Q: My summer resolution was to make sure my kids get plenty of outdoor exercise. In addition to limiting their indoor activities, as a family, we've been doing lots of weekend picnicking and hiking. The downside is that our clothes are full of grass, dirt and sweat stains. How do I get rid of them?
A: For grass stains, pretreat the stains with a prewash stain remover or rub liquid laundry detergent into the stains. Launder, using the hottest water that's safe for the fabric, and chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric. For dirt stains, brush off as much residue as possible. (If the dirt is actually mud, let the mud dry completely before brushing it off.) Then follow the same procedures as for grass stains.
For sweat stains, check first to see if the stain has changed the color of the fabric. If that has happened, apply ammonia to fresh stains or white vinegar to old ones. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Pretreat the stains with a prewash stain remover or rub liquid laundry detergent into the stains. Launder, using the hottest water that's safe for the fabric, and chlorine or oxygen bleach. Check the care label to determine the preferred bleach.