Category Archives: Clothing Care / How To

The Fastest Way to Dry a Shirt

Isn’t it always the worst possible time, when you are in a rush to get out the door, that you discover your favorite shirt, your work shirt, or the shirt that is perfect for the occasion that you are heading to is still in the washer dripping wet! Those kinds of moments seem to happen way too often. However, if you know the trick to quickly drying a shirt, you will never have to sweat it again while your tee takes its time drying.

Much debate is held about the ideal way to dry clothing. Some people advocate hanging clothes to dry only, in order to avoid shrinkage and color fading. Others love the wrinkle-free softness that only a clothes dryer can deliver. When speed is what you are looking for in clothes drying, an electric or gas dryer is the way to go.

Before you even begin to officially dry your shirt in the dryer, make sure it is as dry as it can be so you don’t overtax your clothes dryer. It will also speed up the process if it is dryer. Put the shirt through an extra spin cycle in the washing machine, in order to spin out as much excess water as possible. You can also lay your shirt flat on a dry towel and then roll up the towel and shirt together in a jelly roll fashion. Squeeze the rolled up towel/tee combination to get rid of extra humidity.

Then, you will need to put it into the dryer inside out, with another dry towel. The towel will help to absorb some more of the moisture in your shirt. Alone, except for the towel, the shirt will not be competing for other wet clothes for heat or air and will dry amazingly quickly. Use the highest heat setting recommended on the care tag of the shirt.

When selecting a towel to go in the dryer with your tee, remember to choose one that is the same color as your shirt or there may be unwanted color transference. The towel may also transfer a little lint onto the shirt, so if it is in the same color as the shirt, it is less noticeable. (Use a lint brush before you wear it though.) Be sure to dry your shirt inside out because it will protect the exterior of the shirt from developing pills from the friction of rubbing against the towel. Drying it this way also minimizes the appearance of lint.

Another trick for those people who seem to get stuck needing to dry a shirt quickly often is to get a backup shirt. Having another duplicate shirt on hand when you are in a rush to get to work or when you want to go somewhere in your favorite shirt is the ideal solution. Just make sure that one is always clean and you’ll never again have the problem of trying to dry a shirt as fast as possible anymore.

What Is Static Cling?

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Putting on an item of clothing to find out that it is full of static cling is so annoying. It inevitably happens when you don’t have time to deal with the problem or the clothes affected by it are the ideal choice for the day or the occasion. Static cling is so annoying because the more you pull the item away from you, the stronger it clings. Knowing what static cling is, how to prevent it and how to get rid of it will keep it from ever being a problem again.

Static cling is an electric attraction created by two items when there is low humidity. When the items rub together, a transference of electrons occurs. When this happens one of the items becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. In this situation the items adhere to each other. Typically it is the lighter weight object which adheres to the heavier one. It is a very common problem for clothes which are dried in a clothes dryer, especially during winter months when humidity is low.

You can prevent static cling in a variety of ways. You can use fabric softener liquid in the wash or a fabric softener sheet in the dryer to get rid of static cling. It creates a chemical buildup on the clothes which prevents it from rubbing together and forming static cling. This is the most common way of dealing with static cling in the Western world, however as more and more people are becoming concerned with the use of chemicals in their daily lives, interest in alternative methods has risen.

For a more natural method of preventing static cling, you simply add a cup of vinegar to the rinse of your laundry. Of course, keeping the humidity up in your home will also help you to reduce the occurrences of static cling that you deal with because static electricity cannot thrive in conditions that are not dry. You should also remove clothing from the dryer before it is completely dry and hang it to finish drying. Another tip is to avoid synthetic clothes which tend to have many more static problems. Natural fiber clothing like cotton is much better in terms of static. Hanging your clothes outside to dry when possible is another way to help reduce the chance of getting static cling.

There are also static reducing sprays on the market that allow you to treat an item that you want to wear immediately. Another quick fix when time is of the essence is to rub a fabric softener sheet inside your clothes until the static cling is gone. Spraying a mist of water in the air and walking through it to get rid of static cling is another great, quick remedy. This one may not be the most long lasting method though and may need to be repeated throughout the day.

Static cling happens to everyone at one point or another. These tips should arm you with the knowledge to prevent it as much as possible and deal with it when it shows itself.

How To Remove Cigarette Odor From T-Shirts And Clothing

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Taking care of the T-shirts and clothing we wear is something we all have to do. For many people clothing care is simply nothing more than tossing clothes in the washer and dryer with some laundry detergent and fabric softener and hanging them up or folding them when they are dry. Occasionally there will be the need to do a little stain pretreatment, if an item of clothing gets something on it that is hard to get off. So all in all, it seems a pretty easy process. However, some things that get on clothes can not be seen but they can easily ruin the impression of a clean T-shirt. Such offenders are odors, like hard to remove cigarette odors. If smoke has permeated your clothing you may even be able to smell it after you’ve laundered it.

If you are not about to wash the clothes in question you can remove the odor by hanging your odorous item of clothing in the bathroom. Put about an inch of very hot water in the bathtub with 4 cups of vinegar added to the water. Leave the T-shirt or other smoky item hanging there with the door closed until the item smells fresh again. This is the best way to get rid of smoke odors without actually washing.

If you’ve come back from a night out and your clothes need to be washed anyway, you can remove the odor of smoke by adding vinegar to the wash. Simply fill the washer with water, add the laundry detergent and a cup of vinegar; then add the clothes. Never pour vinegar straight onto your clothes and never leave your clothes sitting in water with vinegar in it. Vinegar has a natural bleaching effect and while this is great for white clothing, it will fade darker clothing. When the wash cycle is done, dry the clothes as usual.

Adding baking soda to your laundry detergent or using a detergent with baking soda in it will also do an effective job of removing cigarette smoke from clothes. Mixing washing soda, borax and ivory bar soap flakes together in your washer will also make a great homemade remedy for removing smoke odors. Another suggestion is to use heavily perfumed laundry detergent in hot water and dry the clothes in a hot dryer to rid your clothes of cigarette smells.

Tips for Using a Washing Machine

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A washing machine is one of those appliances that is essential to keeping a household running smoothly. If yours breaks down, you quickly gain an understanding of just how much work this underappreciated piece of machinery does. That’s why it’s important to take care of your washer by using it correctly, and by performing some occasional maintenance to keep it in top operating condition. Taking care of your washer now will certainly save you a lot of hassles, not to mention expensive repair or replacement costs down the road.

One of the most important considerations when using your washing machine is capacity. Capacity refers to the amount of laundry (in pounds) that a washing machine can properly wash. An average capacity washing machine can wash 12 to 16 pounds of laundry per load, while a larger capacity family-size model can wash as many as 20 pounds per load. If an excess amount of laundry is added, the washer will become overloaded, leading to a number of problems. Here are some indicators that you may be overloading your washing machine.

1. Your clothes do not come out clean. If you still find noticeable stains, grime or soap residue after running a load, then there is a problem with the washing method. If this is an isolated event, double-check to be sure that you added detergent prior to starting the load. If detergent was added but items in the load are still dirty or soapy, overstuffing may be the culprit.

2. Your washing machine overflows. Overstuffing your washing machine can cause the water to overflow, ruining items on the floor of your laundry room. If not caught in time, flooring and other major components of your home’s structure could sustain water damage.

3. Your washing machine makes a loud, clunky noise. When you load your washing machine beyond its capacity, there is a greater chance of throwing the spinning drum out of alignment. This happens when one side of the load is heavier than the other, causing the drum to spin unevenly and make a very noticeable clunking noise. If this problem persists over a long period of time, it can lead to eventual breakdown of the machine.

To avoid overloading your washing machine, first determine the capacity of your washer. If your washer will hold 20 pounds of laundry, find the correct weight by measuring laundry into a trash bag and weighing it on a bathroom scale. This will help you to know the approximate weight of future loads as well. Next, add the recommended amount of laundry detergent. Select the desired cycle and water temperature for the load. Add the laundry, loosely stacking each item and distributing evenly to be sure the load is correctly balanced. If yours is a top-loading machine, avoid winding large items around the agitator.

Laundry that has been properly washed will be evenly damp, smell fresh and be free of suds and grime. While it may be tempting to stuff the washer to the brim, in reality you’ll be wasting time and money because the clothes won’t get clean and you’ll have to start from scratch. Respect your washer’s capacity, and both you and it will live a much happier life.

How to Remove Hot Sauce Stains from Clothing

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Nothing ruins the flavor of a great basket of hot wings quite like a giant splatter of hot sauce dripping down your white t-shirt. When this happens, it’s helpful to know a little about the ingredients in hot sauce and how to remove hot sauce stains.

There are countless recipes for hot sauce, with different variations found around the globe. Mexico, the United States, the West Indies, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan all feature unique versions of this distinctive sauce, among others. The primary ingredient in hot sauce is chili peppers. The peppers can be soaked in anything from vinegar, oil and alcohol to fruits and vegetable pulps. Other ingredients are often included to add flavor and/or heat, such as garlic or mustards.

Hot sauces vary in heat according to the types of peppers used in them. Jalapeño sauces are usually the mildest available, followed by sauces made from cayenne and red chilies. Sauces made with Tabasco peppers (such as the famous Tabasco® sauce) are hotter than jalapeño and cayenne sauces. Unlike some other hot sauces, Tabasco brand sauce is aged in casks before bottling, similar to wine. Habanero sauces rank among the fieriest, and are to be used with caution unless you’re a hot sauce veteran.

The staining ability of hot sauce is greatly affected by the recipe, particularly when ingredients such as tomatoes or carrots are added. Most Mexican-style hot sauces focus on the flavor of the pepper, so there is very little vinegar or other ingredients. In the United States, the primary ingredients of hot sauce are chili peppers, vinegar and salt. Some milder sauces also include tomato sauce to dilute the heat of the peppers. Asian chili sauces are more of a thick paste, or they are made by infusing the peppers in oil or brine.

Because peppers are organic and water-based, hot sauce stains should be removed the same way you would handle any tomato or red sauce stain. First, remove the shirt and run it under very hot water for several minutes. This will flush away most, if not all, of the stain. If a stain is still visible after several minutes of flushing, try rubbing it with a bit of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent, then let the stain soak for a half-hour. Follow with hot water flush. Repeat until the stain is gone, then run the shirt through your usual laundry cycle.

If the hot sauce ingredients include oil, it is also a good idea to soak the stain in a laundry treatment such as Shout or Oxyclean prior to washing to dissolve the oil. Never run stained clothing through the dryer as this will cook the stain into the fabric, making it nearly impossible to remove.

Will a Sharpie Leak Colors from the Fabric When I Wash It?

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Many people use Sharpies to mark their clothing or other item that must be washed. The ink is labeled as being waterproof, making it seem like the perfect ink to use on clothing. It is often used on write a person’s name on the tag to keep the clothing from being mixed up. It is also used to decorate the cloth portion of clothing to create a unique design or lettering. However, the meaning of the waterproof designation is often misunderstood, leading to some misconceptions about the pens and their ink.

The Waterproof Sharpie

Sharpie does advertise its ink as being waterproof. However, this does not mean what many people believe it does. It cannot be washed without expecting the ink to fade eventually. The waterproof guarantee that Sharpie promises actually refers to the ink being used for writing on sturdy paper.

The Sharpie website further explains that in the ink industry, the waterproof promise means only that writing done with the ink can still be read after the writing has been exposed to water. It does not mean that the writing won’t bleed a little or that it won’t fade. It also doesn’t mean that a Sharpie won’t fade in the wash or that the ink won’t eventually leak if an item is washed.

Sharpies come with packaging that says that the pens aren’t made to be used on cloth. This is because the ink is a solvent-based ink. Because of its chemical makeup, it may leak through cloth easily the way it does through thin writing paper. It is also discouraged on cloth because there are several effects that can happen once the marked cloth is put into the wash, and those effects aren’t limited to just the garment.

Washing Sharpie Ink

According to the company, Sharpie ink that is placed on cloth will eventually fade when it is washed. They also say that the ink can bleed when washed and that it may eventually develop a yellow halo. This halo develops around the ink, resulting in discolored cloth and a ruined design. And because the ink can bleed form the fabric, it is possible for the ink to leave the cloth in small amounts and to stain other items that are being washed in the same wash load.

Fading Ink

While the ink can bleed in the wash, what many people are concerned with is the level of fading that can occur. The ink is not guaranteed to last through washing, and eventually it will become illegible. For this reason, Sharpie ink is not a reliable way of marking clothing that will be washed repeatedly

To get ink that can be washed again and again without the ink fading significantly and without the yellow halo appearing on the cloth, there are markers that are specifically designed for marking clothing. These markers are made to last through washing without bleeding or fading. They can be used for marking tags or for creating designs and lettering on the cloth itself.

Tips on How to Remove Cat Hair From Clothing

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Every cat lover can list dozens of reasons why they can’t live without their favorite feline. The cuddling, the purring, the simple beauty … there are so many things to cherish about this amazing animal. Chances are, however, you probably won’t find anyone with the following item on their list: cat hair. If every rose has its thorns, cat hair is definitely the thorn associated with owning a cat. These clingy hairs can find their way onto every surface in a house, especially clothing.

So what can you do to remove cat hair from your t-shirts, sweaters and every other article of clothing you own? The first line of defense starts with your environment. Good housekeeping (the habit, not the magazine) can do wonders in the battle to keep cat hair from becoming a staple of your wardrobe. Frequent cleaning, including sweeping hard floor surfaces and vacuuming carpets, is very important to keeping pet hair out of the house. Be sure to thoroughly vacuum furniture as well. If your cat is fond of sleeping on a certain piece of furniture in your home, use a removable slipcover which can be frequently washed to remove hair.

Another method for keeping cat hair off clothing involves removing the hair from the cat itself. Try using a pet brush or a pet hair roller from your local pet supply store to remove loose hairs from your pet before they have a chance to cling to other items. As a bonus, your cat will likely enjoy the extra attention given during the process.

Once you have reduced the amount of cat hair in your environment, you can then focus on ways to remove those remaining hairs that find their way onto your clothing. Lint brushes and hair rollers are excellent tools to accomplish this task, and they can be found at nearly every retailer that sells clothing. For a cheaper solution, try wrapping a length of masking tape (or any type of thick tape) around your hand and patting it over the material’s surface to trap the hairs. While this method is probably not a good long-term solution, it will get the job done in a pinch.
If you have time, toss your fur-covered items into the dryer with a fabric softener sheet. The fabric softener will take away the static cling and the hair will be sucked into the dryer vent.

Washing your garments regularly will also remove cat hair. Be careful what you do with your clothing once it comes out of the dryer, however. Cats love to snuggle up in piles of warm, freshly washed clothing, so take the time to hang your items or tuck them away in a closet or dresser to avoid a repeat of cat hair cling.

If you enjoy cuddling and playing with your cat, it’s probably a good idea to find some “play clothes” that you don’t mind getting hair on. Keep this set of clothing away from other items in your wardrobe, ensuring a fuzz-free appearance.

How To Make Your Own Wrinkle Release Spray

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Wrinkle release sprays are relatively new to the market and are definitely a hit. They allow people to avoid ironing many items of clothing. They are also ideal for getting rid of wrinkles when travelling, so clothes that have been packed are ready to wear and looking great in no time. Wrinkle release sprays are simply sprayed onto the item of clothing and then wrinkles are smoothed out by hand. Once the item is dry, voila, you will have wrinkle-free clothing quickly and easily.

Lots of people search for a way to make their own wrinkle release spray. Many of them want to try it before they buy it. They don’t believe new things that sound too good to be true can actually work. Others love the idea, but don’t want to spend the money to purchase it. Still others just want to cut costs any way they can. No matter what the reason, you will find that making your own wrinkle release spray is very easy and economical to do.

For this interesting experiment, you will need some supplies before you can get started. A small water sprayer bottle that has a fine mist nozzle is absolutely essential. You will also need distilled water and liquid fabric softener. To make the spray, you simply mix one teaspoon of fabric softener in one cup of distilled water and combine it well. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle.

To use your new wrinkle release spray, simply shake up the bottle to make sure it is still well-mixed and spray it generously onto the shirt or other garment that is wrinkled. Pull and smooth out any wrinkles you see in the item of clothing while it is hanging and leave it to dry. When dry, it will be wrinkle free and looking its absolute best.

Does Pool Chlorine Damage/Bleach Clothing?

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Many people are reluctant to wear clothing into a pool or take pains to rinse their clothing out immediately to avoid any damage from the pool chlorine. Many people also worry about their swimwear holding up to the chlorine in the pool.

Pool Chlorine

Chlorine is added at low levels to pool water to keep bacteria from growing in the water. It is also added to drinking water for the same reason. In general, any water that comes into contact with the clothing, with the exception of ocean and lake water, will have chlorine in it. While chlorine does bleach and damage clothing over time, it is used in small enough amounts in a swimming pool that the effects won’t be seen for some time.

Chlorine Levels

The standard amount of chlorine that is added to a pool is calculated in parts per million. The measurement for a pool will generally be around 1 to 10 parts of chlorine for every million parts of chlorine. When something is bleached in the washing machine with a clothing bleach, the general guideline is a bleach level in the washer that is a little more than 80 parts per million. This is a far faster way to bleach and damage clothing than exposing the clothing to chlorine bleach in a pool.

The level of chlorine in drinking water is generally less than one part per million, making the water in the washing machine another slow contributor to damage to clothing. Many washes in a washing machine will have the same effect on clothing because of the chlorine content of the water- it simply happens more slowly because of the lower chlorine content.

Bleaching Effect

Because a pool does have higher levels of chlorine than household water, repeated exposure of clothing to pool water will result in damage and lighter clothing colors eventually. Rinsing out items of clothing after they have been in a pool will not remove the chlorine, but it will result in less chlorine in the clothing.

However, once the clothing has been in the pool water, the bleaching action of the chlorine on the clothing has already taken place. Rinsing it will not reverse the effects that the chlorine has already had on the clothing. It may help the clothing by removing the body oils that get on clothing, resulting in as much or more damage than chlorine.

Bathing Suits

Because bathing suits take a lot of abuse in swimming pools, they are made of sturdy fabric that is made to resist some of the wear that bathers put it through. There are also a number of swimsuits on the market that are specifically made to resist the effects of chlorine. These chlorine-resistant suits are made to keep their color and thickness longer than regular swim suits.

These suits may also see the effects of chlorine eventually, but that damage will be slowed down. This can result in a suit that looks better for more than one or two seasons.

Why Do Clothes Fray?

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Frayed jeans, tops, elbows and hems are amongst the absolute most stylish looks today, especially amongst the younger set. Kids pay big bucks for outfits that look like they are worn out. However, many of us, especially anyone older than 30, don’t want the frayed look and are frustrated when we find that our favorite clothing has begun to fray. We spend money on a variety of products that are designed to stop fraying clothes. We sew new hems in order to prevent further fraying and use other techniques as well. So what exactly is fraying and why do clothes fray?

Typically clothes fray because there is a cut end of the fabric used in making the clothes that does not have a hem or some sort of fray treatment to keep it from unraveling. Basically the weave of the fabric is unprotected, so it starts to undo itself. Whether or not it frays quickly or not depends on many things, like the use of the clothing, the age of the clothing, the quality of it and the tightness of the weave.

Wear and tear can cause fraying, sometimes much to the delight of those who like the worn look. Cutting a T-shirt or other item of clothing for deconstruction or reconstruction purposes is a sure way to achieve some much-wanted fraying, Those strategic cuts will expose the weave of the cloth and make it vulnerable to fraying. This often gives a strategic kind of look of unfinished hems, see-through holes and more. For the young person into this look, strategic fraying is just what they want.

If you love the look of frayed clothes it is quite easy to take even new items and cause them to fray. A pair of scissors and a run through the washer and dryer will do it for many items. For people who dislike frayed clothes, extra care of their attire is needed. Be sure to pay attention to hems, especially if pants hems are a little too long and get extra wear from the ground. Repair clothing at the first sign of holes or fraying. Use fray check on edges of fabric to avoid fraying. Replace items that cannot be salvaged.

Get started today with your new frayed look and be proud of it. Know that you are on the cutting edge of style amongst young people. Fraying is cool and anybody can do it or let nature do it for you.

How to Remove Chocolate Milk Stains

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Those of us who don’t like chocolate are few and far between. The amazing taste of the cacao bean was discovered 2,000 years ago in the rainforests of the Americas. The ancient peoples of Mexico and Central America mixed the ground beans, found in the pods of the cacao tree, with other seasonings to make a frothy and somewhat bitter drink. Drinking chocolate was an important part of the lifestyle of these civilizations, much as coffee drinking is to modern times. Spanish conquistadors took the drink back to Europe, where it quickly became a favorite, so much so that native Americans and Africans were enslaved to farm and produce the beans. Over time, other concoctions using cacao were created. The popularity of the chocolate flavor gradually spread throughout the world, evolving into new textures and items that are now enjoyed by countless numbers of people.

The creation of chocolate milk is credited to Sir Hans Sloane, a British physician and collector. That gentleman discovered chocolate while practicing medicine in Jamaica in 1689. There the locals drank cocoa mixed with water. The good doctor is said to have found the drink disgusting, and devised a way to mix cocoa with milk to make the taste more pleasant. Upon returning to England, Sloane brought his recipe with him, and it was later dispensed by apothecaries for medicinal purposes. By the 1800’s, tins of Sloane’s “drinking chocolate” were being sold by the famous Cadbury brothers.

Chocolate milk is one of those simple pleasures in life that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. It can also cause major problems if it happens to come in contact with your favorite white shirt or little Johnny’s best khaki dress pants. This is because milk contains natural lactose sugar and fats, while chocolate syrup contains sugar and cocoa powder (with cocoa butter proteins). When combined, these two create a powerful stain punch.

To combat a nasty chocolate milk stain, move quickly. Grab some paper towels to blot up the excess and try to prevent a larger stain. Keep pressing a clean towel against the fabric to pull out as much moisture as possible. Next, wet a sponge with cold water (it’s very important that the water temperature be cold, otherwise you will help to set the stain) and wipe the wet stain over and over. Blot with a clean paper towel, and repeat.

Because milk and chocolate are organic, they should not be cleaned with chemicals and other non-organic cleansing agents. This will actually “cook” the stain onto the material, making removal much more difficult, if not impossible.

Another trick is to use a bit of lemon juice. Sprinkle the juice on the stain while the fabric is wet, then lay it in the sun. The juice and sun will work together to lighten and brighten stubborn organic stains. This will not be as effective if the stain is old or has been treated with chemicals which cooked it into the fabric.

Now even if the chocolate milk wins, you can rest easy knowing you’ll soon be able to get your stain-free groove on.

Tips To Hang Dry Your Clothes And T-Shirts

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Following laundry instructions as they are printed on the tags of clothes, including T-shirt often means that you end up hanging them to dry. Some people have a love of hanging clothes to dry outside and do so during all 4 seasons. Still others simply like to hang clothes inside to dry, in order to save on laundry costs or to avoid shrinkage. Whatever the reason you choose to hang dry your clothes and T-shirts, there are some things to keep in mind.

• Hang clothes in an area where air circulates freely. If you hang them outside, this is easily done. However, for clothes hung inside it is important to space them apart and allow air to flow around them. This reduces the chance of mold and speeds up the drying process.

• If you are using clothes pins or clips of some sort, pin them on a part of the clothing that will be least affected if they leave an indentation. A good choice for pants is the waistband. A good choice for T-shirts is the hem, especially if you plan to tuck in the tee.

• Also if you pin up your clothes to dry, be sure to use enough pins to make sure the wet item does not stretch and sag disproportionately while drying. Pinning just the end of clothes made out of absorbent cotton, like T-shirts, often results in stretched out ends when the item is dry.

• For clothes that are hung outside to dry, it is important to make sure you are not putting them there during high pollen count season if you have an allergy sufferer in your house. It will affect his or her allergies greatly.

• Another thing to remember about outside drying is that the sun has a natural bleaching effect on clothing. Therefore white tees and clothes will look great dried outside, while color clothes will fade more quickly from drying outside.

• For the best look possible from a line dried item, pull and tug out wrinkles as you are hanging it, restoring it to its intended shape. This will also save ironing time.

How To Remove Cigar Odor From T-Shirts And Clothing

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The smell of cigars is usually something that people either love or hate. Even nonsmokers often revel in the smell of a good cigar. It is a much more alluring scent than that of cigarettes. However, that interesting aroma that you can enjoy when someone is smoking a cigar around you is not the same when it is on an item of clothing. The stale, funky odor of cigar smoke on a T-shirt or other item of clothing is less than enjoyable. In fact, even if you are wearing perfectly clean clothes, the smell can make it seem as if your clothes are dirty. So what do you do about clothes that have picked up the rank odor of old cigar smoke?

If the odor is very faint it can still be significant enough to bother a non-smoker or someone who is very sensitive to odors. In the case of very mild odors, simply washing the item as you normally would tends to take care of the smell. Be sure to use a laundry detergent and fabric softener with a scent in it in order to completely eradicate the cigar odor. Adding vinegar or baking soda to your detergent also helps to intensify the odor-erasing power of it.

For stronger odors you can pretreat your clothes liberally with Febreeze fabric spray or some other similar product designed to eliminate odors. This is best done outside. Wash the item in a mixture of laundry soap, 1 cup of baking soda and fabric softener for the rinse cycle. Drying it outside or on high heat in the dryer will make sure that any lingering odor is completely gone.

If you don’t have time to wash your clothes out and want the smell of cigars gone now, you can again turn to a fabric odor eliminator like Febreeze and spray your clothes generously with it. Let the item dry or dry it according to care instructions before wearing it. The only drawback with this method is that Febreeze tends to have a rather perfume-like odor that can be overwhelming.

How to Soften Fabrics Naturally

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It’s only natural to want your clothes to be as soft as they can, in particular your sheets and towels. This is especially true if you’re hanging your clothes on a clothesline to dry. While this method of drying clothes is the most eco-friendly, it’s not very pleasant when your clothes come off the line stiff as a board. But using a fabric softener can ensure that your clothes are nice and soft, no matter what method you use to dry them. If you’re concerned about the chemicals in commercial fabric softeners, don’t worry, because there are many natural options for you. Let’s look at a few of these that will be safer for the environment, and will also save you money.

Vinegar is one of the most useful natural substances for all kinds of household cleaning jobs. As well as being an excellent all-purpose cleaner, did you know that it also makes a great fabric softener? Just add ½ cup of white vinegar to your final rinse. Another plus is that vinegar removes the soap residue from your clothes. You can also use a mix of equal parts baking soda and vinegar to two parts water to use in your wash.

There are many other recipes using all-natural ingredients for fabric softeners. For instance, you can add ¼ cup of Borax to the rinse water. Another trick is to use any store brand of hair conditioner, and dilute it with one part conditioner to three parts water. You can also use one cup of glycerin diluted with one gallon of water and add ½ cup to your wash or final rinse.

If you still want to use a commercial fabric softener, you can try these tricks to dilute it. Put an old washcloth cut into four pieces in the bottle of fabric softener. Wring out the washcloth well, and toss it in the washing machine. You can also try diluting fabric softener with water. Try four parts water to one part fabric softener, and play around with the proportions to find a blend that still softens your fabric. Another trick is to use a mixture of one part fabric softener to three parts water in a spray bottle, and spray the inside of your dryer before putting in your laundry. Any way you choose to dilute your fabric softener, you’ll reduce the amount of chemicals that are being released into the environment, and save money at the same time.

If you hang your clothes on the line to dry, and still want them to be soft, try this trick. Keep your clothes on the line until they’re almost dry, then pop them in the dryer for a few minutes. Your clothes will be softer without using any chemicals, and you’ll save electricity by not having to run the dryer as long.

As you can see, there are so many options for natural fabric softeners. You can rest assured that if you want to start living more “green,” you don’t have to give up nice soft clothes!

How to Use Your Hair Dryer to Quickly Dry Your Clothes

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A hair dryer can be used to dry plenty of things besides just hair. A hair dryer is a very useful instrument for taking care of clothing of all types, and anyone who has experienced an inconvenient spill or has waited for an item of clothing to dry shouldn’t be without one.

Just about any fabric can be spot cleaned to remove a stain before it sets into the fabric. You may have experienced a spill on an outfit just before you were about to head out the door. To get the spill out of the fabric, it had to be spot cleaned right away, but you knew you wouldn’t have time to put the clothing into the dryer before leaving. It’s happened to everyone, and changing the outfit or walking out with a wet spot seem like the only options available. However, many people haven’t considered how handy their hair dryer can be at these times. A hair dryer can be used to spot dry the area that was spot cleaned, making a change or running out in wet clothing unnecessary.

Using a hair dryer to dry these items will allow you to concentrate the air on one area, taking far less time to dry the item and putting it in a dryer. Although it’s tempting to blow dry an item while you’re wearing it, it will dry faster if you take it off first. Hang the item up if possible and blow dry it so that the air flows through the fabric. This will dry the fabric far faster and you will be able to put on the item in just minutes.

There are plenty of other times when a hair dryer can come in handy to dry clothing as well. There are many delicate fabrics that were not supposed to be put through a dryer. Many people wash their delicates such as lacy underwear, bras and pantyhose and then hang them up to dry. Hanging them up to dry can take hours for them to dry enough to be worn. This can be an inconvenient waiting period for anyone who needs to put on these things but can’t risk putting them in the dryer.

Like other clothing, it’s best to hang up these items when using a hair dryer on them. You can hang them over a hanger or a shower rod to make things easier. Then, hold the hairdryer several inches away from the item to ensure that you don’t damage the fabric. For delicate items, it’s best to use a cool setting on your hairdryer if it has one. If not, move the hairdryer back and forth so that no one area gets too much heat. This will dry larger areas faster while not burning any of the delicate fabric. If you have a focusing tip that you can place on your hairdryer, this can be helpful as well for blow drying smaller items. However, a diffuser would take away the effectiveness of the hairdryer by limiting the amount of air that it puts out.

How to Remove Dog and Cat Urine Stains from Clothing

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While nothing in life gives you pleasure like your four legged friends, nothing gives you quite the same feeling of madness when they urinate on your favorite cloths. Anyone who owns a dog or a cat has experienced this at least once –and probably a lot more- in the life of a pet. While there is nothing quite as nasty as the pungent odor that comes with the ugly stain, there is a rather easy home remedy to get both out in the wash.

First of all if your cat or dog urinated on your whites, like your undershirts, you are in luck. A simple wash cycle using a healthy amount of bleach should do the trick. But usually fluffy finds your favorite shirt, skirt, jeans, or slacks to relieve himself on and the solution is not so cut and dry.

For all other clothing try this simple method. First it is important to absorb as much of the pet urine as possible with paper towels. Blotting the stain usually proves the most effective. Next mix 3 parts hot water with one part of white distilled vinegar and soak the articles of clothing in the solution. Soak the clothing for about 35 to 40 minutes and then launder as you normally would. If you wish, an added measure can be taken to ensure the smell comes completely out. Simply add a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar in with your normal detergent and that should insure that the smell is gone.

For delicates the process is much the same except instead of using hot water use cold water. Also do not use the apple cider vinegar for anything that is delicate. It is better to soak it twice in regular vinegar if need be.

Once your laundry is done, it is important to make sure that the area where the clothing was is also ridded of the odor. If it is not, that is like telling your furry friend that they can have a bathroom break there anytime they want to. Using the same solution of vinegar and water usually does the trick for carpets and bleach and water does the trick if the wall was hit.

There are a number of cat and dog urine stain removers that can be purchased at a place like Pets Mart but when you buy those products you are taking your chances. Besides, most of those products are rather expensive as compared to a bottle or two of vinegar.

Remember cats and dogs are like children that never grow up. They can be fickle little creatures and will urinate on your clothing for a number of reasons. Some cats do it because of a full litter box and dogs sometimes do it because they just can’t hold it until you wake up. The point is that your fuzzy companion will urinate on your cloths every now and then. It’s just one of the joys of being a pet owner. But with the remedy discussed above, hopefully the next accident your pet has won’t be such a big deal.

How to Soften Fabrics Naturally

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As you can see, there are so many options for natural fabric softeners. You can rest assured that if you want to start living more “green,” you don’t have to give up nice soft clothes!

What Is Static Cling? How to Remove & Prevent it

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Pulling on a T-shirt or other item of clothing to find out that it is full of static cling is so annoying. It inevitably happens when you don’t have time to deal with the problem or the clothes affected by it are the ideal choice for the day or the occasion. Static cling is so annoying because the more you pull the item away from you, the stronger it clings. Knowing what static cling is, how to prevent it and how to get rid of it will keep it from ever being a problem again.

You can prevent static cling in a variety of ways. You can use fabric softener liquid in the wash or a fabric softener sheet in the dryer to get rid of static cling. There is a chemical buildup on the clothes which prevents it from rubbing together and forming static cling.

Rolling T-Shirts To Save Space When Packing

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One of the biggest challenges when doing any type of travelling is packing your suitcase. In fact, properly packing is practically an art form. Many seasoned travelers have their own pattern of packing down to a system that they either love and totally rely on or are continually looking to improve upon.

Anytime you are packing, space is a premium. It’s always easier to find extra things to bring along or even to use smaller luggage if you pack efficiently enough and have extra space, but more often than not, the opposite is true. You pick out the things you want to pack and begin putting them in a suitcase only to find that you run out of space and need to remove things or move to a bigger bag or additional bags to accommodate all the original items. Luckily there are techniques that will help you to save space while packing, so you can get the most in your luggage and be ready for anything.

The absolute best space saving tip when packing is to roll your T-shirts, and other clothing too, before placing them in the suitcase. By folding the sleeves inward and then rolling the T-shirt into a tight cylinder you will find that you can fit tons of T-shirts in your luggage. Rolled T-shirts also make it easy to see at a glance which shirts you have on hand. They can all be placed side by side, so when you are putting together an outfit, it is easy to grab the right color. You’ll never again have to search through stacks of folded T-shirts searching for the one you need.

Another bonus which comes from rolling T-shirts for packing is that it reduces wrinkling. Rolled T-shirts stay looking good and don’t form the creases and wrinkles that folded ones do, while in a suitcase. This means you can just pull a T-shirt out of your bag, put it on and go. You don’t have to worry about taking the extra time to iron it.

T-shirts are an absolute lifesaver when travelling. They travel easily, are absorbent and comfortable. They are easily washed and require very little in extra care. They can be mixed and matched for a variety of different looks. You can dress T-shirts up for a special event. They are also perfectly suitable for the most casual of times, when working out or even for sleeping. Make sure that when you travel you carry a good selection of T-shirts with you.

How Many Times Can You Wear A T-Shirt Before Washing It.

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Everyone tends to have their own schedule of wearing clothes for a certain period of time before washing them. Some items can easily be worn more than once, depending on the type of clothes, where you wear it and what you do while wearing it. In the case of a T-shirt, typically they are washed after each use. However, in reality there are several variables, which can affect this. So in order to determine whether or not you can wear a T-shirt again before washing it, weigh the following factors.

• If the T-shirt was worn next to the skin, you may not be able to wear it a second time before washing it. If you layer your T-shirts, the one on the outside will not be exposed to the oils and perspiration of the skin and will remain clean enough to be able to be worn more than once before needing to be washed, providing you don’t get it dirty in other ways.

• How long the T-shirt was worn also determines whether or not you can wear it multiple times before washing it. If you put on a T-shirt and wore it for just a few hours, you may be able to wear it another time or two for a similar time period before needing to wash it.

• What you were doing while wearing the shirt will help you decide if you need to wash it after one wearing. If you wear a T-shirt while sitting around watching TV or doing computer work in a climate controlled room, you should be able to get a second wearing out of it. However, if you wear it to the gym, outside, while doing exercise, while cooking, in an environment that has a strong odor or while doing dirty work, you will not want to wear it again until you have washed it.

• The fit of a T-shirt helps to determine the frequency of washes. If your T-shirt is form fitting, it is more likely to pick up oils and odors from your skin and will need to be washed more often. If your T-shirt is loose fitting and barely skims your torso, it may be one that you can wear twice before needing a wash, depending on the other factors above also.

If you have a favorite T-shirt or one that you need to wear repeatedly for some reason, you can save yourself from having to do laundry everyday by following a few simple tips to make sure you get the most use of your tee between washes. Wear it only when you need to and for as short a time as possible. Put another solid colored T-shirt under your favorite one. Restrict the activities you do and the places you go while wearing it. You can also buy a duplicate T-shirt to make sure one is available when you need it.

Get a custom-made T-shirt printed to duplicate your often-worn T-shirt. Custom printed T-shirts can replicate practically any T-shirt, so you have exactly what you want on your shirt and have the quality, cut and style of T-shirt that you want too.

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Category Archives: Clothing Care / How To

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What Is Static Cling?

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Why Do Clothes Fray?

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Tips To Hang Dry Your Clothes And T-Shirts

How To Remove Cigar Odor From T-Shirts And Clothing

How to Soften Fabrics Naturally

How to Use Your Hair Dryer to Quickly Dry Your Clothes

How to Remove Dog and Cat Urine Stains from Clothing

How to Soften Fabrics Naturally

What Is Static Cling? How to Remove & Prevent it

Rolling T-Shirts To Save Space When Packing

How Many Times Can You Wear A T-Shirt Before Washing It.