Take that stains!

With all the working out that I do, it is inevitable that sweat and I go hand in hand (or should I say armpit in armpit). I normally like to wear dark colored shirts, but there are times when I wear a white shirt, and it never fails that I get perspiration stains under the arms. In the past I would just throw out the shirt, but that is such a waste of money. I've researched ways to remove the stains with some at home treatments and in doing so, I came across this amazing website.

What are some of your stain removal tips and tricks? I'm always looking for great cleaning advice.

Also, click here to find a ton of other cleaning and organizing tips.

Is it a Perspiration Stain or Deodorant/Antiperspirant Stains?

It can sometimes be confusing as to whether that underarm or armpit stain is from perspiration or deodorant/antiperspirant. If the stain is yellow or green in color and has a crunchy or crispy texture, it’s due to perspiration. If the stain, however, is white or clear with a greasy texture, it’s due to the antiperspirant and should be treated as a grease stain with the appropriate solvent.

Step Away from the Bleach!

Although it’s counterintuitive, chlorine bleach is one of the worst things you can use to treat perspiration stains, even on white cotton fabric. The chlorine in household bleach will react with the proteins in the perspiration and cause the remaining stain to darken even further. You thought the pale yellow stains gave you pause – just wait until your collar and underarms are almost mustard in color!

Stain Removal Option #1 – Start Simple with Detergent

There are so many great liquid laundry detergents on the market today that specialize in treating tough protein stains; the simplest first step in removing perspiration stains is to use liquid laundry detergent. We recommend using one that’s labeled as having oxygenated powers or concentrating in protein-based stains such as food and grass stains. Treat the affected area with full-strength liquid laundry detergent and let sit for 30 minutes. Launder as usual and air dry.

Stain Removal Option #2 – Solar-Powered Stain Removal

If liquid laundry detergent alone doesn’t remove those nasty perspiration stains, try it combined with the ultimate natural treatment option, the sun. Dampen the affected area and treat it thoroughly with full-strength detergent. Then lay the item out in the sun. Be sure to check on the garment regularly and keep it damp with a misting bottle. After a full afternoon in the sun, launder on cool and air dry.

Stain Removal Option #3 - Hydrogen Peroxide to the Rescue

With white fabrics, hydrogen peroxide is one of the best possible solutions for perspiration stain removal. The hydrogen peroxide will react with the proteins in the perspiration and break them apart, helping to prevent the gradual darkening of the area over time. Hydrogen peroxide is, however, like chlorine bleach in its whitening properties. It’s therefore to be approached with extreme caution around colored fabrics.

You can use the hydrogen peroxide either full-strength or diluted to half-strength (half water, half hydrogen peroxide). Since less is more, we recommend always starting with half-strength and adding more if necessary. Pour your hydrogen peroxide solution onto the stain and allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Launder on cool and air dry. If the stain remains, soak it for another 30 minutes in a stronger solution (more hydrogen peroxide).

Stain Removal Option #4 – Vinegar and Water

If hydrogen peroxide is too harsh for your colored fabric, another option that is usually safer for colors is a solution of vinegar and water. Use 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar and a half-cup of water to clean out stubborn perspiration stains. Allow the affected area to soak for 20-30 minutes, and then launder on cool.

Stain Removal Option #5 – Cream of Tartar and Aspirin

If you just can’t get the stains out with detergent, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar, make a paste to scrub in with your old toothbrush. The paste is formed with 1 Tablespoon of Cream of Tartar, 3 crushed aspirins (full-strength, ensure that they’re white and have no colored coating), and a cup of warm water. Use the old toothbrush to work the paste into the fabric, and then leave for 20 minutes. Rinse the affected area in warm water until the paste is removed. This treatment and rinse cycle can be repeated as necessary.

Perspiration stains can turn your favorite shirt into the one you reach for only when everything else is dirty. But this doesn’t have to happen. Reclaim your favorite shirts by removing perspiration stains without sweating much at all!

What's a girl to do?

Being that we have another round of guests staying with us this weekend, I began to clean the house on Thursday.  I got the major pain in the neck cleaning done such as the bathrooms, dusting and cleaning the finger smudges off every glass surface.  

Royal pain.

I thought I'd leave the floors last and do them all on Friday, the day the first group comes in to town.  I had not vacuumed in a few days, so the floors definitely needed some TLC.  All three levels.  It's not very fun dragging a very heavy Kirby vacuum cleaner up and town the stairs, but she's all I got.  She's been a part of our family for 10 years and has seen her fair share of crumbs, dust mites and dog hair.  Yes I am speaking about my vacuum cleaner as if it's a person.  Step off.  We basically paid an adoption fee to get her, but that's another post for another day if I ever can get past my embarrassment enough to tell it. 

I pull her out of the closet and start the job in the office and here's what happened.

Do you see?  Her wheels fell off!  I tried to get all the pieces back to together and it seemed like I had, but when I went to push it again - pop goes the wheel and the wheel goes pop!  Ugh!  And of course, Mr. Fix It (a.k.a. my husband) was at work.  I tried my best to vacuum without wheels, but it was pointless and pretty stupid looking.  Yet I was desperate.  How could I have guests come to my home when it looked like a parade had marched through it? 

I called the Kirby company and ordered a replacement part, but it wouldn't be shipped until Monday.  Luckily it was only around $20 so I knew I wouldn't have to buy a whole new vacuum cleaner - whew!  But in the meantime I couldn't sit around and not clean.  

Off to Target I went to see if I could find one of those manual push brooms like you see used in restaurants.  I've actually had one before and loved the quickness and convenience of it.  But I had no such luck and was running out of time.  I settled for this cute little purple guy.

Hello - he's PURPLE!  And he was on sale - love!  Could it get any better?  (I also found a really cute peacock feather shirt (I have this thing for feathers right now) and a bag of Easter M&M's!)

I brought my new friend home, took him out of the box and attached his handle getting all excited to try him out.  Then I looked at the directions and found out I would have to wait 14 hours for the battery to charge.  ARG!  (Now I sound like a pirate.) 

So here I wasted my time shopping for a 'temporary' vacuum that I wouldn't be able to use until the day after my guests arrived.  I resorted to the ol' dustpan and brush method down on my hands and knees.  Hey - I was desperate!  And it was better than nothing.  

I will never take my little Miss. Kirby for granted ever again.  Even if she's not purple.

Blog awards, cleaning, and aliens.

Imagine my surprise when I found out I received my first ever blogger award. I was very excited and felt quite honored indeed. Thank you very much to Say Anything who bestowed me with this award. You made my day!

Today I spent a few hours at Beth's house helping deep clean her house that they are getting ready to put on the market. There's a real hot picture of me holding a sponge while cleaning her shower. That crazy girl is very photo-happy! She even photographed a Ken doll taking a bath. But I must admit, I was given the best reward for the work I performed which is red wine and dark chocolate. She knows how to treat me right!

When I got home the boys were happy to see me. Carson was making mess after mess as usual and I was irritated and complained out loud how I was tired of cleaning up after him. I believe I said, "Why do you create more work for me?" And his response was, "Well, if you work harder, you might get money." I tell him that no one is going to pay me to work at my own house. But he suggests, "What about Dad?" I don't know dad, what do you think?

For the past 6 months or more Carson has been going through this alien phase where he is consumed to the point of paranoia with aliens, more specifically green ones. It all began this summer when he went to vacation bible school and the theme was space. They had robots, astronauts, and aliens. It has left a huge imprint in his brain and still to this day he will not sleep in his own bed. He is afraid that the aliens will come and get him. Last night for instance, he was convinced that the aliens were going to come in his room and steal his brain. I seriously don't know where he is getting this stuff! Today while in the car all he talked about was aliens. I said that E.T. is a nice, friendly alien. Well, just the mention of E.T. created a multitude of questions about the movie which he has seen a handful of times. Some questions were legitimate, but others were just ridiculous and I had to be creative in my responses. "Why is he brown, why did they put him in a bag, why did smoke come out of the bag, why does he walk funny, why are his legs short, if I had short legs would I walk funny, what if I had no legs............and on and on it went.

I'm tired - till next time..............................