How to remove mildew stains! ~ {bits & pieces}
The regular “little of this, little of that” feature from Like Mother, Like Daughter!
What is this a picture of?
A kitchen towel with no mildew spots.
Finally I remembered to take pictures of this process, this immensely important discovery I have made of removing mildew stains.
(Not that easy to photograph, either, so thank you for bearing with me here.)
The worst has happened. You’ve somehow left a towel or bib or blouse damp and wadded up. Days later you find it and — Little black spots. Ugh. Nothing will get those spots out, you think. You’ve tried bleach, oxyclean, vinegar, vinegar and baking soda, magic witch hexes, and every other laundry remedy including sunshine, and you know that once you have those spots, that’s it, game over.
It may be that you need to throw that thing away. Other than rust, I don’t know of a harder stain. Until recently, that’s what I did. Just gave it up for lost.
But a while back I had an aha moment. If I’m going to throw it away, might as well try the last-ditchest of last-ditch efforts, right? So that’s what this is.
A really hard-core solution. Don’t be shocked. It works — or it doesn’t and you throw the item away.
Which is what you were going to do anyway.
Where we live it can be damp, and we do have a problem with mildew. Having used this product to remove mildew from the grout in the shower, I know it works.
So, I thought, why not go ahead and spray that mildewy towel? The heavy-duty bleach spray will definitely bleach out anything it falls on that is not resistant, so you have to be careful. It’s a strong, powerful, dangerous chemical — a solution of last resort, when you have black in your bathroom and need to get rid of it.
And, if you spray it on these spots, they will disappear. Most towels are bleach-resistant — they have to be, because people need to bleach them, most cities put a little bleach in their water, and often people take towels to pools, which of course are chlorined up. Some other articles of clothing are either white or bleach-resistant, and you won’t know until you try! The fact is, you were going to throw it away, so why not? And for something like a bib, I’d rather have it be bleached out than mildew-spotted. A faded bib or towel is no biggie. Remember, you were going to chuck it!
Just get the item wet, spray the spots and let sit for a bit — not too long, because even bleach resistant things will not withstand a long soak in the stuff. Then rinse out and wash.
It has worked for me many a time! Just be sure you aren’t wearing your favorite jeans or shirt when you do it, and watch what’s behind the thing when you spray.
On to our links!
Thursday was the feast of St. Gregory. So far I have left it up to you to intuit why I love him so much and consider him a patron of our blog — hopefully you are on this wavelength! Anyway, somehow I came across a Mass being said for the patronal observance of this congregation. Pope Benedict had set up the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Peter for the reception of Anglicans and Episcopalians into the Roman Catholic Church, making it as easy as possible for that to happen. This small group of people comprising St. Gregory’s began their discernment in 2010, and with their pastor, are Catholics now temporarily worshiping at a parish church an hour away from us.
Anyway, the Mass was so beautiful! If you are anywhere near, do see if you can worship with this congregation. It’s not only for Anglicans or Episcopalians — any Protestant interested in the Catholic Church would be particularly welcome, and of course any Catholic can join them as well.
The language used in the Mass is the English of the Book of Common Prayer. The singing at this particular (sumptuous) liturgy was the Palestrina Missa Tu Es Petrus (“You are Peter” — to honor the feast of a great Pope) — the choir was sublime. What a worthwhile trip, which is good, because it was one of my “bright ideas” to drive out there in rush-hour traffic — the kind that doesn’t always pan out!
In other news,
Philip Zaleski gives his college students a peculiar little test. Does everyone have a scale of values? Have people progressed beyond the need for moral absolutes? What does taking these little tests reveal about hierarchy and the line of battle clearly drawn in our time? A good read.
Speaking about St. Gregory, David Clayton offers a fascinating study of a painting of that great saint, and some thoughts on how the end of all education is supernatural — ought to lead us to the Good.
At the Anglican Use Mass, they use Anglican chant. Chant is a universal feature of worship, or was until the modern era, did you ever think about that? It’s true — music for worship isn’t exactly a matter of individual preference, no matter what we think. Until you study the question, it’s hard to understand how creativity is essential but innovation isn’t, and how the form of music at worship makes a difference. This article is a fantastic reference of Church teachings on the subject.
A reflection on a mysterious woman — Francis, the wife of G. K. Chesterton. If she inspired him, she must be amazing, right?
I can’t say I know much about this particular pediatric physical therapist, but this post made sense to me. Babies need to stretch and move about, and if they are always carried and kept in “containers” they will languish.
On a lighter note, an interview with the man behind the satire site Eye of the Tiber. Funny interview, funny site. “Report: Some 2nd Century Roman Christians Hated Latin Mass Because It Was Said In The Vernacular”
The cartoon short — a wordless whimsical little film — captures life and presents it to us for pure enjoyment. It’s truly an art form! Comedy at its best. I loved this one — the whole family will love it.
Don’t forget to come say hi in Wichita!
From the archives:
Judging from my email, trying to keep from looking like you took a roll through the Salvation Army with your eyes closed look good is on some of the minds of our readers. This post is about looking good after the baby, but the principles are for all the time.
Do you do a lot of hand-sewing? I have a method to keep your hand from cramping. I use it all the time.
Today is celebrated (“at present”) as Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s feast day. Read her inspiring life here. Happy feast day!
~We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).~
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