General laundry pre-treaters
 

Can anyone recommend a good laundry pre-treater/stain agent? DH manages to get the collars, cuffs and sleeves of his shirts disgusting. I have tried just about everything on the market (I think) to no avail. Seems to me that with the removal of all the phosphates in the laundry detergents now, that none of them seem to work overly well. It doesn't help that we have very 'hard' water. I've tried borax; washing soda with detergents; am spending a small fortune on Tide detergent based on consumer reports and nothing seems to get clothes clean any more. My old favorite, K2R Spot Lifter, apparently isn't made any longer.

I have a Maytag top load washer - about 10-15 years old - that was pretty much top of the line at the time. I don't think the issue is with the machine (as DH does). But I feel like all that washing machines do any longer is swish the clothes around with the detergent to make them smell better - not get them clean!

Any hints/suggestions gladly welcomed.

Go to the dollar shop and get a bottle of Awesome (looks like apple juice). DH uses it for an RV cleaner, I use it for a laundry pre-treat (for years). Just used it as a toilet bowl cleaner, it's Awesome. LOL. This is the only cleaner my SIL uses as she's on septic.

Certainly willing to give it a whirl! Thank you.

If your husband would just use a couple of cotton balls and clean his neck after his shower, with alcohol on the cotton balls, it makes a difference. Tell him to rub his neck good with them. Not hard. but to get the oil off.

I'm hoping the Awesome works for you. I think I read somewhere about using a bit of shampoo on collars and cuffs.

I use 409 on oily spots. I've never tried it on the necklines of shirts. Maybe a new test for it? I have a sinus drip all the time and my lipstick gets on my hankerchiefs. I spray with 409 and they come clean every time. Years ago, a dry cleaner told me that was what they used for most spots on clothing.

Awesome really works. I also use it for spots on carpeting.

I use Shout and Resolve (the one for baked on grease).

I discovered Awesome this summer--great stuff and at $1 per unit at Dollar Tree you cannot go wrong ! Almost to the point of shock on how well it cleaned top of my electric range and drip pans--Really good product !

I often use - Shout- or Dawn dish soap rubbed onto oily stains

liquid spray Oxy clean seems to do the trick for me.

They use Dawn to get the oil of birds after an oil spill, so it might do the trick. Maybe mix with vinegar. I use Dawn and vinegar to clean my bathtub. It gets out that grease.

My son used to have a problem with sweating and staining his shirts. I think it outgrew it but he thinks it is more that we switched from regular antiperspirant to a natural antiperspirant. Anyway, he always stained his shirts. This will get out anything. Almost anything at least. I had the carpet cleaners tell me I would never remove a carpet stain and I got it out with this. This works on collar stains too. You use regular Dawn - blue. Pout the Dawn on the stain. Sprinkle a little baking soda on it too. Pour a teaspoon or two of peroxide on the stain. I scrub lightly with an old toothbrush. Let sit at least an hour or two then wash as usual. It is a set in stain, you may have to do this twice but it will be gone. I have yet to find anything that peroxide ruined. It simply doesn't harm anything. Try it, you will be pleasantly amazed.

I just read in a hints column that you should spray pre-treaters on and wait at least 30 minutes before washing. I pre-treat all my stains when taking my clothes off and put them in the laundry basket. Then when I do laundry i just wash as normal. Since I have started doing this I haven't had a problem with stains not coming out.

I've done dawn; fells naptha; peroxide (which in straight straigtnght I have found to deteriorate fabric). I will mention the peroxide on the collar thing to him but I don't see thst lasting more than a day, if that, frankly. His cuffs and sleevesvare just general dirt. It really just annoys me that detergents that used to work no longer do. Used to be that i could rub wisk into a stain and it was gone. Unfortunately, no more. General laundry should not be this difficult! I will try everyone's suggestions.

I swear by Shout! I've used it for years, and rarely come across staining I can't get out. My son worked in a junk yard, and for the city maintenance truck repair during his college years, and got greasy, oily, stinky and sweaty!! Pre-treating and soaking does the job. I'm intrigued by the dollar store recommendations though!!

If a color try shampoo and rub gently with a toothbrush until absorbed, if white use Soft Scrub with Bleach, I use that on most stains.

I use the original Dawn dish soap for all my prespotting WORKS GREAT

You can also try Oxydol, it does a pretty good job removing stains. If DH thinks it is the washer go with his decision and get a new washer...LOL. I just purchased the Samsung top loader, with no spinner in the middle, and love it

The best thing I ever did to get my laundry clean was to install a soft water conditioner. Hard water minerals bind with dirt. So many other benefits to soft water to mention here. I know, not an inexpensive solution to your problem.

I was going to recommend Amway Prewash Spray, but the formula has changed and don't think it's as good as it used to be.

Good luck and let us know if you find something that works.

I add the phosphate back to the detergent. I add a teaspoon of Trisodium phosphate to my laundry that needs the extra cleaning power. I add a 1/4 teaspoon to the dishwasher detergent. It's sold in 1lb boxes about $9. I'm on the second year use of one box. [h=1][/h]

We've talked about the water softener as well. I did find an item, 'scale blaster', that we are considering trying. It's online only from home depot. Supposed to break down the lime and calcium in the water. Reviews were somewhat mixed but certainly more favorable than not. If it doesn't work then at least we can get our $$ back with the home depot return policy. Just haven't gotten around to ordering it yet.

Who knew!?!? Going to give this a try as well. I guess I would get this at the hardware store???

You folks are just a wealth of knowledge. Thank you all so much. None of the pre-treating; soaking; etc. that I have tried so far does squat. I've done oxyclean; shout; dirty jobs; dawn; don't even remember all the stuff I've tried. The collars come out halfway decent but the sleeves/cuffs...oy vey!

I, too, am an Awesome user, if it happens to not work Dawn usually will....

I buy Zout at Walmart and it works well...not too pricey either!

I use Simple Green on most everything cleaning-stain wise. Then I use a pre-wash with a little liquid laundry detergent, and this works really well. My DH does a lot of yard work and gets lots of grass, dirt, grease; you name it. The pre-wash I am sold on; it loosens the stains and makes the clothes come out so much cleaner. It is a separate cycle on my machine; a Crosley; love it!! Mariah

You can find the powder form at Lowe's, Walmart, Home Depot, etc. and any paint store. There is also a liquid form too. Usually sold with the name of TSP on the box. It is used by the barrels full commercially. Did you know Trisodium phosphate is commonly used as a food additive? It's the same stuff they took out of the detergent. LOL This is straight from Snopes: Trisodium phosphate, a food additive common in cereals like Lucky Charms and Cheerios
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredien...GQXbr601TMZ.99

I put a little bit of Dawn dish soap on my DH's shirts (rub it in a little) & cleans up his collars great !! Don't have a problem with his sleeves but I think it would work there too.

I have used Awesome and it works great. I, also, use Greased Lightening to spot treat and to clean my stove. As the name says, it's great on grease.

I found Lestoil to be wonderful..even gets old stains out. If it doesn't work on the first laundry continue for another few times...works wonders !! I just put it on the stain and let it sit a few minutes before putting in the wash.

I rub in a small bit of Palmolive dish soap and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

I thought this was a great idea and wanted to try it out adding it to the laundry. Buying TSP brought back the memory of the '70's when they removed phosphates from laundry detergent - it was a big deal back then. I remember our clothes not coming out as clean with the "new, improved" detergents - without phosphates!

I just went to the hardware store to get some TSP, and on the box it says it is NOT recommended for using with glass. I wondered why, so I googled it. Evidently, TSP leaves a film on glass.

Have you experienced the film on glasses while using it with your dishwasher??

I use Resolve Stain Stick. You can pretreat up to 7 days before washing. DH used to have to wear white uniform shirts (was an EMT so he got lots of guck on them) and the Stain Stick was phenomenal in getting out all sorts of stains. Took care of ring around the collar, blood stains, ink and tea stains. I get it at Walmart, but should be available at most grocery stores. Costs around $2.50 and lasts quite a while.

Ok. I am now armed with both Awesome and TSP! I pulled two light colored shirts out of his closet that are still pretty grungy (was planning on tossing them and probably still will). Have decided to do an experiment with both products to see if there is any improvement. I usually have 2 loads of light colored wash so should be a good comparison. will keep everyone posted.