8 Surprising Laundry Secrets

From treating collar stains to keeping your jeans in impeccable shape, here are eight indispensable laundry secrets.

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1. Soften Jeans

1. Soften Jeans

To soften new blue jeans, wash them several times or soak them for 12 hours in a small tub filled with cold water and fabric softener, then wash as usual. To prevent jeans from streaking, turn them inside out before washing.

(Photo courtesy of Thinkstock)

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2. Remove Collar Stains

2. Remove Collar Stains

To remove rings around shirt collars, rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain or collect soap bits in a mesh bag and rub into the affected area. Wash as usual.

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3. Whiten Your Whites

3. Whiten Your Whites

To whiten, soak in a solution of cold water and 1 teaspoon cream of tarter before hand washing with mild soap.

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4. Clean Baby Clothes

4. Clean Baby Clothes

To get baby clothes their cleanest, treat in a pre-soak product, and then launder as usual. Soak items as soon after staining as possible and keep them wet until laundering.

Photo: iStock

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 5. Wash Nylons and Tights

5. Wash Nylons and Tights

To wash nylons or tights, place them in a mesh bag and wash with other delicate items without hooks, eyes, or other metal parts that could snag the stockings.

(Photo courtesy of Thinkstock)

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 6. Care for Corduroy

6. Care for Corduroy

To keep up the nap on corduroy, turn clothing inside out before washing.

(Photo courtesy of Thinkstock)

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 7. Clean Curtains

7. Clean Curtains

To bring back the crispness to curtains, launder and then dip in a solution of 2 gallons of warm water to 1 cup Epsom salts. Let drip dry outdoors or in the shower and touch up with iron.

Photo: iStock

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 8. Brush Buttons

8. Brush Buttons

To clean cloth-covered buttons that still look dirty after laundering, brush with mild soap or detergent and a soft toothbrush.

Photo: Thinkstock

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