| Laundry aids come in a variety of forms and have | | | | polyester fibers. They penetrate the fiber of the fabric |
| many different purposes; from removing rust stains to | | | | and help break up the stain, allowing it to disperse in |
| making yellow fabrics look white again. If you've ever | | | | the wash water. |
| looked down a stores laundry isle you may have seen | | | | 5. Color Removers. Color removers can help remove |
| many of these laundry products. You might never | | | | rust spots from clothes washed in water that contains |
| have given a second thought about using them or | | | | iron and manganese. They can also help remove dye |
| weren't sure exactly how to use them. The following | | | | stains that were transferred from colored items to the |
| laundry treatments can help restore clothes that | | | | whites they were washed with. |
| appear dull and dingy and old before their time. | | | | 6. All-Fabric (Oxygen) Bleach. This kind of bleach is an |
| 1. Bluings. Bluings are designed to counteract the natural | | | | alternative to liquid chlorine bleach for maintaining |
| yellowing of fabrics. They contain a blue dye that is | | | | whiteness and brightness on most fabrics. The |
| taken up by fabrics in the wash or rinse. | | | | oxidizing agent, hydrogen peroxide, provides a gentler |
| 2. Detergent Boosters. Available in powdered or liquid | | | | bleaching action than chlorine. This makes it safe for |
| form, detergent boosters are especially effective in | | | | most washable colored fabrics unless otherwise |
| hard water for enhancing the cleaning power of the | | | | directed by a fabric care label. This color-safe bleach |
| detergent. Liquid boosters can also be used for | | | | is available in liquid or powdered forms. It's also most |
| pre-treating stains. Baking soda is actually a natural | | | | effective when used on a regular basis. |
| detergent booster. | | | | 7. Water Softeners. Hard water has a high |
| 3. Enzyme Presoak Stain Removers. Enzyme | | | | concentration of magnesium and calcium. These |
| pre-soaks come in powdered form and are very | | | | minerals tend to reduce the effectiveness of laundry |
| effective in removing protein stains like baby formula, | | | | detergents and may also leave behind a residue that |
| blood, bodily fluids, dairy products and eggs. That's | | | | causes fabrics to feel stiff and harsh. Water-softening |
| because enzymes are proteins, and the general rule of | | | | products work by deactivating these minerals. You |
| stain removal is that "like dissolves like." Enzymes | | | | can choose from powered or liquid water softeners. |
| break down the stains which can then be easily lifted | | | | Laundry aids can extend the life of our clothes and |
| out of the fabric with the aid of the detergent. | | | | even make our clothes look like new again. At least |
| 4. Prewash Soil and Stain Removers. These products | | | | we have alternatives besides the old standby, liquid |
| come in a variety of forms and are effective at | | | | chlorine bleach. |
| removing heavy soiling and stains, especially on | | | | |