Don't fret over a stained blouse — these laundry blunders might be easier to fix than you think.
PROBLEM: The colors from one item bled into another.
THE FIX: Wash the stained item again, by itself, in warm water with detergent and color-safe bleach, or try washing it with Good Housekeeping Research Institute pick Carbona Color Run Remover ($3, carbona.com), which safely eliminates dye transfer.
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PROBLEM: There are bits of tissue everywhere.
THE FIX: Before taking out the load, rewash it with a dose of fabric softener added to the final rinse. Pull off whatever you can by hand, then tumble-dry the load (the dryer's lint filter will capture much of the stuff). Use a dry scrub sponge to remove any remaining stubborn specks.
PROBLEM: You smell (or see) mildew.
THE FIX: If your clothes have a sour smell (or, worse, black spots) from having been left in the washer, rewash them with chlorine or color-safe bleach, whichever is safer for the fabric.
PROBLEM: A stain is dried-on.
THE FIX: It can be difficult to remove a stain that's been set by a dryer — but it may not be impossible. Saturate the spot with Shout Advanced Gel ($5, shoutitout.com) a GHRI VIP Award winner, working it deep into the fabric, and allow it to set overnight. Apply a bit more, then launder with chlorine or color-safe bleach in the warmest water that's safe for the fabric.
