because they didn't have the luxury of the appliances that we enjoy today, but also because the sun is a natural way to bleach items bright.
As with all methods of stain removal, it's safest to test a small area of fabric first just in case the item gets discolored from treatment.
These ideas are terrific! I never heard most of them. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that they work for me. My laundry is getting duller and dirtier by the load, it seems. Especially because Henry has started to use his left shoulder as a napkin! I've got all kinds of stains to practice taking out now!
Anyone have any laundry tips to add to this list?