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Q: We had a real tree for Christmas but now I am finding tree sap everywhere! What is the best way to clean mittens, coats and my carpet?
A: Rubbing alcohol can remove sap from washable clothing, knit gloves, and rugs, because it acts as a solvent.
For clothes, even a down coat, saturate the area with alcohol, let sit for a minute, then launder in warm water with regular detergent. Heat sets stains, so be sure all the sap is gone before using the dryer. Repeat the…
Q. Our whole family loves to color Easter eggs. Despite laminated aprons and a plastic tablecloth, the kids manage to get the dye on their clothes. How can I remove it?
A. Pretreat stains with a pre-wash stain remover, and then launder. If the stain remains, mix a solution of 1/4 cup of oxygen bleach or 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach (if safe for the fabric) per gallon of cool water. Soak for 30 minutes. Rinse, and then launder.
Q. How do I clean stainless steel appliances?A. Stainless steel has made the move from commercial kitchens to the favored finish in many of today's sleekest residential kitchens (and in the laundry room, too). But in a busy household, spots, streaks and sticky fingerprints can quickly mar its lustrous look.But aesthetics aren't the only reason to keep stainless steel clean. Although consumers think of stainless steel as a finish that will last a…
While it’s always recommended to treat clothing stains as quickly as possible, some stains are are just so tough (grass, ink, blood, grease, etc.) that it’s even more important to pre-treat them right away. It’s always best to test a hidden area of the fabric first, in case the fabric is too delicate. Also, if you haven’t already tried enzyme detergents, get one! Learn how to treat the touch stains!
Freshen Your Winter Wear! Depending on how winter clothes were stored, they can resurface with wrinkles or even a musty smell. Read on for tips on freshening up clothes so you can look your best this winter.
Get Rid of That Musty Smell: After taking clothes out of storage, wash them in hot water or take them to the dry cleaner before wearing them. You can also tackle stubborn musty smells by adding white vinegar, borax, or baking soda while washing.
Remove Wrinkles: Ironing clothes before…
ACI Supports Student Service Project to Assist Families in Need
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) partnered with the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) to support a new national community service project that donated 2,000 laundry detergent packets to families in need.
At AAFCS’ recent national conference, family and consumer sciences professionals donated laundry detergent packets for Clean for a Cause, an AAFCS…
Q: I've given up buying coffee in the morning in favor of bringing my own in a travel mug. However, the cup sits in my car all day and doesn't get washed until late at night. The inside is a little grungy. How do I get it really clean?
A: There are several ways to remove coffee stains. You may have to experiment to see which one works best on your particular travel mug. Since soaking is easier than scrubbing, try one of these methods first: using chlorine…
Q. How do I get lipstick off my white cloth napkins?A. To remove most lipstick stains from napkins, put the napkin stain down on top of a couple layers of paper towel or absorbent towel. Dampen another towel with rubbing alcohol (70 or 90 percent), then dab, dab, dab the stained area. Look underneath and you should see lipstick on the paper towels. Keep at it until all of the stain is gone. Some long-lasting lipsticks may need more work to get off.You also can…