Got kids? Then you've got laundry. Piles and piles of it. It's hard enough to keep up with the loads, let alone the stains that come with them.
By knowing the fabric care basics and how to care for each type you encounter come wash day, you'll be ahead of the game.
You can save money in the washing process by treating some common laundry stains yourself with hese homemade stain solutions.
When it comes to detergent, there is a difference. Which is best for your family's dirty duds - liquid or powder?
Choosing the right formulation will make getting everyone's clothes clean easier. Choosing the right wash water temperature is also important when it comes to getting clothes clean.
Whether you're washing a sweater or your favorite jeans, there are general rules you'll want to know and follow to ensure clean clothes that don't fade or pill.
To lighten the load come wash day - be sure to get the kids involved, too!

Saving Money on Wash Day.
Lighten the financial load of wash day by putting these energy- and water-saving tips into play.
Tips for Fluffy Towels
Keep thirsty towels absorbent with these special-care tips for towels.
Removing the 10 Most Common Stains This is the essential wash room stain cheat-sheet for beginners and advanced alike.
Wash Day Chores by Age. How much can you expect kids to help with the dirty duds, and at what age? Find out with this chores by age guide.
How to Remove Grease Stains
Cooking is a contact sport. With your clothes especially. If you've got
grease stains on your shirt or jeans, these tips can help.
How to Un-shrink a Sweater
Next time you hear "Honey, I shrunk the sweater!" relax. You can safely stretch it back into shape.
How to Remove Rust Stains
The orange-red residue can easily mystify even the most experienced
launderer. Here's the easy, simple solution to remove the unsightly
stain.
Home-Made Stain Solutions
Stain-busting doesn't have to be expensive with these make-at-home solutions.
Teaching Kids Laundry Basics
Unless you'll be sending your son or daughter to college with a
laundress, you'll need to teach him or her the basics. Just call it
Laundry 101.
How to Care for Leather
Essential tips for the care and feeding of your leather garments to keep them supple, year in and year out.
10 Steps to Cleaner Clothes
If you know the laundry basics, you'll spend a lot less money on
replacing clothes that have inadvertently emerged from the dryer with a
permanent stain.
9 Common Clothing Stains - and How to Remove Them
Nine of the most common stains you'll encounter in the washroom and how to remove each.
Liquid or Powder?
Each has a different purpose. Here's how to select the right washing machine detergent for your family.
How To Clean Jeans
Five simple tips to keep your jeans looking, well, exactly how you'd like them to look (faded, new, or somewhere in between).
Hot, Warm or Cold?
I know, cold always seems good, right? Wrong. Whites can become dingy
and yellow if body oils and stains aren't properly removed. Color can
easily transfer in the washing machine. This simple guide will help you
decide the right temperature for each load.
How To Safely Store Linens
Linens and vintage clothing needs to be cleaned and stored properly to
ensure the next time you pull them out, they bear some resemblance to
the piece that went in. Here's what you need to know about keeping these
special items safe.
Unknown Stains
Puzzled by a blight of unknown origin? Here are several steps to removing a mystery stain.
About the Author
Tara Aronson is a native Californian. Having grown up in San Diego, she studied journalism and Spanish to pursue a career in newspaper writing. Tara, whose three children - Chris, Lyndsay, and Payne - are the light of her life, now lives and writes in Los Angeles. She also regularly appears on television news programs throughout the U.S.
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