May 2009 Issue
In this months Issue:
Pressed4Time Monthly Reminder
Sleeping Under the Stars
Dry Cleaning and Asthma: Now You Can Breathe Easier
Pressed4Time Money-Saving Tip
Pressed4Time Home Laundry Tip
Help the environment and help keep costs down by recycling your hangers! Just tape hangers together and place them next to your dry cleaning order. Remove all staples, tags and receipts from the plastic garment bags. Remember, never place hangers in the bag with your clothes that need to be cleaned! This could cause fabric damage if a hanger pokes a hole in one of the items. Thanks in advance for your assistance!
Sleeping Under the Stars
If you're an outdoor enthusiast, then you know that camping season is right around the corner for most parts of the country. If you're pulling your tents and sleeping bags out of storage, it's a good idea to get them clean and ready for the great outdoors.
Never put a tent in a washing machine, even a large industrial model. The best way to keep a tent clean is simply to vacuum it to get rid of any dirt or dust. Stains or marks can be spot-cleaned with a sponge and some warm water. If a tent is really filthy, you can set it up and then spray it with cold water from a hose. You can also try putting it in the bathtub and use a tent cleaner (sold in any store that carries tents or camping supplies) or soap flakes. Never use a spot remover, hot water, bleach or dish washing liquid.
Use a hard bristle brush and scrub the tent gently. Rinse it several times to get rid of any soap and dry it by pitching it in the shade or hanging it on a clothesline out of the sun. Before setting out, spray the tent with water repellent. Be sure NOT to store the tent until it is completely dry, or you may be contending with some nasty mildew.
For sleeping bags, it's best to follow the instructions on the care label. First, zip the bag and then clean any stains and spills with a sponge or pre-treatment product. Some sleeping bags (usually made out of down or synthetic fibers) can be washed in a washing machine that's big enough, like a front loader or a commercial model: use the rinse and spin cycles on gentle setting in cool water. It may take several rinses to get all the soap out.
If you have any concerns, if your washing machine is small, or if your label is no longer readable, don't take a chance. Just wash it by hand in a bathtub with soap flakes or a product designed for delicate hand washables (note: this is NOT easy because it takes a lot of rinsing to get all of the soap suds out!). If the bag is down, use warm water, but no bleach or fabric softener. For synthetic-fill bags, you can use regular laundry detergent and fabric softener. Don't twist or wring the sleeping bag, drain the water and refill several times with cool water; be sure that it's rinsed until all the soap is gone and the water is clear. Remove as much water as possible by pressing down on the bag and then roll it up. Place it in a laundry basket or large pillowcase; if you try to lift it up yourself by one end, it might be too heavy and seams will rip or tear.
Next, let it air dry; this can take a couple of days, even outside on the line. You might be able to put the sleeping bag into a dryer on a gentle cycle on low or medium-low heat, but your best bet would be to do so in a commercial dryer large enough for the sleeping bag to be tumbled around. Please note that some Laundromats do not allow sleeping bags to be dried. A great tip: to avoid clumps in a down bag, put a tennis ball or a rubber-soled sneaker in when drying. Also, you can add a white clean towel to speed the drying process. Still, it will likely take at least two hours to dry and possibly as long as four! If the bag is synthetic-filled, it can be laid flat to dry
Dry Cleaning and Asthma: Now You Can Breathe Easier
Know someone who has asthma? About 20 million people suffer from asthma in the United States, including about 7 million children, according to the American Lung Association. In many of these cases, the cause is house dust mites. Not surprisingly, a recent article in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology revealed that house cleaning might make your asthma worse. Death rates from the disease are higher among women than men. In many homes, women are the primary cleaners. Women with asthma should monitor their symptoms and should be aware of the potential respiratory health effects of these activities, said Jonathan A. Bernstein, M.D., of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dust house mites are tiny, microscopic insects related to the spider family. They feed upon particles found in household dust, particularly tiny flakes of human skin cells. The highest concentration of dust mites is usually found in bedrooms (they love mattresses, pillows, bedcovers/comforters and stuffed animals. Just about every home has dust mites; it doesn't mean your house is not clean. There are ways, however, to reduce the number of dust mites in your home and make it more comfortable for those of your family or friends with asthma. Outside of the bedroom, dust mites' favorite hangouts are in textiles, such as clothing, rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture. As long as you periodically clean these items, you can reduce the dust mite population in your home. Periodic cleaning will also remove pollen, animal dander and mold spores that can accumulate on fabrics. Laundering at temperature above 140 degrees Fahrenheit can be effective, but it's important to use mild, unscented detergent and avoid fabric softeners. Some studies have shown that dry cleaning is especially effective in killing the dust mite organism. In addition to keeping items clean, there are other tactics that can help. Use mattress covers on all of your beds and vacuum your carpets at least once a week using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. Avoid feather pillows and be sure to properly store shoes (yes, shoes!) and off-season clothing. When dusting, use a dampened soft cloth instead of dry-dusting. Finally, get rid of harsh chemical cleaners and scented household cleaners. Use natural items like baking soda and vinegar (check out the American Lung Association's Green Cleaning Recipes at http://www.alaw.org/pdfs/green_cleaning_resource_list_brochure.pdf/view (This is great for anyone, even if you don't have asthma). Be sure to check with your family physician if you have any questions about asthma.
Pressed4Time Money-Saving Tip
How long should you use your toothbrush? Dental experts suggest replacing toothbrushes after you've had a cold or flu, so that the same germs don't get you again. In addition, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or even sooner if the bristles seem worn (it won't clean your teeth as well if it's not in tip-top shape). In these tough economic times, every little frugal idea can be helpful. Instead of throwing out old toothbrushes, save a few for cleaning! We recommend that you first wash them in the dishwasher (without dishes!) to disinfect them before you re purpose them. Once clean, old toothbrushes can be great for a variety of tasks:
*Stain fighter. Use a toothbrush to brush stain treatments on clothing.
*Sink cleaner. A toothbrush can really rub in cleansing powder on a stained sink or bathtub. Great for cleaning around faucets and grout!
*Kitchen gadget cleaner. Reach those hard-to-clean crevices in a cheese grater, garlic press or toaster racks or can-opener or food processor blade.
You can also use an old toothbrush to clean jewelry, get dust and dirt out of the track of a sliding glass door in your bathroom or sun room, clean combs and electric razors, even clean your nails after you come in from the garden. They're also great for stirring small jars of paint or as stakes in the garden
Pressed4Time Home Laundry Tip
Whether it's a Mother's Day meal or an outdoor cookout, barbecue sauce and ketchup are often on the table as a condiment. Great to eat, but very messy and just miserable to remove from clothing!
For barbecue sauce, the trick is speed: immediately remove the excess amount with a sponge or paper towel, being careful not to rub it in or spread it further. Even your finger will work. Rinse the stained area with cold water, both from the back of the fabric and the front. Using liquid detergent, rub the stained area and work it n. Keep rinsing and washing with cold water. Apply a stain remover and let the item sit for about 15 minutes, then wash in the machine. Do not dry the item unless you are positive the stain is gone. If the fabric is white, you can try alternating with some hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
Ketchup stains are also difficult to remove if you let them set too long. Take action right away. As you do with barbecue sauce, run water from the back and the front of the stain to help it from setting into the fabric. Rub the stained area together. If the item is white, try dabbing on some lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar with a white clean cloth. Keep rinsing and using the liquid detergent or other cleaning agents. Apply the stain remover and keep rubbing until the stain is gone. Then wash as usual and do not dry unless you're sure the stain has been removed.