There was a time when bleaching was the only way to keep your white clothes white. With advances in modern technology, detergents are now more powerful and effective cleaning agents and bleach should only be used for more extreme cases and if so, only sparingly. Before you convert your husband’s favorite white shirt into a rag for the kitchen floor, see what you can do to restore its former glory. Baby’s soiled diapers need not be cause for despair if you know what to do. Blood and lipstick stains are not impossible to remove.
For white clothes that are really white, the following tips could help:

• Remove lipstick stains by placing stain face down on paper towels. Sponge back of stain with water and rub with powder detergent. Rinse and launder.

• Bloodstains can be quite stubborn and once dried; will leave a brownish stain that will ruin your favorite white clothes forever. Remove by rinsing fresh bloodstains in cold running water and rubbing with powder detergent with a superior stain removal system. For dried stains, first scrape or rub off as much dried blood possible. Soak remaining blood stains in warm water with detergent. Launder. In very extreme cases, try using rust removers.

• Segregate your white clothes into different categories. Underwear should be separate from outerwear like shirts because of the degree of dirt imbedded in the clothes.

• It is not true that using a washing machine is an inferior alternative to hand washing. Choose a detergent that’s specially made for washing machines, follow package instructions carefully and you’re on the right path.

• Pre-soak white clothes in water and detergent for 15 to 20 before loading them into your washing machine.
• Children’s white clothes should be washed separately because they are dirtier. As a rule, never mix white clothes with colored clothes and wash children’s clothes separately because their skin is more sensitive.
• Soak dingy socks in a solution of water and powder detergent. Make sure socks don’t soak for more than 30 minutes. Launder.

• Collars, cuffs and underarms are the most soiled parts of white shirts. If you are hand washing, wash these areas first. If you’re using a washing machine, hand wash stubborn collar and underarm stains then load.

• Choose your detergent well. An optimal suds formula is important in a washing machine detergent because contrary to popular belief, suds can hamper the spinning of clothes in the machine and can even result in overflowing, which can damage the machine.

• Washing diapers is tricky. Pre-treat diapers with feces or urine stains in water and small amount of powder detergent. Launder. Be sure to rinse baby’s diapers thoroughly. Any residue may cause skin irritation.

• If possible, have two laundry hampers. One should be for white clothes and the other for colored ones. Moist or wet colored clothes, when mixed with white clothes, could bleed.

Roofs

The post rainy season is the best time to inspect your roofs. It might need some cleaning or replacing of worn-out parts not merely as an improvement but out of necessity. One can never be sure of the roof’s condition and a spot inspection may be necessary.

The ground is probably the safest place to be, when inspecting you roof. Binoculars can help you get a closer look without having to use a ladder. If you do use a ladder, try to assess the roof’s condition from there. Never walk across the roof right away; they could be your last steps.

The Gutter

It is the part of the roof to which, perhaps, you should pay more attention. It is here where dead leaves and twigs are deposited by the wind. The accumulation clogs the drain, thus obstructing the natural flow of rainwater. The rotting materials cause its early deterioration.

The Refrigerator

If you have a refrigerator that runs continuously, your compressor is probably the cause of the problem, As a result the fridge and freezer may be too cold. A compressor that keeps running may have a defective thermostat, which is usually easy to replace. It is located beneath the temperature control dial. In most refrigerators a single screw holds the assembly in place. Note the position of the sensing tube or bulb when replacing the thermostat. Make sure tube or bulb does not touch any part of the compartment after installation.

Blowing Fuses

When a fuse blows, do not substitute a larger fuse in place of the size that keeps blowing. Continual blows indicate that all is not well within the circuit. Determine the cause before replacing fuse or resetting circuit breaker.

To replace fuses, first find the switch handle of the fuse box and move it to “off” position before opening the box or touching the fuses. Pull both of them out without touching the metal ends. Be sure to replace fuse with one of the proper size – one that will blow before the line overheats.

Dimmers and low-watt bulbs

Dimmer switches reduce energy consumption but when figuring dollar savings, think of the cost of a dimmer switch. Remember that one 150-watt bulb gives more light per watt than two 75-watt bulbs. In the long run it may prove less expensive.

Plumbing problems

The bang you hear as the hot water faucet is shut off may seem a broken or a damaged washer or washer seat in the faucet. Changing the washer will solve the problem. If the hot water pipe is loose in its hangers on horizontal stretches it may rattle against them when the faucet is turned off. Apply felt cushions in the hangers to get rid of the noise.