I don't know how to get my clothes clean

Floozie

I agree with mmjj about using a small amount of washing up liquid directly on the stain then washing which has seemed to work when I have had stains on clothes. The only thing I would warn you about is don't use too much or your drum will become very foamy!!

bitterpill

mmjj wrote: »

Don't know if you've tried this but I always give food stains a tiny squirt of washing up liquid, rub it in and leave for 5 to 10 minutes before washing in machine in the normal way. I find it works on most food stains as it dissolves the grease in the food.

this is what I do too, seems to work on most things:)

lollipopsarah

Aw well done for being brave enough to ask, you are not alone, I've been struggling since before you were born to get darn work shirts clean!!
(how do they even get stains on vests?)
As suggested what type of water do you have? It can make a huge difference.
Baby stuff - yep deffo get a little bucket and lid, half fill with cold water and a litter powder/biotex/cheap brand or soda crystals type stuff and pop little bits in it overnight or until you wash, then just squeeze out before washing so it's not too heavy for the machine.
For really bad stuff then you need a poper 40 wash. (takes ages on my machine)
I only do a 60 wash for bedlinnen. Everything else now goes in a quick wash 30 which takes about 45 minutes, but, I try to make what used to use one wash (over 2 hours) into 2 washes so allowing plenty of room in the machine - I hope that makes sense.
Thanks to this amazing site I have recently been started putting a spoonful of soda crystals in the wash with less powder, and using a capfull of white vinegar in the rinse instead of softener (got fed up with the blackstuff in the drawer) and I am already seeing/feeling the results.
Don't worry about baby wearing stained stuff, she's too young to care, use the clothes before she grows out of them and save the best for when out and about.
Best wishes, don't stress, it's not worth it, just enjoy your little darling
xx

faerie~spangles

Smaller loads = a cleaner wash.

Clean the filter on your machine, put vinegar in all compartments of the drawer and run the machine on the hottest cycle.

maman

I haven't really got anything to add but just wanted to send you a great big hug!!! My DD2 has never recovered from being a student when she threw everything into the wash together at the Laundrette. All her washing is grey!

What a lovely mum you sound to be so caring and so mse with your daughter's stuff. You obviously have very high standards which is commendable but don't let it stress you. Life's too short.:)

roxydogbert

mmjj wrote: »

Don't know if you've tried this but I always give food stains a tiny squirt of washing up liquid, rub it in and leave for 5 to 10 minutes before washing in machine in the normal way. I find it works on most food stains as it dissolves the grease in the food.

Washing up liquid is my little trick, too! If my 3-yr old gets anything on her that'll stain (usually most days), particularly choc milkshake, anything tomatoey, poo on underwear (!), etc then just before it goes into the washing machine I'll give it a squirt with washing up liquid, try scrubbing away at the stain with cold water at first, as some stains will set into the fabric with hot water (like blood, egg yolk, etc).

When my little girl was your daughter's age (and younger with exploding nappies), I used to keep a bucket on the kitchen floor with washing detergent or napisan (for vomit/poo) and soak mucky things until they went into the wash. Give them a scrub, rinse, wring, then add to the wash.

Don't worry about your little one wearing stained clothes at home, if you're going out, just change her top for a nicer one.

I also found those feeding bibs that go over the entire top half with sleeves to be great at mealtimes, as the plastic backing wouldn't let the food touch the clothes underneath. Do you use those? I bought cheapy ones in Sainsburys and they always use to wash well.

Don't stress too much, enjoy your little one, you sound like a lovely mummy and with a first child you always learn new things :)

snookey

Hi Ariel acti lift is really good. The washing up liquid methoud is a good stain buster.

hermum

Have you tried soaking them in napisan, just keep a nappy bucket handy ~& soak the clothes in that for a while before washing.
I'm going to try soaking my all white bedding in napisan, they are looking as though they are never washed, the side fitted parts of the sheet still look nice & white but the bit I lie on is almost grey, they look disgusting.

cyclingyorkie

i think it might be easier tyo get the stains out if you soak immediately after taking the clothes off! I think stains get 'set' ifthey are left in the washing basket for a few days...

i wash stuff on a daily basis - but there are 5 of us....

whiteguineapig

my mum always soaks stains in a bucket of cold water before putting in the washer,
i have a squirty bottle of vanish stood on top of it,
and another guilty of overloading the washer, i now do smaller loads