Stains..

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Moose - 26 Oct 2005 10:50 GMT

I've some nice old cotton sheets and pillowcases that have stains due to
constant use, they've been cleaned, but are darker in the middle.

I've tried soaking them in washing powder, which usually does the trick and
very hot wash but nothing gets the darkness out.

They're flannel, so I'm afraid that if I bleach them they'll loose the
softness. Is there a way to bleach the stains out without making the
material hard?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

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Choreboy - 26 Oct 2005 20:35 GMT

> I've some nice old cotton sheets and pillowcases that have stains due to
> constant use, they've been cleaned, but are darker in the middle.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks

Will bleach leave fabric less soft? The usual causes are detergent
residue and drying method. Maybe your bleach caused something in the
water or detergent to stick to the fabric.

An old trick us to wash with 1/2 cup of bleach and 1/2 cup of baking
soda instead of 1 cup of bleach. That will buffer the pH and soften the water.

Adding a cup of vinegar to the rinse is a trick to remove residue that
can leave fabrics hard and dingy.

Maybe chlorine bleach wouldn't remove your stains. Some washing powders
contain oxygen bleach, enzymes, and other chemicals to remove stains.
IIRC, Tide has done very well in tests, and Gain is almost as good for a
lower price.

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Moose - 27 Oct 2005 00:10 GMT

Does it matter if you use bio or non-bio, expensive or cheap washing powder?

Thanks

>> I've some nice old cotton sheets and pillowcases that have stains due to
>> constant use, they've been cleaned, but are darker in the middle.
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> IIRC, Tide has done very well in tests, and Gain is almost as good for a
> lower price.

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Choreboy - 27 Oct 2005 17:42 GMT

> Does it matter if you use bio or non-bio, expensive or cheap washing powder?
>
> Thanks

I wish Mrs. Bonk hadn't chased DrClean away. He knows all about these things.

With some stains, enzymes help. I prefer colors that that don't show
stains much, and I normally use cheap detergent. I keep Tide on hand.

My grandfather preferred to wear a white dress shirt when plowing. A
good dress shirt can be more comfortable in the sun than a typical work
shirt. Most farmers' wives woudn't permit their husbands to work in
white shirts. My grandparents had faith in Tide.

Confidential to Marcey: [P&G's Legal Department has advised me that I
have a First Amendment right to advertise Tide anywhere I wish. If we
play our cards right, AHC may get a new corporate $ponsor.]

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Homeowner Forum / Cleaning / October 2005

Stains..