Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1376023
UPKEEP Easy solves to your washing and drying dilemmas. While there are plenty of high-efficiency, tech-smart products to choose from, not all washers and dryers are created perfectly. Today's machines are designed to be gentler and provide more options for laundering your clothes properly, but people still run into the same issues time and time again. Here are the most common laundry problems and basic, actionable ways to fix them. 23 LAUNDRY HACKS TO LIVE BY REMOVING GREASE STAINS The quick answer? Chalk. Chalk is ultra-absorbent, and believe it or not, rubbing it into an oil stain will absorb grease right away. If you don't notice the spot until later, rubbing a bit into the stain before tossing it in the wash can be just as effective. DULL WHITES Eventually, white fabrics can get a little dingy. Thankfully, Martha Stewart has a helpful hack for reviving dull white clothes: drop sliced lemons into a pot full of water and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and add your items. Let them soak for an hour and then wash as usual. GETTING RID OF THE STINK Whether it's pet odors on blankets and cushion covers, mildewy musk on towels and rags, or a smelly washer, clean things can still stink after washing. To get rid of the unpleasant aromas, mix ½ cup of white distilled vinegar with your laundry detergent and wash as normal. A miracle worker for all things home cleaning, vinegar helps soften fabrics, neutralizes odors, and acts as an antibacterial. SHRUNKEN CLOTHES Before you get rid of your favorite dress that shrunk in the dryer, try this super-simple trick. Place the shrunken article in a plastic container and let it soak in lukewarm water mixed with ordinary hair conditioner for at least 30 minutes. Then, stretch it back out to its original shape, re-wash, and hang it up or lay flat to dry. DAMP JEANS THAT WON'T DRY One of the main reasons doing laundry takes so long is re-drying the pants and jeans that aren't completely dry when the cycle is done. A quick and easy tip: shake out your clothes before transferring them to the dryer. Doing this is a fool-proof way to ensure they're fluffy and dry when the timer goes off. MISSING SOCKS It's still an unsolved mystery. Missing socks happen in every household, but to keep them from going astray, wash them in the mesh bags you use for delicates and lingerie. Simply sort dirty socks into the bag, zip it up, and throw it in the wash. That way, when the laundry is finished, you'll have all the pairs contained in one bag.