WOMEN OF GOLD: PRE-WASH LAUNDRY TIPS & TRICKS

STAINS? Oil stains: Blue Dawn dish soap + scrub with a toothbrush (or other brush). Wait a few hours and then toss in the washer. Other stains (food, grass, etc.): Option 1: Bleach (e.g. OxiClean, Clorox, etc.) | Option 2: Bleach-free (e.g. Tide-to-go pen) Option 3: 1 part blue Dawn dish soap + 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. Pour mixture onto stain. Add baking soda for extra scrubbing element. Let it sit for an hour or so, and then toss in the washer. | Option 4: Natural (e.g. Puracy Natural Stain Remover) SORTING LAUNDRY By texture and/or fabric type and soil level: Cotton w/normal soil level, cotton w/heavy soil level Heavy pile: Jeans, thick fleece, etc. Towels, wash cloths, bedding, etc. TIP: Towel terry cloth is abrasive and thick, which agitates clothing fibers and creates pilling). Separate towels from clothing. By color: It’s really only for if you're trying to avoid dye transfer issues. Pre-treat and set the dyes by soaking the article of clothing for 30 minutes in water + ½ cup of vinegar + 2 tsp salt. OTHER MISC. TIPS Check pockets for coins, metal objects, pens, receipts, etc. to avoid washer damage. Flip clothes inside out (cleaner wash and keeps clothing newer longer) Tie hoodie strings to avoid slipping out. If clothes are smelly (from working out, sweating, etc.), use 1 part vinegar + 4 parts water and soak for half an hour WOMEN OF GOLD: WASH LAUNDRY TIPS & TRICKS

DON'T OVERSTUFF! Clothes won't have room to "agitate" = clothes won't be as clean. WATER Cool: Best for delicate items or items that aren’t too dirty. Hot: More rough on clothing/fabric and will tend to fade clothes quicker. Best for heavily soiled items, sturdy fabrics, cleaning rags, kitchen towels, bath towels, bedding, etc. MESH WASH BAGS Helpful to store small items (e.g. delicates, socks, masks, baby mittens/socks, etc.) so that they don't get lost in the washer! Available at stores like Daiso or Amazon. STINKY CLOTHING? (Because you left it in the washer for too long) Re-wash the load + 1 cup white vinegar on hottest setting that your clothes can handle (ideally) + laundry detergent + 1 cup baking soda. VINEGAR Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the washer. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, kills odor causing mold spores, helps rinse away dirt, gets rid of the traces of laundry detergent that are holding onto that dirt, brightens colors, and whitens whites. P.S. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar afterwards! STILL HAVE STAINS? If you previously had treated the stain (during the pre-wash stage), hang dry the item and then check it again. If you move onto putting it in the dryer, the heat can set the stain and make it much harder to get it out later. Go back to the pre-wash step of treating the stain again and wash again. PREVENTING MOLD/MILDEW After you finish washing, leave a little crack (or leave the door flap up) to air it out. Use a clean towel to wipe the door and edges of the washing machine to prevent mildew. If you have a front-loading washing machine, also leave the detergent tray open to air it out. WOMEN OF GOLD: DRY LAUNDRY TIPS & TRICKS

WRITING REMINDERS Write notes/reminders for yourself on the washer (or dryer) of items that shouldn't go in the dryer (make sure to test out a small area of the machinery first).

HANG DRY For smaller items: Clothespins or drip hanger with clips (for masks, delicates, nursing pads, etc.). Clothespins or drip hangers can be found at stores like Daiso or Amazon. For larger items: Heavy duty drying rack. Can be found at Target, Amazon, etc.

REDUCING DRYING TIME Add a clean towel to your dryer. This tip can help dry your clothes in less time. Wool balls can also help reduce drying time.

STATIC CLING? Aluminum foil balls—they can help discharge any static buildup between the clothes. Wool balls also help reduce static cling.

WOOL DRYER BALLS Reduces wrinkles, static, and tangling Shortens drying time Unlike dryer sheets, they aren't full of chemicals or carcinogens! Can even add a couple drops of white distilled vinegar to help with softness of clothes WOMEN OF GOLD: POST-DRY LAUNDRY TIPS & TRICKS

WRINKLES Iron + ironing board Hand steamer (portable, quick and easy) In a pinch? Spray the garment with water using a spray bottle, toss it in the dryer for about 10 minutes, and then take it out immediately before new wrinkles set in. Or you can just spray with water, smooth out the wrinkles with your fingers, and either hang or lay the garment flat.

PUTTING AWAY CLOTHES Once clothes are dried, fold and/or put away clothes as soon as possible before wrinkles set in. Collapsible laundry baskets are helpful and save space.

LOST OR MISMATCHED SOCKS? Use a mesh wash bag and dry your socks in there so they don't get lost! Or you can donate all of your mismatched socks and buy new pairs of the same type and color.