Clothes, everybody has 'em! Along with the problem—everybody has to clean 'em. But it's no longer as simple as beating the laundry on rocks down by the riverside—baby clothes have stains that women's clothes don't (most of the time). Add designer clothes (or hubby's work-jeans) to the mix, and washday is as complicated as mixing Prada with flip-flops. Ah, but you let us worry about the problems—all you have to do is take a look at these methods and check out the results.

Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Clothing' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

   Advice for Problems Washing Dark Fabric
Hate it when your darks bleed or fade? So do I! This can all be avoided, however, if you follow these few simple rules.

   Bleachless Whites
Tired of putting bleach on your clothes trying to get them cleaner? Then the bleach splashes all over and on to your new black shirt. Stop using chlorine bleach and get your clothes white without all the harsh chemicals. Read on to see how easy it is.

   Cleaning a Wedding Dress
Second to buying a home, purchasing a wedding dress is often times the most expensive investment newlyweds make. Most brides never wear their wedding dress again and sometimes opt to pass it to the next bride in the family. Since the dress costs so much, it is wise to clean it and store it correctly.

   Cleaning Acrylics
While acrylic blends will retain their "new" appearance longer than pure acrylic fabric, pure acrylic garments can last a long time if cleaned gently, either by dry cleaning or washing them by hand.

   Cleaning Children's White Socks
White socks get dirty—there's no getting around it. You can however prevent the dingy look from happening by following these few simple measures.

   Cleaning Dye Stains from Fabric
Dye stains can be difficult to remove from fabric, but a stain isn't necessarily permanent. There are a few things you can try to remove the stain successfully.

   Cleaning Fabric
Spills on fabric occur all the time, even if you are trying to be careful. Be ready to tidy up the mess by using these cleaning ideas.

   Cleaning Felt Clothing
Clothing made from felt can last virtually forever, if properly cared for. The trick, though, lies in how to properly care for your beloved felt hat or classic poodle skirt. Follow this easy guide and your favorite items will soon become an heirloom for another generation.

   Cleaning Makeup Stains from Wool
Many people think that cleaning makeup stains from wool is going to be next to impossible. After all, while cleaning wool itself is normally tricky, it only makes sense that getting makeup out of it would be trickier, right? Wrong. It is actually easier to clean makeup stains from wool than you would think. All you need to do is follow these simple steps, and you can get your wool clean.

   Cleaning Out Your Clothes Closet
Cleaning out your closet does not have to be a huge all day process. You can have a clean closet in just a few days with only a couple of hours of work.

   Cleaning Polyester Clothes
Polyester is one of the most durable fabrics available. Unfortunately, as with most fabrics, there are special instructions for the proper care and cleaning of this wonderful cloth. Follow these simple steps and your polyester clothing can once again look good as new.

   Cleaning Silk Ties
While some people say you should never use water to clean a silk tie, you can safely wash silk with mild detergents. The key to successfully using water when cleaning silk is to never wring the fabric after wetting it and, instead, allow it to air dry on a flat surface.

   Cleaning Ski Coats
Most coats come with instructions about how to wash them printed on the tag. Following these instructions is important to keep the coat in good shape. Most detergents will have an adverse affect on high-tech fabrics but mild detergents that rinse out well are safe to use. You can also find specialty detergents for ski coats. The waterproofing on your coat will not withstand the washer and you will need to use a product to restore the waterproofing after it is washed.

   Cleaning Wool
Baa, baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes, but it's all dirty! We can find wool all over the home. In fact, it is in everything from blankets to shirts and coats. Here are some great methods for taking care of your wool fabric.

   Cleaning Your Wedding Dress
What should you do with your dress after the big day is over? Getting it cleaned is important if you want it to stay in good condition.

   Dealing with Leather Stained White Socks
If you like to wear boots, work boots, or even steel toed work boots then you know just how quickly your white socks can become ruined. Dealing with leather stained white socks can frankly be a bit of a hassle. Luckily there are a few options that you can use to help make the situation a little bit better.

   Dealing with Stubborn Sock Stains
Have you ever noticed just how stubborn sock stains can be? For some reason sock stains can be some of the most stubborn stains around. Here are a few methods that you can use to begin dealing with stubborn sock stains, and feel better about wearing your socks again.

   Dress Cleaning
Don't stick your dress in the back of the closet after a big event. To make it last, get it properly cleaned and preserved before you store it away.

   Dress Preservation
There are certain items of clothing that you want to keep for an extended period of time. Learn how to properly preserve them so they will stay safe for years to come.

   Get Your Laundry Whites Whiter than White
Maintaining the whiteness of your clothes can be tricky and one you always want to master. Fortunately making your whites whiter than white isn't impossible and you'll have the pleasure of super white whites!

   Getting Cough Syrup Out of Clothes
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to get cough syrup stains out of clothes? Whether it's from your child accidentally spitting the medicine out, or you happened to spill it while trying to take some, cough syrup can leave a fairly nasty stain. That is, unless you use this method.

   Give Permanent Press Items a Boost
Sometimes your permanent press items lose their shape and start looking kind of limp. Here are a few ways to give those clothes a bit of a boost!

   Grease Stain Removal
Being faced with stains on your favorite clothes can be a major pain. No stain can be more difficult to remove than a grease stain. Luckily, there are ways that you can go about conducting a successful grease stain removal. Instead of throwing away and replacing your clothes, why not try these methods.

   How to Remove Ink Stains From Silk
Finding an ink stain on your silk fabric might seem scary. You may, however, be able to remove the stain with careful cleaning.

   Letting Out Hems on Clothing
Sometimes you just grow out of clothes, but still want to wear them. Instead of wearing clothes that are obviously too small, try letting down the hem. If you can do that, then you can preserve your clothes for a little bit longer!

   Making Yellowed Silk White Again
So maybe you inherited your grandmother's silk wedding dress or your grandfather's silk hankie. Or maybe you have some lovely heirloom silk linens that have been in your family for years. Or maybe you just acquired an amazing vintage silk piece. The big problem that you will probably get is that now you have some lovely but delicate and old yellowed silk that you want to restore to its original whiteness. Here are some ideas on how to do that.

   Remove Blood Stains from Clothing
Blood stains are common on clothing, but removing them from fabric isn't very easy. It is best to tackle the stain when it is fresh with soap and cold water. If this doesn't work, there are other ways you can try to remove the blood.

   Remove Leather Mold
Leather is a wonderful material that can make an attractive addition to any wardrobe. However, leather is very susceptible to growth of mold or mildew if certain precautions are not taken. If you have ever noticed that there are growths of mold or mildew on your leather garments, then you might want to think about removing that leather mold.

   Remove Mud and Soil Stains with a Potato
Mud and soil are gross and unfortunately just happen sometimes. Sometimes those stains seem impossible to remove and you find yourself at a laundry dead end. Don't lose hope, because you still have options.

   Remove Soil or Mud Stains with Vinegar
Mud and soil are gross and unfortunately just happen sometimes. Sometimes those stains however are impossible to remove and you find yourself at a laundry dead end. Don't lose hope however because you still have options.

   Removing Deodorant Stains from Clothes
While deodorant may be a wonderfully helpful personal hygiene product, it isn't exactly friendly to your clothes. One of the biggest examples of this can be found in the stains that are often left behind by it. However, removing deodorant stains from clothes doesn't' have to be a problematic task. Simply follow these helpful guidelines.

   Removing Dirt and Mud from Clothing
The number one rule when trying to clean mud or dirt from fabric is to allow it to dry before attempting to clean the garment. If you agitate dirt while it is wet, you will simply encourage the dirt to spread into more areas of the fabric.

   Removing Hair Gel from Silk Shirts
Hair gel will rinse out in water, so once you remove the gel with a stiff edge rinse the stain in warm water. With a mild detergent and gentle rubbing you can begin to work the stain out before applying a stain remover, rinse out anything in the fabric and then wash the shirt as instructed on the tag. Let the garment dry laying flat or on a shaped hanger to make sure the stain is gone before ironing.

   Removing Honey from Silk
Although not as difficult as removing a grease stain, removing honey from silk can prove difficult. The key to removing any food from silk is to act immediately, hand was the silk, and never apply heat after washing.

   Removing Ink Stains from Clothes
After you remove any excess ink by blotting it with a paper towel spray the stain with aerosol hairspray and blot again. With a little Oxy-Clean or 1/2 cup white vinegar in the wash water, launder the garment as the tag instructs. Make sure the ink is completely washed out before putting the clothing through a dryer cycle.

   Removing Ink Stains from Silk Clothing
It happens. Pens leak and ink spills. Anyone who has ever opened a backpack or briefcase to find a broken or leaky pen knows how exasperating and troublesome the clean up can be, but this feeling can quickly turn to panic if the ink stain happens to be on silk. Thankfully, fast action and a few common tools can calm the panic and restore the fabric.

   Removing Lint from a Black Sweater
There are few things that are as annoying as getting ready to go on a date or to an important meeting and noticing that you are covered in lint. Here's how to get rid of that pesky fuzzy stuff quickly and cheaply.

   Removing Ring Around the Collar
Of all the stains that afflict laundry, perhaps one of the most common is ring around the collar. Often it seems like no matter what you try, removing ring around the collar is an impossible task. The reality is the exact opposite. Keep reading to find out why.

   Removing Stains from Baby Clothes
Spills and diaper accidents will keep baby clothing from looking clean and fresh. Simple cleaning steps will help avoid this.

   Removing Stains from Children's Clothing
Children are without a doubt one of the great joys in this world. They seem to have this innate ability to create laughter, joy, and a sense of wonder around them by simply being who they are. That is, except when they stain their newest set of school clothes. Reduce your frustration while stretching your dollar with these fantastic ideas.

   Removing Stains from Clothes
Clothing stains are common, but must be treated differently depending on the type of stain and clothing. Water and liquid detergent are a basic must for stains, but it is also good to have borax, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other cleaners around to do the job. Be sure to treat each type of stain in the proper way or risk setting the stain and ruining the clothing.

   Removing Stains from Cotton
Most stains in cotton require treatment with a combination of water and liquid detergent. Depending on the stain, this treatment ranges from a little dabbing to soaking the garment for several hours. Always use cold to lukewarm water, since hot water will set the stain. If detergent solutions don't work, there are specific methods you can use for each type of stain.

   Removing Stains from Denim
Denim is a fairly low-maintenance fabric, but stains will set into it if not cleaned right away. For most stains, all you will need to do is blot at them with some cold water mixed with a mild detergent. If the stain is stubborn, try some stronger solutions, like a dry-cleaning solution or white vinegar.

   Removing Stains from Nylon
To clean a fresh spill off nylon, wipe all you can off, and then blot the residue with a paper towel or a damp cloth. If that does not remove the stain, try these tips.

   Removing Stains from Silk
Silk stains can be frustrating since washing silk removes the color and dry cleaning is expensive. Instead of sending the garment out, try some home remedies to clean the spot. Just use a sponge to blot a little bit of glycerin or ammonia mixed with water onto the stain to clean it up.

   Removing Stains from Wool
Stains in wool clothing or carpets can be removed by pre-conditioning and pressing. Many stains, including chocolate, beer, and ice cream, can be cleaned with a mixture of soft wool detergent and white vinegar in warm water. Gravy and fruit juice can be removed with lukewarm water. Burn marks can be removed with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and cold water. For oils and grease, use a cloth soaked in dry-cleaning solution on the stain. For anything else, take the garment to the dry cleaner immediately.

   Removing Stubborn Creases
Some creases are just impossible to get out with the iron and it can be so frustrating. Fortunately there are ways to remove those stubborn creases—you just need the right techniques.

   Removing Sweat Stains from Baseball Caps
Since the peak—or bill—of a cap contains paperboard or cardboard, take care when using liquid to remove sweat stains from a baseball cap. Always follow the instructions on the care label inside of the cap before washing, and then follow these tips for removing sweat stains from a baseball cap.

   Removing Sweat Stains from Clothes
Tired of buying new cloths to replace old stained ones? Tired of purchasing expensive cleaners that don't work? Sweat stains, even old set-in stains, can be removed with a few simple products found around the house. Here's how.

   Removing Tobacco Odors and Stains from Clothing
Tobacco odors and stains are gross and sometimes impossible to remove from your clothes. Don't lose heart though because you actually can remove those stains and still have great looking clothes.

   Removing Vegetable Oil Stains from Felt
There are both wet and dry methods that will work for getting vegetable oil out of felt. The wet methods involve working soap or shampoo into the fabric and rinsing with a spray bottle. The dry methods vary by color of the felt. Baby powder or cornmeal are great for lighter colors and fuller's earth can be used on darker colors. The powders sit on the oil spot absorbing and pulling the oil out of the felt, a soft brush can be used to dust the powder off after use.

   Removing Water Stains from Silk
Water spots on silk can be removed by rewetting the spot and the area surrounding it with a clean wet cloth. If the stain does not disappear you can use steam or add a tiny bit of detergent to your water. After trying these you can add some vinegar to the water and try again or rub the spot with a piece of white silk. Always let the fabric dry completely between each attempt at removing the stain.

   Restoring Old Silk
Silk is an absolutely beautiful material whose beauty only seems to increase with age. But even this material is going to need cleaning once in a while. Restoring old silk to its former beauty may seem difficult, but it doesn't need to be. All you need to do is follow these suggestions and you will have your

   Restoring White Clothes
White clothes can eventually become dull or stained as you wear and wash them over time. Although it may seem like a difficult ordeal to get your white clothes back to their original brilliance, there are some tips you can try that can help.

   Stopping Lost Socks from Becoming Lost
Socks just mysteriously get lost sometimes. Even though socks get lost, you can take preventative measures and make sure you can keep better track of your socks so they don't get lost in the washer or dryer.

   Tips for Washing Your Blue Jeans
Blue jeans are a staple in almost any wardrobe—you need them. Because you use them so much you want to make sure they stay in the best shape as possible. You need to know how to effectively wash and dry your jeans so they stay just the way you like them!

   Use a Laundry Bag When Washing Bras
Washing bras and other delicates is sometimes a tricky business. To take the trickiness out of laundering your bras, try using a laundry bag.

   Washing and Caring for Wool Garments
Wool is an excellent material that can last you a long time, but it won't get you very far into the winter if you don't take care of it. Taking care of wool isn't difficult and will result in clothes that can last you years!

   Washing and Sorting Socks
It's inevitable that you'll lose socks in the laundry and never see them again. It's also inevitable that you'll give the wrong pair of socks to a family member because many socks all look the same. Fortunately there are a few tips you can follow to reduce the confusion sometimes associated with washing and sorting your socks.

   Washing Colors
It happens to all of us. One sneaky red sock gets into the light colors, and before you know it, your whole laundry load is pink. You can try to comfort yourself by saying, "Well, at least all my clothes match now," or you can prepare for your next laundry adventure by learning these tips on how to wash you colors without fear of color bleeding.

   Washing Whites
There's a reason they're called whites. Don't let irony get the better of you with grey and dingy "whites." Here are some ways to get your white laundry to actually be white in color as well as in name.

   Ways to Protect Your Clothes from Moths
Moths are nasty little creatures that you don't want in your house, much less in your closet. Fortunately there are ways to rid yourself of the dirty pests and protect your clothes!

   Wedding Dress Cleaning
Do you want your wedding dress to look as good as it did the day you were married? Different fabrics and dresses require different cleaning methods. Learn how to keep your memories, and investment, looking good for years to come.

   Wedding Gown Preservation
Wedding gowns can take a long time to search for, and they can also be quite expensive. When you have the perfect dress, you will probably want to preserve it after the wedding so it will look beautiful for years to come.