My new washer and dryer from Frigidaire showed up a couple of weeks ago, and we’re having a good time getting to know each other. I’d say we’ll probably be exchanging promise rings by the end of the month.
Since I’ve been doing a lot of laundry at my house lately, I thought maybe now would be a good time to share my favorite laundry tip. It involves Oxi Clean, and elbow grease.
Grab a jar big enough to hold a fair amount of stain detergent powder and transfer as much Oxi Clean as you can into the jar. Put it somewhere easily accessible so you can grab a full scoop every time you do a load of laundry.
Since having children, specifically a 5-year-old little boy called Charming, I can’t simply do a load of laundry without adding some stain remover. Regular laundry detergent just doesn’t get the job done. I add a scoop of Oxi Clean to each load, sometimes even after pieces of clothing have already soaked overnight in a stain bucket, and start up the load.
The jar doesn’t do anything, but it makes my laundry duties seem a little more stylish, and I’m always up for that.
Please tell me any fabulous laundry tips you have. Seriously, I need all the help I can get.
—I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Refrigerator, Range/Microwave, Washer/Dryer set, and a Dishwasher to facilitate my review.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
not to be COMPLETELY brand loyal, but shout is my new bestie :)
Specifically the spray bottle… once I spot the stain I just spray it and throw it in the washer. Best part, no scrubbing needed! I always like that
Katrina,
Good to know! I have a Shout bottle too, and it gets the job halfway done for me. Love it.
I put my laundry detergent in a pretty glass jar too. Love the new washer and dryer set.
Aren’t they lovely? Seriously, I’m thrilled.
i also add a scoop of oxiclean to each load, but have you tried the oxiclean spray stain remover in the blue bottle? i too, have a 5-year-old that is super talented at getting everything that is humanly possible ground into his clothing, and the spray is like oxiclean on steroids for getting out the dirt and grass and whatever else he manages to grind in….
Jen,
Holy Moly, how did I not know about this?! My 5-year-old is testing my superhuman abilities to remove stains. So far, he’s winning.
I stand by spray and wash in the out doing shout in the stain removal.
My tip ~ I put 1/4 -1/2 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle slot(fabric softer)
and it takes that last bit of soap residue out, plus it gets rid of static in the dryer! It’s great for washing baby clothes with the rest of the laundry! I will now add oxy clean as we have a messy 3 and a 5 yr old and their Dad’s chef jackets!
Lisa,
I love the white vinegar tip, brilliant! Thank you so much.
I’m with you. I always add a scoop of Oxi Clean to each load. I’m amazed at what it gets out, especially when I forget to pre-treat!
I think there’s something wrong with my kid, I mean I pre-treat AND use Oxi Clean and we still have stains to contend with!
:)
Here is my advice for you: DO NOT leave the glass jar of detergent on top of the washer. I used to all the time until one day my washer full of towels did some serious spinning and sadness: cute glass jar broken in shards all over the floor. Total mess!
I also use vinegar in the rinse cycle to avoid using skeevy dryer sheets.
PS: I love your fabulous new washer and dryer. Mine are old school white, but they are amazing.
Good to know! I actually have a cabinet above the washer dryer so there is no spinning/glass shattering.
I’m a first time commenter here, and I really can relate to battling stains. My boys are 4 and 5 years old and they constantly challenge my ability to remove stains.
Thanks for the tip of Oxy-Clean with every load! I’m totally going to do that from now on. I’ll also do the vinegar. What a great idea.
At school my kids’ teacher lets them paint with acryllics, which is impossible to remove if the stains aren’t caught right away. But I use nail polish remover and an old toothbrush to scrub the acryllics out of their clothes, and I won’t throw them into the dryer unless the stains are gone.
With grass and mud, I’ve been using Resolve/Spray N Wash and an old tooth brush. Now I’ll add Oxy-Clean and vinegar to my repertoire.
But more than anything, I’ve learned that unfortunately I have to be one of those moms who can’t buy any clothes in white for her boys because of the stains. I may be decent at removing stains, but some of them get the better of me.
oh Acrylic with kids?! what a nightmare.
we have a couple white shirts which are the bane of my existence, they get scrubbed and soaked and stain washed over and over. they don’t last long!
Zout is the best, followed closely by Biokleen’s Bac-Out. (I have four muddy boys and one muddy girl, ages 5-11.)
I’ve never heard of Biokleens Bac-Out! Where do I buy this amazing muddy helper?
I like your OxyClean tip, but my question is…. I use a liquid laundry detergent. Do you add the Oxy to the liquid? Inquiring minds need to know. TY.
My #1 stain getter is the Shout Advance Ultra Gel in a blue bottle with a scrubby top. It’s saved many of my boys clothes.
I use liquid laundry detergent too. I add the OxiClean in addition, let it settle down in the water before I add clothes.
Now that I have a front loader it’s a different story.
Shout Advance Ultra Gel just made it onto my grocery list, thank you!