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Housekeeping

Cheap way to get stains out of clothes

18 replies

lizziemun · 01/10/2008 17:09

Sorry if this has been done before.

I'm fed up of stains not coming out of dd1 & 2 clothes. I have used vanish and some stains just dont move.

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lilolilmanchester · 01/10/2008 18:17

I find shout Spray very good, but it isn't that cheap. Or try soaking in Biotex/washing soda.

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Freckle · 01/10/2008 18:19

Have you checked the temperature of your machine? Sometimes warm/hot water can "set" a stain (especially blood) so that it is impossible to remove. Cooler water may be better.

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CarGirl · 01/10/2008 18:36

cold water and vanish soap bar the best but tedious. I soak in napisan then squirt with shout spray.

I like plain white clothes, then you can use bleach.

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expatinscotland · 01/10/2008 18:38

i throw in a scoop or two of washing soda crystals with bio washing powder and it usually does the trick.

a spray bottle with water and slivers of plain old toilet soap on stubborn stains.

line dry where possible.

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expatinscotland · 01/10/2008 18:38

i throw in a scoop or two of washing soda crystals with bio washing powder and it usually does the trick.

a spray bottle with water and slivers of plain old toilet soap on stubborn stains.

line dry where possible.

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cazboldy · 01/10/2008 18:40

exactly the same as expat

(apart from the toilet soap..... good idea though )

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lucysmam · 01/10/2008 19:01

can you really just bleach plain white clothes? And, if yes, what sort of bleach?

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CarGirl · 01/10/2008 19:30

I just use value bleach, a few drops on the stain neat then rinse well in cold water and then wash it normally. If you don't rinse it properly you may ended up bleaching other clothes that it touches in the wash IYSWIM.

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expatinscotland · 01/10/2008 19:54

CarGirl is right, that's why you also have to be careful if you use bleach in an entire wash, in the machine's drum.

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lizziemun · 02/10/2008 08:05

Thanks

I get some soda crystals wheni go shopping.

Can i use them with fairy non bio, as it is the only soap powder that dh doesn't have a reaction to. If not then i get bio washing powder as well.

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girlandboy · 02/10/2008 11:44

I soak the stained clothes in bowl of water with borax. Borax is cheap. It never fails. Also have old fashioned bar of Fairy Laundry soap which is good on dirty collars. The Fairy soap lasts forever!!!!

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WendyWeber · 02/10/2008 11:47

Imperial Leather soap is v good - it works on red wine & yellow curry stains anyway - other toilet soaps don't have as good an effect for some reason.

Put cold water on, then rub with soap - the wine turns blue-black, the curry turns red, then they come out in the wash. Should work with other things too.

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CarGirl · 02/10/2008 12:33

Can you use soda cyrstals on colours as well as whites? I think I have some of those lurking unsed in the back of the cupboard!

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ruthosaurus · 02/10/2008 14:19

Anyone know of anything that can get rid of DH's lovely (ahem) underarm stains on shirts? I am now washing the buggers for the second time today ans have tried bleach and Ecover stain remover.

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lizziemun · 02/10/2008 14:35

I'm so glad it not just me my children have clothes have staines that wont shift.

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ruthosaurus · 02/10/2008 16:41

I just wish I wasn't in charge of stain removal. It's not like I make that many stains anyway.

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jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 03/10/2008 11:01

Soda crystals can be used on colours. I wash my colours inside out to save them dulling.

I use soda crystals with Fairy non bio tablets and they are fine. I find putting the crystals in the drum gives better results than putting it in the drawer.

I've just re-washed a top with several grease spots on it at 90, and they have gone.

I also use thin bleach on whites (school polo shirts mainly) but spray it on. I've never washed it off before putting it in the machine just made sure that everything else in the wash was also white.

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lucysmam · 03/10/2008 15:46

Just remembered about this (after putting whites in the machine ) Will try bleach on stains on white stuff next time I think

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