Detergent

Try These Tips When Using a Top Loading Washing Machine
Laundry

Casa Quickie: Hot and Then Cold

If you own a top-loading washer, or live in a building that has older machines, you may be using soap flakes or powdered detergent instead of liquid laundry detergent.
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If you own a top-loading washer, or live in a building that has older machines, you may be using soap flakes or powdered detergent instead of liquid laundry detergent. However, if you want to wash your clothes in a more energy-saving manner by keeping the water temperature on cold, you'll benefit from trying these tips with your non-liquid detergent.

First, try adding the powder to the bottom of the washing machine and letting a little water run before you add any clothes. This will help to ensure that the detergent will dissolve and not get stuck in folds of your clothes, which can damage the garment and guarantee another round of washing.


If this doesn't do the trick, try dissolving the powdered detergent in a pitcher of hot water before adding it to the machine. Problem solved!

How Much Dishwasher Detergent Should You Use?
kitchens

Casa Quickie: Lighten Up

A recent article in the New York Times brought up an interesting subject: how much dishwasher detergent should we use?
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A recent article in the New York Times brought up an interesting subject: how much dishwasher detergent should we use? Every time my detergent runs low — which is often — I wonder how little can I get away with. As it turns out, "Washing machines and dishwashers are made to use far less water now than older models and, therefore, need less soap. And detergents have also become increasingly concentrated." So, the answer is less is more. What a relief! If you're a numbers girl (or boy) like me, you may need digits: the Times' expert dishwasher repairman says that 1/8 to 1/2 of what's usually recommended should be enough. Try this at home! It should save us all a pretty penny.

I Don't Buy It: Special Detergent For Your Fitness Clothes?
Detergent

I Don't Buy It: Special Detergent For Your Fitness Clothes?

Of course, I think it is imperative to wash your fitness gear after every workout, but come on — do you expect me to believe that I need special soap to do it?
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Of course, I think it is imperative to wash your fitness gear after every workout, but come on — do you expect me to believe that I need special soap to do it? This Sport-Wash ($10) says you should use this instead of regular detergent to "keep the high-tech in your high-tech fabrics so your workout wear will continue to look good and perform its best." This soap claims that it "leaves no residue to interfere with moisture control, breathability, water-repellency or insulation. It even restores factory-applied waterproofing." Is it me or do you agree that this is a total scam? Now I know workout gear can start to stink after a while, and detergent that gets the funk out is a necessity for some clothes, so that I'm down with. As for this Sport-Wash, I think it's a waste of money because if the fabric itself can't withstand washing in regular detergent, then chances are the gear isn't going to last very long anyhow. What do you think?

Source

Ecotot: Baby Detergent
Behavior Tips

Ecotot: Baby Detergent

Kids produce piles upon piles of laundry.
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Kids produce piles upon piles of laundry. While carting the clothes to the washer is one chore, lugging the weighty jugs of detergent is another. An earth-friendly option I found is ECOS Free & Clear concentrated liquid detergent that is 100 percent non pollutant, biodegradable, nontoxic and natural.

Two ounces of the fluid cleans an entire load of my children's soiled clothes as well as any mainstream brand and because it has a neutral PH, I don't have to worry about it irritating their sensitive skin. Sold in a recyclable container, 50 ounces is $8. Best of all, your children will have clean clothes and you won't have any more arm aches.

Lil Tip: Wash Up For Baby
Behavior Tips

Lil Tip: Wash Up For Baby

Your shower has come and gone, and your due date is quickly approaching.
by babysugar

Your shower has come and gone, and your due date is quickly approaching. Instead of just sitting around and waiting for baby, make sure all of those little onesies and sheets are ready for their sweet skin. Babies can be prone to eczema, atopic dermatitis and allergies so it's important to treat their clothes with a different kind of detergent than you would normally use.

All Free and Clear is free of dyes and fragrances, which help to protect your lil one's precious body. Dreft and Method Baby are popular detergent choices for moms, too. They are dye free, but both contain small amounts of fragrance, which I personally love.

Here is a list of things to wash:

  • All of Baby's clothes
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Bibs and burp cloths
  • Bedding sheets, blankets, bumper, pillows
  • You might want to wash some of your shirts, too

Also, steer clear of the fabric softening liquids and dryer sheets. They can
cause flame retardant clothes to lose their effectiveness.

Get to throwing those loads in the washer. As for folding, you're on your own!