Removing Blood: Soak stain in cold water immediately. If stain remains, soak in lukewarm water, then wash in hot water. Soaking in a solution of 2 tbsp. of household ammonia to 1 gallon of water is also advised. Then wash in hot water and soap. Rinse well.

Bleaching: Sunshine bleaches clothes. Extra moisture should be left in the clothes after the final rinsing, as it increases the effect of the bleaching. Hanging clothes out-of-doors in freezing weather is also a good bleach. A highly recommended chemical bleach may be used to whiten clothes. Follow manufacturers directions as to the amount to use. Mix the bleach with the first rinse water and then rinse the clothes at least twice after using bleach.

Removing Chocolate and Cocoa: Use heavy soap suds, rub the stain and boil if needed. Drop hydrogen peroxide on the stain and repeat after five minutes, then rinse well before washing. Also---sprinkle stains with powdered borax. Soak the stain in cold water one-half hour or more, then pour boiling water through the stain. Or, soak the stain in glycerin, then in cold water, and wash with soap in hot water.

Coffee Stains: Pour boiling water through the stain. Most stains can be removed by laundering. If stain remains, rub with glycerin.

Grape juice stain: Stretch stain over a bowl and hold in place with a rubber band. Pour boiling water through the stain at a height of two feet. Rub spot gently and repeat. If stain remains, use hydrogen peroxide, using a medicine dropper. Rinse, then wash.

BLOOD STAINS-THE READER'S VOTES ARE IN!
One of the easiest and quickest ways I have learned- from my doctor husband-to remove blood from just about anything (cloth, carpet) is dousing the spot with Hydrogen Peroxide. It will bubble on contact. Once wet, scratch with a fingernail, if necessary, to break up the spot. Repeat as much as necessary until the spot is gone (if it bubbles, there is still blood). No need to wet the spot first with water. Launder the material as usual after spot removal. We keep several large brown bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide around the house for emergencies. This method has never ruined any material we've treated this way. ~Carla.

To take blood out of clothes use peroxide. I got this tip (and it works) from a nurse who worked in the ER in a hospital. She says she did it all the time. ~Liz

I have been a caregiver for a diabetic in the past and found that peroxide will take the blood stain from clothing. ~Sally

I always remove blood from clothing by wetting the fabric and pouring salt on it. Then launder as usual. The salt immediately draws the blood from the material and is less expensive than peroxide. If it's dried blood you can scrub the fabric with dampened salt and the stain will be gone. ~Dotty S. New York City

My husband sometimes gets blood on his clothing from working on our vehicles or trimming bushes, etc. I take the item and place an ice cube on it until it melts and all the blood is gone. Then I wash and dry as usual. Works every time. ~Pat in Arizona

MORE STAIN TIPS
If a stain can't be entirely removed in a natural cloth garment, that you just can't stand to toss, dye it naturally. Years ago I had a cotton shirtwaist, white, that I got a coffee (with milk-sets in too well) stain, right in the front of the skirt. I dyed it with tea - turned a beautiful beige color and last me several more years.You can also use turmeric to dye clothing, to give it a saffron-type yellow. ~Catherine, The Herb Lady

We have 2 light tan leather Lazy Boy recliners. I didn't realize that my blue jeans would rub off on the chair and I had a blue tinge on the chair where I sat. Someone told me to try Aqua Net Hair Spray. It's very cheap and works wonderfully. I sprayed it on a paper towel, wiped the chair, and presto-- the blue dye came right off. I then took a damp paper towel and wiped the chair. I have done this for years and it works great. ~Sue, Michigan

MORE TIPS: Housekeeping tips for the entire family:
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