Saturday, November 8, 2008

Laundry Questions

Question: Dear Laundry Doctor: My husband purchases 100% cotton polo shirts and as he is a 3X, he consistently ends up with splatters and food stains down his front. Truly, it's impossible for me to treat these within 24 hours and his brand new shirts came out of the washer / dryer with spots. This is an ongoing problem and repeat washings only dull his bright shirts and they need replacing too often. I use Spray N Wash, leave it sit for about 20 minutes but to no avail. Can you advise on best soak/ pre-treatment for bright colored cotton pullovers? You'll be my friend forever. Signed, fatigued from trying. Susan


Susan,

You really have two separate issues. The first being the stains the second fading of the garments. I say that they are separate because the fading is an issue that is going to happen regardless. Today's fabric manufacturer's are creating coloring that fades quicker and hence get consumers to replace them more often.

As for the food stains and any stained garments the gentelest way to treat them is soaking. I recommend get a bucket and us it every time you do a load. Lets say you are doing a load of light colored garments and they have some stains, take a scoop of detergent I prefer "Biz" or "Oxiclean" or "Wisk" (liquid) put it in the bucket and add warm water 90 to 110 degrees, let it mix with the water add the garments and let it soak for an hour or up to over night. When you are ready to wash the garments dump the bucket in the washer with the water (no need to waste the water) and add any additional garments using the detergent you already putin. One cause of fading is over use of detergents.

Good luck, let me know how it works.

Jeff Gardner
The Laundry Doctor
662 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104
WWW.thelaundrydoctor.com