How to Make Clothing and Jewelry Last Twice as Long Without the Fuss

If you want to keep your clothing (new and used!) in like-new condition here's a few tricks that won't cost you a penny!

SHIRTS: Have a stain? Spray it with DREFT. Its made for baby spit-up stains but it'll take your stain right out - grease, blood even cranberry! You can buy DREFT in the baby/infant section at most normal grocery stores. If you can't find it there check the laundry area. It costs about $5.99 a bottle but it works 100x better than a Tide Pen or any other stain removing product because it is designed for those impossible baby stains. Plus, it can be used on just about any type of material - lights, darks, knits, cotton, jeans, spandex - you name it! So it's worth every penny!

FANCY SHIRTS: Turn your shirts with graphics, crystals or beads inside out before washing. Your items won't get damaged or fall off!

STIFF JEANS: If you HATE stiff jeans like I do, soak them in the washer with fabric softener overnight. Just throw them in before bed then run the washer in the morning! Your jeans will be comfy and soft same day!

SHOES & PATENT LEATHER: Clorox wipes work awesome on most shoes. They have very mild cleaning detergents so they don't damage shoes. I have lots of pair of patent leather boots - the Clorox wipes takes the grime right off. If you use them once a week you'll keep your kicks in mint condition!

BRAS & LINGERIE: ALWAYS wash your bras by hand, OR, if you're busy like us, put them in the washing machine on the "gentle" cycle and set for the shortest amount of time. Then hang them to dry! You'll extend the life of a bra by YEARS!

JEWELRY: Remove tarnish for FREE: Use about 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 teaspoon salt, mixing it together in a shallow plastic dish. If you have larger pieces to clean, just mix more in the same ratio. Dip the jewelry in the solution, rinse well under running water, and dry. You can let the jewelry sit in the solution for a short time, but be sure to rinse it well. Copper that is not rinsed really well will develop a green-blue verdigris finish (much like copper that's left outside for an extended period of time) that may rub off on your skin or clothing.

Lemon juice can also be used in the same manner for both copper and silver. Again, be sure you rinse the item thoroughly after cleaning!

* Keep Jewelry from Tarnishing - You can purchase special cases that can store hundreds of pieces of jewelry at once. They are relatively inexpensive. Just Google search "Tarnish Free Jewelry Protector" and you'll find hundreds of options! I purchased a long black one that folds up but also hangs. It's wonderful. The $25 is worth never having tarnished bling!

Also, when you buy your bras from a normal retail store, ask to keep the little hangers they come on. These work wonders for hanging and drying! Say "bye-bye" to creases!