I can get anything except benzoin stains out of scrubs, but I need help on a non-stain-related issue.
Recently, I got four sets of Wink scrubs. They fit better than Urbane, though they're cut along the same lines: Wink seems to be made with women with hips in mind, while Urbane assumes you're young and athletic and built like The Mankiller, who looks like a boy with boobs.
Anyway, these scrubs. 65% polyester, 35% cotton, tons of pockets. Love 'em.
But even after two wash/dry cycles on Boil and Broil, they are stiff and rustly, and they still have the creases from packaging. How do I get those out?
Do not say "fabric softener." That shit is of the devil and gives me rashes.
Ideas?
One suggestion would be trying white vinegar in the rinse water. I've found that to be somewhat useful.
ReplyDeleteadd white vinegar to the rinse?
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere online that vinegar can replace fabric softener for those who are allergic. 1/2 cup for small, 1 cup for large, and essential oils like lavender for fragrance (1-2 drops). Never tried it myself.
ReplyDeletesome links if you want to make large amounts.
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-fabric-softener-dryer-sheets/
http://www.house-cleaning-howtos.com/homemade-fabric-softener.html
1/2 cup of salt in the rinse water.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to sound funny but try putting 2 teaspoons of Dawn dish washing liquid in with the laundry detergent. Works great on stains and softens the fibers of the scrubs. I use this trick for all my new scrubs.
ReplyDeleteTry Borax and if that doesn't work, try White Vinegar. Put 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle.
ReplyDeleteTry vinegar in the rinse? Should have a similar softening effect to the chemical baths which are fabric softeners but less, um, chemically.
ReplyDelete(Frequent reader who always appreciates a new post but comments very very rarely if ever.)
Run them through a wash and rinse cycle with a cup of vinegar.(no soap) Do it two or three times and I think it will soften them up.
ReplyDeleteOn cold water wash and just air fluff to dry
ReplyDeleteI've heard distilled vinegar will soften and fluff towels, maybe that will help?
ReplyDeleteI work in a Therapy pool at a hospital and the scrub wearing folks who frequent our zone typicaly have pretty worn out looking pants (from getting splashed). I guess if you get desperate you could soak them in a chlorinated pool for a bit ;)
ReplyDeleteHuh. I bought Wink scrubs as well, and they were soft, squishy and perfectly wearable after the first wash! Average laundry detergent, dryer sheet, fluffy towel. Tadaaaaa. Different water?
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but you might want to call the company and see what they advise...
ReplyDeleteIs there a label that addresses cleaning them?
1/4 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle may help. It acts like softener without the nasty chemicals.
ReplyDeletevinegar
ReplyDeleteWash them , then hang them out to dry ?
ReplyDeleteA search suggests:
ReplyDeleteAn extra rinse to ensure all the soap residue has gone
Line drying in the wind
Baking soda
White vinegar
might be worth a go? :)
Lydia
Have you tried adding vinegar to your wash? I've never tried it, but have heard that it can replace fabric softener. I'm assuming you'd add it at the beginning of the cycle, so that your clothes don't smell like salad dressing at the end, but you might google it and see what the recommendations are...
ReplyDeleteI have used vinegar for years and I can assure you that the smell dissipates before the items even come out of the wash :)
DeleteI've used vinegar. It doesn't smell once the clothes dry.
ReplyDeleteI have gotten almost any stain our of my scrubs by using white vinegar in my water. Sometimes I let it soak in that solution for a while just to make extra sure. I suppose there are a lot of other products you can use, but white vinegar still remains the best option for me. I take a pray bottle 1/4 filled with white vinegar (depending on the degree of the stain) and fill up with water. Hope that helps :)
ReplyDeleteWhite vinegar FTW. It removes nasty sizings. It's so good for towels because it cuts away the fabric softener residue (which is waxy and water repellent but which retains odors)and lets you feel the cottony softness again.
ReplyDeleteI keep a gallon of it always.
Has anyone mentioned vinegar in the rinse cycle yet?
ReplyDeleteBaking soda in the wash water works well too -- dissolve 1/2 cup of baking soda in the water before adding clothes.
ReplyDeleteuse white vinegar...but if you want the fabric softener without the harsh reaction of the skin...make your own with hair conditioner and water...smells lovely and if you already use it on your hair, then it will be ok on your body!
ReplyDeleteTennis balls. Or dryer balls. Beat them into submission.
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds obvious, but might ironing while wet/damp work?
ReplyDeleteThis will sound weird, but it's a trick that I use with cloth diapers (no, no one in my house still wears diapers or I'd never be able to be in Nursing School). You need a top-loading washer and if you, like the rest of the country are being forced to own a front-loader, just start it in a bucket and after the 'action' stops, dump it into the washer. 1 cup of baking soda dumped on the clothes and really grind it into the fabric (in my case I used an old dowel, but these were dirty diapers). Takes only a few seconds. Then, dump in about 1 quart of vinegar (wait, how many mLs is that...). It's going to be a lovely, funky, 'volcano' kind of moment. Let it fizz and frazzle for about 5 minutes or so. Then, when all the action is over, dump into your washer along with another cup of baking soda.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and it provides much needed respite between studying 27 chapters at a whack for exams or going blind on the NCLEX prep exams. Which answer is mostly correct among all the wrong answers?
Jo:
ReplyDeleteI retaliate with my Rowenta steam iron (blast the steam while they're on the board on each side--reverse side first). Eventually, after a few blasts (and some washing and drying) the creases come out.
Have you tried vinegar by any chance? ~flee~
ReplyDeleteI don't know enough about it to know if this holds water, but are all fabric softeners similar enough in formulation that it's impossible to find one you're not allergic to?
I love my Winks! I've made my own laundry detergent for almost 5 yrs now (less expensive and better for our environment). 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, 2 cups grated fels naptha. Approximately 1 tablespoon per load (yes, thats all!) I have a front loader and I replace fabric softner with white vinegar. I've never had any problems!
ReplyDeleteI don't wear scrubs, but I throw new Carharts in the dryer with 3-4 tennis balls. Helps go from the Christmas Story "I can't put my arms down" to comfy, slouchy goodness :)
ReplyDeletePure acetone! My husband got tincture of Benzoin on his khaki dress pants. I poured the acetone directly on the spot and blotted/rubbed until it came out. I followed up with Spray and Wash and promptly laundered his pants. The spot was completely gone! Hope this helps :)
ReplyDeleteBuy a 5 gallon orange plastic bucket from Home Depot. Don't forget the lid:)! Fill the bucket a little less than half full with hot tap water & carry it outside onto your back porch or driveway. Add 1 quart of white vinegar and 1 regular size box of baking soda (1 lbs). Stand back! Now add the equivalent amount of borax. You can use the baking soda box as a measuring cup for the borax. Stir with a heavy wooden paint stirrer, and throw in your clothes that have been presoaked in hot water. Swish them around in the mixture. If you need more hot water, be sure to mix in the right amounts of the ingredients! After swishing the clothes around in the mix, pop the lid on and let them soak overnight (about 12 hours or so). You can swish them around a few times the first hour or 2, just to make sure all the clothes get saturated with all of the ingredients. You can use your hands to swish your clothes, but if you do you might want to wear long rubber gloves.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forgot to say add a full 26 ounce canister of no iodine salt to the bucket of hot water. All 5 of the ingredients must be fully mixed and the salt crystals completely dissolved before adding your clothes.
ReplyDelete