Dissolve your washing detergent in water before you add your clothes, otherwise wash cycle will be half over by the time the detergent starts to do its job
Coffee stains - for new coffee stains soak in 300ml of water with 15g of borax. Rinse and launder as normal. For old stains, sponge with water, rub glycerine into the stain well and leave for 30min, then rinse and launder as normal Blood stains - soak garment in cold water and detergent when stain is fresh, DO NOT soak or wash in hot water as this sets the stain.
Clean up old belt and shoe buckles with an old toothbrush and tooth paste. Just wipe off with a damp rag and the buckles will shine like new!
Clothes storage. When storing clothes away at end of season add a bar of your favourite soap to the box or vacuum sealed bag.When unpacked, clothes will be sweet smelling.
For grease stains on work wear try sprinkling talcum powder on the stain, repeat until all grease is absorbed, then launder as normal.
Gum on Clothing - use egg whites to remove gum on clothing. Brush egg white on onto the gum with a toothbrush. Let sit for 15 minutes then launder the items as normal.
Help prevent black colours from fading by adding a few drops of vinegar to the wash!
Ink Stains - Rubbing alcohol is the best way to remove ink stains from clothes - dab a little onto the ink and it usually disappears.
Itchy woollens - add 2 tablespoons of vinegar in final rinse when washing to make woollens less itchy.
Keep tennis shoes whiter - spray new white tennis & sports shoes with starch to help them stay white longer.
Lipstick stains - rub a little petroleum jelly on the stain and wash as normal.
Make new bath towels more absorbent by soaking them in a bucket of water with two handfuls of Epsom salts for 24hrs
Perspiration stains in shirts - soak before washing in a solution of warm water mixed with two capfuls of Handy Andy.
Prevent bright coloured garments from fading by soaking them in salty water before their first wash.
Prevent delicate fabrics from becoming shiny when ironing by ironing through a cotton pillow slip or tea towel.
Re-stretch woollens shrunken in wash - dissolve 90g Espsom salts in boiling water, allow to cool, then soak the garment for 30 minutes. Remove. Squeeze out excess water and re-stretch to correct shape. Allow to almost dry, then press under a dry cloth while garment is still slightly damp.
Red wine stains - remove red wine stains from tablecloths by moistening and applying salt to stained area. Let stand a few minutes then wash as normal.
Reduce lint on your clothes - wash your towelling items separately as these are the main source of lint, however adding a cup of white vinegar to the load can also help.
Remove old hem marks from your clothes by dipping hem line in solution of 1 cup of water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of borax and 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar. Wring dry and iron on wrong side of garment. Hem marks will disappear.
Removing Chewing Gum - Freeze gum with ice cubes. When frozen scrape off as much as possible. Clean spot with spirit cleaner, such as methylated spirits or dry cleaning fluid, then rinse in cold water. If article is washable sponge area rather than submerge in water.
Restore scuffed or pressed suede by brushing over with fine grain sandpaper.
Revive old leather bags by rubbing with bees wax. Not only will it give your old bag a new lease on life, it will revive the leather and prevent wearing.
Rust stains - remove stubborn rust stains or discolouration by boiling in a solution of 570mls of water to 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar. Rinse well and dry. Repeat till stain disappears.
Soiled Shirt Collars - Take a small paintbrush and brush shampoo onto soiled shirt collars. Shampoo is designed to dissolve body oils.
To Remove Lipstick -1. Soak the stain in milk for 30 minutes, then wash in warm, soapy water. 2. For greasy lipstick stains, soak in ammonia (if fabric is suitable), then wash in normal way. 3. Sponge with eucalyptus oil until lipstick is removed, then wash in normal way. Eucalyptus oil or a cleaning spirit may be suitable for non-washable fabrics.
Use a delicates bag for delicate items, such as lacy items and bras. This also protects other items by preventing bra hooks getting caught in other fabric.
Whiter socks - before washing white socks soak in salted water and stains will come out much easier in the wash.
Yellowed clothing - soak in water to which a packet of Epsom salts has been added.
