Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

Tips Tricks and Tools of the Trade

Nicole

I thought it might be fun and helpful to have a thread where we can share the tips and tricks that we have learned from along the way.

I'll start....

If you have a grease or oil stain on an article of clothing, even if it's an old stain--you can usually get the stain out with an application of Lestoil, full strength directly on the spot. You can let the Lestoil sit on the stain or wash it right away. Just toss the item in the wash with detergent just as you normally would. If the stain is old, you may need to apply it two or even three times. I have never had an article ruined because of the Lestoil, but if you're going to throw the item away anyway, you might as well try it. Be prepared for the smell though--Lestoil has a very strong, rather unpleasant odor. Somehow though, the odor goes away once the item is dried, but you can always rewash to get the smell out. Oh, and one more thing....I buy Lestoil in the grocery store in the aisle with the rest of the household cleaners.

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5 Replies

Posted 2 years ago
Dancingstar

I have two questions:
1) is there anything to get sweat stains out of shirts/tops, especially non-white ones?
2)Do I dare to bleach a top made of 95% rayon, 5% elastane, and if yes, with what? I have ordered online and just received this gorgeous BCBG top. The color was called "whisper" and looked like ivory on the screen, and it turned out to be a very pale peach in reality, which doesn't look that good on me ( I'm your typical "summer": very fair skin with pink undertones, light blue eyes, dark blond hair).
The top's fit is amazing and I do not want to send it back.

Thanks !

Posted 2 years ago
Angie (website)

Tilex works on whites with sweat stains from time to time but there is no guarantee. I have a few tips to share:

http://youlookfab.com/2007/09/.....h-acetone/

http://youlookfab.com/2006/06/.....s-wonders/

http://youlookfab.com/2007/12/.....-clothing/

Now Nicole, what is Lestoil?

Posted 2 years ago
Nicole

Good to know about the Tilex.

Lestoil is a degreaser. I have to hide my laundry bottle from my husband during bicycling season, because I think he drinks the stuff. (He says he uses it to degrease his chains...but c'mon! He goes thru a bottle a week!) I think you can also buy it in hardware stores, but most grocery stores carry it in the household cleaner aisle.

Here's a link to a hardware store that sells it in bulk. That price is for a case of it--not one bottle. Just wanted you to see what the bottle looks like.
http://www.acehardware.com/pro.....4&cid=

Posted 2 years ago
Angie (website)

Ha! Hubby is hillarious Nicole and thanks for the info. I shall keep a bottle of Lestoil on hand.

Posted 2 years ago
Nicole

Ok, here's another little trick that I regularly use:

If I have a buttondown top, and the gaps between the buttons don't stay flat, I will either have it sewn shut completely (My mother does this for me, and she does it by hand from the inside of the sweater, catching only the inside layer of the button panel, so the stitching does not show.) Or, if sewing it closed would make it difficult to put on, I will use a safety pin (also from the inside) to pin the gaps closed. It just looks so much neater if everything is neat and flat.

Posted 2 years ago