How do you get your clothes fresh again? Experts were asked for their best tips
We’ve all been there. The sun’s out, we’ve spent the day at the beach, or dipped in the sea, and come home with stains on our clothes. The linen trousers have sand over them, a fresh white T-shirt has a suncream stain, and sweat is covering the rest. The swimwear underneath smells of salt and the flip flops are engrained with residue from the coast. So how do you get your clothes fresh again and ready for the next trip?
Use lemon juice on stubborn sun cream stains
As sun cream is often oil-based, it can leave marks that are hard to remove. An expert recommends using water-based creams that are rubbed in properly, but if it’s too late, lemon juice will be your best friend. Adding a small amount to soak before hanging clothes in the sun to dry, and then washing as normal or soaking them in white vinegar and washing on a high temperature, should do the trick. Alternatively, you can apply washing-up liquid directly to the area and place in warm water for 30 minutes to lift the stain before putting it through a normal wash. The detergent needs to sit for at least 10 minutes to be successful. Always check the stain has been removed before hanging the garment to dry as heat can set the stain, and make the job even more difficult. Away from stains lemon juice has amazing deodorising properties in general and can be used for a nice smell.
Pre-treat sweat marks with vinegar
Most of us love the heat but with it comes sweat, which leaves an odour, dries yellow on white clothing, and gets absorbed into fabric. Try tackling it with kitchen staples vinegar and baking soda. Soak the area in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water for 30 minutes. Then make a paste with baking soda and water and let that sit on the stain for a further 15 minutes before washing normally in a hot or warm wash. It’s best to treat sweat stains immediately. White vinegar is the best option. It can be left for up to 60 minutes depending on the severity of the mark.
Always bring talcum powder to the beach
Talcum powder can be used to remove sand from the body. Stubborn sand that sticks to the body, like between toes, can be left to air dry for a few minutes before applying the powder to the body part. The bag you pack it in? Mesh. They allow the sand to just drop through. Removing as much sand as possible before returning home is essential, whether it be clothing, towels or shoes. For simple beach gear like chairs and toys, a simple rinse will be enough to remove the particles, but clothes can be more difficult. Soaking them in water and gently scrubbing with a soft brush will work.
Rinse swimwear immediately
The key to ridding swimwear of chlorine or salt deposits is being timely, and you can’t be quick enough if you want to retain the elasticity and colour of your swimming garments. When it’s taken off, always rinse with cold water at the beach before hand washing with a gentle detergent and cold water at home. As hanging can stretch the fabric, laysyours flat to dry in the shade and then use your washing machine once home to give them a final wash. Try to avoid putting them in the dryer as the ties can tangle.
Don’t wring out lighter fabrics
Linen is an essential for when it’s heating up, but along with silk, it needs more gentle care than winter clothing or simple cotton to retain its shape. Hand-washing is your best bet for linen and crochet, according to experts. Leaving all lighter fabrics to dry flat so the shape remains, and never wring out linen or silk. To remove excess water, roll them in a towel instead. It’s best to use a gentle detergent and cold water, and if a washing machine must be used, it should only be a short cycle with cold water.
Add bath towels
If washing clothes wasn’t bad enough, they also need drying. Luckily in the summer the sun means they can hang outside, but if the weather isn’t on your side, or you’re short on time. Put two towels in with wet clothes in your beach bag to absorb excess moisture and make the drying process quicker. If you’re one for drying sheets, a simple DIY hack is to use aluminium foil scrunched into small balls to reduce static in the laundry.
Ensure you’re hanging items on the line correctly
A rule is that when the sun is out the washer should be on. It’s a great time to wash everything that you usually couldn’t because of drying time like cushions and throws. It seems summer really is the time for cleaning. When it comes to the washing line, everything should be hung from the bottom. Where possible, add hangers to the line and put tops on them to minimise creases and give you less ironing.
Add damp towels to the dryer to retain softness
Towels must be one of the most annoying things to dry – they can soak up water and take hours to fully dry. When they do, the softness you may have purchased them with has vanished and they become rough. A tip for this is to mostly air dry them until they’re just slightly damp and then put them in the dryer. They come out as soft as they once were.
Adapted from: inews
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