DIY Monday: Stain Removal

Last week I shared a tip on using hydrogen peroxide. I'd like to share another little tidbit about peroxide this week. And it's going to get a little personal, so please forgive me for that.

I love to wear white t-shirts in the summer. The problem is that along with the sun, I sometimes develop what Mama used to call "golden glow." If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about - the lovely yellow stain under your arms from perspiration. Mama, being Southern, says women glow instead of perspire.

Although you can try to Clorox, that will eventually weaken the fabric. Soaking in Biz is not always an option for me either because of space limitations. So I just lay out the shirt, pour on the hydrogen peroxide and rub it into the stain. I leave it soaking in a sink for about an hour and throw it into the wash. If there's still a problem, I try the procedure again. Usually I'm glow free after one wash!

As difficult as it is to share my sometimes problem, I'm doing so for the greater good. Please forgive me for TMI!

*Thanks to CVS for the peroxide picture. Click on the link to get yours from CVS.com!

DIY Monday: Stain Removal

I usually reserve this space for home improvement or craft projects, but thought a stain fighting tip wouldn't be rejected.

Many years ago a nurse moved into the house next door to my parents, and she taught me a stain fighting tip that I've had to use from time to time. It works pretty successfully, so I thought I'd share. If you should ever have to get blood out of fabric - I'm assuming Moms probably deal with this quite a lot - hydrogen peroxide will often get the blood out without bleaching the fabric. I pour a little of the peroxide on the stain and wait until it stops bubbling. I then rub the spot with a q-tip in order to get the peroxide to penetrate into the stain. I repeat this until the stain is gone and then rinse under water.

Try it and let me know how it works for you!

DIY Monday: Stain Removal - Lily stains

If you've ever bought or received lilies, you'll know about the messy orange stains you can get from trying to remove the orange parts of the stamen before they drop and stain something else.

I love working with lilies in flower arrangements and have to remove these pretty often. I've learned a few tricks along the way. First, before pulling them off with your fingers, make sure your hands are completely dry. For some reason water seems to spread the stain and ensure your fingers are going to turn orange. If you do get some of the dust on your fingers, wipe it off with a paper towel or napkin as best you can. This will cut down on orange finger syndrome.

If you do have some of them fall on a tablecloth or get some of the stain on a towel or your clothing, don't try stain removers and certainly don't try clorox. Simply lay them in the sunlight for the morning and voila the stain will disappear!

I've always been amazed at how nature takes care of itself in this simple stain removal tip!