The regular “little of this, little of that” feature from Like Mother, Like Daughter!
What is this a picture of?
A kitchen towel with no mildew spots.
Finally I remembered to take pictures of this process, this immensely important discovery I have made of removing mildew stains.
(Not that easy to photograph, either, so thank you for bearing with me here.)
The worst has happened. You've somehow left a towel or bib or blouse damp and wadded up. Days later you find it and — Little black spots. Ugh. Nothing will get those spots out, you think. You've tried bleach, oxyclean, vinegar, vinegar and baking soda, magic witch hexes, and every other laundry remedy including sunshine, and you know that once you have those spots, that's it, game over.
It may be that you need to throw that thing away. Other than rust, I don't know of a harder stain. Until recently, that's what I did. Just gave it up for lost.
But a while back I had an aha moment. If I'm going to throw it away, might as well try the last-ditchest of last-ditch efforts, right? So that's what this is.
A really hard-core solution. Don't be shocked. It works — or it doesn't and you throw the item away.
Which is what you were going to do anyway.
Where we live it can be damp, and we do have a problem with mildew. Having used this product to remove mildew from the grout in the shower, I know it works.
So, I thought, why not go ahead and spray that mildewy towel? The heavy-duty bleach spray will definitely bleach out anything it falls on that is not resistant, so you have to be careful. It's a strong, powerful, dangerous chemical — a solution of last resort, when you have black in your bathroom and need to get rid of it.
And, if you spray it on these spots, they will disappear. Most towels are bleach-resistant — they have to be, because people need to bleach them, most cities put a little bleach in their water, and often people take towels to pools, which of course are chlorined up. Some other articles of clothing are either white or bleach-resistant, and you won't know until you try! The fact is, you were going to throw it away, so why not? And for something like a bib, I'd rather have it be bleached out than mildew-spotted. A faded bib or towel is no biggie. Remember, you were going to chuck it!
Just get the item wet, spray the spots and let sit for a bit — not too long, because even bleach resistant things will not withstand a long soak in the stuff. Then rinse out and wash.
It has worked for me many a time! Just be sure you aren't wearing your favorite jeans or shirt when you do it, and watch what's behind the thing when you spray.
On to our links!
- Thursday was the feast of St. Gregory. So far I have left it up to you to intuit why I love him so much and consider him a patron of our blog — hopefully you are on this wavelength! Anyway, somehow I came across a Mass being said for the patronal observance of this congregation. Pope Benedict had set up the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Peter for the reception of Anglicans and Episcopalians into the Roman Catholic Church, making it as easy as possible for that to happen. This small group of people comprising St. Gregory's began their discernment in 2010, and with their pastor, are Catholics now temporarily worshiping at a parish church an hour away from us.
- Anyway, the Mass was so beautiful! If you are anywhere near, do see if you can worship with this congregation. It's not only for Anglicans or Episcopalians — any Protestant interested in the Catholic Church would be particularly welcome, and of course any Catholic can join them as well.
- The language used in the Mass is the English of the Book of Common Prayer. The singing at this particular (sumptuous) liturgy was the Palestrina Missa Tu Es Petrus (“You are Peter” — to honor the feast of a great Pope) — the choir was sublime. What a worthwhile trip, which is good, because it was one of my “bright ideas” to drive out there in rush-hour traffic — the kind that doesn't always pan out!
In other news,
- Philip Zaleski gives his college students a peculiar little test. Does everyone have a scale of values? Have people progressed beyond the need for moral absolutes? What does taking these little tests reveal about hierarchy and the line of battle clearly drawn in our time? A good read.
- Speaking about St. Gregory, David Clayton offers a fascinating study of a painting of that great saint, and some thoughts on how the end of all education is supernatural — ought to lead us to the Good.
- At the Anglican Use Mass, they use Anglican chant. Chant is a universal feature of worship, or was until the modern era, did you ever think about that? It's true — music for worship isn't exactly a matter of individual preference, no matter what we think. Until you study the question, it's hard to understand how creativity is essential but innovation isn't, and how the form of music at worship makes a difference. This article is a fantastic reference of Church teachings on the subject.
- A reflection on a mysterious woman — Francis, the wife of G. K. Chesterton. If she inspired him, she must be amazing, right?
- I can't say I know much about this particular pediatric physical therapist, but this post made sense to me. Babies need to stretch and move about, and if they are always carried and kept in “containers” they will languish.
- On a lighter note, an interview with the man behind the satire site Eye of the Tiber. Funny interview, funny site. “Report: Some 2nd Century Roman Christians Hated Latin Mass Because It Was Said In The Vernacular”
- The cartoon short — a wordless whimsical little film — captures life and presents it to us for pure enjoyment. It's truly an art form! Comedy at its best. I loved this one — the whole family will love it.
Don't forget to come say hi in Wichita!
From the archives:
- Judging from my email, trying to
keep from looking like you took a roll through the Salvation Army with your eyes closedlook good is on some of the minds of our readers. This post is about looking good after the baby, but the principles are for all the time.
- Do you do a lot of hand-sewing? I have a method to keep your hand from cramping. I use it all the time.
Today is celebrated (“at present”) as Mother Teresa of Calcutta's feast day. Read her inspiring life here. Happy feast day!
Eva says
Amen Amen! The last ditch mildew remover effort really works. I just did the same thing last week on (gasp!) the last three giant white polyester tablecloths from our daughter’s wedding reception, which somehow got separated from the rest and hid in a Rubbermaid bin for two weeks. All I can say is, it works.
Mary Lou says
Anybody know about White Brite? I’m usually the last to find out, but I finally asked my husband’s dear Mom how in the world she kept her very often older clothes so white … At first I couldn’t find it, but it sure is worth looking for. Soak an entire white load overnight and when you see your whites looking brand new you will feel how the saints felt in ecstacy ~ of course in the realm of ‘everyday’ sanctity! I can’t think of a better way to fuse heaven and earth than these conversations that, to me, are seamless … the laundry and the Palestrina Missa Tu Es Petrus 🙂 Off to get some Tilex, thank you!!
Sarah says
I love these “this and that” posts! I took a break from news and politics a couple of years ago, but recent events have caused me to have to pay attention again. I get so frustrated with both sides (as if there were only two sides to any issue). All that to say, I really enjoyed the interview with the Eye of the Tiber guy! I’d never heard of that site, but it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m not Catholic (I’m Orthodox), but I love how Pope Francis stirs the pot by saying and doing things that are so outlandish because they are, gasp!, authentic Christianity. The issues at hand are serious, but sometimes a little levity helps us remember that God is here and that we should not take ourselves too seriously. Thank you also for the lovely article about Francis Chesterton. G.K. is one of my favorite authors and I’ve always thought that his wife must have been an amazing woman. I’m going to get the book about her!
Adele says
I look forward to trying the tilex idea on various and sundry mildew spots. Just to point out that the container article about babies does not necessitate baby being on the floor, baby carriers which are upright and allow for relatively free limb movement work too.
Mari says
What a great tip abou the mildew! Thank you for taking the trouble to share this and talk about towles and mildew – I was sure that I was the only one this has happened to! So much shame “sprayed” away by one blog post.
“creativity is essential but innovation isn’t” Brilliant! That would be a nice embroidery on a kitchen towel.
Suzanne says
I love hearing about parishes that offer particularly beautiful services. I wonder if you would consider crowdsourcing a list of parishes like that. I would definitely add my former church, Corpus Christi in NYC.
Leila says
Suzanne, this is a great idea!
I don’t want it to get lost in the comments, though. I need to find a place to put it.
Thinking…
Susanna says
I didn’t click on your church links at first, but after I browsed on, I put two and two together. If there’s a phenomenal Anglican/Anglican-use parish in MA… Yup, Fr. Liias is involved! I attended his Episcopal church back in my college days, and I’m probably Episcopalian in large part because of that church (well, and later on my priest husband!). So glad to see his ministry thriving.
Kevin McDermott says
Dear Susanna, That would be Christ Church, Hamilton-Wenham, yes? Chances are my wife and I were there with you — although, as we were “eight o’clock’ers” we may never have crossed paths. Yes, Father Liias is a remarkable Priest…remarkable enough to make a cradle Catholic like myself — without ever leaving the RC Church — follow him around as a “sojourner within the gates” first of the Episcopal Church — first at the very Anglocatholic Church of the Advent, then, when he was called to the Rectorship of CCHW, up there; and then into the Anglican Diocese of New England when Christ the Redeemer Danvers was founded. Then the Ordinariate was erected by Pope Benedict, the group which would become Saint Gregory the Great gathered; and a few years later…Father Liias was received in the Catholic Church, and then ordained. It sounds as though you are no longer in Massachusetts — if you ever find yourself on the North Shore once more, be sure to be in touch, and hopefully come worship with us — Father would love to see you again, and we would rejoice to have you with us. God bless you!
b says
Any tips for getting rust stains off Corelle type plates? A metal cookie cutter was left in the wet sink on top of the plate and the stain seems permanent so far.
Leila says
b, have you tried a magic eraser–type sponge?
b says
Not yet – I worked through all my types of sponges and hand-washing soaps and was out of ideas. I’ll try that next, thanks.
Kevin McDermott says
Hello! This IS a surprise — and a very pleasant one! I am the Verger of Saint Gregory the Great Ordinariate Catholic Church, the parish you so generously pointed towards in your post. Although I’ve always been responsible for a good deal of the content on our website, I have only recently taken over the actual management (or, I should say…I am struggling to attempt taking over management of it…). As part of this, I began to track down ping-backs to our content…most were quite obviously “legit;” but this one…”How to remove mildew stains!” — SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! thinks I; but — to do due diligence — I traipsed on over. How glad I am I took the time! And how glad WE are you took the time to traipse on over to our current home in Stoneham for our Patronal Feast — our next such liturgy will be for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th; I do hope you will return to celebrate that great Marian Feast with us. Our weekly Sunday Mass is at 9 o’clock and is a Missa Cantata, in Roman terms: more or less what you saw, in terms of ceremony and liturgy, but without the deacon and subdeacon, and minus the choir. Thank you again for your kind words, please do come worship with us in the beauty of holiness again — soon! — and, most especially, keep the Ordinariate, our community within it, and all our separated brethren in your prayers. God bless you! (oh: there is a single most-asked-question; it has remained a constant since we opened our doors. Before you — or a reader — asks :>) : )
Leila says
Dear Kevin,
Of course we were delighted to be there for the Feast of St. Gregory, and we are happy you found us! I hope you will share our site as well, as we have many resources for families here, and many like-minded readers whom I’m always encouraging to find good liturgy.
We hope to see you again soon!
And — *what* is the single most-asked question with which you ended your comment? Am I missing something?
Kevin McDermott says
Thank you, Leila! I noticed that the URL for the link I pasted had been purged; I presumed you would see it and could decide whether to add it to the post publicly (to prevent spam’n’such); but it seems not. The question-in-question is: “What IS a Verger?” (which always strikes me as somewhat odd, seeing as the whole issue of the Ordinariate itself is mighty hard to explain…even to folks who are in it. But there you are). However, if you head on over to Saint Gregory’s website and check the STAFF page…you’ll find the link, and all will be explained…in some detail :>) God bless you and all your family, including the online-variety!
Rick says
Re Tilex: How long is “a bit — not too long”? Ballpark, please
Leila says
Well, watch the item and see. In this case maybe 20 minutes? 1/2 hour? Longer than that and it might start to eat away at the fabric. However, you need to throw it away if it doesn’t work, so go for it!