On a more serious note, here’s my chemical engineering laundry tip of the day (a.k.a. Rick’s tips):
I’m sure I’m not the only one gets my work clothes totally destroyed with solvents, Rustoleum, oil and who knows what. And no wife to throw it in front of (thank God).
When I wash the worst of the worst, I put in the regular amount of laundry soap, but I also shoot in about 2 or 3 tablespoons of dish soap (not dishwasher soap, the stuff you squirt in your sink for greasy dishes). It cuts the grease and solvents, and by using some of the regular laundry soap, the regular laundry soap knocks down the foam.
(If you ever squirted some regular dish soap into your dishwasher when you were out of dishwasher powder, and came back to find your kitchen full of foam, you know what I’m talking about.)
If the stuff is crazy contaminated, after I do the wash, I’ll just do a six minute wash with regular laundry soap. It all comes out fresh as a daisy.
If anybody wants to confront me on this, I’d be happy to step out on the patio and remove my Martha Stewart apron, and teach them who’s boss.
(no, not me)