Clothing Cleaning and Upkeep Tricks

Rub dryer sheets over the jeans. If your jeans are darker, turn inside out while doing this so they don't end up faded.

There are now a couple options to keep your black clothes black - so your favorites stick along longer and both are available on Amazon.

Fewa Black Magic Detergent or Perwoll is finally here from Europe! It's supposed to actually intensify dark hues. Yay!

The other option is also available is stores - I actually saw it in Walmart over the weekend. Woolite Dark Laundry. If I only did laundry for myself this is all I would need.

Hand wash, warm water, don't soak, air dry.

It's that simple, really :)

Photo by blmurch

This is how I make my lingerie last:

Bras & underwear go in separate net bags that zip. This keeps them from snagging or getting twisted in the washer. When they are finished in the wash they air dry on a slacks hanger. This keeps the elastic in tact much longer.

Another couple tips:

I wear a different set every day. This gives the bras a chance to breath & get washed again before I make them do their (tough) job.

One more thing, if you're going to own a bunch of bras (like I prefer to): Stagger your purchases - if you buy them all at one time, they tend to wear out at the same time (assuming you give them the same amount of play). So, usually when I need bras I limit myself to two at a time.

Photo by Saquan Stimpson

There are a couple ways to accomplish this.

The first is a trick I've used since I was young - spray the mark with harispray & rub the fabric against itself. Then once it's gone, wash as usual.

The second one is new to me but here goes:
Don latex/plastic gloves; Dab a bit of pure eucalyptus oil on the spot; Blot till stain is gone; Wash as usual. *Do not try this on leather.

Thanks ichigonotsukikage for the photo!

Apply rubbing alcohol to the spot.

Soak in warm water & dishwashing liquid for about 10 minutes.

Rub in the detergent & wash as usual.

Thanks to specialkrb for the photo!

Turn the piece inside out.

Put in a similarly colored pillow case & tie closed as close to the item as possible.

Wash on delicate cycle using gently detergent.

Lay flat to dry.

Here are some great tips from the eBay Selling Coach - helpful whether you sell on ebay or not - How To Clean Thrift Store Items

Thanks to Already Pretty for this awesome list filled with clothing care how-tos, including how to rid the stinky from your shoes! Update: I tried the stinky shoe trick & it worked! Total win!

Here's a recession friendly tip - remake clothing with a new color! Glamour.com has a great post on all the how-to's.