This was recently brought to my attention again by my middle son. He told me he didn’t learn the necessary things in school to function as a grown-up. I asked what he meant, and he reminded me of the time I told him to go buy a card for Grandma’s birthday. I said, “Yes, why was that an issue?” He explained that he didn’t know greeting cards came with envelopes.
That got me thinking. I also remember a conversation with my ex-husband years after our divorce—when we were finally on friendly terms—where he admitted he hadn’t realized it was cheaper to shop at the grocery store than at a convenience store like 7-Eleven.
Okay, wow. I know I didn’t learn everything in school or at home either, but I got married really young and had to figure out a lot on my own—with my mom always on speed dial. That’s why I thought it might be helpful to start going over some of these everyday life skills here. I’ll begin with Laundry this week, and I’ll add a poll so you can vote on what you’d like me to cover next.
How to Do Laundry Step by Step
This has always been one of my favorite household tasks—not in a boring way, but in a kind of “weird science” way. Different stains break down with different chemical combinations, and I always found that fascinating. Of course, most of you probably just want clean clothes and not a science lesson, so let’s dive in.
Step 1: How to Sort Laundry
First, separate your clothes into lights and darks. When I say “lights and darks,” I mean:
- Darks: Anything with color.
- Whites: Anything that is mostly white.
- Colors with a little white: If it only has a small amount of white (like polka dots), treat it as a dark.
Step 2: How to Pre-Treat Laundry Stains
Before putting your sorted clothes in the washer, pre-treat any stains. Here are some common ones and how to handle them:
How to Remove Ketchup or Mustard Stains
Scrape off excess with a spoon (don’t rub).
- Rinse from the back with cold water.
- Dab with a mix of liquid dish soap + white vinegar.
- Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
How to Remove Mayo Stains
- Scrape off as much as possible.
- Treat with dish soap (it cuts through the oily base).
- Rinse, then wash as usual.
How to Remove Grease Stains (butter, oil, cooking splatters)
- Sprinkle with baking soda, baby powder, or cornstarch to absorb oil.
- Let sit 10–15 min, then brush off.
- Rub in dish soap before washing.
How to Remove Dirt or Mud Stains
- Let it dry fully (wet mud spreads).
- Brush off as much as you can.
- Treat with liquid detergent or dish soap, scrub gently, then wash.
How to Remove Grass Stains
- Dab with rubbing alcohol or a mix of vinegar + water.
- Work in liquid detergent before laundering.
- Avoid bleach on colored fabrics—it can turn stains yellow.
How to Remove Blood Stains
- Always use cold water (hot will set it).
- Rinse from the back until water runs clear.
- Soak in cold water with a little salt or hydrogen peroxide.
- Wash normally.
How to Remove Ink or Pen Stains
- Place a paper towel under the stain.
- Dab (don’t rub) with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or hairspray.
- Blot until ink lifts.
- Wash as usual.
Step 3: Washing Your Clothes
Once everything is pre-treated, load your clothes into the washer—only about ¾ full. If clothes don’t have enough room to move, they won’t come clean. Add detergent and fabric softener (if you want).
- Colors: Wash in cold water (normal wash if very dirty).
- Whites: Wash on normal or hot, depending on how soiled they are.
Step 4: Drying Your Clothes
After the wash, always check pre-treated items before drying. If the stain is still there, do NOT put it in the dryer—heat will set the stain permanently.
Personally, I hang my shirts to dry so they don’t shrink. For everything else, I shake clothes out before putting them in the dryer. The straighter they go in, the fewer wrinkles they’ll have when they come out.
Final Thoughts on Doing Laundry
That’s the fabulous process of doing laundry! I hope this helps. Don’t forget to vote in the poll for what I should cover next.
