Inevitably every time I go to do laundry, there’s a poor guy there that looks very forlorn at the possibility of having to figure out how to get out the lipstick from a recent date out of a shirt collar or how to get dried salt off the bottom of his pants. Do you just launder it normally or is that what the Spray ‘n Wash is for? Should I add bleach to the wash? What will Fabric softener do to my clothes? Well, here are your answers:

Detergent is added to almost all wash cycles. It acts like soap does in a shower to remove the grease and grim from your clothes. (As a side note, water is a polar molecule while grease is a non-polar molecule. This is why oil and water don’t mix. Soap molecules have both polar and non-polar ends so it attracts grease and then is washed away with water.) Without detergent, water would just get superficial dirt off, but wouldn’t do much to remove grease or sweat. Usually one capful of detergent is all that’s needed.

If you have a stain on a garment and you don’t have a pre-treater, you can use detergent to help get it out. Pour a small amount directly on the stain. Rub the fabric together gently and then allow it to soak in before adding it to the rest of your laundry.

Bleach brightens white, removes stains on white clothing, and disinfects. It should ONLY be used with white clothing though. Otherwise, you may experience lightening of your colors or spots of white (which can not be fixed). This is particularly good for white underwear and t-shirts to get them clean and un-stained. To use, add 1 to 1.5 cups bleach to the wash water along with your regular detergent before adding clothes.

If you have a stain on a white article (such as a sweat stain on a white undershirt), you can use bleach to try to get it out. Soak the entire garment in a solution of .25 cups bleach and one gallon of water. Make sure that the garment is entirely white before doing this however to prevent ruining the shirt.

Fabric soften can be added to your wash water during the rinse cycle to make your clothes softer, fresher, better smelling, and more resistant to wrinkles. This isn’t mandatory, but I would recommend it since it makes things smell fresher longer (isn’t it always nice to have your gym towel smell good?). To use, add one cap full to the rinse cycle. Usually, there is a light on the washer to indicate when the rinse cycle starts (some even say when to add the softener). Do not pour directly onto fabrics as this will cause spotting; instead add it to the rinse water.

Dryer sheets come in a pop-up box. You add one of these to the dryer when you dry your clothes. They help to make your clothes smell better and help to prevent static. (As a side note, if you are having a static problem with your hair, you can rub one directly on your hair to get it to calm down.)

Pre-treaters come in many forms – wipes, liquid, sticks are the most common ones. Each brand is slightly different and each form is slightly different, so it’s best to read the directions on the packaging, but here are some general tips.

* Liquid: Spray or pour directly onto the fabric, soaking fabric. Rub in, covering the stain completely. Let stand, and then wash according to care label instructions.

* Sticks: Sticks are most often used when the stain is fresh, but won’t be laundered for a while (up to 5 days). Wipe the product directly onto the stain. As soon as possible and within 5 days, wash the garment as you regularly would.

* Wipes: These are the newest form on the market. They were designed to be carried in your purse or pocket to be used case of mishaps away from home (such as you spilling soda on yourself in the dining hall). Remove the wipe from the package and rub the spot. Launder as normal as soon as possible.

* If possible, treat and wash the garment while the stain is still fresh.

* For extra tough stains, repeat treatment and laundering several times before drying.

* Pre-treaters should generally not be used on silk and other delicate fabrics.

* Inevitably there are some stains that cannot be removed such as rust, permanent ink, and bleach damage. These garments should just be considered ‘un-fixable.’

Contributed by Rachel Sagalyn

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