I have cotton napkins, some 100 percent, some 65 percent. And it says on the label to wash them in cold. I want to make sure that when my child puts the napkin to her mouth that the napkin is sanitary. But I'm wondering if washing them in cold takes all the microbes out. I'm not only talking about the food, but what about my wash machine which may have just washed our family underpants. Is this common practice? Or am I missing something? Am I supposed to be washing the napkins in a bucket instead? I wanted the convenience of washing in the washing machine, but if that is not sanitary I will do the bucket. Also, if I can do it in the machine, should I do it in warm to make sure microbes are gone? Or is cold best? Also, should I line dry or do it in the dryer. Thanks in advance for your help.
posted by lynnie-the-pooh on Jan 24, 2013 - 29 answers

Kitchen Cleaning Gurus of MiFi: What's the best way to clean 1) oily gunk from between the handle and the netting of my all-metal spider, 2) a colander/strainer? Tips and tricks requested! [more inside]
posted by Diablevert on Jan 21, 2013 - 7 answers

Can my beloved sneakers be saved from the uriney menace? [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts on Apr 3, 2011 - 8 answers

Can I wash my suede gym shoes? I ruined an old pair of the same model previously in the washing machine in a last effort to salvage them so this time around I am looking at hand washing. [more inside]
posted by dino terror on Aug 28, 2010 - 5 answers

How do I wash / clean foam earplugs (specifically, these ones) without completely ruining them? [more inside]
posted by allkindsoftime on Jan 7, 2008 - 17 answers

Grownup has never washed a nice sweater. Help. [more inside]
posted by penciltopper on Jan 2, 2008 - 22 answers

Does anyone know of a good full service laundromat in Quincy or Milton in Massachusetts? [more inside]
posted by pikaboy202 on Jul 25, 2007 - 0 answers

Tricks for sanitizing hands after handling very spicy peppers? [more inside]
posted by adamrice on Jul 22, 2007 - 11 answers

How do I wash my car without a hose? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Jun 26, 2007 - 22 answers

My car is really dirty. How do I find somebody to clean it? [more inside]
posted by willbaude on Feb 8, 2006 - 7 answers

How do I de-stink the HEPA filter for my brand-new bagless vacuum? [more inside]
posted by salsamander on Aug 6, 2005 - 1 answer

Clothing stain filter: In addition to t-shirts, I have a number of shirts with a regular collar (non-button down). After I wear them for a while, EVERY ONE of them gets this little kind of brownish stain at in the front where the collar comes to a point. It looks kind of like rust. These stains are *really* hard to remove, and resistant to most stain removers. There are no similar stains anywhere on the shirt.

But my question is - what the heck is that stain? Where does it come from? Is it just me? Or is this a problem that all people who wear shirts with collars deal with but never talk about? Is this a message from the gods that I should only wear t shirts or only dark colored collared shirts?

BTW most of my shirts are wrinkle free cotton/poly blends, and they usually have one of those clear plastic collar stay things inside the material to keep the collar straight and pointy.
posted by jasper411 on Aug 20, 2004 - 21 answers