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Easy Fixes for the Big 3 Laundry Disasters

/Updated /11 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt

What do stinky, yellowed, and crayon-stained laundry items have in common? They’re the reason many people write to me. Fortunately, each of these problems has a unique remedy—a way to reverse the stains and get those items back to looking good as new.

upset woman looking at laundry disaster

Stinky towels

No matter how many times you wash those items, you just cannot get rid of the disgusting sour, mildewy odor. They’ve become stiff and scratchy and have begun to repel rather than absorb water. The problem is clear evidence of a build-up of bacteria that continue to live along with soap and softeners that have not been rinsed out—despite having been previously washed and dried.

This will be a two-step process. Vinegar contains acetic acid that breaks down mineral deposits and dissolves the build-up of detergent and fabric softeners. Baking soda is alkali and breaks down dirt and grease and neutralizes odors. Used together they create an initial punch, but then counteract one another. To fix this problem, you want them to do their work independently. This will strip the residue and leaves it fresh and able to absorb more water again.

Wash #1

Load towels into the washer loosely set it for a long wash cycle and fill with the hottest water you can manage. Turn the water heater up to 140F for this event. Or boil water on the stovetop then carefully transport it to the washer. The point is that the water must be very hot to kill the bacteria. Add two cups of white vinegar to the load. Allow it to run the entire cycle then leave the towels in the washer.

Wash #2:

Fill the machine once more with the hottest water possible. This time add 1 cup baking soda. Run the entire cycle.

Dry completely

Whether you hang the towels outdoors or put them in the dryer, make sure they are completely and thoroughly dry. Now smell them. If they do not smell fabulously clean, repeat Wash #1 and Wash #2 as necessary until the smell is completely gone. The investment you’ve made in these towels makes them worth the effort.

Yellow underarm stains

yellow armpit stains on white t shirt

Armpit stains on white t-shirts are caused by the reaction between antiperspirant ingredients and or hard water and the salts in human sweat. Most antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds to reduce wetness. It is the aluminum in the deodorant or the minerals in hard water that cause the build-up and yellowing on fabrics. The stains don’t appear overnight, but without proper washing of shirts after each wearing, the stains will start to show and the show will be yellow on white shirts.

You will need these items:

  • Blue Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent
  • fresh* hydrogen peroxide
  • baking soda
  • bristle brush

In a small jar or bowl, make a mixture of 1 part Dawn and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. Protect your countertop or work area with a thick white towel, fully saturate the stains with the liquid. Now sprinkle baking soda over the stain and with an old toothbrush or bristle brush, scrub the areas well. Allow to sit for at least an hour, then launder as usual.

*hydrogen peroxide dissipates with age and exposure to light. It’s good for up to six months once opened, provided it has been stored in a dark place—completely out of the light. Make sure it’s fresh for this treatment.

 

Melted crayon

melted crayon on white fabric

Clothes

For some reason, crayons seem to find their way into little pockets and wreak havoc when the heat of the clothes dryer causes them to melt.

Place a folded white paper towel under the stained area of fabric and then spray WD-40 lubricant on the stain until saturated (WD-40 is available in the automotive aisle in some discount department stores, home improvement centers, online, or likely on a shelf in your garage) directly on the crayon stain.

Turn the fabric over and spray the stain on the wrong side of the fabric. Let the WD-40 work for at least fifteen minutes to loosen the waxy part of the stain. Then use a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to gently lift any crayon solids from the surface.

Next, rub a bit of  Blue Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent, into the crayon mark. Work it into the stained area with your fingers or with a soft brush. Allow the WD-40 and detergent to work on the stain for at least 15 minutes and then launder as usual, following the fabric’s care label instructions.

Dryer

If the stains were caused by crayons that melted in the dryer, it is important to clean the dryer drum. If you don’t, any traces will continue to transfer to other fabrics when the dryer heats up again.

Spray each and every stain with WD-40. Allow it to work for a few minutes and then use a rubber scraper to remove the solids. Wipe down with an old cloth. Repeat until no more traces remain.

To make sure you can safely use the dryer again for clean clothes, toss in a couple of old towels and run on high heat for at least five minutes so they can absorb any traces of WD-40 that remain.

Everyday Cheapskate participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

 

QUESTION: Have you experienced a laundry disaster? Were you able to solve it? We’d love to know in the comments area below.

 

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11 replies
  1. Penny Nibbelin says:

    Even though I make sure the detergent is dissolved and all through the water, I am still removing clothes that have splotches that are lighter than the true color. They are ruined and I cannot wear them outside of house. I don’t know why it is happening. I hardly ever use bleach and when I do I run two cycles of just water afterwards.

    Reply
  2. Lisa Abey says:

    More times that I’d like to admit, but leaving a chapstick in the pocket and it makes it’s way to the dryer and cycle. Then some the wax has stained some of the clothes. Can you please recommend something besides file 13.

    Reply
  3. Nancy Park says:

    I have yellow stains on the front of tee shirts that aren’t coffee stains but I can’t get out. Several shirts are ruined because of this. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

    Reply
  4. Tracy says:

    I’m wondering about how to remove dye from clothes. My son in law did the wash with recently tie dyed shirts and my other daughters lime green sweatshirt picked up some of the color. It’s not a family feud but everyone would be happier if we could resolve this! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Tami says:

    I have tried and tried to get a small grease stain out of a kahki green colored linen tank top, to no avail. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Jenni says:

    I have used the armpit stain removal method, and I can say that it works.
    BUT! Since reading that Persil Laundry Detergent is the best stain remover, I gave it a try. I applied it directly to the pit area and scrubbed it in with a toothbrush, and the stains washed out in the wash.
    I wish I had thought to take “Before and After” photos, but try it – it works.
    I make my laundry detergent and use Persil for stain removal only.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Have you tried Lestoil? Saturate the stain well on both sides of the cloth, allow to sit then launder as usual. That should do it!

      Reply
  8. Dee Dee Burkes says:

    I e-mailed you about a month ago about using tennis balls instead of wool dryer balls. I’m the person who’s daughter works for a hotel chain, etc. Well, they WERE cheaper to buy than wool balls, and they worked to move the clothes around inside the dryer just fine, and like you said the smell of hot rubber wasn’t very pleasant, even though the smell did NOT stay in the fabric. I did buy six wool dryer balls to compare and the wool dryer balls work just as well as tennis balls, although the tennis balls bounced around much more loudly and on one occasion one hit the door so hard that it released the latch just enough that the dryer shut off prematurely so I had to go turn it back on. The wool balls are much quieter. Dee Dee B. Florida

    Reply

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