Home Front: The Lowdown on Laundry, plus Starting an Art Collection, Cedar Closets and more

Home Front is an online conversation between two Washington Post Home Section writers and their readers about the best way to feather the nest. Every week, Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza help you in your quest to achieve domestic bliss. They were online Thursday, April 2, with special guest chatters Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber, founders and co-owners of the fabric-care line The Laundress.

A transcript follows.

You may also browse an archive of previous Home Front discussions.

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Terri Sapienza: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. The topic of the week is laundry and we dedicated an entire section to the subject today. And joining us for the chat this morning are Lindsey Wieber and Gwen Whiting, co-founders of The Laundress, a luxury fabric care and specialty detergent line. Lindsay and Gwen are here to answer all of your pressing questions about laundry and Jura and I will be around to answer the rest.

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Oviedo, Fla.: I got a great deal on a Martha Stewart down alternative comforter - $39/king size! But it says dry clean only - it is all cotton, white on white stripes. I think the dry cleaning would yellow it and I hate the idea of perc near my face all nite. It is carcinogenic. Can't I save money and wash it in a roomy commerical machine, cool water? Help me salvage my bargain!

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You can absolutely wash this item in hot or cold water since it is 100% cotton. I would stay away from the dryer and hang dry if this is an option, or low tumble dry.

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Springfield, Va.: What can I quickly get around here to avoid moths? I'm sending some clothes to a friend and some boxes won't be opened for a year. I want to put something in the boxes for possible moths.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Be sure to wash everything before you begin storing.

We recommend storing everything in a cotton bag with a zip closure. We have a large laundry zip bag that can be used for long term storage. http://store.thelaundress.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TL&Category_Code=zipLaundryAcc

Do not use moth balls, Lavender is a great alternative to moth balls and is a natural repellent for moths.

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Falls Church City: Can you or any of your chatters recommend a person/company to install a sunbrella awning over my front door? I'd prefer to get quotes from a place someone has received good service from -- I don't know anyone who has purchased this. Thanks for your help.

Terri Sapienza: Good question. Can anyone chime in?

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Washington, D.C.: What is the best way to wash my 100% cotton white sheets? And how do I remove stains? I've tried the standard stain removers, oxygen boosters, non-chlorine bleach without much luck... is chlorine bleach the way to go?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Do not use bleach. What kind of stains are you trying to remove? We have an enzyme based stain solution which is the best for tough soiled areas. The Laundress Stain Solution or any enzyme based remover will work. We soak tough stains. Use hot water when washing cotton sheets. Don't dry or iron if the stains are not removed.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Hi ladies, love the chat! I have a question about art. I am in my late 20's, so I am just starting to collect some nice things that I can keep with me for many years. Do you know of any good places/galleries to go to buy art? I am not thinking of just the standard stuff you can buy at the home stores, I am looking for a nice piece that I can really grow with. I don't know a ton about art, but I really appreciate it and I would like to have one or two really nice pieces in my home to start off with. I am willing to make this an investment, but in these economic times I am not looking to spend like $10K. Any ideas?

Terri Sapienza: Hi, Gaithersburg.

Your timing is perfect. I'm actually getting ready to work on a story about this very topic - affordable art and starting a collection for a couple hundred dollars. I hope to feature several local artists who have pieces that are both beautiful and won't break the bank. Having a piece of real, original art is such a nice touch in a home.

In the meantime, one of my favorite places to look for affordable art is Susan Calloway Fine Art in Georgetown, who carries lots of amazing and affordable pieces. www.callowayart.com

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Canton in Baltimore: I have a hand crocheted beige/coffee colored cotton lace table cloth that has decades old rust stains. It's perfect otherwise but I never use it because of the stains. Is it possible just to bleach the whole thing, let it go to white, and then restain it with coffee?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We have been successful with our machine cleaner which we developed to remove rust from irons and steamers.

We removed rust from a white t-shirt. The product will turn yellow and then you have to rinse with warm water and hand wash afterwards with detergent, not Woolite. We cannot guarantee this will work but this is really your only option with rust. Bleach will eat away at the lace and damage it.

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Greenbelt, Md.: I was wondering if you might have any intel on washing machines that are less than 27" wide. I have an extra-narrow space, but I want a regular (stacking) washer and dryer, not a portable one. 24" might work, 23" would be even better. I have not been able to figure out a way to search online by width. Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We recommend contacting www.gringerandsons.com as they work with small spaces.

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Rosslyn: I am trying to chose a paint color for my den/office. The furniture is a dark brown. I am not inclined to repaint the trim (currently a white with yellow tones in it). Any suggestions? I have no problem experimenting with color. The only restrictions are that I live in an apartment, so I have to repaint it afterwards - so no dark colors and I don't want it to be confused for my husband's office.

Terri Sapienza: Your brown furniture gives you lots of options because that color goes with just about everything. Because it's your office, I would just pick a color that you like and that makes you happy to be around. That way you'll feel happier while you're working.

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Montgomery Village, Md.: You say not to use bleach on the white cotton sheets. Should I not use it on my white towels and bath mats as well? How else do I keep them bright?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You dont have to use chlorine bleach. We recommend an oxygenated bleach or our Whites detergent that has an optical brightener to keep your whites bright without harmful chemicals. Bleach cancels out detergent and it will break down the fabric over time, eventually causing holes or tears. It can also yellow.

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Washington D.C.: I love doing laundry! I have been using your cedar cashmere wash on my sweaters, and it's wonderful. I see that you are making one for J. Crew. Does it have the same cedar scent?

Also, I try not to put my clothes in the dryer, and they often end up stiff after hanging dry (especially jeans). Any tips to soften them up?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: The J.Crew Cashmere Wash is a lavender blend which also repels moths-it is a wonderful scent that we created especially for J.Crew.

We have a denim wash that we developed for this exact reason. It contains color guard and a plant based softener so your jeans will not be stiff after hang drying.

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D.C.: I have always had trouble with my husband's white t-shirts. I've tried Shout followed by a combination of detergent and chlorine bleach followed by detergent and non-chlorine bleach followed by a rinse. They inevitably develop a stiff dark area under the arms and I end up throwing them out and starting fresh. Suggestions?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You definitely need to follow our stain removal recipe as it is designed for stubborn stains like under arms, ring around the collar and cuffs.

http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp

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Alexandria, Va.: Where are my laundry folding robots?

Jura Koncius: Well, there are a lot of people looking for work...

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Jura Koncius: Actually, laundry folding is an interesting topic. We could actually do a poll about it. Who folds the laundry in your house? In my household, my son is off at college, so it's just my husband and me. I do the laundry and I fold my own stuff and I dump his stuff on a chair in our bedroom. He folds it on his own since he does a MUCH better job than I do, learning his skills from a brother who was in the miliary. Precision folded t-shirts and amazing sock rolling. What do you do in your house? P.S. I confess, sometimes I just jam my clothing in the drawer ... no folding involved if I'm crazed.

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Arlington, VA: My dining room has two built-in corner china cabinets. The top half has a single glass door (palladian window style) and the bottom door is a raised wood panel. In a recent renovation, I had a single puck light installed in the 'ceiling' of the top half of each cabinet. The interior is painted a pale yellow, and I want to change it to something with more "pop". Any suggestions on a paint (or even paper) choice? I'm toying with either solid black or a black/gold paper. BTW, DR walls are RL stadium red and all trim is white.

Terri Sapienza: I'm not sure that black would be your best option, if you're looking for a color that "pops." You don't say what the dominant color of your china pieces is, but I'll assume it's white. Are your cabinets painted white (or the same color as your trim) as well? I personally like the idea of wallpaper, specifically, a neutral-colored grasscloth, which will add color and texture to the room. Or, if your cabinets are white, what about using your wall color? too much red?

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Richmond, Va. : In an effort to save money, we are cutting back on dry cleaning. My husband has started doing his shirts and they do not look good. Is it my imagination or is this aging them significantly? They are all-cotton dress shirts. Right now, he washes them (regular Tide, front loader w/cool water) dries them briefly and then irons them. Is it the detergent? I always assumed whatever industrial process they used to get them laundered was harsher than what we do at home.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Washing your clothing is the best way to care for them and to have longevity in your item. Are you noticing fading?

We recommend not putting his shirts in the dryer. You might want to us a detergent with color guard. Are you starching your shirts? The dry cleaning process is much more harsh.

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Arlington, Va.: Have any of the chat participants used a window restorer or refurbisher rather than replacing their windows? Our contractor is a big fan of buying new, but I like our old glass and true divided lites. I just don't like the fact that our top sash has been painted into place and the weatherstripping keeps the windows from closing all the way. (I keep thinking you've covered this in a article or a chat, but I cannot find it -- perhaps a magical producer could find a link, assuming I'm not imagining this. Which I could be, I'll admit.)

washingtonpost.com: A couple of months ago there was an article on window replacement that is hard to find online -- e-mail me at elizabeth.terry AT wpost.com and I'll send you a PDF. -- Elizabeth

Jura Koncius: I also have the name of a company that was suggested to us as a great source for repairing old windows. District Window & Glass Repair, 202 589-0125.

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Compact washers: For the person you was interested in compact front loading washers, you can search by width, but I've found it easiest to look for cubic space capabilities under 3.0. Lowe's sells the most compact washers - a Bosch, a Maytag, and a Whirlpool. There is also a compact washer/dryer combo that I've heard mixed reviews about made by Maytag. Locally, try Bray and Scarff for other options. Trust me - this is a VERY common issue in this area. Ask around and you shall find.

Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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washingtonpost.com: A True 'After' For House Calls (Post Home Section, April 2)

Terri Sapienza: For all of the House Calls enthusiasts out there (I hope there are some!, if you haven't seen today's section here's a story I did about a family who participated in HC, took the advice of the designer and sent us their "after" pictures. It's a pretty amazing laundry room transformation. I'm envious of their new space.

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Washington, D.C.: Any ideas on how to prevent deodorant build-up in the under arm area? I am a female, and I sweat a lot, so I cannot go without. It seems like I have to buy new shirts every season!

I have a laundry room in the basement. There are 3 settings: hot, cold and warm. And a load costs $2 wash/0.75 dry

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We recommend soaking your items before putting them into the machine and dryer to make sure the stains and buildup are gone. This will save you time and money. You might find out that you don't have to use yoru washing machine and you can handwash/soak most of your items and hang dry. We do this a lot for workout clothing, dress shirts and delicates. Try this recipe for your deodorant buildup. We have that happen to us and are successful with this:

http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp

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folding laundry: Not only does my husband fold (and is a fabulous folder, he can even fold a FITTED bed sheet - whereas mine ends up looking like a big ol' blob)... but he does all the laundry. I may rent him out! :-)

Jura Koncius: He does sound fab! My husband is also amazing in the fitted sheet department. I'm with you - I just scrunch it up in a blog and put it in my linen closet!!! Thank goodness for these guys!

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Washington, D.C.: I have the hardest time with perspiration stains. I don't glow or feel the heat - I sweat! I need a step-by-step lesson on caring for my clothes from the time that I walk in the door after work and change out of my work clothes. What is the absolute best way to remove these stains?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Here you go-try this.

http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp

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For the art collector: The Reston fine arts festival is one of the best I've ever been to - http://www.restonarts.org/Festival/ Excellent quality juried art, all price ranges.

Terri Sapienza: Great tip. I'll definitely check this out for my story.

Anyone else have a favorite place to shop for affordable art?

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Folding Laundry: Whoever washes the laundry also folds it at our house. Which usually (90% of the time) means me. I hate to iron, so everything is hung and folded straight out of a warm dryer.

Jura Koncius: Folding directly out of the warm dryer is nice. I never seem to accomplish that though. I'm always running around doing laundry between other jobs and errands.

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Awnings: Just received an email from Home Depot, they are having a sale of the Sunsetter Awnings. I live in the St. Louis area, so I am not sure if it's valid everywhere but wouldn't hurt to check.

Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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Arlington: I bought some fabric in Cambodia that I use as a table runner. It's skirt fabric that is rather heavy brocade with gold threads. Can I handwash it? Sorry, I don't have good information on fabric content.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: What does it feel like? Silk?

You can use our Delicate wash to handwash it. It will probably lose a lot of color in the water which is normal.

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Frederick, Md.: Guilty of jamming the clothes in the drawers too. That's why I don't by cheap furniture. I've had drawers fall apart on me for that reason. Also I have a bad habit of folding the laundry, then just using it out of the basket -- it never makes it to the dressers. Sad, I know...

Jura Koncius: Oh dear. Just using laundry out of the basket is a bit sad. But we are all so busy that laundry does get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. At least you have it clean!

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washingtonpost.com: It's Back to Basics for Housewares (Post Home Section, April 2)

Jura Koncius: Do you all shop at Rodman's? Check out my story in today's Home section about shopping the housewares show in Chicago with Roy Rodman, president, and Judy Newman, housewares buyer. Also check out the video online. Thanks for the link!

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Folding: In a perfect world, I wash and fold my and my husband's clothes all on Sundays. We usually do the folding together. Many times I don't get to the folding and the clean laundry sits in baskets in the laundry room for the week :( . If I don't get to the folding on Sunday, there is no way it's happening until the next week!

Jura Koncius: I agree. Sunday is national folding day. Sometimes my husband just uses the clean pile on the chair for a few days but then it gets to him and he folds it.

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Vienna, Va.: I am on the verge of retirement and look forward to many happy years of folding the laundry of my children and grandchildren. Hardly anyone irons much any more, so it's fold it or close off one room in the house for the piles. Winter folding is best; you can watch golf played in perfect green warmth. And it's the only time to weed out what's raggedy and/or outgrown, and direct items to ragbag or donation.

Jura Koncius: Folding can be therapeutic. Good for you!

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re: art: Etsy.com is a great place for art. It's a website of all handmade stuff...

washingtonpost.com: Love Etsy -- I am wearing the cutest ring I got from there! -- Elizabeth

Jura Koncius: Yes. It's a very cool site.

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Towson, Md.: I discovered years ago that hanging clothes to dry, instead of using the dryer, saves a lot of wear and tear. I've hung a long closet rod from the ceiling in my laundry room with lots of hangers on it, so it's very convenient.

Jura Koncius: I hang a lot of stuff too.

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Terri Sapienza: Since we're on the topic of laundry and storing clothing: does anyone out there have a cedar closet? If so: do you like it? What do you keep in it and how do you organize it?

I have one and would love to hear how others use theirs.

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Bloomingdale: for the art collector, Artomatic is coming up. Lots to look at and you can find some great pieces by local D.C. artists. http://www.artomatic.org/

Terri Sapienza: perfect, thanks.

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the other Richmond: If your husband was taking his shirts to the dry cleaners, they weren't dry cleaning them, they were washing them in water. The reason they looked so great was the superhot iron they have to give you crisp shirts. We can home wash shirts fine, it's that superhot crisp ironing we can't replicate at home.

Jura Koncius: Yes. Shirts ironed at home don't quite have the same crisp look.

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Folding laundry: I fold my own stuff and our towels, since I'm the one who usually puts them away. My husband helps me fold the sheets; if he folds his own stuff, I've never actually witnessed it. As far as I know, his stuff just gets shoved in the dresser drawers or hung in the closet.

Jura Koncius: Well, at least you don't have to open his drawers.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm looking for a compact plastic drying rack that I can put in my tub whenever I want to drip dry clothes. Not having much luck. Most drying racks are too big or are made out of metal. Can you recommend something?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Check out www.organize.com. they have a great selection you might like.

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Alexandria, Va.: For the person interested in storing clothes for a long time: a hint I learned years ago about storing woolens is that you can sprinkle loose pipe tobacco over your woolens, including cashmere and other fine wools. Then put into a pillow case or store in a cotton bag. The tobacco is a very strong insecticide. Use whatever smells good to you. It will not make the clothes smell like tobacco, but will definitely keep insects away.

washingtonpost.com: But will it stain the fabric?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We have had success with lavender wrapped in a breathable fabric like linen or cotton. Cedar Chips will help as well.

We have never tried the tobacco, I imagine it could stain if it gets wet and possibly stick to clothing if the temperature where it is being stored is too moist.

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Baltimore, Md.: The only drawback to folding warm laundry straight from the dryer is that the cat keeps jumping into the basket to snuggle up in it.

Terri Sapienza: So true! Whenever we fold warm laundry our 70-lb. dog finds a way to plop himself down right on top of the nice piles we've made. He's too cute and looks too comfy to move him.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hello.

I have several Karastan rugs which are losing their sewn-on fringe (victims of aggressive vacuuming). Do you know of any shops in the area which can reattach rug fringe?

Thanks.

Jura Koncius: Yes. Try Absolute Carpet Care in Dulles 703 584-5066.

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Washington, D.C.: White sheets again -- The stains are mainly from lotions and cosmetics.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We recommend an Enzyme based detergent and stain solution.

The hottest water you can get and extra soaking is great for cotton sheets. Check for stains before putting your sheets into the dryer.

Our Whites Detergent is a great for white sheets, and pretreat with our stain solution before washing.

www.thelaundress.com

Here is a 15% off coupon to use if you want to try out our products.

"2009laun"

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Cedar closet: I have a cedar closet - I use it for off-season storage. It's handy, but I don't think I would go out of my way to install one if I lived in a house without one.

Jura Koncius: Lots of old houses have them so it's nice if you happen to get one already installed.

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Spring colors, N.C.: My den is masculine with brown leather, tans, greys, touches of black. Sofa throw pillows are currently khaki colored and sort of suede-like. Would like to lighten up for spring. Would you suggest off-white or yellow or even a green shade? And what about fabric type? I have added light colored candles and a basket of fruit that includes lemons and lime to help lighten up, but would like to address throw pillows too. Thanks.

Terri Sapienza: The existing colors in your room are so neutral that you could accessorize with just about any color you want: yellow, green, pink, lavender, light blue, just to name a few. I would go with any color you happen to be loving at the moment. Linens and cottons are nice and light in warm weather.

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Cedar closets: I have two, plus a third one in the attic. But I don't think it works, because I still have moth holes in my sweaters. Having done a little online research, I think the closet needs to be sanded and oiled (or something like that), which is beyond my pathetic DIY abilities.

Terri Sapienza: Wow...you have three? I've read that, too, and have not attempted it. Maybe I should and report on the process.

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Dry Cleaning vs. Washing: As a knitter, I use Soak to handwash a lot of sweaters that say they have to be dry cleaned. And I am noticing that other things with a dry-clean only tag seem to be quite washable including fancy-pants silks and linens.

Is there a guide to materials that can be handwashed or even machine-washed and those that will shrivel up and die unless dry-cleaned?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We have a washing chart on our website that will be helpful.

http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/PDFs/washingChart.pdf

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Dale Blooming: Settle a debate for me: I say it's unsafe to leave your house while the washer and especially the dryer are in use. The roommates don't believe me. I have come home to an empty house with the dryer running. Is this unsafe or okay?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: The washing machine should be fine but the dryer is not safe to have running when no one is there. A lot of house fires are caused by dryers. Make sure to clean your lint tray all the time.

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Md.: Oh come on. why are the guys "fabulous" for doing and folding laudry? Don't they live in the home too? Fabulous is when my SITTER does it, not when my husband does. Stop feeding into the gender fallacy that requires high praise everytime the man in the house does a domestic task.

Jura Koncius: I have no sitters so he's the only hope I have...

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Re: cedar: I have a cedar trunk that I store sweaters in and the extra slipcovers for my sofa. The slipcovers smell nice when they go on in the summer.

Jura Koncius: Nice.

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re: art: I guess everyone has their own idea of what "art" they want in their homes. I personally like handcrafted items and this that this region has a lot to offer. Good craft fairs--like the one in Harper's Ferry in the spring--and art and antique shops in local towns have some great offerings. Often you buy directly from the artist, which gives you the pleasure and satisfaction of supporting local talent. I also like the Torpedo Factory for this reason.

Terri Sapienza: Yep, the Torpedo Factory is a great place to check out.

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Underarm stains: I recently discovered a solution - regular powder Cascade dishwasher detergent. Sprinkle on the pits, soak in warm water, give it a little rub, wash in warm water, works like magic. It even works on my husband's white t-shirts (excepting those that are just completely too far gone and hard as a rock). No more yellow pits or not-quite-clean smells.

Jura Koncius: Magical.

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Dryer Lint: People should clean their dryer lint trays before every load, and (if possible) should check the vent hose that goes outside. A friend once complained it took hours to dry towels. I checked her dryer vent outlet on the side of the house, and it was crammed with lint - and birds' nests!

Jura Koncius: I have a brush to clean inside the dryer vent. Its a long thin wire with a narrow curved brush at the end - it really works.

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Cedar Key, Fla. (just kidding): The cedar closets need to be sanded periodically to bring our the essence, or aroma, or whatever you call it. You're not doing fine detail work--just "peeling" the wood, if you will.

Jura Koncius: Thank you Cedar Key, wherever you are...

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Alexandria - Yellow Pits: Hello and thanks for this laundry chat! If the pits of your t-shirts are already yellow (have been washed and dried several times) is it too late to get them white again?

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Never to late to try. Follow this recipe:

http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/pits.asp

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New HE on the way!: I am expecting delivery of a new HE washer and dryer next week! Very excited about this.

In practical terms, how much more stuff can I put in one of these? Current washer fits an almost-full Ikea bag of clothes; new one is an average size for HE.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: Do not overstuff your HE machine. The drums are smaller and if you put too much in your clothes will not get clean.

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Northern VA: Affordable art -- I second the Reston Fine Arts Fair; also the bins in the Art League gallery at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria. I might also check out the spring student exhibitions at Corcoran College of Art, those particular works may not be for sale but I'm sure contact information is provided for the artists.

Terri Sapienza: Yep, all great advice. thanks.

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Who folds Laundry: My husband does it too! What a perk! Well, he used to until we discovered that my 12 year old daughter decided it was easier to throw the clean clothes back into the laundry basket than to put them away. We then made it part of her allowance chores to fold all the laundry in the house and put her away. It's amazing how much less laundry we have now!

Jura Koncius: Money works miracles.

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Ohio: Storing woolens: Big Box stores (like Wal-Mart, etc) usually carry cedar blocks in various sizes, cedar balls, and cedar strips. They blocks & balls come in packages of half-dozen or so. Store your woolens and moth-prone belongings in plastic garment bags with some of these. It works--no bugs.

Jura Koncius: Also there are cedar balls - sort of like moth balls - you can toss in.

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RE: Dry Cleaning: Since you say dry cleaning is more harsh, how would we wash items that say "dry clean only" other than dress shirts? I am thinking sweaters, silks, etc.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: You can wash most silk and cashmere items. Please follow our washing chart on what fabrics can be washed. If the label says dry clean only, check what fabric it is made of to know if you can wash it or not.

http://www.thelaundress.com/LaundryTips/PDFs/washingChart.pdf

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Terri Sapienza: I feel I should chime in on the who-does-the-laundry topic and say that my husband does all the laundry (pre-treating, washing, folding, etc) every week and I adore him for it. He also does the grocery shopping. I'm totally spoiled.

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cleaning lint vents: We've found that a flexible duster works well to clean the pipes from the dryer to the outside. We have one with an extension arm (think ceiling fan duster). The head is a fluffy, soft sort of man-made feather-dustery microfibery thing (great description, no) and it works great to get all the gunk out. Never ceases to amaze me that all our clothes aren't threadbare when I look at the amount of lint that ends up in the dryer.

Jura Koncius: Yes. Sometimes I just can't believe where all that line comes from - but it's a reminder that we need to be vigilant about cleaning out that vent.

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Alexandria: I have read about all in one washer/dryers. Do these work well? Thanks.

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: If you have the room and ability to get a separate washer and dryer then you should do so. If you have the ability to manage the controls then great, but we don't use the dryer for a lot of items so that would not work very well.

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Gettysburg, PA: I always seem to have problems with green clothing and the color fading out in splotches. What am I doing wrong? and why does it only happen with green???

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber: We don't know about this issue but color loss in splotches can occur from leftover bleach in your machine. Do you use bleach?

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Terri Sapienza: We're out of time for today. Thanks to Gwen and Lindsey for all of their great advice, and thanks for everyone for joining us. Chat with you next week.

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