I'm sharing these useful laundry care tips from Cotton Council International to help us moms in maintaining the freshness and cleanliness of our clothes despite the rainy season:
Cotton Council International, the organization behind the COTTON USA Mark, shares this list of proper laundry tips to make the chore a breeze, ensure the thorough removal of stains and grime, and keep cotton garments soft, vibrant and long-lasting even after frequent washing.
· To help clothes dry quickly during the rainy season, run an extra cycle on your spin dryer and use a clothes drying rack to hang your clothes indoors. Make sure to position the rack in a well-ventilated room, preferably beside windows. You can even turn on the electric fan and direct it towards your laundry to help speed up the drying process. Avoid the musty smell on clothes, towels and sheets, by adding a cup of white vinegar or baking soda to the water before starting the wash cycle.
· Bacterial and fungal infections are more likely to occur during the rainy season. Make sure to wash and change your cotton socks everyday especially if water has seeped in from footwear. If leather shoes have stained your socks, try using chlorine bleach or a dye removing product. You may also try soaking the stained socks in a vinegar and water solution overnight. Launder socks the next day with detergent.
· Mildew may set in wet or damp clothing. Make sure that laundered clothes are completely dry before storing in the cabinet. In case mildew has set in, brush off any loose mold growth on the clothes outside the house. Wash mildew-stained clothes with detergent and water, then rinse well and dry in the sun. If any stain remains, apply lemon juice and salt or bleach on the stained area.
Here are some quick solutions to remove common rainy season stains before regular laundering with detergent:
Mud: Remove mud that has latched on to clothing using a brush with soft bristles. Then, rinse the garment in cold water to dilute remaining dirt or grime.
Rust: Place several paper towels underneath the rust-stained area. Apply lemon juice or 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar and salt mixture on the affected area and set it under the sun to dry.
Red wine: Cover the stain with salt, stretch the fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water onto the stain.
Grease and oil: Blot off the stain as much as possible using a paper towel. Put cornstarch on top of the stain and let it set for half an hour. Apply detergent or liquid dish soap on the stain and gently scrub off.
Condiments: To treat catsup and mustard stains, scrape off first or blot up excess catsup and mustard, then rinse or sponge the stain with cold water. Work in a mild detergent into the stain, and then rinse the garment with cold water. For soy sauce stains, follow the same procedure but apply white vinegar or lemon juice before rinsing, if the fabric is white or colorfast.
Ink stains: If the ink stain is fresh, press the affected area with a paper towel to absorb the ink. Then, set the affected area face down on a clean cloth or paper towel. Apply hair spray, rubbing alcohol, or nail polish remover to the backside of the stain. Blot the backside with a clean washcloth to remove the ink.
Here are some other laundry tips to keep in mind all-year round:
Always act quickly to remove stains as they happen. Do not let the stain set in the fabric as this will make the stain harder to remove.
Wash heavily soiled clothes separately from slightly soiled ones to avoid consuming unnecessary amount of water and detergent.
Cotton has the ability to absorb and maintain color for a long time. Though cotton clothes are fade resistant, keep your bright cotton shirts vibrant by turning the clothes inside out before washing. Read the label for recommended water temperature, tumble dry and remove immediately to reduce wrinkling and shrinking.
To keep towels soft and fluffy, use half the amount recommended detergent and give the towel an extra rinse cycle. Keep in mind that detergent residue can diminish the towel’s softness.
When buying cotton clothes, always look for the COTTON USA Mark - a guarantee that you’re getting garments that are 100% cotton. Cotton naturally repels stains, is very easy to wash and is wrinkle-resistant, making ironing of clothes a breeze. With prompt action, the right cleaning aids, and these tips in mind, washing and maintaining your clothes during this rainy season need not be a chore. So make sure you follow these easy steps to keep your cotton clothes at their 100% best all year round!
Those are really helpful tips, especially with the rainy weather we've been experiencing lately. If there's anything I hate, it's stinky, laundered clothes, dried indoors.
ReplyDeleteGood information! I also found that if you throw some tennis balls in the dryer it speeds up the drying time. It also helps fluff heavy items such as comforters.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
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