I’ve been a homeowner for thirty years, completed a successful career and raised an independent child - most of that time handling the tasks on my own. I’ve always welcomed helpful hints and shortcuts, especially when they save money as well as time! Here are some of the quick tips I found most helpful for laundry and laundry products.

I had a friend who laughed when I told her my simple secret to removing grass stains from my daughter’s jeans. One day she called me frantically from the grocery store. “What kind of soap was that? We’re invited out and my son hasn’t one pair of presentable jeans!”
I invited her to my house where I gave her an extra bar of my brown soap.

Keep a bar of brown soap (Fels-Naptha is on Pathmark’s shelf - $1.39.) When you spot grass stains on knees of jeans or anywhere else for that matter, simply wet the bar, rub the grass stain with the soap and toss into the wash. The grass stain will disappear. The bar should also be used on hands, arms and legs after working in a garden area where there may be poison ivy. It washes the skin clean of the irritating oils.

I have a favorite navy cotton knit sweater that just fits and looks right. Unfortunately, as is my habit, I spilled something oily on the front and so this sweater was demoted to my “rake the lawn” attire. After many years I discovered a pre-spot that took the stains out years after they’d been set. I can now wear that favorite sweater out!

General oil, grease, food stains can be removed with Melaleuca brand Pre-Spot (available from Melaleuca distributors - $5.24 to $7.50 for the 24oz bottle.) One spray can save that special blouse or sweater.

My friend Ginnie Moore told me how her husband, Engineer Man, could no longer wear his favorite shirt to work since she had accidentally left a tube of lipstick in her pants pocket and it went into the wash with the shirt. There were red dots and dashes all over the shirt and these stains were set by the heat of the dryer. I went to work on the “red-enemies” with LeBlanc Linen Wash. Placing a dot of Linen Wash on each dampened spot and allowing it to sit for a few days, I was able to return the shirt ready for the office. (Ginnie had to iron it. I do NOT iron men’s shirts!)

If you have antique linens or curtains that have browned from age, Linen Wash is your friend. This product gently soaks out stains from the most delicate lace to linen tablecloths. (LeBlanc Linen Wash is available on line at Eldridgetextile.com. The price is $10 for 8oz. and $29.75 for 64oz. The 64oz size lasts me years and I use it on all my collected antique linens.)

My love of gardening is overshadowed by my love of keeping the grounds neat using natural products. Years ago I approached Mr. Sillary, an elderly gentleman who lived across the street. “How do you keep the weeds from growing on your brick walkway?” I asked him one day.

He told me his secret which I have used ever since. I sprinkle a light dusting of 20 Mule Team Borax Powder (the laundry booster, not the detergent) on the walkway and then sweep it over the walk being careful not to allow the white powder to get onto my garden or lawn.) This prevents seeds from germinating and will even kill existing small growth. (20 Mule Team Borax Powder can be found on grocery store shelves and costs about $4.19 for a large box.) I should add that this is not a recommended use of this product by its manufacturer.

It’s my belief that many of the old products that were set aside with the onset of the “chemical age” really do work and work well. Try these. I think you’ll be happily surprised!