DEAR HELOISE: I have a problem. My husband has used various antiperspirants/deodorants. We can't find one that doesn't leave waxy residue at the armpit that won't come out when laundered, no matter what I do to coax it along.
I have rubbed detergent into it before I wash it, to no avail. I have used various products that don't put a dent in it.
He is now using a solid with the maximum level of active ingredient, but because laundering doesn't remove it, if you iron the shirt, the armpits turn brown. Help! I will watch your column in the hope that you can help me clean up this mess.
– Jacque in Ohio
Jacque, help is on the way from our friends at the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute International. Antiperspirants and deodorants may cause damage after prolonged contact with a fabric and when combined with perspiration. Also, not laundering often enough and overuse of an underarm product can cause a buildup of a caked, stiff residue (you certainly know about that!) that often can damage the fabric. Try these hints:
Don't overuse antiperspirant/ deodorant, and be sure to let it dry before putting on clothes.
Soak the shirts in an enzyme presoak or an enzyme detergent before laundering.
Use the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Don't let the shirt sit too long before laundering.
Don't wear the shirt two times in a row without laundering – that really causes a buildup.
Stains can ruin a garment, and if you can't wear it, that costs you money. Cheap hair shampoo can be used to banish ring around the collar for just pennies. Just scrub it into the area and wash the garment.
– Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: While we were cleaning the house the other day, my husband made a great discovery! He was helping me dust and discovered that the static dust cloths on a handle are great at cleaning up the dust, smoke, etc., that collect on the cottage-cheese ceiling around our vents.
Some of the “cheese” falls, but the ceiling still looks great when you're done. I tried to use the vacuum cleaner to clean those spots, but it took off almost all of the cottage-cheese stuff, leaving the ceiling looking terrible. We just covered or moved furniture, etc., and went crazy cleaning – each armed with a duster.
– Cheryl Broughton,
Killeen, Texas
DEAR HELOISE: I use a can of pressurized air (from a local office-supply store) to blow out my razor. It has the right amount of air pressure to clean it without damaging it. I also use the air to blow out or dust other household things like the mixer, computer keyboard, stereo equipment, etc.
– Patrick Trotman, Dallas
Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or fax it to (210) HELOISE.
