At Home Laundry Lessons

Posted on // By Cindy // In Tips

At Bud’s Dry Cleaning we’ve been doing laundry for a long time. As of writing this, 64 years to be exact, so we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two! Today we want to share with you some of our top laundry tips that will help you save time and money when doing laundry at home.

GENERAL LAUNDRY TIPS

Use half the detergent listed in the directions, unless you have really, really dirty clothes. They tell you to use that much detergent to sell you soap. Soap residue makes soil stick to the clothing. The combination of soap residue mixed with body oils and odor can create bacteria that cause undesirable smells.
Buy the detergent with the least amount of additives. If you need to add color safe bleach add it, but otherwise leave it out. Check out the price difference.
I don’t recommend using laundry pods unless you are doing a very full load in a front load washer.
No fabric softener or scent beads. They just add more oil for dirt to stick to.
Choosing your detergent: If you can safely use it on a baby or an oily duck, you can use it on your clothes.
Cheap baby wipes are the best for emergency clean ups, instead of tide sticks.
White vinegar is best for removing odors and soap build up. Put half a cup of white vinegar in the wash with your your dirty gym clothes and odors will be gone.
Ammonia is good for getting out body fluids, protein stains and body oil. Quarter cup in the wash with your sheets will help knock the oils out. Soak for at least half an hour. Wash in warm water.

STAIN REMOVAL

Get rid of the Shout and other commercial stain removers because they have solvent in them and will causes graying and dulling of fabric. Oxiclean and Bizz are good products for stain removal.
Homemade stain remover is the best.
- Mix equal parts original Dawn dish soap and water in a spray bottle.
- Shake well before using.
- Spray on stain and let it sit for a while.
- If the stain is really bad, pound with old hair brush to work soap into stain.
- Wash as usual.
To keep your whites really white, soak in peroxide and soap overnight. Off the shelf Peroxide is a live enzyme and will die before it can hurt the fabric.
Use Orange oil cleaner for grease; but only as a last resort.

HAND WASHING CLOTHES

Woolite is a consumer rip-off. Dawn, Ivory dish soap, or baby shampoo is better for hand washing. It rinses cleaner and easier.
When hand washing, soak for at least half an hour. Soaking is the best. Time lets the soap work its way thru the fabric.
Always roll hand washed garments in a towel to absorb the excess water. Fold over plastic hanger to avoid stretching out. When dry, put in dryer on permanent press for about 10 minutes. They won’t shrink because the moisture is gone.

PRECAUTIONS

Minimize deodorant stains by putting your deodorant on before your clothes. Make sure it’s dry.
Don’t use hairspray after you are dressed.
Watch out for tooth paste on your clothes because most have whitening agents in them.

CLOTHING STORAGE

Make sure garments are freshly cleaned. Bugs love food and body oil.
Fold clothes with tissue. Store in sealed containers.
Hanging clothes can be left on hangers if they are not stretching the shoulders. Preferably fold over hanger.
You can use Lavender, Rosemary, Cloves or Cedar to help keep the critters away. It is a natural deterrent. You can use these herbs in sachets or dried sprigs, however you like. Vacuum closet floors and put them around the edges because that’s where critters come through.
NO MOTH BALLS, EVER!! They are a Neurotoxin, which mean it kills brain cells.

We hope you found these laundry lessons helpful! You can visit us for all your dry cleaning needs at Bud’s Dry Cleaning in Roseville, CA and Granite Bay, CA