8 easy tricks to beat common laundry problems

There are a number of tricks of the trade that can improve your laundry results. Here are some pro pointers to help keep your clothes lasting longer.

Wash jeans several times or soak them for 12 hours in a small tub filled with cold water and fabric softener to get that new crispness out of the legs and soften them up.  Turn them inside out to avoid streaking.

The nap on corduroy can wear out after being beaten around in a washing machine over several washings. Turn them inside out to keep up the nap on your favourite corduroy item.

• Place nylons and tights in a mesh bag to avoid them getting snagged during the wash cycle.
• Wash with other delicate items without hooks, eyes or other metal parts that could snag the stockings.

• Soak baby clothes in a pre-soak stain remover product as soon as possible after staining.
• Keep them wet until laundering so the stain remover can do its job.
• Then launder as usual.

• Dip your curtains in a solution of seven litres (two gallons) of warm water to 250 millilitres (one cup) of Epsom salts.
• Let drip dry outdoors or in the shower.
• Touch up with ironing.

Cloth-covered buttons sometimes get missed during the wash requiring some elbow grease to get totally clean. Brush cloth-covered buttons with mild soap or detergent and a soft toothbrush if they still look dirty after laundering.

Rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain or collect soap bits in a mesh bag and rub into the affected area before washing.

Soak handkerchiefs in a solution of cold water and some cream of tarter before hand-washing with mild soap.

Keep these tips in mind next time you're dealing with special laundry problems and you will find your clothes lasting longer and looking their best.