Stain Removal

Image Gabriel 'Briel' Rocha

A simple solution if you have a food spiller.  When the garment is removed, use a toothbrush with a little liquid laundry detergent on it.  Gently rub some detergent onto the stain and toss it in the hamper.  If you use powdered detergent, or if it is an oily stain like salad dressing, use some Dawn dish soap instead of the detergent.  On laundry day, you won't have to remember which item had the stain, and the pre-treated area should come out completely clean.  We recommend washing in warm or hot water for best results.

Laundry Detergent

Image nan palmero 

Not enough laundry soap is still better than too much.  Overuse of laundry detergent a common problem.  Just because you don't see a ton of suds, doesn't mean the clothes aren't getting clean.  Soap retained in laundry attracts dirt three times faster and dulls the colors.  Getting the soap out is just as important as getting the dirt out.

Bed Sheets

Image visualpanic

Bed sheets should be washed weekly, with HOT water, and dried on the high temp setting to kill all bacteria that has accumulated. Hanging sheets on a clothesline on a warm, sunny day is equivalent to using a dryer, as the sun's rays are nature's way of "bleaching" any microorganisms that may remain after washing.  Use of a mattress pad and pillow protectors is helpful in prolonging the life of your mattress and pillows.

Comforters

Comforters should be washed every one to three months.  Although they do not have as much direct body contact as sheets, the allergens still build up.  Any comforters that have to be dry cleaned should be done at least once a year.