Brought to you in part by Oliver Fielding!
Tip # 1
Always, always, always take the time to check pockets before throwing anything in the wash. I am a lazy laundress and never do this, but am going to start. In the last week alone I've found a tube of chapstick and 2 tubes of watercolor paint in my dryer! Imagine my panic on taking almost half of Oliver's wardrobe out of the dryer to find the barrel encrusted with crimson streaks. Thank goodness the blue tube of paint stayed sealed!
Tip #2
Always have some OxiClean and Shout spray on hand, even if you don't use either on a regular basis.
If you didn't take a minute to follow tip #1, don't despair. After 10 minutes of going over every single article of spotted clothing with a bottle of Shout-- an hour long soak in a warm Oxiclean bath-- and two full cycles through the washing machine-- Almost every darn spot will disappear. Oxi Clean is magical!
I can't verify this method will work on other substances or types of paint, and I don't intend to find out!
Tip #3
To remove crusty watercolor paint from your dryer barrel, send a small load of wet rags through a drying cycle. The barrel will be spotless.
Tip #4
If you have an ankle biter or toddler living with you, store anything you value or would not want going through the wash so far out of reach that it will never again see the light of day. This ensures that in a moment of distraction or laziness you don't leave paints and whatnots laying out for little hands to hide in pockets.
That's all for today but stay tuned. I'm sure Oliver and the new little one will help me think of more helpful hints and handy tips to share!
I look forward to more tips. We can always use them around here!!
Posted by: Rachel | January 06, 2012 at 08:15 PM