HELOISE: Gas on clothes? Launder with care

Dear Heloise: I purchased a nice pair of slacks and wore them to an event where buses were loading and unloading. Unfortunately, my slacks were long, and the hem got soaked with fuel that was on the ground. My slacks now smell like fuel.

I have laundered them, and the odor is not as strong, but it is still obviously there. I’m not sure what I should use to launder my nice black slacks to remove the fuel smell without damaging the material or color. Please help. Thank you.

Dolly from Fort Wayne, Ind.

Help is here! Also, this happens more than you know. You must hang the gas-stained garment outside so the fuel can evaporate as much as possible. It may take several days. Then wash the pants in the hottest water the manufacturer recommends, adding a bit more detergent and 1/4 cup plain ammonia (nonsudsing) to the wash water. After washing, line-dry outside. Repeat this process if any smell remains.

The most important thing to remember when handling fuel spills on clothes is to NOT place the items in the dryer after washing them. Fumes from the fuel could possibly cause a fire, if there is any significant amount left in the material.

You also might take the pants to your local dry cleaner. Discuss what the stain is, and the dry-cleaning experts should be able to assist you.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I can relate to the drinking-water-in-the-freezer letter. (The reader kept a half-full plastic bottle of water in the freezer, placed upside down, to be able to tell if the power went out. Heloise) I do the same thing, but for two different reasons. If you keep your freezer full, it will hold its cool longer, reducing energy costs. As my freezer is full of various sizes of milk and juice cartons full of ice, I always have a supply of ice blocks for the cooler.

Thomas V. Hammond, Costa Mesa, Calif.

Dear Heloise: In this age of green awareness, I am constantly looking for new ways to save the environment. I’ve tried to be creative and look for ways to get my kids involved in this responsible lifestyle. One of their favorite ideas is when I collect the lint from the dryer’s lint trap and use it as stuffing to create fun stuffed animals, using old T-shirts for fabric.

Landon L., via e-mail

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