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Easing the Load
As a quasi-adult, you're no doubt at the point now where you've had multiple "adult" conversations. And by "adult", I don't mean taboo or R-rated. I mean talk about practical, handy stuff. If you're a homeowner, it's the discussion about what type of lawnmower to buy. If you're in an apartment, it's the never-ending debate about how to effectively kill ants. In a tribute to Spring Cleaning, I thought I'd dwell a bit on a chore everyone must toil through: Laundry.
Now, I abhor doing laundry. But I like to smell decent. Thus, a laborious cycle (pun intended) ensues. Unlike your college days, it is no longer acceptable to take the sweaty, smoky jeans from Friday night's fraternity house party, Febreeze them, and wear them throughout the weekend. That's revolting.
When did you learn to do laundry? Did someone instruct you, or did you just sort of wing it? Regardless of your technique, here are some tips that might help ease your next load:
| 1. |
Readers are leaders. Not long ago, a friend called with a dilemma. He had a blue and white striped shirt. Should he wash it with the whites, or with the colors? I couldn't help but laugh. Here was this smart, worldly, college-educated young adult man bewildered by simple stripes. Avoid becoming like my friend. The key to cleaning your clothes well is taking the time to read the tags. Often the answer is right there. . . something along the lines of "wash with like colors". In this case (since the shirt was predominantly blue), I recommended sticking it with the colored load. |
| 2. |
Some like it hot. The reading rule applies when selecting the temperature setting for your laundry, too. If details aren't provided, here's the rule of thumb: Warm or hot water works best on durable fabrics, and guarantees your whites will stay white. Cold water safeguards colors and helps avoid shrinkage. When in doubt, use cold. It's less likely you'll screw things up. . . and it saves energy. A real win/win! |
| 3. |
Build an arsenal of cleanliness. It is imperative you have the right supplies to keep your clothes clean and in good shape. You wouldn't perform well on the job without the appropriate tools, right? Here, a washer, dryer and detergent count for the bare minimum. On top of that, you'll want a powerful stain remover and a laundry basket to tote all your belongings. (Sure, a Hefty bag will work, too.) Oh - and if you don't own your own washer and dryer, you'll definitely want to have rolls of quarters on hand. If you feel like you're wasting money, don't. Simply envision how happy your landlord will be when he uses your hard-earned coin at his weekly poker game. |
| 4. |
You gotta know when to fold 'em. Laundry leads to other necessary evils, like folding clothes, sewing loose buttons, and yes, sometimes even ironing. Certainly no fun, but at least these tasks can be completed while watching a movie or catching up on phone calls. What can I say? Sometimes adults have to do things they don't want to do. You're an adult now. Quit whining and suck it up. |
Two thumbs up. I've never claimed to be a salesperson. Yet I think Tide owes me a commission check. I've told just about everyone I know to buy a Tide to Go instant stain remover pen. Pick one up for yourself today. It's the perfect solution for the lunch that lands in your lap! (That seems to happen to me a lot.) |
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